When I was growing up my family subscribed to Reader’s Digest magazine, both the English version (to help my parents learn English) and the Spanish version, their native language. Even when I went off to college and then seminary, my father insisted on sending me a subscription that I might …
In considering three of Jesus’ temptations by the devil last week, we noted that they occurred just after Jesus had been baptized by John and that his baptism had been an affirmation by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit[1] that Jesus Christ was indeed the Messiah promised and sent by …
At the time of Jesus’ temptation he was a young man of around 30 years about to embark upon his time of ministry.[1] All told Luke dedicated twenty-two chapters of his Gospel to the last three years Jesus’ life—beginning with his baptism,[2] on through his three years of ministry, and …
What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ? Or, how does one go from believing that Jesus was a historical figure, a good moral teacher and rabbi, to believing Jesus is the Christ, someone who though fully human yet also was fully God, the promised Messiah, eternal Son of …
As we’ve been considering various portions of 1 Corinthians, we’ve spent some time in chapter 15 noting two key points Paul has kept hammering home: First, Jesus Christ, after he died for our sins—according to the Scriptures; and was buried and raised on the third day—again, according to the Scriptures; …
We noted last week that given that some of the believers of the church in Corinth had forgotten, and were thereby neglecting the fundamentals of the faith, Paul felt the need to feed them yet again with the milk of the Gospel 101. Paul had to declare to these believers …
Though last year I preached on this passage, appropriately enough on Easter Sunday,[1] how wonderful it is to preach on the resurrection of Christ in the all too-often dreary month of February which, though the shortest month of the year, can feel like the longest month coming, as it does, …
Last week we were provided a few glimpses into some of the reasons why Paul was writing to these Corinthians believers as we considered the first half of 1 Corinthians 12. These former pagans had at one time worshiped mute idols.[1] And though the idols to which they’d been led …
The Christmas season that has just passed, with its expectation of giving gifts to those we love and/or otherwise know, can be a source of anxiety and stress because it can be difficult to figure out what gift will be appreciated by the recipient we have mind. And since this …
I probably mention each year how I always look forward to the beginning of a new year. I find the whole idea of doing better, of being better, of wiping the slate clean and having a chance at a new beginning tantalizing. We seem to carry within us a vision, …
