God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith….He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:25-26) Confusion is Common Many people are confused about the basis of salvation and forgiveness …
Walking in Christ’s Light
You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life….Happy are the people who know how to praise you, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face….Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have …
Learning from Katie Luther
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as …
The Power of Sentences
Adapted from John Piper and used at Belhaven University, Jester III Prison, other teaching, and pastoral counseling. I use this article to remind us to look for key sentences that impact us in the Bible, or in reading and listening to lectures or sermons. Use Piper’s ideas to help you with my articles and class lessons. I never pretend that …
Perpetua: Hero of Faith in the Strong Savior
Excerpt from the class “Christ is Everything to His Followers.” Also used in pastoral care, counseling, and prison ministry. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me….My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those …
Following Christ in a World That Doesn’t (Part 1)
I used this in New Testament Survey class at Belhaven University and also in other teaching/training, pastoral counseling, and prison ministry. Jonathan Goforth (1859-1936) was a Canadian missionary to China, serving with his wife, Rosalind. Goforth preached to large crowds and in small homes. He was stirred to serve Christ in China by the writings of Hudson Taylor. Jonathan was …
Joy in Jesus’ Incarnation
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich….Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus! (2 Corinthians 8:9, 9:15) Messy World, Messy Stable Carrie McKean wrote in Christianity Today: When we think about the night …
Joy Before Jesus’ Awesome Throne
(Excerpt from teaching/training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry) Even as a baby, Christ was fully God and fully human in one person. The Bible teaches that and I believe it and rejoice in it. Christ is my only hope in this life and in the world to come! He is the Creator God and the Sovereign …
Thanksgiving: Give Me That Book!
(Excerpt from teaching and training classes, used also in pastoral counseling and prison ministry. I used this first at Windsor Village Methodist Campus, then at other places. It is adapted and expanded from Wesley’s Preface to Standard Sermons.) Christ said: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, …
Celebrating God’s Reformation
Used at Belhaven University and other places to answer the question: “What do Protestants believe?” It’s not the whole answer, but it’s a start. In Old Testament times the Lord used King Josiah to launch a great spiritual reformation near 622 BC.1 This reformation was sparked by discovering the book of God’s Law (all or part of the Pentateuch, the …