spiritual theology – Grace Evangelical Society

Confess Your Sins to One Another (James 5:16)

May 21, 2021 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - church life, Confession, Discipleship, ecclesiology, James, one another commands, spiritual theology

“Honestly, I didn’t want to join a Bible study,” the young mother admitted to the group. “I didn’t want to be around perfect people with perfect lives…Then I found you weirdos!” I think it is comforting to know you’re in a “hospital for the sick, not a social club for saints.” A “thick” Christian community

You Must Grow Up (Ephesians 4:11-24), Part 1

November 27, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Discipleship, Ephesians, Local Church, spiritual disciples, spiritual theology, spirituality

Those of us who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s will remember one of the most famous jingles in retail history: I don’t wanna grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid; they got a million toys at Toys R us that I can play with We have idolized childhood, haven’t we? How often

Not Everyone Is Ready to Receive Blessings

September 17, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - blessings, Green Letters, Miles J. Stanford, Moses, Sanctification, spiritual maturity, spiritual theology

And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds (Acts 7:22). And with all that pagan learning, what was the first thing Moses did out of the gate to serve God? He murdered an Egyptian! Moses was forty years old at the time (Acts 7:23)—my age.

Unlocked to Love

September 1, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Law and Gospel, spiritual theology, spirituality, Tullian Tchividjian

Many teachers avoid legalism in justification, only to endorse it (unintentionally?) in sanctification. That is, they present the Christian life as a series of commands for you to fulfill. Living the Christian life becomes an attempt to fulfill the same “to do” list that was completely inadequate to save you in the first place. These

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 6 (Exodus 14:15-18)

August 12, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 5 (Exodus 14:13-15)

August 10, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the Lord

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 4 (Exodus 14:11-12)

August 6, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Red Sea, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 3 (Exodus 14:10)

August 5, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worry, worrying

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord (Exod 14:10). When bad things happen, and you are in difficult circumstances, what is your reaction reflex? What are some of

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 2 (Exodus 14:4)

August 4, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, spirituality, worrying

“Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so (Exod 14:4). When you are in a difficult situation, it is hard not to focus on your

Worrying at the Red Sea, Part 1 (Exodus 14:1-3)

August 3, 2020 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Exodus, spiritual theology, worry

Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:“Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in’” (Exod 14:1-3). Are you familiar with