The Fruit of the Spirit is Love (John 15:9-17)
Love flows through the Vine The Father loves Christ, and Christ loves His Church. As branches abiding in Christ we are continuing in His love. The love of the Father flows through Christ, and the love of Christ flows through us. This is why the defining characteristic of a Christian is love (John 13:35.) Love is the first fruit of the Spirit. Love is keeping Christ’s commandments God’s Law teaches us how to love Him and how to love each…
Church – Worship Services (Part 1)
Are there Biblical guidelines for what a worship service should contain? Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will…
Power for Fruitfulness (John 15:1-8)
As the disciples are on the way to the Garden, Jesus talks about vines and fruit. Christ is our life We are branches whose only life comes from the vine. Separated from Christ, we are unable to do anything. It is only the life of Christ within us that enables us to bear fruit and conform to His image. As we stay attached to the vine we will produce more and more fruit. The Father prunes us As we grow…
War – Support of Israel
In light of what we have learned about Just War, how far should Christians go in their support of Israel? Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless…
God is the Only Circumstance (John 14:27-31)
We continue today looking at Jesus’ teachings on peace and comfort. Worldly peace This world offers us peace. This peace is primarily in a change of circumstances. Peace in the home is found by divorce, a child moving out, our spouse changing, etc. Financial peace is found in us winning the lottery, getting a new job, inheriting money, etc. The world’s view of peace is the absence of problems through a change of circumstances. Jesus offers something different Throughout His…
War – Fighting a Just War
If there is a just war, does the Bible give instructions for how this war should be carried out? And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.Exodus 21:23-25 First, war must be fought with proportional force. This is not to say that we have to handicap our soldiers, but that we do not nuke a country for…
The Only Source of Comfort (John 14:22-26)
Jesus has been teaching the disciples about the special relationship that they enjoy with Him through faith in Him. Judas (also called Thaddeus) asks Him why He will not reveal Himself to the rest of the world. The disciples are envisioning a Savior who will show the Roman Empire His power and overthrow them ushering in an era of Jewish rule. We view the problem as outside of us All people are discontented, discomforted, and struggling. We naturally view this…
War – Pursuing Peace
If there is a just and righteous reason to go to war, how should Christians approach war itself? Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalm 34:14 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Matthew 5:9 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace,…