Right before Christ would call His disciples to go into all the world making disciples, He would let them know that He now had all authority in heaven and on earth. What was the purpose for Christ telling His disciples this? As a disciple, what should run through our minds as we think of the "authority" that Christ has over everything as we take on the greatest calling in the world? Christ is calling His disciples to have the correct view of their resurrected Messiah. What did He accomplish by H...
Jan 15, 2012
God's will is what brings value to our accomplishments. If we should have any part in accomplishing the perfect will and pleasure of God (which is His glory) this would bring the greatest value to the time we spend here on earth. I believe what we will find from scripture is that God's will was not meant for the "criss-road" in our lives, but rather, it is God's will that leads us to the "cross-road". In other words, the concept of "His will" was not something to be decided upon (like some multi...
Jan 08, 2012
As a new year rolls in, we seem to be confronted by two equal states of awareness. The first being the grace that comes with a new day and new mercies that invoke new inspiration, new passion, and new vitality to life. On the other hand, we can't help but feel the weight of the time we will never have back and the time that is quickly coming to an end. James gives us great insight as to how we are to approach this dichotomous situation. In the end, our greatest joy and fulfillment in these days ...
Jan 01, 2012
After Jesus was born and was being cared for in a house in Bethlehem, several "wise men" came to worship him bringing gifts with them. These astrologers from the east, most likely Mesopotamia, recognized God's sign that Christ had been born and responded. What do we learn about them in Scripture and what do they teach us doctrinally? Here we begin to see the significances and relationship between God coming to us and us going to Him.
Dec 18, 2011
The first half of Paul's final chapter to the Philippians leads the believer down the rod to an honest look at his or her prayer life and time spent in the Word. This week Paul asks us to take an honest look at our giving. Like the first part of the chapter we have two great motivations to make givig a part of our lives as followers of Christ. The first is the disobedience that we walk in when we neglect this discipline and the second being the promise that comes with our obedience. What is this...
Dec 11, 2011
According to scripture, God's promises were meant to be a firm foundation on which we are to stand. Paul implies, however, that in order to stand firm on the promises of God our Savior we must toil and srive and passionately take hold of them. It is the very struggle that God allows us to go through that makes the promise so comforting and worthy. Holding firm to God's promises is holding firm to his faithfulness and not to our own strength. Let us struggle and strive together, as "the Church", ...
Dec 04, 2011
Something or someone will have our affections. If we aren't straining towards Godliness with the mind of Christ then something else will steal our affections away. Paul warns the believers of the consequences of being an "enemy of the cross of Christ". It would be of utmost importance for us to figure out what it looks like to be an enemy of the cross considering Paul said that those people would end up in hell. Who is your savior?... You and all your stuff or the creator of it all? Additional S...
Nov 27, 2011
Something or someone WILL have our affections. If we aren't straining towards Godliness with the mind of Christ then something else will steal our affections away. Paul warns the believers of the consequences of being an "enemy of the cross of Christ." It would be of utmost importance for us to figure out what it looks like to be an enemy of the cross considering Paul said that those people would end up in hell. Who is your savior? ... You and all your stuff or the Creator of it all? Additional ...
Nov 20, 2011
Paul continues to paint a picture for the believers at Philippi of a journey that we are on towards Christ-likeness. It is clear that Christ's purpose was not only to save us from hell, but also bring us back to reflecting the glory of God the way we were originally intended. Paul uses terms like "press on" and "strain forward" to describe the appropriate response for someone who has been claimed by Christ and now walks as a new creation with a regenerated heart. Additional Scripture References:...
Nov 13, 2011
The predicament of the prophet Jonah continues to get worse as he finds himself in the belly of a fish in the Mediterranean. What we begin to hear is the prayer of a prophet who did not obey God. Then we see how even still the gospel is illustrated and carried out in a powerful way. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 12:38-40, 2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 16:10
Nov 06, 2011
Paul has spoken many times thus far about joy and how it is to be a part of the believer's life. This time Paul commands us to rejoice "in the Lord." This little phrase, "in the Lord" changes everything for the believer. Paul speaks about the kind of joy, freedom, and power that we can walk in when we "glory in Christ and put no confidence in our own flesh." Additional Scripture References: Romans 12:15, Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekial 36:26, Psalm 51:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 2:25-29, Romans 12:...
Oct 30, 2011
We really begin to see the inner workings of a relationship between a missionary and his church. What we need to begin to realize is that there is unity in the sending out and the bringing back in. The church at Philippi has been so inspired by the gospel in their own lives that they have a great interest in what impact the gospel is having on the lives of others around the world. This church is a great example of a culture within a church that is truly seeking first the kingdom. Additional Scri...
