I’ve watched too many 30-second reels on Biblical eschatology making the point that the word “rapture” isn’t mentioned in the Bible. This is both true and false. Let’s read 1 Thessalonians 4:17… Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, […]
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #27: The Rapture Read More »
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed (1 Corinthians 12:1, ESV). The Greek word translated as “uninformed” can also be translated “not know” and even “misunderstand.” We all seek to better understand and release our spiritual gifts. With some gifts (speaking in tongues) more controversial than others (encouragement), are we informed, knowing, and
The Five Essentials of Spiritual Gifts Read More »
Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Ephesians 5:14b, ESV). As a preaching pastor of 50 years, with almost 2,000 sermons under my Ephesians 6:14 belt of truth, I developed the conviction that sleeping in church is one of the three great sins of the faith, alongside blasphemy and not
Falling Asleep During the Sermon Read More »
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20b, ESV, emphasis added). The primary Greek word in the New Testament for faith is “pistis” or “pistos,” both used about 300 times from Matthew to the Book of Revelation. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three;
In 1972, Ray Stedman published the bestselling book Body Life. It quickly became required reading for just about every believer. In this book, Stedman became one of the first mainline denominational leaders declaring that all Christians had spiritual gifts. The book emphasized gifts used for unifying the body of Christ. And he gave the apostles, the prophets,
UUUGGGHH — another Monday with work, kids to school, food hangover from the weekend, and long to-do lists. We thank God for Friday but struggle to get out of bed on Monday. I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever (Psalm 145:1, ESV). Psalm 145 has an effervescent tone,
It’s Monday ~ Read Psalm 145 Read More »
Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” (Revelation 6:1, ESV). Last Saturday in Interruption #1949, we witnessed the opening of the first four seals with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse released — perhaps the most terrifying sight in
Saturday’s Revelations on Revelation #26: The Seven Seals Read More »
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10, ESV). As to the Holy Spirit, in the church of my youth we were Cessationists, believing in the Spirit but thinking the Spirit was only needed to fill in the blank for the third
Spiritual Gifts Today or Not Today Read More »
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand (Proverbs 19:21, ESV). My mission as a pastor has been helping others find their passion. Jesus felt the same, and He said, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be
Four Suggestions for Finding Your Passion Read More »
Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains (James 5:7, ESV). In 1911, the population of Springfield, Ohio, was about 44,000. And during a six-week crusade in September and October, led
Revival in My Town Read More »