Matthew’s gospel is the second most popular book of the Bible (Psalms is first). Part of the reason for its popularity is what we refer to as the Sermon on the Mount, which is recorded in chapters 5-7. Jesus’ teaching begins with an introduction that features the Beatitudes and transitions into a commission to beContinue reading “Built To Withstand”
Author Archives: A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green
A Sense Of The Sacred
Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:6). Jesus’ words are commonly understood to mean that His disciples are to show discernment in who they share the glorious good newsContinue reading “A Sense Of The Sacred”
A Heart Set On Worship
Matthew tells us of Magi from the east who came to see the Christ child. They brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. William Barclay suggests that gold is what you would give a king; frankincense is for a priest (it was offered on the altar of incense in the holy place—Exodus 30:34); andContinue reading “A Heart Set On Worship”
Matthew
The Man Of Mercy The Genesis Of Jesus (1:1,18) Aaahh, Joseph! God Is With Us! (1) God’s Wish For The World (1) A Heart Set On Worship (2) Matthew, The Scripture, And Jesus (2) What Are You Doing With Your Treasure (2) This Is Our Savior! (3-4) What Happened In The Wilderness (4) Something ToContinue reading “Matthew”
Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (2)
So why does God have different roles for men and women when it comes to church? The better question to ask might be, why not? Once we get past the equality/ability issues, why wouldn’t God have different roles for us? Does everyone in your family have the same role? Why not? If this is so,Continue reading “Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (2)”
1 Timothy
Something About The Pastoral Letters Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (1) (2:8-15) Democracy And The Kingdom Of God (2) (2:8-15) Noise Reduction (2:2, 4:13) Thinking About Leadership (1) (3:1-13) Thinking About Leadership (2) (3:1-13) Justice In The Church (1) (5:3-16) Justice In The Church (2) (5:3-16) Living Richly (6:6-21)
Unshakeable
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:28-29) We all need something unshakeable in our lives, don’t we? We have this requirement because the sober reality is that our families and relationships, jobs,Continue reading “Unshakeable”
There’s Not A Friend
Hebrews 2 starts with a conclusion—challenging its readers to anchor their lives in the glorious, eternity-altering news about Jesus (v. 1-4). After this, the writer picks up his earlier thread concerning Jesus and angels. I think he’s anticipating some objections in response to what he previously wrote concerning Christ’s superiority to the angels (1:5-14). There wouldContinue reading “There’s Not A Friend”
Thinking About Hebrews
Hebrews can be a challenging read. It’s a bit like Revelation—it’s definitely not a narrative (like the Gospels or Acts), but it’s not exactly a letter like Philippians either (although like Revelation, it has some elements of a letter in it). Commentators agree it’s best to think of Hebrews as a first-century sermon. In 13:22Continue reading “Thinking About Hebrews”
The Great High Priest
The Hebrew writer speaks of Jesus in lots of different ways that (with a little work) we can relate to: He is the radiance of God’s glory (think of the Transfiguration), superior to the angels, the Apostle/One Sent (surpassing Moses and Joshua), etc. But the book’s central image is the most challenging—Jesus as our highContinue reading “The Great High Priest”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 