The Winter Holiday Jesus Celebrated

(Joh 10:22) Christmas is sometimes referred to as the “season of lights.” And though Jesus never celebrated Christmas, He did (as our text indicates) celebrate another “winter” holiday which took place at roughly the same time, one also associated with lights: “The Feast of Dedication” or “Hanukkah” (Heb. to dedicate). For eight nights (during this […]

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Watching Over Our Hearts

The Importance of Watching Over Our Hearts (Proverbs 4:23) 1. “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge…” (Pro 18:15) This tells us that what is meant by the heart is one’s mind. (Ecc 1:16-17, 2:1-3, 23, 7:21-22, 25, 8:16) 2. “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.” (Pro 27:19) This […]

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Why Has Evil Become so Evil in This Country?

Why Has Evil Become So Evil in This Country? Because the Gospel being preaching by the churches in this country have jettisoned the practice of God’s Law 1) as necessary to salvation, 2) as the focus of discipleship in the home (Deu 6:4-9), and 3) as the basis of discipline in the church. Without the […]

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Matthew 5 – Part 9: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant

8.10. Paul’s problem is not with obligating Christians to the Law under its NC application and empowerment but rather obligating Christians to the Law under its OC application and empowerment (In re: to application: 1. Justification = Rom 3:20-28 w/Jer 31:33; Rom 10:4 w/13:8-10; Gal 2:11-16, 5:1-4 w/13-14; Act 15:5-10; 1Co 7:19 w/Lev 10:10-11– Bipartite […]

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Matthew 5 – Part 8: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant

8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity, and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]

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Matthew 5 – Part 6: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant

8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]

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Matthew 5.4 – Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant

7. Jesus preserves the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative for God’s people under the New Covenant[1]: 7.1. The OT Scriptures are not to be destroyed but rather observed and obeyed (17)[2] “abolish” = destroy (Mat 26:61, 27:40; Luk 23:2; Act 6:14; Rom 14:20; 2Co 5:1; Gal 2:18); “the Law or the Prophets” […]

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Matthew 5.3 – Old Testament Authoritative for the New Covenant

7. Jesus preserves the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative for God’s people under the New Covenant: 7.1. The OT Scriptures are not to be destroyed but rather observed and obeyed (17)[1] “abolish” = destroy (Mat 26:61, 27:40; Luk 23:2; Act 6:14; Rom 14:20; 2Co 5:1; Gal 2:18); “the Law or the Prophets” […]

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Love, Lust and the Lord

The importance of understanding these three words (love, lust and the Lord) and their relationship to each other, cannot be overstated. Such understanding is the basis for assessing and addressing the human condition (i.e. why we do what we do; what we should do). Love is a decision/choice whereas lust is a feeling: 1.1. Love […]

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Matthew Introduction – Part 14: The Saving Gospel is a Marriage Covenant

6.4.3. What it is: A marriage covenant The plan of salvation communicated throughout the Bible’s redemptive history is always the same (e.g. Heb 8:5-6 = the “DNA” of God’s redemptive plan remains the same). It involves people entering into a marriage covenant with God[1]. 6.4.3.1. Consider: 6.4.3.1.1. God’s salvation always includes a covenant (Adamic = […]

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New Covenant Jurisprudence

“Oh Lord, according to your justice, give me life” (Psa 119:149b) jurisprudence = theory or philosophy of law; a legal system One of the first things Jesus makes clear during His earthly ministry is that the entire content of the Law (the legal system established by God under the OC) remains intact for the New […]

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