On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Marcia Montenegro discuss what the Enneagram is, why this practice should be concerning to Christians, and how they should speak to it and about it, how the Enneagram opposes a biblical worldview, along with her...
I homeschool my kids, and my oldest was recently learning how to use Venn diagrams to break down information and see how it relates to other things. I started thinking about how I would “Venn diagram” my life and what overlaps, what’s separate, and, maybe, what...
Romans 8:3-4, “3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us,...
Join Dave as he continues his series through 2 Samuel looking at 2 Samuel 6:1-11 and the Holiness of God.
Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1 marks another significant turning point in Paul’s magisterial...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks Dave, “Why Is the Gate of Salvation Narrow?” What you’ll hear in this episode • Choice in Biblical Thought. • The Narrow Gate, the Hard Road. • Several reasons to take the narrow road. Subscribing, sharing, and your...
Throughout Romans 7, Paul has dealt with an important problem relevant to all Christians: why do I keep sinning if I am saved? Why, even though I love God’s Word and God’s law, do I keep on sinning even when I know I must not? Our passage summarizes Paul’s...
Romans 7:21, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.” “The devil made me do it” may be a popular way of using humor to excuse sin, but we should never use this rationalization. Indeed, sin is not funny in the least, but...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 5:17-25 and paying your pastor, dealing with accusations against elders, and the ordination of elders. What you’ll hear in this episode Paying your pastor Dealing with...
If you have been a Christian long enough, you know about habits for growing in faith. Of all the habits, prayer may be the most critical. It gives life to all other habits because we seek the Holy Spirit primarily in prayer. One of my favorite Puritan writers,...
Romans 7:18-20, “18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Owen Strachan discuss whether or not it’s biblical to view CRT as an analytical tool or not, the signs of a “woke” church and how Christians should respond to it, and address it in their churches and with their...
The need to disciple others in their walk with Christ is nothing new. Jesus took twelve men with Him and taught them separately from the larger gatherings. Then we see Him choose three of those twelve to get even closer to. However, we’ve seen in recent years an...
Romans 7:14-17, “ For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it...
Romans 7:13, “Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” Moving forward in our...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks Dave, “What is the main difference between biblical literacy and biblical illiteracy?” What you’ll hear in this episode The statistics regarding biblical illiteracy. Defining biblical illiteracy and biblical...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks Dave, “Why can it be hard to understand Scripture?” What you’ll hear in this episode Why the Bible is Hard to Understand. The Need for Biblical Hermeneutics. The Hard Teaching of Scripture and Biblical...
One of the most contested issues in the church in recent days concerns the role of men and women in the church. The chief question among many people is this: “Can a woman preach on a Sunday morning to a congregation that consists of both men and women?” People also...
Romans 7:12, “So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.” Interpreters have long struggled to square Paul’s teaching on the law of God—particularly its revelation in the Mosaic law—with Old Testament texts that praise this law (for...
The New Testament has plenty of instances in which Jesus interacts with those with a disability, but what about in the Old Testament? There are still some great examples of how to treat someone with a disability, and one of the best is David’s example in the way he...
Romans 7:8-11, “8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 5:9-16 and widows’ eligibility and requirements, and sloth and gossip. What you’ll hear in this episode Widows’ eligibility and requirements. The List of Widows Sloth and...
If you were to scour the less-than-famous books of the Old Testament, you would discover a peculiar statement in a peculiar book penned by a peculiar old man: “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of...
Romans 7:7-8, “What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Micah Wilder discuss engaging Mormon missionaries when they come to your door and Mormon neighbors with the gospel, ministering to Ex-Mormons with Scripture, along with his book, Passport to Heaven: The True Story...
To be a discipler is simple, but it may not be easy. It is time-consuming and requires some basic knowledge about God and His Word, and a piece of you. In a previous article, I described how Jesus approached His inner circle of disciples like this: “There was a...
Across the table from me, a young man, maybe fifteen years old, was pouring out his heart. While we ate our burgers and fries, he shared how he loved the Lord but struggled to apply the gospel daily. His friends were regularly doing things that he, as a Christian,...
Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World by Gregg R. Allison addresses a crucial matter that impacts everyone. While every systematic theology addresses the issue of embodiment, few tackle this subject with the skill and precision that Dr. Allison does...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks Dave, “What Does it Mean That God Is Not Mocked?” What you’ll hear in this episode God Cannot Be Mocked. Sowing to the Spirit. Subscribing, sharing, and your feedback You can subscribe to the Servants of Grace...
Romans 7:1-3, “Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from...
Scripture provides vivid warnings of judgment and eternal hell for those who don’t repent and believe in Christ. Such warnings occur throughout the Bible and in Jesus’ earthly teaching. In Revelation 14, those who reject Christ and instead worship the beast “will...
The New Creation and the Storyline of Scripture by Frank Thielman is the most recent installment in Crossway’s Short Studies in Biblical Theology. The goal of this series, according to the editors, is “to magnify the Savior and build up his church – magnifying the...
Romans 6:22-23, “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 5:1-8 and why the family of God and the family matters, the Church’s role in protecting widows, and putting our faith into practice by the grace of God. What you’ll hear in...
In John 9:1-41, we read of Jesus’ interaction with a blind man at the pool of Siloam. Jesus frequently interacts with the blind or with people with various infirmities and disabilities. Because of that, His encounter with this blind man is not altogether unusual...
Romans 6:20-21, “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.” As we look at all religions besides...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Garrett Kell discuss the gospel and pursuing purity, the place of community and pursuing purity, strategies to starve pornography, and accountability, along with his book, Pure in Heart: Sexual Sin and the...
There comes that moment in every new parent’s life when our precious little bundle of joy turns to us and, with hands-on-hips and determination in their voice, tells us with resounding conviction, “NO!” We don’t know whether to laugh or cry. We want to laugh...
Romans 6:15-19, “15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or...
Join Dave as he looks at 2 Samuel 4:1-12 and Bloody Justice, Severe Mercy.
Still half-asleep, I stumble to the kitchen to turn on the Keurig. I hear the boys’ bedroom door open, followed by a miniature stampede of pattering feet running in my direction. The two youngest stop and look at me, but I’m not prepared for anything but coffee....
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What Does it Mean to Be a God-Fearing Christian?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Importance of a Right Understanding of God. The Purpose of the Fear of God. Two Types of Biblical Fear. Fearing the Lord...
