There are many passages in the Bible that talk about God’s punishment. Today’s passage is one of them. I have to admit that I don’t like the idea of a God who punishes. Especially considering that there are loads of other passages in Scripture that talk about God’s love. “God is love,” John writes (1Continue reading “Does God punish people? – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 5”
Tag Archives: sex
When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4
In contemporary society, we are well aware of the ways in which people harm or take advantage of others sexually. Certainly in the context Paul wrote, and throughout most of human history, that harm, that taking advantage of, has moved in one direction. From males to females. In the vast majority of situations where thereContinue reading “When it comes sexual expression, men, we need to do better – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 4”
Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3
This week on the blog, we’re studying 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, and in that passage, Paul’s main theme is that Christians are people who are living more and more to please God. The theological word he uses is that we are to be sanctified. In the previous post, I talk about what “sanctified” means. In today’sContinue reading “Christians, stop trying to control other people’s bodies – 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8, Part 3”
Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4
Editor’s Note: This week we welcome guest blogger, Emily Marks. Emily is an adult and community educator. She and her husband Sean live in Lancaster, PA, with their dog Corvus. I learned so much from her sermon on 2 Samuel 11-12! I’m excited for you to read these blog posts. David has a big responsibilityContinue reading “Are you a typical human who doesn’t see the truth about yourself? – 2 Samuel 11—12, Part 4”
Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5
This week in Ezekiel chapter 24, we’ve learned at least two important things about God’s heart. First, his desire for holiness, and in particular, how that relates to human sexuality. Second, his desire for us to trust him when it seems he has allowed something terribly unfair in our lives, in particular the death ofContinue reading “Sex and death: Is God’s way best? – Ezekiel 24, Part 5”
The surprising thing God says about sex
You fill in the blank: “Sex is ________”. Too often we Christians have responded to our culture in negative, hurtful ways that have led people to conclude that we hate sex, that we think sex is bad. Our young people have heard so often “don’t have sex”, that many Christians teens are scared of it,Continue reading “The surprising thing God says about sex”
What does the Bible say about Sex?
I feel a bit like the parent who knows they ought and need to talk with their pubescent child about the birds and the bees, but because it is so awkward they procrastinate. Except this time, I’m talking to the church, an entire congregation, on a Sunday morning, about the birds and bees. Yeah, weContinue reading “What does the Bible say about Sex?”
Why we have had four sermons about sex in less than two months
Do you realize that we have talked about sex in four sermons in less than two months? Take a gander: March 30 – 1 Cor. 5:1-11 – Paul mentions incest and sexual immorality April 13 – 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – Paul mentions sexual immorality and homosexuality April 27 – 1 Cor 6:12-20 – The wholeContinue reading “Why we have had four sermons about sex in less than two months”
Engaging Scripture 