Darryl Dash's Blog, page 16
November 3, 2024
The Self-Deceived Church (Revelation 3:1-6)
Big Idea: Guard against spiritual lethargy by staying close to Jesus.
In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus addresses seven churches. Jesus understands the state of each church and addresses them individually with praise, corrections, potential consequences for ignoring him, and promises for those who listen.
These seven churches are meant to be representative churches. “It turns out that the seven churches of Asia embody every major issue with which the church has struggled in every age in every cultural ...
November 2, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
I like the emphasis on a rule of life, but I don’t like what often appears to me like a random buffet-line of spiritual practices that seem to have no inner-logic to them.
Three Ways We Might Find Our Biases Driving Our Biblical Interpretation
There are some tell-tale signs that our biases might be overtaking our reading of Scripture.
Student Ministers, the Christian Life Is More than Passion
Shouldn’t we long for a generation to be on fire for Go...
October 29, 2024
The Long Race
I can run a 5K race, but I don’t enjoy it. The pace is fast and short, which suits other runners more than me. I could run a 10K with preparation. I also don’t love it because the pace is also fast.
My sweet spot, if I’m prepared, is the half-marathon. It’s long enough for a slow, steady pace, and yet short enough that it doesn’t require more training than I’m prepared to take on.
A full marathon is something altogether different. In terms of preparation, a full marathon is much more than double a...
October 27, 2024
The Tolerant Church (Revelation 2:18-29)
Big Idea: Don’t accept pressure to compromise; the consequences can be serious, but following Jesus brings great rewards.
According to Stephen McAlpine, a pastor in Australia, we’re the bad guys now.
Culture has not only rejected the gospel, but the gospel we share is often seen as bad or even dangerous. We live in a time that overlooks spiritual realities and is increasingly hostile to once-accepted beliefs.
British author Douglas Murray, who is gay and atheist, notes that our major narratives hav...
October 26, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
First Up: Get Your Soul Happy in God
Mueller's great discovery was that 'the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.
The Christian view of history is a long defeat – though with an ultimate victory where everything sad comes untrue, where our Father below will be reunited with our Father above, where all the dragons will be slain and every tear will be wiped away.
October 22, 2024
Diagnosing Your Preaching Problems: Examining Exegesis, Heart, and Delivery
After a dozen years of preaching, I hit a wall. I knew something was wrong with my preaching, but I didn’t know how to fix things. Part of the problem is that I didn’t have clarity about what was wrong.
Looking back, I wish that I had instituted a regular sermon review process, or even used some good diagnostic questions to put my finger on the problem.
I thought the problem was my delivery. I asked a mentor for feedback, which was a little unfair since he didn’t regularly listen to my preaching. ...
October 19, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
It’s Better to Die Than Hinder the Gospel
Our goal, Paul says, is to remove every obstacle to the good news. He would rather suffer anything than hinder the gospel of Christ.
The World Doesn’t Need You to Be Angry
Remember, if Jesus said we’d be known as his disciples by our love for one another, what does it tell the people around us when we are as hostile and divisive as everyone else?
Where Does Happiness Originate?
I believe it’s vital that we not leave our ...
October 15, 2024
The Glory of Good Work
I first experienced it when watching It Might Get Loud, a documentary featuring the career and music of rock guitarists Jimmy Page, the Edge, and Jack White. The three guitarists met on a Los Angeles soundstage, talked about music, and played each other’s songs. I’m not a musician, but I shouldn’t have loved it, but I did. Watching three great musicians talk about their craft is enthralling.
I’ve noticed the same reading Bruce Springsteen’s memoir Born to Run and Steve Van Zandt’s memoir Unrequit...
October 13, 2024
The Persecuted Church (Revelation 2:8-11)
Big Idea: When persecuted, take courage because Jesus knows, Satan is limited, and your suffering will be worth it.
The numbers are staggering. Over 365 million Christians face significant persecution and discrimination for their faith, according to Open Doors. 1 in 7 Christians around the world are persecuted worldwide. Last year, almost 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith. Almost 15,000 churches and Christian properties were attacked. Over 4,000 Christians were detained.
Because it’s ha...
October 12, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Does the Bible Say Anything about Going to Church?
Does the Bible say anything about going to church? Let’s explore seven different answers to that question.
I, for one, am deeply encouraged by holy men and women whose stories are full of “ironies, contradictions, inconsistencies, imponderables.”
10 Diagnostic Questions for You and Your Spouse
What are some other questions that can help diagnose the health of our marital life? Here ...
