The path of discipleship is not for the faint of heart. It demands everything, a complete surrender to Jesus. It’s like a king going to war, he’s got to count the cost, assess his strength, before engaging a more powerful enemy. Are you willing to lay down your all, to make peace with the King … [Read More…] The Cost of Discipleship
The Protestant Reformation of the 1500s is particularly fascinating. It’s surprising how some historians miss the theological depth of the Reformation, seeing it merely as a political struggle. But the reformers stood on two theological pillars: the Bible as the supreme authority and justification by faith alone. In Romans, Paul addresses our universal problem: … [Read More…] The Glory Of Justification By Faith Alone
In 1972, Francis Schaeffer, a renowned Christian philosopher, wrote He is There and He is Not Silent, arguing that God is actively revealing Himself in countless ways. His presence is evident in the cosmos, from the starry night sky to the laughter of a child. As Psalm 19:1-2 declares, the heavens are proclaiming God’s glory. … [Read More…] Missives of Mercy
Pop quizzes in school are dreaded because they reveal whether you’re prepared. Similarly, the Bible tells us an ultimate “pop quiz” is coming: the return of Jesus, the King of kings. We can’t afford to be unprepared. Luke 12:35-59 outlines how to be ready for His return: Be Alert: Like servants waiting for their … [Read More…] The Once and Future King
What exactly is the promise of Romans 8:28 (the translation question)? Romans 8:28 promises that God works all things together for the good of His people. Different translations emphasize either “all things work together for good” or “God causes all things to work together for good,” but both affirm that God is actively involved. He … [Read More…] All Things Together for Good
Everyone needs a “why”—a reason to get up, a purpose for life. It leads to big questions: What is life all about? Why are we here? How do we live meaningfully? For followers of Jesus, these questions are central to the journey of discipleship. In Luke 12, Jesus tackles these existential questions through parables … [Read More…] Money-Grubbers, Worry-Warts, and Treasure-Seekers
A lot of us are disenchanted with religion. There’s so much hypocrisy and abuse and scandal. No wonder so many people are checking out of organized religion, even if they still find Jesus to be compelling. Here at the end of Luke 11 and into 12 Jesus himself railed against the dangers of religion. It … [Read More…] Dangerous Religion
Who is Jesus? This is the most important question anyone can ask. Is He a deceiver, a lunatic, a prophet, a teacher, or the Son of God? These questions have been asked for centuries. In the Gospels, people wrestled with who Jesus was—healing the sick, calming storms, and teaching with authority. Yet, they reached … [Read More…] Mistaking Jesus
Matthew 4:1–11 is a foundation to illustrate how Jesus prepared for his mission through fasting and resisting temptation. Context of Matthew 4: The passage follows Jesus’ baptism, where He identifies with humanity despite having no need for repentance. Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted, which demonstrates both His … [Read More…] Preparation: Four Lessons We Learn About Fasting
