“So that I might reach some…” Acts 16:1-5

It always seems like a contradiction.  Paul is telling the churches about the decision of the Jerusalem council that circumcision is not required.  Then he goes and has Timothy circumcised.
Remember, though, that Paul says he became all things to all men so that he might reach some.  When he was with the Jews, Paul lived [...]

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“Law vs. Spirit” Galatians 5 & 6

Even today some people are very uneasy when we talk about the fact that we are no longer under law.  The assumption is that where there is no law, there is chaos.  Liberty degenerates into self-indulgence.
The problem with this fear is that it forgets that the law was replaced by something even better: the Spirit [...]

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“Children of Promise” Galatians 3 & 4

God blessed Abraham by accepting him on the basis of his faith, not his good works.  This is the gospel.  This gospel was in effect before Abraham was circumcised and long before Moses introduced the Law.  This gospel was God’s initiative, rooted in His infinite goodness, grace, and love. 
God proceeded to give Abraham a promise: Through your seed (i.e. Jesus), I’m going to bless all peoples [...]

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“A truth worth contending for” Galatians 2

I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

This is a bold statement and the foundation of the gospel of salvation by the grace of God.  If a right standing before God could by earned through obedience to the Law, then Christ’s death [...]

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“Law of Love” Acts 15:22-35

“You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” 
For the sake of unity and fellowship, so that Jewish and Gentile believers could sit at the same table and celebrate communion together, the apostles suggested these rules [...]

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“No Additions, Please” Acts 15:1-21

“Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Peter’s phrasing here is interesting [...]

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“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 1 Cor. 15

Most people fear death.  Although it is a universal and unavoidable reality, we just don’t talk about it.  It feels too ominous to discuss.
However, for Christians, death is victory! 
“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is [...]

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“Feed My Sheep” John 21

The disciples are skunked after a night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee (Sea of Tiberius).  Jesus uses this event to teach them a few lessons and to reinstate Peter.  This chapter is worth some serious study because there is a lot going on.

I find this chapter intriguing.  I wonder why Jesus chose this time and [...]

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“For the ones who have not seen” John 20:24-31

He will forever bear the name “doubting Thomas.”  But what must it have been like for him?  Days earlier he had witnessed the crucifixion of his Lord and Master, the One in whom he had placed his hope and trust.  Now his closest friends were going on and on about seeing the risen Jesus and [...]

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“Burning Hearts” Luke 24:13-35

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Man, I would love to hear that sermon.  Where can I get a CD?  It must have been a great one.  The two disciples said, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked [...]

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