At the end of chapter 12, Paul mildly rebuked the saints at Corinth for desiring gifts that would promote self-exaltation rather than the higher gifts that were best for the saints, and gifts that did the most good. Now, as we head into chapter 13, we find Paul emphasizing that there is something better than […]
This article is not about whether or not miracles were performed in the first-century church. THEY WERE! Jesus performed miracles. The apostles performed miracles. Many members of the church of Christ, in general, performed miracles in the first century. Anyone who believes in the Bible knows that this is true. So again, whether or not […]
It takes a godly man to buck a trend and go against what is popular. That is what Hezekiah did. He took the throne at a time when Judah was immersed in idolatry. He immediately started his work of restoration, turning the kingdom back to God. The testimony of his life, therefore, was that he […]
This week we have been observing the godly life of Hezekiah. My hope is that we will be motivated to follow his good example, emulating the things in his life that made him godly. The first thing that Hezekiah did when he took the throne was to cleanse the kingdom of the idols that were […]
While a godly life has to do with godly living, it begins with having a proper attitude towards God. Vine called it a Godward attitude. This Godward attitude begins with trusting God, and trust was a primary characteristic that shaped the life of the good king, Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18:5 (ESV) 5 He trusted in […]
Hezekiah was a godly man, doing what was right in the eyes of God (2 Kings 18:3). But, what specifically did he do? Believing that there is only one true and living God, he removed the places of idolatry from the land. 2 Kings 18:4 (ESV) 4 He removed the high places and broke the […]
1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. Regardless of who you are, life can sometimes be tough. Job once said, “Man who is born of a […]
Galatians 2:4 (ESV) 4 Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in—who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery— Who does not want to be free? Freedom is a blessed state of being. Those who have it, cherish it, and those […]
1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV) 2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: The word sanctified means “to make holy.” It refers […]
We are focusing this week on the importance and privilege of being in Christ. It is, indeed, the most important place you can be on earth. Last night we saw that in Christ is where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). For the rest of the week, I want to consider specific blessings that […]