Category Archives: kingdom of God

mission: pursue godliness, not riches

1 Timothy 6:3-21.  Paul’s final words to Timothy in this letter identify a false teaching in Ephesus that Timothy must publically reject, because it will do much harm.  It is the teaching that the faith will lead to wealth. Those … Continue reading

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Christ, our head

Colossians 1:1-20.  There is always a danger for the church of Christ to lose sight of Christ himself — to get carried away with mere human traditions and leaders. Paul wrote Colossians to help the churches of Colossae zero in … Continue reading

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one source of pride

Isaiah 3:1-4:6.  In Isaiah’s day, the city of Jerusalem prided itself over its leaders: “the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the … Continue reading

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good news and bad news

Isaiah 2.  The prophet has good news and bad news. First, the good news.  The light of the LORD will some day bring peace between the nations, ending the need for swords and spears.  The prophet calls on God’s people … Continue reading

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let Christ reign today

1 Corinthians 7.  In a time of increased distress, Paul’s advice to the Corinthians is meant to give them the most happiness. He challenges them to consider the state they are in now.  Some are married, some are not. Some … Continue reading

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incongruous

1 Corinthians 6.  Paul addresses two incidents in which people within the church in Corinth are acting in an incongruous manner. Their actions are inconsistent with what Jesus did for them. He justified them by his substitutionary death. He washed … Continue reading

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the debts he calls us to pay

Romans 13.  Believers have been set free from the debt to sin and are now free to live in the righteousness given to us through the grace and mercy of God.  Our change in status before God includes a new … Continue reading

Posted in commitment, genuineness, grace, kingdom of God, love, self-control, submission, the flesh, worship | Tagged | 2 Comments

just enough of Jesus

Acts 18:23-19:22.  Apollos had a problem.  Luke says that he could speak and teach accurately the things concerning Jesus, but he needed Priscilla and Aquila to explain to him more accurately the way of God – that is – the … Continue reading

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blessing lessons

Gen. 41:37-57.  How should a believer respond when the troubles stop and the blessings come?  Often we forget God when there is money in the bank account and our needs no longer overwhelm us. We should learn the lesson from … Continue reading

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the LORD was with him

Gen. 39. What was it that allowed Joseph to maintain his integrity while all those terrible things happened to him? How was he able to keep bitterness and cynicism from spoiling his attitude and destroying his witness? One clue to … Continue reading

Posted in commitment, eternal life, faithfulness, future, hope, integrity, kingdom of God, perseverance, suffering | Tagged | 1 Comment