I’m the pastor of FBC Jackson in Jackson, Alabama. Each week, I post “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” sharing articles that I believe will benefit the saints who make up FBC Jackson and followers of Christ everywhere. Happy reading!
Are you looking for a church? Out of all the churches around you, which one should you join? In this article, Erin Wheeler outlines two main priorities to consider when deciding which church you should join. “I spoke to some friends who recently moved, and they were struggling to find a new church home. Nothing they had visited fit their style, but they didn’t want to be “picky.” What advice should I give to that friend? How should they go about choosing a church family where they can worship the Lord with his people in spirit and truth even when things aren’t according to their style? The encouragement I had for them is the same I would have for anyone. Prioritize two main things in your decision-making process. Choose a church that is centered on the word and driven by love.”
It’s always good to examine ourselves, especially regarding our use of social media. Thankfully, Andrew Noble provides us with five questions that will help us assess our social media usage. “Should Christians spend more or less time on the social internet? It depends. It depends on how you answer these questions.”
The Bible is clear on the topic of homosexuality. Nevertheless, it’s helpful to read articles that continue to address this hot-button issue! “You’ve heard it said, ‘Jesus never said anything about homosexuality.’ But I tell you, he did. In fact, Jesus condemned it more than once. He also castigated people who gave approval to homosexuality. To be clear, even if Jesus said nothing about homosexuality, it wouldn’t affect Christian sexual ethics. Homosexual sex would still be prohibited because Scripture teaches in both Old and New Testaments that such behavior is sin (Lev. 18:22, 20:13, Rom. 1:26–27, 1 Cor. 6:9, 1 Tim. 1:10, etc.).”
This is really important. “When reading God’s word, the question, ‘What does this mean?’ is a really good question. But I think that there is an even better, more fundamental, question to ask when reading the Bible. In order to understand what God’s word means, we first need to ask, ‘What is it that God’s word meant?’”
I’m the pastor of First Baptist Church Jackon in Jackson, Alabama. Once a week, I share a post titled “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” where I compile articles that I believe are beneficial for the saints who make up FBC Jackson. I am confident that these articles can also be helpful for followers of Christ around the world. Happy reading!
This article challenged me. I want to be more careful with my words and strategically use them to edify and build up my wife. Maybe this article will challenge you, too. “Your marriage should be like the “Home on the Range,” “where seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day.” The best marriages are filled with grace that pours forth in enthusiastic encouragement for one another. That’s something worth cheering about.”
In this article, Scott Hubbard asks six questions that will help you diagnose your spiritual health. I should note that this article will probe the innermost parts of your soul. “The devil uses many weapons in his assault against our soul, but one of the most overlooked is simply time. We are changeable creatures in a long war, called to “resist the devil” not for a day or a week or a year but a life (James 4:7). And spiritual health yesterday does not guarantee spiritual health today. So, at the end of a new year, on the edge of another, let’s stop to take some spiritual vitals. How healthy is your soul?”
This isn’t a new article, but it is so beneficial that I wanted to share it again. If you want to do a better job of carving out time to read books in 2025, this is the article you need to read. “You don’t need to be a professional book reviewer to read a lot of books. And you don’t need to be brilliant either. But you do need to be purposeful and consistent. And if you can discipline yourself, you will find the time you need to read.”
I just started teaching through the Ten Commandments on Sunday evenings at FBC Jackson. This article covers some of the points I mentioned to our church family in my introduction to the Ten Commandments. “God’s law is a word of grace. But it’s a demanding word that graciously shows us that when we pursue life and salvation apart from Christ, we’ll always fail. It’s the gracious word that always batters the old sinful man and leaves him dead. And after it kills, the law is the gracious word that drives us away from ourselves to the perfect One in whom we’re given resurrection life.”
A pessemistic Christian is an enigma. Christians ought to be the most optimistic and hopeful people on the planet. Our future is bright, indescribably and gloriously bright! “What we need is a perspective on our coming year that’s hopeful, yet grounded in eternal certainties. No Christian should be a pessimist. We should be realists—focused on the actuality that we serve a sovereign and gracious God. Because of the reality of Christ’s atoning sacrifice and His promises, biblical realism is, ultimately, optimism.”
