One of the most endearing, easy-to-understand Gospel images is that of God the Father. • If your earthly father was a good man who loved you and cared for you, then this Gospel image of God the Father is precious to you. • If your earthy father failed you or maybe even hurt you, then […]
In the Epistle of 1 John, the Apostle John is concerned about his churches in the Asia minor area of the Roman Empire. They are in danger from false teachers who deny that Jesus is the Christ and who appear to live ungodly lives; in fact the Apostle even calls these false teachers antichrists1. In […]
The major theme in the book of First John is that of Christology: the Apostle John wants us to know, understand, and believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you have eternal life. In John’s day, as in our day as well, there were false teachers […]
Today we heard Jesus warn us about false teachers when He said, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many … many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” Matthew 24:4,5,11 The Apostle John echoes that when he writes, […]
When John writes, “Do not love the world nor the things of the world”, he is not talking about the beauty of Creation: the trees and mountains, oceans and lakes, sunrises and sunsets; nor is he talking about the people of the earth. In fact, God loves the people of the earth and sends us […]
What kind of words describe your faith? What adjectives would you use when you think about your Christian faith in life? Do you think of your faith with words like timid, weak, shaky; or are you thinking of words like confident, sure, and consistent? The Apostle John writes to his congregations in order that they […]
The Apostle John teaches us that there are extremely clear and sharp boundaries between being a Christian and being an unbeliever; between life in Christ and life in the world. There is no middle ground; nor is there any gray area. You either know God or you don’t; you either live a holy life or […]
One of the most valuable gifts God has given to you for daily Christian living is repentance. Repentance is the kindness of God at work in your everyday life; repentance is God at work to check your sin and to stop you from falling deeper and deeper into rebellion and immorality. This gospel promise that […]
Today we are beginning a summer series on the epistle of First John in the NEW TESTAMENT. The Apostle John begins his book in a dramatic fashion, with an exalted prologue that is meant to give you absolute assurance, deep conviction, and unshakeable confidence in your faith. John uses 4 words to emphasize the certainty […]
The Ascension of Jesus Christ is an important event in the work of Christ our Savior, in the history of His Church, and in your life as an individual believer. The Ascension of Jesus Christ to the right hand of God the Father teaches us to frame our lives around two significant truths: […]