Category Archives: works

only Jesus: provider of God’s rest

Posted on July 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Hebrews 3:7-4:13.  Moses offered a promised land and took his people to a place of rest, but they were not able to enter God’s rest because of their disobedience.  Now Jesus offers God’s Sabbath rest.  This is the rest of … Continue reading →

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mission: send, support, serve

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Titus 3:12-15.  Paul’s final instructions to Titus give a job description for the church and explain how each local church can continue to be involved in the mission of reaching the lost world for Jesus Christ. He instructs Titus that … Continue reading →

Posted in church, giving, ministry, missions, witness, works | Tagged | 1 Comment

mission: model a transformed community

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

  Titus 2.  God’s grace has appeared to all people, and has brought salvation (11).  It has appeared in the person of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness … Continue reading →

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mission: be devoted to discipling

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

2 Timothy 2.  False teaching had infested Ephesus, so Paul warned Timothy to avoid its “irreverent babble” because it would “lead people into more and more ungodliness” (16).  He instructed Timothy not to debate these teachers, because their “foolish, ignorant … Continue reading →

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mission: display godly behavior

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Timothy 3.  Paul’s reason for giving qualification lists in this chapter is not simply administrative.  He wants the churches to display proper conduct. The body of believers is the household (family) of God, the church of the living God, … Continue reading →

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joy from others

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Philippians 2:12-30.  Paul was no lone ranger. He was blessed by those who ministered the gospel because of him, those who served alongside him in his team, and those who were sent to support him and provide for his needs. … Continue reading →

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the gospel for the free

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Galatians 5:  1-15.  What does standing in freedom look like? Paul had told the Corinthians “faith, hope, and love abide” (1 Corinthians 13:13). To abide is to remain, to stand firm. A person who is trusting in God and not … Continue reading →

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when worship makes God sick

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

Isaiah 1.  The Israelites are continuing their worship in the temple, but there is so much wickedness in their lives that the worship makes God sick.  He threatens to come as a consuming fire and destroy them. Only a few … Continue reading →

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outside the box

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

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 →

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fireproof buildings

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Jefferson Vann

1 Corinthians 3.  Paul describes the Christian life as both God’s field and God’s building.  As a field, the life is planted in us by God through one worker, and watered through another, but but workers answer to God — … Continue reading →

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