peterlumpkins.com

Sacrificial Love by Karen Scott

Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13) Agape love is not kindled by merit. It has its origins in the nature of God, Himself. God is love. God’s love is the love that just keeps giving even when those He loves are unresponsive, unkind, unlovable and unworthy. Jesus modeled agape love for us when He left His home in heaven and came to earth to live and then to die on the cross for our sins. He loved us... Read more →

A.C. Dixon on what results from prayer

I've been preaching a series on prayer over the last several weeks. One meaningful quote I employed to describe the results of prayer contrasted to something else is by A. C. Dixon (1854-1925). Dixon was a "southern" Baptist (graduate of Wake Forest College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Greenville, SC at the time) ministering in a northern cultural climate. He eventually became pastor of Moody Memorial Church. Professor Gerald Priest describes Dixon as, Something of a microcosm of fundamentalism... [embodying] ... the qualities of personal piety, evangelistic zeal (intensified... Read more →

Craig Daliessio finishes his series on "Gimme That Old Time Religion"

Craig Daliessio puts the finishing touches on his series on "Gimmie That Old Time Religion" with the fourth and final piece focusing on "You need Jesus." Craig shares a snippet from growing up: "When I was a boy, growing up in church, (for the record, I'm 49...I was a boy growing up in church in the 70's and early 80's) Jesus was the central figure. Jesus was the Son of God. The Savior. The Sacrifice, The Beloved Son. The Returning King. I started attending that church in 1973. I was... Read more →

"Compromise is everywhere"–A.W. Tozer

Christianity is so entangled with the world that millions never guess how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern. Compromise is everywhere. The world is whitewashed just enough to pass inspection by blind men posing as believers, and those same believers are everlastingly seeking to gain acceptance with the world A.W. Tozer Read more →

Ever heard of John Donne? David Allen will introduce you

Dr. David Allen has an inspiring piece on Anglican preacher, poet, and Dean of London's St. Paul’s Church during the 17th Century, John Donne. Allen writes >>> Donne’s life was pockmarked with pain. When Donne was 4 years old, his father died suddenly, leaving him and two other siblings to be raised by his mother. At the age of 11, he entered Oxford where he studied for three years. He spent the next three years at Cambridge, but formally graduated from neither as he refused to take the Oath of... Read more →

What it means to grow spiritually by Peter Lumpkins

I intend to explore this subject a bit this Lord's Day morning. My chief texts will be 1 Peter 1:3, 2:2, and 2 Peter 3:18 (NKJV) which respectfully read: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead... "as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby... "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior... Read more →

How to Stay Fresh Serving God by Peter Lumpkins

I'm preaching this morning from Matthew's Gospel. Below is a brief summary: And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the... Read more →

The Beauty of Holiness by Peter Lumpkins

I'm preaching a sermon today from the Old Testament entitled "Hungering for Holiness." One particular corpus of Scripture which I find especially moving today includes the following (embolden added): >>> Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness (1 Chron 16:29) Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness… . O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all... Read more →

Who is the greatest saint in the world?

Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world! It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is more eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God who wills everything that God willeth, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness, and has a heart ready to praise God for it William Law, Serious Call Read more →

Reach Out to Jesus by Peter Lumpkins

Several years ago, some friends and I were having a blast in our friend's recording studio. Ron picked up his guitar, Jeff sat down at the keyboard, and I was left with the microphone. The result? With that, I am... Peter Read more →

No Fire Hot Enough: by SelahV, Guest Contributor

Ever been through trials of fire? Not the little inconveniences that annoy, nor the occasional aggravation of a disgruntled person. No. I mean a trial that when looking at it from a distance, you wonder how you survived it. In its midst you felt as though you'd be consumed. Yet, you endured; you persevered and God gained the glory for it. “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the... Read more →

Those God Loves..."Pursue Righteousness" by SelahV

When I think of righteousness, I think of Jesus. I think of His complete allegiance to God and Scripture--the words He used to overcome temptation in the wilderness..."it is written". I think of how pure He thought, how focused He was on His Father's will, how obedient He was to His Father's purpose and plan. I consider how he rebuked those who lived in hypocrisy--like "white-washed tombs"--those preaching and teaching one thing, yet doing another. I see His kindness to the children, His gentleness towards Mary, His compassion with the... Read more →