Thoughts of Josh Dryer

  This is the second part of my two-part article describing our fellowship of suffering and rejoicing. In Chapter 12 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, he talks about spiritual gifts and how we should use them for the building up of the body of Christ (:7). Paul also describes how the Holy Spirit, the bestower of these gifts, unites the Church, who function like a human body. Each believer is a part of the body and has something unique and important to offer the other believers in the church body. This teaching applies to each local church, but I think it also applies to the Universal Church (all born-again believers everywhere on the planet). Later in the chapter, Paul writes something important that I think we should remember. He writes, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it ,” (1 Corinthians 12:26). This text teaches us two important things that are especially important during this seas...

  In Chapter 12 of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, he talks about spiritual gifts and how we should use them for the building up of the body of Christ (:7). Paul also describes how the Holy Spirit, the bestower of these gifts, unites the Church, who function like a human body. Each believer is a part of the body and has something unique and important to offer the other believers in the church body. This teaching applies to each local church, but I think it also applies to the Universal Church (all born-again believers everywhere on the planet). Later in the chapter, Paul writes something important that I think we should remember. He writes, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it,” (1 Corinthians 12:26). This text teaches us two important things that are especially important during this season of ministry. This week, I discuss suffering. Next week, I will discuss rejoicing. First, we should ...

  Starting and maintaining a thriving men’s ministry is a difficult task. Men (myself included) are not always eager to get together with others at the end of a long workday, after kids’ sports practices/games, amidst duties at home, and whatever else requires their attention. We tend to believe that we don’t really need relationships with other guys and a ministry designed specifically for our spiritual growth. We are wrong. Let me tell you why. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” God designed us to be in fellowship with others (Gen 2:18). Christian men have a special connection through the indwelling Holy Spirit and their specific roles as men in the church. It is good for them to study the Word together because this activity helps them grow in the Lord in unique ways unavailable in other ministries. We could all use some encouragement these days! While writing this article, I opened the website of a national news agency. The featured articles/...