In the previous post, we observed Jesus preaching the beginning of his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). At the outset, it seems like Jesus is taking his culture’s precious Mosaic Law and ripping it up. How so? First, in his Beatitudes teaching he says that the Kingdom of God is available to all! Continue reading “Why Jesus said the so-called “righteous” people are wrong – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 2″
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Jesus’ culture-bending teaching – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 1
From an ancient military standpoint, the breastplate is piece of armor covering the chest, primarily to protect the heart and lungs from the possibility of being pierced by arrows or blows from blades and stones. It is very similar to Kevlar bullet proof vests that contemporary soldiers wear. In Ephesians 6:14b, the apostle Paul continues,Continue reading “Jesus’ culture-bending teaching – Breastplate of Righteousness, Part 1”
How “righteous” is a slang word – Breastplate of Righteousness, Preview
This past week I started something new, teaching English as a Second Language with students in Conestoga Valley SEEDS’ classes held at my church. It was so much fun talking about our sometimes crazy English language. This past week, for example, we learned the nuances between “although,” “even though,” “though,” and “because.” English can beContinue reading “How “righteous” is a slang word – Breastplate of Righteousness, Preview”
How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5
I recently saw a church sign message that asked the question, “How can you be a jerk during the week, then worship on Sunday?” Most church sign messages I see are ridiculous and counterproductive, but that one spoke truth. That was some truth in love that all Christians need to hear. Are we grumpy? WeContinue reading “How to hear the truth and speak it – Belt of Truth, Part 5”
Two important ways to embrace truth – Belt of Truth, Part 4
In 1 John 4, the apostle John writes Christians about grounding themselves in truth. He writes in 1 John 4:1-6, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize theContinue reading “Two important ways to embrace truth – Belt of Truth, Part 4”
Knowing Jesus is to know the truth – Belt of Truth, Part 3
We gird our loins in the truth, or with the truth, by grounding our lives in Jesus. This is a major reason why we recently studied the Gospel of John from start to finish, so that we could get to know Jesus. What did you learn about Jesus in John? How is that changing howContinue reading “Knowing Jesus is to know the truth – Belt of Truth, Part 3”
What it means to gird up your loins – Belt of Truth, Part 2
Have you ever heard the phrase, “gird up your loins”? It’s not a phrase we say much anymore, but it relates to the first piece of the Armor of God, the Belt of Truth. But when you hear “gird up your loins,” it doesn’t sound like it is referring to armor. Obviously the translators ofContinue reading “What it means to gird up your loins – Belt of Truth, Part 2”
Our culture’s messy relationship with the truth – The Belt of Truth, Part 1
We live in a society and culture that has increasingly struggled with truth. We ourselves can sometimes struggle with the truth. Do you remember the last time you lied? Hid a truth? What about the last time you were lied to or felt deceived? I remember one of the first times I told a lie. Continue reading “Our culture’s messy relationship with the truth – The Belt of Truth, Part 1”
When Batman was foiled by his mom – The Belt of Truth, Preview
When my son was just a little guy, he was convinced that he was Batman. And he had a point. You never saw Batman and my son in the same place, did you? Nope. At the time, we lived in the city of Lancaster, and our home had only street-side parking. Some evenings when mostContinue reading “When Batman was foiled by his mom – The Belt of Truth, Preview”
It is God’s armor, not ours – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 5
I love Star Wars, and their recent show The Mandalorian is a favorite. The Mandalorian people in Star Wars are known for their impenetrable armor. They are able to defeat evil because of their armor. But what about us? How should we interact with evil? In our study of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 6:10-13, heContinue reading “It is God’s armor, not ours – Ephesians 6:10-13, Part 5”
Engaging Scripture 