Public and Private Sin

All Was Fair Game for John the Baptist and for Christians Today

Sunday, we looked at the way John the Baptist was uncompromising about sin wherever he saw it at work.  We in the church have tended to focus mostly on private or personal holiness and have ignored prophetic judgment against public behaviors.  We didn’t have time Sunday, but I’d originally included examples of what would have been public sins back in the time of John and Jesus...

Let’s Not Overlook Joseph of Nazareth
I asked my research assistant—a certain ChatGPT—what the most interesting facet of Joseph’s life might be.  She shared a couple of things that didn’t make it into Sunday’s sermon but you might still find inspirational...

Key Takeaway from Sunday

If I had to identify a specific take away from
Sunday’s sermon it would probably be this:

The Rest of the Story

          I mentioned Russell Conwell in Sunday’s message.  He was a famous preacher, educator, and lecturer.  His sermon/lecture “Acres of Diamonds” was turned into a book and sold rather well.  I used Conwell’s illustrations to talk about sharing the good news of Jesus with those closest to us first—family, friends, coworkers, and church family.  The wider world is our ultimate aim, but until you invest in the people God has already put in your life, you are unlikely to have much success. 

No One Said It Would be Easy

To love Jesus first is to learn to love all the other people in our lives with greater intensity and less selfishness