Steph and I's teaching on Ephesians 5 is available here. -david

It takes about 70 hours to read the Bible from cover to cover. That's less time than the average American spends watching TV each month. -Justin Rizzo

The greatest challenge in preaching the Gospel, is preaching truth that you yourself are in the same need of. Often times more in need of. -Zach Hensley

If there’s still some life in you, there’s no hope of resurrection. He resurrects only the dead. But hey: Never too dead for resurrection.-Bob Sorge

May it be that because of your obedience many will be made righteous (just like Jesus, Romans 5:19) -Bob Sorge

“We preach Christ crucified” 1 Cor. 1:23. Never change the message. We have no other. -John Piper

The American church is a difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament Christianity. -Francis Chan

"We must meditate, brothers. These grapes will yield no wine till we tread upon them." Spurgeon

"Prayer turns theology into experience." --Tim Keller

"O that Christians would learn to live with one eye on Christ crucified and the other on his coming in glory!" — Richard Baxter

Preacher: inspirational messages are enjoyable but rarely serve our victory over sin and enjoyment of God. We must know and believe truth. Our culture often seeks out clever, inspirational messages; yet knowledge of God-based teaching impacts the deepest and bears the most fruit. Impactful preaching is:

1. Simple truth 2. Delivered by weak, broken people 3. By the power of the Holy Spirit 4. That causes love to abound

-Dave Sliker

hero cover by steph and I

If we receive God’s love and love Him in return, then it is only a matter of time before we will begin loving people more deeply. -Mike Bickle

“Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty” (Isaiah 33:17). Live this day in hopeful anticipation of that day. -David Platt

The message of the cross is, lose everything and you’ll gain everything. -Bob Sorge

"Inconsistent professors injure the gospel more than the sneering critic or the infidel." CH Spurgeon

We should be so joyful from God’s grace that others would respond by saying, 'I wish I had your God.' -Francis Chan

Prophets prophesied Jesus' 1st coming, as well as His glorious return. Israel was central to the 1st, and will be no less central to the 2nd. -Bryan Purtle

"Let us press on. All Africa must be won for Christ. Though a thousand missionaries die, send more." — Andreas Riis

Mephibosheth, grandson of the arch adversary, lame in both feet, feasting daily at David’s table. A mercy we may hope for. -Piper

"Faith is believing that He sees and believing that He rewards." -Misty Edwards

Believer, when you are on your knees, remember you are going to a king. Let your petitions be large - Spurgeon

Steph and I will be teaching at the Greater Peoria House of Prayer on Saturday June 13th.  We will teach on Christ, the Church, and Marriage in light of the Cross from Ephesians 5. -david

Jesus weeps, but not like us. We do so because we lack perspective. He does so because He knows all things. -Derek Kistner

spring 2015

"For when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" Isaiah 26:9

Marriage is quite a wondrous humility barometer. We may fool others with pseudo-meekness, but not our spouse (and children). -Derek Kistner

There is no motive for holiness so great as that which streams from the veins of Jesus - Spurgeon

"There's absolutely no place that you cannot go and openly proclaim Jesus Christ—if you're not concerned about ever coming back." — Piper

Above all I commend the study of Christ. Let Him be your library - Spurgeon

The closet is the best study. The commentators are good instructors, but the Author Himself is far better - Spurgeon

"Speaking from a pulpit is so easy compared to life." -Heidi Baker

"Religious people find God useful. Christians find God beautiful." -Tim Keller

Who Would Dare to Love ISIS? (A Letter from the People of the Cross)

Our best performances are so stained with sin, that it is hard to know whether they are good works or bad works - Spurgeon

ONE Soul won to Christ, is better than a thousand "merely moralized" and still sleeping in their sins! - Spurgeon

When God calls you righteous because of faith, get ready for nobody to agree with Him. Even your own conscience can falsely accuse you. Satan looks at your life and is offended, “God, how can you overlook such blatant rebellion and sin?” People looking at you can’t always see a difference. But in the eyes of God, you are the righteousness of God by faith. -Bob Sorge

Our passion for the preeminence of Christ in all things shows whether we are actually in agreement with the passion and plan of the Godhead. -Stephen Venable

God is incredibly intense, and facing Him is the most intense, fiery, soul-searching encounter you will ever experience. Therefore, I would rather that He be more intense with me now (in chastening) than at the last day (in judgment). -Bob Sorge

Biblical commands to pray are given in the same way as those for love, humility, and holiness - for the entire church, not a select few. -Stephen Venable

My teaching on the Cross, The Glory, and the Age to Come is available online here. 

...keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Peter 1:13