Worthy is the Lamb – Revelation 5:1-14

                  At the beginning of our study of the book of Revelation, we mentioned how that we should study this book not to just learn about future events, but to get to know Jesus more. The entire theme of Revelation, and the whole Bible for that matter, is all about Jesus. The apostle John…

The promise granted through faith – Romans 4:13-25

In Romans 4:13-25, Paul continues what he started in Romans 3:27. He is giving a defense of justification by faith for his Jewish readers. As we study scripture there is something very important that we must keep in mind. We should never stray away from the context of scripture. We should never ‘read into’ scripture…

The Family Altar

At the writing of this article we are experiencing the first big snowfall of the year. Unfortunately, we were unable to have church on Sunday due to the inability to get the parking area plowed. As we announced that there would be no services, I encouraged folks to worship with their family at home. I…

Always justification by faith alone – Romans 4:1-12

“In his book, Self-Esteem, the New Reformation, (Word, 1982), Dr. Robert H. Schuller shared thoughts on a hospital call he made on John Wayne. The veteran film star was facing surgery the following morning. As he traveled to the hospital, Schuller prayed for divine guidance. Should he be direct about Wayne’s relationship to Christ, was…

Lack of Discipleship in the Local Church

Earlier, we examined the need for discipleship in the local church. We saw how that many Christians are struggling to live differently than the rest of the world. We noticed some of the statistics that show how there is not much difference between believers and non-believers in the way that they live. There is a…

A glimpse of heaven – Revelation 4

There have been many people who have claimed to have had out of the body experiences in heaven. Some have even written books about their experiences. Whether those experiences are real or not, the fact is that heaven is real. There are two people in the New Testament that took trips to heaven. The apostle…

A defense for justification – Romans 3:27-31

                Previously, Paul gave a description of what justification is. Here in these verses we see a defense for justification. Paul is reaffirming the fact that justification is by faith alone. Such a defense is necessary due to the depraved mind which cannot grasp the full beauty of the Gospel. In his defense for justification,…

The Lukewarm church – Revelation 3:14-22

                  The church of Laodicea was the last of the seven churches seen in the book of Revelation. It is also the worst of all the churches. It is the only church of the seven that Jesus gives absolutely nothing positive. Because of the sin of this church, they receive the greatest condemnation of…

A description of Justification – Romans 3:21-26

In our study of Romans, we have come now to the second major division of the book. The first section of Romans showed us that people have no hope of obtaining righteousness on their own. We are all condemned in our sin. The second major division of the book of Romans covers 3:21-5:21. In this…