Posts by Jeff Purswell

Editors' note: The following article first appeared in the hardcover version of our Statement of Faith, given to Sovereign Grace pastors at our 2021 Pastors Conference. The year 2022 marks the 40th anniversary of the Sovereign Grace family of churches (SGC). We are delighted to celebrate with the publication of this special edition of SGC's new Statement of Faith. This ...

"What was the point of such a demand for precise adherence to a revealed design? It was to create a longing for and hope of heaven in the hearts of God's peoplea desire to live in his presence forever." Douglas Stuart "The truly staggering answer which the Bible gives to this question is that God's purpose in revelation is to make friends with us. It was to this end that ...

On Sunday, Jeff encouraged us from Psalm 145 reminding us that "the LORD is near to all who call on Him." Are you needy today? He's near.Are you burdened? He's near. Are you anxious or weary or desperate? He's near to all who call. And we know that is true because He drew near to us in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Listen again and be encouraged! ...

This past Sunday in our Call to Worship, Jeff encouraged us from Psalm 86 and an avalanche of truth about GodHis goodness, His forgiveness, and His abounding steadfast love. As Jeff said, "we can bank on these realities because Jesus came and proved that all of this is trueGod is all of this for us and more. What a comfort to look to Him, lean on Him, and glorify Him by re...

Yesterday Jeff Purswell encouraged us from Psalm 84 during our call to worship. Listen again and be encouraged that although we are in a season of longing until we gather again, make no mistake, God is with usthe God who forgives our sins, the God who calms our turmoil, the God who carries our burdens, the God who comforts us in our affliction. When everything seems shaken...

This week during our livestream, Jeff encouraged us from Isaiah 26:3-4. Listen again and be encouraged by "the bedrock claim that God is a rockunmovable, unchanging, undaunted in His zeal to accomplish all His purposes." ...

In this past Sunday's sermon on Exodus 21:1-23:19, C.J noted the confusion we can experience when we read about slavery in the OT. Numerous resources exist to help us understand this topic, both in its original setting as well as how it functions in the storyline of Scripture. If you're interested in exploring this further, here are some resources we would recommend: Is...

Beginning a new year presents us with an opportunity to freshly appreciate the treasure God has given us in the Scriptures, and to renew our devoted pursuit of God through his Word. Here are some suggested resources to encourage you in that great pursuit. Scripture Reading Plans Many things go undone because of the absence of a planand there is no shortage of plans for...

In the busy-ness of everyday life, it's easy to let Easter sneak up on us without much thought, preparation, or meditation. Despite its centrality, we can sometimes treat it as an after thought or just another Sunday. But whether we recognize it or not and whether we prepare for it or not, the fact remains that the events we remember during the Easter season are of pre-emi...

In the busy-ness of everyday life, it's easy to let Easter sneak up on us without much thought, preparation, or meditation. Despite its centrality, we can sometimes treat it as an after thought or just another Sunday. But whether we recognize it or not and whether we prepare for it or not, the fact remains that the events we remember during the Easter season are of pre-emi...

". . . his identity contracted to the point where the whole truth about him was that he was the sin of the world. He was carrying it, heaven held him answerable for it, and he was it. It was here, all of it, in his body (1 Pet. 2:24), being condemned in his flesh (Rom. 8:3); because of it he was a doomed and ruined man, korban, devoted to destruction. God's pure eyes could...

Our new sermon series, "The Glory of the Word," presents us all an opportunity to begin the new year with a fresh appreciation for the treasure God has given us in the Scriptures, and to renew our devoted pursuit of God through his Word. Here are some suggested resources to encourage you in that great pursuit. Scripture Reading Plans Many things go undone because of t...

With all the preaching and writing about the atonement that we see in  evangelicalism, isn’t there a danger that the resurrection will get lost? ...

In the book of Acts there seems to be a greater emphasis on Christ’s  resurrection than the cross. Shouldn’t we follow the early church’s example and  emphasize the resurrection over the cross? (Issue: Proportionality in biblical  interpretation) Interpreters of the book of Acts have long recognized the centrality ...

In the busy-ness of everyday life, it's easy to let Easter sneak up on us without much thought, preparation, or meditation. Despite its centrality, we can sometimes treat it as an after thought or just another Sunday. But whether we recognize it or not and whether we prepare for it or not, the fact remains that the events we remember during the Easter season are of pre-emi...

It’s through union with Christ’s resurrection that we have been raised  to walk in new spiritual life. If we talk about the cross so much, won’t we end up  focusing only on sin and ignoring this important aspect of the Christian life?  Doesn’t a focus on the resurrection lead us to a more holy, victorious Ch...

Sovereign Grace churches and leaders often use the phrase “cross-centered.” Doesn’t this phrase lead to an overemphasis on the cross and a neglect of the resurrection? (Issue: neglecting the resurrection). ...

Christ has been raised, and so both the cross and the grave are now  empty. In light of this, isn’t it wrong to focus on a crucified Savior when, after all,  we serve a living Christ? (Issue: distorting Christ’s identity)...

At Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, we are grateful that we are neither an independent church nor an isolated church. We're part of a familythe family of Sovereign Grace Churches. Being in a family like this brings not only strength and protection, but also joy. In order to share that joy, Sovereign Grace produces videoshome movies, if you willthat highlight different...

A few years ago I wrote a post that has become a habitcollecting a list of "significant books" for pastors published during the past year. A wealth of books and the crunch of time conspire to make reading choices both frustrating (how does one choose?) and critical (I must choose wisely). "Best books" lists are unavoidably idiosyncratichence an effort at recommending "sig...

We are currently 25 days into the month of Ramadan...

This was posted yesterday to the Sovereign Grace Ministries Plant and Build blog. On behalf of the Pastors College, we want to thank Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville for hosting the Pastors College and we want you to be encouraged about the difference your example has made in the lives of these men and their families....

Jeff Purswell answers five common questions on the topic: "Does an emphasis on the cross de-emphasize the resurrection?"...

This Sunday we have the privilege of hearing Dr. Miguel Nuñez preach from Ephesians 3:1. ...

In the exciting early months of a church plant, the temptation is strong to generate a lot of activity - to identify leaders, to position people for ministry - to get people going! We’ve tried to resist this temptation, and as a result our focus has been quite simple: pray diligently, focus on the Sunday meeting (and especially the preaching of the Word), build rela...

One of the most exciting parts of our elders meeting yesterday was a long conversation about missions. Although we are still in the early stages of this church plant, we don’t want our specific mission here to blind us to broader opportunities beyond. And we realize that our strategic location here in Louisville will afford us both opportunities and responsibilities...