We gain access to God’s grace through faith in Christ, as Paul taught (Rom. 5:1-2), yet faith is not acceptable without obedience (Jas. 2:20ff), therefore grace cannot be had without obedience–grace demands it. Grace demands obedience not only to be accessed initially–“for by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph. 2:8), but it demands obedience after one is reconciled to God, lest the Christian “fall short of the grace of God” and “receive it in vain” (Heb. 12:15; 2 Cor. 6:1).
Jul 06, 2018•30 min
It’s been said that “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”1 There can be no understanding without the desire to understand. Paul spoke of a category of people who would “always be learning but never able come to a knowledge of the Truth.”2 Why is that?
Jul 06, 2018•30 min
What does it mean to be close to God, or to "feel" close to God? Is this a biblical concept, if so how is it defined? We often hear folks speak in these terms, and perhaps we use the same terminology to describe our relationship with God. Let's go to the Bible and test, not only the language, but the very idea of "feeling close to God."
Jul 03, 2018•31 min
This is the critical thing the Holy Spirit would have us understand: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). This text, so often isolated and abused, is clearly connected with the previous example of Abraham discussed in chapter four. To wit, through an Abrahamic type faith (implicit trust...
Jun 29, 2018•30 min
Solomon was a concerned father, to be sure, but his voice is used by the Holy Spirit to express the concerns and admonitions of our Heavenly Father– the One who “disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.” What does our Father want us to know about sexual purity? What warnings does He have to share? What wisdom does He impart to help us see the danger and consequences of sexual immorality?
Jun 29, 2018•30 min
As Paul continues to reveal how one can be justified (declared righteous) before God, he draws our attention to Abraham, asking, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?” (Rom. 4:1). This “matter” being the matter of justification, so Paul hones in on Abraham to instruct us further upon soul-saving faith.
Jun 19, 2018•30 min
When ancient Israel was at its most prosperous economically, politically, and militarily, it was at its worst spiritually (see Amos and pretty much any other minor prophet). Living wisely (in a God-pleasing way) necessitates cultivating wisdom in the heart. Remembering that we have a limited time to do this will instill a sense of urgency. There was another wise man, Solomon, who had much to say about this in Proverbs chapter four, so our study continues.
Jun 19, 2018•30 min
Let’s continue our study of Proverbs chapter three wherein Solomon is pointing us to the real treasure that’s at our fingertips: “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom”, he says, “for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold” and “She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”3 While people scramble to stockpile material wealth, hit the jackpot, or win the lotto, the Lord extends the very thing that will make us truly rich–H...
Jun 06, 2018•30 min
In offering His Son, God is both just and the justifier of those who obey Him (Rom. 3:26). God cannot sin, it is against His very nature and He cannot be reconciled to it (1 Jn. 1:5), and it is also the nature of God to love sinners and seek reconciliation with them (2 Cor. 5:20-21), yet we are powerless to cleanse our souls from sin. No one but God could resolve the problem, only God Himself could be faithful to both aspects of His being (i.e. be just and merciful), and He did so by sending His...
Jun 06, 2018•30 min
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”1 These words comfort me now as much as when I first read them. These verses are one of six pieces of instruction contained in the first twelve verses of chapter three. Let’s go back to the beginning, shall we?
Jun 01, 2018•30 min
Paul takes hypocritical Jews to task just as he did hypocritical Gentiles. Herein is a warning for us also: just because we have been instructed in the will of God–the embodiment of knowledge and truth (Rom. 2:20)–and may be confident, capable instructors ourselves, doesn’t necessarily mean we have applied His teaching to our own hearts (v. 21).
Jun 01, 2018•27 min
Previously Lady Wisdom was pictured as one crying out, imploring the naive to come and learn in order to save themselves. Solomon will now picture wisdom as something to be sought after in this second speech beginning in chapter two. This speech–which fills all of chapter two–can be broken down into four parts: a call to pursue wisdom (vv. 1-4), the benefits of wisdom (vv. 5-11), two dangers that wisdom guards against (vv. 12-19), and a final summary of consequences (vv. 20-22). Let’s dive in.
May 30, 2018•30 min
The second half of Paul’s discourse of Romans 1 diagnoses the cause for all the evil, corruption, and social decay observed in the world: it is man’s refusal to acknowledge and worship God, the Creator of all things and source of every good and perfect gift (Jas. 1:17). That’s it. There’s more to say, but the big take away here (as Paul begins to prove that all men are guilty of sin) that people are to blame for everything wrong in the world: political, moral, social ills and corruption can all ...
