The Woman Caught in Adultery
Those who see sinners simply as people to be condemned and used are as guilty as those they condemn. Like Jesus, we should not excuse sin, but we should act with love and compassion toward those who need His forgiveness. An incident in John 8 highlights this perspective.
Maniac or Messiah?
Who is Jesus? Is He Israel's Messiah and God in the flesh? Or is He simply a man, not God but one who taught wonderful truths and provided the greatest of all examples to follow? This is the most important question a person can answer: Who is Jesus?
Admiring Jesus or Following Jesus?
Jesus Christ is Lord. If we fail to follow Him, it is not because He has given us no reason to do so but simply because we place our own desires ahead of Him. Three would-be disciples with typical excuses demonstrate this sad truth.
Church Discipline and Reconciliation
The church cannot function effectively and in unity without dealing with sin in its midst. The church body as a whole and individual believers must be committed to confronting offenders, boldly and lovingly seeking confession and reconciliation and offering genuine forgiveness.
Overcoming the Disease of More
To be humble is to follow the example of our Lord and Savior. That means putting aside self-interest and petty jealousies. It also means seeing faithful believers as coworkers, not competitors, and rejoicing in their service for the Lord.
Confusion Now ... Understanding Later
At times we see great potential in Jesus' disciples, but we also frequently see a lack of understanding, faith, and power. God’s work in us has given us great potential too, but the disciples' example gives us fair warning against self-assurance.
A Glimpse of Kingdom Glory
God's Word assures us that Christ's kingdom will one day be established on earth. The transfiguration is a brief but glorious preview of that kingdom, when we will serve alongside saints of all the ages in the presence of Jesus Christ.
How to Carry Your Cross
Being a faithful disciple of Jesus is not about making Him a part of your life; it is about giving Him your life. As Jesus Himself puts it, you are to deny yourself and take up your cross daily.
Who is Jesus to You?
Who is Jesus? This is the one question we must answer and answer correctly. Who He is defines who we are as Christians. To consider Him anything less than the Messiah, the sovereign Lord, God in the flesh, and our Savior is to dishonor Him and call our own faith into question.
Compassion For All People
The obstacles we see to God's work are opportunities for us to trust Him, conform our attitudes to His, and witness the fulfillment of His will. This is Jesus' lesson for the disciples as Jesus ministers in two Gentile areas.