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

RJ Grunewald
RJ Grunewald
02/26/20

No Approaching God Without Christ

For what end does the Law exist? The Law exposes us so that we might find the remedy in the person and work of Jesus.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
02/25/20

If God Would Just Choose Someone Else

The end of the pursuit isn't regeneration, but degeneration. We're fighting fire with bottles of gasoline.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
02/24/20

Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11 (Lent 1: Series A)

But this is not a story of Jesus being taken many places. This is a story of Jesus remaining in one place and deepening in His love of the Spirit and the Father.
Pete Lange
Pete Lange
02/18/20

The Pilgrim's Promise

Ultimately the Christian life isn't about progress, it's about promise--the Pilgrim's Promise.
Daniel Emery Price
Daniel Emery Price
02/17/20

Overcoming Our Foolish Hearts

Faith is a gift from God. It’s not flashy or boast-worthy. It’s total dependency on the God who saves utter fools.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
02/17/20

Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration: Series A)

God interrupts Peter, but not only to quiet him. He also directs Peter to listen to someone else.
Dominick Santore
Dominick Santore
02/13/20

Dear Pastor, Give ‘em Gospel!

Christianity has never been about getting people to clam up and look the part. It’s about Christ calling sinners to himself.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
02/11/20

Weaponizing Our Virtues

Virtue, like all good things, can easily be weaponized. And not only can, but constantly is. Indeed, I would argue that, for churchgoing, rule-following, tradition-honoring, morality-applauding people, virtue often becomes the cancer that we deem a badge of honor.
Bruce Hillman
Bruce Hillman
02/10/20

The Baptism that Swallowed the Rocks

The Church gathers around the Word and Sacrament in order to receive Christ and each other.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
02/10/20

Gospel: Matthew 5:21-37 (Epiphany 6: Series A)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus establishes a whole new standard for what it means to live as one of His people.
David Rufner
David Rufner
02/05/20

An American Myth Meets the Gospel of Jesus

This is our frontier religion: God is waiting to shower blessings upon us if only we will unlock those blessings with the right kind of works, and a sufficient quantity of the same.
Peter Nafzger
Peter Nafzger
02/03/20

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20 (Epiphany 5: Series A)

The followers of Jesus have a function to perform. When they do not perform it—that is, when they are not being themselves—the world suffers.
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