How Does Jesus Define Love? (3 Quick Truths)

In this video, you will learn how Jesus defines love. Our culture is confused about love.

What does God say about love?

What does the Bible really say about love?

Does love always affirm behaviors and beliefs? Is love a feeling?

Learn 3 countercultural truths in this quick video that will help you love people like Jesus did.

Biblical Passages About Love

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”-1 Cor 13:6

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”-Col 3:13-15

The Biggest Issue Facing the Church Today

10 Barriers to Biblical Authority

What is the biggest issue facing the church today?

If you ask most people you will probably get answers like sexuality, gender, justice, tribalism, threats to religious liberty, cancel culture, consumerism, and relativism—just to name a few.

And they’re not wrong. Those are significant issues.

But they are not THE issue.

Underneath ALL of those issues is the issue that I believe is the greatest challenge for the church today—authority.

As I teach and disciple high school, college, and graduate students year-round at Impact 360 Institute and study the next generation, I am more convinced than ever that the number 1 topic that must be addressed is biblical authority.

Our Culture Has an Authority Problem

If the broader culture has an authority problem then it’s not surprising the church has a biblical authority problem.

Christians have drifted so far away from biblical authority. And it’s not just in progressive Christian circles that champion deconstruction.

Culture is simply what you come to see as normal without having to think about it. And it has become normal for people to see themselves as authoritative as I will unpack below.


10 Barriers to Biblical Authority Today

As I look around, I see 10 cultural challenges that are undermining Biblical Authority.

I will list them and comment briefly below but fully recognize that entire books could be written about each topic. In fact, I have addressed several of these challenges in depth in my book Questioning the Bible: 11 Major Challenges to the Bible’s Authority. As you read through this list, you will see how many of these build on each other.

1. Culture of Corruption & Abuse of Power. Everywhere you look there are scandals, cover-ups, and abuse of power. Scandal sells. And the entertainment news cycle is buying so it can drive clicks to create controversy and sell ad space. Sadly some high-profile Christian leaders and churches have been in the news for these reasons as well. The result is that you see a general institutional distrust setting in–especially in Gen Z. And if we’re honest, it’s not hard to see why some people are wary of authority. (more…)

#30: How to Explain the Trinity to a Child

How to Explain the Trinity to a Child

How do you explain the Trinity to a child? For that matter, how do you explain the Trinity to anyone?

The first thing you need to know is that the Bible never uses the word “Trinity.” The word Trinity captures the various ways the Bible talks about the nature of God.

Also, the Trinity is one of the essential and foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. You can’t have Christianity without it.

I want to share a clear and memorable way to understand what the Bible teaches about the Trinity. I first came across this illustration from Norm Geisler.

One What and Three Who’s

There is one what and three who’s. There is one God and three persons. The “what” refers to the nature of God that all three persons share.

The belief that there is only one God is clearly taught in Scripture. For example,

“Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! – Deuteronomy 6:4

That there are three persons is also clearly taught in Scripture. We see all three persons described and at work in various passages, including 2 Cor. 13:14:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not the Father. Each is a distinct person. Three who’s. (more…)

#28: Why Read the Bible?

Why Read the Bible?

The short answer is the Bible brings life to our souls.

Let these words wash over your mind and paint a picture of what the Bible does for us…

7The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

Here are 8 Reasons to Read God’s Word from Psalm 19:7-11. The Bible… (more…)

#20: Learning to Think in a Culture Ruled by Feelings

 

Learning to think in a culture ruled by feelings.

The words we use to talk about our faith shapes how the people around us approach Christianity.

Have you ever noticed how often people start talking about Jesus, the Bible, or God With “feeling” language?

“I just feel that Jesus would…”
“It doesn’t feel like God would…”
“I just feel that’s not what the Bible says…”

Feelings are great but they’re not the foundation of our faith

Now don’t get me wrong, feelings are great. But they’re not the foundation of our faith. And they certainly don’t determine what’s true.

Feelings come and go. They change.

Feelings are not wrong or right. They just are.

They’re a barometer of the soul. A snapshot of our internal life at a particular moment in time.

Thinking connects (more…)