I John

Our Father

July 16, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

God is our Father, and as such, we must be careful how we represent the holy and impartial Judge in our brief time on earth. We must do nothing to bring shame to His name (Matthew 5:16), dishonor His Word (Psalm 119:9), or grieve His Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 4:30) We are to live in a constant state of reverence and awe towards Him. (1 Peter 1:17). Some of us have wonderful human fathers, and others of us have one who was anything but.

Too many have never known their father. No matter what kind of physical father you have, your spiritual Father in Heaven is everything you ever wanted a father to be and so much more. The Lord grafts everyone who confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in Him as Savior into the family of God. The God of the Universe is now your Father and forever will be.

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Emulating His Death

July 9, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

We spend much of our lives trying to emulate the life of Christ, but perhaps we should be more concerned with emulating his death. God’s Word commands us to walk just as Jesus walked so long as we are on this earth. (1 John 2:6; Ephesians 5:1-2) That is how we should spend every day of our lives. But our life is but a mist, a blip on the timeline of history, and over before we know it.

What will we leave behind for the generations to come? J. C. Ryle wrote, “Christ’s vicarious death (not his life or miracles or teaching but his death) was to bring forth fruit to the praise of God and to provide redemption for a lost world.” Thus, He accomplished more in His death than He ever did in His days on earth.

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Hate or Regret?

July 6, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

When it comes to sin and evil, are they something you hate or regret? The difference is not wordplay or subtlety. It’s one thing to feel bad about disobeying God and quite another to be repulsed at the thought of ever doing so. Our sin is the reason Jesus had to suffer and die in our place as an atoning sacrifice. (Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 Peter 3:18) To come to a place of repentance requires more from us than just regretting Jesus had to go through that.

He doesn’t need you to feel bad for Him. What Jesus desires is that you recognize your need for His sacrifice. (Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32) The Lord cannot tolerate sin (Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 5:4-5) and as we are called to look and act like Him (Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 2:6), we too must hate every sin and every form of wickedness. (Romans 12:9; Psalm 97:10)

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A Slave of Jesus

July 2, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

There’s no such thing as a free person. Each of us is a slave of Jesus Christ or a slave to sin. (Romans 6:16-18; John 8:34-36) We can talk about freedom and independence all we want, but they are both a myth. We are all slaves to something or someone. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I am more than happy and grateful to declare myself a slave of Jesus Christ, bound to do whatever He tells me to do. (Galatians 1:10)

He died for me, so I will live for Him. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Romans 14:8) He bought me at the price of His blood and very life. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 1 Peter 1:18-19) I no longer live outside of Christ. (Galatians 2:19-20; Colossians 3:3) I am His and He is mine, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. (John 10:14; Song of Songs 6:3)

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Come to Christ to Die

June 18, 2026 by Tim Sherfy

While it seems most people reject Christ, those same people would also jump at the chance to get everything He offers. They want the benefits without the sacrifice. Who wouldn’t want that deal? The deal Jesus offers is better by far, but on the surface, it doesn’t look like it is. As with many things in life, looks can be deceiving.

The people of this world want peace, happiness, and wealth without surrendering their selfish desires. Jesus promises rest, joy, and an eternity in paradise, but He does require that you first surrender everything to Him. (Luke 14:33; Matthew 16:24) So, don’t come to Christ for what He will do for you. Come to Christ to die. (Galatians 2:19-20; Luke 9:23)