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Recent Posts
- The Gospel Explained
- Faith Strengthening Techniques
- Commitment Love
- Satan’s Strategies to Defeat God’s People
- Standing Against the Forces of Darkness
- Biblical Self-Talk
- The Sovereignty and Providence of God
- The Person and Attributes of God
- The Call of Matthew
- The Human Conscience
- The Bible as Divine Revelation
- Something Wrong with America
- Yahweh’s Holy War
- Proverbs 31 – Snapshot of an Excellent Woman
- The Seven Year Tribulation
- Future Christian Rewards
- The Rapture of the Church
- A Christian View of Death
- The Life of Faith
- God Used Jonah to Change a Culture
- The Gospel We Share
- Improving Culture – A NT Example
- Improving Culture – An OT Example
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 3
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 2
- Biblical Examples of Riots and How They Were Handled – Part 1
- The Effects of Sin Upon Our World
- Demons and How They Influence Mankind
- Satan’s Evil World-System
- Satan as the Ruler of this World
- Holy Angels and How They Influence Mankind
- The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
- The Old and New Priesthood
- Authorial Intent
- King David – the Good and the Bad
- David – A Better King
- Saul – The King who Failed
- When Life Gets Tough
- Guard Your Heart
- Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks
- A Song of Ascent – Psalm 126
- God’s Imputed Righteousness
- A Song of Ascents – Psalm 123
- They Will Suffer for Your Unfaithfulness
- Seek Your Servant – Psalm 119:169-176
- Biblical Meditation
- The Christmas Holiday
- Establish Our Footsteps – Psalm 119:129-136
- No Distractions
- Theological Categories of God’s Justice
Category Archives: Church
Standing Against the Forces of Darkness
In his letter to the church at Ephesus, the apostle Paul set forth the Christian armor which, in many ways, is a picture of the healthy Christian life. It is something we intentionally put on and use to defend ourselves when we come under attack. The assaults ultimately come from Satan who has well developed strategies of warfare and demonic soldiers to command. Satan and his fallen angels knowingly and intentionally attack. They are behind every act of terror the world has ever known, they do not relent of their activities, and they are not reformable. In addition to these fallen angels, Satan also has useful idiots—unbelievers and carnal Christians—who assist him in his efforts. These people help make up Satan’s world-system that seeks to envelop and enslave everyone it can. Satan’s system is philosophical, social, political, economic, religious, and cultural. These are all things external to us, but which are intended to penetrate our thoughts and impact our values, speech and practices. Furthermore, Satan has an inside agent within every person, which is the sinful nature which naturally resonates with all that is sinful and prideful. Continue reading
Posted in Angels & Demons, Biblical Exegesis, Christian Theology, Church, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Spirituality
Tagged Attacks by Satan, Christian armor, Demons and How They Influence Mankind, Ephesians 6:10-18, How do we fight against demons?, How do we fight against Satan and demons?, How do we fight against Satan?, Living in the devil's world, Living successfully in the devil's world, Our Christian struggle, Our spiritual armor, Paul's description of Christian amror, Roman soldier's armor, Satan as the ruler of this world, Satan's world system, spiritual warfare, Standing against demonic forces, Standing Against the Forces of Darkness, Standing aganst spiritual forces, steps to spiritual growth, The Christian enemy, The Christian's armor, the flesh, The world, what is our spiritual armor?
