Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
spiritual mechanics
Luke 4:8-12. Some teach that getting what you want from God is a matter of spiritual mechanics. All you have to do is find some promise in the text of scripture, put your faith in it, and act out that … Continue reading
a rock and a hard place
Psalm 6. David is suffering between a rock (apparently an illness from which he needs healing (2)) and a hard place (his enemies gloating over his misfortune). He does not want to die for two reasons. First, the state of … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, conflict, prayer, relationship with God, sleep of death, suffering
Tagged Psalm 6
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empowerment or destruction?
Luke 3:1-22. John the Baptist had the incredible responsibility to lead his nation to repentance in preparation for the Messiah and his mission. Isaiah encouraged the same nation to prepare themselves for the deliverance God wanted to give them (Isaiah … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, Holy Spirit, judgment, repentance, witness
Tagged Luke 3
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transformed ministry
Luke 2:22-52. From the few incidents Luke records of Jesus’ infancy and childhood, it is reasonable to assume that Mary was one of the eyewitnesses that he consulted. She told of the day they brought him into the temple at … Continue reading
the line to see Jesus
Luke 2. Becky Kelley’s video “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” has her in a mall at Christmas time, and people are in line to see Santa. A little boy appears and asks her “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” … Continue reading
the third way
Gen .3. The tree of life appears first in scripture in the creation account. In addition to all other kinds of trees that are nice to look at, and nourishing, God makes two other trees: the tree of knowing good … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, eternal life, grace, Jesus Christ
Tagged Genesis 3
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our way back
Psalm 2. This psalm speaks of the LORD, the God who created the nations. It also speaks of another, whom the LORD calls “my Son.” The LORD speaks to the Son and chooses somehow to beget him on a certain … Continue reading
we need grace
Gen. 2:7,16-17. Two important truths about humanity are made clear in this early passage. First, human beings are made up of the stuff of earth, and our lives are dependent entirely on God. Second, we had an opportunity to be … Continue reading
among the crowds
Psalm 1. Wicked persons trust in the strength of numbers. They are comfortable among the crowds, where sin is the norm, and people scoff at religion and piety. They are among the sheaves of wheat — thousand in the field … Continue reading
Posted in conditional immortality, confidence, discernment, wisdom, worldview
Tagged Psalm 1
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certainty
Luke 1. Luke wrote his Gospel account so that Theophilus could be sure that the things he had been taught about Jesus Christ are true and accurate. To Luke, it does matter what one believes. If you base your entire … Continue reading