Reading has fallen on hard times. Technology and all things visual have led to a steady decline of the written page. Leland Ryken and Glenda Faye Mathes have something to say about this problem in their book, Recovering the Lost Art of Reading. Reading is a Lost...
If you’re a Christian and use social media even in the slightest bit, then you likely saw a recently-posted, two-minute clip that made the rounds on Twitter the week of June 21st. Matt Smethurst called it “gospel gold from Alistair Begg.” Survey says... that was a...
In the pages of the Bible, and especially in the Gospels, Jesus interacts with people with disabilities and infirmities frequently. One such instance is contained in Luke 18:35-43. In this portion of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus encounters a blind man on the road near...
Romans 6:14, “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Legal righteousness—a standing before God that says we have kept His covenant—is granted to us when we believe the gospel, when we trust in Jesus alone for salvation...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 4:11-16 and the importance of an exemplary life, why teaching the Bible begins with reading the Bible, and why Bible exposition is essential to the health of the local...
This is my first piece since the passing of my dear wife, Heidi M. Ruiz. She passed away on 3/28/2021 at Cornell medical hospital after a roller coaster of a day of sudden medical complications. If you’re inclined to hear my recounting of the day, please feel free...
Romans 6:12-13, “12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Voddie Baucham discuss social justice and biblical and theological illiteracy, the dangers of CRT and intersectionality, the dangers of the cult of racism, concerns with Christian’s support of BLM, along with his...
We’ve read it, heard it preached, plastered it on our church walls, and recited it over and over. What is it? The charge of Jesus to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[ the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”...
Romans 6:11, “11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Growth in holiness—our sanctification—does not constitute an optional addendum to the gospel; rather, it is a necessary fruit of the gospel. Indeed, properly...
Join Dave as he looks at 2 Samuel 3:22-39 and the Prince of Peace.
Universal Worry Let’s be honest. We’re all worried, aren’t we? Some of us are worried about catching COVID-19 or spreading it. Some of us are worried about the impact of emergency laws upon civil liberties. Some of us are worried about the economy and the impact on...
Romans 6:8–10, “8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is sovereign grace?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Meaning of Sovereign Grace. The Grace of God and Humanity. An Example of the Grace of God. The Sovereign Grace of God in the Life of the People of...
Invite Conversation As a general rule, we will not be able to have growing relationships in which we help other people unless we see the good in them, and they know we see good in them. Would you listen to someone who helps you merely out of duty rather than love?...
Romans 6:5-7, “5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we...
I tried to blend New Age and Christianity for many years. Here are just 10 of the many reasons why Christianity and the new age are opposites that can never be blended: 1. New Age glorifies the self; Christianity glories God. 2. New Age says: “Follow your heart,...
Romans 6:3-4, “3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 4:6-10 and a warning against becoming the wrong kind of theologian, the connection between sanctification and glorification. What you’ll hear in this episode The three...
Kimberly and Shelbi wrap up the current season of Women’s Hope by answering questions sent in by listeners. The Q&A, on topics related to the study of Titus 2, is moderated by special guest Melissa Harrison. Thanks, as always, for listening! And be sure to look...
Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” Without a doubt, Paul is used to fielding objections to the Gospel, especially those having to do with the law of...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Andreas Kostenberger discuss the importance of biblical theology to biblical interpretation, the historical and cultural background to Scripture, along with his book, Invitation to Biblical Interpretation:...
Have you ever wished that you had different talents or abilities when it comes to serving in the church? We have probably all felt that way every once in a while. It is hard not to view some ministries as more important, more fulfilling, or more spiritual than...
Romans 5:18-21, “18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will...
Join Dave as he looks at 2 Samuel 3:1-21 and the Price of Peace.
Romans 5:20, “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” Already in Romans on more than one occasion we have seen Paul anticipating objections having to do with the law of God. Here, it seems, he foresees...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What Does It Mean That the "First Shall Be Last?" (Matt. 20:16) What you’ll hear in this episode Matthew 20:16 and the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard and What...
God’s Voice Heard What a glorious moment the transfiguration was in Christ’s ministry. It takes place in Matthew 17. At this point, Jesus had twelve disciples, and much had already taken place since he had called them to himself: sermons, teachings, and parables;...
Romans 5:18-19, “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through...
A certain pastor was visiting various Sunday school classes when he made a disconcerting discovery in the sixth-grade boy’s class. As the boys were talking about some of the stories in the Old Testament, the pastor listened closely for a while and then asked, “Who...
The Gospel Beginning in Proverbs We can summarize the good news of salvation in four words: God, Man, Christ, Response. God is holy and Creator of all (Isa 6:3; Rev 4:11). Man is sinful and deserving of God’s judgment (Rom 6:23a). God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to...
Romans 5:15-17, “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 4:1-5 and why apostasy comes from bad theology, the problem with asceticism, why gratitude is essential to sound theology. What you’ll hear in this episode Why apostasy...
Occasionally, I have reflected that I have spent many Sundays in the pulpit trying to articulate the gospel, through the Scriptures, in such a way to all who are listening, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded...
Romans 5:10–11, “10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Doreen Virtue discuss the history and dangers of yoga, how Christians should speak to those involved in yoga, the danger yoga presents to children, correcting people with love and patience, and how yoga opposes a...
Romans 5:9, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Reformed theology rightly stresses the forensic aspects of salvation. It affirms that in order for God to be just in the redemption of...
Join Dave as he continues his series through 2 Samuel looking at 2 Samuel 2:1-32 and Holy Ambition.
Romans 5:6-8, “6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What does it mean that Jesus took our place?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Sins of the World Were Placed on Jesus. The Death of Jesus Was Judicial. The Death of Jesus and Spiritual Separation from God....
Romans 5:3-5, “3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts...
The Heart’s Inclinations The fear of God is not a state of mind you can guarantee with five easy steps. It is not something that can be acquired with simple self-effort. The fear of God is a matter of the heart. How easily we can mistake the reality of the fear of...
Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” In...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 3:14-16 and why the church is not only a home for God and His people, but also for God’s truth, why the Church must know the truth from God’s Word, and the person and work...
As they wrap up their series on Titus 2:3-5, Shelbi and Kimberly discuss the call for wives to be subject to their husbands. Through looking to Scripture, sharing examples from their own lives, and asking practical questions for self-examination, they urge...
