“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 … Continue reading To choose and be chosen
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you … Continue reading If the church were only people
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name … Continue reading Who ‘makes disciples’? (And who doesn’t?)
“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “’What are we accomplishing?’ they asked. ‘Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on … Continue reading ‘What have you done to my church?’
“’Is this your son?’ they asked. ‘Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?’ “’We know he is our son,’ the … Continue reading Dividing light
“Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’ “But others asked, ‘How can a sinner perform such signs?’ So they were … Continue reading The light in the darkness and the light that dispels it
“Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, … Continue reading ‘Parts is parts,’ ‘it is what it is,’ and other convenient myths
“See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” (Luke 11:35) “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can … Continue reading Recognizing the darkness for what it is
“But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world … Continue reading The Church of Nothing–and why you should belong
“Blessed be God, there seems to be a noble spirit gone out into Wales, and I believe, ere long, there will be more visible fruits of it. What inclines me … Continue reading Turn to Hymn 245: ‘What difference does it make?’
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were … Continue reading Do you want to be the church–or ‘the’ church?
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the … Continue reading The Church of Nothing
