Three times in the previous three verses, we were given reference to the presence of the LORD. First, the wickedness of Nineveh arose to His presence, and twice we are told that Jonah ran from God’s presence. The major problem with this action is that God is omnipresent, meaning that He is everywhere. Jonah’s plan …
https://youtu.be/x4_ms1mIJ5o Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather …
Continue reading Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit | Ephesians 4:25-32
This sermon was originally preached in 2015. These first three verses may seem small and inconsequential at first glance, but within them is the entire premise of the book of Jonah. While opening in the traditional style of Old Testament prophetic literature, Jonah quickly diverges away from the typical path because of Jonah’s disobedience. Through …
https://youtu.be/aVA99gfSlsk Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become …
Continue reading No Longer Walk as the Gentiles Do | Ephesians 4:17-24
Previously, we discussed the responsibilities of church members to be three things: doctrinal fact-checkers, workers of the ministry, and a congregation with collective authority. We conclude our series this week by studying the qualifications for being a church member. Since elders and deacons are offices of leadership, Paul helpfully provided a list of qualifications for …
Writers write. Tim Challies wrote that article in 2017, and being, at that point, two years into blogging, it was just the kind of bluntness that I needed. The standard for being a writer is writing, not being read. How revolutionary! This realization shifted the emphasis away from things that I cannot control onto things …
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up …
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards …
https://youtu.be/ltjQfk-SSqI But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,and he gave gifts to men.” (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the …
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador …
