Philippians 3:7-11 is a powerful text because it discusses what it means to know Christ. Jesus said in John 17:3, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” To know Jesus in a relational way (rather than simply knowing about Him) is to possessContinue reading “Knowing Christ (1)”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
No Confidence In The Flesh
Paul talks about confidence in the flesh in Philippians 3:3-4. He speaks of disciples as those who put “no confidence in the flesh” (v. 3). Then in the next verse he uses the phrase two more times as he argues he has a greater basis for “confidence in the flesh” than anyone else. What exactlyContinue reading “No Confidence In The Flesh”
A Church That Looks Like Jesus
It seems as if there were some relational fractures among the disciples at Philippi. A couple of sisters in the Lord were estranged (4:2-3), and Paul’s words of 1:27 and 2:1ff, are all indicative of some struggles along these lines. What Paul touches upon in 1:27, he more fully develops in chapter 2. Our interestContinue reading “A Church That Looks Like Jesus”
Loving God Gloriously
Paul’s prayer for the disciples at Philippi was “that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may discern what is best” (1:9-10). I think it’s safe to say this isn’t a prayer we hear every day and for most of us, it’s not something we personallyContinue reading “Loving God Gloriously”
Reflections On The Risen Life (2)
It was Philip Yancey, who when asked about the difference between disciples in China and the United States had this to say: At my church, when something bad happens, people immediately ask God to fix it: get me a job, heal my aunt, whatever. . . In China, though, I heard different prayers, not “God, takeContinue reading “Reflections On The Risen Life (2)”
The Scripture and Gender (1)
There is so much more to gender than what is covered in most discussions. The subject is as rich and deep as we are. There’s nothing definitive in what follows but I hope it helps us to catch something of the breadth of the topic. Biologically speaking 1. God created man as male and female.Continue reading “The Scripture and Gender (1)”
Reflections On The Risen Life (1)
Did you ever see the moon in the sky at night and think you might like to go there? Did you ever wonder what it be like to set foot on it? Well, you certainly wouldn’t be the first person. The problem is there’s this force called gravity that keeps us earth bound and toContinue reading “Reflections On The Risen Life (1)”
Bumblebees And Ministries
It was a grey day as I pulled my grey truck into the driveway about mid-morning. It was early November. There was a little bit of wind and rain—the sun was nowhere to be found. Off to the side of our garage was some honeysuckle growing up and over a shoulder-high shrub. I had pointedContinue reading “Bumblebees And Ministries”
Acting Up
Depending on your translation, Colossians 3:1 begins with a “Since, then,” an “If then,” or a “Therefore.” The point being that what Paul is about to say builds on something he has previously said. We don’t have to wonder what that antecedent is because Paul tells us—it’s the fact that we’ve been “raised with Christ”Continue reading “Acting Up”
“I Didn’t Recognize The Number”
A couple of weeks ago a man decided to climb Mt. Elbert, the highest mountain in Colorado. It’s just a bit under 15,000 ft., so it’s doable in a day. He started in the morning, reached the summit, and started back down. He got a little disoriented, darkness fell, and he ended up spending theContinue reading ““I Didn’t Recognize The Number””
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 