Jesus’ historical resurrection and ascension is fundamental to Christian creed, confession, and witness. It is upon this revelation the apostles located their vocational identity (Acts 1:22). It is as a result of this merciful surprise that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given (Acts 2:33). In fact, according to Paul, atop the ground of Jesus’ resurrection sits our salvation from sins and hope for life after death (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
In his response to the Sadducees' double-barreled question about marriage and the eschatological future, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: God is the God of the living, not the dead. Like his original audience, this statement perplexes us: how could this be so?
Throughout the month of February we have been exploring three central relationships that God has created as vehicles for His love and the love of others: family, marriage, and friendship. Through exploring the Scriptures, we have found (at least in part) how the gospel transforms our understanding of each of these relationships, and how these spheres of love witness to God’s love in Jesus Christ for all people. In this final installment, we will spend time thinking about how the Church (that is God’s people) are described by these three motifs, and what they mean for our love for one another.
To be a friend is to choose to be a friend without binding vows or formal commitment, but simply to remain tied by the love shared between the friends. Yet this risk-laden relationship of choice proclaims the good news of God’s love in Jesus in a profoundly beautiful way – illuminating what Christ has done for us and how we can undergo the risk of loving each other.
America may be in big trouble, and it seems that perhaps half the country comprehends the severity of the situation.
At one point or another every Christian has doubts about their salvation, and, as many have experienced, such fears can become quite alarming. Some Christians simply hope that they will somehow make it in the end, while even those who believe their salvation is secure may find themselves assailed by doubts. In either case such insecurity is something the devil will use to the fullest. But don’t give him the pleasure.
What is the most fantastic of all Christian claims? The most fantastic of all Christian claims is that Jesus rose from the dead! It strains our credibility to the limit! Human beings have tried with all possible ingenuity both to defy and to deny death. But only Christ has claimed to conquer it, that is, to personally defeat it and to deprive it of its power over others.
This is a really important topic, Is same-sex marriage a civil right? This is one of the key questions today. And I want you to know that our program is a reflection of both my deep love for the homosexual community, as well as my deep concern for our nation if we legalize same-sex marriage. And let nobody say that Christians have to choose between loving homosexuals and opposing same-sex marriage. Love helps us see that there is a better way. Obviously, we in the heterosexual community, we must be concerned about our own sins, as we are about the homosexual community. And one thing is for sure, we must be concerned enough to speak out about any action, heterosexual or homosexual, that violates God’s intended plan for marriage and the family.
Does the Bible teach that Christians should support the modern state of Israel?
This article argues “yes” as it seeks to articulate several reasons why this is the case. But first, we must define what is and is not included in our “support” of Israel.
From the opening pages of the Bible, God is revealed to be both Creator and Sustainer of the world. He is not like other ancient “deities” whose whims wreak havoc from an impersonal distance, but rather He stoops down and personally works in the world He created.
The opening chapters of the book of Genesis elegantly depict the creation of all things as God forms the foundations of the world and shares the abundance of His life with creatures. However, our first parents succumbed to the temptation to reject dependence on their Creator, denying the limits for flourishing given by Him and thereby rupturing full communion with Him.
The hymn of Psalm 104 opens with the familiar refrain, “Bless the Lord, O my soul” (Psalm 104:1). The Psalmist calls upon his soul to praise God for His greatness evident in creation.
Supporting Israel has often been a controversial view. Many Arab nations do not even accept Israel as a nation, Western nations often support Palestinians over Israel, while many simply do not understand the debate. How should Christians view Israel?
What does it mean to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)? How can we give thanks when our world is racked by war, grief and death? Should we give thanks in the midst of such horror?
In the opening pages of the book of Jeremiah, the Lord speaks to the prophet comparing His chosen people to the land in which they live.
The Bible reveals God to be the One who creates all things, redeems all things, and maintains fellowship with those He has made.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). These words of John the Baptist and Jesus are a familiar refrain, calling their audience (and us) to repent of sins and turn to God. Yet, it is striking that the reason to repent is not (at least initially) their sin but God’s work in bringing His kingdom.
In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul describes the church as those whose worship and life together are informed by their gratitude in response to God who “has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3).
This coming Sunday begins the season of Advent, a period of four weeks where the Church reflects on the anticipation of the second coming of Christ in preparation for celebrating his first coming at Christmas. To help you prepare for Christmas and to receive him anew this Advent, below are four prayers and corresponding passages of Scripture. Throughout the coming weeks, move slowly through them as you meditate on the God of All.
