Spiritual Growth / Service

  • The Christian’s Conflicting Desires

    Philippians 1:21–24

    One commentator has wondered what it would mean for the church if we really acted on the reality that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What if we more consistently conducted ourselves as if true life meant ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:7–8

    In many ways, it is easier to pray or to give to various churches and ministries instead of doing both. How often do we pray for other believers and gospel defenders without responding to their need for financial support? How ...Read More

  • Paul’s Gratitude for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:3–5

    God does not save us to be lone ranger Christians, but He expects us to partner with other believers in order to send forth the gospel. There are a multitude of ways in which we can support our churches, parachurch ...Read More

  • Leading by Example

    Ephesians 6:9

    President Dwight D. Eisenhower once observed that “leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” Good leaders do not lead by maintaining uncertain, ever-changing standards or by demeaning ...Read More

  • Serving Earthly Masters

    Ephesians 6:5–8

    Tomorrow we will discuss in greater detail the proper roles of servants and masters. We note today, however, with Matthew Henry that “service, performed with conscience, and from a regard for God, though it may be to unrighteous masters, will ...Read More

  • Perpetual Gratitude

    Ephesians 5:20-21

    Servanthood is the path to greatness, not the position we hold or the degree of authority that we have been given (Matt. 23:11). Even those who are in authority over people — including husbands, executives, and parents — must submit to ...Read More

  • Privileges and Responsibility

    Ephesians 4:1

    Living in a manner worthy of our calling is not following a legalistic checklist of do’s and don’ts. Instead, it is a gratitude-inspired pursuit of God-given growth in personal holiness. Even though this is our duty, it should ...Read More

  • The Purpose of God’s Grace

    Ephesians 3:8-9

    That the riches of Christ are unsearchable points us to the doctrine of God’s incomprehensibility. While we can know the Lord truly, we can never know Him fully, for our finite minds cannot grasp the totality of His infinite ...Read More

  • Paul’s Stewardship

    Ephesians 3:2

    Greatness in the kingdom of God is not measured by how many people serve us but in how we serve others. Yet using our gifts to benefit others is not always easy, and we need divine grace to sustain us ...Read More

  • Paying the Cost

    Philemon 19-20

    In Philippians 2, Paul calls us to follow the example of Christ and put others ahead of ourselves. We seldom consider how our decisions and behavior will be regarded in the community of believers, but this should not be. Instead ...Read More

  • No Favored Parties

    Colossians 3:25

    We can be tempted to make excuses for our behavior based on our backgrounds or conditions in which we find ourselves. But we must always remember that the Lord requires righteousness from us no matter our condition, and we must ...Read More

  • Giving Thanks

    Luke 17:11-19

    We might think that we are grateful to God for what He has done for us, but if we never work to serve others, especially His people, then we must question the authenticity of our thankfulness. James 2:14–26 ...Read More

  • Doing Good to All

    Galatians 6:9–10

    The recipients of our good deeds are not to be limited to any one group, but we do have a responsibility to take care of our brothers and sisters in the Lord first. John Calvin writes, “There are duties which ...Read More

  • Caring for Our Shepherds

    Galatians 6:5–6

    Our local pastors have a responsibility before the Lord for the care of our souls. They will be judged more strictly because of this (James 3:1), and we must do all that we can to help them do their ...Read More

  • The Law of Christ

    Galatians 6:2

    In our increasingly isolated lives here in the West it is hard for us to form relationships that open up opportunities for us to bear the burdens of others. We must therefore make a special effort to get to know ...Read More