Exodus 32 is a striking example of how much influence one man in leadership holds—for good or for evil. Aaron was not an ordinary man among Israel. He was the high priest, chosen by God, the right-hand man of Moses. He had witnessed the miracles of Egypt, heard the voice of God, and stood on holy ground. More than that, he was appointed as a spokesman, the very mouthpiece of Moses, declaring God’s truth to the people (Exodus 4:14-16). If anyone should have held the line of righteousness, it was him.

But when the people pressured him, he caved. Instead of restraining sin, he enabled it. Instead of leading, he followed. The result? An entire nation plunged into idolatry, provoking the wrath of God. Judgment came upon Israel not just because the people sinned, but because their leader failed to stand.

A weak leader does more than fail to stop evil—he empowers it. Leadership is never passive. A man in authority either upholds righteousness or permits corruption to spread. But the opposite is also true: a single righteous leader—a magistrate, sheriff, mayor, or legislator—can hold back the tide of wickedness. When a man fears God more than public opinion, he becomes a force for justice, order, and truth.

This is not about Washington, D.C. or the next national election. This is about your town, your county, and your local officials. It’s about the sheriff who enforces justice, the mayor who shapes public policy, the school board members who influence what children are taught. These positions impact daily life in ways far more tangible than anything happening at the federal level.

If you are in a position of leadership—whether as a mayor, legislator, judge, sheriff, or council member—know this: God has placed you there for a purpose. You are not merely an administrator of policies; you are a servant of God, accountable to Christ the King. Romans 13:4 says, “for it is a servant of God to you for good.” Your role is not morally neutral. You are called to wield authority in a way that reflects God’s justice, not the shifting pressures of a pluralistic society.

Do not believe the lie that you must set aside your Christian convictions in order to lead effectively. The separation of faith from governance is not biblical—it is secularism’s demand, not God’s. True leadership is not about appeasing every voice but about standing firmly on righteousness. It is about making decisions that honor God, protect the innocent, and uphold truth, even when it is unpopular.

You may be the deciding vote. You may be the one voice holding back injustice. You may be the man standing at the crossroads of whether righteousness moves forward or is suppressed. Do not waver. Do not compromise. Fear God, not man.

At the local level, major decisions frequently rest on a single individual. A city council member may be the deciding vote on whether obscene materials remain in public libraries. A sheriff may choose whether to enforce unconstitutional mandates. A judge may set a legal precedent that protects—or erodes—religious liberty in a county.

There is always someone at the crossroads, holding the power to advance either righteousness or corruption. That’s why local leadership matters. The direction of a community is often shaped not by sweeping national movements but by the courage or cowardice of a handful of local decision-makers.

Too many Christians lament the state of the world but do little to change it. They see corruption in local government, moral decay in schools, and lawlessness in their communities—but withdraw instead of engaging. Leadership doesn’t happen by accident. If righteous men don’t take positions of influence, unrighteous men will. There is no neutral ground.

If you love the Lord and fear His Word, consider how you can lead. Serve on your local school board. Run for city council. Get involved in local commissions. Stand for righteousness in the places where decisions are made. If you are not called to hold office, then know your local leaders. Pray for them. Influence them. Hold them accountable to justice and truth.

Exodus 32 teaches us that one leader’s failure can bring disaster. But the reverse is also true—one man’s faithfulness can restrain evil. If you want righteousness in your community, don’t just hope for it. Act.

Know your local leaders. Pray for your local leaders. Become your local leaders. And if you already lead—lead with conviction, submitting all you do to the Lordship of Christ. Your faith is not a liability in leadership—it is the foundation of true wisdom, courage, and justice.

Christ is King!

She sat across from me, hands trembling, eyes downcast, her breath uneven as she struggled to find the words. I had known her for years—watched her grow in the faith, encouraged her in trials, and prayed for her like a daughter. But today, she wasn’t just a young woman in my church; she was someone carrying a weight too heavy for her shoulders.

Tears welled in her eyes as she finally spoke. “Pastor, I need to tell you something… I... I messed up.” Her voice broke, and for a long moment, she couldn’t continue.

I waited, knowing that whatever she was about to say, it wasn’t easy for her. She had always looked up to me, and because our church had never been silent about the value of life, she wasn’t just crushed by the sin of premarital sex—she was crushed by the thought of disappointing me.

