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Sacrifice of Living
Isaiah 1:10–18, Psalm 50, Romans 5:20–6:11 The problem with the Law was the human ability to think out the payment schedule, particularly the wealthy. What the wealthy did, it seems, was to commit the sin, then pay the penalty. In other words, the payment for the sin was considered as part of the “cost of
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Remember the Gone
Matthew 22:23–33, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Romans 8:26–30 All Saints Day was established to honor the saints of the church. As we talked about yesterday, it is also a good time to reflect upon those that helped shape your faith. By so doing these people were doing the work of saints. Now, let us be clear,
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The Reformation Observed
Acts 15:1–21, Ephesians 2:1–10, 2 Timothy 3:10–17 Today marks 502 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the doors of Wittenberg Castle Church. Without question, Martin Luther was a key figure in the reformation of Western Christendom. Others, too, made many of the critiques that Luther did. They did it earlier and were
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How To Win
Matthew 19:16–21, Matthew 21:28–32, Luke 13:22–30 What must I do to win? In many respects, that question is the underlying thought in all 3 of these Gospel stories. The admiration of the rich and leaders is no new thing. Often people look at others and wonder, how do I get where they are? Often this
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Power of Service
Mark 10:42–45, John 21:15–17, 1 Peter 4:7–11 Power to control. That’s what Jesus is talking about in the passage in Mark. The Gentile “rulers” (though the same applied to many of the Pharisees and scribes, as well) lorded their power, influence, and wealth over others, and controlled them. When this passage is used, often we
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Outside Praise
Psalm 84:8-12, James 2:14–26, Romans 12:1–8 Depending on your preferred translation of the Scriptures, Psalm 84:10 may or may not speak about standing at the threshold of God. In a previous devotion, we connected this to our Welcome Team, as those who were the transition between the outside and the inside of the building. Doorkeepers
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Work to Death or for Life
Acts 6:1–7, James 2:14–26 In his book, With Unveiled Faces, Kieth Drury writes, “Serious Christians get into lifesaving boats and go to sea to rescue people in need, refusing to sit in our warm lighthouses waiting for the shipwrecked to wash up on shore.” As we talk this week about connecting with God through the
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The Now Useful
Philemon 1-25 Paul’s letter to Philemon is a personal letter. While Paul acknowledges the church that meets in Philemon’s home, this letter is not to them. Just the greeting is political and relational: Philemon, slave and property owner; Apphia, Philemon’s wife; Archippus, a “coworker” of Paul’s from Colossae, and possibly filling the role of pastor.
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Maturing Change
Psalm 55:1-19, Romans 7:18-25 It’s likely you’ve heard this bad joke, but… How many psychologists (or psychiatrists or counselors) does it take to change a lightbulb? None, because the light bulb has to want to change. (yes, it’s a bad joke) The reality is that there are those that seek to change and there are