Posts Tagged ‘Faith’
The Second Sunday of Christmas: Christ, Our Faith
Matthew 2:1-6 “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When…
Read MoreA Culture of Fear or of Faith
“Grant” by Ron Chernow,1 a volume that I am currently enjoying, is the life story of the eighteenth president of the United States. One of the subplots of this well-written tome is the vast difference between the two most important Union generals during the War Between the States. Khurram Naik, in a 2020 blog, wrote…
Read MoreSilence Does Not Mean We Are Alone
Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament written about 435 B.C. It would be over 400 years before God would speak again from heaven by sending his Son, Jesus, to be born of the virgin, Mary. It is not insignificant that the Old Testament closes with the word “curse.” Malachi writes, “Behold, I…
Read MoreRepentance and Salvation
Several years ago, a couple attended the services of our church, but after a few months they stopped coming. They told me I said something in a sermon with which they strongly disagreed. What did I say that they found so troubling? I said that repentance was necessary for salvation. How is that problematic? Did…
Read MoreThe Hearing Ear and the Believing Heart
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life. 1 John 1:1 John wrote: We have heard. John begins his epistle by appearing to our senses to support certain truths concerning Jesus…
Read MoreLet Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear
Recently I was in a pastor’s home in Virginia. I looked on the wall and saw this statement: “Let your faith be bigger than your fear.” It really impressed me because I know how many people are living in a state of constant fear. Many have been fearful because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Others are…
Read MoreRunning with Our Eyes Fixed on Jesus
How would you respond if one day you turned on the news and the coverage was about your church? The story was not about any scandal or sin but in fact amounted to a public shaming simply because your church held to the teachings of Scripture. How would you respond if some of your fellow…
Read MoreThe Testing of Faith
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: I Peter 1:7 The word “trial” [δοκίμιον / dokimion] refers to a testing, that which reveals the trustworthiness of…
Read MorePrecious Faith
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1 1 Peter 1:1 begins with “Peter,” while 2 Peter 1:1 begins with “Simon Peter.” Peter was always Simon from the time of…
Read MoreWhen Will Things Get Better?
Life is full of expectation and waiting. We’re always waiting for something! The weekend Seeing friends and family The release of a book or a movie or a video game The next season of The Mandalorian The end of COVID. We’re always waiting for something to come. We can’t wait for what’s next. I often…
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