Most of you reading this are familiar with the account of Jesus’ baptism. Each of the Gospels at least touches this moment: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus, when He is ready to begin His ministry, goes to John the Baptist to be baptized. John initially refuses but Jesus insists. When Jesus comes up, the Holy Spirit comes down like a dove and the Father speaks aloud to the crowd, “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.”
Many sermons and teachings have been made on this passage, but as I said at the start of this series, I want to get into the heart of Jesus. I want to learn and understand His thoughts and His mind – what He was doing and why. I only have the text of Scripture and prayer to guide me. I want to know Jesus’ mind as I go through this study.
The only thing we know of Jesus saying or doing prior to this event is from His youth; at 12 years old, He already knew His calling and what He was there to do. He was about His Father’s business – teaching, praying, and living the life of a normal human only without sin. Now, roughly 18 years later, Jesus enters the scene to be baptized. We don’t know what He was doing before or between. Chances are He made somewhat of a part-time living as a craftsman, but for some reason, He did not stay or live with His mother even after the most likely passing of His father (due to being nowhere to be seen in later accounts). But when it was time, He left it all and began His journey.
So why start with baptism? Many people will suggest it was to be an example for us, but I think there is a much deeper reason for it. In baptism, we know the standard idea of it being a picture of dying to the old sinful life and being born again into a new life in Christ. We hear it often enough that it becomes rote to many of us, and we don’t even think about it often. But I want to cite two major reasons for Jesus being baptized: 1) to signify that Jesus was not going to do this job by His own strength as a man, but to do so completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit dwelling within Him to get the job done, and 2) to declare war on Satan and sin that this was not going to be a work of the flesh. This was a spiritual warfare move.
One of Jesus’ major teachings that so many people refuse to look at today is that to be a Christian – to truly go after Christ, to do what Christ says, and to be as He makes us – we must deny ourselves and put “self” to death by taking up our cross. Jesus emphasized this point. Paul emphasizes this point. When Jesus enters your life, you are not the same person anymore. That old life is gone. The new life, where you are no longer your own master, where you are now submitted to a new master, is now here. Jesus demonstrated this through His baptism. He was declaring that what He was about to embark on was not His journey to proclaim Himself to go on, but a journey His Father in heaven is sending Him on.
Jesus submitted Himself to do this task not of His own will but by His Father’s will. He chose not to listen to His own ideas but to submit all His ideas to the Father to guide and direct Him. And because Jesus was without sin, without any inherent rebellion against God and His plan, Jesus was able to accomplish this task of living around 33 years on earth, eating sin-cursed food, breathing sin-cursed air, dwelling among sin-cursed people, when all He had known before was the holy, perfect presence of God. He did so without sin because, unlike any of us, He did practice what He preached and denied Himself and submitted to the Father.
But this was also a declaration of spiritual war. My church’s teaching elder brought this up a while back and taught about the two sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. When we partake in these sacraments, it is an act of spiritual warfare because we are declaring which side we are on and that we are going about the Father’s business. Don’t forget one of the reasons He came to begin with was to undo and overcome the work of the devil. When Jesus went down under the water, He declared to the devil that He would die willingly and take upon Himself the sins of the world. When He came back up, He declared to the enemy that death would not hold Him and that anything that he tried to do to Jesus would end in failure.
The baptism of Jesus wasn’t just a preparation for His ministry but a pronouncement of the victory that would come with the resurrection. It was a symbol and picture of how He would do His ministry, but so much more than that. It was an act of obedience to the Lord that would make all Hell shake with terror. The perfect Son of Man, the Messiah, had come onto the scene.
I have found in my walk and my life that the more I deny myself and do what God wants me to do, even in my daily routine tasks that need to be done, the more free, the more alert, and the more power I have to get stuff done. But whenever I want to do my own thing, it sure is amazing how time quickly flies away and I feel total drudgery, lethargic and weak. Why? Because I had been relying on my own strength and power and it was spent. Where, how, and why we choose to get baptized is between you and God and your church, but if we are to imitate Christ, let us start with why Jesus did it: to move on doing nothing apart from the will of God and without getting His permission to do something or say something. We will see how Jesus handled all His situations by having been engaged in prayer before going out. Next week, we’ll look at the Temptation of Jesus, and it will be more than just what kind of temptations Jesus faced.