“I got pregnant,” she finally said, barely above a whisper. The words left her like a confession of guilt, like she expected my face to harden, my posture to shift in anger. But how could I be angry? Yes, sin has consequences, and she had sinned, but life—every life—is a gift from the Lord. Thousands of couples engage in sexual immorality every day and never conceive. But God, in His providence, had given her a child. That wasn’t a curse—it was grace in the midst of failure.

She looked up briefly, searching my face, and I think the absence of condemnation in my eyes assured her. But then, a new wave of grief overtook her, and her shoulders shook under its weight.

“It doesn’t matter now,” she choked out. “Because he… he took the baby away.”

She told me she believes he slipped her the abortion pill. She never consented, never even knew. But in his fear, he decided for her. He decided for their child.

I never met the young man, but I saw the evidence. She showed me his desperate texts and emails from after he confessed and she broke up with him. He begged for forgiveness. He panicked at what he had done. He knew. And in one of those messages, it was clear—he was afraid. Afraid of the child. Afraid of responsibility. Afraid of exposure.

Fast forward several months, and I would need to step in to write to him to never contact her again.

Even after destroying the life of his own child, even after betraying the woman he claimed to love, he wouldn’t let go. He didn’t want the guilt, didn’t want the weight of his actions. He wanted her to absolve him. He wanted her to make it go away.

But it wouldn’t go away. The blood of the innocent cries out to God.

And now, she sat before me, broken, ashamed, and grieving—not just her sin, but his. Not just the unexpected pregnancy, but the unexpected loss. Not just the weight of her failure, but the weight of his cowardice.

She had been given a child, and then had that child ripped from her without her voice, without her choice, without her ability to fight back. And because of that, she wept harder than I had ever seen.

I wanted to take that grief from her, to bear it myself, but I couldn’t. Only Christ could. So I did the only thing I could do—I reminded her of the cross. I reminded her that there is forgiveness for sin, that there is healing for grief, and that Jesus, more than anyone else, understood what it meant to have the innocent suffer at the hands of others.

She had lost a child. She had been betrayed by the one who should have protected her. But she was not beyond hope. The blood of Christ speaks a better word than the blood of Abel, and it speaks a better word than the blood of her baby.

I reached across the table, took her shaking hands in mine, and prayed—not just for her healing, but for justice. Not just for her comfort, but for the repentance of the man who had taken what was not his to take. Not just for the weight of her sorrow to be lifted, but for the day when no woman will ever have to sit across from a pastor and weep because the man she trusted stole the life of her child.

Could she make a case? Could he be prosecuted? It’s doubtful.

Under current Kentucky law, men can pressure, intimidate, and manipulate women into abortion with no real consequences. A woman being threatened, shamed, or deceived into taking an abortion pill often has nowhere to turn. If a man physically assaults her, he can be charged. If he forces pills into her body, he can be prosecuted. But if he pressures her relentlessly, isolates her, or makes her believe she has no other choice, the law remains silent.

Because self-managed abortion is legal for the mother, a man can easily evade justice. He doesn’t need to raise his voice or lift a hand—he only needs to order the pills, leave them on the counter, and remind her what will happen if she doesn’t take them. She is left alone to carry the burden while he walks away free.

This is not justice. This is not protection. This is a legal system that abandons the most vulnerable and emboldens the guilty.

Equal protection legislation matters because it ends the legal double standard—one that allows abortion to continue in secret while pretending Kentucky has abolished it. If we truly care about protecting women, we must close these loopholes.

If we believe in justice, if we believe in the sanctity of life, then we must act now.

The time is now. Let us stand.

As Pride events spread to small towns across America, Christians are left wondering how to respond. Standing against the public celebration of sin requires courage, conviction, and action at the local level. However, Christians must also remember that in every stand against darkness, there is an opportunity to shine the light of Christ.
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Here are ten practical strategies to fight Pride events in your community while proclaiming the hope of the gospel.

Don’t wait for Pride events to come to your town. Be proactive. Write letters to businesses, schools, libraries, and local officials explaining your opposition to such events. Let them know that the Christian community will not tolerate the public celebration of sin.
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By acting early, you can discourage organizers from targeting your town in the first place. Resistance before events gain momentum is far more effective than trying to undo the damage afterward. In doing so, you also have opportunities to build relationships with community leaders and introduce the gospel as the foundation for morality and justice.

Click here for sample letters to business, magistrates, pastors, and libraries.

