Luke’s sequel to his Gospel – the Acts of the Apostles – begins with the final act of Jesus’s earthly ministry. The Risen Lord gives instruction and words of commission, and then ascends into heaven. Though Jesus goes “up”, he does not go away. He ascends but is not absent. Instead he is powerfully present in a new transcendent way – a…
Wednesday’s “Thru the Bible” Study is now online and streaming. In today’s reading, the Apostle Paul feels compelled to defend his decision to delay his visit to Corinth since their are strong voices in Corinth accusing Paul of fickleness and untrustworthiness. Paul writes honestly about how he had to make difficult decisions that he hoped would demonstrate his love to the Corinthians…
In this story from Acts, Paul witnesses of his faith in the intellectual center of Athens. Paul accommodates his message to this unique setting by commending his listener’s spiritual curiosity, finding common ground, and speaking of God’s revelation in Christ. Though the idolatry of the city outrages him, Paul speaks with great grace and respect toward his listeners, providing a model for…
With his credibility in question by the new “super-apostles”, Paul writes a painful letter to encourage the Corinthians that in spite of his physical weakness, poor rhetorical skills, and emotional troubles, he remains a legitimate apostle who is simply sharing “the sufferings of Christ”. In his opening to the letter, he writes of a specific situation that pressed his faith to the…
Easter 5 Service is now online and streaming. The Apostle Peter admonishes a suffering church community to embody the truth that they are “living stones” in God’s “spiritual house”. To this end he encourages them to nurture an appetite for spiritual growth so they can “grow together” into the truth that they are God’s people in the world. “Living stones” should be…
Paul concludes his “Epistle of Joy” by thanking (sort of) the Philippians for their financial support while also speaking of his “contentment in Christ” and his joy in the spiritual fruit of the Philippians expressed in their generosity. Join us for the “After the Thru the Bible Chat” at 7:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84419651180 Email Rich or Jenny for the Password
Psalm 23 is one of the most familiar and beloved passages in the entirety of sacred scripture. Though deeply treasured, it is often confined to use in hospitals and at funerals, when, in reality, the Psalm is a Song of Confidence for all Seasons of Life.
After updating the Philippians on his situation and sharing his testimony, Paul now concludes his letter with admonitions to the church to “stand firm in the Lord”. They are to carry on by pursuing love, rejoicing in the Lord, dwelling in the peace of God, and reflecting deeply on the “good, true, and beautiful” in their lives and culture. This is a…
Christ’s presence goes unrecognized by the two disciples with broken hearts seeking to escape their troubles by fleeing to Emmaus. But as Jesus opens the scriptures to them and then shares a meal with them, their despair transforms to joy as their “hearts burn within them.” No matter what road we travel – with broken hearts to Emmaus or burning hearts back…
As Paul concludes his testimony to the Philippians he reminds them that “he has not arrived” but “presses on” to the prize. He then offers himself as an example to follow in order to be “mature” (which in the Greek is “perfect”). Incredibly, for Paul, a mature Christian stance is to “live perfectly in imperfection” – or more simply, to be “perfectly…