I am the pastor of First Baptist Church Jackon in Jackson, Alabama. Once a week, I share a post titled “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” where I compile articles that I believe are beneficial for the saints who make up FBC Jackson. I am confident that these articles can also be helpful for followers of Christ around the world. Happy reading!
During my short time as the senior pastor of FBC Jackson, I have emphasized the importance of hospitality to our two associate pastors. I will leave it to Matt Foreman to explain why hospitality is so important in the life of an elder/overseer/pastor. “The responsibilities of elders are not just about information-transfer. They are about discipleship of life. The “doctrine that accords with godliness” (Tit. 1:1; 1 Tim. 6:3) is more than taught; it must be caught. And therefore, elders must share their lives with their people. They are to invite people to observe their homes, their marriages, their parenting, their practical godliness.”
In this article, Jonathan M. Threlfall helps pastors consider appropriate ways to use artificial intelligence. It is refreshing to see pastors striving to cultivate a healthy Christian ethic regarding the use of artificial intelligence. (Though this is written by a pastor for pastors, it is applicable to all Christians.) “Artificial intelligence, like Babel’s bricks and mortar, can be used either to build a tower in defiance of God—to our own confusion, or to build a temple to worship God—to our delight and his glory.”
In this article, Jana Carlson explains why she stopped making New Year’s resolutions. Most people, especially busy moms, can benefit from this short read. “So, after many years of meticulously setting specific goals and planning exactly how I’d accomplish them, I retired from New Year’s resolutions. Now, instead of focusing on goals and long-term plans, I focus on purpose. God created me for a purpose. He created all of us for a purpose—ultimately, that we would know him, love him, and glorify him. And I can pursue that purpose no matter what happens in my life.”
This is a really good article. “We grown humans tend to forget that we were once babies, naked and often dirty, needy and inconvenient. Why would we forgo making some return to those whose lives were often turned upside down as they cared for us? And why would we neglect the lessons to be learned about the care of our heavenly Father, whose own Son emptied himself and came down for the sake of us sinful children?”
Sadly, the local church is like dry kindling waiting to ignite. That said, articles like this are always helpful! “Yet, you only have to be a Christian for a short time before you realize that churches suffer from disunity and splits after seasons of peace as surely as valleys follow rolling hills. Often, you can see the downward spiral coming from a distance. In this article, I point out ten ways in which you can fracture the church to which you belong. Most of these ways can be caused by anyone. The last few are normally caused by church leaders. If any of these describe your actions or your attitude, may God give you grace to amend your ways for the sake of Christ who desires his people to be truly united.”
Many churches tend to slow down during Christmas time. One event, though, consistently appears on the church calendar for December: the Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service. It’s a traditional service where people gather to celebrate the birth of Christ.
This service is beautiful and filled with rich meaning and Christmas cheer. If we’re honest, though, it can be tempting to skip it. Life is filled with distractions, especially in December—whether it’s Netflix, holiday treats, semi-dysfunctional families, or that comfy La-Z-Boy calling our names. I mean, who has time for a Christmas Eve service?
Distractions and busyness are not the only reasons we’re tempted to skip out on this service. There’s something else that tugs us in the opposite direction: spiritual warfare. Those three ancient enemies— the world, the flesh, and the devil—constantly seek to divert our attention from the kingdom of God and focus it on the kingdom of this world. As the Christmas Eve service rolls around, they tempt us to think about other things—lesser things.
With all this in mind, I want to share a few reasons why you should attend your church’s Christmas Eve service if your December calendar allows it.
The Word Will Be Preached
Throughout Scripture, God consistently works through the preaching of His Word. Consider this verse: “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). When the Word about Christ is preached, the Spirit of Christ often works saving faith in unbelievers, bringing them to new life (John 3:5-6). That said, at your church’s Christmas Eve service, the Lord may work salvation in the hearts of unbelievers. Wouldn’t you hate to miss that?