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Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All God’s people here send their greetings.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
- 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
After nearly two years of writing through the letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians, here we are at the end! You can find the very beginning of this series here – my introduction post for 1 Corinthians.
While it’s common for Paul to include closing remarks at the end of each of his letters, these verses are not simply some passing thoughts. These verses share some great insights on living the Christian life, not only for the first-century Corinthians but also for us today.
Paul begins his farewell in verse 11 with a command to rejoice. This rejoicing is not merely an emotional response to favorable circumstances but a profound and enduring gladness rooted in the reality of God’s faithfulness. Amid trials, uncertainties, and disagreements, Paul’s call to "rejoice" reminds believers to anchor their joy in Christ.
The phrase "strive for full restoration" (or "aim for perfection" in some translations) highlights the importance of healing and reconciliation within the Christian community. Relationships, like any other aspect of life, require constant care and intentionality. Paul urges the Corinthians to mend divisions and align their lives and relationships with God’s will. Striving for restoration means actively seeking to repair broken relationships and nurturing unity. It involves humility, forgiveness, and a willingness to prioritize love over pride. This command challenges us to examine areas of our lives where reconciliation may be needed.
Next, Paul says to “encourage one another.” Encouragement is a cornerstone of Christian community. Paul knew the struggles and discouragements believers face, and he called the Corinthians to actively build one another up. Encouragement involves speaking words of hope, affirmation, and truth that inspire others to persevere in their faith. Imagine the transformation within a church or community when its members prioritize encouragement over criticism. What would our relationships look like if we were more intentional about uplifting others? Encouragement is a gift we can offer daily, reminding others of God’s love and promises.
Then, Paul commands us to “be of one mind, live in peace.” Being “of one mind" does not mean uniformity in thought but rather unity in purpose and mission. It is about aligning our hearts with God’s truth and seeking to work together harmoniously. Living in peace requires intentionality; it’s not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of loving relationships characterized by mutual respect and understanding. When we pursue peace, we reflect the nature of the God of love and peace who dwells among us.
At first glance, the idea of greeting one another with a holy kiss in verse 12 might seem outdated or culturally irrelevant. However, the essence of Paul’s instruction remains relevant. The "holy kiss" was a cultural expression of fellowship, love, and unity among believers. It symbolized the breaking down of barriers—whether social, economic, or ethnic—and affirmed the shared bond in Christ.
Today, while the specific act may differ (perhaps a warm handshake, hug, or words of kindness may be more appropriate), the principle endures. Christians are called to express genuine love and acceptance toward one another. This verse reminds us of the importance of intentional gestures that communicate our love and care for others in the body of Christ.
Verse 13 reflects the interconnectedness of the early church. Though separated by geography, Paul emphasizes the unity among believers across different regions. The greetings from "all God’s people" remind the Corinthians that they are part of a larger family of faith. For modern Christians, this serves as a reminder of the global Church. We are not isolated in our faith journey; we are part of a vast and diverse community spanning cultures, languages, and nations. This awareness should inspire us to pray for and support our brothers and sisters worldwide. It also encourages us to foster unity and solidarity within our local congregations.
Paul concludes in verse 14 with a beautiful Trinitarian blessing, emphasizing the unique yet unified roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the life of believers.
He refers to the grace of Jesus Christ, which is the unmerited favor of God, and it is through Christ that we receive salvation. Paul begins the benediction by highlighting this foundational truth. Jesus’ grace is the source of our forgiveness, freedom, and new life.
The love of God is the driving force behind His plan of redemption. It is a love that is steadfast, sacrificial, and unconditional. This love is not just a theological concept; it is a reality meant to shape our lives. Experiencing God’s love equips us to love others selflessly, breaking down walls of division and fostering genuine relationships.
Finally, Paul highlights the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the Spirit’s role in creating and sustaining community among believers. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live in unity, provides guidance, and cultivates the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
This final passage of 2 Corinthians reminds us to daily choose joy in our lives, pursue reconciling relationships with others, express God’s love in our lives, and live by the grace of Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
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When the time for Jesus to come to earth arrived, the last time anyone heard anything from God was 400 years prior with the prophet Malachi. As had happened in the past, when God had a message to specific individuals, He would send a prophet or an angel to notify the person of His message. This is how God spoke in the days of old.
