Category: Practical Theology

• Did Judas eat too?

  

  The one where I challenge hashtag Judas Ate Too, with sound exegesis, theology, and practical consequences.

  the_Sermonator

  March 29, 2024

  Bible study, Biblical Interpretation, church leadership, moralism, Systematic Theology

  abuse, Good Friday, Jesus juke, Judas ate too, Last Supper, Lord's Supper, sin leveling, spiritual abuse

• Does Matthew 25:31-46 teach salvation by works?

  

  A popular songwriter once explained that “the only difference between the sheep and the goats is what they did or didn’t do.” Is that really the point of the parable?

  the_Sermonator

  February 10, 2024

  assurance, Bible study, Biblical Interpretation, discipleship, judgment day, Practical Theology, soteriology, Systematic Theology

  does Matthew 25:31-46 teach salvation by works?, Matthew 25:31-46, ordinary Christian life, parable of the sheep and the goats, the normal Christian life

• Mary and Martha: Discipleship and church culture

  

  What does the story of Martha and Mary teach us about cultivating a church culture, and the kind of disciples church cultures will produce?

  the_Sermonator

  January 20, 2024

  Biblical Interpretation, church leadership, discipleship, ecclesiology, Luke 10:38-42, Practical Theology

  discipleship, Mary and Martha, ordinary Christian life, spiritual formation, the normal Christian life

• The Athanasian Creed from Scripture, Lines 3-4

  

  In 2024, The Sermonator is going line-by-line through the Athanasian Creed, with Scripture. This post explains lines 3-4, and concludes by explaining why the Trinity is essential for our salvation, and the Christian life.

  the_Sermonator

  January 6, 2024

  Athanasian Creed, Church history, Creeds, doctrine of God, Practical Theology, Systematic Theology, the Trinity

  athanasius, the Trinity

• The Athanasian Creed, from Scripture: Introduction and Lines 1-2

  

  In 2024, The Sermonator will be going line-by-line through the Athanasian Creed, with Scripture. This post explains why we’re doing this; and explains lines 1-2 of the Creed.

  the_Sermonator

  January 5, 2024

  apostasy, Athanasian Creed, Christology, Creeds, doctrine of God, ecclesiology, Practical Theology, the Trinity

  Athanasian Creed with Scripture

• God is a Spirit: Spirit as an attribute of God

  

  The one where I explain what we mean when we say “God is a Spirit”; and why it’s essential to rightly knowing God.

  the_Sermonator

  December 3, 2023

  attributes of God, Biblical Interpretation, Practical Theology, Spirit (divine attribute), Systematic Theology

  god is spirit

• Defining Discipleship: Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 4:11-16

  

  Discipleship is what happens when the words of Romans 12:1 and Ephesians 4:11-16 become flesh in the lives of ordinary. everyday sainted sinners.

  the_Sermonator

  September 30, 2023

  Biblical Interpretation, discipleship, Practical Theology, sanctification

  discipleship, Ephesians 4:11-16, ordinary Christian life, Romans 12:1, spiritual formation, the normal Christian life, vocation

• If all we needed were …

  

  Jesus once asked His disciples: “Who do you say I am?” He still asks that question. What answer are we giving? Is there any Good News in it?

  the_Sermonator

  September 29, 2023

  Christology, discipleship, Practical Theology, resurrection, sanctification, Systematic Theology

  discipleship, gospel, ordinary Christian life, spiritual formation, the normal Christian life, who do you say that I am?

• Deciphering Christianese: “God really showed up today!”

  

  The one where I challenge a bit of popular Christian slang that undermines the omnipresence of God.

  the_Sermonator

  September 23, 2023

  attributes of God, discipleship, doctrine of God, ecclesiology, false converts, omnipresence, Practical Theology, sacraments, sanctification, the Trinity, vocation

  Christianese, discipleship, God showed up!, Matthew 5:37, ordinary Christian life, the normal Christian life

• Why the hiddenness of God necessitates faith and hope

  

  Musings on the God who hides Himself; how God has chosen to reveal Himself; why these place an absolute limit on the freedom of our will; and how all of this necessitates faith and hope for assurance of salvation.

  the_Sermonator

  September 16, 2023

  assurance, Biblical Interpretation, doctrine of God, Practical Theology, sacraments, Systematic Theology

  faith, free will, hope, Isaiah 45:15