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The Epistle of James is now Available!
October 3, 2017 by Sam Storms
Several weeks ago I announced that my entire series of sermon notes on the book of Hebrews was available on my website. Today I’m happy to tell you that all twenty-two lessons on the book of James are now posted. If you are unfamiliar about how to access these documents, simply click on Resources at the top of the Home page, and then on Articles. Look under Biblical Studies, and at the bottom of the list you will see both Hebrews and James. These twenty-two articles are essentially a verse-by-verse analysis of James. I hope and pray you will find them helpful in your life or ministry, or in both.
By His Stripes We Are Healed
1By: Sam Storms
By His Stripes We Are Healed
By: Sam Storms
Is there healing in the atonement? Continue reading . . . Here in 1 Peter 2:24-25 the apostle is very clearly alluding to Isaiah 53:4-5. There the prophet declared: “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” In order ...Read More ➔
Be of Sin the Double Cure
1By: Sam Storms
Be of Sin the Double Cure
By: Sam Storms
Rock of Ages is one of those older hymns of the Christian faith that one rarely hears anymore, even in churches that are more traditional in their approach to worship. It was written by Augustus Toplady who died in 1776. Continue reading . . . Rock of Ages is one of those older hymns of the Christian faith that one rarely hears anymore, even in churches that are more traditional in their approach to worship. It was written by Augustus Toplady who died in 1776. I’v...Read More ➔
Christ our Example
By: Sam Storms
Christ our Example
By: Sam Storms
Why does Peter call on Christians to humbly endure unjust suffering? He gives at least three answers to that question. Continue reading . . . We’ve been looking at 1 Peter 2:18-25 where Peter writes: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are be...Read More ➔
Mindful of God while Suffering Unjustly
By: Sam Storms
Mindful of God while Suffering Unjustly
By: Sam Storms
There is probably only one thing in life that feels as natural and unavoidable as breathing, and that is getting even. Continue reading . . . There is probably only one thing in life that feels as natural and unavoidable as breathing, and that is getting even. I’m serious. It’s instinctive to fallen human nature. We don’t have to think about it or plan it or write into our daily calendars: “Get even today, preferably before noon.” We just d...Read More ➔
Bearing Shame and Scoffing Rude
1By: Sam Storms
Bearing Shame and Scoffing Rude
By: Sam Storms
1 Peter 2:18-25 is one of those remarkable passages in God’s Word that interweaves deep and profound theological truth with practical, life-shaping guidelines for how to conduct ourselves as Christians in a world that doesn’t know Jesus. Continue reading . . . 1 Peter 2:18-25 is one of those remarkable passages in God’s Word that interweaves deep and profound theological truth with practical, life-shaping guidelines for how to conduct ourselves as Chri...Read More ➔
Common Grace, Euthanasia, and the End of the Age
2By: Sam Storms
Common Grace, Euthanasia, and the End of the Age
By: Sam Storms
I don’t know when Jesus will return, but it had better be soon. Don’t read that as if I’m dictating to God when he should send his Son to wrap things up. Rather, it’s born of my own personal frustration and ever-deepening disillusionment when it comes to the rapidly decaying condition of our world. Continue reading . . . I don’t know when Jesus will return, but it had better be soon. Don’t read that as if I’m dictating to God wh...Read More ➔
The Final Days of Jesus: A Great New Resource for Holy Week
By: Sam Storms
The Final Days of Jesus: A Great New Resource for Holy Week
By: Sam Storms
A new book has just been released that I believe will prove to be an incredibly helpful tool for you and the people in your church during Holy Week (beginning with Palm Sunday, extending through Easter Sunday). Continue reading . . . A new book has just been released that I believe will prove to be an incredibly helpful tool for you and the people in your church during Holy Week (beginning with Palm Sunday, extending through Easter Sunday). The book is co-authored by An...Read More ➔
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation (3)
1By: Sam Storms
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation (3)
By: Sam Storms
Often times when people finally get real and acknowledge how far they have yet to go in Christian maturity, they get discouraged and quit. Not Paul. And I hope not you either. Instead of easing off the gas pedal of Christian living and drifting along as if nothing more were at stake, Paul expresses his determination or resolve in two important statements. Continue reading . . . Often times when people finally get real and acknowledge how far they have yet to go in Chris...Read More ➔
Philip Seymour Hoffman and a Surfeit of Selfishness
4By: Sam Storms
Philip Seymour Hoffman and a Surfeit of Selfishness
By: Sam Storms
Someone finally found the courage to say it, so I will too. Continue reading . . . Someone finally found the courage to say it, so I will too. Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of my favorite actors. I first saw him in the film Twister. Given the fact that much of the film was produced here in Oklahoma and that he wore an OU cap throughout endeared him to me immediately! His character, “Dusty”, was a classic. There were other films in which he appeared that we...Read More ➔
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation (2)
1By: Sam Storms
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation (2)
By: Sam Storms
In the previous post we looked at the tendency of some Christians to coast, as over against Paul’s determination to “press on” to “what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:12-14). Continue reading . . . In the previous post we looked at the tendency of some Christians to coast, as over against Paul’s determination to “press on” to “what lies ahead” (Phil. 3:12-14). Here is the passage once more. “Not that I have alread...Read More ➔
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation
1By: Sam Storms
Holy Dissatisfaction and Relentless Pursuit: Overcoming the Threat of Spiritual Stagnation
By: Sam Storms
