Out of this debate in the fourth century comes three trinitarian core beliefs: belief that the three persons of the Trinity are consubstantial, co-equal, and co-eternal. Yet the Father is not the Son or Spirit, the Son is not the Father or Spirit, and the Spirit is not the Father or Son. The “one in... Continue Reading

Festus hears “resurrection” and shouts: “You are out of your mind, Paul . . . Your great learning is driving you insane” (Acts 26:24). Notice what Paul does not do—he does not defend himself or take exception to Festus’ insult. Festus is not a whitewashed wall. (Bear in mind, not being a white-washed wall does... Continue Reading

Truth is a fixed reality. Genesis’s account of marriage is still true. What Jesus upheld as a New Covenant institution anchored in creation order is binding (Matt. 19:4–6). What Paul teaches about marriage being a picture of the gospel (Eph. 5:21–33) remains authoritative. Marriage is the union of one man and one woman. God is... Continue Reading

 Jesus takes sin just as seriously as the Father. His purpose in His first coming was not to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). His purpose in His second coming is significantly different. This is a time of judgement. We see a glimpse of this in Matthew 25, when the Son of... Continue Reading

Christians enjoy here and now a hidden life of fellowship with the Father and the Son which nothing, not even death itself, can touch—for it is the life of the world to come begun already, the life of heaven tasted here on earth. The explanation of this experience, which all God’s people know in some... Continue Reading

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”   My friend Larry lived for over 40 years with quadriplegia. He had come to Christ shortly after his accident and his wife was able to take good care of him, bless her heart. But about ten years ago, she suddenly... Continue Reading

A believer is holy, blameless, and above reproach (Col. 1:22). Why? Because of Jesus’ death on the cross. When He was on the cross, He despised the shame because of the joy that was before Him, and now is seated at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2). Every believer, including the... Continue Reading

God commands that His Word be read publicly, and has empowered His Word to pierce the heart of the hearer, to hear Him unequivocally, and to establish His rule even further, and to show that what is said in the sermon is to be derived from God’s Word, and expected to be a faithful exposition... Continue Reading

Persistent prayer cultivates endurance and hope. When we pray consistently, we anchor ourselves in God’s promises, combating discouragement and doubt. For those we pray for, our intercession becomes a lifeline, reminding them – whether they know it or not – that God is near.   Often Christians may say to each other, “I am praying... Continue Reading

God himself is the gift within all gifts. He means to satisfy us completely in his presence, in his time. Knowing this truth makes all the difference in our experience of partial and temporary pleasures here and now. We don’t have to always be looking over our shoulders, asking ourselves, “Is that all?” Now we... Continue Reading