Romans 4:22-25, “22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Tim Shorey about the importance of children learning theology and help for parents to teach their children theology and how the local church can come alongside parents to encourage and equip them, and his new...
Not long ago, DNA self-testing kits were all the rage. Our daughter received one as a gift and delighted in reporting to us what she’d learned about our family heritage. Other fads may have since surpassed the popularity of the kits, but the questions that...
This is our weekly roundup of posts for 5/31/2021-6/5/2021. If you have any feedback on how we can serve you our readers better, I would appreciate it. Thank you for reading and allowing us to minister to you throughout this past week through these posts. Monday...
Purposeful Action The term sovereignty does not contain the idea of purposeful action, but the term providence does. Sovereignty focuses on God’s right and power to do all that he wills, but in itself, it does not express any design or goal. Of course, God’s...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “How Did Jesus View Wealth and Poverty?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Way Jesus Viewed Poverty The Way Jesus Viewed Power and Wealth Caring for the Poor in Jesus’ Ministry How Money Can Be a Stumbling...
The church is at the very center of God’s redemptive purposes. Gregg Allison is quick to articulate this great reality in The Church: An Introduction. Dr. Allison’s work is the newest installment in Crossway’s Short Studies in Systematic Theology series, one that...
Introduction John Piper has been a faithful pastor and author for several decades and has greatly influenced the Reformed Evangelical community. In his most recent book, Providence, Piper unpacks one of the central themes of his life and ministry, namely, the...
Romans 4:16-17, “16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and why deacons must have sound doctrine, dignified lives, stable families, the difficulty of the work, and service and Jesus. What you’ll hear in this episode...
Due to the ubiquitous nature of social media, pastors and church leaders live and minister in a world of carefully crafted sound bites and heaping amounts of hype. While social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook are incredible tools for church leaders to...
Five Things to Pray I do not know if you, who are reading this, are struggling with anger. If you are, I do not know what is making you angry. It may be something very deeply distressing. I cannot, therefore, write to you as a pastor could speak, having listened to...
Romans 4:13–15, “13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and David Steele discuss the fear of God and standing against the fear of man, biblical boldness and practical steps towards it, Christians convictions and Scripture, along with his new book, Spineless: Restoring...
Several years ago, I decided to run a marathon. I mapped out a training plan and followed it religiously. Sometimes, I really looked forward to my runs. My legs felt strong, and my mind was free from mental blocks. Other times, my legs felt like lead, and I...
Romans 4:9-12, “9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but...
Join Dave as he looks at 2 Samuel 1:1-16 and Under God's Judgment.
Romans 4:6–8, “just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Is the Doctrine of Preservation Biblical?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Scribes and the Accuracy of Scripture. How God Has Preserved His Word. The Word of God and Mankind. The Historical Importance of...
Romans 4:4–5, “4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[a] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,” Continuing our study of Romans 4, which is a...
Gerald Bray offers the latest installment in the Short Studies in Systematic Theology Series by Crossway Books. The series is designed to introduce readers to a specific theological subject and equip the next generation of Christian leaders. The great strength of...
Illustrations are living examples of abstract truths. They plant the truth in the soil of real life. Even the strongest argument needs a living example to be persuasive. Jesus constantly uses illustrations. He helps listeners see by clothing spiritual truth in...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 3:1-6 and the elders’ noble task, the elder’s morals, duties, family, experience, reputation, and a warning to beware of the devil. What you’ll hear in this episode A Noble...
“Brothers, We Are Not Professionals,” proclaimed John Piper prophetically almost 20 years ago. But we should warn, equally prophetically, that the alternative to the professionalized ministry is not amateur preaching. Sure, in the literal sense of the word – doing...
Romans 3:29–31, “29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace episode, Dave and Dr. Gregg Allison discuss our approach to discipleship and human embodiment, how Christians should respond to issues related to gender, along with his book, Embodied: Living as Whole People in a Fractured World...
I’m a snacker. I eat a good breakfast and a healthy evening meal, but I don’t really do lunch. Instead, throughout the day, I graze my way through whatever snacks are within reach—crisps, chocolate, cookies, cake. Consequently, by the evening, my body is crying out...
Romans 3:27-28, “27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” In a human manner of speaking, God must overcome...
Join Dave as he concludes his Revelation series looking at Revelation 22:18-21 and Coming Soon!
Romans 3:25–26, “25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Is It True 'Every Perfect Gift Is from Above?" What you’ll hear in this episode True Faith in Christ and the Purpose of Trials. The Goodness of God and the Gifts of God. The Remedy for Tests. The Means from...
Romans 3:23–24, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” Last week we observed that when James speaks of justification, he uses the term to mean...
A non-witnessing Christian is an oxymoron. In one way or another, Christians are called by their risen Lord to testify to the glorious Gospel. Charles Haddon Spurgeon once said that “soul winning is the chief business of the Christian minister; [and] indeed, it...
When we look to Jesus and behold Him in all His glory with spiritual eyes of faith, we see and learn who God truly is. This is because, as Paul, in Colossians 1:15, says, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." As the incarnate Logos,...
Romans 3:21-22, “21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.” Romans...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at Titus 2:11-15 and what the Christian church has done about the dignity of women in society, the meaning and purpose of biblical submission, why women are not to be pastors or preach...
In this episode on Titus 2:5, Shelbi and Kimberly show from Scripture how God’s own mercy motivates us to do the hard work of biblical kindness. They also look at examples from the Old and New Testaments for practical guidance on what this looks like in everyday...
Romans 3:19–20, “Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being[a] will be justified in his sight,...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace, Dave and Chelsea Stanley talk about the benefits of using Scripture as a guide when we pray, encouragement for adult children caring for their parents, and what adult children should do when they don’t feel like our parents are...
If Paul’s letter to Titus, his close companion and friend, were an essay written for a professor instead of a letter to a friend, the two sentences that make up verses 5-9 of chapter 1 would act as the thesis statement. Let’s take a look: 5 For this reason I left...
Kicking off this series on Fighting Biblical Illiteracy Through Study and Discipleship, Sarah Jenkins wrote about the fluff that permeates so much published material targeting Christian women. She urges women to abandon books, blogs, and podcasts light on Scripture...
Romans 3:18, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” In the opening chapters of Romans, Paul has been methodically building his case that all mankind in Adam is without the righteousness that allows us to stand unafraid before God Almighty. The Gentiles who do...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 22:16-17 and come to the waters.
