Category Archives: witness
entrusted with the gospel
Galatians 2:1-10. Galatians focuses on the gospel message. In 2:7, Paul says that he has been “entrusted with the gospel.” The same is true of you and me. We have been entrusted with the gospel message. The challenge for us … Continue reading
not man’s gospel
Galatians 1:11-24. Paul had already said that his missionary calling was not “from men nor through man (1:1). He had also made it clear that no man was his master, because he was not serving man, nor trying to please … Continue reading
Posted in church, dependence upon God, gospel, Jesus Christ, witness
Tagged Galatians 1
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aiming for restoration
2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14. Paul had visited Corinth two times: once to plant churches there, and then for a “painful visit” in which he had to make judgments and set right wrong behavior. He is planning a third visit, and wants … Continue reading
Posted in church, conflict, divisions, gospel, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 13
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aiming at what is honorable
2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15. Paul is sending two men to collect a contribution from the believers in Corinth. He has been collecting funds from the Gentile churches to help those in Jerusalem who have been hard hit by famine. He is … Continue reading
Posted in giving, integrity, ministry, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 8, 2 Corinthians 9
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fully loaded
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10. Paul described himself and the other missionaries who worked with him as having a weapon in each hand (6:7). Perhaps he was picturing a Roman soldier with a sword in one hand and a shield in the … Continue reading
Posted in faithfulness, Jesus Christ, ministry, perseverance, suffering, the cross, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 6
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trophies in tow
2 Corinthians 2:12-3:18. The idea of being led by Christ in triumphal procession sounds great — except for the small detail that in victory parades in Paul’s day it was captured enemies that were led in triumphal procession. They were … Continue reading
Posted in ministry, missions, sovereignty of God, submission, suffering, witness
Tagged 2 Corinthians 2, 2 Corinthians 3
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stumped
Isaiah 6. King Uzziah had lived his final ten years as a leper, with his son Jotham taking his throne instead. In contrast to the earthly king’s shame, Isaiah sees the glory of the heavenly king, who is always on … Continue reading
traditions that dishonor Christ
1 Corinthians 11:2-34. Paul had set up some traditions that the Corinthian churches were following. He commended them for following the head-covering tradition. This was especially important in first-century Corinth, because members of the freedom faction were arguing that their … Continue reading
Posted in divisions, integrity, self-control, submission, witness, worship
Tagged 1 Corinthians 11
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indoor plant
Psalm 92. I can picture a believer worshipping at the temple in Jerusalem on the Sabbath and thinking about his fate compared to that of unbelievers. They are like patches of grass, which flourish for a time, but are doomed … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, dependence upon God, destruction in hell, faithfulness, mortality, witness, worship
Tagged Psalm 92
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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
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Devotions 