People-pleasers come in all shapes and sizes, even when the the one person you're trying to please is you. Christ enters in to call us to yield to his judgment, even concerning ourselves. We are freed from chasing the likes, shares, favor and approval of anyone but Jesus--by Jesus who justifies the ungodly. Click to … Continue reading Big Deal, or Small Thing?
Both Their Lord and Ours
We are #bettertogether in Christ Jesus. Christian Fellowship is not a human achievement, but our Lord’s very good Gift given by grace alone. As we embrace it together, God grant us the Holy Spirit to grow in “being of one mind and having the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10) by the holy word of our … Continue reading Both Their Lord and Ours
Revelation Session Three: The Greeting
Today we explore the apostolic greeting and geography, along with symbology and theology of Christian worship through the ages. Hear the full audio of Revelation Session Three: The Greeting 9am Sanctuary Bible Study / Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels / 29 September 2019 Here are my Keynote Slides used for class today: https://youtu.be/iaclgB2kXbw
Bible Study Notes and Audio for 08.25.19
Is it wrong to be concerned for my neighbor's spiritual wellness? How dare you or I care and offer some help? Hear the full audio of Bible Study for August 25th on Romans 9:30-10-4 Romans 9:30-10:4 English Standard Version (ESV) 9:30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that … Continue reading Bible Study Notes and Audio for 08.25.19
Christ is the End of the Law
Some really good people with good lives are going to hell in a lovely handbasket woven out of their many proud good works. Some people with really messed up marriages, conflicted families, ruined careers and no awards or great works of public service to boast are going to heaven, thanks to a crown woven of … Continue reading Christ is the End of the Law
“The Baptismal End of Lawlessness”
Lawlessness, Injustice, Outrage, Violence and Death...the bloody sins of others seem to be reigning unchallenged and staining our daily lives, too. Are we forever bound to surrender our own bodies to ungodly impulse and chaotic causes? In Christ, we've been ransomed away from the senseless life of sin. We're made fit and able to serve … Continue reading “The Baptismal End of Lawlessness”
You Must Be Born Again!
We all love a moving conversion story: Here a man whose life is decisively marked by his obedience to the Law and expertise in holy writ is told even he must be born again--by water and the Spirit! Such new birth might rightly be called 'labor,' but the Holy Spirit does all the work of … Continue reading You Must Be Born Again!
Using Your Freedom
"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." (1 Peter 2:16) Hear the full audio of "Using Your Freedom" A sermon on 1 Peter 2:11-20 / Fourth Sunday of Easter / 12 May 2019 From 1 PETER 2:11-20 (ESV) 11 Beloved, I urge you … Continue reading Using Your Freedom
Called to Fellowship in His Sufferings and Glory
Most of us would gladly be rid of our own suffering, shame, weakness, guilt and fear. When the Apostle counts all things as loss, he means everything he once considered good about himself and his life's work: all his obedience, honor, achievements, integrity, popularity, pride and most fervent zeal. To have fellowship in his suffering … Continue reading Called to Fellowship in His Sufferings and Glory
Called to Demonstrable Grace in Fellowship
"Am I running, or have I been running in vain?" Paul wonders? The Jerusalem apostles ask, "Is the Gospel as Paul preaches it the same that we ourselves believe, teach and proclaim?" Patiently, they hear one another out. Plainly, they confess and compare their teachings and practice. Differences are addressed and reconciled. Thus the grace … Continue reading Called to Demonstrable Grace in Fellowship
Isaiah 50:4 Blues 