Church

Think back to the people who shaped your faith. I can think of several without whom I wouldn't be where I am today. Sarah Mays, my Wednesday night Bible teacher, helped me understand Scripture. Brad Carman baptized me and invested in me as a young believer. Barry Packer encouraged me to stay in ministry during seasons when I wondered if I should quit. The kingdom of God has always worked that way. None of us becomes who we are spiritually by ourselves. That's exactly what we discover in Acts 18. The Mission of Jesus Is Always a Team Effort When Acts 18 opens, Paul arrives in Corinth after leaving Athens. Corinth was one of the most influential cities in the Roman Empire. Paul walks into a city where he knows no one. Humanly speaking, he's starting over. Then Luke quietly introduces two people who will become some of Paul's closest…

Wouldn't it be nice if God handed us a five-year plan? Where you'll live. Where you'll work. Every major decision already mapped out. Even better, we'd know how the story ends. But that's rarely how God works. Throughout the book of Acts, we discover something different. God usually reveals His direction one step of obedience at a time. When God Says "No" In Acts 16, the Apostle Paul is traveling, making plans, and looking for opportunities to share the gospel. Surprisingly, the Holy Spirit blocks him from going where he intended. Not once. Twice. Paul wasn't running from God like Jonah. He was trying to serve Him faithfully. Yet every door seemed to close. We often assume: An open door means we're in God's will. A closed door means we've failed. But what if some of God's greatest acts of guidance sound like the word "No"? Perhaps you've experienced that.…

Have you ever noticed how easily people talk about the things they love? Grandparents rarely need encouragement to tell stories about their grandchildren. Sports fans don't need reminders to discuss last night's game. Ask someone about a favorite hobby, vacation, or new restaurant, and the conversation often takes care of itself. We naturally talk about what captures our hearts. The same principle is true spiritually. I've found that the people who speak most naturally about Jesus are rarely the ones trying the hardest to be persuasive. More often, they're the people who have become deeply captivated by Him. That helps explain one of the most powerful passages in the New Testament. Christianity Is More Than Admiring Jesus Over the course of Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul paints a picture of what a healthy church should look like. It's marked by unity. It's characterized by humility. It's known for serving others.…

Who was the best boss you ever had? Chances are it wasn't the person who constantly reminded everyone they were in charge. It was the leader who rolled up their sleeves when help was needed. The one who listened well. The one who cared more about the success of the team than about their own recognition. Now imagine two people beginning their careers at the same company. One asks, "How fast can I get promoted?" The other asks, "How can I help the people around me succeed?" The first person may climb the organizational ladder. The second person changes the culture. The world naturally celebrates upward mobility. We admire influence, status, and success. Jesus offers a very different picture of greatness. Leadership Begins with a Different Mindset One of the most remarkable leadership passages in the Bible is found in Philippians 2. Paul writes: "In your relationships with one another,…

Most people don't struggle to admire humility. We struggle to practice it. Think about the leaders you respect most. They're usually not the loudest voice in the room. They aren't constantly promoting themselves or making every conversation about their accomplishments. Instead, they're the people who listen well, serve others, give credit freely, and make those around them better. We admire those leaders. The challenge is becoming one. Our culture rewards visibility, influence, and personal success. It encourages us to build our platform, grow our brand, and protect our interests. The Apostle Paul offers a radically different vision. The Countercultural Power of Humility When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he was speaking into a Roman culture where status mattered. People were constantly measuring themselves against everyone else. Who had more influence? Who had more power? Who received more recognition? Two thousand years later, not much has changed. Only now,…