Praise be to the Lord, for He showed me the wonders of His love….What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all–how will He not also, along with Him (Christ), graciously give us all things? …
God’s Wonderful Gift (Part 1)
Thanks be to God for His Gift (Jesus Christ), precious beyond words, indescribable, inexpressible!…For the sin of the one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater and overflowing is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 9:15; Rom 5:15) I re-told Billy Joel’s true story again to …
Did Christ Descend into Hell?
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree [the cross].” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the …
Christ is My Rock
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I….Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation….I will not be shaken. …
The Blue Marble Revisited and Peace in Christ
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom….So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand….For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of …
Watergate “Proves” Jesus’ Resurrection
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead….This is my gospel. (2 Timothy 2:8) Charles “Chuck” Colson (1931–2012) suggested that Watergate proves Jesus’ miraculous resurrection. Colson was the first member of President Richard Nixon’s team to be jailed over the Watergate scandal in the 1970s. Colson later became Christ’s follower and his mid-life conversion triggered radical changes in his life and …
Christ Changes the Calendar
If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in …
Christ the Great Reverser
C. S. Lewis’s story The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, imagines a fictional country under the curse of an evil witch. It’s “always winter and never Christmas.” Everything is hopeless until Aslan the noble lion comes to make crooked things straight and rough ways smooth. Aslan represents Jesus, the Son of God, who came to destroy the devil’s works.1 …
Christ’s Way of Mercy
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) From my sermon preached at Iglesia Presbiteriana Oaklawn and other places. This Sermon Outline (handed out in English and Spanish): Christ Delights to Show Mercy Jesus Attaches Conditions to His Mercy We Must Not Conceal Our Sins We Must Confess Our …
Jesus’ Blessing (Part 3)
In Numbers 6:24-26, Jesus commands the priest to pronounce these benefits on His people: Verse 24 The LORD bless you and keep you. Verse 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Verse 26 The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. When I was younger, I would get homesick for …