February 22, 2015. Last week we began a series that addressed two different paradigms that churches can have, through which they look at the world and the lost. Of these two paradigms, only one is put forth by Jesus. It seems that in our culture today, however, the opposite one is most often the default…
Tag: good news
Choose your paradigm: Membership or Missional. (Part 1)
February 15, 2015. I have been listening to a lot of sermons and podcasts recently that have dealt with the mission of the church and how we need to relight our fire. Of particular note was the distinction between two different paradigms in Christianity that we need to be aware of to choose the…
Acts 10-12: The gospel goes to the Gentiles.
November 28, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 10-12. Background: Acts 9. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 10 The gospel given to the Gentiles: Up until this point in the book of acts, the good news about Christ really had only gone to the Jews. Even when the believers were scattered abroad after the stoning of Stephen spoke…
Acts 7-8: Stephen and the spread of the gospel.
November 14, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 7-8. Background: Acts 5-6. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 7 Stephen: The previous chapter left of with the arrest of Stephen on the basis of false witnesses, being brought before the council of Jewish leaders. This chapter pics up here and records Stephen’s defense and message to the high priest…
John 16-18: Jesus’ final days.
October 10, 2015. Daily Reading: John 16-18. Background: John 13-15. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 16 A final discourse with the disciples: As we near the passion narrative as presented by John, he gives us one of the final discussions that Jesus has with His disciples before He is taken to trial and the cross, followed…
John 1-2: Come and see.
August 29, 2015. Daily Reading: John 1-2. Background: The gospel of John is quite different from the other three synoptic (meaning synopsis, or summery) gospels, containing different stories, miracles and theological emphasis. The differences in this gospel reflect a different purpose in writing, likely written after a good amount of theological reflection of the author,…
Luke 23-24: The trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
August 21, 2015. I am switching Friday and Saturday’s reading this week due to timing issues. I appreciate you bearing with me. Thank you for reading and following along! _________________________________________________________ Daily Reading: Luke 23-24. Background: Luke 21-22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 The trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus: Luke, being the historian that he…
Philippians 1-2: To live is Christ.
June 16, 2015. Daily Reading: Philippians 1-2. Background: This letter is a letter of Paul written to the church at Philippi, which was one of the earliest churches in Europe. Paul, along with Timothy and Silas, had visited Philippi on his second missionary journey after being called to the region in a vision at night,…
II Corinthians 4-6: The glory of the gospel.
April 19, 2015. Daily Reading: II Corinthians 4-6. Background: II Corinthians 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 1. The light of the gospel: In the beginning, when all of the universe as we know it was nothing and there was no light, there was God, and God said “Let their be light,”- and light shined out…
Matthew 26-28: The death, burial and resurrection.
March 14, 2015. (3.14.15. 9:26:53) Daily Reading: Matthew 26-28. Background: Matthew 23-25. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 26 1. Foreshadowing: As He has told His disciples on a number of occasions, Jesus once again tells them that He is about to be delivered over to be crucified. His hour had come and they would soon be tested…
Matthew 3-4: Baptism, temptation and the gospel.
January 17, 2014. Daily reading: Matthew 3-4. Background: Matthew 1-2. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 3 1. The baptism of John: There are several references to one that would come before the Christ to prepare the way for Him. Isaiah prophesied that he would come as one crying in the wilderness “prepare the way of the…
Matthew 1-2: The birth of the Christ.
January 10, 2014. We have made it to the end of the first week! Thank you so much for your support. These post have been very challenging for me to write, but hearing that people are actually following them has been such an encouragement to me, and for that I can’t thank you enough. If…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 