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Justification (and peace and acceptance) by faith – audio sermon
The Bible teaches that Christians are “justified by faith” just as was the first Jewish patriarch, Abraham. Before the law of Moses was written, God declared Abraham righteous for his faith (and resultant obedience) and made a promise of acceptance and blessings to him in which Christians under the New Covenant enter into by faith as well. The Christian life is to be a delicate balance of conditions of heart. Martin Luther once offered his doctor’s cap to whoever could reconcile seemingly contradicting passages from the Epistle of James and Paul’s Romans epistle. James seemed to say “works” were required, and Paul seemed to say they were not required. This…
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The church, the will of God, and Ephesians 2&3
The church is based on the foundation of the apostles and prophets and in this study you’ll find much lively commentary, and some original insights. May the Lord bless you!
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Ephesians 4&5 and miscellaneous topics – audio
A study starting midway through Ephesians 4 picks up where we left off last time. Random and sundry topics are also discussed. Lord bless you!
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On ‘Cessationism’
Cessationism – from the root word “cease” – is a theory that the gifts of the Spirit went away after the first century and the death of the last original apostle, John. Before examining the theory that the spiritual gifts have ceased, a few things ought to be said up front. In this century, this has grown into a debate and at its worst, both proponents and opponents may contentiously call foul, accusing one another of twisting scriptures, and questioning whether one or the other are “real” Christians truly following Christ. The answer however may be not an either/or proposition. Rather, the whole truth is likely somewhere between opposite extremes…
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Jesus said ‘come to Me’ as little children – audio sermon
The gospels record several instances in which Jesus Christ told His followers to “come to Me” – with the implication being that they also stay with Him – as little children. The relationship of abiding in the Lord is first spiritual, from the inward depths of a person. Shallow or false religiosity may go a long way in duplicating the outward appearance of a Christian life, but God who deals with our spirits by His Spirit is satisfied by nothing less than authentic spirit-to-Spirit relationship. His goal is to restore us to Himself, in love, and by so doing create a testimony and witness that cannot be falsified by the…
