The Lord’s Prayer
One of the most often recited parts of the Bible is the Lord’s Prayer. But didn’t Jesus tell us not to make prayer a rote exercise? Maybe He had something else in mind. In this new series, The Lord’s Prayer, we take an expanded look at what Jesus was teaching Christians about prayer.
Making Life Easier – Part 1 – Taking the Long View
Life is hard enough without making it harder on ourselves. This series, Making Life Easier, provides strategies and tools, so we don’t inadvertently make it harder. These approaches are not no-brainer’s, like “don’t steal,” or “tell the truth,” but deal with real but less understood issues. The first in the series, Making Life Easier, is called Taking the Long View. It’s about the Bible teaching on foresight. Have you ever seen any Christian literature or a sermon on this topic?
Shadows of Things to Come – Pentecost
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Old Testament biblical festivals are “shadows of things to come.” The Feast of First Fruits, gives away the shadow meaning of this Festival in God’s plan. While it was a harvest festival in ancient times, today it is a festival picturing God’s harvest of children for his Kingdom. Jesus founded the Church of God in the New Testament on that same festival (called Pentecost in the New Testament). What do each of the other festivals foreshadow? Not surprisingly, all of them have Jesus Christ stamped all over them.
Fruit of the Spirit – Part 10 – Self-Control
Self-control in modern culture has gone out of style. It’s not often seen as a solution to our problems. Moderns would rather blame them on heredity, or parents, or the political party we are not a part of, or the culture itself. The Bible, however, offers a different view. There we are told that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit of God in us. In practical terms, what does that mean in a Christian’s daily life?
Fruit of the Spirit – Part 9 – Meekness
Is meekness weakness? Or is it strength? Jesus was meek. But no one thinks he was weak. How is it that meekness is a way of being strong? We examine this issue a biblical perspective in Fruit of the Spirt -Part 9- Meekness.
The Underlying Reason for the Christian Passover
Most would say we observe the Passover to commemorate Christ’s death. Since we are asking what’s most important, it’s acceptable to ask, “Why?“ What’s behind Christ’s sacrifice? This presentation probes some more profound elements of God’s design, things that help us understand more about Christ’s sacrifice and what comes our way from it.
Fruit of the Spirit – Part 8 – Faithfulness
One of the fruit of the Spirit which Paul mentioned in Galatians 5 was faithfulness, an easy thing for God—faithful is what God is It’s a part of his nature, he remains steady, committed, enduring, honest, ever-present with us. We, on the other hand...
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 7 – Goodness
One of the proofs that we have the Holy Spirit is the quality of “Goodness.” Do you have it? Goodness—what does the word mean? Check out this presentation to understand what it means when God tells us to be “good.”
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 6 – Gentleness
We could all come up with a definition of the word, “gentleness.” But what is the Bible definition of the word? Since gentleness is called a fruit of the Spirit in the Bible, it would be good to know what the Bible means by this term. We do that in this presentation.
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 5 – Patience of God
Patience seems like a difficult but completely human quality. And yet, the Bible highlights a kind of patience beyond the patience of human beings. Paul calls this kind of patience a fruit of the Holy Spirit—Jesus and the Father living in us. What is that kind of patience like? Read more in “The Fruits of the Spirit – Part 5 – Patience of God.”
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 4 – Peace of God
Trees produce fruit. If you were a tree, what kind of fruit would you produce? The Bible tells us that a Christian has within him or herself the Holy Spirit—the Father and the Son within. One of the fruits of that kind of life is peace from God. Do you have the The Fruit of the Spirit, the Peace of God?
Fruit of the Spirit – Part 3 – Joy
Many people think Joy comes upon us because of benefits they receive or accomplishments they achieve. Consequently, they have no way to think about joy in the face of danger or deficiency. The Bible shows us a different way to experience joy. In this presentation, we explain biblical joy and how to experience it.