God doesn’t only perform the miracle of salvation through the preaching of His Word; He also graciously sanctifies us and prepares us for good works. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Give thought to this: On Christmas Eve, if you’re attentive to the Word of God, the Lord will graciously strengthen your faith and further equip you to offer your body as a living sacrifice to Him. In other words, during the Christmas Eve service, the Lord may graciously allow you to make further progress in your Christian journey.
The Lord’s Supper Will Be Observed
Many churches participate in the Lord’s Supper during the Christmas Eve service. The Lord’s Supper is a God-ordained ceremony that Christ gave to the church. On one hand, the ceremony is a visible sermon. As we participate in it, the Spirit instructs us not through words, but through the bread and the cup. C.H. Spurgeon would tell his congregation, “The Supper of the Lord is simple, and its teaching is straightforward. It is designed to keep the person and work of Christ vividly present in the minds of His people.” When we see and partake in the bread and the cup, the Spirit reminds us of the broken body and the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. For this reason, Spurgeon frequently referred to communion as a “feast of remembrance.”
However, the Lord’s Supper is more than a visible sermon or a mere “feast of remembrance.” It also serves as a means of grace, providing a time of deep communion with the One whose body was broken and whose blood was shed. In the words of David Mathis, “The Table is not only a symbolic rite that we do, but it does something to us as we eat and drink in faith. The Table serves as a means of Christ’s ongoing grace to His church.” When we partake in the Lord’s Supper by faith, Christ blesses, nourishes, and strengthens our faith and grants us sanctifying grace. That said, wouldn’t you hate to miss such a precious time of communion with our gracious Savior?
The Family of God Will Be Present
During the Christmas holidays, you spend a significant amount of time with your family members—your kinfolk and blood relatives. While this aspect of the holiday season can be beautiful (for some), it’s essential for Christians, as the adopted children of God, to remember the family of God.
If you’re living the Christian life as God intends, you’re a member of a local church body. Under God’s guidance, you have covenanted to live the Christian life alongside fellow Christians who make up your local church. With this in mind, the Christmas Eve service allows you to do something countercultural: celebrate Christmas with the family of God rather than just your biological family. It will enable you to gather with fellow believers in Christ who share “one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:5-6). If you take this opportunity to celebrate Christmas with your church family, it will demonstrate to your kinfolk and blood relatives the centrality of the local church in the life of a Christian.
Theologically Rich Hymns Will Be Sung
Most of the Christmas hymns sung during the Christmas season are theologically rich and soul-stirring. If you pay close attention to the lyrics while singing, you can learn a significant amount about the Incarnation of the Son of God. These hymns often explain the who, what, and why of this important doctrine. Just take a look at these powerful words:
Hail! The heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail! The Son of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings. Mild He lays His glory by, Born that man no more may die; Born to raise the son of earth, Born to give them second birth. Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the new-born King!”
The lyrics contain allusions to both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They also explain the who, what, and why of the Incarnation, along with the doctrines of new birth and new creation. More than that, they are strategically written for the express purpose of causing you to exult in the Lord Jesus Christ, our great God and Savior. With that said, your Christmas Eve service will likely include theologically rich hymns that will instruct you and lead you to worshipful exultation.
It Will Be The Shortest Service of the Year
Most Christmas Eve services are short. The church staff knows the congregation is busy, so they typically prepare a concise order of service designed to nourish and edify your soul. It usually includes readings from Scripture, Christ-centered hymns, a brief message, communion, and possibly a candlelight portion. So, although you’re unreasonably busy, the Christmas Eve service is reasonably short.
You Won’t Regret It
Have you ever regretted sitting under the Word of God, participating in the Lord’s Supper, wishing your brothers and sisters in Christ a Merry Christmas, or singing hymns with the people of God? Of course not! Likewise, you will not regret attending the Christmas Eve service. In fact, it will make your Christmas much more enjoyable as you’re reminded of the gracious, humble, and loving Son of God who became flesh to save you from your sins.
