Monthly Archives: August 2023

Church Member’s Checklist 2 (1 Thessalonians 5:16-28)

Posted on August 27, 2023 by salooper57

We think that we are in charge, and so of course we cannot rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Jesus knew that his heavenly Father is in charge. Such confidence in God makes all the difference. Faith, as John says in his first letter, is the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:4). Continue reading →

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Targeting Errors and How to Avoid Them

Posted on August 26, 2023 by salooper57

I frequently have heard people say, “I believe in my faith.” I cringe and respond, “Don’t do that! Believe in God, not in faith.” Continue reading →

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Church Member’s Checklist (1 Thessalonians 5:12-15)

Posted on August 20, 2023 by salooper57

Repair admonishment do not happen as often as they should, or as often as God intends, in the contemporary church. We are not close enough, do not love each other enough, do not trust each other enough to admonish. If someone does admonish, the usual result is anger, division, and departure. So, we cannot start with admonishment. We must start with love, intimacy, and trust, and that takes time to develop. Continue reading →

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Lighter or Darker: You Are the Switch

Posted on August 19, 2023 by salooper57

Poets and novelists have always made symbolic use of light and darkness, with light representing good and darkness representing evil. It could be argued that Shakespeare reverses this in Romeo and Juliet, but clearly the Bard relied on those traditional … Continue reading →

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I Thessalonians 5:1-11- Don’t You Know?

Posted on August 13, 2023 by salooper57

I want to close by speaking to those who have used distrust and hatred to protect themselves. I know that you’ve had to protect yourself from some bad things. You didn’t choose distrust and hate; you were forced into it. But distrust and hate are killing you. There is another way. Continue reading →

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Yours, Mine, or Ours: Morality in the 21st Century

Posted on August 12, 2023 by salooper57

Western cultures are undergoing a shift in moral priorities…The resulting moral earthquake has fractured the social landscape and left us standing on disparate tracks of moral ground. Continue reading →

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How to Get Caught Up (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Posted on August 6, 2023 by salooper57

Writers have used lots of ink and preachers have spoken millions of words to talk about “the rapture.” This is the passage behind all that teaching. Paul did not write this to satisfy people’s curiosity about what will happen in the future, but to encourage people in the present. Continue reading →

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Why Have 40 Million Americans Stopped Attending Church?

Posted on August 5, 2023 by salooper57

A former youth pastor once said to me: “I’ve seen kids do well” – in terms of faith – “whose parents were genuine Jesus-followers. I’ve seen kids do well with addicted, abusive parents who don’t know God. But I’ve never seen kids do well whose parents talk like they’re Christians but live like they’re not.” Continue reading →

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