Popular television preacher, Joel Osteen, has a standard introduction to each of his sermons. He invites all in attendance (usually 8,000 plus people) to take their Bibles, raise them in the air, and repeat after him: This is my Bible I am what it says I am I have what it says I have I [...]
I am wrapping up a year long expositional class on the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is a beautiful gift of a King to His bride. From the outset of this prophetic work, it is announced: Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who [...]
“Climate change” is a hot button term these days. Far from simply being a U.S. political issue, the nations are now gathering to solve this seemingly “unstoppable, urgent issue.” Certainly, climates do change, and have throughout the age of this earth. But the chief concerns by those scrambling throughout the world are totally misplaced. About [...]
Ever year at this time, particular attention is paid to the Gospel birth narratives. While it is wonderful that the Scriptures are being read and engaged, several details in these accounts have been misunderstood due to their “popular” portrayal in our culture. For instance, we see dozens of nativity scenes every year, yet Jesus was most probably born in a typical “middle class” home in Bethlehem. Furthermore, there was no innkeeper refusing to let Mary and Joseph stay in a “hotel.” This crept into church history because of a misunderstanding of a particular Greek word. Beyond these matters, there are also matters that we often gloss over when there are powerful points that arise from these “small details.” One I wish to explore in this is article is the declaration of Joseph as being a “just man” and some of the implications that arise for our own walk in the Lord.
In the first chapter of Matthew we read the royal genealogy of Jesus. The Messianic credentials are established. Jesus is the descendant of Abraham, Judah, David, and Zerubbabel — highlighting the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the Law and Prophets. But in the text we are introduced to a problem; a crisis:
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1:18-19
Reflections On A Morning With The Author Of “The Pursuit Of Holiness”
Earlier this month, I was blessed to attend a breakfast with Jerry Bridges. For those unfamiliar with this man, he has worked with the Navigators for nearly 50 years and is widely known for his writings on sanctification. In 1978 he wrote a bestselling book titled “The Pursuit of Holiness.” He followed up this work with titles such as “The Practice of Godliness,” “The Discipline of Grace” and “Respectable Sins.” In a small group setting, Mr. Bridges gave us a stirring message from the Scriptures and we had ample time to interact with him. While there were many memorable moments, two matters really “hit their mark,” stirring me to remembrance to how I need to pursue conformity to the image of Christ.
Ryan is being interviewed on his new book “The Parable of the Fig Tree” on KKMS 980AM in Minneapolis/St Paul on Tuesday, October 27th (4:00-5:00 p.m.). Click here for more information.
Over the last few months I’ve had several conversations with fellow Christians who are anxious and dismayed about America’s political direction. Many fear the worst as our government pursues policies and programs they believe will bring disastrous outcomes—and they may well be right. However, whether you agree, disagree or are relatively indifferent regarding the political [...]
While the previous “Misapplied Scripture” articles have dealt with verses that are often used out of context by those professing a faith in Christ, this is a verse that is often used by those who have made no such profession, or in some cases they have only very recently made such a profession. Nevertheless, it is a verse that is commonly misapplied, so I wish to address it here.
As with any verse, this one must be taken within its context. Normally I advise, at the very least, to read a verse within the chapter that contains it. In this case, such an approach would be adequate, but not optimal. Chapter seven of Matthew’s Gospel comes as the third of three chapters detailing the famous Sermon on the Mount1. This chapter is especially Gospel-centric.
I’ll begin by showing verse one in conjunction with the following verse: Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you (emphasis mine.)
“Are we living in the last days?” This is certainly a common question asked throughout the contemporary church. I believe we can confidently answer, by the authority of the word of God, “Yes!” Now before one decides to dump their insurance, stop putting money in their I.R.A.’s, or buy a secluded retreat, allow me to expound what the Scriptures declare to be the “last days,” and highlight our calling in light of this significant time.
In Acts chapter 2, we read of a climactic event in salvation history. Jesus has been raised from the dead, appeared to His followers, and instructed them to wait in Jerusalem. The promise of power from on high was about to come. On the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus was raised from the dead, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon all who believed in Jesus of Nazareth. They began speaking in various tongues, pointing to the truth that this was the fulfillment of God’s promise proclaimed through the prophet Joel.
“Where did you come up with the name for your ministry, “Signet Ring”?
This is a commonly asked question when people are first introduced to our ministry. In order to understand where the name comes from, and why we chose it to represent the mission of our ministry, I invite you to learn some biblical theology.
A while back, I was in the middle of doing research for some expositional work, and I ran across an argument against Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah. For me this was rare—someone using the Old Testament to attempt to discredit Jesus’ claim as the Christ. An anti-missionary website cited Jeremiah 22:30 as evidence that Jesus could not be the Messiah:
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Write this man down childless, a man who will not prosper in his days; for no man of his descendants will prosper sitting on the throne of David or ruling again in Judah.’”
This text is referring to Jeconiah (a.k.a. Coniah and Johoiachin), one of Judah’s Kings. In light of this text, anti-missionaries are quick to cite Matthew 1:12 where Jeconiah is listed in Jesus genealogy. They argue that since none of Jeconiah’s descendants will prosper on the throne of David, this disqualifies Jesus as the Messiah. So how are we, who believe that Jesus of Nazareth is Israel’s Messiah, and our Savior, to respond to this?
A few years ago an area pastor took out advertisements in one of our local Christian periodicals. These ads issued both a proclamation and a challenge: “Christians are required to observe the Sabbath on Saturdays, and I invite anyone to debate me on this subject.” The challenge was eventually accepted and I proceeded to attend the public debate. At the time of this debate I was engaged in expository work on both Galatians and Hebrews. As I listened to these two men debate the issues, I compared their views to what I was learning through my studies. What struck me was this: the theological issues that the first century church struggled against are just as pressing 2,000 years later.