“First, do no harm.” You might recognize this as part of the Hippocratic Oath that doctors must take, but it’s an ethic that could easily be applied to all sorts of professions, not the least of which is the Church.

The Lord has gifted every Christian to serve the local church by uniquely forming them and equipping them with gifts only they can employ. Therefore, serving in the local church is a biblical and enriching expression of engagement towards the church family the Lord has given you.

This trio of Psalms, all from the mind, heart, and pen of Israel’s King David, has long been seen as summarizing the redemptive ministry of our Messiah, God the Son Incarnate. The themes of these three psalms are often labeled in this way: The Cross (Ps. 22), The (Shepherd’s) Crook (Ps. 23), and The Crown (Ps. 24) signifying Christ’s redemptive work as the Redeemer who died, the Shepherd who leads, and the King of Glory who rules over all.

We can all tell when someone does something nice for us out of obligation, rather than personal choice. They can dress it up with kind words and plastered-on smiles, but the veneer of contrived kindness is see-through. And few things taint kind actions and words like the stink of coercion.

Ask anyone “What is the Kingdom of God?” and you’re likely to get responses ranging from “What do you mean by ‘Kingdom’?” to any of a number of wide-ranging options presented and defended by professional theologians and preachers. Given that the subject is complex, hotly debated, and often controversial, my hope here is to simply present a broad understanding of God’s sovereign rule overall and suggest that there are several expressions of that Kingdom which testify to his power and grace.

When Charles Eliot, then President of Harvard University, was deciding how we would dedicate the Emerson Building of Philosophy at Harvard, he needed a suitable inscription to put over the main entrance. One of the other professors suggested a quote from the Greek philosopher Protagoras, “Man is the measure of all things.”

Some years ago, I was rushing through a grocery store on my way home from work, hoping to be in and out as quickly as possible. As I darted into an aisle, I noticed a small boy completely engrossed in a toy he had in his hand, and he was alone. I looked around, but his parent was nowhere to be seen. I knew that as soon as he became aware of that reality, his peaceful mood would change drastically.

Though following the commands of the Lord can be circumstantially challenging, they are given for our benefit so that we might humble ourselves, remember what is truly important in life, and trust the Lord rather than our own wayward hearts.

The title of the article is meant to be provocative. It seems true, but it feels wrong to admit it. Should not zeal for truth always lead to holy outcomes? After all, it's truth, a significant part of the Christian faith's foundation. But the sinfulness of sin affects even the highest of Christian virtues.

Good Friday gives us the opportunity to reflect upon the effectual work of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. It is always a sobering evening as we consider the weight of sin and the suffering that provided the only pathway for reconciliation with a holy God.

Today, when we think of the Gospel, we most often turn to the cross. In fact, the cross has become the symbol of faith in Jesus and Christianity in general. But for the men who were first charged with the privilege of proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God, it was the empty tomb, the miraculous resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, that took center stage.