Archive for the ‘Bible Study’ Category
The Older Brother Who Does His Job
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study, Theology
Jared Wilson writes:
Colossians 1:15: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Paul articulately asserts the truth of the Incarnation in Colossians 1, but his use of “firstborn” does not mean that there was a time when the Son of God wasn’t (any more than John 3:16’s use of “begotten” does [...]
Imperatives – Indicatives = Impossibilities
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
From JT:
The dominant mode of evangelical preaching on sanctification, the main way to motivate for godly living, sounds something like this:
You are not _____;
You should be _________;
Therefore, do or be ________!
Fill in the blank with anything good and biblical (holy; salt and light; feed the poor; walk humbly; give generously; etc.).
This is not how Paul [...]
Praying for Boldness, Not Deliverance
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
It’s striking to me how much of my prayer life is spent praying to get me out of uncomfortable situations. Whether at work, at church, financially, in health – I spend much time petitioning the Lord to change my circumstances. To make them more favorable. More profitable. More… comfortable, I guess.
Acts 4 hits me like [...]
Redeeming the Elusive "Else"
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
I am recognizing the continual presence of the ever-elusive “else” inside myself. Maybe it’s there for you, too. You might call it “more” or “other”, but it’s the same thing. The elusive “else” is that thing that’s out there, somewhere in the distance, that you can never quite get to.
It’s another opportunity.
It’s another contract.
It’s more [...]
How to Recover a Sense of Discipline
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
Since the birth of Christian, aka, kid number 3, the spiritual discipline of my life has been sporadic at best. I can easily justify it with midnight feedings, early wake-up calls, and 3 kids under 6 (or at least my wife could, though she’s managing her life much better than I right now). But I [...]
Why I Don't Like the Phrase "Called to Ministry"
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
I get the meaning behind the phrase. We are trying to help people discern the will of God for their lives, and sometimes the Lord calls someone to be a “professional Christian.” You know, a preacher, missionary, worship leader – fill in the blank. And that’s fine. I think there is a real, solid biblical [...]
On Spiritual Intimacy and Sex
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
There’s a great verse regarding spiritual intimacy in Jeremiah 9:23-24:
This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the LORD, who [...]
Persecution and the Prosperity Gospel
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study, Current Events
Yesterday I posted a video documenting some of the persecution of Christians in India and Francis Chan’s response to it. And like anyone who has seen the footage, I can’t stop thinking about it.
This morning, I’m wondering how it’s possible, in the wake of violence like this, for us to continue to hold onto a [...]
That's NOT in the Bible
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
There a lot of little phrases that we tend to think are in the Bible but really aren’t. In fact, in most of these cases, these phrases contradict the nature of the gospel. Instead of repeating these mantras, we’ve got to turn them on their heads as a way of preaching the gospel to ourselves [...]
Walking Worthy and the NFL Draft
Posted by Michael K. | Filed under Bible Study
Ephesians 4:1 bothers me: “Therefore, as a prisoner of the Lord, I urge to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received. . .”
Here’s not why it bothers me. It doesn’t bother that Paul is sitting in a prison cell, saying, “I got put in jail for Jesus. You might have a [...]