Anchorage Baptist Temple

Living as Christians in a Pressure-filled WorldGreetings, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, I'd like us to ponder upon an age-old adage, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Although an anachronism to cite in the context of the Early Church in Rome - it hadn't been coined at that time - it effectively captures the intense social pressure faced by early Christians.The Roman government, alongside the Christians' own families and friends, beseeched them to fit in, to follow the crowd, to conform. And if they resisted, if they sought to live a Christ-centered life, it came with grave costs. As one historian describes, they faced social ostracism, verbal abuse, rejection, shame, and even economic persecution leading to the loss of property. That was the backdrop against which the Apostle Peter penned his first epistle.Interestingly, Peter's advice to the Roman Christians did not resemble the Roman adage in the slightest. Instead, he offered guidance that stands just as relevant to us today as it was two

Every one of us, whether male or female, has been divinely selected to draw all towards Christ. We are tasked with the mission of reconciliation, to connect a world astray with our holy savior, Jesus Christ, the one we worship. In Ephesians 1:11, we are reminded that through Christ, we have obtained an inheritance and have been predestined to fulfill His purposes. This predestination doesn't just stem from a cosmic lottery; it reflects His active will, shaping and guiding the universe. We, the Church, men and women alike, have been called to serve as vessels of God's purpose. Our calling is akin to that of Samson. Despite his many human flaws and shortcomings, God used Samson for His divine purposes. Much like Samson, we too are imperfect beings who, in spite of our flaws, have been chosen and set apart for God's mission. In Ephesians 1:13, we learn that when we truly heard the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation, and believed in it, we were sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit. This is not only

There's an unquenchable passion, a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), placed in our hearts by God Himself. It's an essential part of our spiritual journey that drives us to desire more of Him and His work in our lives. The world may divert this feeling, causing us to believe that it's about missing out on pleasures of the flesh. However, the divine intent of FOMO is to trigger our longing for the fullness of God’s blessings.Today, I'd like to challenge you to revisit the true nature of FOMO, as given to us by our Creator. The Apostle Paul urges us in Romans 12:2 (NIV), "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves recognizing the divine nature of our FOMO, not as a worldly fear but as a deep desire for God's will.FOMO, I believe, is a divine mechanism that fosters a fear of our children missing out on being Christ-centered world changers. Are we, as parents, ready to do whatever it takes to guide our children towards Christ?FOMO, too, can

A Christian perspective on the issue of apathy examines the profound difference between laziness and apathy. According to Proverbs 13:4, "A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied," laziness is the reluctance to exert energy or perform tasks when the capacity to do so exists. Scripture speaks unequivocally against slothfulness, encouraging followers of God to be diligent, reflecting Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters."Yet, apathy, while related, is distinct from laziness. It represents an indifference towards issues that matter to God, a sort of spiritual desensitization. This desensitization is not unlike the metaphor my mother would frequently use when I was a child, that of 'poop in the brownie.' This metaphor, although crude, perfectly encapsulates our tendency to become numb to the presence of evil and corruption, justifying minor immoralities as inconsequential. But Romans 12:2

God's Freedom, God-Given Freedom, and the Word of GodAs Christians, we must stand for justice, freedom, and equality, following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for these principles, which are rooted in biblical truth. It is essential that we revisit the core values of the original "woke" movement and differentiate them from the distorted version we see today.Galatians 5:1 states, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." God wants us to experience freedom, but not at the expense of others. We must strive for a society that treats everyone fairly and justly, regardless of their race or background.Dr. King's vision was one of unity and equal opportunity for all. Sadly, the term "woke" has been hijacked by various groups with different agendas, leading to division and confusion. We must remember the essence of the original movement, rooted in godly justice and love for our neighbors, as com

As believers in Christ, we must not be afraid of the truth or real dialogue. The Bible teaches us not to fear, as it is written in 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV): "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline." We should be free to discuss any topic, including the biblical view on male and female roles.In our culture, some may argue that the Bible's teachings are obsolete, but as Christians, we must stand firm in our faith and not shy away from the truth. We are called to love our neighbors, even those who are struggling or confused. As Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) instructs us, we must "speak the truth in love."The church has a crucial role to play in society, and history has shown us the consequences of remaining silent. We must not follow in the footsteps of the German church in the 1930s, which remained silent in the face of oppression. Instead, we must rise up and speak the truth in love, addressing critical issues and advocating for justice.It is essential to live out ou

Loving Jesus and Battling Depression: A Christian PerspectiveIn today's world, many people struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. As Christians, we may wonder if it's possible to love Jesus and still struggle with these conditions. The answer is yes; we can love Jesus and still face mental health challenges. There are examples in the Bible that show even great men of faith, such as Elijah and David, experienced depression.Elijah, a powerful prophet in the Old Testament, performed incredible miracles, such as praying for rain after seven years of drought and calling down fire from heaven. Yet, even after these amazing feats, Elijah faced a moment of despair and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4). This shows that even the strongest believers can face depression.Similarly, David, a man after God's own heart, experienced moments of deep sadness. In Psalms 13:1, David asks, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Despite his stron