The Foolish Farmer

A rich farmer decided to tear down his old buildings and build bigger ones to accommodate his anticipated great harvest. Then he would eat, drink and be merry. God called the farmer a fool and suddenly required his soul from him before he could enjoy his riches.

A New Look at an Old Problem

Where do I fit in? How can I serve God with my unique abilities? How should I spend my life? These are old questions that many people ask. The story of two sisters in today's text raises them anew for our generation. Jesus and His disciples went to a village where Mary and Martha lived. Apparently Martha was the older sister, and she opened her home to Jesus and His companions. That brought on a disagreement between the sisters about the appropriate way to follow Jesus. Finding that way is an old problem, but let's take a new look at it. Specifically, let us see some of the issues that keep us from being the disciples we aspire to be.

Who’s My Neighbor?

What must I do to inherit eternal life? This question occupies our thoughts today, but it is not a new question. An "expert in the law" once asked Jesus this question. In answer, Jesus turned the question back on him and asked what he thought the answer was. "Love the Lord with all your heart," and "Love your neighbor as yourself." The man's answer was straight out of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Jesus told him he was right. All he had to do was to put those words into practice: "Do this and you will live."

What Matters Most

Sooner or later everyone reaches the basic truth of life: Either our lives count for something important and eternal or they are temporal and wasted. This is a strong statement that should make us pay close attention.

A Spiritual Package Deal

Maturity teaches us that often we put the focus on the wrong things. When I stand before the throne of the Lord Jesus, my ministry will not be judged so much by what I have done as by what I might have done and how much I could have done.

Preaching the Incarnation

Preaching the Incarnation (Westminster John Knox) by Peter K. Stevenson and Stephen I. Wright is a rich theological exploration of 12 key biblical passages on the subject, offering insights for preaching and teaching.

Apparent Danger

One of the most unique preachers in the history of the American church was J. Frank Norris, who preached to a congregation of 10,000 weekly at First Baptist Church in Fort Worth, railed against vice (and other preachers) and eventually was undone when he shot and killed a critic.