The Fruit of the Spirit – Part 2 – Love
In the New Testament, God promises that both He and his son, Jesus, will live in believers by the power of His Spirit. The presence of God in the heart of believers causes real change. The Apostle Paul listed nine specific qualities and behaviors that are the fruit of God’s spirit in a believer. This presentation unpacks the first of these qualities, godly love.
The Fruits of the Spirit – Part 1 – What’s Really Important?
Trees produce fruit. If you were a tree, what kind of fruit would you produce? That would depend on which of two different influences available to you. One is the Holy Spirit—God in us. The other called, in the Bible, “the flesh.” That influence passes to us from our original parents, Adam and Eve. They were infected with it and have passed down to all their children.
The Law of God – Part 7 – Grace is a Relationship
The biblical term, grace, has many meanings to many people. To some it is an unctuous, pious sanctimonious expression that is embarrassing to use. To others it is an excuse to wantonly violate the laws of God. And to yet others, it means freedom to worship God however one wants, Bible aside, Jesus example aside, New Testament faith and practice aside. Grace is none of these.
The Law of God – Part 6 – Under the Law?
In Romans 6:14 Paul said Christians are “not under the law.” Many take this to mean that Christians do not need to obey the law of God any longer. Is that true, or is there more to the story? Consider the evidence presented in this presentation to learn what the Bible has to say about it.
The Law of God – Part 5 – What Does the Law Do?
Should we keep God’s law? Is there any benefit to it? Or is it an oppressive set of restrictions for an ancient time? Is the law of God the doorway into the Kingdom of God? Or is Jesus Christ the door? Consider this vital issue further in this presentation.
God’s Law – Part 4 – Which Laws Today?
So far in this series, we’ve learned that Christians obey God’s. Most Christians would agree with this statement. Disagreement occurs when we start discussing which parts of it are we to keep today. This presentation deals with this issue, out of the Bible rather than any church’s doctrinal positions on the issue.
The Law of God – Part 3 – The Works of the Law
In this series we not only explain what the Law of God is and how it works in a person’s life, but also point out specific verses and phrases that have been misunderstood by many. This presentation discusses the biblical meaning of a phrase used by the Apostle Paul—“works of the law.”
The Truth Shall Set You Free – FoT
Jesus told us, ‘The Truth will set you Free." The context tells us he was talking about freedom from practicing sin—carefully thought out sins and habitual sins as well. This presentation pieces together from the Bible how that can happen for us. Being free from addiction, sexual sins, and more, can happen. Included is a step-by-step process to take advantage of Jesus’ offer.
The Restitution of All Things – Atonement
In Acts 3:21, Peter, while speaking of the return of Christ, said it would be “the restitution of all things.” Why did he say that? Most people think he’s coming to start something new. Understanding his comment opens up a new world of understanding.
The Better Resurrection – Trumpets
Paul called the first resurrection a better resurrection. First, his statement implies that there is more than one resurrection. And lwhy is one better than another? Learn something new from your Bible, or, if it is not new to you, learn how to explain it to others.
Law of God – Part 2 – Law or Grace
The largest Christian denomination tells us that because Christ died to cover our sins with a blanket of grace, we are now free to sin as we please, confess our sins and do it all over again. Well, that’s not actually what they say, but that’s how it goes for them. Is that what God intends for us because of Christ’s precious sacrifice? Consider the issue with Law or Grace, the second in our series, The Law of God.
The Law of God – Part 1 – Understanding Colossians 2
We would like to be able to say that a controversy rages over the issue of the law of God. But we can’t. Only a very few think it important to obey God’s law. We are with the few. The exposition of our case begins with the second chapter of the book of Colossians.
Being Content
So many discontented people! What are you discontented about? Is there a way to feel happier, more fulfilled, more content? Have a look at this presentation to consider more on the issue.
Camping at the Red Sea
Have you ever seen God intervene in your life, but wondered why He took so long? Here are some thoughts on the issue.