Posts by Tim Brister

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Recently I came across a discussion forum online where people in my city were asked how they would like to be engaged by churches for the first time. The proposals ranged from such things as gift bags and receptions to personal time with the pastor after the service and follow-up visits...
Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed to the Father on behalf of His disciples what has been called His High Priestly Prayer (John 17). When we consider the content of His High Priestly prayer, we soon discover indicatives regarding the state of His followers in the world as well as...
Jesus Christ came to Earth to inaugurate His Kingdom. But the Kingdom of Christ would not look like any other kingdom of this world. It would be a kingdom without borders, a kingdom without end, and a kingdom without rivals. There came a time when Herod the King challenged the reign of King Jesus...
Why do we make the decisions that we do? What is the motivational structure of the human heart that forms the foundation for the decisions we make? According to Scripture, people choose to do what they love. The desires of the heart determine the actions of one’s life. Jesus made this point...
God has a way of making a point. We know this, but sometimes the point is subtle but nonetheless significant in making known His ways to His people. Such is the case in the narrative of 2 Kings 5, which focuses on a notorious pagan military commander named Naaman, who had leprosy. In this...
There is a popular opinion today that perceives Christianity as a religion of restraint. For many, the objection to becoming a Christian has to do with the restrictions placed on their freedom to live their "best life now." Christianity obstructs this kind of life by being a religion of...
One of the most fascinating scenes in the earthly ministry of Jesus is found inbetween the events of Luke 11-12. If ever you want to see how unmoved Jesus is both by the criticisms and praises of men, Luke reveals it here. Jesus knew who he was, what he was sent to accomplish, and nothing was going...
There was a time in the life of the apostles where there was an apparent disconnect between them and their Master. Jesus had called and commissioned them to join with Him in the work He was doing in the world—proclaiming the kingdom and healing those who were sick. Upon their first return...
It should be said of all Christians that we desire to live faithfully unto to the Lord and also bear much fruit as His disciples. However, the sphere of our fruitfulness does not depend on our ability—or does it? The tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility is one that has...
One of the early Passion songs that I've often enjoyed singing is, "One Pure and Holy Passion." The refrain summs up the song: Give me one pure and holy passion Give me on magnificent obsession Give me one glorious ambition for my life To know and follow hard after You Those lyrics...
There are essentially three approaches to life and ministry. The first is a life of robust theological study divorced from a pursuit of conformity to the image of Christ. The second is a quest for practical and purposeful living void of theological substance—and driven by a self-centered...