Category Archives: witness
food of the gods
1 Corinthians 8. The Corinthian Christians had been rescued from a pagan, animistic society that was in deep bondage to the spirits who masqueraded as gods. Having been set free and knowing the reality of Christ gave them knowledge that … Continue reading
Posted in discernment, idolatry, obedience, sanctification, witness, worldview
Tagged 1 Corinthians 8
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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
Posted in church, discernment, faithfulness, holiness, Holy Spirit, hypocrisy, idolatry, integrity, kingdom of God, sanctification, witness
Tagged 1 Corinthians 6
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defiling the Passover
1 Corinthians 5. The Corinthians had been guilty of judging (criticizing) Paul and the others in his band. It was as if they had pointed out a speck in the eyes of the missionaries, but had failed to notice the … Continue reading
Posted in church, courage, discernment, holiness, hypocrisy, witness
Tagged 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 7
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evangelical unity
1 Corinthians 1:1-17. The Church at Rome had some divisions (e.g. the weak and the strong) but in Corinth they were mastering the art of division. Paul appealed to the Corinthians that they make efforts to manifest their unity, not … Continue reading
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
drawing people to God
Romans 15:1-13. Christ is our example as we seek to preserve the faith of those who differ from us theologically. He welcomed the Gentiles and gave them the same hope that the Israelites had, as the scriptures attest. “The root … Continue reading
Posted in church, ethnic Israel, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, plan of God, witness
Tagged Romans 15
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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
the gospel on trial
Acts 25:1-26:32. During his two years in prison at Caesarea, Paul had opportunity to defend his actions against the accusations of his Jewish antagonists. In doing so, Paul makes it clear that the gospel message he has preached is really … Continue reading
Posted in courage, eternal life, forgiveness, hope, repentance, resurrection, witness
Tagged Acts 25, Acts 26
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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
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Devotions 