OUTLINE: ObedienceWhat begins at salvation, proper, with the command to obey the Gospel, continues throughout our lives as we are commanded to obey the Word (FYI – the same Holy Spirit that convicts us at salvation is the same One who convicts us as believers). 1Jn 5:3For this is the love of God, that we […]
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OUTLINE: Obedience of FaithThere’s a divine sequence that leads to blessings from God. (e.g. 2Jn 6; 1Jn 5:1-3) ObedienceObedience isn’t just something we do, it becomes us. It is the preeminent feature of our behavior in Christ. It establishes and confirms our abiding in the sphere of love. It’s a state of being, not a laundry list of
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OUTLINE: Obedience of FaithThere’s a divine sequence that leads to blessings from God. (e.g. 2Jn 6; 1Jn 5:1-3) Read Your Bible!The Spirit uses the Word in us to convict us of the Truth. The Truth enables us to discern right from wrong. The Spirit endorses our findings (“Yes!” or “No!”), all while guiding us with His power. We can’t lose with Truth! Integrity
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OUTLINE: Barnes on “if you loved me” – Jn 14:28This is the slight and tender reproof of a friend, meaning manifestly if you had proper love for me; if you had the highest views of my character and work; if you would lay aside your Jewish prejudices, and put entire, implicit confidence in what I say…“you would
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Most people spend a fair amount of time in front of a mirror each day, especially in the morning. Unless you’re a spy or an automotive mechanic who’s trying to peer around corners, you typically look in a mirror to examine yourself. You are front and center. Some of us also spend time in front
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There are two ways to approach the truth…The Word of God is truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17); “And the Word became flesh” (John 1:14). There are two ways to approach the Truth, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ: humbly or arrogantly. In both cases, there is a fixed result. As I wrote in my last blog, Grace, Works, and
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OUTLINE: “This is a difficult statement”Jesus had no reservations challenging His disciples. A good under-shepherd ought to confidently follow His example. An unchallenged sheep is one who doesn’t grow. When Jesus said, “My yoke is easy” (Mt 11:30), it was a relativestatement. Difficult messages force us to face our convictions, stimulating growth in us.Love Takes RisksA
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OUTLINE: “seek”from zeteo – means to run through with the eyes any series or succession of men or things, and so to seek out, search through, make diligent search; to seek in order to find (Thayer). Jas 1:17Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,
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It’s a typical Wednesday morning and the sun has finally decided to show its lovely face after a brief surrender to a patented New England let-me-darken-your-mood storm system. I know, I know, what would become of the green grass and the beautifully budding trees and flowers in the absence of life sustaining rain? Sometimes, I’m
OUTLINE: Doing Nothing Is An ActivityIf you choose to say, “I choose to do nothing,” you’ve just made a decision, taken a stance, rejected the Lord’s unction. To follow Jesus implies real activity, thoughts, behaviors – aka, OBEDIENCE. “For My yoke is easy…”This implies that we have been YOKED! The analogy is to oxen that have
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