Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
living witnesses
1 Peter 5. The ESV translates Peter as if he is drawing attention to the fact that he personally observed the suffering of Jesus – and he did. But the Greek has no indefinite article, so Peter probably was not … Continue reading
Posted in church, future, Jesus Christ, perseverance, suffering, witness
Tagged 1 Peter 5
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living devotees
1 Peter 3:13-4:19. Peter encourages believers to face the times they are in with complete devotion to Christ. God may allow them to face challenges to their faith. As living devotees, them must honor Christ the Lord as holy, and … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, conflict, discipleship, enemies, faithfulness, Jesus Christ, perseverance, suffering, witness
Tagged 1 Peter 3, 1 Peter 4
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living examples
1 Peter 2:11-3:12. Peter encourages believers to demonstrate their faith in Christ by good deeds, through which they show the world around them that Christ can change lives. They must keep their conduct honorable. They must submit to every human … Continue reading
Posted in church, commitment, genuineness, holiness, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, witness
Tagged 1 Peter 2, 1 Peter 3
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the living stone
1 Peter 2:4-10. Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words by comparing them with those who had opportunity to accept Christ, but had rejected him. They had a temple made with dead stones. Christ is the living stone, rejected by … Continue reading
the living word
1 Peter 1:13-2:3. Peter encouraged the Christians reading his words to set their hope on something more substantial than human rulers or ancestors. God’s word alone substantiates the hope of the believer. God’s word explains how he ransomed us with … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, growth, holiness, scriptures, second coming, trust
Tagged 1 Peter 1, 1 Peter 2
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a living hope
1 Peter 1:1-12. Peter writes to Christians who are going through “various trials” which grieve them and threaten to steal their hope. He seeks to encourage them by reminding them of God’s sovereign plan. In the past, they were unsaved. … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, discipleship, Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus Christ, suffering
Tagged 1 Peter 1
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disciples: appointment with Jesus
Mark 16. One must be cautious of commenting on the content of verses 9-20, since it is unclear whether these verses were part of what Mark originally wrote. If we regard verse 8 as the true ending of the Gospel, … Continue reading
Posted in church, discipleship, gospel, Jesus Christ, ministry, missions, witness
Tagged Mark 16
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disciples: absent
Mark 15. The disciples are conspicuously absent from the narrative in this chapter, although they have a prominent place everywhere else. They are not there in this chapter to speak up for Jesus when he is being accused and mocked … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, commitment, deliverance, gospel, Jesus Christ, obedience, plan of God, the cross
Tagged Mark 15
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disciples: found napping
Mark 14. Mark highlights the irony in that Jesus had just warned his disciples to stay awake (13:35, 36) and then follows with several stories that show that they are found napping – literally and figuratively. Significant events are … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, discernment, evangelism, gospel, Jesus Christ, plan of God, witness
Tagged Mark 14
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disciples: questions about the future
Mark 13. Jesus and his disciples were on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the temple area – so vast that it covered 1/6th of the entire area of Jerusalem. Jesus had just “dropped the bomb,” indicating that it would be … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, future, gospel, missions, second coming, witness
Tagged Mark 13
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