How did Paul handle those times of life that were full of suffering and tribulation? I thought we’d approach this topic from two perspectives: 1) what Paul understood before he went through suffering and 2) how Paul handled suffering. Let’s look at the first perspective: What Paul Understood Going into Suffering He knew sufferings were... Continue Reading →
Here is something the Lord told the disciples at the beginning of His Olivet Discourse: “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one... Continue Reading →
Last Sunday, we were exegeting Eph. 3:12 - “In whom (in Christ) we have boldness and access (to the Father) with confidence by the faith of him (by the faith of Christ). In Christ, our new state of being is boldness, continual access and contact with God the Father, which produces confidence that is sustained... Continue Reading →
In Matthew 23, it’s probably Tuesday of Passion Week. The Lord has had an epic public showdown with the chief priests, elders, Sadducees, Pharisees, Herodians, lawyers, and scribes (Matt. 21:23-23:39), and the Lord whipped them all. Then the Lord levels 8 stinging woes upon the scribes and the Pharisees, which are absolutely jaw-dropping. Before He... Continue Reading →
Here’s something interesting to consider from our sermon Sunday. Compare and contrast how Paul treated believers before and after his conversion. Paul’s Treatment of Believers Before His Conversion: Persecuted the Church of God - He said in Phil. 3:6, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church…” In Gal. 1:13, he said, “…beyond measure I persecuted the church... Continue Reading →
On yesterday’s podcast, Pastor Hal and I ruminated on how we, as believers, can combat hatred with grace, and there was one point I loved too much: Hate is weak. Grace is strong. This is a great thing to meditate upon. I loved this. Hate may look like strength, but in truth it’s weakness acting... Continue Reading →
Eph 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. This is an amazing verse. When we think of the grace message, we think of - what? The gospel of grace. Identification. All spiritual blessings. Already seated in Heavenly places in Christ.... Continue Reading →
I’ll bet most of our readers know that the Bible word “dispensation” is a translation of the Greek word “oikonomia.” “Oikos” is “house”, and “nomos” is “law or rule”. The combination of these two root words literally translates to the "law of the household" or "household management." Or as most books say, “stewardship.” Same difference.... Continue Reading →
As I’m sure many know, Dr. James Dobson passed away last this week. He was 89. Millions knew him as the host of Focus on the Family. He was the child psychologist who “answered hundreds of thousands of parenting questions and urged Christians to fight in America’s ‘civil war of values.’” Hmm. “A civil war... Continue Reading →
This story makes me cringe so much, it was hard to study. Sometimes you just wanna smack the disciples. This story is also found in Matt. 20:20-28. Mar 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. Mar... Continue Reading →
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace… Paul begins with the word “For.” In a grammatical and exegetical sense, when a verse begins with “For,” this signals that Paul is about to give us a reason or an explanation for the preceding statement, which in this case is how we are made nigh by the... Continue Reading →
Mat 19:2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. Mat 19:3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? If you've been following along in our series on the Gospels in chronological order (all... Continue Reading →
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Notice how Paul begins with the word “For.” This word connects this verse to what came before it in verses 8-9. Vs. 8 also begins with For, which connects it... Continue Reading →
With the recent passing of John MacArthur, Calvinism has come under scrutiny and debate in the public sphere, which is a very good thing. I daresay Calvinism is one of the most vile character assassinations of God that exists in Christianity. We had coincidentally published a couple strong takedowns of Calvinism: Calvinism Destroyed in One... Continue Reading →
The Text: Luk 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: Luk 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, Luk 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from... Continue Reading →
How should a believer pray for a tragedy like the horrible flash flooding in Texas? Of course, we know that natural disasters are not judgments from God today. How do we know this? 2 Cor 5:19 tells us “that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them...” He... Continue Reading →
Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey... Continue Reading →
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. In both... Continue Reading →
In 2 Cor. 12:7-10, Paul had a messenger of Satan buffeting him. He begged the Lord three times to have it removed. And how did the Lord respond? He said in vs. 9, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul went through the same learning curve we... Continue Reading →
In Luke 13, a few Pharisees came to Jesus with a warning as the Lord was traveling to Jerusalem. “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee” (Luke 13:31). The Lord responds with a message for Herod (Luke 13:32-33) that... Continue Reading →
SUPPLY OF GRACE 