PUNCH LIST (def.) = A list of those items that remain outstanding (or undone) and must be completed to finish a job and receive final compensation. Applied to the Christian life, no Christian can die with a punch list intact and expect to get to heaven. IOW: we must finish our punch list (1Co […]
Enemies of the Cross
(Phi 3:17-21) What should be obvious from just a cursory reading of these verses is that being identified as an “enemy of the cross of Christ” is a bad thing. Hence the reason Paul then states (in verse 19) “Their end is their destruction”. IOW: those identified in this way come judgment day will suffer […]
Only A Few
Luke 13:22-28 1) Only a few will be saved. 2) Wanting to go to heaven, or stay out of hell, is not enough. 3) Blood, sweat, and tears will be required. 4) The kingdom has closing hours and doesn’t accept credit.
John MacArthur’s Deception – Part 2
Critique of John MacArthur’s recent sermon, “The Damning Deception of Empty Words and Empty Hearts” – https://youtu.be/D1VQLTCEbN4, preached on March 23, 2020. This teaching will critique the the middle part of the aforementioned sermon (10:00 minute mark through 43:20), specifically addressing Matthew 7:13-15, 21-23.
Micah 6:8 – Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness
3 questions to be answered about this text. Question #1 – What is going on? Question #2 – What exactly are these three virtues? Question #3 – Why should they be important to us today? Answer #1 – God’s people (covenant community) are on the brink of divine disaster. (Micah 1:1-9; 2:3-4; 3:12; 5:15; 6:13-15). […]
10 Truths That Have Had the Greatest Impact On Me as a Young Christian
Experiencing God’s love and blessings in this life, and getting to heaven someday, requires loving and obeying Him. Being courageous, speaking and standing up for God, is not optional. Jesus will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him. The Covenant Community are those I am to be sharing my life with. The hardest […]
Why I Strive To Be Careful In My Faithfulness To Jesus, And You Should Too
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 9: Communal Obedience cont’d
The obedience that characterizes our covenant life must also possess certain attributes if it is to be recognized by God as faithful. Or put another way, it is our commitment to these attributes that is the key to achieving the faithfulness God requires in our obedience. 5.1. Careful [Question being addressed: Can I take risks […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 8: Communal Obedience
Faithfulness (not perfection) is what Christ has always required to receive and remain in a saving relationship w/Him. (IOW): to receive Christ as Savior, a person must not only trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, but also vow faithful (not perfect) obedience to Him as Lord. Once they have gained that saving […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 7: Confident Obedience
Faithfulness (not perfection) is what Christ has always required to receive and remain in a saving relationship w/Him. (IOW): to receive Christ as Savior, a person must not only trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, but also vow faithful (not perfect) obedience to Him as Lord. Once they have gained that saving […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 6: Cheerful Obedience
Faithfulness (not perfection) is what Christ has always required to receive and remain in a saving relationship w/Him. (IOW): to receive Christ as Savior, a person must not only trust in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, but also vow faithful (not perfect) obedience to Him as Lord. Once they have gained that saving […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 5: Confirmed Obedience
The obedience that characterizes our covenant life must also possess certain attributes if it is to be recognized by God as faithful. Or put another way, it is our commitment to these attributes that is the key to achieving the faithfulness God requires in our obedience. 5.1. Careful [Question being addressed: Can I take risks […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 4: Comprehensive Obedience
The obedience that characterizes our covenant life must also possess certain attributes if it is to be recognized by God as faithful. Or put another way, it is our commitment to these attributes that is the key to achieving the faithfulness God requires in our obedience. 5.1. Careful [Question being addressed: Can I take risks […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 3: Careful Obedience
5. The obedience that characterizes our covenant life must also possess certain attributes if it is to be recognized by God as faithful. 5.1. Careful (Deu 28:1b) – “If you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments” Being careful (שׁמר)[shamar]: 1) being cautious to watch, protect, […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 2
Faithfulness (not perfection) is what Christ has always required to receive and remain in a saving relationship w/Him. (IOW): to receive Christ as Savior, a person must vow faithful (not perfect) obedience to Him as Lord (LBS). Once they have gained that saving relationship (thru baptism – 1Pe 3:21), they must (then) fulfill their former […]
Understanding Faithfulness – Part 1
1. Faithfulness (not perfection), is what Christ requires to gain and maintain a saving relationship w/ Him. (IOW): to receive Christ as Savior, a person must vow faithful (not perfect) obedience to Him as Lord (LBS). Once in that relationship (thru baptism – 1Pe 3:21), the person must (then) fulfill their former vow by living […]
Code to Live By Part 3
Code To Live By PART 3 A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft neglected and overlooked by Christians today. Previously discussed: 1. Behavior makes genuine not feelings. 2. You lose control when you lose control. 3. EDM is a dangerous sin. 4. You pay for what you say. 5. Don’t […]
Code to Live By Part 2
For part 1, listen here: Code to Live By Part 1 Code To Live By PART 2 A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft neglected and overlooked by Christians today. 1. Behavior makes genuine not feelings. Feelings do not determine whether what we do (in our behavior) is real or legitimate. […]
Code to Live By Part 1
Code To Live By PART 1 A mixture of morality and wisdom needful – yet oft-neglected and overlooked, by Christians today. Behavior makes genuine, not feelings. 1.1. A modern problem that seems to be fairly common, is thinking that for something to be genuine, it must be accompanied by feelings that are consistent/congruent with the […]
Understanding the Sacraments
Understanding the Sacraments 1. There are two sacraments prescribed by Christ for the New Covenant community (i.e. the church): baptism and the Lord’s Table (Mat 28:19; Luk 22:19-20). 2. Sacraments are covenant signs which carry supernatural significance in that God gives what the sign signifies when observed by His covenant communities (Bap […]