Selling the Gospel

17 Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Disciple – So, we clarified a few things.  First, evangelism happens.  It is the by-product of walking the life with God, of “going” down the road.  Secondly, Jesus calls us to disciple…

Choosing An Apprentice

Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Disciple – What’s the difference between making a disciple and teaching?  Not much, if you subscribe to the usual patterns of religion these days.  We tend to think that making disciples is just…

Osmosis Evangelism

Going, then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  Matthew 28:19 Going – The Evangelical world has enshrined this verse as Jesus’ Great Commission.  Over and over, we hear these words as a command to spread the good news.  So, we mount our campaigns,…

The Divine Dialogue

For now I know that a God-fearer you are Genesis 22:12 Know – Do I know you?  Do you know me?  The quality of our relationship depends entirely on how you and I answer these two questions.  That is particularly true in Hebrew where the word for “know” is yada, an umbrella verb that covers…

Trust Accounts

For now I know that a God-fearer you are Genesis 22:12 Now – You have a trust account with God.  It was opened the day you were born.  During the course of your life, you will make deposits into the account.  So will God.  It’s just a matter of time. The story of Abraham is…

WORSHIP?

“Sunday Worship Service: 8:45 and 11:00 AM”.  The Reader-Board in front of the church announced the times for congregational assemblies.  Most of us think of this as “worship”, an English colloquialism that dominates the mindset of the religious devotees.  Part of the regulated organization of life.  Not for everyone (anymore) but at least for those…

Lesson Number 1

This is the word of Yahweh to Zerubbabel, saying, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says Yahweh of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6   Not By Might – You can make it happen!  That’s the unstated mantra of leadership training today.  Just go to this class, or read this book, or listen to…

God’s Leaders

11 and I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding Jeremiah 3:15 Shepherds – When God gave the people His commandments at Sinai, they all heard His voice and they all proclaimed, “These we will obey.”  Of course, it wasn’t long before they decided that they…

Sexual Violence

“but I say unto you, that every one who looks on a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:28 To Lust – Ours is a world of violence.  We believe that the powerful win.  We think that protection means military might.  We find safety in guns. …

Don’t Call It Love

9 If a man is found lying down with a woman married to a husband, Deuteronomy 22:22 Lying Down – We’re enormously confused.  One of the reasons for this confusion is the paucity of our language about love.  For us, the verb “to love” covers everything from the taste of ice cream to sexual intimacy…