Jesus said the path is narrow that leads to life and few find it. How can the path be narrow if God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth? What is it that makes the path to life infinite narrow? Is there something that makes the path singularly narrow … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 7:13-14
Self-Righteousness?
After “functionally atheist,” what is likely the next most critical problem for Christians? How about self-righteousness? There are three main problems, dire threats, having to do with self-righteousness. One, self-righteousness is a determination of the corruption in our human nature; pride makes us self-righteous. Two, we are greedy because we have an intense sense that … Continue reading Self-Righteousness?
Functionally Atheist?
Functionally atheist? Of course not; I’m a Christian. If we are Christian, why do our lives seem to be so much like the lives of non-Christians? This is the very question that is on the minds of many non-Christians. What is going on? First, our human nature has not and will not change: "That which … Continue reading Functionally Atheist?
Podcast: Matthew 7:6-12
Our world thinks in terms of give and TAKE. God's kingdom is one of give and be given to. Jesus speaks about what we have been given, how to protect that from being despised or wasted, and how to open ourselves to all that God has to give us. What does it mean that the … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 7:6-12
Podcast: Matthew 7:1-5
How do we know if we are seeing things as they really are? Does Jesus really forbid judging one another? Why do we tend to see the worst in others but not in ourselves and what is the remedy? https://wordwithoutwalls.libsyn.com/bible-study-matthew-71-5
Podcast: Matthew 6:25-34
Jesus forbids worry based on God's economy. If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, how will not much more wonderfully and abundantly provide for you? Why not seek God's kingdom first and let everything else follow? https://wordwithoutwalls.libsyn.com/bible-study-matthew-625-34
Podcast: Matthew 6:22-24
Jesus explains how the eye is the lamp of the body. Jesus speaks the the significance of our bodies being full of light or darkness. Jesus also warns that we cannot serve two masters. https://wordwithoutwalls.libsyn.com/bible-study-matthew-622-24-0
Podcast: Matthew 6:16-21
Jesus continues in this section of the Sermon on the Mount with warnings about fasting and charity. There is never anything hypocritical, formalistic, or pretentious about those who are honest about dependence. Fasting is an antidote for a noisy, selfish, corrupt human nature, and charity is an antidote for greed. Both antidotes are pursued by … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 6:16-21
Can we take Paul seriously? (Part 3)
Still earlier in Romans 8 Paul says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us …” (8:18). We might be justified or tempted in questioning what Paul has to say if we didn’t know better. Acts records a … Continue reading Can we take Paul seriously? (Part 3)
Podcast: Matthew 6:9-15
The Lord's Prayer recorded in Matthew is an abbreviated version of the Lord actually praying in John 17. Is the Lord's prayer as we know it a floor or ceiling; does it provide a platform for all our prayers or does it limit us? How does the Lord's prayer progress, how is it structured, and … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 6:9-15