Sterling Griggs

For my entire life I have sat through countless sermons on Sunday mornings. Truthfully, I remember a good illustration or story better than I do the 3 or more points that were taught those mornings, but there is a constant theme that has been ingrained in me through these years of sitting under the teachings of various men of God: Jesus is the total package. What I mean is that Jesus did not shy away from addressing issues of doctrine and theology while at the same time constantly focusing on the need for social change. If you are even remotely familiar with theological and church issues, then you understand that there is a thick line that divides two camps of thought when it comes to Jesus and New Testament teaching. The "conservative" camp draws on not just the theological teachings of Jesus but especially the instructions from Paul and the other New Testament epistles. Here, the emphasis is on theology and the defense of pure theology from the dangers of heresy and mi...

There are lots of people who get really angry about politics. Whether it's yelling at each other across the room or mixing it up on social media, people can get pretty bent out of shape over their political views. Maybe it's because they see so many politicians hashing it out on TV commercials and debates, but then again those guys are pretty much just grandstanding to win your vote. What I've found is that those who get most angry about politics tend to be those who understand politics the least . There are lots of people who get really angry about sports. Every year at least one fan dies as a result of a fight the weekend of the Alabama/Auburn football game. Fans are assaulted on a regular basis at pro sporting events and the level of animosity isn't any better on the college level. Friendships have been irreparably damaged and families divided over who is better, State or Carolina. Some of the most heated exchanges that I have ever witnessed were centered around s...

It's that time again. Elections are around the corner and every candidate is doing his or her best to win your vote. Before you continue reading this post please understand something - this is not going to be about politics or who I am or am not voting for. I try to stay away from all that chaos. However, I do find it slightly maddening when candidates are asked a question and are incapable of giving a direct answer. For instance, last night a local news station had two candidates on who are running against each other for a state office in North Carolina. Each candidate was asked what he planned to do to bolster education in North Carolina. Both men bemoaned the sad state of public education in North Carolina and each went on to boast that his plan would help to turn the education crisis around, but neither of them would tell us what their plan actually was. They didn't say anything. I felt like I wasted a good five minutes of my life listening to them. Please, just answer t...

I am writing these words both to my friends who share my faith in Jesus Christ and for my friends who don't. My reasons are twofold. First, I want to encourage and instruct my believing friends in the way we desire to see the lost come to faith in Christ. Second, I want to explain to any of my unbelieving friends out there why it is that it seems so many Christians don't like them. To my Christians brothers and sisters. We've all seen the absolute junk that is grossly displayed in our culture and it has made us feel nauseated as we cling a little tighter to our kids. The world seems to be full of smut peddlers, users of profane language, advocates of deviant lifestyles, and those who mock our Jesus whom we so passionately follow. Some of these people we are at work or school with, others live next door, and a few might even be our family members. Let's face it, when we see things that are morally foul and that run aground of what we know brings glory to God, we hav...

I believe that when big things happen in your life then you need to share it with the world. This post is dedicated to just that. For those of you who know me and the journey my family has been on, then you know that we moved to the coast of North Carolina earlier this year in February. A new and challenging job had opened up for my wife and, while there was nothing on the radar for me, we sensed that this move was exactly what God wanted for us. So, we packed up our home and moved away from friends and family to a place we had grown to love through vacations but had never considered calling home. As we began to establish our lives here, we began to get to know our neighbors in the community and we made it our goal to become active in a local church. Little did I know that the church we became a part of, Generations Church , would in turn become such a big part of us. I got to know the pastor fairly well and he made an investment in me, allowing me the chance to preach and lead wi...