Posts by Pastor Matt (Page 5)

As a pastor, I’m involved with many funerals. While attending a recent funeral service, I was reminded of the judgment that takes place at the end of time when Jesus returns (cf. Rev. 20:11-15). John 5:28-29 says, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.“…

As you may know, the Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that in John 1:1 the word “God” is indefinite, and therefore we should translate it “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was a god.” If this translation were correct, the theological implication would be some form of polytheism, perhaps suggesting that the Word was merely a secondary god in a pantheon of deities. What the JWs may not realize is that if they…

I just finished one of N.T. Wright’s newest books called “Simply Good News (Harper One, 2015). All in all, I would certainly recommend the book. However, Wright does go a little far at times, especially in his claims that the majority of pastors and church leaders have it all wrong in their understanding of the gospel. It may be true that some pastors and church leaders may present an understanding of the gospel that is too narrow, but they don’t…

Mark 9:33-37, And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in…

Our oldest son, Jackson (10), has just finished publishing a children’s book about himself and his little brother, Chase (6). The title of the book is Differences Make No Difference. (Beginners reading level) Jackson will tell you that the purpose of this book is twofold: To educate people that God has made all kids, “typical” and “disabled,” for His glory (Isa. 43:6-7), and that God has made them just the way He wanted them to be (Psalm 139:13-14). Although some…