Tag Archives: Expository Teaching

The Cross, Wisdom and Power – 2

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 When the Apostle Paul says, “Jews demand signs,” we can surmise that statement sets the tone and is the precedent for the visions of national renewal by means of military upheaval which today are destroying … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/29/2024

The Power Behind the Drama The concerns that make up our mini-narratives can sometimes distract us from the great drama in which we have been cast. When a mighty angel appears with a scroll in John’s revelation, the apostle’s part … Continue reading

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The Cross, Wisdom and Power – 1

Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 The apostle Paul was no anthropologist. When he speaks here of Jew and of Greek he is most likely not saying that a specific race, even less a specific religion, makes its members all the … Continue reading

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Christ’s Poverty, Our Riches – 3

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:9 Believers, People Who Know Christ, Are Rich Christians have in Jesus Christ wealth incorruptible, inexhaustible, and unsearchable. Let us expound on this point more clearly to see that I am right in this assertion. Though … Continue reading

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Faith From The Beginning 4/27/2024

Sarah and Abraham Were Dead IN Genesis 18:11 we read this: “Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.” Abraham and Sarah were old and well stricken in years. … Continue reading

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Christ’s Poverty, Our Riches – 2

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:9 “Though he was rich . . .” Christ was rich in material possessions, rich in the glory of God, rich in the majesty of a King. Isaiah the court prophet, the most adept and cultured … Continue reading

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Christ’s Poverty, Our Riches – 1

Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:9 In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the apostle Paul put heavy emphasis on the word grace. This word is seldom used today. In fact, the only time we hear the word is … Continue reading

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The Assurance of Heaven – 5

Scripture Reference: Romans 3:21-31 The Divine Provision – Continued Not human achievement, but humble acceptance. A second observation is that going to heaven is not a matter of human achievement, but humble acceptance. In the survey, a woman from the … Continue reading

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The Assurance of Heaven – 4

Scripture Reference: Romans 3:21-31 The Divine Provision – Continued Does true righteousness come from trying to live a good life and hoping God will reward our feeble attempts as many in the USA Weekend survey seem to believe? It would … Continue reading

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The Assurance of Heaven – 3

Scripture Reference: Romans 3:21-31 The Divine Provision Divine intervention is where Paul makes his second point which relates to God’s provision for our human problem. In verses 24-25, Paul describes what God has done for persons like us who fall … Continue reading

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The Assurance of Heaven – 2

Scripture Reference: Romans 3:21-31 The Human Problem The first point Paul makes relates to our common human problem. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” In the mind of Paul, all human beings (Jew, Gentile … Continue reading

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The Assurance of Heaven – 1

Scripture Reference: Romans 3:21-31 Please read the verses I have listed above. Paul’s writing in these verses is the heart of the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul makes two basic points in this passage with … Continue reading

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Faith From The Beginning 4/20/2024

What Did Abram Believe? NOW what did God ask Abram to believe? He asked him to believe what He had said concerning a promised son. But more than that, God asked him to believe in a long-promised son, a long-delayed … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 6

Forward to the New Creation A great boost toward that end and a greater sense of purpose in enduring evil and suffering will be ours when we turn our focus away from the paradise lost and toward the new creation … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/19/2024

Defibrillators for Sardis We cover up the dead places in ourselves with all sorts of regalia. We fill the emptiness with fine clothing, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, or relationships in which the other is set up as god. Underneath the trappings, though, … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 5

Analogy of the Exodus – Continued From last lesson: To avoid new forms of evil and suffering, they could have returned to the familiar hardships of Egypt. But the strength they gained from their new trials and troubles prepared them … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/18/2024

It Will Eat You Alive Idolatry eats at our souls. And God puts up with it for only so long. “And the word of Yahweh came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face to the mountains of Israel … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 4

Analogy of the Exodus An important depiction of the human tendency to prefer the familiar may be seen in the biblical account of the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt. Throughout the books of Exodus and Numbers we read of repeated confrontations … Continue reading

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Spiritual Nuggets 4/17/2024

When Love Is Lost, Labor Is in Vain When zeal lacks love, faith is rendered useless. Love is the crux of faith. We can study the Bible like a scholar, pray like a warrior, evangelize like the world is ending … Continue reading

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Why So Much Evil and Suffering? – 3

Too Much Evil – Continued We humans are different from all other species. Both anthropology and theology attest to our uniqueness as spiritual creatures. Our spirit component gives us a powerful capacity both for expressing goodness and for expressing evil. … Continue reading

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