“While we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” - Titus 2:13 CSBThere are two appearances in this passage. Titus 2:11 says grace has appeared. Titus 2:13 says glory will appear. Pause there. The entire Christian life is lived between those two realities. Christ has come. Christ is coming again. Grace behind us. Glory ahead of us. And righ...  Read More

“Instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.” - Titus 2:12 CSBGrace starts with God moving toward us. Then grace begins training us. And eventually, that training starts showing up in the direction of our lives.Paul says grace teaches us to deny certain things and to live a certain way. There is movement here. Grace t...  Read More

“Instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age.” - Titus 2:12 CSBYesterday we started with something foundational. Grace comes first. God moves toward us before we ever move toward Him. We do not earn salvation, achieve salvation, or convince God that we deserve salvation. Grace appears. Christ comes to us.But Paul does ...  Read More

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.” - Titus 2:11 CSBThere is something in us that wants to believe we can earn our way toward God. Maybe we would never say it that plainly. We know the right church answers. We know salvation is by grace. We know we cannot work our way into heaven. Yet if we are honest, we still live like God's acceptance rises and falls with our...  Read More

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17 CSBThere are some questions that are easy to answer. "Did I go to church?" "Did I sing?" "Did I read my Bible?" "Did I pray?" Those questions matter. But Colossians 3:17 asks something much more uncomfortable. Can the life I am living be called wors...  Read More

“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - Colossians 3:17 CSBThis week started with a question: What happens when worship leaves the room?Now we have reached the place where that question has to become personal. Because eventually the song ends. The sermon ends. The devotional ends. Sunday ends. And Monday...  Read More