An Invitation Jesus said to look at the birds because God feeds them (Matt. 6:26) and to consider the lilies because God clothes them (Matt. 6:28–30). Jesus’s aim was not aesthetic. His aim was to free his people from anxiety. He really considered it a valid...
Romans 3:15–17, “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” Head to toe, there is no part of us that is not affected by sin. Outside of Christ, we are under the dominion of sin, and...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What does it mean that God is a consuming fire?” What you’ll hear in this episode Biblical Examples of the Consuming Fire of the Lord. The Holiness of God and Jesus. Moses and the Glory of God. Why the...
Becoming like God The knowledge of God that the fear of the Lord brings is not a sterile knowledge. Those who fear God come to know him in such a way that they actually become holy, faithful, loving, and merciful, like him. Abraham’s faithfulness to God in offering...
Romans 3:12–14. “All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and...
A Christian Mind In the early 1960s, John Stott was asked by James Houston to speak at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. Stott returned to Regent on a number of occasions and was impressed by its attempts to develop a distinctive Christian approach to a range of...
Corporate Worship by Matt Merker is the most recent installment in the Building Healthy Churches series of books. This series helps Christians obey the biblical commands that are an integral part of growing a healthy church. This volume addresses the matter of...
Romans 3:10–11, “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.” For the first-century Jew who prided himself on being a part of God’s chosen people unlike the unclean, pagan Gentiles, the notion that even the Jews were not...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 2:8-10 and the importance of understanding the differences between men and women, the content, conduct, posture, and purity of prayer. What you’ll hear in this episode The...
Most evenings, when we tuck our three-year-old son into bed, he requests that my wife and I sing “O Greatly Blessed” to him. Now, if you are scratching your head trying to remember a hymn or song entitled “O Greatly Blessed,” you are probably not alone, even though...
Romans 3:9, “What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,” In washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus made it clear that those who follow Him need both the definitive cleansing...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace Dave and Tobby Smith discuss why and how Christians should respond to heresy, some ways to engage Mormons with the gospel, the markers of progressive Christianity, why Christians should be concerned about Bethel, along with his...
Exegesis. What in the world is that anyway? Is it something only pastors or Bible study leaders have to think about? Is it something too difficult for the average person? The answer to the previous two questions is a resounding no! Exegesis is the process of...
Romans 3:8, “And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.” Because of his charge that first-century Jews had not kept God’s law with the perfection necessary to be declared righteous before...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series looking at Revelation 22:10-16 and The Last Testimony of Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:5-7, “5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is the Day of the Lord?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Day of the Lord in Scripture. The Ministry of Malachi and Trusting the Lord. The Prophets, the Day of Visitation, and Jesus. Subscribing,...
One of the most significant changes in human history has occurred in the past 40-50 years-the gender revolution or the blending of gender distinctions. In the words of historian William Manchester, “The erasure of distinction between the sexes is not only the most...
Romans 3:3-4, “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” At the...
God’s word feeds and fuels us. Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4). As diet is critical for a healthy body, spiritual health is impossible without the nutrition of God’s Word. A regular diet...
Breathe, pastor. You’ve made it this far. So don’t collapse when the adrenaline wears off. Remember Adam, formed from dust, whose first gasping breath came from God. “Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath...
Romans 3:1–2, “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Paul will not countenance the idea that merely being a Jew and having some external obedience...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 2:1-7 and the importance of sound theology and prayer in corporate worship, praying for government leaders, the mediatorial work of Jesus, and the mission of the Church....
It is easy for us to approach the Bible with a distracted mind in an age of endless distractions. We read God’s Word, but our soul is not engaged. We see the words on the page with our eyes, but nothing is driven into our dull heart. Nothing thrills our soul...
Romans 2:26-27, “26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Carolyn Lacey discuss why Christians should care about hospitality, how to get started with hospitality in and out of the church, along with her book, Extraordinary Hospitality for Ordinary People (The Good Book,...
Everyone is an expert these days about everything! From the origins of the coronavirus to the latest politics, someone out there has the correct answer, and that someone is usually you. With quarantines and stay-at-home orders, we have a lot of extra time on our...
Romans 2:25, “For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.” Lest anyone think that Paul pulls any punches in his argument that his Jewish contemporaries had no advantage before God...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 22:6-9 and trustworthy and true.
Romans 2:24, “For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Judaism in the first century was a complex religion wherein each different subgroup had its own perspective on what the true expression of God’s covenant with...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Is Jesus coming back soon?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Meaning of Soon and the Return of Christ. The Return of the Lord Jesus is Imminent. The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. Why the Second Coming...
Romans 2:21b–23, “21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the...
Athanasius was born in the late third century A.D. (295). Little is known about his family or educational background, except that he was trained for the ministry at the historic center in Alexandria, Egypt. He had a great passion for God and his Word, which...
If you’re anything like me, and you happen to wear glasses or contacts, or both, then I know you remember the day you got your first pair. Inside, a teacher’s whiteboard became immediately readable; outside, leaves and flowers were clothed with a whole new kind of...
Romans 2:17-21, “17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 1:18-20 and the meaning and purpose of fighting the good fight of faith, why biblical realism warns Christians against naïve ecumenism, and why the good fight is not only a...
Romans 2:14–16, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears...
On today’s Equipping you in Grace show, Dave and Megan Hill discuss building friendship in marriage, prioritizing spiritual growth, navigating conflict in marriage, and the church, along with her new book, Partners in the Gospel- 50 Meditations for Pastors’ and...
Once a week, I stand before a host of international students, teaching them the English language as best as I can. Pre-Covid, forty-eight nations were represented, but that number has decreased quite a bit. The handful that still come are diligent and eager to...
Romans 2:12–13, “12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series looking at Revelation 22:1-5 and the River of the Water of Life.
Romans 2:11, “For God shows no partiality.” Among other things, the Protestant Reformation was sparked by the desire to get the order of salvation correct. Reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin were reacting against the confusion of justification and...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Does the Holy Spirit Speak Through the Bible?" What you’ll hear in this episode Holy Spirit Speaks Through the Bible. Scripture: The Holy Spirit’s Primary Means. The Holy Spirit and the Christian. The Holy...
A few years ago, I visited a local Anglican church. As a Baptist, we tout ourselves as people of the Book; we are fiercely committed to Scripture. But as I observed this Anglican worship service, I realized that in one service, more Scripture was read aloud than I...
