Humility

Humility is a virtue more often praised than sought. Who wants to think little of himself? The world admires the self-confident, the ambitious, yes, even the proud! Yet biblical humility-recognizing oneself as a sinner before the holy God-is a prerequisite for starting down the path to revival.

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Wed, Jul 23, 2008

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2008

Clinging to the Cross

The Most Important Question Most of us have probably posed to others the question, “If you were to die today and stand before God in heaven and He were to ask, ‘Why should I let you into My heaven?’ what would you say?” The way people answer that question indicates what they are trusting in for their forgiveness and salvation. Even as spiritual leaders, we need to take regular inventory of what we are trusting in by asking ourselves the same question. If your answer would be, “I think You should let me into heaven because I tried to live ...

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Tue, Apr 15, 2008

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2008

Engaging the Culture with the Gospel

Almost all critical Christian thinkers agree that we live in a post-Christian culture.

There was a time when the majority of people in Western cultures, whether churched or not, had a worldview shaped by Christian theism. But that is no longer the case.

The age of Christendom is over. Our culture is increasingly hostile to the exclusive claims of the gospel, and a pressing question of the day is, How do we engage the culture with the gospel.

Far better thinkers than I have tackled this question. I stand on their shoulders and commend their work to you. [i] With ...

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Tue, Apr 1, 2008

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2008

Climbing Down for the Bottom

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:4–8) The Mess The men’s dressing room was ...

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Mon, Mar 10, 2008

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2008

The Greatest Servant

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil. 2:5-8, ESV) Water is scarce in the Sudan, and the African people have to dig deep wells in order to find it. These are not your typical wells ...

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Fri, Feb 22, 2008

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2008

Walking with a Limp

A. W. Tozer said, “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”[1] Jacob was such a man. Jacob’s encounter with God at Penuel, recorded in Genesis 32, definitively transformed his life. Before Penuel, Jacob had been the master manipulator. With a deft hand and deceitful heart, Jacob maneuvered people and manipulated circumstances to his advantage. Cunningly, Jacob even secured Esau’s birthright and blessing and Laban’s daughters and flocks. But now it is time to “cash in his chips.” Having left Laban on less than good terms, Jacob is ...

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Wed, Jul 11, 2007

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2007

Servant Leadership

As a young preacher, I was thrilled to be invited to join an older pastor on a weekend preaching engagement at one of our denomination’s larger churches. I was even given an opportunity to preach Saturday afternoon, and I enjoyed the pastoral chatter about church, theology, books, and ministry. On the flight back to Texas, I asked my older minister friend for one piece of advice. Thinking he would give me some sermon tips or recommend a reading program, I was surprised when he replied, “Brian, you need to learn how to wash feet.” Second only to the cross ...

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Mon, Apr 23, 2007

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2007

How to Receive Criticism

Feedback has been called “the breakfast of champions.” Unfortunately, most of us have a hard time eating it. So often we misinterpret this feedback or constructive criticism as a personal attack, and in pride and anger we counterattack in self-defense. What we could have received as positive stepping stones, we turn into stumbling blocks. How can we learn to receive personal criticism in a God-honoring way? 1. Maintain an attitude of humility. This is the most important (and most difficult) thing of all. Probably every time we get offended at a critical word, the root of the problem (in our ...

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Mon, Feb 26, 2007

Brian G. Hedges

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Pastor Connect 2007

Showing Off Humility

It is significant that Scripture assures us that the same God who must resist the proud always stands ready to give grace to the humble. The Bible advises men and women to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. It is my opinion that if our humility had to show itself only under the hand of God, it would be a relatively easy gesture. For example, if the Lord should say to me, "I am coming to stand at the front of the church and I expect you to kneel before Me," it would be an easy thing for ...

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Thu, Jun 1, 2006

Emerson Eggerichs

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Reviving Marriage

The Simple Secret

He makes a beeline for Hallmark and is soon gazing upon all those racks full of greeting cards. One colorful card quickly catches his eye. He skims the words - they are perfect! He thinks, This card is her - no doubt about it. He grabs it off the shelf, pays the clerk, and hurries home rejoicing - I didn't forget this year!

She is there when he arrives at home, so he sneaks the card into another room, signs it, and quickly writes her name on the envelope. He even adds a couple of tiny hearts over her name as an ...

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Sat, Apr 1, 2000

Jonathan Edwards

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Heartcry Journal - Issue 12

Undiscerned Spiritual Pride

The first and worst cause of error that prevails in our day is spiritual pride. This is the main door by which the devil comes into the hearts of those who are zealous for the advancement of Christ. It is the chief inlet of smoke from the bottomless pit to darken the mind and mislead the judgment, and the main handle by which Satan takes hold of Christians to hinder a work of God. Until this disease is cured, medicines are applied in vain to heal all other diseases.

Pride is much more difficult to discern than any other corruption ...

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Humility

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