Peter wrote to comfort first century Christians facing persecution for their faith. He challenged them to remember the grace of God—grace that secures our future hope (1 Peter 1:3-5). Christ put this grace on display in the salvation he secured. Old Testament prophets predicted this grace, but Peter says they found two themes perplexing: the…
Many Christians equate worship with triumphal songs that only communicate happiness. They seldom, if ever, sing songs of sorrow and lament. This is a different kind of service. To those who assess the worth of all things by entertainment value it will feel unnatural.It is designed to help us grieve over the death of our…
Our obedience to God’s word is not merely a personal matter; the strength of the church depends on it.
Titus brought news from Corinth to Paul. He reported that the Corinthians had responded to Paul’s admonitions. They had repented and declared their allegiance to Paul, and thus to the Lord. The key idea is that Paul’s correction brought them sorrow, but it was the right kind of sorrow, sorrow that produced repentance. And their…
The Corinthians could add the church to their lives. It was one interest of many. They could still fit into their society completely. The church and its mission was not the whole of life, not the center of life. The whole and center—that’s the kind of commitment Paul exemplified. That’s the kind of commitment Paul…
The Bible makes much of holiness. It is the dominant theme in the Bible’s description of God character. It is the attribute that gathers up and unifies all other attributes. Before his throne angelic beings cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy!”—never ending, never tiring, never bored. This holy God requires holiness of his people: “Be holy for…
In Galatians 5:13-15, Paul begins to turn more fully to ethical instruction in this letter: how does the doctrine he has taught translate into living? He began that transition in Chapter 5. In the first 12 verses he was hitting one opponent of freedom: the legalists. Now he addresses those who might be taking freedom…
This sermon text introduces the final section of the extended discussion of Paul’s ministry that began in 2 Corinthians 2:14. These introductory verses make an appeal for mutual affection. Paul had demonstrated his dedication to the gospel ministry and his devoted love for the Corinthians. It was time for them to show similar love for…
The sermon passage for this Lord’s Day describes Paul’s full commitment to serve his Lord (2 Corinthians 6:3-10). Military metaphors often shaped the apostle’s description of Christian service. This passage is no exception. It is reminiscent of the admonition Paul gave Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3-4: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ…
In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Paul explains what it looks like when the love of Christ “controls” us and, thus, we live only for him (cf. 5:14-15). Paul’s worldview had undergone a radical transformation so that he no longer viewed Christ—or anything else—from a worldly outlook. Being united with Christ changed everything.…