Romans 2:9–10, “9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.” Christians have pored over Scripture for...
If anyone ever needed counseling, it was the Old Testament prophets who often spoke and acted strangely. Isaiah walked about town barefoot and naked (Isa 20:1-6), while Jeremiah strapped a wooden yoke around his neck (Jer 27). Ezekiel chopped his hair and scattered...
All it takes is the pastor teaching on one doctrine that someone doesn’t personally like, or the leadership making a decision that a member thinks is wrong, for it to become fodder for divisive tongues to start wagging and assault the unity of the Spirit in the...
Romans 2:6–8, “6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 1:17 and the nature of worship, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Christ, and the Lord being immortal, invisible, incomparable, and unique. What you’ll hear in this...
Many people think it is enough to make the true God the object of our affections and worship, and then all will be well. Modes and methods, often, are not considered at all in this discussion. For example, most music issues within worship services are centered...
Romans 2:3–5, “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is...
On today’s Equipping you in Grace show, Dave and Scott Mehl discuss personal Christlikeness and cultivating it in local churches, biblical counseling, and caring for one another, along with his book, Loving Messy People- The Messy Art of Helping One Another Become...
I was recently grieved to see an ad targeting Christian women with the selling point that its product included pre-selected Scriptures, to make getting in God’s Word easier than ever. How is it a benefit to be relieved of the burden of opening one’s Bible, to be...
Romans 2:1–2, “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 21:22-27 and The City Without a Temple.
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Do we strive for God's justice or our own?" What you’ll hear in this episode The Doctrine of Sin and the Justice of God. The Image of God and Justice. The Justice of God in Revelation. Partiality and the...
Many good, church-going Christians probably know someone who needs to hear Romans 1:29-31 but think it has no bearing on them. Who wants to find themselves in the greatest hits of a debased mind? (Romans 1:28) These verses are not the type of normal morning quiet...
A life characterized by an immersion in the Bible, and a thoughtful understanding of its more than 31,000 verses, offers weighty benefits. In the 23rd chapter of the Old Testament book that bears his name, Job declared that he treasured the words of God’s mouth...
In Dave Jenkins’ book, The Word Explored, he cites several alarming statistics[i] as it relates to biblical literacy amongst Christians: Fewer than half of all adults can name the four Gospel accounts. Many Christians cannot identify two or three of the disciples....
Next to prayer, memorizing and meditating on the Bible rank highly among the hardest spiritual disciplines. Or seemingly hard. There are many reasons for this, but one reason is we do not understand why these are necessary for the Christian life. Is there any...
One of the outstanding qualities of the apostle Paul was his desire to mentor others, encouraging them to follow his example, and boldly testify to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Among those greatly influenced by Paul was a younger man named Timothy. A close bond...
What got you out of bed this morning? A blaring alarm clock, an enthusiastic dog, or a crying baby? Maybe you were excited to be one day closer to the weekend or your next vacation. If I’m honest, my love of coffee lures me from my bed most mornings. Sometimes I...
When we think of biblical literacy, many of us may picture ourselves tucked away in our home office or at our kitchen table with notebooks and commentaries encircling us like our own little army. Most likely it’s the early hours before the sun rises or the late...
Sarah: Hello, Dave. Thanks for doing this interview for Theology for Life! We’re excited about the new book you’ve just had published—The Word Explored. As I already know, but our readers may not yet, this book is about the problem of biblical illiteracy. This is a...
On December 14, 2017, Dr. R.C. Sproul entered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was greatly used by God as he reintroduced Reformed theology to the evangelical church. He articulated the doctrines of grace with passion, courage, conviction,...
Romans 1:28, “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” Homosexual behavior, in particular, demonstrates the exchange of what is good and natural according to God’s created order for that...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 1:12-16 and Paul’s testimony to God’s saving and strengthening grace, and why the worst of sinners find grace and mercy in Jesus. What you’ll hear in this episode Paul’s...
Shelbi and Kimberly continue their series on Titus 2 by using key passages in the Old and New Testaments to unpack what it looks like to live in such a way as to please a Holy God. One major takeaway: purity is a matter of the...
Romans 1:26–27, “26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Ellen Mary Dykas discuss what it means to have misplaced hope in relationships, union with Christ, and pursuing relational health, along with her new devotional, Toxic Relationships Taking Refuge in Christ (P&R,...
My children are experts at distractions. It’s easy to tell when their minds are wandering. Spelling words become doodles. Piano scale practice sounds like banging. I have to tap their shoulder before they hear me. Distractions are unavoidable in life, no matter...
Romans 1:22–25, “22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the...
Join Dave as he continues our Revelation series looking at Revelation 21:15-21 and the shape of glory.
Romans 1:21–23, “21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Why is the Scripture sufficient for every Christian?” What you’ll hear in this episode The purpose of the sufficiency of Scripture. How the sufficiency of Scripture is under attack today. The character of God...
Romans 1:19–21, “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things...
Introduction One thing I remember about the church as a kid was the older men. There was the man who gave all the kids sticks of Juicy Fruit before we went into the service. There was the man who sang loudly (and well!) They all seemed bigger-than-life with...
Romans 1:19-21, “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,[a] in the things...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave starts the 1 Timothy series looking at 1 Timothy 1:1-11 and the importance of sound doctrine, the danger of false doctrine, and why a love for doctrine fuels a love for God and others. What you’ll hear in this episode Why...
Like-minded: the very word conjures warmth and welcome. Like-minded people are those who understand us, who “get” what animates us. The term surfaces often these days in both Christian and non-Christian contexts: we’re advised to look for “like-minded” partners in...
Romans 1:16–17, “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace, Dave and Doreen Virtue discuss the marks of New Age theology and helping people out of it, her journey to and growth in Reformed theology, along with her book, Deceived No More: How Jesus Led Me out of the New Age and into His...
Your eyes pass over the final words of the chapter, concluding today’s Bible reading. You make a mark on your Bible reading plan, or perhaps your own mental checklist, and prepare for the next task that begs your attention. It feels good to check off lists, right?...
Each local church plays a vital role in the great commission. If we desire to see the expanse of the gospel in our nation and the world, there must be evangelists in local churches who keep the fires burning. The Church today needs ministers of the gospel who...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series considering Revelation 21:9-14 and the city with foundations.
