Genesis - A New Beginning: A New Encounter
Genesis - A New Beginning: A New Blessing
Through the story of Isaac and Jacob we see that God blesses the world through broken individuals and broken families. That is encouraging!
Genesis - A New Beginning: A New Test
Does God test us today? The word "test" has so many connotations. The truth is that we are constantly being refined by life and by God's loving fatherly care.
Genesis - A New Beginning: A New Call
We come to the story of Abraham in Genesis and we find a command, a blessing, and then an action. The hard part for us is to believe that it is actually the case that to center our lives on God, to commit our lives to God, is indeed good.
1 Corinthians #30 - Christmas Greetings, Part 2
Different cultures have different ways of greeting. This passage enters into some cultural issues. Behind that is a deep, Christian need for connection and community that we all long for.
1 Corinthians #30 - Christmas Greetings, Part 1
We need relationships with each other. The greetings Paul has here reflect his friendships and his gospel partnerships. How do we have such relationships? What is the source of healthy friendships?
1 Corinthians #29 - How to Avoid Fundraising Events, Part 2
This true understanding of how God uses gifts from us to release fresh spiritual blessing into our lives is as old as the hills and as different from the prosperity gospel as can be.
1 Corinthians #29 - How to Avoid Fundraising Events, Part 1
We live in a time where some are very wealthy and some are struggling. We live in a time where much of the Western church seems to have a superficial spirituality. How much of that is due to our captivation by the idol of materialism?
1 Corinthians #28 - How Gratitude Can Generate Greatness, Part 2
The resurrection is what makes life meaningful. Without it, Christianity is not true; without it, life has no point. With the resurrection, if we serve Jesus, then our life now has meaning and is not in vain.
1 Corinthians #28 - How Gratitude Can Generate Greatness, Part 1
Let us soak in the truth of the resurrection, and then let thanks to God come out of that as an active response. Paul appeals to us to be generous Christians, and the fuel for that is gratitude for what God has done for us.
1 Corinthians #27 - Living with the End in Mind, Part 2
Baptism makes no sense if you don't believe in the resurrection. Baptism is a form of dying and rising to new life. There are those who hold to traditions like baptism or membership in a church as the things that save them. But what truly saves you is a living faith in Jesus.