Romans has a lot to say about the wrath of God. In fact, the word is found there more than in any NT book other than Revelation. No one is surprised wrath is discussed in Revelation—but Romans? Isn’t Romans the book about God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness? What’s a book like that doing talkingContinue reading “Romans and the Wrath of God”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
A look at Romans 1:14-17 (1)
Why aren’t more people more enthusiastic about the gospel (i.e., the gloriously good news about what God has done for us through Jesus)? How does this revolutionary message become secondary, peripheral and ho-hum? I suppose there are many reasons. Here are a few. All of these things (and you can think of more), can getContinue reading “A look at Romans 1:14-17 (1)”
A Look At Romans 1:14-17 (2)
Paul wrote to disciples living in the heart of the Romans Empire and told them: I am obligated (1:14). Who was he obligated to? Those who were Greeks and non-Greeks (barbarians). In other words, he was obligated to those regarded as cultured and sophisticated and to those who were not. He was obligated to the wiseContinue reading “A Look At Romans 1:14-17 (2)”
What Jesus Didn’t Say
Considering the circumstances they were facing, Jesus’ words to the seven churches in Asia in Revelation 2-3 are surprisingly brief. They obviously deal with the most vital issues facing those communities. But sometimes it can also be instructive to think about what isn’t said. Is there something omitted that we thought would be there? I can think of three thingsContinue reading “What Jesus Didn’t Say”
Laying Down
In 1 John 3, John has a lot to say about disciples loving one another. He tells us that the call to love each other . . . 1. Is embedded in God’s love for us. In 3:1 John writes: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called childrenContinue reading “Laying Down”
Swollen Nets and Shattered Hearts
They had been fishing all night and had nothing to show for it. That meant nothing to take to the market and no wages for their long night’s work. That’s the way it is with fishing sometimes— every fisherman knows that. Peter was a little disappointed and more than a little tired. They were washingContinue reading “Swollen Nets and Shattered Hearts”
Living Richly
Some context for 1 Timothy 6. Paul has just presented Timothy with a profile of some of the people who will not “agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching” (1 Timothy 6:3). He tells us they possessed “an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words” (v. 4). Continue reading “Living Richly”
Standing Firm
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! (Philippians 4:1) Firmness is a good thing! We don’t want it everywhere, but in some things it is an absolute necessity. Where in the world would we be without firmness in parenting,Continue reading “Standing Firm”
What is God Saying to Us?
We’re doing a study of Luke’s gospel at Tenth Street. Our goal is to interact with the text in a way that results in us gaining a clear sense of how God is using it to speak to us today. Of course, this should be the goal of all Bible study, but it can sometimesContinue reading “What is God Saying to Us?”
From Groaning to Glory (1)
Romans 8:18-25 is one of the lesser known passages in Paul’s letter to the disciples at Rome. But lesser known doesn’t mean lesser value and we’ll see Paul has some profound things to say in this text. Let’s start with a little background on the church at Rome. The disciples at Rome had their shareContinue reading “From Groaning to Glory (1)”