Spiritual Growth

  • The Practice of Mortification by Sinclair Ferguson

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2007

    The aftermath of a conversation can change the way we later think of its significance. My friend — a younger minister — sat down with me at the end of a conference in his church and said: “Before we retire tonight, just …Read More

  • With Malice Aforethought by Kris Lundgaard

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2007

    When Genevieve told Liz she was wearing her blouse inside-out, Liz was mortified. The verb mortify comes from a Latin word for death, so it fits Liz: she wanted to die. Nowadays we rarely use the word in any other …Read More

  • Dealing with Differences by Roger Nicole

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2009

    We are called upon by the Lord to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). But that does not necessarily involve being contentious; it involves avoiding compromise, standing forth for what we believe, standing forth for the truth of God …Read More

  • With Great Joy by Chris Larson

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2005

    At the end of Jude’s epistle stand two verses that rival the most rapturous language found in Scripture. Tucked into verses 24–25 is a small phrase that should bring comfort to Christians who struggle with weak faith. We …Read More

  • Committed Surrender by John Sartelle

    FROM TABLETALK | June 2005

    “Therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19). Whatever happened to dating? I first noticed a decline in dating when our daughter, Jamie, was in high school …Read More

  • Pure Religion by Mark Dever

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2005

    The resurrection day of Jesus — the first Easter — was no merely private experience of Jesus. In space and time, the body of Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified, dead, and buried, was raised to life again. Amazing! And what else …Read More

  • Laying Down Our Lives by R.C. Sproul Jr.

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2005

    The laity are on the move … and they’re moving to Bristol. I serve as a pastor at Saint Peter Presbyterian Church in Bristol. We have all manner of quirks and oddities, some matters of conviction, others unexpected fruit of …Read More

  • New Life in Christ by Steve Dornan

    FROM TABLETALK | May 2005

    “Therefore, since Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time …Read More

  • Unquenchable Joy by John Sartelle

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2005

    “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2). Was James a masochist? “When you face trials, do it with joy.” Who gets …Read More

  • Doctrine Applied by Robert Rothwell

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2005

    On a dark Friday afternoon two thousand years ago, an itinerant preacher and miracle worker hung on a Roman cross just outside the ancient city of Jerusalem. A small crowd gathered to observe the agonizing death of this man who …Read More

  • Our Identity in Christ by Kevin Struyk

    FROM TABLETALK | December 2006

    Remembering all the personal identification numbers, passwords, login names, ID cards, and the like that are a part of my everyday routine gets tiring. In order to conduct any business on the Internet, enter my residence, pay bills, access email …Read More

  • A Priestly Nation by Robert Rothwell

    FROM TABLETALK | July 2006

    Several months ago my grandmother passed away, somewhat unexpectedly. For many days and weeks after she died, I had a deep sense of sadness as I mourned her death. I was close to her, having spent a great deal of …Read More

  • The Sinkhole Syndrome by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | March 2010

    You know the story. A man has been a believer in Christ for decades. To all outward appearances he’s a man of Christian faithfulness and integrity. He has maintained a reputation as a fine example of public and private …Read More

  • Truly Spiritual Disciplines by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | January 2011

    As you’ve surely noticed, everyone is “spiritual” today. I saw a USA Today survey that found even a majority of atheists consider themselves “spiritual” people. Come to think of it, I’ve never heard anyone say, “You know, I …Read More

  • Seeing the Gospel in the Word of God by Donald Whitney

    FROM TABLETALK | February 2011

    Surely no one reading this article needs to be convinced of the importance of feeding upon the Word of God. As Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of …Read More