Tag Archives: persecution

What If?

A couple of Sunday evenings ago our Bible class began a new study on 1 Peter. As we were discussing the general circumstances and purpose of this letter, we naturally started talking about the terrible persecution of Peter’s day under … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Marks of Commitment

I was reading a fortune cookie the other day: “Punctuality is a mark of commitment.” Now, I don’t take fortune cookie philosophy too seriously, but it did cause me wonder, “Is that true, and what are the marks of commitment?” … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jeroboam Consulted

Jeroboam was a rising star in Solomon’s kingdom. He was an Ephraimite who had been a valiant warrior in Solomon’s army, and his hard work had won him a position as overseer over the forced labor in Ephraim. Moreover, God … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Certain About His Calling and Choosing You—Moral Excellence

For the last couple of posts we’ve been talking about our calling to salvation from the Lord. Certainly, God’s calling to eternal life is generous and inclusive of everyone, but as Jesus put it, (Matthew 22:14) “…many are called, but few … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christian Leadership, Christianity, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

For the Fall and Rise of Many (from a seldom-told event in Jesus’ early life)

After Jesus’ birth in a stable and waiting the required period of time for Mary’s purification (40 days), Joseph and Mary did what every set of Jewish parents did after the birth of a firstborn male-child; they traveled the 5 miles from … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What the Bible Says About Jesus Christ 
Part 7, His Reign and Part on the Last Day

We’ve looked at a number of aspects of the Bible’s teachings about the Christ, but one about which I’ll be speaking this time, may be the most misunderstood in modern times—Christ’s reign and His part in the Last Day. The … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christianity, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

What the Bible Says About Jesus Christ 
Part 4, His Authority on Earth

We’ve been exploring various aspects of what the Bible says about Jesus Christ 1) as the second Person in the Godhead, 2) His incarnation and resulting two natures as God and man, and 3) the witnesses of His God-ness, His … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christianity, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Old Testament Parallels, 
Moses (Exodus 3,4) and Reluctant Ambassadors

The story is familiar to most people who have even a modest knowledge of the Bible: the call of Moses at the burning bush. Moses the Israelite had been raised as an adopted child of privilege in the house of … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, Old Testament, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

But First We Must Run Aground

Last Sunday I preached from Acts 27:25, where Paul tells the crew and other passengers on his storm-embattled ship that he had received a message from God that everyone on board would be saved—and he believed God. A short statement … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, Parenting | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Ruined Trip

Mark 15:21 “They *pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross.” Jews were supposed to attend three feasts in Jerusalem yearly. For those living in Palestine … Continue reading

Posted in Bible commentary, Christian Leadership, Christianity, Church Growth, New Testament | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment