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10
May
2025

What Is a Sacrament (and Are They Even Real)?

Sacrament

What is a sacrament? Most people have heard the word, but few can define it clearly. What counts as a sacrament, and why do churches call certain rites by that name? Where did the term come from—and is it even in the Bible?

While many Christians treat sacraments as essential to church life, the concept is a post-biblical invention that emerged centuries after the inspired authors completed the New Testament. Sacraments emerged centuries later as church leaders sought to codify certain church rituals. It wasn’t until the 12th century AD that the Catholic Church formalized the seven sacraments they now recognize.1

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Misconceptions, Word Studies
03
May
2025

Interpreting End-Time Prophecy Is Futile

Prophecy

Jesus fulfilled many Old Testament prophecies, but some Bible prophecies still await their fulfillment. He secured the ultimate victory, but the enemy still resists. The powers of darkness continue to fight, and God has not yet revealed His final move. So we still wait for prophecies about the last days, Christ’s return, and the final defeat of evil to unfold. Some prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.

No one, humans, angels, or the devil, unraveled the mystery of the Messiah’s first coming. I believe end-time prophecy works the same way. God continues to conceal His plan. He doesn’t tip His hand to the enemy. He kept His purpose hidden before Jesus came, and He still keeps it hidden.

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Eschatology
26
Apr
2025

The Hidden Mystery of Prophecy

Mystery

Everyone loves a good mystery. We’re curious about what’s concealed, eager for a satisfying reveal. We want to know what we don’t know. The Bible speaks of mysteries too; not fiction, but divine truths God hid for ages. Paul speaks of such a mystery; one that reshapes how we understand history, salvation, and the will of God.

However, the Bible doesn’t use the word “mystery” exactly the way we do. When Paul speaks of mystery, he isn’t referring to something that is currently hidden, but something that was once hidden and now is revealed. Klyne Snodgrass explains:

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ephesians
19
Apr
2025

If Your Pastor Thinks Church Is Business, He Shouldn’t Be Leading One

Business

The staff meeting started like most others. Coffee in hand, laptops out, the church’s leadership team gathered around a long table. On paper, things looked good. Sunday attendance had ticked up. The church social media account showed steady engagement. The fall festival drew nearly 1000 people. “Business” looked good! The youth minister shared plans for giveaways and a new sermon series designed to “attract young families.” The Senior Pastor added, “Along with the sermon series, maybe we should do another big giveaway like we did last year. Maybe a kayak this time to attract more men to the church.”

Kathy, the church secretary, shifted in her seat. When it was her turn, she spoke gently. “I know we want to grow. But should we be doing all this? It feels like we’re operating a business instead of a church. We spend more time planning promotions than we spend with congregants. We give away gift cards, but we don’t even know who’s missing from the pews.”

The room fell quiet for a moment. Then the pastor smiled. “That’s fair,” he said. “But the church does have business aspects. We’re trying to reach people. And to do that, we need to think strategically.” No one challenged him. The meeting moved on.

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Church Leadership
12
Apr
2025

What is Redemption?

Redemption

In Ephesians 1:7 Paul wrote, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Paul emphasizes redemption in this verse, but we might miss something critically important if we’re not paying attention. Christ redeems those who are “in Him.” Just like the other blessings in this chapter, redemption doesn’t belong to a group God arbitrarily selected. Instead, God chose everyone who is in Christ. And those in Christ are those who have chosen to obey the Gospel and place their trust in Jesus.

But what exactly is this idea of redemption? What does the word actually mean? Like other “churchy” words, we hear it in sermons and Bible studies all the time—so much that we might not stop to ask what it really is.

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Posted by Eddie Lawrence in Ephesians, Word Studies