Category Archives: discipleship

how the Holy Spirit manifests

Luke 10:25-42.  Luke puts together two stories from Jesus’ life in which the messages seem to be complete opposites. In the first story, Jesus explains to a lawyer that devotion to God is not enough.  In order to inherit eternal … Continue reading

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the Holy Spirit and real disciples

Luke 9:51-10:24.  In this series of stories, Jesus and his disciples begin their journey toward Jerusalem.  Along the way, readers learn how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of real disciples. Real disciples are not surprised when their master … Continue reading

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the Holy Spirit–exposed

Luke 8:4-21.  How can we know that the Holy Spirit is actually at work in our lives, and that we are not simply deluding ourselves by religious talk and good wishes?  Jesus taught that a true Christian is not going … Continue reading

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The Holy Spirit loves much

Luke 7:36-8:3.  Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus into his house.  He respected Jesus as a teacher, and was curious to know what he had to say.  He had problems with the people that Jesus hung around with.  He probably tolerated … Continue reading

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The Holy Spirit and tomorrow’s kingdom

Luke 6:17-49.  By this time, a “great crowd” of disciples had joined the usual multitude seeking healing and deliverance.  They recognized their need for Jesus, so came to him as poor, hungry and weeping (20-21).  Jesus taught them that their … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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disciples: learning about faith

  Mark 11.  The disciples caught several visible demonstrations in this chapter, and learned about true and false faith from all of them.   They saw Jesus curse a fig tree for looking like it might be fruitful, but not … Continue reading

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