Category Archives: Opening the Bible

The Value of the Book of Numbers

I remember teaching a Wednesday night class years ago. It wasn’t very big—15, many 20 people—mostly 30-somethings in age. I don’t remember what the class was about, but we got off on a tangent about how the church of the previous generation didn’t know grace like we did. The discussion went on for a little whileContinue reading “The Value of the Book of Numbers”

C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (1)

One of the bigger challenges in getting some traction in the Scripture and its story has to do with understanding its chronology. The books in the Bible are arranged only in a general way according to the history they contain.  This means that if you started in Genesis and read all the way through to Revelation, you wouldContinue reading “C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (1)”

C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (2)

1.  Creation  (Genesis 1-5) Genesis means “origin” or “beginning”—so that’s what we find in these chapters: the beginning of the universe, humanity, sin and rebellion, and redemption. God speaks the universe into existence—but it is human beings that He makes in His image and gives dominion to (Genesis 1:26-28). Other Scriptures inform us that before the creation of theContinue reading “C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (2)”

C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (3)

7.  Crown (Judges-1 Kings 11/1 Chronicles 1-2 Chronicles 9; Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon) Joshua dies and the nation lapses into a loose confederation of tribes characterized by infighting and the failure to come to the aid of each other when one of the tribes is under attack (see the book of Judges). This continues until theContinue reading “C-ing Your Way Through the Bible (3)”

False Prophets

False narratives go all the way back to the Garden. They don’t come down from above, bringing liberation and life—they bubble up from culture and are all just different forms of bondage. They all do the same thing—seek to enthrone us and dethrone our Father. False narratives can affect anyone, at any time and anyContinue reading “False Prophets”

A lot to learn from Lot

Peter is both warning and encouraging his readers in regard to the tough times that are ahead in 2 Peter 2:1ff. The warning aspect is seen in phrases used to describe the false teachers who will surface from among them. Peter speaks of their “destructive heresies” and “depraved conduct.” He also reminds them that God broughtContinue reading “A lot to learn from Lot”

2 Peter 3–End of the World? (1)

I purchased a Jaguar several years ago. Perhaps it was a mid-life crisis kind of thing, I’m not sure. Anyway, I didn’t take it to church on Sundays or Wednesday nights so most of the members where I preached weren’t aware that I had it. At home, I always put it in the garage—I neverContinue reading “2 Peter 3–End of the World? (1)”

A Call to Intimacy and Urgency

I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of God. That’s what Jesus said to a group of first-century disciples at Sardis (Revelation 3:2). It’s not the best news in the world, but it’s not the worst.  It’s kind of a good news/bad news scenario. It says, You were headed in the right direction but youContinue reading “A Call to Intimacy and Urgency”

An Identity For All Times

Peter wrote to disciples who were being harassed because they had chosen to follow Jesus (4:16). There’s nothing to suggest their lives were at stake, but things were definitely more difficult because of their allegiance to Christ. Rejection from anyone, but especially loved ones, would leave them feeling confused, broken, and unsure. They needed someContinue reading “An Identity For All Times”