Problem: When they see how many things take place in such a short amount of time, many people question whether or not a Friday crucifixion is plausible. Then, to complicate matters, people come to the Bible thinking in terms of what they are used to, like...
Mere Identity The early church’s creeds offer the following affirmations: Apostles’ Creed: “I believe in the holy catholic church.” Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed: “We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.” Importantly, both creeds confessed their...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Why do some people not turn to God until later in life?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Parable of the Vineyard and the Age of People. The Outward and Inward Call of the Holy Spirit. Responding to the...
Romans 1:8–12, “8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my...
“How has the pandemic affected your kids?” I asked this question to a mom of three children. Right away she listed some of the meaningful activities her kids have lost: play dates with friends; music lessons; in-classroom school; sports practice; youth group;...
“The quality of your elder plurality determines the health of your church.” This is the premise that undergirds Dave Harvey’s new offering, The Plurality Principle. The subtitle, How to Build and Maintain a Thriving Church Leadership Team, nicely summarizes this...
Romans 1:5–7, “ through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave concludes the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 6:11-18 and regeneration, living a crucified life, the nature and purpose of boasting, and filling our vision with the finished and sufficient work of Jesus. What...
A restless stirring buzzed among the wedding guests. Their cups still held a pink tinge, a monument to once-brimming wine, but some time had passed since the attendants had been around with refills. The rumblings throughout the celebration, however, did not compare...
Romans 1:2-4, “2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David[a] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his...
On today’s Equipping you in Grace episode, Dave and Dr. Leland Ryken discuss the impact not reading has on our spiritual lives, and the impact technology has on our reading, how to become better readers, along with his book, Recovering the Lost Art of Reading: A...
It’s the beginning of the year! And you have probably heard in church, on social media, or podcasts that it’s time to start reading the Bible again. For some people, the thought of reading the entire Bible is overwhelming. Doing it in a year sounds impossible. Or...
Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” For centuries, the faithful descendants of Abraham according to the flesh—the Jews— looked forward to God’s decisive intervention to restore the nation of...
This is our weekly roundup of links for 3/22/2021-3/27/2021 from around the web. We hope you find the following articles helpful to your growth in godliness. The top ten most-read articles and media content on our website this past week. Matthew Barrett- Simply...
This is our weekly roundup of posts for 3/22/2021-3/27/2021. If you have any feedback on how we can serve you our readers better, I would appreciate it. Thank you for reading and allowing us to minister to you throughout this past week through these posts. Monday...
Join Dave as he continues his series through Revelation looking at Revelation 21:4-8 and All Things New.
I’ll never forget my visit to St. Andrews Chapel in Sanford, Florida. It was a rare opportunity to see Dr. R.C. Sproul preach. I entered the sanctuary to a bustle of people. Some were visiting. Others were preparing to enter the sanctuary. After several minutes of...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Do I have to believe the Bible is inerrant to be saved?” What you’ll hear in this episode Inerrancy Is a Test for Orthodoxy but Not for Salvation. The Bible’s Teaching about Inerrancy. Everything in Scripture...
Some of the best gifts come in small packages – an engagement ring, a ticket to Europe, a diamond pendant. From time to time, a small book will hit the shelves that pack a powerful punch. Such is the case with Sam Crabtree’s, Practicing Thankfulness. Crabtree’s...
Colossians 1:24, “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church”- Can you feel the apostle Paul’s heartbeat here? He was at that time imprisoned (Acts...
Colossians 4:16-18, “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 6:7-10 and why God cannot be mocked, sowing to the Spirit, not growing weary in gospel work, and doing good to everyone. What you’ll hear in this episode The Seeds...
Colossians 4:12-15, “12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave interviews Matthew Barrett on how our understanding of the Trinity impacts our understanding of the gospel, church history, and the Church’s teaching on the Trinity, along with his book, Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated...
Have you ever been in a conversation in which you barely get a word in? Every time you start a sentence, the other person finishes it for you or takes over with their own thoughts? Sadly, I am often the person doing the over-talking. I have a tendency to value my...
Colossians 4:5-6, “5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Mahatma Gandhi was the leader who secured India’s...
Join Dave as he continues his series through Revelation looking at Revelation 21:1-4.
Colossians 4:2-4, “2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What are the features of the sufficiency of Scripture?" What you’ll hear in this episode The Four Features of the Sufficiency of Scripture. The Sufficiency of Scripture and the Christian Life. The Sufficiency...
Colossians 3:18-25, “18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest...
Each year Ligonier in conjunction with Lifeway Research puts out an excellent study on the State of Theology in Christianity. One aspect of the 2020 survey focused on the deity of Jesus. On the State of Theology website, they rightly note that, “Historically,...
Is This Why Birds Sing? The return of springtime means many of us will hear birds singing! After winter—and migration—birds return and grace our days with their chirping and singing. Birds fly. Birds build nests. And birds sing! Singing birds are one of the joys of...
Colossians 3:1-17, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 6:1-6 and the nature and purpose of true spirituality, bearing one another’s burdens, considering others more important, and sharing with one another. What you’ll...
In this episode, Kimberly has a conversation with special guest Erin Coates. Erin is the wife of James Coates, who is a TMS alumnus and a pastor at GraceLife Church in Alberta, and who is currently jailed for defying health department restrictions. Erin discusses...
Colossians 2:16-19, “16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one disqualify...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Ray Rhodes interviews Dave about personal and corporate Bible reading, the problem of biblical illiteracy, practical guidance on reading the Bible, along with his new book, The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical...
An alarming decline in biblical literacy in the church was the conclusion of studies conducted in the past few years. Not surprisingly, this trend continues today, signifying that more of God’s people know less of His Word. The following statistics helpfully...
Colossians 2:11-15, “11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in...
Colossians 2:8-10, “8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Is there a difference in meaning between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus?" What you’ll hear in this episode Philippians 2:5-11 and the Early Usage of Christ and Jesus. The Bible’s Usage of Jesus and Christ in the...
Colossians 2:9, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,” How is Christ, after His ascension, localized in heaven and yet with His people no matter where we are (Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:6–11)? According to His humanity, Jesus is not on earth, but...
Twenty-one years ago, The Discovery Channel followed a group of sailors in their quest to become US Navy SEALs. The program, known as Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, is one of the most physically and mentally challenging endeavors in the world. One...