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Future Christian Rewards
Christ has secured our salvation through the substitutionary atoning death of Christ who shed His blood at the cross and propitiated every righteous demand the Father has toward us (Rom 3:25). Having trusted Christ as Savior (John 3:16), we now have peace with God (Rom 5:1). However, after salvation, God expects us to learn His Word, live righteously (Tit 2:11-14), and encourage others to do the same (Heb 11:24-25). After the Rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:13-18), all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be evaluated for how we lived our lives (2 Cor 5:9-10). This evaluation is not a judgment concerning the Christian’s right to enter heaven as the place of eternal residence, for Christ has secured our salvation and there is no fear of condemnation before God (John 3:18). Rather, it is a judgment concerning eternal rewards for the life we’ve lived in service to Christ (1 Cor 3:10-15). Apparently, we must stay the course in faithfulness, otherwise we run the risk of losing part of our reward (2 John 1:8). Those who learned God’s Word, lived His will, and taught others to do the same, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. But those believers who disobeyed God’s Word and taught others to disobey as well will be called least in the kingdom of heaven (Matt 5:19). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged Christian rewards, does the Bible teach rewards for good works, future Christian rewards, Future rewards, Rewards, the bema seat of Christ, the doctrine of future rewards, the judgment seat of Christ, what does the Bible say about Christian rewrads, what does the bible say about future rewards, Why we work for rewards, will God reward us for our good works?, Will we be rewarded for our deeds?
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The Rapture of the Church
The Bible reveals Jesus will return to earth; however, a distinction must be drawn between Jesus coming for His saints at the Rapture, and Jesus coming with His saints at His Second Coming to reign for a thousand years. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Prophecy
Tagged Caught up to meet the Lord in the air, Does the Bible teach the church will be raptured?, Five views on the Rapture of the church, Harpazo, Jesus is coming back for His church, Latin Rapturo, Rapture, Rapture is immanent, The doctrine of the Rapture, The Rapture of the Church, We shall be changed, What is the Rapture of the church?
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God Used Jonah to Change a Culture
God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh. Around 760 BC, God sent His prophet, Jonah, to preach a message of judgment to Nineveh, a major city in Assyria. The reason for the message was, as God declared, “their wickedness has come up before Me” (Jon 1:2). As “the Judge of all the earth” (Gen 18:25), God had paid attention to the wickedness of the Ninevites, and the time was near for Him to pour out His wrath. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Righteous Living
Tagged Changing culture, Christian influence on culture, God spared Nineveh because they humbled themselves, God spared Nineveh because they repented, God used the preaching of Jonah to change the corrupt culture of Nineveh, God will judge America, How America's preachers have failed, improving a corrupt culture, improving culture, Jonah's preaching to Nineveh, Righteous living in America, When God judges nations, Will God judge America?
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Improving Culture – A NT Example
Culture represents the values, traditions and behaviors of a society, and though culture is improvable, it is not perfectible. And even where positive change occurs, it’s difficult to perpetuate, largely because the people needed to sustain the change are few, flawed and temporary. A society’s culture is no better or worse than its leaders and the citizenry who support them; and at the heart of every problem is the problem of the heart. Apart from regeneration and a transformed mind and will, people will default to selfishness and sin, and so social problems continue. Furthermore, if we did make great improvements, we cannot guarantee succeeding generations will follow the good pattern set for them. Continue reading
Posted in Bad Behavior, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Acts 19 and Paul preaching in Ephesus, Acts 19:8-41, Are there any biblical examples where society was made better, Biblical examples of improving culture, Biblical examples of making society better, Biblical teaching on how to improve society, Does the Bible give ways we can make society better, Finding the lost scroll in the temple, How can Christians improve culture, How can Christians improve society, How can Christians make American better, How to improve culture, Paul preaching in Ephesus, Paul teaching at the school of Tyrannus, Sharing the gospel to make society better, The riot that occurred in Ephesus, Ways Christians can improve American society, Ways to improve culture, What does the Bible say about improving culture
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The Biblical Teaching on Tithes
The word tithe means “to give a tenth.” The tithe consisted of produce and livestock (Lev 27:30-32), and was given to the Levites for their support for ministry (Num 18:21-24). The Levites, in turn, gave a tithe of the tithe to the Priests for their service (Num 18:25-28). Additionally, the worshipper could eat a portion of the sacrifice with his family and the Levites (Deut 12:17-19; 14:22-27). Lastly, a tithe was taken every third year to help the poor, the alien, the orphans and the widows. This tithe was comparable to a social welfare system for the most unfortunate in society. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Israel, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged biblical giving, biblical tithing, Christian giving, does the Christian have to tithe?, giving, giving or tithing, is tithing biblical?, Law of Christ, mosaic law, Should Christians tithe?, ten percent, The Biblical Teaching on Tithes, tithing, what did people in the OT tithe
