pastor || writer || speaker
This past weekend at Eastbrook, I gave the first message in our preaching series entitled "Authentic Faith: Growing with the Apostle James." My message was entitled "When Trouble Comes," and drew upon James 1:1-18. This is a beautiful and penetrating passage with many well-known words, but perhaps most famous within this passage is this statement: …
Continue reading "“When Trouble Comes” – a message from James 1"
This past weekend at Eastbrook, we continued our preaching series "The Skeptic's Guide to Life with God: Ecclesiastes." Pastor Femi Ibitoye preached a message entitled “Where is real wisdom found?” largely from Ecclesiastes 7. Femi also leaned into other portions of Scripture, including James 1. You can find the message outline and video below. You …
In my message this past weekend at Eastbrook, "Praying with a Broken Heart," I referenced a quote from Beth Moore about the dynamite power of combining Scripture and prayer together. I thought it would be helpful if I were to relate the quote more fully. It comes from her workbook Living Free: Learning to Pray …
Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deedsalong with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies. (Psalm 141:3-4) The psalmist asks God to place a guard over his mouth. …
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12:7) Be encouraged: God disciplines His children because He loves them. Do not lose heart amidst your suffering. Instead, endure it sustained by the truth that God is lovingly at work even here. We …
Continue reading "Finding Encouragement within Suffering: a reflection on Hebrews 12"
Matthew Erickson 