INTRODUCTION: As we have worked through this epistle we have seen certain characteristics of Paul’s turn of mind. We now come to another one, very much in evidence throughout his letters. His pattern of teaching is this—doctrine precedes ethics, and is foundational to it. He teaches us what we must believe (credenda, things to be …
Thinks I Have Thunk
Mars Hill audio is an audio magazine that just celebrated the publication of its 100th edition, and I commend it to you. I listen to it faithfully, and the interviews with numerous authors are really informative, and it is one of my main sources for tips on valuable books to check out. So go ye, …
Theology and Doxology
INTRODUCTION:Paul’s response to the very dense theology he has been working through is to break out into song. His theology bursts forth into doxology. These are not two unrelated things—rightly done, rightly understood, theology leads inexorably to praise. Let’s consider why. THE TEXT:“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of …
Staying on Message
“All the sermons in Acts have one essential point — Jesus Christ is risen from the dead” (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 97).
Deliverance from Zion
INTRODUCTION:We now come to the place where Paul makes his dramatic statement about the future blessedness that awaits Israel. He has shown us that Israel according to the promises must receive the blessings (by definition), but here he is saying that Israel according to the flesh will be included in them as well. How so? …
Hail Marys in Protestant Churches
“There are preachers who make a last ditch effort to make something out of a sermon which was generally disorganized, vague, and lacking biblical content. Such a pastor may recognize (too late) that he isn’t getting anywhere, so he moves into his ‘two-minute offense’, trying to hit pay dirt quickly” (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 84).
Some Thoughts on Life Together
INTRODUCTION:As you may observe by looking around you, we are now worshiping together in one service, instead of the two services we have had for the last year and half. This was not a decision made lightly, and part of the decision depended upon us having a message dedicated to the various issues surrounding this …
When Preachers Preach Fluffy Clouds
“In its worst form this kind of preaching degenerates into a kind of ‘Home on the Range’ sermon, ‘where never is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day'” (Wagner, Tongues Aflame, p. 78).
Warning to Rome
INTRODUCTION:When we fall into the trap of thinking of the Bible as a book to aid us in our personal devotions, we often miss the larger context. We need to remember that this is a letter to a particular church in a particular city, and Paul gave the warning because he saw certain kinds of …
Smoke in the Eyes
INTRODUCTION:There are two dangers when it comes to the interpretation of biblical prophecy. The first, fairly common among evangelicals, is to picture the fulfillment in lurid and garish colors, filled out with a crass literalism, but which fully retains the right to be called “fantastical.” Such fulfillments, were they to happen, would be amazing. But …