What does Christian living look like? This is what James shows us. Some have described it as the New Testament version of Proverbs – it is full of sayings to make us think, to challenge the conduct of those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. It is easy to dismiss James, or to … More James
Immediately, Galatians hits you between the eyes. There’s no gentle introduction. After the initial greetings, Paul gets down to his task, to warn boldly that to depart from the message of salvation by grace alone is another gospel altogether. Another gospel cannot save and so it is of monumental importance that such a “gospel” is … More Galatians – how is a person saved?
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) This verse is a precious comfort to Christian believers. How often we feel our weakness as we approach God! Do we dare approach him, the Holy … More Coming to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)
In my reading of Hebrews, I came across this note quoting Calvin’s Institutes: It was no ordinary blessing which the apostle intended to publish when he wrote: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by … More Jesus the final revelation
Hebrews shows us the sufficiency and superiority of Jesus Christ. It was written to believers with a background in Judaism who were being tempted to drift back into it along its outward rituals. So, the book is full of warnings, for example: This is not meant to make true believers doubt their salvation, but to … More Hebrews
Three times in Acts, we read about Paul’s conversion: Years ago, a dear older member of our church’s home group pointed out a progression in the description of Paul’s conversion: At each point, the account grows in brightness. It is as if, when Paul reflects on his conversion, his amazement increases and his wonder about … More How bright is your view of Jesus (Acts 9, 22, 26)?
11 God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. … More Who in hell are you? Acts 19:11-16
All over the world, there are cities, towns and villages with little or no Christian witness. There are places of great sin and spiritual darkness. Many sound churches in these areas struggle, and members may sometimes wonder, “What is the point? Can my town/city ever be changed?” In Acts 18, Paul was in a city … More I have many people in this city (Acts 18:9-11)
In Acts 16, we see two different conversions. Firstly, Lydia. She is a wealthy woman, who is religious (described as “a worshipper of God”), but is not a believer in the Lord Jesus until Paul begins to share the word. There are a couple of things to notice: Secondly, there is the jailor. He is … More Different conversions; same gospel (Acts 16)
Christians pray. Why? There are many reasons. But do we expect him to answer? Do we believe he will answer. In Acts 12:12-17, Peter has been miraculously released from prison. The church in Jerusalem were doing the right thing while he was there – they were praying for him (v5), earnestly. Yet when the answer … More Praying and believing (Acts 12:12-17)