The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down
By Bradley Gray
10/02/25
23mins

The Consuming Fire and the Holiness That Comes Down

He doesn’t consume us, even though that is what we deserve. Instead, Jesus comes down to us and consumes all our sin by taking it on himself.
When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
10/01/25

When Pastors Are Abused by Their Congregations

This article is the first part of a two-part series. The second part will take a look at when pastors abuse their congregations.
An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
09/30/25

An Excerpt from Untamed Prayers: Psalm 123 and Psalm 136

The following entries are excerpts from Chad Bird’s new book, Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of the Psalms (1517 Publishing, 2025), pgs. 311 and 335

All Articles

David Schmitt
David Schmitt
07/31/22

Gospel: Luke 12:22-34 (35-40) (Pentecost 9: Series C)

We are loved by our heavenly Father. When the Creator and Giver of all good things is caring for you, suddenly, you are free to care for others.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
07/24/22

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21 (Pentecost 8: Series C)

What Jesus promises is better than justice. Jesus promises grace.
Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
07/21/22

A Hospitable God

Sometimes I think we should be more tempted to laugh at the gospel than we are, not in derision but in sheer surprise and awe.
Ken Sundet Jones
Ken Sundet Jones
07/18/22

A Cloudy Day in the Kingdom

With Christ as the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, the future is secure already. It’s solid right now, even when the cords seem to be fraying.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
07/17/22

Gospel: Luke 11:1-13 (Pentecost 7: Series C)

This is not just a pericope about hereditary sin and actual sins, nor is it providing a pattern for prayer. It is fundamentally about God our gracious Father and His promise to hear us, answer us, and provide for us.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
07/14/22

Having Done All to Stand

History is the painful realization that we aren’t the ones who can save the world but, rather, we’re the ones who get saved.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
07/10/22

Gospel: Luke 10:38-42 (Pentecost 6: Series C)

But it is not always helpful to create tidy categories of good and bad and to say, “Stop being ‘a Martha’ and do a better job of being ‘a Mary.’” That is a dangerous sermon to preach. In doing so, we can fall into the very thing we see Martha doing.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
07/03/22

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37 (Pentecost 5: Series C)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is both a call to faith in Jesus and a call to love our neighbor.
Martin Luther
Martin Luther
06/30/22

Mercy Makes Mercy

Christian mercy should not seek its own. It must be round, and open its eyes and look at all alike, friend and foe, as our heavenly Father does.
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
06/29/22

The Faithful God of the Fickle and Feeble

The undercurrent of Scripture is the sheer fact that Jehovah God is a God of his word.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
06/27/22

What is the Purpose of a Worship Service?

The worship service is less like servants entering the throne room to wait on the king’s needs and more like a father joining his family around the dining room table.
Dan Weber
Dan Weber
06/26/22

Gospel: Luke 10:1-20 (Pentecost 4: Series C)

Despite the very real obstacles and difficulties, this entire scene is marked by God’s gracious work.
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