Many Pride events rely on financial support from local businesses, often under the guise of promoting "inclusivity." Send letters to these businesses explaining what Pride events truly celebrate: sodomy, drag performances, and the exploitation of children.
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Make it clear that Christians will not support businesses that fund these events. In Shelbyville, Kentucky, this strategy cut off financial support for a Pride event, forcing organizers to rely on outside funding. At the same time, use these opportunities to build relationships with business owners, offering to pray for them and share why standing for righteousness honors both God and their community.

Your mayor, city council, and other magistrates have authority over public events. Engage with them respectfully but firmly. Let them know that you and others in the community oppose the use of public funds, such as police protection or road closures, to support Pride parades or events.
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Encourage local leaders to pass ordinances that restrict the public celebration of immorality. Remind them that their duty before God is to promote good and restrain evil (Romans 13:3-4). As you speak with them, emphasize that your goal is not merely opposition but to protect the community and uphold what is good. These conversations can often lead to discussions about the ultimate source of righteousness—Jesus Christ.

If a Pride event occurs in your community, gather bold men from your church and attend. Be a visible, peaceful presence. Preach the gospel, hand out tracts, and engage in conversations with attendees.
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Your presence alone can have a profound impact. At one Pride event in Shelbyville, 40 men from a local church attended, far outnumbering the organizers. The event shut down hours early because their efforts were overshadowed by the gospel witness. These events provide a unique opportunity to speak directly to those trapped in sin, lovingly sharing the message of Christ’s redemption and calling them to repentance.

The LGBTQ movement works hard to paint Pride events as "family-friendly." Don’t let them get away with it. Document what actually happens at these events: men dressed provocatively, children exposed to perverse behavior, and the public celebration of sin.
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Share this evidence through videos, flyers, or social media. This will increase public opposition and make it harder for organizers to maintain the façade of innocence. In Shelbyville, exposing the grotesque reality of Pride events turned many neutral residents into vocal critics. As you reveal these truths, point people to the greater truth that Christ came to redeem sinners from all kinds of darkness, offering forgiveness and new life to those who repent and believe.

Public libraries and schools are key battlegrounds for indoctrinating children. LGBTQ-themed books aimed at normalizing sin and grooming young minds are becoming more common. Christians must take bold action to protect children from being exposed to such harmful content.
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This approach may not be for everyone, but it was a step we were willing to take. One effective strategy is to remove these harmful books from circulation by checking them out. Take as many of them as you can, never return them, and never pay the fines. This ensures that children in your community will not have access to materials that promote ungodliness. While this may come with consequences, the protection of young minds and hearts is worth the effort.
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At the same time, don’t overlook the importance of writing letters to your local library board and trustees. Thoughtfully written letters create pressure that influences future decisions about books, programs, and activities. Attend board meetings to voice your concerns in person and explain that Christians care deeply about protecting children because they are made in God’s image and precious in His sight. These efforts can lead to meaningful conversations about Christ’s love for children and the importance of righteousness.

If your town tries to host a Pride parade, consider taking a peaceful stand. In Tbilisi, Georgia, in 2021, Orthodox Christians blocked a Pride parade from happening. Although that situation reportedly turned violent, our response must remain peaceful, firm, and God-honoring.
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Gather a large group of believers to peacefully occupy the streets and block the parade route. This sends a clear message: “Not in our town.” Be prepared for opposition, legal consequences, and accusations, but trust that your peaceful stand will embolden others and glorify God. Such stands can also open doors to share the gospel with onlookers and even those who oppose you.

The long-term solution to fighting Pride events is cultivating godly leaders. Encourage men in your church to run for local offices—mayor, city council, magistrates, or school boards.
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For too long, Christians have abandoned the civil sphere to those who do not fear God. This must change. A righteous leader can significantly influence the community by promoting laws that protect families, children, and biblical values. Remind men that stepping into leadership is not just about politics—it’s about serving Christ and advancing His kingdom in the public square.

No single church can fight this battle alone. Partner with other like-minded churches and Christian organizations in your area. A unified Christian presence sends a strong message to local leaders, businesses, and organizers: the community rejects Pride events.
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One major obstacle to building alliances is the false ideology embraced by some pastors—that in order to reach the world, they must accept its sins. This thought process holds many churches back, convincing them that tolerance of wickedness is necessary for effective evangelism.
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This ideology must be confronted. The church is most relevant to the world when it honors Christ and opposes sin, not when it conforms to culture. By standing boldly against wickedness, Christians demonstrate the transformative power of the gospel and the holiness of God. True love warns against sin; it doesn’t celebrate it.