When it came time to save the world from its sin and the horrors of it, there was more announcement and setup than for any other person in history. Jesus would have His birth announced by an angel to Mary, primarily to let her know what was about to happen to her and so she could walk in faith, which she did. Jesus would require both of His parents to get a special message from God regarding His birth because His life would be so special and unique.
Jesus is the only person in Scripture to have His path paved by a forerunner. All the other prophets simply went about their business to preach and to give God’s message He told them. John the Baptist was the last of such prophets, but he also had the great privilege of alerting the people that the Messiah had come.
Jesus is also the only person in Scripture or anywhere else in history to have a host of angels announce He had come – to the lowest social rank of society: the shepherds. This announcement to the shepherds indicated who Jesus was coming for – the lost, the sick, the outcast, and those who were sinners and knew of their need for a Savior.
The announcement to shepherds also highlights whom the angels DID NOT announce to: anyone of political or religious affluence. The Magi were looking for the Promised Messiah, and God directed them to come and worship Jesus, just in time for Him to flee to Egypt and survive the massacre from Herod. But angels did not appear to Herod, the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, or any other self-righteous group, but instead to the “dregs” of society. Jesus would be for all types of people, not merely the elite. Magi visited Him as well, so we see Jesus being accessible to the rich and wealthy, though very few would chase after Him.
But the announcement of Jesus was not welcome by everyone. Mary had to go live with Elizabeth for six months of her pregnancy. Elizabeth wasn’t merely a relative; she was the only one who knew and understood the special and precious gift that Mary was carrying. Mary would be tolerated in her community later, but Jesus was always known to be a “bastard” son, and Mary herself was not seen the same ever again. They would be outcasts, tolerated at best their whole lives. This was one of the key arguments used by those in Nazareth to reject Him when He came and declared Himself the Messiah in teaching about Isaiah 61.
Even before this rejection by Jesus’ hometown, we see two types of responses in Matthew’s account to the announcement of Jesus’ birth that I will address: one of total nonchalance by the scribes who reported about where the Messiah would be born when the Magi came, and another from Herod himself who feigned to seek Jesus but had the intention of murdering Him. Herod was so scared of Jesus, because Satan was scared that the One who would crush his head was born, that he had every baby murdered just to try to get that one.
But the scribes’ response is something I want to focus on briefly. They knew the prophecies. They knew what God said, and when the opportunity for it to actually happen had arrived, they totally missed it. The best benefit of the doubt I can give them is that they were just answering another of Herod’s questions about the Jewish faith. There is little in the text that indicates that the scribes and chief priests met the Magi directly because Herod called the Magi secretly to learn of the star’s location. However, he summoned all the scribes and chief priests, and the news disturbed both Herod and the scribes and priests. The King of the Jews had been born. Why were they so nonchalant about it?
The answer is simple: they were not even looking for the Messiah. They knew the Scriptures. They knew what it said, but it was purely intellectual and nothing else. There was no reality to it for them. They knew the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and yet they were never even looking towards that direction for Him. How did they miss that? It’s the same way that we all miss Jesus, too. They had ideas that the Messiah would come as a conquering hero who would defeat Rome. How did they get that idea? Look at their past. All their previous heroes delivered them from physical oppressors. They never got the picture that the real oppressor was sin. They were looking in the wrong places for the wrong person. So, when Jesus was right in front of their eyes, they missed Him.
Which response do we have? When we hear of Jesus, the true Jesus of Nazareth, the one described in the Bible, which are we like? Are we like Mary and Joseph, who, in belief, obeyed their instructions regarding what to do with Jesus? Are we like the Magi who saw the signs and then pursued them so that they might worship the Lord Jesus? Are we like the shepherds who heard the proclamation and left their jobs to go seek after Jesus? Are we like the scribes and priests who heard the news and listed the Scripture but nonchalantly went about their business? Are we like Herod, who declared the intention to worship but held murderous jealousy in his heart, not only not wanting anyone to take his position but didn’t want anyone else following Him either?
This is the ultimate question we must all face and ask ourselves: what will we do with Jesus? In the passages of Matthew 2 and Luke 1-2, we see different answers to how people will respond to Jesus. While there are others that we’ll see throughout this study, the Bible gives us every type of response that can be given. Which one we are will be seen and demonstrated. Let us examine ourselves. Jesus has been announced. He has come, and He is coming again. Will you be ready for Him? Are you not going to care? Are you going to resist Him? The choice is yours, but when Jesus does return, He won’t be coming as a baby but as the warrior-king that the scribes and Pharisees thought was coming before. He will damn, He will slaughter, and He will rescue His people. We will be ready, and will we respond?