If you grew up in the church as I did, you probably had all the words of your favorite Christmas carols memorized before you even went to school. Maybe, like me, you could sing every verse of every carol without referring to the hymnbook. Does that sound like you?
I absolutely love Christmastime! The lights, the music, the family time, the food, the decorations, the Christmas Eve church service, and especially relaxing in the glow of Christmas tree lights late at night when everyone else is in bed. All of those are good things; none of them are inherently bad. Above all else though, we must focus on the beautiful reality of what we are celebrating—Jesus Christ coming to earth as God incarnate, dying on a cross for our sins, and raising to life after three days. This, above all other things, is what makes the season magical.
During the Christmas season, we don’t simply celebrate that Christ was born; we also celebrate how He was born. Have you ever considered the significance of this?
“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.” (Psalm 25:1-3)
As Christmas lights come down the darkness and quiet of winter settles upon us in ways which can be simultaneously peaceful and unnerving. A more usual rhythm of life returns as the holiday season comes to an end and the new year begins. If you’re anything like me I often barrel into the new year, rather than taking time to enter prayerfully or reflectively, despite my best laid plans. This leaves me asking: How are we to embrace a "new beginning?"
Psalm 42 begins with the familiar refrain, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” (Psalm 42:1). This desperate desire for God stems from the depth of his internal pain which feels as if it was a physical wound, his days are filled with tears, his soul is cast down, and he longs to appear before the living God who is his salvation (Psalm 42:2-3, 10-11). Put simply, the psalmist’s pain stirs in him a longing for a new beginning, one which only God can bring.
As we grow in knowledge of God’s Word, it is all too easy (if you’re like me) to fall into a drowsy sort of familiarity. Many times, as I read passages I know well, I am numb to the wonder I remember from my earliest readings. Only by God’s grace am I ever shaken awake by His Spirit to see the beauty and radical nature of His Word anew.
“Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2).
God’s call to Abraham to sacrifice his son opens one of the most familiar yet harrowing narratives in the Bible. The reader is told very little about the 72-hour trek to the appointed mountain, but it’s not hard to imagine how agonizing this journey must have been for Abraham.
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God…” (1 John 4:7)
To be a human being is to be born into a family, this is a given reality from the beginning of creation. As God created all things from nothing, He declared “it is not good that the man should be alone,” and “makes a helper fit for him” (Genesis 1:18). The man and the woman together are called to be fruitful and multiply, expanding their union into a family (Genesis 2:24-25). After the fall, God outlines the consequences of rebellion including the introduction of pain and dysfunction into marriage and birthing of children. Yet, the family in its created and spiritual form remains God's chosen object of promise-making and keeping, which is to say remains the object of His love.
In Paul’s letter to Ephesus, he makes explicit the connection between the natural reality of marriage and the supernatural mystery of faith. Within his discussion on how the Ephesians are to be “imitators of God, as beloved children,” Paul turns his attention to marriage.
To be a friend is to choose to be a friend without binding vows or formal commitment, but simply to remain tied by the love shared between the friends. Yet this risk-laden relationship of choice proclaims the good news of God’s love in Jesus in a profoundly beautiful way – illuminating what Christ has done for us and how we can undergo the risk of loving each other.
Throughout the month of February we have been exploring three central relationships that God has created as vehicles for His love and the love of others: family, marriage, and friendship. Through exploring the Scriptures, we have found (at least in part) how the gospel transforms our understanding of each of these relationships, and how these spheres of love witness to God’s love in Jesus Christ for all people. In this final installment, we will spend time thinking about how the Church (that is God’s people) are described by these three motifs, and what they mean for our love for one another.
In his response to the Sadducees' double-barreled question about marriage and the eschatological future, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: God is the God of the living, not the dead. Like his original audience, this statement perplexes us: how could this be so?
Jesus’ historical resurrection and ascension is fundamental to Christian creed, confession, and witness. It is upon this revelation the apostles located their vocational identity (Acts 1:22). It is as a result of this merciful surprise that the gift of the Holy Spirit is given (Acts 2:33). In fact, according to Paul, atop the ground of Jesus’ resurrection sits our salvation from sins and hope for life after death (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
How will the next generation learn about the gospel? According to our guests, Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, we are running the first leg of a relay race, tasked with passing the baton of truth to our children. With impactful examples following four men mentioned in Genesis chapter 5 who successfully ran their legs of the race, they give us guidance to run our own races well. This package includes both Part 1 and Part 2 of this series (7 programs total) as well as the book written by Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright, Jesus Followers: Real-Life Lessons for Igniting Faith in the Next Generation.