Standing against Pride events will bring criticism. You will be labeled hateful, bigoted, or worse. You may receive threats or even face legal challenges.
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Be ready. Boldness comes with a cost. But remember, Christ has called you to take up your cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Prepare yourself spiritually by committing to prayer, studying the Word, and leaning on fellow believers for support. Prepare legally by knowing your rights and having resources ready if opposition arises.
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When you face pushback, remember that your goal is not to win the world’s approval but to honor God and proclaim His truth. These moments are opportunities to witness to others—even your opponents—about the love of Christ, who calls sinners to repentance and offers eternal life.

Ephesians 5:11 reminds us, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them.”
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The battle against Pride events is not just about opposing sin but about bringing the light of Christ into the darkness. Bold action rooted in biblical conviction can protect the next generation and glorify God in your community.
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As Christians, we stand against public celebrations of sin not out of hatred but because we know the gospel has the power to set sinners free. Our goal is not just to oppose darkness but to proclaim the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ.
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The world needs churches that are unafraid to stand firm on God’s Word. If you remain silent, the sin celebrated today will only grow more pervasive tomorrow. But if you expose evil and proclaim the gospel, you will shine as a light in the darkness, showing the world the holiness of God and the transformative power of His grace.
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Will you stand?

As a pastor, I’m often asked questions about difficult family relationships. One of the most common is, “How can I honor my parents when they’ve been so difficult—or even hurtful?” This week, someone asked me this question again, and it’s not the first time it’s come up. It’s also one of the questions we’ve recently added to the “Snake Pit”—our list of challenging questions waiting to be answered on our podcast, Snake on the Table. We’ll be addressing it there soon.

It’s a deeply personal and painful question for many Christians. How do you reconcile the biblical command to honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12) with the reality that your parents may have been harsh, absent, neglectful, or even abusive? Is it possible to honor them without excusing their sin or pretending the hurt isn’t real? What does honoring parents actually look like when the relationship is strained?

This article is my fuller, more detailed answer to those questions. It’s designed to capture the nuance of several common situations and offer practical steps rooted in biblical truth. I hope it helps you navigate these painful dynamics with wisdom and grace.

The call to honor your parents is rooted in Scripture and found in the Ten Commandments: “Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged on the land which the LORD your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12). Paul repeats this command in Ephesians 6:1-3, affirming its timeless importance. This command has no expiration date. Honoring your parents as an adult is not optional, even when they’ve fallen short.

Need a definition? Honoring your parents means showing respect for their God-given role in your life for the rest of your life. It involves recognizing the ways they’ve contributed to your life, speaking to and about them with dignity, and showing gratitude for their strengths and sacrifices.

"But, Pastor... you don't know all the horrible things my parents did to me."

No, I don’t. I can’t fully understand the pain or weight of your experiences. But I have heard some truly heartbreaking stories—things that make parents unsafe, things so serious that the State had to step in. These aren’t small wounds. They’re deep, and they may require ongoing counseling, prayer, and support.

Let me be clear: this command to honor your parents should never serve as a cover for sin or an excuse to ignore real-world consequences. Honoring doesn’t mean excusing abuse, pretending everything is fine, or sweeping sin under the rug.

This is about how you conduct yourself—how you respond—in a way that keeps your conscience clear before the Lord. Even in situations of profound brokenness, God calls you to reflect His character. Honoring your parents doesn’t depend on their worthiness but on your faithfulness to God’s design and command.

If your relationship with your parents is strained or if they’ve been dishonorable in their behavior, honoring them may feel like an impossible task. However, the Bible calls you to obedience in this area, and with God’s help, it is possible to show honor even in difficult circumstances. Here are some practical ways to approach this challenge.

Sometimes honoring your parents means setting boundaries to protect yourself or others from harm. Boundaries are not acts of dishonor; they are tools to preserve relationships in healthy ways. Clear communication is key in this process. For example, you might say, “Mom, I want to visit with you, but if you criticize my husband, I’ll need to end the visit and try again later.” Or, “Dad, I love you, but I can’t have a productive conversation when you’re yelling. If it happens, I’ll need to step away until we can both calm down.”

These kinds of boundaries allow you to address harmful behavior while leaving the door open for continued interaction. They communicate both respect and accountability.

"But, I've read online that I should cut them off completely."

