Failing at Friendship, and the Freedom to be Known
By Ryan Couch
09/04/26
21mins

Failing at Friendship, and the Freedom to be Known

The greatest obstacle to friendship in middle age isn't that nobody wants friends. It's that everyone is waiting for someone else to go first. But here's the good news: Christ has already gone first for you. And because He has, you are free to go first for someone else.
Eternity is Written on our Hearts
Russ Lackey
Russ Lackey
09/02/26

Eternity is Written on our Hearts

Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything under heaven. But God has also placed eternity in our hearts, and that makes us strange creatures: able to rejoice in this life yet always aching for a life that only Christ can give.
The Priest Had No Chair
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
08/28/26

The Priest Had No Chair

What does it take to draw near to God? It takes a perfect priest, a finished work, and a broken body to open the way. In short, it takes everything, which is exactly what Christ has given for you.

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Chad Bird
Chad Bird
03/23/20

Three Hebrew Handholds in a Spinning Crisis

Long ago, the people of Israel began to sing words of encouragement to each other in times of distress. In their songs, the psalms, are three Hebrew words that provide stability for us. They are more than just words—each one encapsulates the way of God with his people. They serve as helpful handholds in times of stress and upheaval. The words are these: רָפָה (be still), קָוָה (wait), and שָׁמַר (watch).
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
03/23/20

Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (Lent 5: Series A)

The people to whom Ezekiel is prophesying are in exile—separated from the Holy Land. To return to the land of Israel is to be resurrected to new life, to be restored.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
03/23/20

Epistle: Romans 8:1-11 (Lent 5: Series A)

There has been a blood atonement for sin. Jesus is our propitiation. Jesus has expiated sin. Lent climaxes with this expectation.
David Schmitt
David Schmitt
03/23/20

Gospel: John 11:1-45 (46-53) (Lent 5: Series A)

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. But if you pause the story...then it is not just about Jesus raising Lazarus.
Bror Erickson
Bror Erickson
03/20/20

The Worship of Life in the Face of Pandemic

In a variety of ways, even in these troubled and unusual times, we can follow the lead of our Savior, to do everything we can for the life, welfare, and health of our neighbor.
Jacob Corzine
Jacob Corzine
03/20/20

Pandemic Preaching

The people should find their lives in your sermon, and no one’s life is unaffected by the coronavirus right now. It is the very fact that I can make such a blanket statement, free of all caveats, which makes it so necessary for us to preach on it.
Brandon Hanson
Brandon Hanson
03/19/20

Where Do We Go When We Fall Asleep For the Last Time?

Shaking off our sleep, bright and clear, we will open our eyes and huge smiles will come over our faces as we see the familiar faces of so many friends.
Kyle G. Jones
Kyle G. Jones
03/19/20

The Root of It All: The Fifth Petition of the Lord's Prayer

This petition is proof that the Christian life is not a practice in perfectionism. Rather, it is a life of dying and rising, lived under the cross of Christ, in the continual forgiveness of our sins.
1517 Staff
1517 Staff
03/18/20

Paul and the Resurrection

The book, Paul and the Resurrection: Testing the Apostolic Testimony, by Josh Pagán, has just been released by 1517 Publishing. In this innovative, interdisciplinary study, Pagán combines the analytic tools of history and philosophy to explore and evaluate competing explanations of Paul's belief in the Resurrection of Jesus. In this article, he introduces us to his book, which is available now on Amazon (see link at close of article).
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
03/16/20

The Good News that We Can't Help Anyone

Only God's Word of Gospel can permanently help and heal the addicted.
Jeffrey Pulse
Jeffrey Pulse
03/15/20

Old Testament: Isaiah 42:14-21 (Lent 4: Series A)

The preceding pericope uses the metaphor of a “mighty man,” a “warrior” for the LORD and this is not too much of a stretch for us. However, our text begins with the metaphor of a woman in child birth.
John Bombaro
John Bombaro
03/15/20

Epistle: Ephesians 5:8-14 (Lent 4: Series A)

Paul seems to think singing is an excellent way of practicing and truly nurturing the Christian faith. His thought is that the life, death, resurrection and reign of Christ are the songs in the heart of those who are enlightened.
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