by Phil Auxier
…can be done in better and useful ways by taking some of these tips from this recent post from The Blazing Center: How To Listen To A Sermon. Among other things, they encourage us to:
Remember Who Is Speaking
Listen Intently
Listen With Humility
Listen With Application in View
I commend the entire post. Think: What is one thing you could do to improve your intake of the Word through sermons you listen to? Well, jump over and get the creative juices flowing.
by Phil Auxier
…from The Blazing Center…
Do Respond Humbly
Do Identify With Their Struggle
Don’t Act Shocked
Don’t Blow It Off
Do Follow Up Later
Do Remember the Gospel
The post gives additional insight on each of these. I have found that I do well at some of these, but don’t do a good job of following up later. So, we need to be inviting those who are struggling with sin, but we can’t be satisfied with mere confession (as important as it is). We must be an instrument in God’s hands for their sanctification. So, let’s pursue this…
by Phil Auxier
Stephen Altrogge had a great post over at Crossway entitled When the Gospel Transforms Your Christmas Expectations. Here’s how he began to engage:
I have certain expectations when it comes to Christmas. I expect to drink egg nog, even though I don’t really like it. I expect to listen to hours upon hours of Christmas carols. I expect to watch the movie Elf. I expect to drive around with my family and look at Christmas lights. And I expect to get some gifts. Twenty-eight years of Christmas experience has taught me what to expect.
But how would I feel if some of my expectations weren’t met? What if I didn’t get to do the things that I so look forward to? No Elf. No Christmas lights. No nog. No gifts. Could I be happy? Could I be content? Could I rejoice in what I have instead of what I don’t have?
He then goes on to show all that we have received in the Gospel: namely, Forgiveness, Fellowship with God, Freedom. How about you? if all the “stuff” of Christmas was tossed, would you still have joy? Great question. Allow this article to shape you.
