September 1, 2021
A NEW CREATION Becoming a Christian is not about self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but drastic and total. By believing and receiving Christ, we are found in Him. Our old nature we count crucified with Christ. Our new nature
August 31, 2021
WE CAN KNOW “We know.” This faith we have is based on the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus. We look at this fact, believing it, and this faith becomes like confident knowledge. Believing that God raised Jesus in the past, we also believe that He will raise us with Jesus in the future.
August 30, 2021
IT’S NOT ABOUT US Our message is not about us, but about our Lord. For we are like clay jars containing a great treasure. Our weakness only serves to emphasize the greatness of Christ within us. When we want people to see us, to applaud our efforts, we forget that our purpose is to cause
September 3, 2020
UNITY OF FAITH REQUIRED FOR UNITY OF FELLOWSHIP Paul warned against being “yoked together” with unbelievers. A yoke is an implement designed to put across the necks of two or more oxen or horses for pulling a plow or cart or some other contrivance. The yoke fastens the team together to maximize their synergy. Paul
August 31, 2020
LORD HASTE THE DAY WHEN OUR FAITH SHALL BE SIGHT Presently, we walk through life believing in our risen Lord without actually seeing Him. Yet our faith is not without foundation. We believe because of at least three witnesses: 1) the witness of the Bible, 2) the witness of the saints who have passed the
August 30, 2020
IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU Our message is not about us, but about our Lord. For we are like clay pots containing a great treasure. Our weakness only serves to emphasize the greatness of Christ within us. When we want people to see us, to applaud our efforts, we forget that our purpose is to cause
August 29, 2020
NOT LEGALISM, NOR LICENSE, BUT LIBERTY In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he taught them that true liberty came not from legalism, nor license, but from the Spirit of the Lord. The law is external to man, written on stone tablets, it has no power to overcome the sin nature. It reveals man’s sinfulness,
September 13, 2019
A BEAUTIFUL BENEDICTION With this beautiful benediction, Paul closed his second letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s trinitarian blessing bestowed three powerful attributes of the Godhead upon the believers at Corinth: 1) The “grace” (χάρις – charis) of Jesus. Which is Christ’s free and unmerited favor. 2) The “love” (ἀγάπη – agape) of God. Which is
September 3, 2019
TRUE PARTNERSHIP REQUIRES SAME FAITH Paul’s warning does not mean separatism. He is not advising that we avoid unbelievers. In the previous chapter, Paul had just written about being entrusted with the “message of reconciliation,” so this requires engaging with lost people. What he is warning against is being partners with them. This should inform
September 1, 2019
IN CHRIST WE ARE A NEW CREATION Christianity is not self-improvement. It is an invitation to come and die, that we might be born again. It is not incremental nor partial, but drastic and total. By believing and receiving Christ, we are found in Him. Our old nature we count crucified with Christ. Our new