Tag Archives: Bible study

Blessing or Burden?

When we think about obedience, it’s helpful to recognized that there’s the common definition of it and the biblical definition—and the two are not the same. Dictionary Online tells us obedience is “the act or quality of being obedient.“ And obedient is “complying with or submissive to authority.” We might be obeying a traffic law,Continue reading “Blessing or Burden?”

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”

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”

Thinking About Leadership (1)

I remember seeing a bulletin board many years ago that talked about the different kinds of “ships” the church needed to be healthy. The “ships” were : I thought that was a solid concept.  You certainly can’t have a healthy church without worship—giving God the honor, praise, and glory due Him. Paul speaks in RomansContinue reading “Thinking About Leadership (1)”

Thinking About Leadership (2)

To conclude, I wanted to share some practical words for shepherds, deacons, and ministry leaders that I have learned in my five decades of working with churches. They are applicable to anyone leading anything.  The first word is communication. Men, can we admit that for most of us, this is not a natural inclination or abilityContinue reading “Thinking About Leadership (2)”

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”