Oct 23, 2011
It might be that a better question than "was there ever a time...?" is "what is your assurance?" Additional Scripture References: Ephesians 2:8-9, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 1:11-14, Hebrews 3:14, Isaiah 66:12, Jeremiah 32:40, 2 Peter 1:3-7, 2 Peter 1:9, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6, Job 23:10, Zecheriah 13:9-10, Malachi 3:3, Daniel 12:10, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:7-8, John 3:20
Oct 16, 2011
Paul's call to likemindedness stems from true humility and obedience over gifting. Additional Scripture References: Colossians 1:15-17, Deuteronomy 30:2-3
Oct 09, 2011
God wants to use us, like He did Shamgar, rather than lose us. Additional Scripture References: Judges 3:31
Oct 02, 2011
The gospel brings meaning, purpose, unity, and strength to us in any situation, including times of suffering. Additional Scripture References: 2 Thessalonians 3:13, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 11:36, Hosea 6:1-3, Psalm 30:5, Romans 10:1, Romans 10:14-15, Romans 1:16
Sep 25, 2011
If it is our lives that are to be envied, we must search out the love that keeps us steadfast. Additional Scripture References: Philippians 1:6, Philippians 1:8-11, Hosea 6:4-6, Luke 9:23, 1 Corinthians 7:8, Revelation 12:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Peter 1:5-8, Proverbs 24:16, Philippians 2:17
Sep 18, 2011
Jesus called the little ones to come and commanded not to hinder them. Additional Scripture References: Luke 2:25-38; Luke 1:57-80
Sep 11, 2011
We must give grace if we want biblical koinonia (fellowship). Additional Scripture References: Romans 4:1-4, Romans 4:23-25
Sep 04, 2011
What is our prayer? Our church will commuit ourselves to community, worship, discipleship, and missions as we look and move forward. Additional Scripture References: Acts 2:42-47, Romans 12:1, Philippians 2:3, John 6:66-69, Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 24:14
Aug 28, 2011
How should we pray? Through the illustration in Matthew 6, we learn the essential elements, yet that it is not a mantra. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 6:7, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 1:3, Exodus 34:5-7, Matthew 13:45-46, Revelation 22:20, Matthew 6:34, Romans 8:1, Psalm 139:23, James 1:13, James 1:1, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Aug 21, 2011
Why pray? Scripture tells us among other things, it accomplishes much. Additional Scripture References: Matthew 6:5-8, Psalm 15:1-2, Ephesians 1:7-8, Hosea 6:6, Proverbs 15:8, Isaiah 65:24, Isaiah 62:6-7, Colossians 4:2-6, James 1:6-7, James 5:13-15, Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 37:4, 1 John 5:14, James 5:17-18
Aug 14, 2011
Fighting the good fight means our lives will never come to a place of total completion if we are still alive. Additional Scripture References: Romans 8:29
Aug 07, 2011
Paul reminds Timothy to teach his people to desire to be content with whatever God has given them. Additional Scripture References: Philippians 4:11, Proverbs 30:8-9, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6, Exodus 21:16, 1 Timothy 1:10, Luke 7:1-10, Romans 1:30, Colossians 3:22-23, James 1:27, Proverbs 3:5
Jul 31, 2011
Patience in the process of selecting leadership in the church allows sin and good works to come to light, which, in a sense, is a large part of the selection process itself. Additional Scripture References: John 5:19-20, Psalm 127:1, Hebrews 1:5, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 1 Chronicles 16:24, Ephesians 4:11, Mark 10:43-45, Philippians 2:3
Jul 24, 2011
The grace of God in our lives often comes from the fear of the Lord. This fear frees us instead of paralyzing us. Additional Scripture References: 2 Samuel 23:3-4, Psalm 111:1-10, Deuteronomy 6:1-3, Deuteronomy 10:12, Psalm 112:1, Luke 1:50, Acts 9:31, Luke 12:4-7, Romans 1:18-27
Jul 17, 2011
Scripture tells us clearly that elders, especially those who preach and teach, are deserving of double honor, which includes getting paid. Additional Scripture References: Hebrews 13:17, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 1 Peter 5:2-3, John 10:10, Ephesians 4:11-12
Jul 10, 2011
By design, family is supposed to take care of family, so when, for instance, true widows are found in the church, we are to take care of them like family. Additional Scripture References: Ephesians 4:2, 1 timothy 1:5, Matthew 7:3-5, Luke 15:11-32, Proverbs 14:12
Jul 03, 2011
Here we see where Paul asked Timothy to command and teach several particular things to the believers. Additional Scripture References: Leviticus 20:26, Matthew 12:34-37, James 1:19, James 3:1-12, Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 7:3-5, James 3:13, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 2:12, Philippians 2:15-17, COlossians 1:24, 2 Corinthians 2:4, 2 Corinthians 12:15, Romans 9:1-4, Job 31:1, Nehemiah 8:8
Jun 26, 2011
We have set our hope in a God whose ways are higher than ours, so separating truth from "myths" is crucial. Additional Scripture References: Proverbs 14:12, Numbers 15:17-21, Romans 9:20, Romans 11:33-36, Isaiah 66:1, 2 Timothy 3:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 19:29-30, Matthew 6:19-21, Philippians 1:21, Acts 17:22-31
Jun 19, 2011
