Reformed Thinking

Deep Dive into Sins of the Heart: Envy/Jealousy Envy is defined as grief at another’s good coupled with the desire that it be diminished. It is a root sin and a profound act of heart-rebellion, which Scripture calls "bone-rot." The moral law exposes envy as a species of covetousness that breaches the Tenth Commandment, requiring full contentment with one’s condition. Theologically, envy...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - The Commission The core relationship between evangelism, stewardship, and discipleship is a dynamic connection where internal spiritual health leads to external action, and that action, in turn, deepens spiritual maturity. Mission, time, and money are best understood as practical pursuits that are the effects of receiving God’s grace through discipl...

Deep Dive into Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin - Refutation of the False Accusations with Which This Doctrine Has Always Been Unjustly Burdened The central theological foundation governing all existence and eternal destiny is the absolute sovereignty of God’s will, which is identified as the supreme rule of righteousness and the ultimate necessity of all things. Whatever God wi...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Embrace the Blessing of Rebuke Christian correction, often termed rebuke or reproof, is uniquely characterized as a great act of love and one of the most loving actions church members can offer one another. Its purpose is rooted in spiritual protection and restoration, intended explicitly to stop a soul from continuing on a destructive path. The pra...

Deep Dive into The Doctrine of Original Sin by Jonathan Edwards - It Follows from the Proposition Proved in the Foregoing Section, That All Mankind Are under the Influence of a Prevailing Effectual Tendency in Their Nature, to That Sin and Wickedness, Which Implies Their Utter and Eternal Ruin The fundamental argument regarding human nature is that the universal and constant failure of all mankind...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Grow in Grace at the Table The Lord’s Supper, along with baptism, is one of Jesus’s two specially instituted sacraments or ordinances intended for the signifying, sealing, and strengthening of his new-covenant people. While using ordinary bread and wine, it functions as an extraordinary meal and an ordinary means of God’s spiritual grace. The means...

Deep Dive into The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon - Psalm 1 C. H. Spurgeon’s monumental work, The Treasury of David , grew out of both theological study and personal affliction. Spurgeon claimed originality for his Exposition of Psalm 1, calling it the "work of his health," crafted to aid in interpretation and arouse thought. Conversely, the vast compilation of quotations included...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Wash in the Waters Again The Christian ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are central practices referred to in Protestant tradition as the “visible words.” These rituals function as powerful dramatizations of God’s grace that complement the spoken word of gospel preaching. They engage all five senses—sound, sight, touch, smell, and taste—to...

Deep Dive into Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume - Psalm 14 Psalm 14, though its exact historical context remains uncertain, is primarily understood as a profound description of the universal depravity of human nature, a view supported by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3. It highlights the pervasive sinfulness inherent in mankind, revealing sin as bot...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Listen for Grace in the Pulpit Faithful preaching serves as a primary means of God's grace and presence, acting as the climactic moment in corporate worship. It calls the congregation to a unique posture of simply receiving, where God speaks most clearly and completely through His appointed mouthpiece, distinct from other times for dialogue and...

Deep Dive into Growth Groups: How to Lead Disciple-Making Small Groups by Colin Marshall - Introduction The "Growth Groups" course is a 10-week practical training program dedicated to developing effective Christian small group leaders. It focuses on distinguishing Christian small group ministry from secular approaches, aiming to ensure groups are authentic expressions of gospel ministry...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Kindle the Fire in Corporate Worship Corporate worship is presented as the pinnacle of Christian life, surpassing private devotions in its significance. Humanity was created to worship Jesus collectively, as happy members of a vast family, offering a direct foretaste of heaven's communal joy. This shared experience, immersing believers in a mult...

Deep Dive into The Necessity of the Atonement by Jonathan Edwards Forgiveness of sins is presented as an act of "most free and abundant grace," inherently gratuitous and unearned. Yet, it is simultaneously described as being "in consequence of a redemption by the blood of Christ," a payment that makes it seem like a matter of debt rather than pure grace. This apparent contradic...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Learn to Fly in the Fellowship Good listening is an essential, challenging, and profoundly spiritual act, foundational to true Christian fellowship and a great means of grace for all involved. It fundamentally operates as an act of love, embracing individuals and affirming their worth, in stark contrast to "half-eared listening" which dism...

Deep Dive into לֵב The Hebrew term "lēb," often appearing as "lēbāb," is a central and multifaceted word in biblical texts, frequently translated as "heart, mind, self, or inner person." Its core meaning denotes the central, innermost essence of an individual, from which all vital functions, thoughts, emotions, and intentions originate. This foundational concept exten...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Take a Break from the Chaos Silence and solitude represent a fundamental human need, integral to our design for natural rhythms of quietness and community, rather than incessant stimulation. These vital spiritual disciplines are increasingly crucial in modern life, which is characterized by unprecedented crowdedness, noise, and a technological &quot...

Deep Dive into Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon - Open-Air Preaching - Posture, Action, Gesture, Etc. Effective actions enhance a message without distracting from it, embodying a natural, unstudied grace. They should be expressive and align perfectly with spoken words, serving as a visual commentary. Gestures must speak correctly, such as opened arms for diffusion or united hands for co...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Journal as a Pathway to Joy Journaling is presented as a profound spiritual discipline, a "means of grace" aimed not at self-admiration, but at the glory of Christ and the expanding of personal joy through ongoing progress in His likeness. It redefines journaling beyond common perceptions of it being narcissistic or solely for recording pa...

Deep Dive into How to Rebuild Ukraine's Environmental Restoration after War Integrity in Ukraine’s environmental restoration is a core principle, understood as an obedience to God's moral law , specifically forbidding theft and false witness. It aims to make honesty probable and cheating costly, particularly vital in a post-conflict environment susceptible to corruption. A comprehensive &q...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Sharpen Your Affections with Fasting Fasting is understood as a temporary spiritual discipline , which is explicitly destined to end when Jesus returns . It is a practice undertaken by believers specifically "in this life" because of their foundational "belief in the life to come," confident in the promise that they "will ha...

Deep Dive into Questions in the English Bible The church's eschatological question is voiced in the book of Revelation as, " How long, O Lord? " This profound inquiry emerges from the longing of the saints amidst tribulation. It is crucial to understand that this question is not an expression of despair or unbelief; rather, it represents a sanctified impatience that actively fuels en...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Pray with Constancy and Company Corporate prayer is a vital aspect of the Christian life, deeply modeled by Jesus and the early church. To enhance this communal practice, five key counsels are suggested. First, make it regular by establishing a planned time and place with finite commitments to ensure consistency and prevent burnout. Second, start wi...

Deep Dive into Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson - The Government and Unity of the Church Church governance generally falls into four basic forms : episcopal, presbyterian, congregational, and nongovernmental, ranging from highly structured to minimally organized. The episcopal system places authority primarily in the office of the bishop , who governs groups of churches and ordains minist...

Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Pray in Secret "Closet prayer" refers to private prayer , a concept derived from Jesus's instructions in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught his followers to pray in their rooms, in secret, rather than in public spaces to be seen by others. This practice is considered an infallible test of spiritual integrity , serving as a crucial i...

Deep Dive into Sins of the Heart: Covetousness/Greed Combating covetousness in Christian life involves a dual approach: profound theological reorientation and consistent practical disciplines , recognizing covetousness as a "central treachery of the heart" and idolatry . Theological frameworks establish that covetousness is a "worship disorder," where security and identity are...