Faith refers to our belief and trust in the triune God to save us and sanctify us. Virtue goes beyond duty to delight in serving God and others. Knowledge refers to knowing God in a warm and affectionate way. Self-control refers to walking by the Spirit, not by the flesh. Steadfastness means to resist temptation... Continue Reading

In Colossians 2:12, the picture of burial reappears again. We rightly sing, “Buried, he carried my sins far away.” Glorious day! Jesus took our sin to the grave and left it there. Buried forever. Gone and never to return. This is the glory of expiation.   The small things in life often bring the most... Continue Reading

David encourages the daughters of Israel to, “weep over Saul who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, who put ornament of gold on your apparel.” In other words, David blesses the Lord for using an evil king to advance the kingdom of Israel. Similarly, men and women should praise the Lord for using unfaithful men to... Continue Reading

Joy can be contagious. Whether it reaches someone in the form of a personal presence, a word of affirmation or encouragement, or some deed of assistance cheerfully done, joy can spread to others and affect their soul, if only for a brief while.  So if our enjoyment of God is continuous and growing.   “And... Continue Reading

 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). This isn’t just intellectual assent to God’s existence – it’s a deep conviction that shapes our actions.   Everyone lives by faith,... Continue Reading

 The prediction by the Author of Hebrews that the Old Covenant “is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” became a historical reality within a decade, thus authenticating for us the New Covenant founded on the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross – the point being stressed throughout Hebrews.   Hebrews 8:13  By calling... Continue Reading

It’s funny how we often put aside our raw and honest selves, hiding those things deep within our hearts to God. He knows them anyway, but something about the sin and brokenness of our soul makes us shield ourselves from the guilt and shame we know sits there. We’d like to present polished versions of... Continue Reading

Jesus called himself the bread of life (John 6). We are to feast on him in our worship. He is our spiritual sustenance. But of course we can go further, what’s the connection between this bread and the Lord’s Supper?   Jesus in the Tabernacle II The tabernacle instructions continue with a table made of... Continue Reading

According to the Gospel books, Jesus had sisters (Mark 6:3; Matt 13:56). “Of the names which later tradition gives to sisters of Jesus,” Bauckham explains, “the best attested are Mary and Salome” (Relatives, 8). It is possible that he had more sisters, but these are the two whose names we can be reasonably sure of.... Continue Reading

Church officers have a responsibility to protect church members by shepherding them in all areas, including the area of biblical sexual ethics. Church members know the emphasis of God’s Word places on purity; they need church leaders to be clear on this expectation. This means that receiving a minister who self-identifies with a homosexual-orientation should... Continue Reading