Friend, permanent estrangement, or “going No Contact,” is a worldly idea that is fundamentally at odds with the gospel. While the world promotes cutting people off as a way to protect yourself, the gospel calls you to reflect God’s heart for reconciliation. Just as God pursued reconciliation with you while you were still in sin (Romans 5:8), Christians are called to leave the door open for restored relationships. Even when boundaries are necessary, they should be redemptive, not punitive—always pointing toward the possibility of reconciliation in God’s timing.

This is my go-to counsel. If we’ve ever spoken about this topic, you’ve heard me say: intentionally search for what is honorable in them. Even in the most challenging relationships, there are often qualities you can respect or admire—though it may take effort to notice them. Perhaps your parents demonstrated a strong work ethic, were skilled in a particular trade, or made sacrifices for your family. Focusing on these strengths allows you to show respect without excusing their faults or overlooking past hurts.

In my own life, I’ve found this to be a key strategy. My father was a mechanic, a hard worker, and a generous man. Even when other parts of our relationship were challenging, I could respect these qualities. I made it a point to call him for advice on car repairs or ask his opinion on practical matters where his expertise shone. These conversations not only allowed me to honor his strengths but also provided opportunities to build a connection in meaningful ways.

If you struggle to see anything praiseworthy in your parents, ask God to reveal it to you. Reflect on the ways He has used them in your life, even if indirectly. By focusing on what is good, you can honor their God-given role without denying the challenges of the relationship.

Having found something honorable, deploy it—express appreciation for their strengths, both privately and publicly. Praise doesn’t have to be overly sentimental or dishonest—it simply acknowledges what they’ve done well. For example, you might say, “Mom, I really appreciate how hard you worked to provide for us growing up,” or, “Dad, I’ve always admired your generosity.”

These small moments of affirmation can soften relational tension and create opportunities for connection. Praising your parents in front of others—when appropriate—can also honor them in meaningful ways, as long as it’s genuine and not forced.

Honoring your parents often involves tangible acts of service, even when the relationship is strained. Offering help with practical needs—like running errands, assisting with household tasks, or checking on their health—can demonstrate respect and care. These actions communicate that you value them, even if past wounds remain unresolved. Jesus modeled this kind of sacrificial love, and by serving your parents, you reflect His grace and humility.

Special occasions also provide meaningful opportunities to honor your parents. Acknowledge their birthdays, invite them to family gatherings during holidays, or offer your presence and support in times of grief, such as the death of a loved one. Even small gestures—a thoughtful card, a phone call, or an invitation to celebrate with you—can communicate that you still care, regardless of past difficulties. These moments are opportunities to live out the gospel by demonstrating grace, kindness, and respect.

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to honor difficult parents. Pray for God to work in their hearts, to heal their wounds, and to bring them into closer relationship with Him. Ask God to soften your own heart as well, so that you can approach them with grace and forgiveness. Even if the relationship doesn’t change immediately, prayer keeps your focus on God’s sovereignty and prevents bitterness from taking root. 

Honoring dishonorable parents is one of the hardest commands to obey. It requires humility, forgiveness, and grace—things that are impossible in your own strength. But the gospel reminds you that Christ extended grace to you when you were undeserving (Romans 5:8). His Spirit equips you to show that same grace to others, including your parents.

If the relationship is toxic or abusive, maintaining physical or emotional distance may be necessary for your safety. However, even in these situations, you can honor your parents through prayer, speaking respectfully, and leaving the door open for repentance and restoration.

Honoring your parents doesn’t mean excusing their sins or pretending the pain isn’t real. It means reflecting Christ’s love by showing respect, setting healthy boundaries, and seeking their good. By focusing on what is honorable, serving them practically, and praying for them faithfully, you fulfill God’s command in a way that glorifies Him and protects your heart from bitterness.

This became deeply personal for me with my dad. Our relationship wasn’t always easy, but God helped me focus on his strengths—his hard work, generosity, and expertise. I prioritized explaining the gospel to him, knowing that his greatest need wasn’t just for a better relationship with me but for reconciliation with God. To my knowledge, he passed in unbelief in March 2017. That reality is heavy, but I’m grateful for the steps God enabled me to take to honor him while he was here. Those moments of respect and love were not wasted—they were acts of obedience to Christ, and they reflected the hope I longed for my dad to embrace.

