As Servants of the Gospel (Philippians 2:19-30)
Such a joyful reception of Epaphroditus in honor would reveal a proper valuation of the gospel by the Philippian Church. Valuing the gospel rightly not only produces a particular righteous behavior, as Paul noted throughout the letter, but a public honoring of those who serve the gospel in…
Glad Obedience in the Gospel (Philippians 2:12-18)
Here’s the sum of Paul’s current exhortation: Since Jesus Christ is LORD, and you have been born as unblemished children of God through the Gospel, fearfully consider the offense of sin against God, and in all the activity of faith, do nothing in grumbling or disputing, and even if you were to die…
The Exalted Servanthood of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11)
The path to gospel-worthy living comes by reflecting Christ’s own behavior toward one another. Furthermore, gospel-worthy living comes not by sheer willpower or discovering one’s innate potential, nor by conformity to law or tradition. Gospel-worthy living comes as one understands what has been…
Participation in the Gospel (Philippians 1:1-11)
Today we start a new series through Philippians. Preaching through Philippians over the summer seemed timely considering the present circumstances and the perceived growing tension and weariness in the general populace, though perhaps it’s merely the projection of my own tension and weariness.…
Matthew 24:1-14 (Faithfulness in the End)
Jesus gives a clarion call to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom, a Kingdom without end, to the whole world, as a testimony of Jesus to every nation. And so, the return of the King awaits nothing more than the preaching of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Peter concludes that any perceived delay in the Messiah’s returns happens only for the sake of the redeemed, that…
Delighting in the LORD (Psalm 37:1-11)
Those who trust in the LORD don’t merely abstain from fretfulness, but also they also experience and exhibit a quiet, still, restfulness while waiting patiently for the LORD to accomplish his purposes in judgment. Fretfulness prevents quietness of soul, stillness of heart before God, restfulness of life, and patience in God’s plans. They will be found delighting in the…
Sanctified to Love and Unity (John 17:17-26)
Our sanctification, or set apartness, comes in alignment to the truth, not mere statements of truth, but to Jesus, who is himself the word and the truth. This word that existed with God in the beginning, sanctified, or consecrated himself, verse 19, to God on the cross, that those who would follow him might also be sanctified. Jesus needed not to grow in holiness, but…
The Blessed Life of Salt and Light Living (Matthew 5:1-16)
Salt and light living come as we live out the blessed life, visibly, contagiously, in power, with joy, among the peoples around us. Salt flavored and preserved food. It made and kept the food worth eating. So also, for Christian living in the world. A life set upon the Beatitudes reveals to the…
The Hope of the Resurrection (Job 13:28-14:17)
Job’s resurrection exists. Paul says, surely leaning upon Job for inspiration. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17b For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first…and so we…
An Endless Hallelujah (Psalm 146)
Previously we covered Psalm 91, two weeks back, revealing the LORD as our fortress and refuge, who opens the path to courageous living for those covered by the shadow of the Almighty, and then last Sunday, we looked at Psalm 96, revealing the LORD as the King who reigns, giving content to our mission as the King’s people, to proclaim with gladness his glorious salvation…
