Passion
When Paul arrived at Athens, he commented on how religious the city was -there were statues of gods and goddesses everywhere. In fact, they were so afraid that they might have missed a god, they built an altar to the god they didn’t know about. And Paul introduced to them the God of the ages - the Creator God whose Son came to earth to redeem mankind, not only from rioting and riotous living, but empty religion. When one of the young protégés of the Apostle Paul began his ministry on the island of Crete - he was surrounded by religion and religious mythologies; he was submerged into a relativistic culture where lying and deceiving was part of the game. There were no virtues to win and vices didn't slow anybody down; it was every man for himself. And the answer certainly wasn't another religion. The answer was a spiritual reformation, bound up in the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's why as Paul introduces himself to the churches in Crete -through his letter to Titus - which is where I invite your attention to return - he informs both Titus and the churches that he is a very passionate man. In fact, he will describe himself with the kind of passions that will change a person's life - and his relationships - and his work ethic - and his perspective -and his life, in general. If the Christian ever hopes to impact his world - these passions must become our passions.
From One Slave to Another (part 2)
More than ever before the church is in need of going back to the biblical drawing board and answering the question - what exactly does it mean to be a Christian; to live and act like a Christian?
From One Slave to Another
More than ever before the church is in need of going back to the biblical drawing board and answering the question - what exactly does it mean to be a Christian; to live and act like a Christian?
Parenting the Perfect Child
If you combine the Gospel accounts, you discover 8 scenes that reveal truths surrounding Christ's birth and boyhood.
Missing!
There wasn't any Jewish calendar, in any home that didn't have a circle around the dates that marked the Feast of Passover. Jewish law actually required all the men, from 13 years of age and up, to attend three feasts in Jerusalem - Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Custom allowed men who lived far away to attend only one of the three and Passover was typically the favored feast. /Adapted from Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Compassionate: Luke 1-13 (Victor Books, 1989), p. 32 The ceremonies would last 7 days. It's at this very moment in the Jewish calendar, which would have been late March and early April that Luke gives us another glimpse into the boyhood of Jesus.
Israel's Most Wanted
I have nothing to offer you but blood, toil, tears and sweat. Maybe it's about time we re-advertised Christianity. Maybe it's time to witness to people and then tell them that if they follow Christ - He demands that they carry a cross. What if we told people that Christ has nothing to offer them but blood, toil, tears and sweat? With the growing animosity of our culture toward the Christian church, Christians are growing frightened and even angered that their convictions and freedoms are no longer being respected. Where did God say the world would be our friend? When did the church ever receive a promise that the world would respect our convictions? We have lived in the lap of luxury and freedom and frankly, the church has come to believe these are her rights. The television is stocked with pseudo-pastors and pseudo-Bible teachers who continue to promote the lie that an easy path through life is synonymous with the narrow path. No wonder people today, especially in America, who decide to give Jesus a try become shocked when instead of getting a catalog from heaven with lazy-boys to choose from, they get a sword and a shield and a helmet. Jesus Christ said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Which means what? Hell is gonna try. Not just institutionally, but personally. So, strap on your armor. Perhaps it's time to re-advertise Christianity by re-discovering the life of Christ - as it really was. Even in His earliest days.
The Presentation of the Lamb
What has the Bible revealed about the boyhood of Jesus? The truth is, the Bible is not as silent as the average Christmas play might lead you to believe. It wasn't over after the shepherds left the manger scene. It was just beginning. In fact, 8 days after the manger scene, some wonderful events begin to unfold in the life of our infant Messiah.