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The Old and New Priesthood
Presently, in the church age, every Christian, at the moment of salvation, becomes a priest to God. Peter writes of Christians, saying, “you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5), and “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet 2:9). This is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, who “has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Rev 1:6), and “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth” (Rev 5:10; cf. 20:6). Furthermore, we do not worship at a temple; rather, “we are the temple of the living God” (2 Cor 6:16; cf. 1 Cor 3:16-17). And we do not bring animal sacrifices, but “offer up spiritual sacrifices” to God (1 Pet 2:5). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Dispensationalism, Hot Topics, Righteous Living
Tagged A chosen race, A kingdom of priests, A living and holy sacrifice, a royal priesthood, Christ our High Priests, Every Christian is a priest, Offering spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual sacrifices, Spiritual service of worship, The Christian Priesthood, the Levitical priesthood, the old and new priesthood, The priesthood of every believer, The sacrifice of praise, What did Jewish priests do?, Who is a priest?
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Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective
When Israel was a theocratic kingdom, God legislated certain benefits to the poor, widows, orphans and sojourners in order to meet their daily needs, and these were to be given by those whom He’d blessed with abundance. God instructed His leaders to uphold and defend the rights of the vulnerable, knowing there would be wicked persons who would seek to exploit them. Sadly, much of Israel’s history was marked by a breakdown among His people, as the leaders and wealthy in the land exploited the poor they were called to defend. Now, in the Church age, God provides care for the needy in society through human governments, as well as through individual Christians and local churches. Lastly, perfect government will come in the future when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His kingdom on earth and provides righteous reign and care for all. Continue reading
Posted in Biblical Worldview, Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Leadership, Living by Faith, Righteous Living
Tagged A Christian view of social justice, caring for the por, Christians and social justice, helping orphans, Helping the homeless, Helping the poor, helping widows, Scripture for social justice, social justice, social justice and Christians, Social justice and the Bible, Social justice and the church, Social Justice from a Biblical Perspective, The church and social justice, what does God say about social justice, what does the Bible say about helping the poor, What does the Bible say about social justice?, what is social justice
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What is the Church?
The church refers to the body of Christ which began on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. It is comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Jesus as Savior. The church exists universally as an organism, the global presence of Christians who form the body of Christ. The church also exists locally as an organization, a nearby assembly of believers who gather together for Bible study, worship, fellowship, and the practice of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Christian church is a mystery not revealed in the Old Testament and is separate from Israel, having a different identity and purpose. Continue reading
Posted in Church, Dispensationalism, Hermeneutics, Hot Topics, Israel
Tagged dispensational distinctions, Dispensationalism, dispensationalism and the church, Does the church replace Israel?, Ecclesiology, Gentile Christians, Israel and the church, Jewish Christians, Jews and Gentiles, The body of Christ, the church and Israel, the church as an organism, the church as an organizatio, The church as the body of Christ, The church in the New Testament, the early church, the first century church, the house church, the living church, the local church, the meaning of ecclesia, The meaning of ekklesia, The purpose of the church, the study of the Church, The universal church, What is dispe... dispe... dispensationalism?, what is the church, what is the ekklesia
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Treating Others with Dignity
What does it mean to treat others with dignity? Dignity most commonly refers to the honor we confer on others. Scripture directs us to “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, and honor the king” (1 Pet. 2:17). The word honor translates the Greek word τιμάω timao, which means “to show high regard for, honor, revere.” Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, God's Grace, Love, Righteous Living
Tagged Dignity, honor God, Honoring others, how do we honor our parents?, how do we show honor to others?, how do we treat others with dignity?, is dignity the same as honor? honor your parents, the noble woman, the proverbs 31 woman, treating others with dignity, we honor people because they are made in the image of God, what does it mean to honor others?, what does it mean to honor our parents?, what does it mean to treat others with dignity?, what does the Bible say about dignity?, what does the Bible say about treating others with dignity?, What is dignity?