May 30, 2018•30 min
Wisdom is more like a skill that the Bible is calling us to attain and use. Using wisdom and pursuing wisdom involves mental activity, but it goes beyond that, and is seen all of one’s conduct, not just in the way one thinks or what someone may say. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”1 So in the Book of Proverbs, those who live with integrity and uphold justice in the fear of the Lord are the very same ones who heed ...
May 16, 2018•28 min
There are so many points to be taken from the opening of the Roman letter as Paul lays out his thesis: The Gospel is the power of God to bring salvation to all who believe (Rom. 1:16-17). Let's dive and see how he goes about it, and what implications there are for us.
May 11, 2018•30 min
Last week we saw a sweeping, bird’s-eye view of the Book of Proverbs. In beginning with the overall big picture of Proverbs, my hope is that we’ll not lose sight of the forest as we consider the various trees of the book. The first of those trees is a series of ten speeches from a father to a son, with four interludes thrown in from Lady Wisdom. The main thrust here is that the son should listen to wisdom and cultivate the fear of the Lord, while living a life that honors God, bringing forth suc...
May 10, 2018•28 min
The Book of Romans has been called the Mount Everest of the New Testament. It's difficult to discuss any biblical subject without bringing some point from Romans into the conversation. I'd like to begin a weekly study of this book with you and welcome and comments or questions you may have.
May 04, 2018•30 min
Proverbs Overview by Leon Valley Church of Christ
May 02, 2018•31 min
"What is truth?" was Pilates cynical reply to Jesus when the King of Kings revealed He came to testify to the Truth. Jesus clearly established the Word of God as Truth (Jn. 17:17), and claimed to be the embodiment of that Truth (Jn 14:6). He is the final revelator of Truth (Heb. 1:1), so why so much ballyhoo about Truth being relative, or even non-extstent? Everyone believes in some truth, but what are holding to (if anything) as the standard of Truth?
Apr 20, 2018•31 min
John said, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" in Revelation 1:10; what did he mean by "the Lord's Day"? Was this a special occasion? Is there a way we can trace Scripture and history to answer this question? I believe there is and, more importantly, we'll discover why it matters.
Apr 17, 2018•31 min
What will Heaven be like? Does the Bible offer any clues? Should we all have the hope of Heaven? What conditions are necessary to go?
Mar 30, 2018•31 min
Scripture makes clear that God has always intended to save man from eternal condemnation (Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet. 1:20), but what are the specifics? What has He called man to do, if anything?
Mar 01, 2018•33 min
There's so much discussion on this topic. I want to take a fresh look at the Scriptures today and allow them to speak for themselves with regard to water baptism. What is it? Why is it in the New Testament? What did Jesus say about it? What did the Holy Spirit inspire the apostles to say about it?
Feb 21, 2018•32 min
One of the many New Testament descriptions of God's people is designation "children of God". What does it mean to be a child of God? How does the Bible explain this new identity, and what the implications of being a child of God? How do I become one of God's children, and how should my adoption as a son of God change my worldview?
Jan 23, 2018•30 min
Does the Bible have anything to say about transgenderism or transsexual behavior? How are Christians to navigate this issue with wisdom, and speak the truth in love? Let's go to the Scriptures and rediscover what God's will is for men and women made in His image.
Jan 17, 2018•31 min
Legalism, legalistic, pharisaical, and other similar terms get thrown around a lot in the religious world, but what do they really mean? Let;s try to nail that down, and self-diagnose ourselves biblically, asking, "Am I legalistic?"
Jan 09, 2018•31 min
Losing someone we love can be hard, and at times of grief, it can be difficult to trust God. Does the Bible offer anything to help us grieve the right way? How can we break free from despair and doubt?
Dec 29, 2017•29 min
Adultery is a destructive force that has left many broken marriages and families in its wake. What is the biblical perspective of adultery? How does God say we should deal with it? How can we prevent it?
Dec 21, 2017•30 min
What does it mean to be a member of a local church? Is there any such thing as a "maverick" christian? What is God's design? What are the implications of local church membership? Open the Scriptures with me and let's study to find God's answers together.
Dec 12, 2017•30 min
Accountability: Everyone needs it, nobody wants it. Or at least it seems that way. Think of the daily reveals of sexual misconduct from people who've been unaccountable for years. A lack of accountability is not the sole reason for their dishonest, abusive, reprobate behavior, but it certainly didn't help. Scripture teaches us to want accountability. Let's go to the Word of God and see what we can learn.
Dec 07, 2017•29 min
