Paul directs Timothy to one of the most important resources available to him for both strength and instruction; God’s Word.
Category Archives: Gospel
Using the questions asked by Jesus for Spiritual Renewal
Something has to change. Today is the first Sunday in the new year, 2021. Today, most of us would like this year to be a different sort of year than last year (2020). As Christians, followers of Jesus, there are certain things we should be in prayer for as we start this new year. WeContinue reading “Using the questions asked by Jesus for Spiritual Renewal”
“Behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY.”
I have a Christmas story trick question for you. What were the shepherds commanded to do? They were commanded to do two things, and one was NOT to go and visit the Christ child. They did that on their own. Both commands are in Luke 2:10, which reads, “And the angel said to them, “FearContinue reading ““Behold, I bring you good news of GREAT JOY.””
The Sign of the Savior’s Birth (Luke 2:1-20)
Have you ever thought about how obscene was the power of Caesar Augustus? The description of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke begins with a man, the emperor of Rome, decreeing that a census is to be taken of people he has never seen, nor will ever meet. Luke 2:1-7 reads, “1 In thoseContinue reading “The Sign of the Savior’s Birth (Luke 2:1-20)”
The Gospel of Matthew’s Use of Prophecy to Describe the Messiah (Matthew 1-2)
Prophecy is often only viewed as an indicator or proof of Jesus being the Christ. The unique way Matthew uses prophecy also shows us what it means for Jesus to be the Christ. This study aims to look at the four prophecies that Matthew quotes as a means of understanding the meaning of Jesus’ Birth.
The Three Miracles of Christmas that Changed the World (Luke 1:26-38).
Why is Christmas so important? The Christmas season points to a historical event that has changed our world, the birth of Christ. Surrounding this birth are three miracles that define why Christmas is so important. These miracles point us to God’s remarkable work for you and me.
Longing for a Better World and the Meaning of Christmas
The year 2020 has been a year of great pain and distress. In our hurt, we long for a better world. The Christmas season is a reminder that it is into this world of hurt Christ was born and not only shares our heartache, but he also exchanges it with his joy.
Beholding the Glory of the Lord (Revelation 1:9-20)
The first command of the Book of Revelation is to “behold.” Revelation 1:7 reads, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” The command is the word Behold, which meansContinue reading “Beholding the Glory of the Lord (Revelation 1:9-20)”
The First Command of Revelation (Revelation 1:1-8)
“Which book of the Bible was written to encourage the church?” There are many books of scripture written to encourage people. Still, I think the most encouraging book in the Bible for God’s people in a time of chaos, persecution, and discouragement is the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is the final wordContinue reading “The First Command of Revelation (Revelation 1:1-8)”
The Heart of the Gospel (Galatians 6:11-18)
There is a saying that you have probably used at least once in your life; it goes like this, “It’s the thought that counts.” This saying is used when something not very good is done, but there is a recognized intention behind the effort that shifts the meaning of the act. A great example of this inContinue reading “The Heart of the Gospel (Galatians 6:11-18)”
Four Questions to ask your Soul (Galatians 6:1-10)
Several years ago, I read a book called Christianity Rediscovered, an Epistle to the Masai by Vincent Donovan. The book is about a missionary who went about the work of evangelism and church planting in a very different way among the Masai tribe of Kenya. What Donovan did was to go to a village andContinue reading “Four Questions to ask your Soul (Galatians 6:1-10)”
A Place of Refuge (Galatians 6:1-2)
“Brothers,if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2)” Whenever I teach the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, or Joshua, I likeContinue reading “A Place of Refuge (Galatians 6:1-2)”
The Identifying Marks of False and Faithful Teachers. (Galatians 5:7-12)
This morning, the passage that we come to in our study of Galatians is chapter 5, verses 7-12. Throughout the letter to the Galatians, Paul has talked about the false teachers who have come preaching a false gospel, a gospel that is Jesus plus. Jesus plus the law. Jesus plus your own righteousness. Jesus plusContinue reading “The Identifying Marks of False and Faithful Teachers. (Galatians 5:7-12)”
The Christian Ethic; Faith, Hope, and Love. (Galatians 5:1-6)
Galatians 5:1–6. “1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the wholeContinue reading “The Christian Ethic; Faith, Hope, and Love. (Galatians 5:1-6)”
The Allegory of Two Women, Two Sons, Two Covenants, and Two Cities (Galatians 4:21-5:1)
In Galatians 4:21-5:1, Paul does something that he very rarely does; he uses allegory. Allegorical interpretation of scripture is not normative for Paul, and for that matter, should not be normative for us. An allegorical interpretation is when a story becomes a symbol that represents something else. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is an allegory by C.S.Continue reading “The Allegory of Two Women, Two Sons, Two Covenants, and Two Cities (Galatians 4:21-5:1)”
Answering Love’s Question (Galatians 4:12-20)
What does it mean to love? This is one of the questions that I ask a bride and groom who come to me and ask me to perform their wedding ceremony. Other questions include, “why do you desire to get married when in today’s world, the norm is not to marry?” And, “why do you seek toContinue reading “Answering Love’s Question (Galatians 4:12-20)”
The Father’s Embrace through the Spirit. (Galatians 4:1-7)
“1 I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 ButContinue reading “The Father’s Embrace through the Spirit. (Galatians 4:1-7)”
In Step with the Truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:11-14)
Paul confronts Peter in Antioch. That is the context of Galatians 2:11-14. Last week we looked at Galatians 2:1-10, where Paul travels to Jerusalem in defense of the gospel, the free gift of God given to both Jew and Gentile – achieved, worked for and given through the Lord, Jesus Christ. Jesus gave himself forContinue reading “In Step with the Truth of the Gospel (Galatians 2:11-14)”
Concerning the Word of Life 