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Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5-10
The Apostle Paul's second letter to the Corinthians ends with a powerful exhortation, challenging believers to examine their faith and live in alignment with God's truth. This is Paul’s concluding section of teaching in this letter, with only his final greetings remaining after this.
Paul begins in verse 5 with a call to self-examination. This isn’t merely a surface-level introspection but a deep, honest evaluation of whether one's life reflects genuine faith. The focus is not on perfection but on authenticity. Here, Paul assumes two things. First, faith is recognizable. True faith in Christ will bear fruit, which is evident in attitudes, behaviors, and spiritual growth. Second, Christ is within believers. His presence is the foundation of faith. The question is whether that presence is reflected in how they live.
Paul's rhetorical question, "Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?" emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. Failing the test doesn’t mean occasional struggles; it indicates a lack of real connection with Christ. We should have that intimate connection present in our lives if we are truly following Jesus as His disciples.
In verse 6, Paul shifts focus to himself and his ministry team. His confidence isn’t boastful but rooted in his integrity and faithfulness to God's calling. Throughout this letter, Paul has defended his apostleship against critics in Corinth. Here, he subtly reminds them that their spiritual growth is evidence of his genuine ministry. Leaders in the church should not take pride in their own faith, but their duty is to impact others with their ministry. The goal of being in ministry is fruitfulness and making disciples.
Paul's heart as a spiritual father shines in verse 7. His concern is not his reputation but the Corinthians' obedience to God. He desires their transformation, regardless of how his ministry is perceived. This verse also highlights a key principle: righteousness isn’t about appearances but alignment with God’s will. Even if Paul’s efforts appear ineffective to outsiders, the Corinthians' obedience will validate the work of God in their lives. Christianity is not about impressing others or maintaining an image but about a sincere commitment to doing what is right before God.
In verse 8, Paul underscores his commitment to the gospel. His authority as an apostle is not for self-promotion or manipulation but for upholding the truth of God’s Word. His actions and decisions are bound by his allegiance to Christ. The statement also reminds us of the unchangeable nature of truth. God's truth stands firm, regardless of human efforts to suppress or distort it.
Paul’s humility in verse 9 is striking. He rejoices in his own weakness if it means the Corinthians are strengthened in their faith. This selfless attitude reflects the heart of a true servant leader. The phrase "fully restored" (or "made complete" in some translations) refers to spiritual maturity. Paul’s ultimate goal isn’t just to correct their behavior but to see them grow into the fullness of Christ. We should all seek spiritual maturity, striving to become more like Christ.
At the end of his content here in verse 10, Paul explains his purpose in writing. He wants to address issues now so that his next visit can be constructive rather than disciplinary. His authority as an apostle is not to dominate but to edify and build up their faith. This reflects God’s heart for His people: correction is always for restoration, not destruction. Paul’s approach demonstrates wisdom. Addressing issues through a letter allows for reflection and repentance, sparing unnecessary conflict during his visit.
Paul’s call to examine ourselves is as relevant today as it was for the Corinthians. Faith isn’t static; it requires ongoing reflection and growth. Paul shows leaders that they are called to serve, not dominate; true leadership seeks the well-being of others. Believers are called to live in alignment with God’s truth no matter what, remembering that anytime we receive God’s discipline, the goal is healing and growth, not punishment.
The ultimate aim of Christian life and ministry is to grow into the likeness of Christ, reflecting His love, wisdom, and truth, which is what we see Paul demonstrating throughout this letter. Paul’s words invite us into a deeper relationship with Christ and a higher standard of living as His followers. Whether through self-examination, embracing humility, or standing for truth, these verses challenge us to align our lives with God’s purposes. As we do so, we not only grow in our faith but also become vessels through which others can experience the transformative power of the gospel.
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I have been praying about what to write about as the year comes to a close, as well as what to do for next year. With Christmas approaching, many preachers begin to focus on the birth of Christ, and that’s never a bad idea, but I want to do something more than that. I post a devotional every morning on Facebook, and I am currently in the Psalms, but I sensed I needed to do something more than that, and I am drawn to write and study about Jesus.