Getting young kids ready for school in the morning is memorable. One morning, I told my two-year-old to leave his book and put his boots on because it was time to leave. He shut his eyes, whined a little, and then walked right into a door. At that point, he turned...
Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.” Despite the fact that the Christians in Colossae were standing...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 5:19-26 and the difference between the flesh and the Spirit, the grace of the Spirit, and the mortification and vivification. What you’ll hear in this episode The...
Paul’s encouragement in Titus 2:4 for women to be “sensible” may seem like a simple and innocuous command, but there is untapped richness to what this word means. Shelbi and Kimberly look at this verse and other passages to explore the nuances of this command,...
Colossians 2:6-7, “6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Practically speaking, that which is principally required of us...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show Dave and Gregg Allison discuss why it matters every Christian should be in a local church, discerning essential and non-essential issues, the importance of singing solid biblical songs, along with his book, The Church: An...
Colossians 2:4-5, “I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. 5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” Satan is called the master...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 19:11-20 and the rider on the white horse.
Colossians 2:3, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” As we begin our study today, again note that the historical background of Colossians is essential to understanding Paul’s purposes in writing as well as applying his teaching rightly....
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is the meaning of Dunamis in the Bible?" What you’ll hear in this episode Dunamis in Scripture. Acts 1:8 and Dunamis. The Holy Spirit and growing in grace. Every Christian is to serve the Lord....
I was looking at a child’s drawing the other day, amused that the dog in the picture was as big as the house, the people’s ears as big as their hands. One sign of an immature artist is a lack of proportion. A sure sense of proportion is needed for biblical wisdom....
Colossians 2:1-2, “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of...
To be an effective evangelist, you must be sound a theologian. For many, the word “Calvinism” has the connotation of dead and dry orthodoxy. Calvinism, however, is evangelistic by nature and demands evangelistic practice within the life of the church. In the...
I don’t know about you, but I feel like I haven’t seen a miracle in a long while. Don’t get me wrong. I know full well that this feeling is not because God isn’t performing miracles and transforming lives. Instead, it is mostly because I often fail to “Lift my...
Colossians 1:28-29, “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” Addressing a congregation that...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 5:13-18 and the nature and purpose of freedom in the Christian life, the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian, and growth in grace in the...
Colossians 1:27, “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” As noted yesterday, Paul uses the term mystery to refer to a truth that was partially and dimly...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show Dave and Stephen Nichols discuss the life and ministry of R.C. Sproul, the lessons Christians can learn from his ministry, how friendship shaped R.C. Sproul’s ministry, along with his new book, R. C. Sproul: A Life (Crossway,...
A friend posted on Instagram a large stack of Bible commentaries with the caption, “my light reading this week.” I’ve often scorned such because they can intimidate and discourage believers who struggle to do more than read the Scriptures. Still, reading the Bible...
Colossians 1:25-26, “of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.” Mystery religions that...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series looking at Revelation 19:6-10 and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,” Questions about the sufficiency of Christ due to false teaching that emphasized...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Why is the Bible called the Holy Bible? What you’ll hear in this episode Holiness and the Word of God. The Nature of Scripture. When Scripture Speaks God Speaks. Scripture Testifies Christ. Subscribing,...
Colossians 1:23, “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation[a] under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.” Perseverance of the saints is...
During my time at seminary, I had the great privilege of studying Charles Haddon Spurgeon's evangelistic ministry. As I began to develop a biographical sketch of Charles Spurgeon’s life and ministry, I was struck by the wonderful marriage that Charles had with...
Many Musical Expressions Food is wonderous. I resonate with author and speaker Paul David Tripp when he says, “For me, I love how much of the glory of God is edible!” I agree with every word of Tripp’s good confession. Bread, fruit, ice cream, chocolate, and beef-...
Colossians 1:21-22, “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,” Having spoken of the majesty and...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 5:1-6 and when freedom is really slavery, the Bible’s teaching about freedom in Christ, and the relationship between faith and works. What you’ll hear in this...
Special guest Ray Rhodes Jr. joins Shelbi and Kimberly to talk about his new book, “Yours, Till Heaven: The Untold Love Story of Charles and Susie Spurgeon.” He shares the story of how, in laughing and suffering together, the Spurgeons lived a compelling life of...
Colossians 1:15-23, 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show Dave and Christopher Ash discuss righteous and unrighteous anger, some first steps in defusing anger, discovering joy in the peace of Christ, along with his book, The Heart of Anger: How the Bible Transforms Anger in Our...
I became an English teacher because I loved books and wanted other people to love them as well. However, I must admit that I probably killed the joy of reading for several of my students because I expected them to “study” the books like I did. I wanted notes in the...
Colossians 1:9-14 “9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:...
Colossians 1:9-10, "9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him:...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is inductive Bible study? What you’ll hear in this episode The Basics of the Inductive Method. Learning to Observe the Biblical Text. Learning to Interpret the Biblical Text. Learning to Apply the Biblical...
Her March Isn't Over: Supporting Single Moms Who Choose Life Another January has come to an end, and another March for Life is in the books. This year was unlike any other in the past due to social distancing, but the goal was the same, and the passion has not...
Colossians 1:5b-8, “5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the...
Risk-Taking and Trusting God I never anticipated having church members tell me that going to church is too risky. COVID-19 has melded together, going to church and risk-taking. I am asking questions now that I have never asked before in ministry. Is it worth the...
If you enjoy good biography as much as I do, you will probably appreciate reading Bryan A. Follis’s Truth with Love: The Apologetics of Francis Schaeffer. This book is an excellent summary of the life and teaching of the highly influential apologist and founder of...
Colossians 1:3-5a, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Galatians 5:7-12 and Christian as a marathon not a sprint, the trouble with troublemakers, preaching that leads to persecution. What you’ll hear in this episode The...
Prayers in Ruth One of the best ways to learn how to pray is by listening to the prayers of others. Children learn from the prayers of godly parents and older saints in the church. New believers are both encouraged and exhorted in prayer meetings with the...
Colossians 1:1-2, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.” As we learned in last year’s study of the new covenant’s...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show, Dave and Dr. Stephen Wellum discuss how the storyline of the Bible helps us know Jesus, how Christians should respond to attacks on Jesus, and how church history can help us do so, along with his book, The Person of Christ:...
A Final Appeal (Hebrews 13:22-23) I appeal to you, brothers, bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. You should know that our brother Timothy has been released, with whom I shall see you if he comes soon. After the beautiful benediction...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 18:9-24 and Alas, for the Great City.
