by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 9, 2019 | Uncategorized
It’s a sad reality that the truth just bounces off some people like a ball off of a brick wall. How so? It’s because they have a built-in tuner that when the conviction comes, they tune it out by thinking about other people whom they think are worse offenders than...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Dec 2, 2019 | Uncategorized
Jesus’ words in the following text are particularly counter-cultural in evangelicalism—Matt. 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 24, 2019 | Uncategorized
We must understand that our accountability is largely based on our stewardship of the truth. For instance, to hear the word of God and not do anything about what you hear is like playing with fire, because you can become more hardened by the only thing that can...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 22, 2019 | Uncategorized
As we think about the truth that our time is limited, one of the immediate implications is that our lives and everyone else’s lives are fleeting–James 4:14…What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. This is why Moses...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 16, 2019 | Uncategorized
Even though the Isaiah 6 quotation in Acts 28 has a very specific purpose and application to the people of Israel, the principle carries over to all Christian ministry. We have hit this theme many times throughout our study of Acts, so it is fitting that we would...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Nov 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
Upon reaching v.10 of Acts 28, Paul had continued to trust in God, despite a seemingly hopeless situation and a seemingly irrational pathway to safety. This led to expansive ministry among a previously unreached people. God loves to do this. He loves to open up...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 30, 2019 | Uncategorized
The sailors may have believed in what Paul said in Acts 27:24, that they would make it safely to land, but they certainly didn’t believe what he said in v.26, that in order to be spared, they must run the ship aground into some island. This is a denial of the means...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 21, 2019 | Uncategorized
So having heard Paul’s charge to be encouraged in Acts 27:21-25, the people on the ship now have a choice whether to listen to the guy who has an amazing confidence in the midst of this great and prolonged danger OR they can remain dejected, just sitting there...
by Matthew Borgstrom | Oct 14, 2019 | Uncategorized
Acts 26:31-32 are in our Bibles because it makes it obvious that there are no legitimate charges against Paul, and because the reader of Acts is well aware of the divine intentions of the furtherance of the gospel, we know that getting Paul out of chains was not God’s...
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...