We live in a time and culture where we are searching for many solutions to the madness of what is going on, and it seems we are turning to every answer in the book except the only one that works. The election recently happened in the United States, and the people have spoken up that they are done with all this woke ideology, DEI, and gender abuse and decisively elected President Trump back into office after four years of seeing the left’s true side. I want to make this clear: even though I did vote for Trump because I knew what having Harris in office would mean, Trump is NOT the savior of the U.S. While God may indeed use him, the only savior of the United States (and the rest of the world) is Jesus. Only when BOTH the people and those whom we chose to represent us turn to Christ can there be peace once again in this land.
But we live in a church culture in which only 6% of professing believers have any working knowledge or belief about Jesus and who He actually is. They say His name, but they certainly do not believe who Jesus said He is, what He actually did, what He calls for, and what it means to follow Him. And how can we follow someone we don’t know? Sadly, what most people do is create an image of God in their minds that is simply a reflection of themselves, and it’s themselves they follow and worship, not God.
So, who is Jesus? What did He do? What motivated Him? What drove His statements? How did people respond to Him? These are all things I want to explore in greater detail than I have before. I don’t want this to be a mere academic study either. A few years ago, I wrote a series about prayer, and the one thing that has driven me nuts about it is how much I struggle with actually implementing these truths into practice. I want this study to be a time when both you, my reader, and I can truly get closer to Jesus and learn to know Him better and how to love Him better. Then, we learn how to obey Him better.
What I plan to do in this study is run through all four Gospels simultaneously. I know there are chronological Bibles that put things in order, and I know that there are times when a Gospel writer will insert an event into another event that is not in chronological order to make a point. In Mark, scholars call this a “Markian Sandwich.” I am not necessarily going to hit every teaching, every parable, or every miracle, but I do want to take these “snapshots” of Jesus’ life and look at the person of Jesus and his interactions with both man and God. In some cases, I’ll combine passages, and for others, I’ll emphasize other things. It certainly will not be a comprehensive study.
So to set the stage, everything in the Bible and all of world history is centered around and focused on the life of Jesus. God created the heavens and the earth to be a platform and stage for this epic drama piece we call the Gospel. He created mankind to be like Him, made in God’s image, to be reflections of Him, and yet man chose to rebel against God and do his own thing. God brought down both judgment in the form of punishment for sin but also mercy. This is so that man would not go to Hell immediately, but also that man would not live in his sin forever. He made a declaration that a Savior would come.
The history of the Bible is about God’s dealings with man but also with an emphasis on showcasing the utter depravity of sin. These snapshots of Jesus – who He would be, what He would be like, how He would be born, how He would live, how He would die, what He would overcome, and what offices He would hold – showcase that Jesus truly is everything that we could ever need.
After giving over 300 prophecies and then being silent for 400 years, the time had come. God waited for the prophecies of Daniel and the four major empires to come, and the one in which there would be peace among many nations through the Roman Empire was now in place. The throne of Judah had been abolished, the Temple was back up, Rome occupied Judea, and Rome had just invented one of the cruelest forms of capital punishment: crucifixion. Everything was in place. All that was left was to be sure a man of royal heritage but humble living and a woman also of royal bloodline but likewise of humble living would be together and be of the right heart to have one of the greatest privileges any human being could have had: to be the parents of Jesus Christ. Our analysis of Jesus will start next week with the announcement of His arrival.
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This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1-4
The final chapter of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church contains powerful and challenging words. Here, Paul begins concluding his correspondence with a stern yet hopeful reminder of his apostolic authority and the transformative power of Christ.
Paul begins in verse 1 by referencing his impending third visit to the Corinthians. This statement underscores his commitment to the community despite the issues they have faced. His repeated visits demonstrate his pastoral care and his determination to help them grow spiritually.
Paul quotes Deuteronomy 19:15, a principle from Jewish law that requires multiple witnesses to establish the truth in legal matters. By invoking this standard, Paul signals his intent to address the problems within the Corinthian church with fairness and accountability. He emphasizes that his judgments will not be arbitrary or based on rumors but will align with a clear and just process.
