Apr 1, 2015 | Christian Living, The Bible
The way of power, the way of prestige, the way of great reward, comes via the way of the cross, the way of service, the way of suffering. Even Jesus’ own disciples didn’t understand this. Mark’s gospel presents us with a kind of living parable: Jesus...
Mar 30, 2015 | Christian Living, The Bible
No one understood the nature of Jesus’ Messiahship as He journeyed up to Jerusalem—not even the disciples who were closest to Jesus. Jesus explained to them repeatedly that His role was not that of the nationalistic military conqueror they had expected, but they...
Mar 25, 2015 | Culture, The Bible
When Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:30) Jesus accepted the Messianic title at this point though prior to this He had customarily silenced those who called Him the Christ....
Mar 23, 2015 | Christian Living, The Bible
When the Jewish authorities told Pilate “we will have no king but Caesar,” (John 19:15) they cut themselves off from the Messianic hope God had offered them. Their answer to Pilate is especially ironic given the sign that Pilate ordered be posted above the...
Mar 18, 2015 | Christian Living, The Bible
Pilate, the man who gave our Lord Jesus Christ over to the angry mob to be crucified, initially tried to save Jesus’ life. He tried several times to convince the Jewish authorities to let Jesus go free because, he told them, “I find no guilt in Him.”...
Mar 16, 2015 | Christian Living, Church History, The Bible
Christians have historically used the Easter season to focus on the journey of Jesus toward Jerusalem and on His death there for our sins. In Baptist life, we have traditionally held revival meetings during this season and these meetings have often been a great time...
Mar 11, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, Family
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Paul describes a few of love’s practical dimensions. When you read these verses, remember that these instructions were delivered to household churches and that to give instruction to the household churches was to give instruction in terms...
Mar 9, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, The Bible
In the biblical world, the word love has very little to do with how we feel. Since the 19th century, with its romantic literature and theology, we have come to think of the word love as describing a kind of feeling, an emotion, or a kind of transcendent experience. ...
Mar 4, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, The Bible
If you had asked an ancient Hebrew rabbi to describe to you the central confession of the Israelite religion, he would have responded with the Shema: Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart and with...
Mar 2, 2015 | 1 & 2 Corinthians, Christian Living, The Bible
The preaching of the Gospel has a power that goes beyond human oratory. It is not the power in the voice of the preacher. We are told that when the message of the crucified and risen Jesus is communicated, the energy of God is present and it is capable of...