If you’re wrestling with how to honor your parents, let the gospel guide you. God honored and pursued you when you were at your worst, and He calls you to reflect that same grace. Even when relationships remain broken or outcomes aren’t what you prayed for, your obedience to God’s command will glorify Him and shape your heart. Let His love and the hope of the gospel be the foundation for this challenging, but deeply important, calling.

Christ is King!

Photo Credit: Shutterstock/Jack Frog (Just some random people who would likely hate knowing they were featured in this article. Such is the life of a royalty-free model.)

True Confession: I have four anon accounts. Don’t even try to guess—they’re really good. I mainly use them for what I’d call righteous reconnaissance—looking into cults and ideologies opposed to Scripture. They’re not just for research, though; they’re also useful for staying informed on threats that could affect us locally.

On the digital battlefield, anonymity serves as a kind of armor. Like the knights of old, many wear it to feel impervious—protected from scrutiny, accountability, and even shame. An anonymous account can give the illusion of invincibility, a place to engage freely without consequence. Despite what some have said recently, there are legitimate uses for such accounts. In certain cases, online anonymity allows Christians to engage in righteous reconnaissance, speak truth in hostile environments, or protect themselves and their families from real-world harm. All legit.

If you’re like me and have an anon account—or two—I’ve got a question for both of us: What kind of man are you beneath the armor? Strip away the username, the profile picture, and the digital façade—are you the man you claim to be in Christ? Do your words and actions online reflect the One you profess to follow? Jesus calls you to be salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16), not a hidden figure wounding others under the cover of darkness. Anonymity may protect your name, but it cannot shield your heart from the gaze of God. “There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must answer” (Heb. 4:13).

The danger isn’t the armor of anonymity itself—it’s when the man behind it uses it as a cover to sin. Some hide behind their accounts to speak without grace, attack without love, or act without self-control. This kind of anonymity isn’t strength—it’s cowardice. If your words are fueled by pride, anger, or a need to win, you aren’t fighting for Christ—you’re fighting for yourself.

That’s why the Bible repeatedly calls you to accountability in your life as a believer: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). Even if you choose to remain anonymous online, you cannot afford to live a hidden life in the local church. God has designed the church as a community where your pastor and fellow believers know you—not just your outward actions but your heart. Hebrews 13:17 reminds you to “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.” If your pastor doesn’t know you, how can he watch over your soul? And if no one in your church knows who you are, who will sharpen you, challenge you, or encourage you toward Christlikeness?

Being known isn’t a threat—it’s a gift. Accountability isn’t there to expose or humiliate you; it’s there to protect you. If you’re known to your pastor and trusted brothers in Christ, they can speak into the areas of your life where you’re tempted to sin, including how you engage online. You may wear armor in the digital world, but in the body of Christ, you must step into the light (1 John 1:7). Accountability with your pastor and church ensures that the man behind the armor is walking in faithfulness to Christ.

If you claim to follow Christ, your interactions—whether in person or behind a screen—are not neutral. Every word you type reflects either the flesh or the Spirit. Anonymity may shield you from others, but it doesn’t shield you from the Lord who purchased you with His blood. He calls you to holiness, even in how you engage in digital spaces.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Are my words seasoned with grace (Col. 4:6)?
• Do I love my neighbor—even my enemy—when I respond to them online (Matt. 5:44)?
• Am I building up or tearing down the body of Christ (Eph. 4:29)?
• Am I accountable to my pastor and local church for how I live—including my online life (Eph. 5:21; Heb. 13:7)?

Brothers, the digital battlefield isn’t a place to lose your soul. God doesn’t need your clever arguments or sharp comebacks. He desires a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). The man behind the armor is the man God sees, and that’s the man who will stand before Him one day to give an account (Rom. 14:12). Will you be able to say that you honored Christ, even when no one else knew your name?

All my online activity is open to my fellow pastors and select men in my church. Consider doing the same. If you’ve been hiding behind the armor of anonymity with no church accountability, it’s time to be known. Invite your pastor and brothers in Christ to hold you accountable.

Accountability can feel risky depending on the men who shepherd you, and sometimes that fear is justified. But could your fear of exposure also be a clue to dial it back? Is anonymity serving a righteous purpose, or is it covering something your conscience knows isn’t right?

Christ is King!

To pastors expecting a church member to disclose their anonymous account: Be trustworthy. Could it be that your anon church member hesitates to be accountable to you because you come across as overly pious or clueless about the realities of digital life? Are you signaling that you would’ve outed the Israelite spies because you have no category for covert operations? A good shepherd creates an atmosphere of safety, not suspicion.