I’m sure there are other reasons to attend your church’s Christmas Eve service. But for the sake of brevity, I’ll stop here. If you’re able to attend the Christmas Eve service, may the Lord fill your heart with joy and strengthen your faith.
In this blog post, I will share my ten favorite reads from 2024, listed in no particular order. Since this was my first year serving as a senior pastor of a church, many of the books I mention are related to pastoral ministry—yes, I’ve been learning on the fly! Additionally, because I’ve been getting accustomed to preaching and teaching three to four times a week, most of the books I mention are short and easy reads.
After I share my favorite reads, I’ll provide links to other people’s favorite books of 2024. My list will include titles published in various years, with descriptions taken from Amazon. Other people’s lists will typically focus on books published in 2024.
Overall, you should discover some great books to read in 2025. If you order now, you can likely receive many of them before Christmas!
Nearly 25% of American Christians do not regularly attend church in person (Pew Research, 2023). How can we recapture the duty and delight of public worship?
Public worship is not simply something we should do; it is something we should love. In the newest Puritan Treasure for Today, David Clarkson helps believers glorify God by enjoying the privilege and duty of the corporate assembly.
Edited and updated for modern readers by Pastor Jonathan Cruse, this Puritan classic will teach you about: 1) The Primacy of Public Worship, 2) Profiting from Public Worship, and 3) Hearing the Word.
Read this book and learn to prize the ordinary means of grace as God’s precious gifts to His people.
In this biography Alex DiPrima paints a fresh portrait of Charles Haddon Spurgeon—the most well-known minster of the gospel in the nineteenth century. As DiPrima traces Spurgeon’s life from the famous “boy preacher of the fens” to the mature pastor of later years, readers will marvel at his extraordinary speaking abilities, his genius for administration, and his massive global influence, which set him apart as a leader of rare brilliance. Yet by presenting Spurgeon in his social, historical, and religious contexts, DiPrima helps us comprehend the whole of Spurgeon’s ministry in metropolitan London. Combining academic expertise with popular presentation, this short biography of the famed Prince of Preachers will be the go-to introduction on Spurgeon for years to come.
What does a community that testifies to God’s power look like? God’s people are called to a togetherness and commitment that transcends all natural boundaries―whether ethnic, generational, or economic. But such a community can be enjoyed only when it relies on the power of God in the gospel.
In The Compelling Community, pastors Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop cast a captivating vision for authentic fellowship in the local church that goes beyond small groups. Full of biblical principles and practical advice, this book will help pastors lead their congregations toward the kind of community that glorifies God, edifies his people, and attracts the lost.
Leadership Principles from a Renowned Agent of Change
Cultures and organizations do not change without strong leadership. While many leadership books focus on management or administration, the central focus of The Conviction to Lead is on changing minds. Dr. Mohler was the driving force behind the transformation of Southern Seminary from a liberal institution of waning influence to a thriving evangelical seminary at the heart of the Southern Baptist Convention. Since then he has been one of the most prominent voices in evangelicalism, fighting for Christian principles and challenging secular culture.
Using his own experiences and examples from history, Dr. Mohler demonstrates that real leadership is a transferring of conviction to others, affecting their actions, motivations, intuition, and commitment. This practical guide walks the reader through what a leader needs to know, do, and be in order to affect change.
The reality of God’s ultimate punishment is central to the gospel. Only by facing sin’s devastation can believers fully grasp the beauty of their salvation and help unbelievers confront their need for forgiveness. Unfortunately, many Christians and Bible scholars neglect God’s final judgment.
In his book The Justice and Goodness of God, theologian Thomas Schreiner offers a comprehensive, biblical analysis of eternal destruction. Explaining that “final judgment doesn’t contradict God’s goodness but verifies and displays it,” he examines themes of sin, death, and redemption in the New Testament and other passages of Scripture. With helpful personal and theological application, this brief guide helps readers see how God’s judgment is anchored in his holiness, justice, and righteousness. Readers will see that God’s judgment isn’t bad news but good news. Life doesn’t make sense without it, and salvation shines brighter against the backdrop of God’s judgment.
