In contrast to the false doctrine of the legalists, which was only leading to ungodliness and worldly passions, Paul commands Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). Only healthy, gospel teaching will produce true godliness in the lives of its hearers. Then Paul describes for Titus what a godly life of good […]
How does a disciple of Jesus Christ grow in his or her faith? How do Christians grow in genuine love for one another and delightful obedience to their Lord? Having just been told by Jesus to walk in love, to pay attention to one’s manner of life so that no one is caused to stumble, […]
What does it look like to truly love the Master and to be among those “who will eat bread in the kingdom of God” (Luke 14:15)? Jesus’ parable in this passage shows us that those who were first invited made pathetic excuses and ultimately missed out—which is precisely what the elite of Israel who rejected […]
Here at ECC, we are committed to connecting our community to Christ. While we certainly do this as individuals by preaching the gospel and loving our neighbors, making disciples of all nations is to happen through, and in the context of, the local church! Jesus said that he would build his church—a church of those who not […]
This is the first sermon in a three-week series on the mission of ECC. Disciples of Jesus are made when the members of the church, the body of Christ, experience life centered on God’s Word together. In Acts, we see the early church experiencing life together as “they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and […]
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Following Jesus is a full-time occupation, and the demands of the kingdom supersede all earthly loyalties. To be a disciple of Jesus involves being sent out as laborers into the harvest—proclaiming the good news of […]
“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). Jesus has just clearly announced his departure—the exodus that he came to accomplish. He is going to be delivered into the hands of men, suffer, die, and rise again. This was the fixed path of the promised Messiah; he […]
Chapter 9 in Luke’s gospel is profound. After Peter makes the monumental confession that Jesus is “the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20), Jesus responds by saying: “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:22). Yet […]
The miracles of Jesus, often the topic of much discussion and admiration, served a greater purpose than merely being examples to be sought after and replicated today; they were signs that pointed to greater spiritual realities and especially his identity and mission as the Son of God sent into the world to be the great […]