Remember, a salty meme timely delivered isn’t necessarily sin, and some online foolishness deserves anon mockery. Often, these situations tread in subjective waters. Before forming a strong opinion, call your anon. Sit face-to-face with him periodically.

Christ is King!

Christ is King!

On this day, December 7, 2024, I'll have the privilege of officiating the eleventh wedding among couples at Reformation Church. I will have done eight. Pastor Cartwright has done two. Pastor Lace has done one.

Today, I want to highlight the vows I have used four separate times. I love them! They were written by Andrew and Emilie Rudd for their marriage on March 4, 2023, in Nampa, Idaho. (Andrew flew 1900 miles to get the girl and bring her home—and I went with him to help.) These vows reflect the scriptural commitments and ideals that Christian Marriage should reflect.

With their permission, I submit them for public consideration. You're invited to use them in your upcoming wedding.

The Rudds have a podcast chronicling their journey to combat individualism and consumerism by bringing the economy back to the family. Check it out here.

Christ is King!

John Robinson was the pastor to the Mayflower pilgrims. He wrote a letter of 5 encouragements to fuel their spirts as they embarked on their voyage to the New World. All 5 are as relevant today as they were in 1620.

1. KEEP SHORT ACCOUNTS WITH GOD. The man whose “sin being taken away by earnest repentance and the pardon thereof from the Lord, sealed up unto a man's conscience by His Spirit, great shall be his security and peace in all dangers, sweet his comforts in all distresses, with happy deliverance from all evil, whether in ‘life’ or in death.”

2. DON’T BE EASILY OFFENDED BY MEN. “Watchfulness must be had that we neither at all in ourselves do give, no, nor easily take offense being given by others… in my own experience few or none have been found which sooner give offense than such as easily take it. Neither have they ever proved sound and profitable members in societies, which have nourished this touchy ‘demeanor’… your intended course of civil community will minister continual occasion of offense, and will be as fuel for that fire, except you diligently quench it with brotherly forbearance.”

3. DON’T BE OFFENDED BY GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY OVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. “How much more heed is to be taken that we take not offense at God Himself, which yet we certainly do so oft as we do murmur at His providence in our crosses, or bear impatiently such afflictions as wherewith He pleaseth to visit us. Store up, therefore, patience against that evil day, without which we take offense at the Lord Himself in His holy and just works.”

4. PRIORITIZE AFFECTION FOR THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH. “A fourth thing there is carefully to be provided for, to wit, that with your common employments you join common affections truly bent upon the general good… as men are careful not to have a new house shaken with any violence before it be well settled and the parts firmly knit, so be you, I beseech you, brethren, much more careful that the house of God, which you are and are to be, be not shaken with unnecessary novelties or other oppositions at the first settling thereof.”

5. ESTABLISH CIVIL ORDER WITH GODLY LEADERS FOR THE GOOD OF ALL MEN. “Lastly, whereas you are become a body politic, using amongst yourselves civil government, and are not furnished with any persons of special eminency above the rest, to be chosen by you into office of government; let your wisdom and godliness appear, not only in choosing such persons as do entirely love and will promote the common good, but also in yielding unto them all due honor and obedience in their lawful administrations, not beholding in them the ordinariness of their persons, but God's ordinance for your good; not being like the foolish multitude who more honor the gay coat than either the virtuous mind of the man, or glorious ordinance of the Lord. But you know better things, and that the image of the Lord's power and authority which the magistrate beareth, is honorable...”

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

“So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

“But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.

“But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Matthew 6:1–6 

Recently, a commentor on a Reformation Frontline Missions video suggested that Matthew 6:1-6 prohibits public preaching, so let’s unpack this idea.

In Matthew 6, Jesus instructs His disciples to avoid performing righteous acts for self-glorification: "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them." He specifically addresses acts like almsgiving, prayer, and fasting, highlighting that hypocrites engage in these behaviors not out of love for God or neighbor, but for self-serving reasons. Importantly, Jesus does not condemn public prayer or almsgiving outright; rather, He criticizes doing these things solely to gain recognition from others.

Their argument was that if you are elevated or amplified—like standing on a ladder or using a speaker—while preaching the gospel, you fall into the category of hypocrites Jesus describes. This perspective seems to suggest that all public expressions of piety, including evangelism, should be conducted in secret.

