Tag Archives: Christianity
The Dwelling Place of the Holy Spirit
We must not get the impression that the Christian life is one continuous conflict, one unbroken struggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. A thousand times no. The heart that learns to die with Christ soon knows the blessed experience of rising with Him, and all the world’s persecutions cannot still the high note of holy joy that springs up in the soul that has become the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit.
The Details of the Christian Life
The wise Christian will bring his Christianity into all the details of his life. Observe also that such a Christian will not ‘pick and choose’ among the aspects and elements of godliness; but ‘whatsoever things’ his conscience and his Bible tell him to be accordant with the divine will, these all and always he will do, — ‘esteeming all God’s commandments concerning all things to be right, and hating every false way.’
Robert Johnstone, The Epistle of Paul to the Philippians, p. 375
Click the link on the biblio info above to download Johnstone’s commentary on Philippians for free.
Walking the Talk
How can we expect to teach God’s truth to others if we have never experienced it ourselves so as to become examples of its power?
When Doctrine Becomes Useless
Doctrine is useless if it is not accompanied by a holy life. It is worse than useless; it does positive harm. Something of the image of Christ must be seen and observed by others in our private life, and habits, and character, and doings.
The Gospel Is the Priority!
The Christian faith is not a mere collection of doctrines — a bag of truths. Christianity is a comprehensive truth claim that encompasses every aspect of revealed doctrine, but is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, as the apostolic preaching makes clear, the gospel is the priority.
Divorcing Demand from Doctrine
Separate the demand from the doctrine, and you have either a system of righteousness that is impracticable, or a barren orthodoxy. Bring the demand and the doctrine together, and the true disciple of Christ is able to do the one, through the other strengthening him. The motive is adequate to the movement; the the bidden obedience to the gospel is not beyond the measure of his strength, just because the doctrine of the gospel is not beyond the measure of his acceptance.
Thomas Chalmers, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
Click the name for a bio and the title for the sermon
Glorying in God
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
Writing in Water
If the Word be not believed, it is like writing on water, which makes no impression…. Oh that the Bible might be seen printed in our lives!
An Embassy of Heaven
The church is not something additional or optional. It is at the very heart of God’s purposes. Jesus came to create a people who would model what it means to live under His rule. It would be a glorious outpost of the kingdom of God, an embassy of heaven. This is where the world can see what it truly means to be human. Our identity as human beings is found in community. Our identity as Christians is found in Christ’s new community, and our mission takes place through communities of light.
Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, Total Church, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008), 50
Life Is Worship 