Brian G. Hedges's Blog, page 5
May 29, 2014
3 Reasons Why Christ's Ascension Matters to You
The Ascension, Rembrandt van Rijn, 1636
The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is one of the most important events recorded in the New Testament. But though it occupies a vital place in Scripture, it doesn’t get a lot of attention today, even among Christians. My guess is that you probably haven’t read any books about it or heard many sermons on it. Usually we focus on the crucifixion and
The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven is one of the most important events recorded in the New Testament. But though it occupies a vital place in Scripture, it doesn’t get a lot of attention today, even among Christians. My guess is that you probably haven’t read any books about it or heard many sermons on it. Usually we focus on the crucifixion and
May 5, 2014
5 Requirements for Pastoral Preaching
When I set out to write on the craft of sermon preparation, I didn’t get far before realizing that isolating the mechanics of preparing a sermon from the biblical teaching on a pastor’s calling runs the risk of reducing this tremendous responsibility to a list of techniques. Paul does tell Timothy to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). And Ecclesiastes reminds us that “The Preacher
April 30, 2014
Active Spirituality: Grace and Effort in the Christian Life (Trailer)
Active Spirituality: Grace and Effort in the Christian Life from Brian Hedges on Vimeo.
Three Critical Truths about Redemption
“Redemption” is a rich
word and perhaps somewhat unique among the great gospel words in our
theological vocabulary, in that it’s a word that easily resonates with
unbelievers. Some of our favorite stories, songs, and films are built around
the themes of redemption. George Lucas, for example once said that the original
Star Wars films were about the
redemption of Anakin Skywalker. One of
word and perhaps somewhat unique among the great gospel words in our
theological vocabulary, in that it’s a word that easily resonates with
unbelievers. Some of our favorite stories, songs, and films are built around
the themes of redemption. George Lucas, for example once said that the original
Star Wars films were about the
redemption of Anakin Skywalker. One of
April 18, 2014
3 Reasons the Resurrection Matters
The resurrection of Jesus
(alongside his crucifixion) is the central historical event in the Christian
faith. Without the resurrection there would be no Christianity. “If Christ has
not been raised,” wrote St. Paul, “then our preaching is in vain and your faith
is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
I am a Christian because I
believe in the resurrection. I am convinced that after dying a
(alongside his crucifixion) is the central historical event in the Christian
faith. Without the resurrection there would be no Christianity. “If Christ has
not been raised,” wrote St. Paul, “then our preaching is in vain and your faith
is in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14).
I am a Christian because I
believe in the resurrection. I am convinced that after dying a
March 26, 2014
Why is Christianity Such a "Bloody Religion?"
Christianity has been called a “bloody religion.” Christians have built their faith, after all, on the bloody death of the crucified Jesus. We sing with gusto, “What can wash
away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” And with the apostle Peter we
confess that we have been ransomed “not with perishable things such as silver
or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a
away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” And with the apostle Peter we
confess that we have been ransomed “not with perishable things such as silver
or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a
March 3, 2014
What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?
One of Jesus’ most vivid and powerful illustrations for the believer’s relationship with him is the vine and branches. Just as branches can only bear fruit if they abide in the vine, so the only way believers can glorify the Father through fruitful lives is by abiding in Jesus. The teaching is found in John 15, where Jesus prepares his disciples for his imminent death and departure, by
February 21, 2014
Gospel Repentance
Let’s play a word association game.
What comes into your mind when you see or hear the word
“repent”?
You might think of a street preacher wearing sandwich sign blazoned
with “Turn or Burn.”
Perhaps you think of hell. Maybe the familiar illustrations
of doing a U-turn or an about-face come to mind.
While any of these associations are understandable, none of
them quite hit the
What comes into your mind when you see or hear the word
“repent”?
You might think of a street preacher wearing sandwich sign blazoned
with “Turn or Burn.”
Perhaps you think of hell. Maybe the familiar illustrations
of doing a U-turn or an about-face come to mind.
While any of these associations are understandable, none of
them quite hit the
February 19, 2014
3 Tests of Balanced Preaching
In his classic book Preaching and Preachers, Martyn Lloyd-Jones described three different kinds of sermons that every pastor needs to preach:
1. Sermons that teach or instruct. These are messages for the church with a more doctrinal or theological focus.
2. Sermons that edify. These are also messages for the church, but with a more “experimental” focus. (By “experimental” preaching,
1. Sermons that teach or instruct. These are messages for the church with a more doctrinal or theological focus.
2. Sermons that edify. These are also messages for the church, but with a more “experimental” focus. (By “experimental” preaching,
February 14, 2014
Links Worth a Look
Jesus Spent 30 Years Being Boring - Stephen Altrogge on the ordinary, mundane kind of obedience that still counts as radical. "For the first 30 years of his life, Jesus was boring. He was an unknown carpenter who wasn’t doing “big” things for God. He worked alongside his dad, using his hands to shape, shave, and tack together pieces of wood. He quietly studied the scriptures, and grew in
