“This, then, is how you should pray: “'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...” -Matthew 6:9 What follows is an edited manuscript of a sermon that I delivered on November, 23 2025. My church has been going through the Heidelberg Catechism this calendar year, and we’ve now made it to the questions that have … Continue reading Hallowed Be Your Name
Thoughts on Scripture
Monsters in the Air
“…for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." -Ephesians 6:12 I recently finished two books that deal with a similar theme though they belong to very different genres. Stephen … Continue reading Monsters in the Air
Blessed are the Merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” - Matthew 5:7 This is the second part of my somewhat loose work-through of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. If you haven’t already, you may want to check out part 1 where I give a basic overview of the Beatitudes: here. What … Continue reading Blessed are the Merciful
Blessed are the Peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9 A few of the High Schoolers in my church plan to study the Sermon on the Mount with me this Spring and Summer. We are using Skye Jethani’s book What if Jesus was Serious[1] as a jumping-off point, but our … Continue reading Blessed are the Peacemakers
Pull Out!
The apostle John uses a rather explicit, uncomfortable metaphor late in the book of Revelation. Addressing believers who have aligned themselves with Empire, he writes: “After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:“Fallen! Fallen is … Continue reading Pull Out!
A Theology of Service: Culture Influences Comprehension
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27 This is the third entry in a series of blogs I’m writing on the topic of service and hospitality. If you haven’t read the other two, I’d recommend doing so before you read this one. … Continue reading A Theology of Service: Culture Influences Comprehension
David’s Mighty Men
“These are the names of the warriors whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the Three; he wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time…” – 2 Samuel 23:8 If you’ve ever attended a men’s ministry retreat, I’m sure you’ve heard about David’s Mighty Men. They appear in … Continue reading David’s Mighty Men
A Theology of Service: Serving Others is Experiencing God
“Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” -Hebrews 13:1-2 As a youth pastor, I am always looking for ways me and the students in my care might “serve” our local community. We frequently volunteer in a local soup kitchen. … Continue reading A Theology of Service: Serving Others is Experiencing God
Did the New Testament Church Fail?
The Apostle Paul and the Jewish-Christian Schism "“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of … Continue reading Did the New Testament Church Fail?
Fluffy Faith
“Never be rash with your mouth nor let your heart be quick to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you upon earth; therefore, let your words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2 Here is a slightly edited manuscript of the sermon I preached on Sunday, May 26 at Unity Reformed Church … Continue reading Fluffy Faith
Scripture Simplified 