"...we may be despising and rebelling against a divine ordering of things..." Below is an essay I wrote back in 2014, with one very slight edit of word order. Because a dear brother in Christ fondly recalled it and asked if he might use it in his Intro to Pastoral Theology course at Concordia Theological … Continue reading These Pleasant Places
Christ Bids Closed Ears ‘Be Opened’
Faith in Christ brings people to the places where Christ Jesus is at work to help... Hear the full audio of "Christ Bids Closed Ears 'Be Opened'" A sermon on Mark 7:31-37 (ESV) Twelfth Sunday after Trinity / 19 August 2018 Mark 7:31-37 English Standard Version (ESV) 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre … Continue reading Christ Bids Closed Ears ‘Be Opened’
A Deeper Dive into Mark 7:31-37 (Bible Study for 8.19.18)
A Bible Study written and produced entirely ON LOCATION with God the Son... A Bible Study Guide on Mark 7:31-37 (ESV) Part One: Confessing The Incarnation, God on Location for You... 31 Then he returned from the region of Tyre and went through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. A. … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into Mark 7:31-37 (Bible Study for 8.19.18)
Readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
"Ephphatha," Jesus says, "Be Opened!" Our Lord has a way of restoring whatever is damaged or not functioning in us. That way is by His word. He speaks. We hear Him, perhaps as though for the first time! He speaks--He calls forth an audible in us. The Word is made flesh and sent to your … Continue reading Readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
God Seated US with Him in the Heavenly Places
The Lord made us ALIVE in Christ Jesus--certainly not so you should dwell mired in misery, but be raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places! Take the seat prepared for you here in God's presence. Sit next to Him who wields all authority in heaven and on earth for your own deliverance … Continue reading God Seated US with Him in the Heavenly Places
He Made Us Alive with Christ…
Epistle reading for this coming Eleventh Sunday after Trinity... Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV) 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among … Continue reading He Made Us Alive with Christ…
For the Common Good
“For The Common good,” the apostle says, for your good and theirs God has given His gifts “to each,” a manifestation of the Spirit given to them for you. It was given to you, for them, too. They need you here. You need them. I need you in my life, too. God declares no less … Continue reading For the Common Good
A Bible Study Class Discussion Guide on 1 Cor. 12:1-11
Bible Class is Sunday at 9am, beginners welcome. *Your* questions are better than mine, bring 'em along with you! A Bible Study Guide on 1 Cor. 12:1-11 Part One: Inert, Silent Idolatry vs. Dynamic Spirit of God {v.1-3} 📖 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. A. Paul here … Continue reading A Bible Study Class Discussion Guide on 1 Cor. 12:1-11
For The Common Good, Toot Your Horn
The alternative Epistle passage for this coming Tenth Sunday after Trinity urges us to employ our diverse talents in mutual, harmonious service of the common good for the Church. This reading from 1 Cor. 12:1-12 will be our Bible Study and sermon text this week... Alternate Epistle for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity: 1 Corinthians … Continue reading For The Common Good, Toot Your Horn
A Deeper Dive into 1 Cor. 10:6-13
A Bible Study Guide on 1 Cor. 10:6-13 Part One: Why Do We Need Those Old Testament Books 📖 Paul begins his discourse now on table fellowship that will fill both chapters 10 and 11 of this letter. There are textual clues that the careful reader ought to note, even in English the phrases are … Continue reading A Deeper Dive into 1 Cor. 10:6-13