Jesus’ image of home is one of refuge, of safety. For some of you the thought of home is like that, warm and comforting. Perhaps you had a loving, stable family where your needs were met. Perhaps you felt safe, secure, and you could flourish. I’m not talking about perfection, as that doesn’t exist. ButContinue reading “God wants to make his home with you – John 14:1-14, Part 2”
Tag Archives: heaven
The time Jesus seems to condemn people, but actually isn’t – John 10:22-42, Part 3
In John 10, verse 26, Jesus makes a curious accusation to the religious leaders who are confronting him: “You don’t believe because you are not my sheep.” What does he mean? Is he condemning them forever? No. We know that he cannot mean that it is impossible for them to be his sheep. Why? BecauseContinue reading “The time Jesus seems to condemn people, but actually isn’t – John 10:22-42, Part 3”
The time Jesus told people “Depart from me!” – Becoming Disciplemakers, Part 2
What is discipleship? It is crossing The Matthew 7 line. Our Faith Church logo has four squares, with a vertical line in the middle. We call that the Matthew 7 line. Let me explain. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus teaches one of his most important, I think, and revealing parables. What he says there, I callContinue reading “The time Jesus told people “Depart from me!” – Becoming Disciplemakers, Part 2″
How to experience eternal life now…before you die – John 3:1-21, Part 4
Do you have eternal life? Not sure? You can know…now. In John 3:14-15, we read the first time in the Gospel of John that Jesus gives us a hint of how he will die. Jesus refers to a situation from Israel’s history in the Old Testament book of Numbers, chapter 21, verses 8-9. The peopleContinue reading “How to experience eternal life now…before you die – John 3:1-21, Part 4”
What do kindness and heaven have to do with one another? – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 3
In the previous post, we read Paul’s words in Galatians 5 where he writes that if you are regularly demonstrating hatred, discord, and fits of rage, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Is Paul saying that if we are not kind, we cannot go to heaven? “Paul,” you might say, “I thought you wroteContinue reading “What do kindness and heaven have to do with one another? – Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness, Part 3”
How to enter the Kingdom of God – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 5
After illustrating the acts of the sinful nature, as we learned in the previous post on Galatians 5:16-26, Paul has a clear warning for the people. Look at the end of verse 21, “If we live according the desires and indulgences of the sinful nature, we will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” That’s aContinue reading “How to enter the Kingdom of God – Galatians 5:16-26, Part 5”
An answer to “Does God Keep His Promises?” – Ezekiel 34, Part 5
In the previous post, we read God’s description of human flourishing in Ezekiel 34. Some might say, “But wasn’t that a promise to the people of Israel?” Yes…and no. A case could be made that what God is saying is applicable to all people. But what about Christians? Doesn’t the New Testament only talk aboutContinue reading “An answer to “Does God Keep His Promises?” – Ezekiel 34, Part 5″
God’s description of heaven? – Ezekiel 34, Part 4
Have you ever wondered what heaven is like? I asked a bunch of questions about heaven in this post, when I previewed this five-part series on Ezekiel chapter 34. Now we get to an answer. In Ezekiel 34 verses 23-31, God shares a new vision of hope for the people. While God says that heContinue reading “God’s description of heaven? – Ezekiel 34, Part 4”
Do you long for heaven? – Ezekiel 34, Preview
When you think of heaven, what images come to mind? Maybe a long line of people waiting to get in? Or do you think of pearly gates connecting jewel-encrusted walls, a castle, golden streets, and angels? Maybe bright light filling the sky over green rolling hills? Sometimes we think of mansions. Maybe meetings with JesusContinue reading “Do you long for heaven? – Ezekiel 34, Preview”
How to experience glory – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 4
This week in our study of 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Paul writes that Christians are people who are saved. In the previous post we examined how we are saved from separation from God. In today’s post we try to understand how we are also saved for something. As Jesus taught it, we are saved to beContinue reading “How to experience glory – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, Part 4”
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