What is the Open Door? Revelation 3

What is the Open Door? Revelation 3

The Jewish Christians in the Hellenistic city of Philadelphia endured severe persecution at the hands of their own friends, neighbors, and family members. The Lord addressed these embattled believers in Revelation 3:  I know your works. Behold, I have set before you...
Religious Persecution in Progress

Religious Persecution in Progress

What do you do when the fabric of your life is torn?  Most of us would say that we don’t like our lives to be dull and monotonous, but that is probably not what we really feel. Life is made up of routines, habits, and traditions, and it is usually when these...
Colossians 3: Growing Into Glory

Colossians 3: Growing Into Glory

When Christ who is our life is revealed, you will be revealed with Him in glory. Glory is a word that means “light.” Sometimes glory also means heaviness; think of the overwhelming brightness of the presence of God. When the children of Israel made the...
Are You a Part of the People of God?

Are You a Part of the People of God?

What does it mean to be part of the new creation? Colossians 3 describes some of the signifiers and characteristics of the new people of God: Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of...
How Did You Learn the Gospel?

How Did You Learn the Gospel?

Early on in Baptist history, we chose to turn away from heavily creedal formulations and mechanical church practices.  We wanted to make sure that every individual had a personal, individual commitment of trust in the person of the crucified and risen Jesus. That does...
The Light of the World: He Spake by the Prophets

The Light of the World: He Spake by the Prophets

I mentioned in my last post that light and glory are key themes in the gospel of John. John describes the light and glory of God as a heavy, weighty thing. Why is that? John had in mind two scenes from the Old Testament. If you understand these, you’ll have a better...
The Light of the World: In the Beginning

The Light of the World: In the Beginning

I remember when my parents used to drive us around to see the Christmas lights in various neighborhoods when I was a child. That was great, but it seems like people have done a lot more with Christmas lights as the years have passed. If you’re in Houston, be sure to...
Unexpected Christmas Messages

Unexpected Christmas Messages

The Christmas story has an odd twist. It was expected that when Messiah came, the resurrection of the dead would take place, the earth would be transformed, and the false gods would be put down. The Son of David did come, and the resurrection from the dead did happen,...