Concerning the Church – part 6
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:25–27
When we perceive the threat to the Church—a threat that exists both from within and without—we can be led to despair of her continued existence.
Concerning the Church – part 5
Scripture Text: Philippians 2:12-16a
We believe in the Church. This is the congregation of those who believe in Christ. They are spread throughout the ages—past, present, and future.
Concerning the Church – part 4
Scripture Text: Titus 3:4-7
So we must be careful to confess that sinful people, such as ourselves, become righteous and holy only through the grace of God.
Concerning the Church – part 3
Scripture Text: Ephesians 1:15-23
We deplore the condition of some church bodies, that they have abandoned the Word of God for culturally correct beliefs. Yet, we should not complain overly much.
Concerning the Church – part 2
Scripture Text: Matthew 26:26-28
Some people attend church because they were raised to do so. They give no thought to faith; it is simply the right thing to do.
Concerning the Church – part 1
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:9–14
Nearly 40 years ago, a half dozen people from a local cult attended my church, trying to get people to follow their false god.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 15
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 1:15-19a
Jesus did not come into the world to teach sinners how to save themselves. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 15
Scripture Text: John 10:25-28
Declaring that a Christian’s deeds are required for justification and salvation both denies Christ and leaves the believer in despair
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 158
Scripture Text: John 20:19-23
The disciples were in hiding, very likely imagining that they were next, that the authorities would come for them too. They had crucified the Lord; what would they do to his followers?
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 157
Scripture Text: Matthew 16:15-19
Surely, it is thought, there must be something we must do. This is the seed of religion and heresy, for faith knows that we can do nothing.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 156
Scripture Text: Galatians 4:9-11
It is human nature to imagine that we can buy our way out of problems. The person caught speeding, therefore, pays the court to keep the offense off the books so that insurance rates will not increase
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 155
Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:8–13
Let us continue to keep Christ at the center of all things. The promised Messiah, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin from the lineage of kings, suffered, was crucified and buried for our sins.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 154
Scripture Text: 1 John 4:7-10
The ability to love God is not something that we are born with or that we can develop on our own with this fallen nature of ours. In order to love God, one must first be born again.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 153
Scripture Text: Mark 7:6-8
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they valued their own traditions more than God’s commandments. We must be careful to evaluate those things that we believe and do.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 152
Scripture Text: Ephesians 3:8-12
It is easy for us to confuse the plain sense of things. Sometimes we need someone to come in to our midst and cut to the chase. What is the point that underlies everything we do?
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 151
Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:13-17
Lift up the shield of faith in Christ every time the devil attacks. Do not trust your thinking and your doing. Trust Christ, who is your shield.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 150
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Justification, righteousness, and salvation are not only received by faith, these things are preserved for us to the end of time.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 149
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:21-23
If we go to church, feed the hungry, and buy coats and mittens for the poor, but have no faith in the God who calls us to do such things, do those good works save?
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 148
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10-14
Jesus satisfied God’s requirement of keeping the law perfectly. Moreover, he paid the penalty for the sins of those who cannot keep the commandments.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 147
Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-14
The living grace of God is Jesus Christ. There is no salvation available to us without this grace. There is no grace without Jesus Christ.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 146
Scripture Text: Isaiah 64:6-8
We cannot reason our way to righteousness. Who has been able to say, “In this way, I shall be a good person” and been successful in the enterprise?
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 145
Scripture Text: Romans 1:1-6
There is a difference between justification and sanctification. Justification is that obedience to the gospel that hears and believes, that trusts God’s promise.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 144
Scripture Text: Romans 5:1–5
Lasting peace with God comes through faith. Our deeds can make us feel good for a while but that feeling is not only false, it does not last.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 143
Scripture Text: Matthew 25:44–46
Yes, God wants our good works, but he earnestly desires our hearts. Works that are done with an unbelieving, faithless heart are not good works; they are hypocritical.
Concerning Love and the Fulfilling of the Law – part 142
Scripture Text: Genesis 4:3–5
Be careful that you do not expect God to favor you on the merits of your offerings or works or religious activity. God only has regard for such things when they are done with faith in him.
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