Sep 30
2014
A Relationship Generating Story
The gospel story is a relationship generator. It brings people together across class and ethnic lines, across gender barriers and political divides, even across generation gaps.
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Who Do You Think You Are?
Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8).
Keep ReadingBoldly and Confidently
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks (Acts 19:8-10).
Keep ReadingSame Authority, Different Venue
But some of them [listening to Paul] became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. Acts 19:9
Keep ReadingWarning! And Wonderful!
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding (Acts 19:13-16).
Keep ReadingSep 29
2014
Faith Motivated Service
When God gives us new life in Christ, he doesn't just shape our actions, he also shaped our motives. He does this because God cares about who we're becoming, not just about what we're doing.
Sep 26
2014
Shine like stars
Where in the sky has the Lord placed you? Where is the Lord calling you to shine?
Sep 25
2014
Blameless and Pure
When we become followers of Christ, we become children of God. And there are certain behaviors that just are not tolerated in God's family. Paul is helping his friends to see this so they don't get led astray, confusing maturity with grumpiness.
Sep 24
2014
Grumbling and Arguing
Grumbling and arguing reveal what's really going on inside of us. They're red flags, warning lights. They reveal that our process of working out our salvation is going astray. Something has hijacked our working our of our salvation.
Sep 23
2014
Working out and Working in
God is the primary actor. And all of the important things that happen as you work out your salvation happen in the light of the larger work that God's doing in and around you.
Sep 22
2014
Fear and Trembling
Christ goes before us and above us and beneath us and beside us. Our fear and trembling come from doing our work in front of our Master.
Sep 19
2014
Your Own Interests: Philippians 2:3-4
In Christ, our interests are taken care of completely. He has taken ownership of our interests and has taken care of us. When we know that we're taken care of in Christ, we're free to serve others.
Being united with Christ and his mission propels us into ambitions that engage our world for good, to love and bless and serve everyone we can. We don't cave in to the self-centeredness of vain conceit because that is a trifle compared to the infinite goodness offered to us in Christ.
Sep 17
2014
The Lord My Shelter: Philippians 2:1
The safety Christ provides doesn't mean that we'll never be wounded or that we'll never experience pain. But it does mean that our pain and woundedness don't have the last word on us. Jesus does.