Crazy for Jesus

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For … Continue reading Crazy for Jesus

Be Aware

“When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, ‘We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no … Continue reading Be Aware

Tell Them the Truth

In Acts 6:1-15 and Acts 7:1-60 we read about Stephen, a man of great faith, who was being persecuted and lied about by Jews who were libertines. We read of how he was brought before a council and how false witnesses testified against him, but how, when asked if these accusations were true, he chose … Continue reading Tell Them the Truth

No More Vain Offerings

Ah, Sinful Nation!Isaiah 1:4-5 ESV “Ah, sinful nation,a people laden with iniquity,offspring of evildoers,children who deal corruptly!They have forsaken the Lord,they have despised the Holy One of Israel,they are utterly estranged.Why will you still be struck down?Why will you continue to rebel?The whole head is sick,and the whole heart faint.” Back at the time this … Continue reading No More Vain Offerings

Reverent in Behavior

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may … Continue reading Reverent in Behavior

They Turn From the Truth

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2 ESV) What this teaches … Continue reading They Turn From the Truth

But I Received Mercy

1 Timothy 1:12-14 ESV “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for … Continue reading But I Received Mercy

Outside of God’s Will

“Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the … Continue reading Outside of God’s Will

The Church, a Place of Business

Matthew 21:12-13 ESV “And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you make it … Continue reading The Church, a Place of Business

Do Your Words Offend Others?

Matthew 15:1-20 ESV Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, … Continue reading Do Your Words Offend Others?