Convinced that knowing the Word of God is fundamental to preaching, John Stott here presents brief studies of five New Testament metaphors that characterize preachers: steward, herald, witness, father, and servant. In the course of these five studies, Stott discusses the message and authority of preachers, the character of their proclamation, the vital necessity of their own experience of the gospel, and their motives and moral qualities, particularly humility, gentleness, and love.
A biblically faithful portrayal of what preachers are supposed to be emerges from Stott’s reflections —as he says, “a portrait painted by the hand of God himself on the broad canvas of the New Testament.”
Thomas Chalmers wrote that Owen’s book on Spiritual-Mindedness holds ‘a distinguished rank among the voluminous writings of this celebrated author’. For him three features made it very special: -The force with which it applies truth to the conscience. -The way Owen plumbs the depths of Christian experience as a skillful physician of the soul. -The uncovering of the secrets of the mind and heart so that the true spiritual state of the reader is discovered. This book began life as a collection of meditations on Romans 8:6, which were written for the author’s own benefit during a time of illness. Alarmed by the subtle power the world exercises over the mind, Owen shows us how to really live by raising our thoughts above all earthly objects and setting them on ‘things above, where Christ is’ (Col. 3:1) A favorite book of William Wilberforce, it contains some passages which are not surpassed in all of Owen’s writings. It comes from the pen of a tender-hearted pastor whose only purpose is to encourage the believer in the ongoing battle against sin. So if you feel overwhelmed by the power of worldliness then this is definitely the book for you!
With advancements in internet technology, people can get instant answers to just about any of their questions, connect long distance with family and friends, and stay informed with events around the world in real time.
In Digital Liturgies, tech-realist Samuel D. James examines the connection between patterns in technology and human desires. Everyone longs for a glimpse of heaven; James argues they are just looking for it in the wrong place―the internet.
This accessible book exposes 5 “digital liturgies” that prohibit people from contemplating big truths, accepting the uncomfortable, and acknowledging God as their Creator. It then calls readers to live faithfully before Christ, finding wisdom through Scripture and rest in God’s perfect design.
Today’s pastoral world is packed with books, conferences, and seminars teaching you different techniques for being an all-star pastor, growing your church quickly, and changing the world. But the key to true success is much harder and much simpler. Pastors are called to be faithful, to have exemplary character, and to love Jesus. Without faithfulness, their ministry ends up harming others rather than helping them. Churches need pastors with sound doctrine and a sound life.
Character Matters was written to help you slow down, cut through the noise and distractions, and focus on what matters—the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter is a guided, biblical meditation on one aspect of each piece of the fruit of the Spirit. As you reflect and focus on the simple things that matter, you’ll see your heart change and your ministry follow, slowly, surely, and by the power of the Spirit.
Dr. Yancey Arrington says the reason many preachers don’t connect with their congregants isn’t because they haven’t thought through the message, but because they haven’t felt through it. In this practical guide for preachers of churches big and small, Arrington offers an innovative and effective paradigm based on his years of coaching preachers that brings the best to bear in both the ‘who’ and ‘how’ of the preaching event. Be prepared to better preach in a way that moves people!
The short answer is yes. But, for a detailed biblical explanation that includes practical reasons for not living together, read this article by Daniel Darling. “Our bodies aren’t autonomous. We belong to our Creator. We’re not our own. What’s more, we’re indwelled by God’s Spirit as his temple (1 Cor. 6:15–20). So sexual activity outside marriage is a serious sin against God. It’s not unforgivable. It’s not beyond God’s redeeming and restoring grace. But what we do with our bodies matters to God, and if we’re committed to following Jesus, we’ll be committed to following his plan for our lives, including sex.”
