Preaching

At the age of 18, I sensed a call into ministry and developed a deep desire to know the Bible. I seek to teach the Bible as a Beautiful Invitation Breathing Life Eternal. I want a deeper intimacy with Jesus to be the heart of every message I preach and every invitation I extend.

The Beautiful of the Bible is seen in the incomprehensible words of the Psalmist who wrote, “I have seen a consummation of all perfection, but Your word is exceedingly broad” (119:96). Taber Translation: All the wonders of the world have bookends but my mind still can’t comprehend the depth and expanse of your infinite word. The Invitation of the Bible is throughout the pages, from Jesus’ plea to “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest” (Matthews 11:28) to “the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). The Breathing nature of the Bible is spelled out in 2 Timothy 3:16 where it is said “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The Life Eternal offering of the Bible is found in the prayer of Jesus for his followers. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Every time I stand to preach it is my earnest prayer that His Spirit would open the eyes of all who would hear and that we would behold wonderful things from His law. It is my hope that all would walk away from the sermon not with the feeling of an accomplishment (I went to church), but the sense of an Accompaniment (I met with God and left with God).

PASTORING

I love to walk alongside people as they go through seasons of struggles and triumphs, showing them how God’s Word can be a source of grace and truth, breathing life where death may currently reside. I believe that 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that the Bible shows us what is right, what is not right, how to get right, and how to live right. At the center of this teaching is the faith one must have in the God-Man, Jesus Christ.

I believe that God’s Word has an answer for every problem in life. For some that answer will be, “Go to a doctor and seek medical treatment for your cancer!” “Go seek an injection for your hormone imbalance!” “Go have surgery on your overactive thyroid!” For others, that answer will come in the form of Biblical reprimand for godless actions. “Stop stealing!” “Stop cheating on your wife!” “Spend time in the Word!” “Get in a community of believers that can hold you accountable and spur you on to love and good works!”

Repentance and faith are a summary of Paul’s message to the Ephesus church (see Acts 20:17-21) and they are a summation of the Christian life. Gospel-centric, Biblical counseling will always call for either genuine repentance and/or greater faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The aim of Biblical counseling within the local church should always be grace-filled, Spirit-led, church-supported restoration to the fullness of life.

My favorite Bible character is Barnabas and I make it my aim to be an encourager who always points people toward Jesus and helps them find their role in the local church. My favorite story in the Bible is John 21 and the restoration of Peter. I believe that many future “Rocks” are being sifted as sand, being tried through the fires of testing, so that the genuineness of their faith may be found to the praise, honor & glory of Jesus Christ. (See 1 Peter 1:6-9). I believe that 2 Corinthians 7:10 is a passage that fits beautifully on top of John 21 and allows us to see the stark difference between weeping bitterly over one’s sin and grieving properly from a broken and contrite spirit. I believe that God’s call on my life to be a shepherd to His people doesn’t negate His call on my life to be a sheep.

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