Pope Francis at the San Paolo della Croce parish in Corviale, a suburb of Rome, for a pastoral visit on April 15, 2018. (Photo by Silvia Lore/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
I am sure you have had times when you had the opportunity for a real teachable moment. But when you had given it some thought afterward you realized it didn’t really measure up. We might call that a failed teachable moment. But it is one thing to not quite measure up to yours or others expectations. But quite another to not to measure up to God’s expectations. This is not just a hiccup, but a serious error that is man center, not God-glorifying. One that denies the Gospel, the sufficiency and finished work of Christ. Continue reading
While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have begun introducing their new prince to family members, as the world awaits an announcement on the baby’s name, this same country refuses to allow little Alfie Evans a chance at life as the parents appeal to the government to take little Alfie to Italy for further treatment. Alfie is in a “semi-vegetative state” as a result of a degenerative neurological condition the doctors have been unable to identify. The doctors are claiming that his condition is hopeless. And in Great Britain, under government health care, that is all government and the doctors need in order to acts against the wishes of the parents to remove life support, playing God. 
Early on in my ministry, I served as a youth pastor. That early ministry was exciting and the response of teens I ministered to was equally exciting. Whenever I saw a young person respond to the Gospel it just made my day, my week, frankly, it drove me into a deep love for the Gospel and the riches of the grace of God in Christ (Ephesians 3:8). It was the glorious Gospel of grace that stood in contrast to the consequences of hell. For God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29). 
As we again look at the concept of what it means to be a follower of Christ, there must be a reason to follow. There is no question that as a follower we die to self ( Romans 6:3), live a crucified life (Galatians 2:20), deny himself (Matthew 16:24) and lose his life (Mark 8:35) to save it. But, there is the point, or should I say a holy motive. We lose our lives in Christ to save our lives. And this is much more than just from the consequences of hell. It’s a life of passion. 
Why We’re Protestant An Introduction to the Five Solas of the Reformation
In recent years we are hearing Christians describe themselves as “followers of Jesus,” instead of disciples of Christ. On the surface, the two phrases or descriptors are meant to mean the same thing. I must admit, while I use disciple more often than not, I do like and appreciate the simplicity and modern clarity of “I am a follower of Jesus (Christ).” Now comes the question, what does that mean to follow Jesus?
Twenty years ago, not one nation on earth had legal same-sex marriage. Now, access to same-sex marriage is increasingly seen as a basic human right. In a matter of less than a generation, western cultures have experienced a moral revolution.
In Matthew 16:21 we have a transition in the ministry of Christ. He was nearing the end of His ministry and now was the time for Him to start zeroing in on His private ministry with the disciples. Jesus is now in earnest teaching about the Cross and discipleship.