Trusting in Jesus

The gospel message is quite clear: Christ died for our sins! It is by believing this message that we are saved- if we hold fast the word preached thus proving ourselves to not have believed spuriously.

~ 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. View full article »

Human Suffering

Today we wrestle with the enigma of Human suffering in light of the Sovereignty of God. Does God passively allow human suffering, actively cause it, unable to do anything about it, or able to end it but unwilling to do so? Furthermore, what does our answer say about the character of God?

“’My grace is sufficient for you.’ Most gladly therefore will I boast in my infirmity.” II Cor. 12:9

Several years ago some purported evangelicals proposed a solution to the enigma by hypothesizing a theology they dubbed “Open Theism.” View full article »

The Third Heaven

I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. ~ II Corinthians 12:2

Does this verse teach levels of Heaven or exaltation? View full article »

“I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.”
II Corinthians 12:1b

Today our text deals with a vision that Paul received where he was caught up into Paradise and saw things unlawful for him to repeat. As we look into this text it is important we understand the place that visions serve in God’s self-revelation. View full article »

Philosophy- everyone has one

However, it’s a lot like a uvula- everyone has one but no one has any idea what it does or why it’s there!

“Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted?” II Corinthians 11:7

The word philosophy comes from two Greek words- Phileo and Sophia- “to love” and “to be wise”. Thus philosophy is literally “the love of wisdom”. When we think of philosopher’s, we usually think of old Greek men sitting around in togas in places like the Parthenon arguing about obscure and meaningless trivia. So we get dictum’s like the famous- “I think, therefore I am.” No doubt a truism- but what in the world does it have to do with real life? How do I use it to fix my car, balance the demands of life, raise my kids and love my wife? How does it help me fulfill the commands to love God and love men? View full article »

Smooth words and flattering speech

“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17, 18

In Romans 16 Paul is closing his letter to the church at Rome with a similar admonition as to what we study today View full article »