Perhaps at church, you’ve seen a couple and wondered, “What makes their Christian marriage distinct?” Maybe you’ve noticed that they communicate well together or they complement one another well, or they seem to do all of those things and are better together? Over...
God’s Equipping (Hebrews 13:21) Hebrews 13:21, “equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Equipping with Everything Good As the author...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is the relationship between theological precision and the love of God?” What you’ll hear in this episode Theological Precision and the Christian. Seeing People Through the Eyes of the Chief Shepherd....
The God of Peace (Hebrews 13:20) Hebrews 13:20, “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant.” Who God is As Hebrews ends, we find a beautiful benediction in...
Colossians 3:12-17 (Pt. 2 - The Christian Life and Preaching) Well, you remember, don’t you, that Paul exhorts us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” That's what we are to do as Christians. We are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. And...
Pray for Us (Hebrews 13:18-19) Hebrews 13:18-19, “Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.” A Prayer Request In...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Hebrews 12:25-29 and the threat of persecution and a warning about it, a tale of two kingdoms, and with reverence and awe worshipping the Lord. What you’ll hear in this...
Here in Colossians 3:15-17, Paul is talking all about the Christian life. He goes into great detail in explaining how Christians are to live saying we are to have compassionate hearts, with love for one another, in submission to God, in thankfulness to the Father....
Hebrews 13:17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Obey and Submit Church leaders,...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show Dave and Ray Rhodes discuss the marriage of Charles and Susie Spurgeon, how they grew in friendship, how they handled conflict, and what they can teach couples about communicating with one another, along with Yours, Till...
Do you ever get tired of reading emotionally manipulative “fluff” as a “Daily Devotional” or “biblical encouragement” for women? Does it ever bother you that the theology presented in such work is often weak and/or approaching borderline (if not outright) heresy?...
Have you been discouraged as of late? For most of us, this past year has been overwhelming. If we are being quite honest, this past year has taken its toll on many of us. Is there any encouragement in the Word of God for us today? When all around us seems so dark...
Hebrews 13:16, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” The awesome and merciful once-for-all sacrifice of Christ demands that we look only to Him and cling to Him by faith for our salvation (Heb. 12:1–2). The...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series looking at Revelation 18:1-8 and Christianity and Culture.
Should We Pursue Unity At All Costs? In John 17, Jesus prays, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that...
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “Why is being in the presence of God special if He is omnipresent?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Character of God and the Presence of God. The Omnipresence and the Manifest Presence of God. An Awareness...
Hebrews 13:15, “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” We concluded last week by examining once again how we are better off under the new covenant than believers were under...
Let me tell you why I love Hebrews and why you should, too. This epistle confirms for us that the pictures and shadows of the Old Testament point to the superiority of Christ, his sacrifice of obedience in life and death, and the new covenant. Hebrew believers were...
Introduction I am a huge fan of systematic theology. There is nothing that so informs my mind with God’s truth, warms my heart with God’s love, and motivates me to serve God as studying His Word set forth in systematic theology. For this reason, I am so...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Hebrews 12:18-24 and the mountain of God, the meaning and purpose of the city of God, and Jesus the meditator of a new covenant. What you’ll hear in this episode The...
Suffering is a reality of this broken world. Harold Senkbeil says, “God’s pristine creation—with no suffering, no death, and no destruction—is now long gone. This earth is still a delightful place to live. But everywhere we look, our beautiful world is filled with...
Hebrews 13:10–11, “10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent[a] have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp.” From the...
On today’s Equipping You in Grace show Dave and Andreas Kostenberger discuss the purpose of 1-2 Timothy and Titus, addressing interpretative challenges in 1 Timothy, and how reading and studying 1-2 Timothy and Titus can help church leaders, along with his...
In the nineteenth century, God was pleased to raise up a man by the name of Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834 – 1892). As one studies the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon, it is evident that evangelism was an integral part of his ministry. Spurgeon was a man who...
Hebrews 13:8–9, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.” Over the past...
Join Dave as he continues his Revelation series looking at Revelation 17:7-18 and The Mystery of the Woman and the Beast.
Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Throughout the Bible, we find that remembering people and events from the past helps to further our sanctification....
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is the meaning of those who were raised to life at Jesus’ death?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Importance of the Resurrection. The Gospel of Matthew and the Resurrection. Matthew’s Theological and...
We are living through one of the most tumultuous times in American history. It seems like every day, a new challenge surfaces. We face trials, temptations, suffering, and grief. We hear rumors about the fate of our Republic. Conspiracy theories are at a fevered...
Hebrews 13:5–6, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Over the centuries,...
How Can I Know God’s Will? All throughout our lives, we are faced with decisions, and, as believers, we have a desire to make these decisions according to God's Word. However, how do we know? It’s not always easy to know exactly what God wants us to do. A new...
The “health and wealth” gospel continues to wield a powerful influence on many people around the world. This movement is fraught with theological danger and should be resisted and opposed by thoughtful Christians. Al Mohler addresses this troubling trend:...
Hebrews 13:4, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Over and over again, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews emphasizes the vast superiority of the person and...
On today’s Warriors of Grace show, Dave continues the Snapshots of Grace series, looking at Hebrews 12:14-17 and a holy calling, three dangers to Christians, and the meaning and purpose of holiness in the Christian life. What you’ll hear in this episode A Holy...
In the past few years, we have all become acquainted with the blessings and dangers of social media. In this episode, Kimberly and Shelbi interview special guest Darrell Harrison, Dean of Social Media at Grace to You. Together, they answer several foundational...
Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” When we come to the New Testament we often find that the authors of the epistles divide their letters into two sections....
Nobody likes to wait. Even the most patient person has moments where they find themselves tapping their foot or checking their watch. It could be as small as waiting for a package to arrive or as big as a possible job prospect, we have all spent time in expectancy....
Hebrews 13:1–2, “Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” This month we will conclude our study of Hebrews as we examine chapter 13. You may remember that the Jewish...
Join Dave as he looks at Revelation 17:1-6 and Unveiling The Great Prostitute.
On today’s episode, a listener writes in and asks me, “What is the story of Job?” What you’ll hear in this episode The Real Purpose of Job. Job: A Commentary on Human Suffering. Job Serves as a Critique of the Problem of Evil. Suffering Get People’s Attention....