Sunday Teaching: Exodus Christmas—John 8:34-36
Read moreThe Attractiveness of Following Christ (Mark 8:34)
The Attractiveness of Following Christ
(Mark 8:34)
I must start today's article by reminding you of our place in the gospel of Mark. Mark had begun his book by revealing Jesus' identity: he is the Christ, the Son of God (Mark 1:1), and in the first eight chapters of his gospel, Mark shows us the beauty of Jesus' life. No one in the book had confessed Jesus to be the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah, the descendent of David, who would vanquish Israel's enemies and bring in an everlasting kingdom. (5 Minutes/1300 Words)
Read moreHow God’s Love Is Perfected in You – Know the Trinitarian Love of God (1 John 4:13–16)
How God’s Love Is Perfected in You – Know the Trinitarian Love of God
(1 John 4:13–16)
When John wrote his gospel, he used a fascinating title when speaking of himself. He called himself, often, the disciple whom Jesus loved. (7 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreThe Origin of Truth and Love - 3 Tests for Messages You Hear (1 John 4:2-6)
The Origin of Truth and Love - 3 Tests for Messages You Hear
(1 John 4:2-6)
Last week we considered the importance of not believing every message we hear, but testing them to see if they are from God (1 John 4:1). Today we will look at three questions we can ask of the messages we hear. Each question is a test designed to see if the message is from God. (6 Minutes/1500 Words)
Read moreA Healthy Heart Before God - How To Deal With a Condemned Heart (1 John 3:19-20)
A Healthy Heart Before God - How To Deal With a Condemned Heart
(1 John 3:19-20)
At this point in his letter, John knew his readers were ripe for feelings of condemnation. He'd written to them about believing in Jesus, obeying God, and loving other Christians. And on this last point, many might have felt terrible weakness. (7 Minutes/1900 Words)
Read moreThe Life of David: Borrowed Victory (1 Samuel 17)
The Life of David: Borrowed Victory
(1 Samuel 17)
So far, in our journey with David, we've seen his earliest years. God had called and anointed David, and the early signs of God's blessings were upon him. But it is at this point a dilemma arises -- How would He elevate a young teenage boy into Israel’s limelight? How would He get the heart of the nation to be for the God-hearted man, David? Goliath was God’s answer. (10 Minutes/3000 Words)
Read moreGoal #1 of First John: Proclaim the True Jesus
Goal #1 of First John: Proclaim the True Jesus
(1 John 1:1-2)
As we saw in last week's introductory 1 John post, false teachers had crept into the early church. John could not stand idly by and let these deceivers talk about Jesus as if they knew Him. John had to step up to the plate and defend the historical and actual Jesus and share about His Master, Friend, Teacher, and Savior. (8 Minutes/2000 Words)
Read moreGod Is Light, Part 1 (1 John 1:5-22)
God Is Light
Part 1
(1 John 1:5-22)
We read John's purpose statement, his heart for his readers, a group of Christians in a circuit surrounding Ephesus, where he'd pastored. He loved this group and, fearing the false teaching which sniped them off one by one, he lovingly rose up to communicate the truth to his beloved, his little children. He would proclaim the True Vine, the real Jesus Christ, to them. He aimed to bring them into fellowship with the apostolic group and the truth they were licensed to preach. (7 Minutes/1700 Words)
Read moreFaith Sees Greater Realities (Hebrews 11:27)
Faith Sees Greater Realities
(Hebrews 11:27)
When God looks at His people, He often sees things we cannot see in ourselves. Through a lens of grace, God knows His children. He looked with grace upon many of the characters found in Hebrews 11. Moses is no exception. (5 Minutes/1200 Words)
Read moreA Guide for the Climb -- Chapter 5 -- Remember All Your Previous Rescues (Psalm 124)
If you have ever seen a child walk off a roller coaster with a huge grin on their face, especially if they stepped onto it with a grim one, then you know what this next psalm is all about. The people who sing it had been attacked by a monster, threatened by a flood, and trapped by a fowler. But God rescued them from every calamity, and they remembered His rescues by singing about Him. (14 Minutes/3700 Words)
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