2 Timothy

Family Ministry: From Programs to Parents

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2 Timothy 1:1-7 – In recent decades, churches have created programs to do what God has called parents to do. We must align the efforts between the home and the church to disciple the next generation well.

Mentoring 101

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Mentoring will not happen by accident. You must be intentional in helping others follow you as you follow Jesus.

How to Avoid Youthful Passions

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At some point, we will all realize that we have never graduated from the childish way of thinking, that we ought to have what we want and ought to have it right now. This quest for immediate gratification is not from Christ and must be combatted in our lives.

Expository & Engaging Preaching

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Due to heretical content given by engaging personalities or boring deliveries given by robust theologians, preaching has received mixed reviews. Preachers can and should be both accurate in content and passionate in delivery.

Multiplication Mindset

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To be a disciple of Jesus Christ implies that you ought to be thinking of how your life can impact others. We must have a next man and next woman up type of mentality.

What Should I Read in the Bible?

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The Bible is a big book full of complicated stories, challenging situations, and complex settings that often seem foreign to us. Most of us never finished reading the Bible because we never started in the wisest place. It is important to know how you ought to progress.

Premarital Consideration

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God did not invite us to embark upon the journey of marriage unprepared without the instructions required to bring it safely onto the shore. The Bible provides the knowledge we need to succeed in marriage.

Don’t Be a Demas

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An obscure New Testament name bears significant weight on a serious spiritual problem. A companion of Paul eventually walked away from following Jesus, and we could be in danger of the exact thing.

Biblically Deficient

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We all know those people in our lives who appear very godly. Their sincere spirituality is apparent in everything they do. For those legitimate disciples, you will not find one whose deep dedication is not fueled by a love for God’s Word.

Church Leaders Require Patience

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If you are called to lead a church, you must learn how to lead with patience. A refusal to give people time to process change might reveal more about your immaturity than theirs.

Finally Reading Your Bible

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While much of the world is busy making resolutions that may not last the month, I want to encourage you instead to make a plan for the most life-changing habit you can have in this life – reading your Bible. It’s time to put down the excuses.

What Is the Bible?

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Before we attempt to interpret the Bible correctly, we must first recognize what this book is in the first place. The Bible is God’s Word so that we can truly know Him. Purpose The Bible is the greatest indication that the Creator desires to communicate with his creation. Long ago, God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different …

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Life-Changing Camps & Nit-Picking Parents

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Parents – so you’ve sent your children off to church camp, have you? What is your expectation once they return? Discover what Jesus did in your child’s life before focusing on temporal issues.

Succumbing to Subjective Truth

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If you grow up going to church, you know that the most typical Bible study scenario is one where the teacher reads a verse and then asks the group, “What does that mean to you?” More than what it means to you, we need to know what it means to God. It’s time to go the second mile in discerning subjective truth.

Surrendering to Spiritual Studies

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Christians need to ground themselves in relationships that foster consistent community. When it comes to the content guiding small groups, the possibilities are endless. What if the numerous options for curriculum are actually stifling us? It’s time to go the second mile in discerning spiritual studies.

Don’t Make God Pay for Others’ Mistakes

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Come, see the works of the LORD… (Ps. 46:8a). We have got to let God off the hook for everyone else’s mistakes. Let’s face it: each of us has been let down by people too often to count. So many people live in a constant state of disappointment. With each disillusionment, we grow ever more hesitant to trust another again. …

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You Know More Bible Than You Think You Do

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I teach a large group Bible study on Sunday nights at my church called Equip. The intended goal is to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry” (Eph. 4:12). We have a plethora of ages and backgrounds that come to this gathering every week. For a solid hour, I teach on the topic at hand. It might be …

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Stand Firm

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“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.  Let nothing move you.  Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”  1 Cor. 15:58 I had the privilege to preach for the DNOW event at Edwards Road Baptist Church this weekend.  Thankful for this church and their partnership …

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Equipping Your Family

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If experience is the only thing able to produce healthy homes, then all our families are doomed. Main Points If experience is the only thing able to produce healthy homes, then all our families are doomed. 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Teaching –  what’s right Reproof – what’s not right Correction – How to make it right Training in righteousness – how …

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Grandparents Who Still Love Jesus

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While every family has numerous traditions, I want to encourage all grandparents out there to make the best use of the time give with your family (Eph. 5:15-17).  Have you thought about the spiritual impact you are making on your children and grandchildren?

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Fleeing Youthful Lusts Isn’t Enough

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Fleeing youthful lusts isn’t enough. I use to think it was. In college, I wanted to live a pure life, so I found some verses to memorize.  One verse I always heard people reference was 2 Tim. 2:22: “Now flee from youthful lusts…” And so I tried to do that.  Lust can mean a host of things.  While it is …

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1 Decade at North Side

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This weekend is a pretty special one for me.  On Sunday, I celebrate two events:

First, I am turning 32.  Just seeing that number is kinda crazy to me.  It’s not a depressing thing, but it just represents a lot of life that God has allowed me to live.  I am very grateful.

Second, I am celebrating 1 decade of being a pastor at North Side Baptist Church.  In a time when some stats say that ministers stay at a church for an average of 2 years, it seems hard to imagine staying somewhere for 10.

10 years ago on my birthday, I began moving my books into an office in the Family Life Center to serve as a full-time yet part-time College and Missions Pastor.  I had just finished up a summer serving M-Fuge in St. Louis, I was engaged to the best girl in the entire world, and I had a hopeful disposition to what was awaiting at North Side.

Things have changed in the last 10 years just a little bit:

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One Doctrine

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[This picture was taken before soundcheck on my phone.  The light hit perfectly catching my two youngins eating breakfast and getting ready to jam out with Daddy and Mommy.] Wow.  What a huge day to celebrate Jesus and focus on North Side striving together for one doctrine. In an increasingly biblically illiterate society, we must commit ourselves now more than …

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Promised Persecution

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“Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  -2 Tim. 3:12 This is not many people’s favorite Bible verse.  I rarely hear devotions or sermons on 2 Tim. 3:12.  We like to remember God’s promises of well-being and good fortune our way, but when do we ever receive persecution and rise up and thank God. …

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