I don’t want to fall prey to brain rot! That said, this article motivated me to delete some social media apps, pick up a book, and start reading. “We may have gradually and unintentionally adopted our culture’s entertainment habits, but we can purposefully create our own culture of discipline and deep thinking. Proverbs 1:5 implores us, ‘Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.’ Our society desperately needs more people who can think wisely, discern clearly, and guide the next generation in God’s truth. It sounds like a big task, but it can start with something as small as turning off the TV and picking up a good book.”
The great doctrine of the Incarnation of the Son of God encourages Christians to live humble lives marked by sacrificial service. “The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor—spending and being spent—to enrich their fellow men, giving time, trouble, care, and concern, to do good to others—and not just their own friends—in whatever way there seems need. There are not as many who show this spirit as there should be.”
Unfortunately, due to our sinful nature, Alan Noble’s warning is necessary. That said, you should read and take heed! “In the past few years we’ve seen it happen to pastors and theologians and apologists and lay Christians who otherwise appear to live righteous, holy lives and who preach the gospel faithfully. It can happen to you and it can happen to me. So what are we to do?”
Be encouraged! The darkness DID NOT and WILL NOT overcome the light. “That baby was really born, to a real virgin, just as the prophets foretold. He lived. He died. He rose from the dead on the third day. He is coming again. We know that the darkness will not be victorious over the world, because it was not victorious over the One through whom the world was made. If God can summon light into existence when there was only darkness, surely he can send his light into the world with assurance of complete success, no matter how impossible the odds. For this is the miracle and the wonder of Christmas: The Light of the world was born in the darkness of night, as the Word of God lay in the manger unable to speak a syllable.”
I am the pastor of First Baptist Church Jackon in Jackson, Alabama. Once a week, I share a post titled “Article Roundup: Helpful Reads,” where I compile articles that I believe are beneficial for the saints who make up FBC Jackson. I am confident that these articles can also be helpful for followers of Christ around the world. Happy reading!
My wife and I have been contemplating the question: “How can we raise grateful kids?” Sam Crabtree offered helpful insights in his article. “So if our kids are born thankless, how can we raise kids to recognize with heartfelt gratitude that they are served by an endless conveyor belt of divinely supplied benefits including life, breath, and everything? How can we help them see that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him? How can we help them see that he is good all the time and that our pleasure in him is enlarged and deepened and gladdened when we consciously thank him? How can we raise grateful kids?”
Do you read often? Are you frustrated by how much you forget? Do you want to read and retain information? Jonathan Threlfall can help you with this. “Someone recently asked me how to stay focused and retain what they read. It’s an important question, especially for anyone devoted to a life of profitable reading and learning. Here’s some advice on how to read to comprehend and retain. I’ve broken down the suggestions into three categories: What to do (1) before, (2) during, and (3) after you read.”
What does it mean for a pastor to have a pastor’s heart? Many people interpret this as a pastor being lenient towards sin. However, according to Rob Golding, this perspective originates from Satan rather than the Holy Spirit. I believe he’s correct! “If the common conception of a pastor’s heart is one in which sin is never condemned in order that the pastor can lead with love and emphasize forgiveness, would this not play into the devil’s hand?”
Many churches are doctrinally indifferent and ecclesiologically ignorant. This causes significant harm to their members. We need more churches engaged in serious ministry! “The church that is flippant regarding discipleship keeps its programs going, while never really examining, or re-examining the material taught. It does not train or supervise its teachers. It does not keep track of the attendance of members, nor of their involvement in ministry. It does not try to make sure every member has been taught by another believer, or in a small group. For that matter, it has an extremely porous membership process and is rather casual about distinguishing members from adherents.”
Healthy local churches consist of healthy church members. Healthy church members are those who strive to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by centering their lives around the church. “Neglecting church life leads to deterioration in other areas of life. We may think forsaking church gatherings for family gatherings will bless our family, that moving far from church for our career is worth the cost, that Sunday school is more expendable than an extra hour of sleep, or that fewer church relationships and commitments will reduce our stress. But the inverse is true.”
Doctrine & Devotion 