God calls gospel ministers to give themselves fully to ‘the interests of Jesus Christ’ (Phil. 2:20–21). But what exactly does it mean for ministers of the gospel to seek the interests of Christ? When the apostle Paul wrote the believers in the church in Philippi about Epaphroditus and Timothy, he referenced their selfless service to... Read More The post The Interests of Christ? appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
In the twentieth century, evangelical churches so emphasized the call to foreign missions that many believers came to embrace the conviction that if one is thoroughly committed to Christ, he or she will enter the foreign mission field. Without doubt, the call to the work of foreign missions is a high and noble calling and... Read More The post Everyone’s Calling appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
“The community is wonderful;” “There are so many ways to get involved;” “The children’s ministry is great;” “God really seems to be moving here;” “It has such a presence in the community.” These are some of the most common reasons individuals give when asked why they joined a particular church. I rarely hear people say,... Read More The post Seek Little, Find Little appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
One of my favorite things to do when leading a worship service is getting to pronounce the benediction over the congregation at the end of the service. A benediction is a divine blessing from Scripture pronounced by the minister in order to equip God’s people as He sends them out into the world to live... Read More The post Pronouncing the Divine Blessing appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
My father, Art Batzig, started showing signs of dementia two and a half years ago. He died this morning after a long battle with a horrible disease. Walking through this has truly been “the long, slow death”––as so many have called it. Our family spent many months relocating dad to be closer to my sister... Read More The post A Tribute to My Father appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
Whenever I carry out pre-marital counseling sessions with a young couple in the church, I dedicate a portion of the counselling to the subject of expectations. I do so, because of the way in which this prevalent and recurring issue lays at ground zero of many hurting and broken marriages. Relationships are strained or decimated by uncommunicated,... Read More The post Not-So-Great Expectations appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
When I proposed to Anna in 2003, she gifted me a small, leather bound, antiquarian copy of Thomas Brooks’ The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. This little work has proven to be one of the more influential theological treatises for my spiritual as well as ministerial growth. It is an exposition of Paul’s words, “To me who... Read More The post The Gospel Grace of Humility appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
I was voicing a complaint to a friend about the opposition I was experiencing in ministry: “Why is this happening? I didn’t do anything to deserve to be treated this way!” He quickly replied, “Well, you don’t have to be doing anything wrong to face opposition in ministry.” It was something that I knew; but... Read More The post When the Church is Tried. . . appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
There is something breathtakingly wonderful when we stand at the top of a peak of a mountain and overlook the valleys and rivers below. We feel as though we are able to take in more of the glory of God in creation when we behold such grandiose scenes. As a boy, I distinctly remember hearing... Read More The post The Transfigured Son appeared first on Feeding on Christ.| Feeding on Christ
The account of Cain and Abel (Gen. 4:1–16) is one of the most instructive portions of Scripture––not simply because it is the first account of one who was martyred for his faith; but because of what it teaches us about how we are to approach God in worship (Heb 11:4). Abel was the promised seed... Read More| Feeding on Christ
The Interests of Christ?| Feeding on Christ
With a burgeoning interest in the idea of Christian Nationalism, the Christian Church in America has seen a renewed interest in modified versions of theonomy. Theonomy was a politico-theological movement that arose out of Reformed theological circles in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The central figures in this movement were R.J. Rushdooney, Gary North, Greg Bahnsen, Ken... Read More| Feeding on Christ
