When we reduce the notion of “calling” to work inside the church, we fail to equip our people to apply their Christian faith to everything they do, everywhere they are.

I actually think one of most profoundly and deep pastoral moments between a pastor and his church is what happens between them before God in the context of preaching.

Whatever we may mean by 'Christian growth,' it is ultimately this: less faith in me, more faith in God.

The gospel doesn't just free me from what people think of me, but also from what I think of me.

Only when we see that the way of God's law is absolutely inflexible will we see that God's grace is absolutely indispensable. A high view of the law reminds us that God accepts us on the basis of Christ's perfection, not our progress. Grace, properly understood, is the movement of a holy God toward an unholy people. He doesn't cheapen the law or ease its requirements. He fulfills them in his Son, who then gives his righteousness to us. That's the gospel. Pure and simple.

You can be sure that your deepest desires reveal important truths about your spiritual condition.

Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.