Posts

The Superior Faith (preaching resource for 8/10 and 8/17/25, 9th and 10th Sundays after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Hebrews chapter 11 providing context for the Epistle readings on 8/10 and 8/17/25. the 8th and 9th Sundays after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe (The Bible Expository Commentary) and F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews). Introduction Prior to chapter 11 in Hebrews, we learn that Jesus is the Superior Person (chapters 1-6), with the Superior Priesthood (chapters 7-10).  These truths form the basis for the Christian faith, namely allegiance to and trust in Jesus only. This faith is Superior Faith because it is greater than that offered by the old covenant. Because they were being persecuted for their trust in Jesus, the original Jewish Christian readers of this book were tempted to return to the inferior faith of the old covenant. It’s easier for all of us to trust in the known and visible than in the invisible realities of God.  Chapter 10 ends with this exhortation: “My righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I wil...
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Christ-Centered Living (preaching resource for 8/3/25, 8th Sunday after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Colossians 3:1-11, providing context for the Epistle reading on 8/3/25. the 8th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary") and Peter T. O’Brien ("New Bible Commentary"). "Christ with His Disciples" by Mironov (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  The theology of Paul’s Epistles centers fully on Jesus and the creation and outworking of the union that all humanity has with him. Our personal realization of and active participation in that union proceeds in three interrelated steps:   1. Belong . This is the declaration of what is true already of all humanity, namely, that in and through Christ (our Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer), God includes all humanity in his life and love. He has made us all his dearly loved children. And he has done this for us and to us, apart from any work or merit of our own. It’s thus his gift of pure grace. And now the Spirit brings us a choice: t...
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Living Our Fullness in Christ (preaching resource for 7/27/25, 7th Sunday after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Colossians 2:4-23, providing context for the Epistle reading on 7/27/25. the 7th Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary") and Peter T. O’Brien ("New Bible Commentary"). Christ — King of Kings (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction  Deeply concerned that the church at Colosse was falling prey to false teachers, Paul wrote to warn them about these “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Acts 20:29). In Col 2:4-15, Paul gives this warning in the form of an admonition to remember the true gospel and reject the esoteric knowledge offered by the false teachers. All we need is Christ, for the fullness of God dwells in him and that fullness is ours because we are in union with Christ. Then in Col 2:16-23, Paul proclaims Jesus to be the fullness of God and declares that we are full in him. In short, Jesus is all we need —we certainly do not need the esoteric religious system and knowledge offered by f...
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Sharing In Jesus’ Living, Relating, and Communing (preaching resource for 7/13 and 7/20/25, 5th & 6th Sundays after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Luke chapter 10, providing context for the Gospel reading on 7/13 and 7/20/25. the fifth and sixth Sundays after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from from Warren Wiersbe ("Bible Expository Commentary") and I. Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary"). "He Sent Them Out Two-By-Two" by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Luke chapter 10 has three scenes that explore our calling to share actively in who Jesus is and what he does—his living, relating and communing. We’ll see how this sharing was expressed in the lives of Jesus’ first followers and take note of how it may be expressed in and through our lives today. Sharing in Jesus living  Luke 10:1–24 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers int...
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The Life of Freedom (preaching resource for 7/6/25, fourth Sunday after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Galatians 5:26-6:18, providing context for the Epistles reading on 7/6/25. the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from "The Message of Galatians" by John Stott, "The IVP New Testament Commentary" by G. Walter Hansen, and "The Expositors Bible Commentary." "The Apostle Paul" by Rembrandt (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Galatians chapter 5 Paul defines and defends the freedom that is ours in Christ. But what does that freedom look like in everyday life? Paul tells us in Galatians chapter 6.      1. Loving relationships  Galatians 5:26-6:5 Life in Christ, in step with the Holy Spirit, looks like loving relationships. Paul illustrates this point by examining relationships among Christian brothers and sisters, showing us how Christians should not treat one another, then how they should.   a. How Christians should not treat one another (5:26) Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each...
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