The personal site of Jonathan Hayashi
The shepherd leaders’ job is as John Calvin said it well, “The pastor ought to have two voices: one, for gathering the sheep; and another, for warding off and driving away wolves and thieves. The Scripture supplies him with the means of doing both.”
Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, we have needed the rescuing hand of God to deliver us from evil and sin. God’s love for us was ultimately displayed when he sent Jesus Christ to die for us on the cross, only to rise from the dead so that we may be saved.
John Cotton held fast to the teachings of justification by faith alone and the importance of conversion.
Pastors today have a lot on their plates and the stresses of leadership, burnout, and moral failures are all too real.
Over the past decade or so, I have been in the second chair and now in the first chair and can see from both perspectives. Without the proper three C’s, teams can be frustrated, apathetic, or even chaotic at times.
As I look back at my bible college days and seminary years, “Context, context, context!” is crucial! Context is not just King, but is the Queen, Jack, and Spade and all! A text without a context is with a pretext.
“Silent Night” even came to the attention of the king and queen, and the Strasser children were asked to give a royal performance, assuring the carol’s fame.
One day when you are older and your children have started their own families and have moved to another place, or when your friends become elderly and pass away, your wife is the one who will still be right at your side.
Hiring can be such a challenging task for churches. Why? For hiring the wrong person that does not fit the culture of the church can often cause so much heartache and havoc.
Jay Adam is known as the one who began the resurgence and championing the biblical counseling movement. His book, “Competent to Counsel” published in 1970 had revolutionized the way I have approached counseling with the supremacy of God’s Word (Scripture alone).
Baptism is a wonderful and easy way to remember the outline for a powerful new life that Christ has for us. How are we supposed to live for Christ day by day? How can we break sin habits? How can we put the past behind us and live a new life?
People from all walks of life will often ask one or more of the following metaphysical questions: Why should I believe the Bible? Is there salvation outside of Christianity? How do we know that God exists? Given evil, how can one justify God?
Paul’s sole confidence lied within Christ alone for he was radically transformed by this good news of the gospel.
Today, if you face any sort of difficulty with people, the world will say to take the highway. I believe Christians are called to take the higher way.
The Great Awakening divided New England Congregationalism into New Light which was known as the (pro-revival) and Old Light also known as (anti-revival) wings. Jonathan Edwards and Charles Chauncy battled over the truth.
Forgiving others is a mark of genuine disciples of Christ.
I am forever grateful and have been greatly influenced by J.I. Packer and the church has tremendously benefited from him and his life. He was a true servant of the LORD Jesus Christ.
When we look deep down in the soul, what do we find? What part of our self are we supposed to be, “true to”?
Lately, I have had an opportunity to pull back from all the busy activities of ministry and to simply stop, reflect, and think. Here are three lessons I’ve learned about leadership over the past 10 years.
On June 19th, 1834 Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born. As you noticed, that is this week and this mark 186th birthday for him.
In honor of his 186th birthday, I wanted to share 6 fun facts that perhaps you have never heard.
“An argument may remove doubt, but only the Holy Spirit can convict of truth.” – Ravi Zacharias
The real debate within the contemporary cultural context lies at the intersection in post-modernity where the Bible has its rightful place in authority, certainty, and the finality.
The more I sing hymns, I learn more about these songs and the more I love them all. Even the ones that are not so well-known hymns, it is good and helpful for our churches to sing.
Luther’s most famous hymn is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” written in 1529. Based on Psalm 46, it reflects Luther’s awareness of our intense struggle with spiritual warfare.