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The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus while celebrating the Passover meal on the night before His crucifixion. The unleavened bread symbolizes the perfect humanity of Christ, and the red juice symbolizes the blood of the New Covenant that was ratified on the cross. Christians who partake of the Lord’s Supper see themselves as the beneficiaries of the spiritual blessings of forgiveness and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Inspirational Writings, Spirituality
Tagged Consubstantiation, Does the Lord's Supper impute grace?, Four views of the Lord's Supper, How often should Christians partake of the Lord's Supper?, Is Christ actually present in the unleavened bread and red wine?, Is Jesus present in the Lord's Supper?, Paul's understanding of the Lord's Supper, The biblical teaching of the Lord's Supper, The Eucharist, The Holy Communion, The Lord's Supper, The Lord's Supper and the New Covenant, The meaning of Communion, The meaning of the Eucharist, The meaning of the Lord's Supper, The symbolic view of the Lord's Supper, Transubstantiation, What does the bread and red wine symbolize?, What does the Lord's Supper represent?, Why should Christians partake of the Lord's Supper?
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Honor the Lord From Your Wealth
Giving for the Lord’s work is legitimate. The issue for the Christian is not how much one gives, but rather, that one gives joyfully, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Hot Topics, Spirituality
Tagged Are Christians required to tithe?, Give to the Lord, Giving to the poor, God loves a cheerful giver, Helping the homeless, helping the needy, Honor the Lord form your wealth, How much should Christians give?, is tithing biblical?, Should Christians tithe?, the Bible and giving, the Bible and money, What does the Bible say about giving?, What does the Bible say about tithing?
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The Characteristics of a Christian Leader
A Christian leader is marked by how he/she serves and treats others. The biblical teaching is that one who wishes to lead must make himself/herself a servant to others. This requires a biblical mind and an attitude of humility. Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Leadership, Marriage, Righteous Living
Tagged Christian character, Christian leader, Christian service, godly character, How should a Christian leader behave?, humble service, leading others, Servant leader, serving others, The biblical characteristics of a Christian leader, the biblical characteristics of a servant leader, the characteristics of a Christian leader, the characteristics of a godly leader, The Christian Leader, the godly leader, What are the characteristics of a Christian leader?, What are the characteristics of a servant leader?, what does it mean to lead?
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The Biblical Qualifications for Church Elder
The Bible states qualifications for church elders. Paul lists 15 qualifications for elder in his letter to Timothy (1 Tim. 3:1-7), and 17 qualifications in his letter to Titus (Tit. 1:5-9). The two lists differ slightly, both in number and characteristics mentioned. … Continue reading
Posted in Christian Theology, Church, Leadership
Tagged 1 Timothy 3:1-7, can women be elders?, church elders, elder, elders and deacons, elders in the church, pastors and elders, qualifications for elder, The Biblical Qualifications for Elder, Titus 1:5-9, what is the difference between an elder and pastor?, who can be a church elder?
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The Church – Then and Now
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house. (Act 20:20) The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the … Continue reading
The New Covenant and the Lord’s Supper
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took … Continue reading
Choosing a Good Bible Church
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the … Continue reading
Early Church Persecutions
Persecution is the suffering or pressure, mental, moral, or physical, which authorities, individuals, or crowds inflict on others, especially for opinions or beliefs, with a view to their subjection by recantation, silencing, or, as a last resort, execution. (G. W. … Continue reading
Posted in Church, Inspirational Writings, Suffering & Persecution
Tagged Christian martyrs, Christian persecutions, Christian suffering, church persecution, Early church persecutions, martyr, martyrdom, persecution of Christians, persecution of Christians in the early church, persecution of the church, suffering for Christ, what does it mean to be a Christian martyr, why do the righteous suffer
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