Jesus, Son of Adam: Indebted to a Forgiving God
We should gratefully celebrate the incarnation, knowing something of the cost to Christ in taking on the humanity of Adam to save sinful humans.
salvation
Jesus, Son of Abraham: Grateful for an Inclusive God
Though Christianity is called narrow-minded, exclusive, and intolerant, Christ as the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant shows God’s plan as big, broad, and diverse.
The Gospel’s Assault on the Egocentric
God’s plan of salvation leaves no room for pride, self-promotion, or independence – the person and work of Christ should lead to profound humility and reliance on him.
Being Sure to Move from Creeds to Deeds
We should not presume we are reconciled to God if our belief in a ‘good creed’ has not also produced ‘good deeds’ which will flow daily from biblical repentance.
The Crux of Christmas
Christ came the first time to provide what was needed for us to have relational peace with God, he is coming a second time to establish a kingdom of peace for his people.
Christmas on a Budget
We must learn to revel in the eternal and transcendent blessings that are ours as God’s kids, even when we lack the comforts and conveniences this world has to offer.
Forecast for a Rebellious World
We should gladly submit ourselves to God’s only sanctioned Savior and King, mindful of the grave consequences of opposing or rejecting his loving leadership.
New Life
Like Nicodemus we need to realize our efforts are inadequate to prepare us for the afterlife, instead we must trust exclusively in the substitutionary work of Christ.
The Encouragement of Being a Part of God’s Plan
We should be greatly encouraged that God has chosen to graciously include us in his indomitable plan to forgive and eternally bless a remnant of people for his own glory.
Exploring the purpose of the incarnation
Christ took on the attribute of humanity in order to provide his life as a substitute for ours, freeing us from the dreadful prospect of meeting God with our sins unresolved.
Election and God’s Future for Israel
We should joyfully anticipate the faithful fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel by gratefully worshipping the all-wise Architect of salvation history.
Looking to the End as a Humble Gentile
We must humbly respect the Jews for their place in salvation-history while we cling to grace, eschewing any self-confidence, as we consider God’s dealings with Israel
Modern Israel and Our Jewish Messiah
Knowing that God is using his relationship with us to provoke jealousy in Israel should be one of the many biblical motivations to pursue a vibrant spiritual life
Extending the Gospel with Passion & Sincerity
God’s sovereignty over salvation does not in any way mitigate our responsibility to passionately & persuasively present the gospel message to all types of people.
Exploring the Riches of Unearned Forgiveness
It is critically important to always keep God’s amazingly gracious character in view when we consider the nature of his decision to save undeserving sinners like us.
Perspectives on Fairness, Justice & Grace
We should humbly affirm God’s right to do as he chooses regarding the dispensing of his justice toward some sinners and the demonstration of his mercy toward others.
Grappling with God’s Choices
Because God is working to collect his chosen people we can be expectant & confident in our evangelism knowing that those he’s appointed to eternal life will be saved.
Getting Excited About Our New Destiny
The finished work of the cross and the ongoing defense of Christ as our mediator should instill us with a profound joy regarding our future eternal blessings.
Seeing Salvation as an Inheritance
We can learn to appreciate and value our salvation by seeing it through the biblical metaphor of inheritance
Reading Scripture in Light of Redemption
There is no room for prideful feelings that we in some way achieved our salvation because God’s salvation is freely and sovereignly bestowed through faith not works.
Scripture’s Overarching Theme of Grace
An acute awareness of sin should drive us to embrace (then celebrate) the imputed righteousness of Christ that is freely granted through faith to all variety of sinners.
The Goal of Scripture’s Many Rules
The rules & the assessments of the Bible are directed strongly and specifically toward each of us so that we might own our many sins and cry out for grace without excuse.
Why It’s All Worth It
Following Christ is worth it because God rewards us with many advantages now and will one day give us the New Jerusalem along with tangible, generous compensation.
Getting Honest About Myself
The prerequisite to having eternal life is admitting we fail at keeping the rules God requires and the only way to be acceptable to God is to trust Christ who kept the rules for us!
Real Salvation
We cannot rightly understand or appropriate the benefits of Christ’s NT cross until we understand something of the OT altar.
Recalling Why This is So Important
Serious effort in our sanctification bears witness to the reality of our justification; we must understand this relationship and give this fight with sin our all.
Trusting God When Your Back’s Against the Wall
When problems, pressures or people are pitted against you and they threaten to do you harm, make sure you’re right with God, focus on him and leave your opponents for him to deal with.
Believing All of God’s Promises About the Future
We must boldly in trust God’s promises about the future seeking to be prepared and to prepare as many as possible to experience God’s grace instead of his judgment.
Cultivating the Core Ingredient of the Christian Life
Biblical faith is more than “wishing” or “believing” it is a sincere & reasonable confidence in truth that leads to action and ultimately to God’s reward.
Our Assurance & God’s Truthfulness
We should seek to know that we are genuine Christians by examining our lives and by examining the Scriptures seeing that Jesus was who he said he was and God is always faithful to fulfill his promises!