by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 7, 2019 | Uncategorized
Paul’s defense in Acts 26 has a theme of how gospel ministry opens the eyes of the blind upon repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This understanding is essential as we think about our own salvation and our ministry to others. Reason being, we will not give God the...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
In assessing our listening, it’s helpful to describe a certain type of interaction with God’s word that is highlighted in Felix’s response to the truth of the gospel in Acts 24:22-26. Perhaps it could be summed up this way—Orthodoxy without conformity to Christ...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 23, 2019 | Uncategorized
In light of Paul’s defense before Felix in Acts 24, a crucial question we can ask ourselves is: How do we answer when our Christian beliefs and practices are called into question? By saying: “It seems to make sense to me or I just don’t think those other views...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
This past Sunday, we looked specifically at how God’s providence over your entire life, including the pre-converted era of your life, is designed to advance the gospel through your witness to Christ. In fact, Paul specifically declares, during his sermon in Acts 17,...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
When we are defending the gospel by giving an account for the hope that is in us, we begin with what defined us as an unbeliever and how that manifested itself. The following question can help us get to those answers: How were you in opposition to God, the gospel and...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Sep 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
In Lamentations chapter 3, Jeremiah concludes his review of the unending nature of God’s love for his people with the well-known declaration in v.23—Great is your faithfulness. This is altogether stunning in light of Jeremiah’s circumstances, namely the complete...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 19, 2019 | Uncategorized
The principle from Paul’s suffering in Acts 21:27-40 can be summed up by the following statement: Even though one is following the Lord’s will, it doesn’t mean that the road won’t be bumpy and that everyone else will get in line with how you’re seeking to obey...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 12, 2019 | Uncategorized
Now I want us to think about the principles of Christian liberties, found in Paul’s epistles, with regards to those who parade their freedoms on social media. While it’s true that we cannot know anyone’s specific motives with certainty, there is a common motive...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Aug 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s true that we are not faced with such a discernible fork in the road like the Apostle Paul in Acts 21, so what exactly do we need to be thinking about with regards to the gospel advancing through our cross bearing? Jesus points us in the right direction in...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
As we dive back into our study of Acts and look at an overview of chapters 1-20, one of the major hindrances Luke demonstrates the gospel conquers is rampant unbelief. This common trait in those we know is something that can easily cause us to doubt the ability of...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
The very first word in 1 Cor. 11:23, for, alerts us that Paul is about to give the reason why the exposed problem in vv.17-22 is so serious. It’s because of instruction that originated from the Lord Jesus himself, as is clearly captured in the Upper Room narrative...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 12, 2019 | Uncategorized
During the past several decades, there has been a steady decline in church membership. Why? For one, many churches have abandoned it all together. This is due to the fact that it’s far more important for many churches to get warm bodies in the seats than it is to...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jul 5, 2019 | Uncategorized
So, what is the purpose of the ordinances? It’s interesting hearing how people think of them, which largely depends on one’s church background. Some view them as just religious routine, with very little personal benefit, much like how giving to the church or...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
In 1st Timothy 3:4, Paul says an elder must manage his house not perfectly, but well. Based on that, here’s just a preview of v.5—If an elder is willing to treat those few souls under his care at home with neglect, incompetence or harshness, why should he be given...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
Surely, in the wisdom of God, he has ordained that churches would have clarity with regards to leadership and that leaders, though fellow sinners along with the sheep, would have credibility to lead. So ultimately, the question is: What would God put in place to...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 10, 2019 | Uncategorized
Upon sampling the key NT passages about relying on God’s strength (Php. 4, Eph. 6, 2 Cor. 12), we have seen that living in God’s strength involves contentment in every circumstance, fighting against spiritual temptation and being given hardships so that we must...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Jun 7, 2019 | Uncategorized
In Rom. 12:3, Paul doesn’t just leave his instruction with the prohibited thinking, but also supplies the prescribed way of thinking. Instead of self-exaltation, all Christians are to think sensibly or perhaps with sanity. This is the word that is used to describe...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
With regards to serving in the church, first, we just need to be asking the question: How can I be a blessing to someone? And then here’s what we need to understand: If you serve and meet a need in such a way that another is encouraged or edified and God received the...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 13, 2019 | Uncategorized
Here is an except for Charles Spurgeon’s sermon on 1 Cor. 15:54-58, (found here) in which he personifies the Grave in order to demonstrate the victory of Christ over it: From its hollow depths the Grave says, “Ask me where is my victory! Why, O foolish son of...
by Matthew Borgstrom | May 6, 2019 | Uncategorized
We can know we struggle with keeping a record of wrongs, as Paul prohibits in 1 Cor. 13:5, when we can recall the long list of offenses pretty quickly when the opportunity for bringing it to light presents itself—“I can’t believe you did this again. You always do...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 29, 2019 | Uncategorized
We must be aware that these anti-love characteristics in 1 Cor. 13:4-5 begin in the heart and as the heart speaks self-exalting things to ourselves, we swell up with pride until what is inside spills out of our mouths. Thus the main goal is NOT to make sure you don’t...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 27, 2019 | Uncategorized
Does your life indicate that you are absolutely convinced of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ, including the resurrection? I’m not asking: Do you think you’ll go to heaven? I am asking: What motivates and drives the foundational aspects of your life? Can...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 15, 2019 | Uncategorized
King Solomon sheds some light on this ingredient in Ecc. 7: 8b…the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. In contrasting patience with pride, it becomes evident that...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
A question that often arises from 1 Corinthians 13:3: How is it possible that this kind of giving does not demonstrate love? Especially, in light of the undeniable fact that so many needs are being met and so many people are being helped. Well there is certainly...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Apr 1, 2019 | Uncategorized
At the very beginning of Rom. 12:9, Paul supplies an overall description of what kind of love is acceptable to God—it’s a love that is genuine or unhypocritical. That raises the question: What kind of love would be disingenuous or hypocritical? There are many answers...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
Last week we discovered from 1st John 3 that without love, individuals can have no assurance of possessing spiritual life and churches cannot be assured that God is working in their midst. However, there are several more catastrophic consequences of failing to love...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
In 1 John 3-4, it is made clear that only those who have personally experienced and continue to learn about the transforming love of God through the saving work of Jesus Christ, will love as God desires for them to love, since only then will we have the correct...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 20, 2019 | Uncategorized
A main theme that pops out from Eph. 5:19-20 and Col. 3:16 is the corporate emphasis. Yes, the singing and making melody and the giving of thanks is primarily directed towards the Lord, but also to each other in the gathering. In Eph. 5:19, it is speaking to one...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Mar 4, 2019 | Uncategorized
Notice in 1 Tim. 2:1 that all of these are to be done on behalf of all people. Think about all the kinds of prayers and supplications that can be made and NOW think about how many can be made for all people! Just consider the first one—How many needs do we come...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Feb 25, 2019 | Uncategorized
In 1 Cor. 1:21, Paul implies that God has ordained his word to be delivered to his people through this foolish mode of communication in the eyes of the world. Why’s it so foolish? Because preaching simply entails explaining the meaning of God’s word and then...
