Darryl Dash's Blog, page 22
March 17, 2024
The Greatness of Jesus Applied (Hebrews 13:1-6)
Big Idea: The greatness of Jesus leads us to love, sexual purity, and contentment.
Last week, someone asked me why I chose Hebrews as my first series here. I responded: I thought it would be good to begin with a book that’s so Jesus-centered. I agree with the British preacher Charles Spurgeon who said:
Of all I would wish to say this is the sum; my brethren, PREACH CHRIST, always and evermore. He is the whole gospel. His person, offices, and work must be our great, all-comprehending theme. The wor...
March 16, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Atomic Habits and Bible Intake: How Tiny Changes Add Up
Consider four ways Bible intake parallels diet and exercise habits and why even our smallest efforts matter.
Repent Boldly. It’s a Super Power.
Repentance is a power, a strength.
Recognizing Generational Values That Could Divide Your Church
As you minister to a mix of generational values and beliefs, remember they all need Jesus. Love them. Listen to them. Lead them.
March 12, 2024
A Checklist for Pastors
Ministry may be complex, but so much of what’s important isn’t up for debate. Put the central pieces in place and you will be well on your way to focusing on what matters most.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul describes his ministry. In doing so, he sets describes the nature of his ministry while he served among them. His list provides a helpful checklist for anyone in pastoral ministry.
Do you want a strong ministry? Ask yourself how you’re doing in three areas.
A Pure MessageRead 1 Thessalonians 1 and yo...
March 10, 2024
A Tale of Two Mountains (Hebrews 12:18-29)
Big Idea: Never try to approach God by trying to be good enough. It will destroy you. Through Jesus, receive his unshakable kingdom, and then respond in thankfulness and worship.
Why should God accept you? That is a question that should concern all of us.
When you get to the end of your life and stand before God, why should he look at you and say that you are acceptable? How can we pass the ultimate final exam, the only exam that truly matters, as our lives come under the scrutiny of God? How can ...
March 9, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Rejoicing over Judgment: Why God’s Wrath Is Good News
The surprise is not just that the Bible speaks about God one day judging the world, but that his doing so is something to celebrate.
Laments Regulate Grief
Laments Reorientate Saints…
How to Pursue Pastoral Ministry
Consider a two-part plan: Train privately. Practice publicly.
Find the Edge in Your Preaching
How does this biblical text — its world of assumptions, attitudes, and appli...
March 5, 2024
The Triune God Helps Us With Sexual Temptation
The Thessalonians lived in a city full of sexual temptation. Visitors arrived by land and sea, and sex and other pleasures were readily available. Greek culture allowed young men to enjoy a variety of sexual pleasures. “We keep mistresses for pleasure, concubines for our day-to-day bodily needs, but we have wives to produce legitimate children and serve as trustworthy guardians of our homes,” wrote Demosthenes, a Greek statesman and orator in nearby Athens.
It’s hard to live faithfully as a Chris...
March 3, 2024
The Purpose of Trials (Hebrews 12:3-17)
Big Idea: Our trials are a tool that our loving Father uses to help us grow.
A few years ago, our family entered one of the most severe trials in our lives. It’s not the first time we suffered, but it was the most intense time of suffering we’ve experienced. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
We would get the kids ready for school. When they were gone, we would sit on the couch, not knowing how we were going to get through another day. Sometimes we’d sit in silence. Sometimes we’d cry. We’d often pray,...
March 2, 2024
Saturday Links
Curated links for your weekend reading:
Thomas Was Not Judas: Counsel for Those Who Doubt
What do you do when you are genuinely uncertain about your faith?
One of the chief reasons for learning about heresies is that many of them persist, albeit in subtle ways.
7 Blessings Older Saints Offer the Church
Older Christians have some of the most important lessons to teach the local church today.
Four Benefits of Inviting Evaluation of Your Preaching
Inviting critique and feedback from...
February 27, 2024
Big Dreams Impress. Ordinary Faithfulness Delivers.
Show me a big dream if you’d like, but what really impresses me is the ordinary faithfulness of hidden saints.
I’d rather be in the company of a faithful pastor who’s served in a hidden church for decades than listen to the dreams of someone who’s never learned to serve faithfully in an obscure place.
The world’s not changed by grandiose ambition as much as it’s changed by the ordinary, plodding faithfulness of people who will never be famous.
I’m not telling you that you shouldn’t aim to do big th...
February 25, 2024
Run With Endurance (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Big Idea: Endure by laying aside encumbrances and focusing your eyes on Jesus.
I’ve never run a full marathon, but know that something happens at about the two-hour mark of running.
Your body has enough glycogen stores to run for about 18 to 20 miles. But at that point, your body simply runs out of ready energy. It can convert energy from other sources — fats and proteins — but it’s not as easy. This is what runners call hitting the wall. Your legs will feel heavy. Your vision may go blurry. You m...
