Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman: Will you serve both? If you had to choose, which one do you find easier or more enjoyable to love and serve? We tend to be more passionate about serving some people over others. Even for those of us on staff at a church, those of us with the title…
Jesus
3 Lessons from a Vineyard Farmer about Your Growth
In John 15 when Jesus told His disciples that He is the true vine and they were the branches, He assured them that those who abide in Him would produce fruit because of their connection to Him. Judas, His betrayer, had already departed and thus proved to not really belong to Jesus – to be…
5 Amazing Rhetorical Questions to Preach to Yourself
There are questions that are not really questions, but statements masked asked questions. For example, When Kaye has said to me, “Are you going to wear that?” it has not really been a question. When you are at lunch with ultra-healthy friend and you order a double patty burger and they order a kale salad…
5 Reminders to Those of Us Preaching This Christmas
To say that I am excited to be preaching the Christmas services at Mariners Church this Christmas would be a massive understatement. I struggle to adequately express in words the honor and privilege I feel to be able to declare the Christmas story to people I love and to the friends they are bringing with…
3 Characteristics of a Kingdom Disciple
Anyone who follows cultural trends as they relate to Christianity has likely seen the so-called rise of the “nones”—people that self-identify as not belonging to any particular religious group. “Nones” represent 23% of American adults and they are increasing. In 2007, this number was only 16%. It is likely that respondents have always felt this way about the faith, and in a culture that is less and less Christian, they finally feel comfortable being truthful to themselves and others.
The Rise of Comic Superheroes and Our Longing for One
An unprecedented 20 superhero movies are expected to come to movie theaters between 2018 and 2020. Superhero movies are on the rise and people rave about the heroes in Black Panther, Avengers, and Spider-Man. Where does our longing for superheroes come from? The ABC News story, “Superheroes, Why Are We Obsessed?” declared we need superheroes…
[GIVEAWAY] Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in John
I am honored to lead the Resources Division at LifeWay and serve with a team of leaders who are passionate to serve the Church in Her mission of making disciples. Each Wednesday, I share the heart behind one of the resources our team has developed and give an opportunity for you to register to win a free copy of…
[GIVEAWAY] Leading from Your Story, Even When It’s Hard to Tell (from Jamie Ivey)
I am honored to lead the Resources Division at LifeWay and serve with a team of leaders who are passionate to serve the Church in her mission of making disciples. Each Wednesday, I share the heart behind one of the resources our team has developed and give an opportunity for you to register to win…
5 Ways Grace Must Impact Leadership
Believers who lead in the marketplace or in a ministry environment should be different leaders all together, meaning, being a Christian leader must be more than having a Bible in your office or praying before a meeting. If you are a Christian and a leader, the grace you have received should impact the totality of…
My 3 Goals in Preaching
In the last decade I have invested a lot of time in public speaking. With employee meetings, plenary sessions, breakouts at conferences, consulting ministry leaders, and speaking on books I have written, I have given hundreds and hundreds of leadership and ministry presentations. I have also preached weekly for the last several years as teaching…