Paul moves from a general reminder to a direct warning in verse 2. He recalls the admonitions he gave during his previous visit and emphasizes that he will take decisive action upon his return if the issues persist. His tone here is firm, highlighting the seriousness of unrepented sin.
The phrase “I will not spare” shows that Paul is ready to exercise his apostolic authority. While his ministry is grounded in love and grace, he understands the importance of discipline within the church. Paul’s goal is not to condemn but to lead the Corinthians to repentance and restoration.
In verse 3, Paul addresses a challenge to his authority. Some in Corinth questioned whether Paul truly spoke on behalf of Christ, likely due to his humble demeanor and the trials he faced. Paul’s response points to the undeniable power of Christ at work among them.
Paul highlights that Christ’s power is not diminished by human weakness. On the contrary, Christ’s power is often revealed most profoundly in moments of weakness and humility. Paul’s ministry, though marked by suffering, is a testament to the transformative power of Christ. His words carry the authority of the risen Lord, who is actively working in the lives of believers. Christ’s power operates in ways that often defy human expectations, and His strength is made perfect in weakness, as Paul discussed previously in 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Paul provides a profound theological truth about the nature of Christ’s work and its implications for believers in verse 4. He contrasts Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, illustrating the paradox of strength through weakness. Christ’s crucifixion represents the ultimate weakness in human terms – He was mocked, beaten, and executed. Yet, this act of apparent weakness was the means through which God’s redemptive power was unleashed. Through His resurrection, Christ lives eternally, demonstrating that God’s power triumphs over death and sin.
Paul applies this truth to himself and his ministry team. Their human weakness mirrors Christ’s crucifixion, but God’s power sustains them, enabling them to carry out their mission. This principle extends to all believers: our human frailty is not a barrier to God’s work but an opportunity for His power to shine through.
This passage provides multiple practical applications for Christians today. First, the principle of multiple witnesses reminds us to uphold fairness and integrity in all matters, especially conflict resolution. In our churches and personal relationships, we should seek truth and justice, avoiding hasty judgments or gossip.
Paul’s warning for correction underscores the importance of repentance and accountability. When confronted with our sins, we should respond with humility and a willingness to change, recognizing that correction is a sign of God’s love (Hebrews 12:5-11). How do we respond to correction? Are we willing to heed godly warnings, or do we resist accountability? Paul’s example also reminds leaders to balance grace with firmness, ensuring that the pursuit of holiness is not compromised.
Finally, the paradox of the cross invites us to surrender our weaknesses to God, trusting that His power is sufficient. When we feel inadequate, we can take comfort in knowing that God often works most powerfully through our limitations. Our spiritual strength does not come from our own efforts but from the risen Christ, who empowers us to live for Him.
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This is something that has been cooking inside me for some time, and I have been trying to figure out where, when, and how to let it out. Many of you who have followed me know I am actively engaged in apologetics and defending the faith. I’ve been at this for over 20 years, and one thing I am so grateful for is being at a church that understands the value of defending the faith but also is learning when to reel it in. I moved to my current church nearly four years ago, and I am very glad for the change. I had something stirring in me at my previous place that had I remained there much longer, it may have erupted in a not-good way. God pulled me out in part to rescue me from staying in that environment. Where I am now, the sermons have been doing an excellent job at putting a leash on me and pulling me back to keep me from going too far with certain things.
One of them is regarding apologetics. When I moved to my current church, we were in a state of making sure we were on sound doctrine. We have not departed from that, but we saw something in us that we didn’t like: deadness. We had intellectualism, but it was dead. It was stone-cold and had no life in it. And we saw it and didn’t like it, and so we have been shifting, not away from sound orthodox and quality doctrine or even the rigidness of the doctrine, but away from “intellectualism.” One post I was going to write was regarding Ecclesiastes on this topic: Meaningless! Meaningless! I was going to write about the futility of modern evangelistic methods and even modern preaching, including the good stuff. I’m still going to write on that but with a different emphasis and angle.
It is important to know our Bible and to be able to explain our faith, but I have seen a very unhealthy trend in evangelical circles and especially in academics of trying to explain the supernatural with the natural. There are times when I will get on the scientists on my side for this, trying too hard to explain evidence when there really isn’t a need to. Especially with evidence that doesn’t have any weight to begin with. For example, I applaud the work that the “R.A.T.E.” Team did in analyzing and critiquing the radiometric dating methods on their own merit and showcasing the discrepancies in the system. However, I do not agree with their conclusions that there must be a way to account for billions of years into a 6000-year time frame when the studies showed legitimate reasons that the billions of years weren’t real figures we have to account for, to begin with.
