When Solomon began the great project of building the temple of God in Israel, he began it with clear-minded humility. It was dedicated from the very beginning to the glory of God. Today the church of the Lord Jesus is the temple of God and we should build it with the same purpose and heart. … Continue reading What’s that you’re working on?
witness
Are you ready for this?
Sometimes we may be tempted to think that choosing to follow God will make the rest of our lives like a fairy tale ending; we will live happily ever after. But that's pretty far from the truth. Not only will there continue to be difficulties as part of normal, everyday life, but the sincere desire … Continue reading Are you ready for this?
Let’s keep our message offensive, part two
In the last post we noticed that the apostle Paul was determined to not to give in to those who were offended by the simplicity of the gospel. Adding even a little commandment like circumcision could ruin the whole thing. We started to see that when the apostle uses the word “law” he can have … Continue reading Let’s keep our message offensive, part two
Let’s keep our message offensive
The apostle Paul knew how to preach about Jesus without giving offense, but he refused to do so. In fact, he understood offensiveness as a characteristic of the true gospel. It's a hallmark of the faith to be offensive to those who seek to be justified in the flesh. And I, brethren, if I yet … Continue reading Let’s keep our message offensive
Two witnesses
Warning labels are so common in modern life. We see them all over the place. Sometimes I make fun of them. Other times I reason that if there's no warning label, it must be safe. That's a dangerous line of thinking. Consider the instruction that Ezekiel received from God: And it came to pass at … Continue reading Two witnesses
An example to follow
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and … Continue reading An example to follow