Category Archives: ministry
loving service
1 Corinthians 13. Paul is still addressing the divisions caused in the Corinthian churches by those who are partial to one or the other minister. They valued those gifted with good communication skills, insight, faith, generosity, sacrificial commitment — and … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, love, ministry, spiritual gifts
Tagged 1 Corinthians 13
Leave a comment
not a competition
1 Corinthians 12. The Corinthians used the spiritual gifts manifested among themselves as a measurement of who should be followed and who should be shunned. Ministry became a means of perpetuating division. Some preferred the speaking gifts, others rallied behind … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, Holy Spirit, ministry, spiritual gifts
Tagged 1 Corinthians 12
Leave a comment
outside the box
1 Corinthians 9. Paul’s critics in Corinth were convinced that he was a loose cannon. Since he did not do his ministry the way the other apostles did, they were suggesting that his missionary work was illegitimate. Paul’s policy was … Continue reading
Posted in church, friends, gospel, ministry, missions, prayer, witness, works
Tagged 1 Corinthians 9
Leave a comment
the scum of the world
1 Corinthians 4. The ESV study Bible, commenting on verse 3, says “Some of the Corinthians, perhaps followers of Apollos or Cephas, probably spoke disparagingly of Paul, especially of his speaking ability (1:17; 2:3–4; 4:18–21; 2 Cor. 10:9), thinking they … Continue reading
Posted in church, divisions, equality, judgment, leadership, ministry
Tagged 1 Corinthians 4
Leave a comment
friends that help, friends that hinder
Romans 16. In this final chapter of Romans, Paul puts flesh on the practical principles that he had been teaching in the letter. He does this by greeting and showing appreciation to his friends and fellow Christian workers who are … Continue reading
LORD of the lower caste
Exodus 8:20-9:12. The Hebrews were regarded as a lower race by the Egyptians. They had been granted residence in the land because of Joseph, but were segregated to the land of Goshen. Their peculiar practice of having no visible gods … Continue reading
message empowered mission
Romans 1:1-17. A few years ago, when preaching on this passage, I used the following outline: 1. The Gospel has the answer for every person. 2. Faith is the means of receiving this power. 3. The message must be effectively … Continue reading
sharing his passion
Exodus 4. The ESV Study Bible explains: “The three signs indicate the extent of the Lord’s power and prefigure the realms of the plagues to come: creatures of the earth (staff to a serpent), people (Moses’ hand becoming leprous), and … Continue reading
preparing for the mission
Exodus 2:23-3:22. All the while Israel was groaning because of their slavery and crying out to God, the LORD was preparing Moses for the task of leading them out of Egypt. The LORD taught Moses by having him raise a … Continue reading
Posted in leadership, ministry, patience, plan of God, preparation, trust
Tagged Exodus 2, Exodus 3
1 Comment
his geographical will
Acts 21:17-23:11. My Bible records the words of Jesus in red letters. Reading through this text, it becomes quite clear that Paul goes where he goes because Jesus prompts him to do so. Jesus told him to go to Damascus … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, faithfulness, ministry, obedience, submission, witness
Tagged Acts 21, Acts 22, Acts 23
1 Comment
Devotions 