What you can accomplish on your own

What you can accomplish on your own

After John records the end of v.3 in John 21, it’s apparent that the disciples’ overnight fishing efforts were completely fruitless. This fishing expedition serves as a final lesson from Christ, teaching them what they can accomplish on their own. When...
God is only pleased by faith

God is only pleased by faith

We all probably have heard statements like the following from others or perhaps in our own thoughts: “If God would just show up so that I could see him, then I would believe that he exists.” Or…”If Jesus would just speak to me audibly, then I’d know he’s real.” Or…”If...
Do you truly believe this?

Do you truly believe this?

As we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord this year, it must be noted that without faith you will not benefit from Christ’s resurrection. In other words, the resurrection is of no consequence for those who do not believe. That being said, there are many who would...
The Godliness of Modesty

The Godliness of Modesty

Paul then concludes this opening exhortation in 1 Tim. 2:9-10 with what women should focus on. The NIV is helpful here—10 but with good deeds, [which is] appropriate for women who profess to worship God [or make a claim to godliness.] As we would expect from Paul or...
How self-protection hinders manhood

How self-protection hinders manhood

Self-protection is a more subtle obstacle than self-infatuation, even though it is a form of it.  Because of the definition of manhood, namely taking responsibility and leading out in front in some way, it is risky to step into something like that: “What if I serve or...
What is the basis of your faith?

What is the basis of your faith?

The Apostle Paul proclaims the ramifications of believing in the gospel in 1 Cor. 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word...
The Glorious Accomplishments of Christ

The Glorious Accomplishments of Christ

Here are 8 glorious accomplishments of the cross that were solidified when Jesus said, “It is finished!” 1. Prophecies Were Fulfilled 2. Promises Were Secured 3. Righteousness Was Achieved   4. Wrath Was Satisfied 5. Love Was Defined 6. Sinners...
Jesus Finished His Course

Jesus Finished His Course

If we do not have a Savior who completed his work, then we do not have any hope for a complete salvation, for in that scenario, at least part of the finishing work would originate in us. But if we do not trust exclusively in the finished work of Christ, then we...
What to Learn from Peter’s Denials

What to Learn from Peter’s Denials

This was a necessary lesson to be learned by Peter. Left completely to ourselves, this is the inevitable outcome and Christ was completely clear in his teaching in Matt. 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven....
How to Identify when the Word is Preached

How to Identify when the Word is Preached

Notice what Paul does NOT write in 2 Tim. 4:2-Preach about the word; Preach with the word; Preach from the word. No! He writes, preach the word.   Therefore, the first question to ask when assessing preaching is not whether you liked the sermon, but rather: Did the...
The Love Behind Hospitality

The Love Behind Hospitality

It’s clear that biblical hospitality requires sacrifice, but what exactly needs to be sacrificed?-The comfort of being able to relax at dinner without worrying about serving anyone else. You have to sacrifice viewing your home exclusively as the place where you...
Are you loving The Truth this Christmas?

Are you loving The Truth this Christmas?

We know from Scripture that God is the source of truth, God is the revealer of truth and God is the enabler of people knowing the truth. Even the most common teachings of Scripture presuppose these understandings of truth. For instance, listen to how essential knowing...
The Cup that Christ Drank

The Cup that Christ Drank

What exactly was in this cup from the Father to the Son?  Clearly, it’s the identical cup that is mentioned in the Synoptic gospels, as Jesus prays in this same garden immediately prior to these events taking place—Mark 14:36 Abba! Father! All things are possible for...
The Glorious Intention of the Gospel

The Glorious Intention of the Gospel

In John 17:26, Christ supplies an intended result of making the Father’s name known—indwelling love.  To know more of God’s name is to possess more of God’s love.  However, this is not a verse that merely teaches that believers are the objects of God’s love, as...
Christian Unity is about God’s Glory

Christian Unity is about God’s Glory

The unity Christ prays for in John 17 has its focus on the glory of God and is produced by the love of God. So if this unity is truly focused on God’s glory, then all self-focus is banished. It’s true that along with abandoning Christ’s teaching, the other major...
The Only Sorrow that God Accepts

The Only Sorrow that God Accepts

In an effort to distinguish godly sorrow from worldly sorrow, Thomas Watson puts forth several qualifications for godly sorrow in his book, The Doctrine of Repentance: i. Godly sorrow is inward—It is an inward, heart sorrow that manifests itself externally; godly...
Who we are in Christ

Who we are in Christ

This means that we are going to have to dive into arguably the greatest biblical tension in the NT.  This tension I am referring to is captured in this statement: We are informed that our old self is dead because it died with Christ, but on the other hand we’re...
Do you have the fear of the Lord?

Do you have the fear of the Lord?

The fear of the Lord is a reverential awe of his holiness, majesty, love, omnipotence and omniscience, which produces a dread of hindering our relationship with him by dishonoring or disobeying him. Based on that definition, here are a couple of questions to help us...
The Effect of Having the Spirit

The Effect of Having the Spirit

If the Spirit is present in someone, then the fruit of Gal. 5:22-23 will be evident instead of the deeds of the flesh in Gal. 5:19-21. This means that sanctification is not measured primarily by major decisions and turning points in our lives, but rather by the day in...
What it means to not be of the world

What it means to not be of the world

A.W. Pink rightly remarked about the truth of a Christian as stated by Jesus in v.14: The truth of this verse applies in a sevenfold way: First, Christians have a different standing from those who belong to the world: their standing is in Adam, ours in Christ; they...