Gospel of John 14:1-4 – Trusting God in Difficult Times
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back […]
Jesus and the Irony of Insurrection
In studying John 18 for men’s class tonight. I was struck by the irony of insurrection. In John 18:3 we learn that a group of soldiers along with officials from the chief priests and Pharisees are the arresting party in the garden. It is hard to say if the first group are Jewish soldiers or […]
What Role Do We Play in Our Own Salvation? – Colossians 1:22-23
I think Paul sums up the partnership we have with God very nicely in Colossians 1:22-23, “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation – if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move […]
Writing Curriculum on Paul’s Prison Letters – Suggested Materials
I am currently writing a small group series for our congregation on Paul’s prison letters (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). Here are the resources I am currently using. Anything I am missing that you have found useful? IVP – Dictionary of Paul and His Letters Paul: Apostle of a Heart Set Free by F.F. Bruce […]
Gospel of John 17:3 – Jesus Christ in the Third Person
I found these words from N.T. Wright fascinating even though I am not sure I agree. He is talking about the start of Jesus’ lengthy prayer in John 17 where Jesus refers to himself in the third person as “Jesus the Messiah”: “Nor, we may suppose, is John remembering it all without having prayed through […]
Gospel of John 16:1 – Jesus is Concerned About our Faithfulness
“All this I have told you so that you will not go astray.” John 16:1 In reading this verse this morning I am struck by Jesus’ concern for his disciples, not that they would would live to see another day but that they would remain faithful after he had returned to God. This is emphasized […]
The Old and New Testaments Have the Same Message
Fortunately over the last 30 years there have been significant voices trying to break the Christian misconception that the Old testament was a book of commandment keeping with little to do with love and grace and the New Testament was more about love and grace and less about commandment keeping. What had been overlooked in […]
ACU Summit 2007-2009 Available for Free on itunes
Thanks to Philip for making me aware that you can listen to the ACU lectures for free on itunes. Here is the itunes link. Sermons available from the following speakers: Leroy Garrett David Fleer Randy Harris James Thompson Chris Seidman Brian McLaren Eric Wilson Robert Oglesby Thomas Olbricht Lynn McMillon Rick Atchley George Pendergrass Greg […]
Gospel of John 13:31-38 Jesus is Going Where They Cannot Yet Come
“My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” – John 13:33 In John 13 we learn that the hour Jesus has continuously referred to as coming is now […]
The Greatest Action Story Ever Told
Just saw this on James McGrath’s blog and just had to share it…So many great subtleties.