Jesus stood innocently before Pilot, having never committed a sin or crime (Heb 4:15). What followed was the greatest travesty of justice in history. Without evidence, Jesus was tried, convicted, and crucified (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18). His cross symbolizes so much for Christians. The Curse of the Cross. The cross symbolized shame because it was reserved for the worst of the worst. Paul said, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree” (Gal 3:13). Though guiltless, Jesus accepted that curse for the world’s sins (Isa 53:5). The cross that was his curse became his glory (John 13:31). The Concern ..read more

With nearly record highs in the month of February, it is obvious Texas winter is over and summer has begun. March holds the threat of 90-degree days as well as a possible frost. However, March also brings a new topic in our Choose Well preaching theme. This month we will focus on forgiveness. This week, we begin with a look at God’s inexplicable desire to forgive humanity. In the popular Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we will see the amazing gift of the father in accepting his wasteful son back into his home. It stands as a testimony to everyone that no matter how far we may stra ..read more

In the Synoptics, Luke makes more references to the Holy Spirit than Matthew and Mark. This trend continues in the book of Acts that contains about seventy references to the Spirit. Luke views the presence of the Holy Spirit to be a key element in Christianity. First, Luke connects the Spirit with the ability to preach the gospel. In chapter 1, Luke repeats Jesus’s promise that the apostles would be baptized with the Holy Spirit (1:4-5). This reception of the Spirit would enable them to be witnesses of Jesus and his salvific work (1:8). The Spirit’s work in empowering the preaching came to fru ..read more

Each year as we begin planning for and training our missionaries for a week of laboring for the Kingdom in Jamaica, I am struck with the question “Why?” Why do we put so much effort on the mission trip? The simple answer is found in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” The New Life mandates we share the Gospel with the world around us, and beyond. The Gospel is not limited to who we see daily, though they should not be forgotten. Yes, our nation continues sliding into sin, but that does not mean the mission beyond our home is less urgent. To be frank, we ..read more

Nineteenth century poet William Bell Scott wrote Maryanne, a poem telling the story of a boy and girl growing up in the country side professing their love for one another. As the years passed, the girl cast longing eyes to the city and left the country and the boy behind to marry herself to high society. Her new love lured her into the sewers of sin, staining the purity of her past with the prostitution of her present. While she loved the promises of Victorian society, she was crushed by its reality. Then, one day the young farmer found her in the city. He reached out and took her hand speakin ..read more

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son” (1 John 4:10). As the humble king stared into the celestial expanse, God’s concern overwhelmed him, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psa. 8:4). Those words were spoken generations before God even appeared with us as Emmanuel, which means “God with us” (Mat. 1:23), and is the embodiment of God’s love. As much as God’s work invokes our love, we are reminded that God loved us first. He has always approached humanity, long before humanity approached him. In Exodus ..read more

She was a Gentile, but her declaration of faith echoes throughout history. Ruth’s testimony confronts the unbeliever and encourages the believer, proclaiming a pattern of total commitment. Too many people today dabble in Christ. They inch to the water’s edge, test it, and draw back in fear of commitment. To those, Christ said, “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Mat 10:38). Jesus wants total commitment. Ruth shows us what that looks like. When the widowed Naomi determined to return to Judah, she called her daughters-in-law, Ruth and Orpah to her side. She told ..read more

It is easier to resist at the beginning that at the end.” So said the strip of white paper wisdom. Often fortune cookies are trite and worthless, yet this one spoke an ancient truth—a truth as ancient as God himself (1 Cor. 10:6-15). How many hearts have been broken, lives shattered, tears cried because people were ignorant of the difficulties of resisting at the end instead of the beginning? Eli learned this lesson the hard way. His sons were “worthless men” (1 Sam 2:12). They disregarded God’s will in ministering to the people of God. The stole from the sacrifices treating them with contempt ..read more

Gregory of Nazianzus was born into a Christian family in Cappadocia. His father, bishop of Nazianzus, gave Gregory an intense religious education. He studied in Caesarea, Caesarea Philippi, Alexandria, and Athens. While in Athens, he roomed with his friend and fellow Cappadocian, Basil of Caesarea. Gregory returned home to teach rhetoric in 356 ad. At that time, he dedicated himself to asceticism and caring for his parents. Later, Basil convinced Gregory to join him at his monastery in Pontus where Gregory excelled in monastic life. When division over the identity of Jesus threatened the churc ..read more

As the expiration date on the year 2023 swiftly approaches the University church can look back on a wonderful year. The sweet fellowship, mountains of service, and attention to our divine mission has carried us to the doorstep of another year, and the future looks as bright as our history. It is difficult to think of the University church without thinking about Focal Point, one of our main projects each year. This year’s slate of speakers was not only top shelf, but the messages were so encouraging and uplifting. One of my favorite parts was how most of the speakers spoke about the need for pe ..read more