Author: faithrootsdw

Paul. Galatians and the end of slavery

In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes: 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. One of the major themes in Galatians is that Christ sets us free from slavery so… Continue reading Paul. Galatians and the end of slavery

How do you develop a healthy teaching and preaching diet for your church?

On one level, this is quite simple, especially if your leaning is towards systematic expository preaching and if you believe that the church family needs to hear the whole counsel of God. My practice in pastoral ministry has been to try and ensure that over time, the church covers as much of Scripture as possible. … Continue reading How do you develop a healthy teaching and preaching diet for your church?

Worship

Faithroots Podcast 1 Chronicles 16 The Ark installed (v1-3) “Blessing the people (v2, c.f. v43)  was an activity usually carried out by priests (c.f. Deut 10:8 1 Chr 23:13, but also occasionally by other leaders,  notably Moses (Ex 39:43). Apart from  David, Solomon was the only other Israelite  king known to have exercised the privilege… Continue reading Worship

Total Depravity

This is the “T” in TULIP.  Total Depravity means that because of Adam’s sin, our spiritual condition is that we are dead in sin.  It means that sin or depravity reaches into every aspect of our lives, there isn’t a part of my life that wasn’t affected by sin. Key Bible passages include Genesis 2:17-18… Continue reading Total Depravity

Redemption

One of the great events of the Old Testament, in fact perhaps the greatest event in the history of God’s people was their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.  About 400 years earlier, a man called Joseph had been sold by his brothers as a slave to passing traders. They in turn sold him on to… Continue reading Redemption

Knocking on doors or kicking down walls? Irresistable Grace

You may have heard the saying that “The Holy Spirit is a gentleman who won’t come in uninvited”.   Not so, says the Five Points of Calvinism.  If we are dead in our sin, not just weakened by it, then if the Holy Spirit waits for our invitation to come in to our lives, then he… Continue reading Knocking on doors or kicking down walls? Irresistable Grace

Why I won’t be using ChatGPT to help me prepare my sermons anytime soon

There seems to be a lot of discussion about whether or not Christians should make use of AI in sermon and service preparation. Some people have expressed fear that allowing AI to take over could be dangerous.  I have no worries on that score.  See my article here.  In fact, to be clear, I’m very… Continue reading Why I won’t be using ChatGPT to help me prepare my sermons anytime soon

Asking the question “how should men and women relate to one another in church?”

We’re mulling over a life-group discussion/workshop type thing tackling the question about how men and women relate to each other in church, how should we think of one another, how should we speak to one another, how should we treat and interact with one another. I’m also planning some linked articles on the subject and… Continue reading Asking the question “how should men and women relate to one another in church?”