Luke

Tools for Building the Kingdom

June 20, 2016 by Tim Sherfy

I was listening to a recent message by Andy Stanley (you can listen to the message here) and he introduced the topic of everything we own being a tool for building the Kingdom. Our money, our car, our house, our kitchen table – everything – can, and should, be thought of as tools for building the Kingdom.

tools for building the kingdom,andy stanley,Luke 12:13-21,generosity,humility,love,priorities,purpose

image © fresh_water via Fotolia

I have long understood the time and money we are blessed with should in turn be used for God’s purposes here on earth. But I admit, I had never considered how everything we own should also be seen as tools for building the Kingdom. It’s a bold way of thinking with the possibility of opening new avenues of service to our King.
[Read more…] about Tools for Building the Kingdom

No Matter the Cost

June 13, 2016 by Tim Sherfy

While I risk sounding like a broken record, I continue to be convinced a large number of people who profess to be Christians want to serve without it costing them anything. We want the ticket to Heaven as long as we can maintain a reasonable comfort here on earth. We sing, “No matter the cost” but balk at giving up a Saturday to minister to the poor or homeless. We proclaim we’ll go wherever God sends us but renege when the call leads to Uganda instead of Austin or San Diego.

no matter the cost,surrender,I surrender all,big faddy weave,love,disciple,discipleship,mission,purpose,priorities,foxes have dens,brother against brother,homeless,Matthew 10:21-24,Luke 9:58-62,Jesus first,christians,christianity

image © Vibe Images via Fotolia

When we say surrender, we tend to put guardrails around it rather than giving ourselves in reckless abandon to Christ. Unless we are willing to serve Him no matter the cost, I fear we may not even be actual followers of Jesus.
[Read more…] about No Matter the Cost

Human Trafficking

May 30, 2016 by Tim Sherfy

Jesus began His ministry by standing up in the Synagogue and saying God had sent Him “to proclaim freedom to the captives” (Luke 4:18). There were all kinds of captives in His day and in ours. There are those held captive by spiritual darkness, prisoners of war, hostages held by terrorists, and those imprisoned by their own fear. Of course there are many others, but one type of captive that gets very little play in most circles are those trapped in the world of human trafficking.

human trafficking,slavery,exploitation,counter culture,david platt,set captives free,slaves,modern slave,Isaiah 43:5-7,Genesis 1:27,justice,trafficking,sex slavery,1 Pet. 4:11,glorify God,Isaiah 58:6,injustice,loose the chains,A21 campaign,mountainchild,IJM,international justice mission,pornography,Luke 4:1

image © kalpis via Fotolia

Sure, there are many who give lip service to this horror, but we simply don’t do justice to an industry that enslaves over 27 million people. These are people just like your sons, daughters, friends, and family. Twenty-seven million people who have unsurpassable worth in the eyes of God. And yet Christians remain far too silent.

[Read more…] about Human Trafficking

Which Presidential Candidate Looks Most Like Jesus?

May 5, 2016 by Tim Sherfy

While some of our readers in other Countries might be unaware, it is hard to escape the fact in America we are in an election cycle. As with every cycle, there is an emphasis on candidates trying to win the “evangelical Christian vote”. Prominent Christian leaders come out of the woodwork to endorse one candidate or another, espousing why one follows Christian principles, while another does not.

which presidential candidate looks most like Jesus,Donald Trump,Ted Cruz,Hillary Clinton,Bernie Sanders,2016 election,evangelical Christian vote,sheep and the goats,not of this world,Matthew 22:20-22,Luke 12:13-14,Luke 19:10,John 3:17,John 14:6,Matthew 25:31-46,1 Peter 2:11,

I saw a quote from a Christian musician I have held in high esteem that said, “You cannot be a Christian and vote for {candidate X}.” That made me really sad. As someone who used to be heavily invested in political things, I understand the fervor and rhetoric. But almost thirty years removed from those days, I now have much greater clarity.

Nominal Christians

May 2, 2016 by Tim Sherfy

The world is full of nominal Christians, people who profess Jesus with their lips but ignore Him with their lives. There is a very good chance both you and I fall into this category. We would never think it of ourselves and probably are denying it even now. But the truth is we are more than likely not living our lives fully devoted to Him.

nominal Christians,A.W. Tozer,Luke 18:8,commitment,discipleship,life purpose,fully devoted,fully surrendered

A.W. Tozer said, “Believing in Him, we will seek to crucify our flesh and put on the new man which is renewed in holiness. That kind of faith in God is all but gone. When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)?

[Read more…] about Nominal Christians