Darryl Dash's Blog, page 4

God Sometimes Gives Us Hard Assignments

Isaiah 6 stands as a pivotal chapter in Scripture. At a critical moment in Judah’s history, when the nation faced immense threats, God called them to trust him. Isaiah, who had witnessed the grandeur of King Uzziah’s earthly court, was given a vision of God’s heavenly court, a vision that changed everything. It’s one of the most breathtaking revelations of God in the Old Testament. Through this encounter, Isaiah gained a greater view of God’s majesty, a sharper awareness of sin, and a profound u...

Committing Together (Romans 12:3-8)

Big Idea: The gospel creates the church and calls believers to humble interdependence and sacrificial service as the unified body in Christ.

Let me make what I think is a very non-controversial statement, at least in our church: the gospel is a really big deal.

It’s the good news of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ: that Jesus took our place, bore our sins, and reconciled us to God through his death and resurrection. We’re saved not by our efforts, but by grace through faith in Christ alon...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Respectable Sins in Christian Ministry

We too often gloss over the evil within us.

Right-Sizing Your Ministry Expectations

Paradoxically, we should preach with both high and low expectations for the impact of our messages.

5 Things That Shouldn’t Be at the Center of Missions

Any humanly-invented organization that assists in missions must remember that they are a bridesmaid, not the bride.

Writing Is Beyond Me

Writing well is beyond me. I can’t do it alone.

Don't Re...

Defensive Indifference

Baseball has this fascinating concept called defensive indifference. It happens when a baserunner advances to the next base without the defense making any effort to stop them. This usually occurs late in a game when the outcome is already decided. It’s not counted as a stolen base but is seen as a strategic decision by the defense to avoid unnecessary risks, like an overthrow, that could complicate the situation.

Last week, during the Blue Jays game against Cincinnati, I was surprised to see them...

The Humble Church (James 4:1-10)

Big Idea: Conflict in the church arises from selfish desires and pride, but God offers grace to those who humble themselves, submit to him, and allow his transforming power to create a unified, Christ-centered community.

What advice would you give a church that was experiencing some conflict?

I don’t ask this question because we’re facing conflict in our church right now, at least not more than usual. There aren’t any hidden messages here about things you don’t know about. I’m asking this question...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

These Seven Biblical Truths Can Bring You Great Happiness

Ironically, it’s easier to be restored to a positive relationship with God than with any other being.

One Habit That Helped Me Stay Sane in My Darkest Days

Writing a prayer letter encouraged me in this principle and made me more grateful.

What Is ChatGPT (AI) For? And What Humans Alone Can Do

Since we have an immortal and rational soul, humans alone can do what only humans can do, namely, contemplate inte...

Are You Correctable?

“I have something I want to ask you,” my friend said. “How is your relationship with Paul?”

I felt uncomfortable. I’d recently lost my cool with Paul. I was wrong, and everyone knew it. I’d taken some superficial steps to put things right, but I still hadn’t owned my mistake — actually, my sin.

“I think we’re okay,” I mumbled, but I knew that my friend was right to ask the question. I needed a prompt to put things right.

When someone corrects me, I automatically feel a little defensive. I think of ...

What Married Love Requires (Song of Songs 8:5-14)

Big Idea: Marriage requires a love that is costly and unbreakable, boundaries that protect the relationship, and a pursuit that never ends.

I’ve had the privilege of presiding over many weddings, and I love the entire journey. It's a joy to support couples from their engagement through premarital counseling to their wedding vows. I sometimes get to accompany them for years, seeing them build their lives, welcome children, and grow together.

As I watch couples drive away after their wedding, I ofte...

Saturday Links

Curated links for your weekend reading:

Why I Chose the Church With Worn-Out Bathrooms

Their hearts and their budget were set more on people than on their facility.

What to Do After Your Pastor Preaches a Bad Sermon

What do you do after your pastor preaches a sub-par sermon? What happens when your pastor is a normal guy who preaches normal sermons?

Here are a few practical steps.

How Much Church Can I Miss to Serve?

Serving children in Jesus’s name is beautiful and God-pleasing. Gathering for worship i...

Don't Just Preach the Gospel at the End

Every sermon should include the gospel. I agree with Charles Spurgeon, who said, “A sermon without Christ in it is like a loaf of bread without any flour in it. No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.”

We can't afford to give moralistic sermons devoid of the gospel. The good news of Jesus needs to be the primary message that we preach and the centerpiece of every sermon.

One way to preach the gospel is to include it at the end. ...