The presidential election is over. What a relief. The eighteen-month race for the Oval Office was a constellation of scandals, indiscretions, and ad hominem attacks. Both campaigns exhibited everything that ordinary people loathe about partisan politics and duplicitous politicians. But the campaign is over, voting is done, and real estate mogul Donald Trump is the Presiden...

Sunday, November 13, 2016: AMLuke 22:54-65 Pastor Jon said that there will only be one kind of boasting in heaven. What did he mean?Why would Peter deny knowing Christ? What characteristics in his life might have contributed to this? How can those characteristics manifest themselves in our lives?What are ways that we may be guilty of denying Christ?What is the danger of a...

Listening well to the preaching of God's Word is foundational to spiritual growth and discipleship. Indeed, sanctification is not unrelated to how attentive we are to the faithful proclamation of the Scriptures (c.f. II Pet. 1:19-21; Jn. 17:17). The inspired Apostle reminds us that saving faith is created by and nourished upon the Word as it preached: "Faith comes from hea...

Sunday, October 30, 2016: AMGalatians 2:15-16 What is justification? Why is justification through the law impossible?What was the problem that Paul was writing to correct at the churches in Galatia?Why is the doctrine of justification by faith alone important?What are some ways that this doctrine is corrupted or misunderstood?Why is the doctrine of justification important...

Fall has arrived, bringing with it both cooler temperatures and excellent opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship at Christ Church. Remember, the Church is God's idea. He ordained and established it for the spiritual nurture, protection, discipline, and maturity of his flock. Active membership in a local church, therefore, is not only a profound blessing, it is a...

Sunday, September 4, 2016: AMLuke 22:1-6 Pastor Jon described the context of this passage as being the most important week in biblical history. Why is this week of Jesus' ministry so important? What was the Passover? What was its significance? Why did the religious leaders want to put Jesus to death? How should this be a warning to us regarding religious leaders? What...

Last Sunday we celebrated God's steadfast love and faithfulness as Christ Church became a fully constituted and official congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. In other words, we moved from church plant status to a particular church with duly elected and installed elders and pastors. Christ Church Presbyterian has been officially planted. Soli Deo Gloria! So ...

"When are you going to plant a church in Charleston?" The question came to me out of the blue in January 2012 from a good friend and fellow PCA minister from Greenville, Rev. Dr. Richard Phillips. He knew that Marla and I had a heart for Charleston, and that with the explosive population growth in the lowcountry there was no better time than the present to plant a new chur...

Sunday, August 21, 2016: AMLuke 21:20-38 Why did God let Jerusalem be destroyed? How was the destruction of Jerusalem a preview?Pastor Jon taught that we are supposed to be living as if we are ready. What did he mean? How can we do this?How does Jesus' teaching in this text help us "get a grip on reality" as Pastor Jon said?What did Jesus mean in vs. 28 that "your redempt...

Sunday, August 14, 2016: AMLuke 21:5-19 Why does the glory of this world never truly satisfy?Why were the disciples impressed by the temple? Why was Jesus not impressed?How was the temple designed by God to be temporary?Why was the destruction of the temple significant? What was this destruction foreshadowing?How should Christ's command in vs. 9 be comforting to us today?...