for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26 ESV The end of the ages – If you read this verse by…
as it is written, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Romans 9:33 NASB As it is written – But the problem, of course, is that this is not what is written. How can Paul tell us that…
I recently gave a lecture in South Africa about the “law vs. grace” issue, explaining how the definitions of the terms need to be understood in the culture of the first century. This is a THREE PART VIDEO of about 2 hours total. You will learn that the real issue is not law versus grace…
For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Galatians 5:6 NASB Circumcision – Given the choice, most men remember Shechem (Genesis 34). The very idea of adult circumcision causes pain. So they run to this verse, and others like it, claiming that it really doesn’t make any difference. …
This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27 NASB Religion – John Gager points out that the word “religion” did not exist before the Christian era. The idea is worth investigation. …
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles 1 Corinthians 1:23 ESV Stumbling block/ folly – Why is the Messiah crucified a stumbling block to Jews? Why is the Messiah crucified folly to Gentiles? Why does Paul choose two different words for two different groups of people? If the…
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1 NASB Earnestly – “I shall seek You earnestly.” What does that mean to you? Does it mean that you will rouse up passion…
I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me. Psalm 119:19 NASB Stranger – What is required for a stranger to become a welcomed member of the community? You might find yourself in that situation if you travel outside your native land. You want to establish connection, create new bonds, become…
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. Psalm 22:27 ESV Worship – “The philosophy of Jewish living is essentially a philosophy of worship. For what is observance, if not a form of worshipping God?”[1] Once you grasp the…