Should we be concerned that some Christians, for a variety of reasons, have become spiritually stagnant. Continue reading . . . Should we be concerned that some Christians, for a variety of reasons, have become spiritually stagnant. They aren’t regressing but there is a sense in which they are stuck in neutral. Or perhaps they’re actually moving forward, but only because they’ve set their souls on cruise control. They don’t pay much attention to ...Read More ➔
Fasting and the Lord's Supper
By: Sam Storms
Fasting and the Lord's Supper
By: Sam Storms
There is a profoundly important connection between the spiritual discipline of fasting and our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Continue reading . . . There is a profoundly important connection between the spiritual discipline of fasting and our celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper is a feasting that looks backward in time, whereas fasting is a feasting that looks forward in time. The breaking of bread and drinking the cup is done &ldqu...Read More ➔
The Omnipresent God and a Tiny Planet called Earth in an Infinite Universe
5By: Sam Storms
The Omnipresent God and a Tiny Planet called Earth in an Infinite Universe
By: Sam Storms
Not long ago I read an article about the discovery of the most distant galaxy in our universe. The galaxy, known as z8-GND-5296, was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope and an observatory in Hawaii. Continue reading . . . Not long ago I read an article about the discovery of the most distant galaxy in our universe. The galaxy, known as z8-GND-5296, was detected by the Hubble Space Telescope and an observatory in Hawaii. As the article explains, “when scientists...Read More ➔
The Head and Heart of True Worship
2By: Sam Storms
The Head and Heart of True Worship
By: Sam Storms
God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered worship happens whenever the mind is filled with deep, robust, expansive, biblical thoughts about who God is and what he has done, which in turn awaken and inflame heart-felt and passionate affections for God such as joy, gladness, delight, gratitude, admiration, love, fear, zeal, and deep satisfaction in all that he is for us in Jesus Christ. Continue reading . . . God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-empowered worship h...Read More ➔
"Church-less" Christianity?
2By: Sam Storms
"Church-less" Christianity?
By: Sam Storms
The blogosphere was all abuzz last week when Donald Miller, well-known author of the best-selling book, Blue Like Jazz, announced that he no longer attends a local church. Continue reading . . . The blogosphere was all abuzz last week when Donald Miller, well-known author of the best-selling book, Blue Like Jazz, announced that he no longer attends a local church. I won’t go into his reasons or the multitude of responses, many of which were extremely insightful (o...Read More ➔
Can a God without Wrath be Good?
1By: Sam Storms
Can a God without Wrath be Good?
By: Sam Storms
The notion of divine justice and wrath are not popular in certain sectors of the professing Christian world today. If nothing else, this betrays how weak in the minds of such folk is the doctrine of inspiration and the functional authority of Scripture. For if Scripture is indeed the Word of God written, infallible for all life and belief, then divine wrath must be embraced, as uncomfortable for some as that may be. Continue reading . . . The notion of divine justice an...Read More ➔
The Excellency of Christ (9)
By: Sam Storms
The Excellency of Christ (9)
By: Sam Storms
It’s been some time since I posted anything on Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “The Excellency of Christ.” Below is the ninth installment of this message. I personally find this portion of his sermon to be more compelling and uplifting than anything else he’s written. Read and rejoice! Continue reading . . . It’s been some time since I posted anything on Jonathan Edwards’s sermon, “The Excellency of Christ.” Below is the ...Read More ➔
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (4)
By: Sam Storms
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (4)
By: Sam Storms
We’ve now come to the final article in our study of 1 Peter 2:13-17. Continue reading . . . We’ve now come to the final article in our study of 1 Peter 2:13-17. Here Peter says to us: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to sile...Read More ➔
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (3)
1By: Sam Storms
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (3)
By: Sam Storms
In the previous article I made the first of four observations about this passage. Continue reading . . . In the previous article I made the first of four observations about this passage. Read it again and then we’ll move to the next important issue that it raises. “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do g...Read More ➔
I Saw Joni Dance - Revisited
1By: Sam Storms
I Saw Joni Dance - Revisited
By: Sam Storms
Like many of you, I was disappointed that the Oscar nominated song, “Alone yet not Alone,” sung by Joni Eareckson Tada, was recently deleted from that list. The reason for this is unknown, but most of us have a pretty good idea about what motivated the decision. But that’s not why I’m writing. It got me thinking of Joni again. Continue reading . . . [Like many of you, I was disappointed that the Oscar nominated song, “Alone yet not Alone,&r...Read More ➔
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (2)
1By: Sam Storms
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (2)
By: Sam Storms
In the previous article we began a short study of 1 Peter 2:13-17 and what it tells us about our response to human government. Continue reading . . . In the previous article we began a short study of 1 Peter 2:13-17 and what it tells us about our response to human government. Here is the passage again. “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do ...Read More ➔
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (1)
1By: Sam Storms
Why Obeying the Speed Limit is an Act of Worship (1)
By: Sam Storms
I have lived under the authority of 12 Presidents here in the United States, beginning with Harry S. Truman up through Barack Obama. As bad as some of these Presidents have been, and I won’t identify which ones I have in mind, the worst among them was probably more tolerable than the best Roman Emperor or Jewish King under whom the apostle Peter lived. Continue reading . . . I have lived under the authority of 12 Presidents here in the United States, beginning wit...Read More ➔
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