This first week in the Gospel of John is logical instead of chronological. Jesus is introduced as the Word. Then John tells us that the Word is the Life and the Life is the Light that gives light to all men. John also brings in John the Baptist to testify to who this Light is. Those who receive this Light are given the right to become children of God!
When Nebuchadnezzar moves the temple treasures into the temple of his God, he makes it all about who is God, instead of about his personal wealth. Good. The battle is now joined. Next, he tries to erase the captives’ culture by changing their names. But their personalities are unchanged. There will be conflict.
We see with more than just our eyes; we see with our minds. Christians have a different mindset. This allows them to see things non-Christians don’t see — God’s hand in things, His purposes, His kingdom. Through the examples of Paul and Silas, Ananias, Simon the sorcerer, and Martha, we explain the difference between regular eyesight and seeing with Christian eyes.
Romans is Paul’s most thorough treatise on systematic theology. Paul’s opens it with his usual salutation, referring to himself as a bondservant (doulos) of Christ. Then he launches into a blistering criticism of hedonistic behavior, which he ascribes to idolatry. Paul doesn’t spare believers either, saying that we who condemn others are guilty of the same things.
God made man in His image. That’s a powerful clue to His personality, even to His motives. Specifically, our creativity generates some useful analogies.
This opens a door into deeper worship.
The things of God are wonderful, beautiful, and glorifying. We should thank God for His cleverness, creativity, holiness, and mercy every day. But Job said that he spoke of things “too wonderful for me.” Is there something we’re supposed to avoid talking about, or even thinking about?
We investigate that in this series.
Judgement is coming to Nineveh. They were once mighty, and once repented, but all will be destroyed—completely. This prophesy was fulfilled perfectly. Nineveh, which was once a great city, is now just and archeological dig.
Jonah introduced the concept of “Thinking Like a Christian.” Specifically, we saw how to have the right mindset. In Hosea, we’ll learn the right heartset. Hosea gets set up as an example of how God’s love and grace work. Unfortunately for Hosea, that will mean displaying love and grace in tough situations (just like God does).
God calls Jonah to preach repentance to a people he doesn’t particularly care for. He refuses to do it and runs away and boards a ship for Tarshish. That doesn’t work any better than we’d expect, and he ends up getting tossed into the sea. Eventually, Jonah finds himself in the stomach of a fish. Now he has time to think.
This series, titled “Faith in What?” explores the basics of Christianity, based on Romans 10:9.
Exodus is much more than the story of Israel’s miraculous deliverance from bondage. It contains some of Scripture’s clearest portraits of man’s sinful nature – Moses’s, Pharaoh’s, Israel’s, ours.