We live in a culture that places a high value on proof. If we are going to believe something, we must be convinced that it is true. Previously, John dealt with the issue of our continual battle with personal sin and our need to be in the habit of regular confession of sin. This correlates…
In verse 7 of 1 John 1, we are encouraged to “walk in the light.” Light reveals truth. The light reveals the truth concerning God, ourselves, and Jesus. Now that we know the truth, we are to live in the truth. However, though we are in Christ, we still have a sin nature we must…
In the first four verses of 1 John, the writer establishes his credentials and authority. He is able to speak with authority concerning Jesus because he was an eyewitness of all that Jesus said and did. The purpose of his writing is to encourage the church and strengthen their fellowship so that their joy may…
Everyone wants to be joyful. Many people will spend large sums of money and go into tremendous debt in the search for happiness and joy. It is an endless pursuit that never brings true joy and contentment. Joy does not come through the pursuit of material things. True joy is found in a relationship with…
The presents have all been opened and the tree is taken down. All the lights are stored away and all the joyous music fades into the cold winter. The parties are over and its back to work we go. The laughter and the excitement of the season has come to a sudden end. Christmas is…
In Jeremiah 1:4-10 we learn of God’s call on the life of Jeremiah. In that context we learn how God is calling all of us to Himself both for faith in Him and for serving Him in this life. We also learn how God always prepares those He calls. He never sends us out…
God never calls anyone to anything without adequate preparation. If we want to be successful in fulfilling God’s call on our lives, there must be preparation. Robert Shuller said, “Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.” When God called Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:4-10, we see that God did not send Jeremiah out blindly. God…
In Jeremiah 2:4-10 we read of God’s call on Jeremiah’s life. There is often great confusion concerning what it means to be called of God. There is even more confusion relating to the will of God and God’s specific plan for the life of an individual. There are some who confuse God’s will and God’s…
Paul’s thorn in the flesh mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 is certainly unlikely to be a sin problem in Paul’s life. However, every believer in Christ still struggles with sin. Just like the thorns of physical ailments and the thorns of relationships, we all have nagging sinful tendencies that we are constantly fighting against. Perhaps…
It is probably 90% certain that Paul’s thorn in the flesh mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 was some type of physical ailment. However, Paul had many enemies. He had people in his life that frustrated him. Though the thorn referred to in our text may have been a personal physical problem that Paul had, he…
Pastor Chris Noland 