Reading Paul’s latter letters, he was probably 60+ years old, perhaps nearing 70. This week I will celebrate birthday #75. What does an old man see when he looks back on life? I share only a sampling, drawn from the letters Paul wrote toward the end of his life! What God’s Word says is important–it …
Category Archives: NT Text
Sunday: Knowing the Jesus who gives life [John’s Gospel]
John paints a wonderful and amazing portrait of Jesus. Jesus comes to make possible “life.” John’s theme song is not salvation. (In fact salvation is not among the most common New Testament words. Salvation is little and infrequently used in the New Testament–rather interesting given the vocabulary of popular preachers today. Especially for John, Jesus …
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Sunday: Knowing the Jesus who came for everyone [Luke’s Gospel]
Do You Know My Jesus? Do you know the Jesus who came for everyone? Good questions, and foundation for understanding the Gospels of Jesus. Matthew’s portrait of Jesus is of royalty–the Jewish Messiah (Christ, Anointed One) who comes as King in the Kingdom of God, but a different kind of King, benevolent and persuasive rather …
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Sunday: Knowing the Jesus who touches people [Gospel of Mark]
When I present seminars on Mark’s Gospel, I like to include a series of lessons I call, “People Jesus Touched.” Many of these lessons come from Mark 5-8. [Outline Note: Mark 1-4 answers the question, “Who is Jesus?” Mark 5:1-8:21 asks, “Who can be a follower of Jesus?” Mark 8:22-10:52, deals with the question, “What does …
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Sunday: Seeking Kingdom Things [Matthew’s Discourses]
What does the Gospel of Matthew reveal about the Kingdom? How does one seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness? Matthew’s Gospel has five major discourses or teaching sections. These are clearly marked in the text by parallel concluding phrases (Mt. 7:28; 11:1; 13:53; 19:1; 26:1). One can easily identify the teaching sections …
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Casinos and 1 Thessalonians 5:17
I couldn’t help but notice–the car entered the interstate next to the Firelake Casino at a very high rate of speed. First thought–I wondered if the driver was mad because he had just lost a lot of money. On second thought, “Probably just a coincidence. Perhaps the driver lives nearby.” He sped up enough to squeeze …
Your Cloud of Witnesses
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the …
It’s Sunday Again: Love
We have quoted John 13 for so long that we have forgotten, or at least ignored, Jesus’ statement about the Great Commandments (Matthew 22:34-40 and parallels). We have heard John 13 say what we wanted it to say. Is it possible that Jesus is saying the mark of love is in extent, not only in …
It’s Sunday Again: Relating Faith and Wisdom
First Sunday of the New Year, what to say, how to begin. Thoughts from the book of James. Seeing clearly in a world of shadows. An unchanging God in an undependable, ever-changing world–waves, burning sun, temptations, shadows. Ours is a world of trials and challenges. Sin easily overcomes. Only a singular focus on God will …
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Ephesians 4: the church that genuinely serves
Churches that understand their identity, mission, and eternal purpose are most likely to do the things God wants. The church exists in God’s eternal purpose to unite all things under Christ. In Ephesians 4, the church participates in this purpose through the ministry of every member, facilitated by the leaders Christ places in the body. …
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