Category Archives: Opening the Bible

Bringing The World Together Through Jesus

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was the Colossus of Rhodes. The statue stood in the city’s harbor and at over 150 in height (including the pedestal) it towered over the incoming ships. This is where our word colossal comes from. Luke’s account of the conversion of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10Continue reading “Bringing The World Together Through Jesus”

Something About 1 John

1 John is a powerful, vibrant read! There’s a lot packed into this brief letter that disciples need to hear. But as with any other writing, there are a few things about John and his style that are helpful to recognize if we are to glean everything that he has for us. John’s first letter isContinue reading “Something About 1 John”

Praying Up

In 1 John 3:21-22, John writes: 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. What does John mean by this? Is he saying God gives disciples carte blanche when it comes to them asking and Him answering? Understand,Continue reading “Praying Up”

John And Commandments (2)

In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, (1 John 5:3). Some friends of ours (Mark & Carol), were headed home Sunday after attending church and eating out. They live in a rural community, so they were traveling on a somewhat isolated stretch of road whenContinue reading “John And Commandments (2)”

John And Commandments (1)

Word association: commandment What did you come up with? Did you think of things like liberation, joy, freedom, and peace? Or, did your mind turn toward things like legalism, bondage, and burden? Or perhaps you landed somewhere in between these two extremes. I suppose to be totally accurate to the point I want to address I should have asked, “What do youContinue reading “John And Commandments (1)”

Assurance And The Spirit

“And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” (1 John3:24)  “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.” (1 John 4:13) John tells us not once, but twice, that the proof we’reContinue reading “Assurance And The Spirit”

Assurance And The Disciples

When John writes of keeping commands (2:3,3:22,24,5:3), doing what is right (2:29,3:7,3:10), and not sinning (2:1,3:6,9,5:18), he is speaking directionally. Everyone is headed toward something and the disciple is headed in the direction of His Father. God is both the light (v. 5) and in the light (v. 7), (think of our sun, it is lightContinue reading “Assurance And The Disciples”

Working For The Lord

Can you guess what the following statistics (from Karl Thompson) have reference to? It’s something that occupies: 14 % of your total life, 21 % of your total waking hours, 23.3% of your life during the years you’re actually you’re doing this, 35% of your waking hours during those years you’re doing this, 50% ofContinue reading “Working For The Lord”

I See Trouble On The Way (3)

Historically speaking 1. If the man of lawlessness represents a pronounced escalation of evil and apostasy, is there any way for us to identify it? Can we look back at some point in the first century (or afterward) and say this is what Paul was talking about? Are Paul’s words even meant to be takenContinue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (3)”

I See Trouble On The Way (2)

Unpacking the text 1. He tells the Thessalonians that Jesus will not return “until the rebellion occurs, and the man of lawlessness is revealed” (2:3). So, we have two things to work with—the rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness who is also referred to as “the man doomed to destruction” (v. 3).Continue reading “I See Trouble On The Way (2)”