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18
Aug 2015

Joining Jesus in the Harvest (Matt. 9:35-38 ESV) 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Missional......

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28
Jul 2015

The Epistle of James Introduction to the Epistle Five men bearing the name James have been suggested as the author of this Epistle. The best candidate is James, the half-brother of the Lord (John 7:5; 1 Cor. 15:7; Acts 1:14). He was converted after the His death and resurrection, ascended to leadership in the church of Jerusalem, and martyred in AD 62 at the hand of the high priest Ananus II.1 It is striking that his self-designation is “a bond-slave (doulos) of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. During the time......

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15
Jun 2015

Introducing our Friends to Jesus Luke 5:27-39 27 After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31......

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14
May 2015

The Riches of Grace in Christ Jesus (33 Divine Accomplishments in and for the Sinner upon Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ) by Lewis S. Chafer In considering the Bible doctrine of salvation it is important to distinguish between those things which have already been done for all, and those things which are done for the individual at the instant he believes. The sum total of that which has been done for both classes constitutes “the riches of grace in Christ Jesus.” But the things divinely accomplished at the instant of believing......

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02
Apr 2013

Colossians 3:1-4 From Death to Life to Glory Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1-4 ESV) 1. Discuss this explanation of union with Christ......

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15
May 2012

Why I continue to evangelize other “Christians”   ‘Christian’ is a broad term that includes millions who have various understandings of the person and work of Jesus Christ, who identify with a myriad of Christian institutions, and who do many good works in Jesus name.   Yet, despite vast theological differences that exist among Christians, there is a persistent call for unity. The rise of Islam throughout the world, the deterioration of Christian values in the west, and the design to remove all vestiges of Christianity from the public sphere contribute to......

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26
Apr 2012

Clarifying the “Means of Grace” The term ‘means of grace’ is used by Roman Catholics and Protestants, and many evangelicals. Historically, the term comes out of the Roman Catholic Church which teaches that the sacraments (7 of them) are means by which the saving grace of God is communicated. The Reformers retained the terminology but nuanced the understanding of the sacraments (2 of them) as ‘the means by which saving grace is applied and confirmed.’ Both Roman Catholicism and Reformed Protestants institutionalize the means of grace, i.e. the sacramental means are neither......

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06
Sep 2011

Loving the City? Urban Ministry and Urban Living often attract those who are infatuated or flirtatious with the mystique of the city and even some who profess to love the city. Some of us simply love the gospel and the density (crowded neighborhoods) and diversity (economic, ethic, educational, cultural, and age differences) of people who are found in the city – offering an opportunity for a strategic advance of the gospel. We should be cautious about the phrase ‘Loving the city’ because it can be no more than a cliché of those......

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09
Aug 2011

Principles of a Submissive Life that apply to the Church 1 Peter 3:8-12 1 Peter 3:8-12 8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away......

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24
May 2011

1 Peter 1: 17-21 Live in Reverential Worship 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last......

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