The prediction by the Author of Hebrews that the Old Covenant “is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear” became a historical reality within a decade, thus authenticating for us the New Covenant founded on the once-for-all perfect sacrifice of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

God’s truth will always be to our benefit and spiritual health. We must remember that God’s word brings his all-powerful word to bear into our lives. Even though we might have trepidation over undergoing the scalpel of God’s truth, his careful surgeon’s hand will never destroy the church or us.   As Christians we commit... Continue Reading

The euthanasia debate in American Protestantism emerged from the aftermath of the Scopes Monkey Trial and was prompted by many of the same characters. The trial, staged in Dayton, Tennessee, over educator John Scopes’ alleged violation of Tennessee’s Butler Act, which barred public school teachers from teaching evolution, was a microcosm of the debate between... Continue Reading

Saul confesses his sin, imitating Aaron in the golden calf incident and citing fear of man (v. 24). But the king of Israel is to fear the LORD over man, for what can flesh do to him? The judgment upon Saul is that, rejected by the LORD, he will no longer be heard by God... Continue Reading

One of the remarkable truths of Christ’s work at the Cross is that Christ bore the sin of all of His people, and He bore the holy wrath and justice of God toward His people. This is what is referred to as substitutionary atonement–Christ died in the place of sinners. Another wondrous truth is that... Continue Reading

Your faith is weak, and so He trusted Himself to the Judge who judges justly. Your sins are great and many, and so He bled in your place. Your chains held you fast, and so He broke them asunder. All this was done through a horrific death.   Here, with a loaf of bread and... Continue Reading