September 7, 2021
by Eric Stillman
In a couple of days, I will be driving to New Jersey for my uncle’s funeral. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that “It is better to go to a house of mourning that to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart” (Ecclesiastes 7:2). One of the reasons it is good to be in a house of mourning, according to this verse, is that it reminds us that our earthly life will one day come to an end, and that we would be wise to live with that reality in mind....Keep Reading
Posted in: Death Tags: Death, Heaven
August 31, 2021
by Eric Stillman
I have a fear of public speaking. But it’s not what you think.
It has been well-established that public speaking is the number one fear of most Americans – surpassing even their fear of death. That incredible fact led to the great Jerry Seinfeld joke, “This means that to the average person, if you had to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.” I would imagine that most people are afraid to speak in public because they are afraid that their mind will go blank, or that they will say something foolish, and experience the disapproving judgment or ridicule of the crowd.
But that is not why I have a fear of public speaking....Keep Reading
Posted in: Preaching Tags: Preaching, Fear, Public Speaking
August 24, 2021
by Eric Stillman
You may have heard the expression, “once you see this, you can’t un-see it” in reference to some particularly disturbing picture. I find this quote from Francis Chan to be like that: once you hear it, you can’t un-hear it....Keep Reading
Posted in: Missions Tags: Evangelism, Missions
August 17, 2021
by Eric Stillman
In Jeremiah 28, the Israelites are in exile in Babylon, having been conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar’s army. The prophet Hananiah tells the exiles to take heart, that in two years God will overthrow the Babylonian king and restore Israel to their home. Great news, right?
Only one problem. Hananiah’s prophecy is not from God. He is simply telling the people the “good news” that they want to hear....Keep Reading
Posted in: Bible Tags: Bible, Jeremiah 29:11
August 10, 2021
by Eric Stillman
On July 12th, 1992, NewLife Christian Fellowship held its first ever public worship service, at the Gallery Restaurant in Glastonbury. Since the second month of the church's existence, when they took over the responsibility from Ron and Eva Say, Jim and Dorothy Scrobko have faithfully prepared the communion elements and served the Lord and God’s people at NewLife by helping us to fulfill Jesus’ command to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). In fact, in those early days, communion was actually served from the bar at the Gallery, which, according to Dorothy, is a sign of God’s sense of humor....Keep Reading
Posted in: Church life Tags: NewLife, Service, faithfulness
July 27, 2021
by Eric Stillman
This past Sunday, I preached on when Jesus cleared the money changers out of the temple, which happened in John 2 and again in Mark 11. One of the most powerful sermons I ever heard was on these passages, and was given by Jim Cymbala at a praise gathering (you can watch it on YouTube here). Cymbala references the episode where Jesus clears the money changers out of the temple in order to drive home the point that God’s house is meant to be a house of prayer above all other things ...Keep Reading
Tags: Church, Prayer
July 20, 2021
by Eric Stillman
Many years ago, I remember someone telling a story that went something like this:
There once was a little girl who had a necklace made of plastic pearls that she loved to wear. One night, her father came and kindly asked her, “would you please give me your pearls?” The little girl refused, because she did not want to give them up. Night after night, her father would say good night, tuck her in, and then ask “would you please give me your pearls?” And night after night, the little girl would say no.
...Keep Reading
Tags: Grace, Discipleship, idols, Trust
July 13, 2021
by Eric Stillman
What price would you be willing to pay to experience more of the love, joy, peace, and fullness of God in your life?
Honestly, that question frightens me. Even though I know in my head that God is good, that He is the pearl of great price that is worth selling everything for, I still have a great deal of fear when it comes to following Him....Keep Reading
Tags: God, Discipleship, Sacrifice
July 6, 2021
by Eric Stillman
In Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles are spreading the good news about Jesus through preaching and miraculous deeds. The Jewish high court arrests them and forbids them to speak in Jesus’ name. Peter boldly refuses to comply with their demands, and as a result, the religious leaders want to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel addresses the assembly, advising them to leave the men alone. He tells them that “if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)...Keep Reading
Tags: Church, Prayer
July 6, 2021
by Eric Stillman
In Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles are spreading the good news about Jesus through preaching and miraculous deeds. The Jewish high court arrests them and forbids them to speak in Jesus’ name. Peter boldly refuses to comply with their demands, and as a result, the religious leaders want to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel addresses the assembly, advising them to leave the men alone. He tells them that “if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39)...Keep Reading
Tags: Church, Prayer
