The prophet Zechariah predicted that when the shepherd was struck, the sheep would be scattered (Zech. 13:7). And the gospel writers record that this was in fact fulfilled when Jesus was arrested, tried, and killed. His disciples scattered (Matt. 26:31; Mark 14: 27). But there was more to it. When the shepherd was struck, in …
Two Coal Fires
Introduction: The presence of the Lord Jesus, alive just as He had promised He would be, transforms everything. We can see this very clearly in the fall and restoration of the apostle Peter after the resurrection. The account of Christ’s care for Peter is given to us so that we might understand more of His …
The Greater Lazarus/Palm Sunday 2019
Introduction: We are seeking to recover a Christian sense of time and history, and in some sense this means a recovery of the church year. But though we are seeking to escape a secularized calendar, we must never forget that we got this secular calendar (in part) because of a reaction away from the very …
Cold Law, Hot Gospel
Introduction: The law of God is like math. It doesn’t care about anybody’s hurt feelings. It is straight, and hard, and cold, and altogether righteous. But at the same time, when this cold, very cold law is resurrected in the body of Christ back from the darkness of the tomb, it comes to us as …
Mechanics of Forgiveness
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 …
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 …