Introduction: : Every time we say the Apostles’ Creed, we confess that we believe in the forgiveness of sins. This is reasonable we might think—isn’t forgiveness of sin the entire point? “Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Yes, it is the entire point, but it is also part of the point …
Colossians as Cornerstone 6
Introduction: We conclude this letter by noting the emphasis that this section places on both words and names. Paul is concerned with the prayers of the Colossians, and their speech toward others outside, and for those who minister there in that region. He always wants them to pray for him, that his speech would be …
Colossians as Cornerstone 5
Introduction: After someone has called upon the Lord, and has been baptized, he blinks and looks around, and one of the things he sees is all the same people. He is forgiven, which is exhilarating, and he is in fellowship with God, which is a novelty to him, but when he goes back to work …
Colossians as Cornerstone 4
Introduction: In the Scriptures, we are given a high theology, a high Christology. Christ has ascended into the highest Heaven. He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and He is Himself the infinite waterfall of holy pleasure that cascades at that right hand (Ps. 16: 11). That waterfall of infinite joy …
A Theopolis Wrap-Up
In the follow-up to an exchange on the Theopolis page, I wrote this wrap-up for the list serve of the CREC ministers. I am posting it here for anyone interested. After David Field’s initial article regarding Christian appropriation from depth psychology, Zen, and the desert fathers, I responded to that article. There were also responses …
Colossians as Cornerstone 3
Introduction: There was a church in Laodicea also, about ten miles from Colossae. Paul mentions that church in this passage, and a lost letter to them is referred to later in this book (Col. 4:16). This church at Laodicea had fallen on hard times by the time the Lord Jesus addresses them directly in the …
Colossians as Cornerstone #2
Introduction: Now remember that Colossae was a Gentile city, and that the church had been planted there about ten years prior to this lettter by Epaphras. As a Gentile church, they were in a good position to hear about the mystery of Christ—hidden for long ages past, but now manifested in them. The Text: “And …
Colossians as Cornerstone 1
Introduction: Together with Ephesians, the epistle to the Colossians is one of those places in Scripture where you have a much higher density of truth. The letter is not more true than other passages of Scripture, but there is certainly more truth per square inch. This letter will repay many visits. The Text: “Paul, an …
Christ Hidden in Your Calling
Introduction: First we must begin with a statement of our problem. Many glorious truths were recovered in the Reformation, and one of them was the doctrine of vocation. Unfortunately, this is part of our Protestant heritage that we have shamefully neglected, and have almost lost. One of the principal indications that we have lost this …
A Prepared Meal
At this Table, God delights to feed us. But God does not just feed us, He prepares us to be fed. He undertakes the feeding, and He undertakes the preparation for feeding. Of course, the preparations began before the foundation of the world, when God the Father elected a people for Himself. And the preparations …