But it gets worse. There are very famous apologists for the faith: William Lane Craig, Frank Turek, Charlie Campbell, Greg Koukul, now popular Cliffe Knechtel, Charlie Cambell, Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell, and many others. Some are better than others, and some have produced some excellent works for why Christianity is true. Some others, not so much. I’m not going to get into that here. My concern is the drive for intellectualism, the attempt to make Christianity acceptable on an intellectual level, and the idolizing of these scholars as being the chief authority instead of God Himself. While God did indeed leave very powerful evidence that would compel even the halfway-thinking person, such that no one has any excuses, the problem I am seeing is the “appeal to the academic.” This is where Christianity isn’t true because the Bible (the ultimate authority on every topic it speaks on) says so but because scholarship shows it to be true. And when the scholarship shows it, many of them don’t turn to the Bible as having the authority but keep with the scholarship. I say this having written a book titled Ten Reasons to Believe the Bible, and the more I think about this, the more I almost question my approach to that book. God still left the evidence I show in my book, so any rational person can follow that to the truth, but there must come a point when we realize the Bible does have everything we need.
What is lacking in evangelism is that we just have “rationalism.” We make intellectual arguments that can showcase that the Bible is true, and yes, many people have been converted that way. But one thing I like about Josh McDowell’s testimony is that he did his research and realized the Bible was true after attempting to refute it. However, that isn’t what converted him. What converted him was the love of the saints that he never got at home or at school, especially at home with a drunk father and suffering at the hands of a homosexual pedophile for seven years. He was dealing with his anger and pride, and when he saw true, genuine love from among the believers, that is what pushed him over. He still needed the intellectual part, which made him see the love, but it was the supernatural love of God that won him to Christ.
We are missing the supernatural element. We have abandoned God’s method of evangelism. God has chosen the weak things of this world to share the truth. He uses the uneducated. He uses the poor. He uses preaching. Now God has also used the educated, and he has used the rich, and he has used eloquence, but very rarely, and only when said people have given up that very skill to surrender to Christ for Him to use.
The worst of it all is the total lack of Christ in so many people’s evangelistic and apologetic efforts when He is only brought up as a footnote. Listen to the testimonies of “I am Second” – there is no “second” of self in many of those because it’s all about them. After listening to those testimonies, after listening to our apologists today, who walks away knowing or hearing anything about Jesus? Isn’t Christ supposed to be our message? Isn’t He supposed to be central to everything? Then why aren’t we making Him central?
Eric Ludy described how his sister brought him to a correct understanding of evangelism. When we evangelize, we need to be like the servant of Abraham who went to get Rebecca to be a bride for Isaac. The servant spent very little time talking about himself. He spent his time talking about Isaac. And when we finish with someone, they should not be thinking about us; they should be thinking about Jesus. While we can appeal to how Jesus deals with sin and such, the real appeal should be what spending eternity in heaven with Him should be like and what that relationship is. Instead, we just think it’s about getting to paradise or out of Hell, and God beyond that is an afterthought. That is not how evangelism should be. That is making converts, and we are called to make disciples and to teach them how to follow Christ. And with that message is the most difficult part of it all: the denial of self and everything you once knew.
We need to get back to doing things God’s way. We need to stop thinking we have to “figure out a way to reach them.” We need to do what God said and let God deal with the results. No, God’s methods are not going to be popular. They are intended not to be. They are intended to show that God is the one doing the work, not you; you are just a tool He is using, not the star of the show. Once you do your part, you get out of the way. We need to stop thinking we actually have control over these things. We don’t, and every time we try, we end up being the fool.
Let me remind all of us: there is a true academic study, and there are useless academics. What the world teaches is only a counterfeit of the true study of God and how to use the mind of Christ to learn and study things. There is nothing wrong with learning history, science, or math, but studying Christ and using what God has given us to learn more about Christ is everything.
I am writing a book on Proverbs 3:5, and I’m leaning towards doing a series to give you a preview of the book. We have got to learn to stop trying to do things our way and according to man’s “best practices” and start doing things “God’s way” once again, especially with evangelism and apologetics.
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