I was recently reading Philippians 2. The text says that Jesus did not consider his position of equality with God as something to be grasped. He had to let go of it to accomplish his purpose. He emptied himself. As I read the passage afresh, I noted that Jesus let go of a number of …
Category Archives: NT Text
Hebrews 4:12-13: A Simple Understanding
During last night’s Bible study, in a discussion of Hebrews 4:12-13, the teacher asked the question, “What makes the word of God living and active?” Three ideas almost immediately came to my mind. First, we consider the words on a page “living and active” when they carry authority. Words are living and important because of …
The Book of Hebrews-2
An alternative outline of the book of Hebrews, which maintains virtually all of the concepts set forth previously, uses the five warnings or exhortations as introductions to the five major sections. The introduction, usually 1:1-4, may be expanded to include all of chapter 1, setting forth a kind of thesis statement for the entire book, …
The Book of Hebrews-1
This fall my Wednesday evening Bible class studied the book of Hebrews. I chose the overall theme, “Portraits of Jesus.” Basically following Vanhoye’s outline, I presented the book as having five basic sections. Each of these sections is foreshadowed in a “bridge” or preview which immediately precedes it. The themes of each section run as …
Hebrews 10: Missing the Point
After the writer of Hebrews concludes the central section of the book (chapters 7-10:18), a fourth exhortation is given. (Generally, five exhortations are identified: 2:1-4; 3:7ff; 5:11ff; 10:19ff; 12:14.) The fourth exhortation includes five first person plural imperatives: let us draw near to God, let us profess our faith, let us consider one another, let …
It’s Sunday Again: Amazing
Amazing! No other word says it better! John Newton wrote about “Amazing Grace.” Mark wrote about an amazing man–amazing works and amazing words. Amazing stories! Who is this amazing man? Who is this “Jesus”? Mark leaves no doubt about his answer: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” With power …
It’s Sunday Again: Upside Down
I am preaching today–so much I would like to say and so little time. We must cease trying to operate the church in the same way other organizations operate. Luke’s gospel employs reversals as a literary device to highlight comparisons, choices, and contrasts. The more obvious reversals include well-known stories such as the Good Samaritan, …
It’s Sunday Again: True Wisdom
Today I am preaching from Matthew 6:19-24. This small text from the wisdom of the Sermon on the Mount provides guidance for life–and is about more than our money. This is a text about life. In preaching and in life, few tasks are more difficult than discerning what matters, what is important, and to what …
Reconciliation: How Can I Change?
Today’s study and sermon is challenging, life-changing. We do not read the Bible expecting to change. We read and re-read and see the same things. We reinforce what we know, and fail to grow. Paul’s great text about reconciliation is 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What do you see? Newness is possible, but is not humanly generated …
It’s Sunday Again: Developing Grace
We praise grace but are sometimes less than gracious. We are grateful that God is gracious, but miss the opportunity to become like him by developing grace in our own lives. Peter urges us to grow in grace. Paul writes to the Corinthians urging them to develop “this grace also”. Paul’s subject is clearly a …