However, in the previous chapter, Jesus encourages His disciples to "let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

The commentor seems to overlook the key issue in Matthew 6: the motive of the heart. Being seen is not inherently sinful or hypocritical, as they claims. Jesus Himself indicates that our good works should be visible to others, serving as an opportunity for them to glorify God. If my intentions are purely self-serving, and I perform acts of piety to gain praise, then I am indeed acting hypocritically. While we should strive to minimize the visibility of our generosity, prayer, and fasting, evangelism by its very nature requires a public presence.

Furthermore, it's important to note that Jesus is not addressing the public proclamation of the gospel in this passage. I want to be seen and heard when I preach the gospel—not for my glory, but to direct attention to God. The goal is to make the message accessible: if no one can hear the gospel, what’s the point of preaching it?

To accuse those who publicly share the gospel of sin, pride, or hypocrisy simply due to the public nature of their preaching is both absurd and judgmental. We cannot discern the thoughts and intentions of others' hearts.

The distinction between Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6 centers on motive and the source of glory. We should embrace both verses: our good works should shine in a way that points others to God, while our motives should always align with glorifying Him. As Matthew Henry wisely notes, "It is not unlawful to give alms when men see us; we may do it, but not so that men may see us."

Each time it’s announced that someone has signed the Reformation Church Pulpit Scroll we get a question in the comments or via direct message asking us to explain the tradition.

Two years into the formation of our church, we had been on the hunt for a better pulpit when my wife and I came across an old oak podium in a Louisville flea market on February 20th, 2019. We were told that it had been used as an auctioneer’s lectern. With some modification it seemed like it would serve us well. Members of our church caught the vision, modified it, stripped it, stained it ebony, and spelled out “SOLI DEO GLORIA” in wood letters across the front.

Along with the hope of a new pulpit was a desire to create a tradition of honoring our church’s commitment to expositional preaching and the development of capable exegetes. We wanted a way to celebrate when men rightly handled the word of God before us. A hidden scroll beneath the pulpit was the perfect idea to memorialize these special moments.

At the top of the scroll is written:

On that date I had the honor of becoming the initial signer after preaching my first sermon from it. My text was Mark 11:1-11 and I titled the sermon, “Jesus Claims the Throne.” You can listen to it here.

Since that time many men have added their names to the roll. Some are seasoned exegetes with countless hours of preaching under their belt. For some, preaching from our pulpit was their very first sermon before a listening congregation.

The wood pulpit itself may be retired at some point. There is talk of wanting something bigger and more substantial as our congregation grows. Be assured that even if that day comes, the scroll will remain. There’s space for a 100 years’ worth of names.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Recently, while preaching through Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine, I paused to detail the differences between Catholic and Reformed belief's concerning Mary. 

Listen to the full sermon below.

Christ is King!

Photo: Shutterstock / Erman Gunes

Understandably, area denizens have mixed emotions about the Barrel Room closing. I know I do. I was excited when it first opened. Members of our church play in area bands and performed there regularly at the first. But that all changed when they began displaying a pride flag and hosting drag shows. They lost the confidence of our conservative Christian community and it showed up in declining patronage. Let’s face it - if business was good they would still be in business. Fewer and fewer people wanted to spend their money in a place opposed to their values. This is the lesson for our community: When you celebrate what God hates you will not succeed.
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“Hate” is a word often thrown at Christians. Sodomites and their allies are fond of calling anyone who opposes their ideology as “haters.” But in reality, they’re the ones who hate God, hate His law, and hate Christ Jesus. Christians know well that God is opposed to the proud and gives grace to the humble. We know that God sets the boundaries of gender and sexual activity. A litany of supporting Bible references could be offered here for genuine Christians to affirm, and false Christians to twist and deny. There is an objective darkness to expose and oppose defined by God’s Word based upon God’s character. He tells us, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-12) Therefore, Christians cannot support businesses like the Barrel Room.
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Your business need not have a cross in the window, or blast lame Christian music to win the support of our community. We just need you to not champion what God hates. God ordains local economies to supply our needs. Entrepreneurship is good. Commerce is good. Creating spaces for local artists to entertain is good. Our community is thriving and our dollars should be spent supporting one another. 
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Let’s ask God to bless the businesses of our community and the dreams of entrepreneurs who right now are planning and building to shape our future. With the Barrel Room gone, a spot for something better arrives. Let’s pray for the new owner that their new venture will be mutually beneficial for all. Let’s pray that God is glorified in Shelby County, Kentucky.
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Christ is King!