A Home Church Ministry
INTRODUCTION: Characters & Setting The apostle Paul’s first trial defense was made before Felix (24:2ff), who was a close friend of emperor Claudius (and later of Nero). Felix was formerly a slave, whom Claudius freed and appointed as procurator of Judea in 52 CE. Felix was known for exercising cruelty and harsh oppression in Judea. …
When Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem to provide his defense, Paul chooses to defend Christ rather than himself. He makes no mention of the Jewish charges being brought against him. He does not try to justify his ministry. He chooses to defend Christ by recounting the narrative of his conversion to demonstrate …
Romans 5:2 (CSB) We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. I want to keep this short and speak to the person who is longing to enter the presence of God, but who feels dry and …
1 John 3:14 (CSB) — 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. James 2:14–17 (CSB) — 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have …
Continue reading "“Why’s My Faith So Dead?” – 1st John 3:14 & James 2:14-17"
If you know that he is righteous, you know this as well: Everyone who does what is right has been born of him. An important break in thought occurs as John introduces a new topic – “the tests for knowing the children of God” – and brings his attention away from the false teachers and …
Psalm 51:12 (CSB) Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. One of the fiercest enemies of Christian joy is an unwilling spirit. An unwilling spirit must be dragged along the way of Christ, kicking and screaming, because its will is at odds with the purposes …
Continue reading "The Pursuit of a Willing Spirit: Psalm 51:12"
James 1:23-24 (CSB) Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. This is a verse for the people of our day. …
Continue reading "Have You Forgotten What You Look Like? James 1:23-24"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlcyNiueBLo In this lesson we begin our year-long venture into Genesis and Exodus to look for God's revelation of Himself in Christ and the hope of the gospel that has been preached from the beginning. GENESIS I have attached my lesson outline for personal reference and study purposes.
A few weeks back I had one of the most painful weeks of my life: Multiple Sclerosis teamed up with a bout of Shingles and Satan didn't miss the opportunity to shoot his fiery arrows. To be honest, that is the pretty version; the plain version is that my mind was bogged down in the "M.S. fog", …
Back in May of 2012, I felt compelled to address “The issue of homosexuality”, and I said that, “it’s of utmost importance that we understand the spiritual warfare going on here: this front has been carefully planned for by the enemy, Satan. His attack is going to focus on our feeble faith in the Word …
A Dedicated Faith 