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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.
How the Gospel Changes Everything
3By: Sam Storms
How the Gospel Changes Everything
By: Sam Storms
In a recent editorial for the on-line theological journal, Themelios, (“Do the Work of an Evangelist,” 39, 1, April 2014), D. A. Carson had some interesting remarks on the nature of the Christian gospel. Continue reading . . . In a recent editorial for the on-line theological journal, Themelios, (“Do the Work of an Evangelist,” 39, 1, April 2014), D. A. Carson had some interesting remarks on the nature of the Christian gospel. “For some ...Read More ➔
Jesus wasn't the only person raised from the dead on Easter Sunday!
2By: Sam Storms
Jesus wasn't the only person raised from the dead on Easter Sunday!
By: Sam Storms
In the aftermath of Easter Sunday one of the ladies in my church asked about the meaning of Matthew 27:51-53. When did this event happen and who were these people and what happened to them after they were raised? Continue reading . . . In the aftermath of Easter Sunday one of the ladies in my church asked about the meaning of Matthew 27:51-53. When did this event happen and who were these people and what happened to them after they were raised? Well, let’s first r...Read More ➔
Resurrection in Hebrews
By: Sam Storms
Resurrection in Hebrews
By: Sam Storms
Back on April 20th, Easter Sunday, I continued my series in the book of Hebrews. We looked at Hebrews 2:14-18. One question that I had to address was whether or not the author of this letter explicitly mentions the bodily resurrection of Jesus. Continue reading . . . Back on April 20th, Easter Sunday, I continued my series in the book of Hebrews. We looked at Hebrews 2:14-18. One question that I had to address was whether or not the author of this letter explicitly ment...Read More ➔
J. I. Packer's new book: Weakness is the Way
By: Sam Storms
J. I. Packer's new book: Weakness is the Way
By: Sam Storms
This comparatively short book with its strange title delivers a powerful blow to the rampant triumphalism that has infected much of the Bible-believing world. Using Paul’s second epistle to the Corinthians as his principal resource, J. I. Packer has once again provided us with both the theological depth and practical wisdom necessary to live in a way that pleases and honors Christ. Continue reading . . . J. I. Packer. Weakness Is the Way: Life with Christ Our Stre...Read More ➔
10 Pastors I'm Concerned About
15By: Sam Storms
10 Pastors I'm Concerned About
By: Sam Storms
[I came across this instructive article by Scott Postma at www.scottpostma.net and thought you’d be challenged by it as I was.] Continue reading . . . [I came across this instructive article by Scott Postma at www.scottpostma.net and thought you’d be challenged by it as I was.] It’s not a secret the church has been in decline for a number of years and for a variety of reasons. You can read some statistics and views on why, here and here and here. Ever...Read More ➔
How many Angels were present at the tomb of Jesus?
By: Sam Storms
How many Angels were present at the tomb of Jesus?
By: Sam Storms
We read in the gospel accounts that Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome were making their way to the tomb of Jesus, talking along the way about how they were going to remove the stone. Continue reading . . . We read in the gospel accounts that Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome were making their way to the tomb of Jesus, talking along the way about how they were going to remove the stone. They probably reassured themselves with the recollection that Josep...Read More ➔
Might the disciples have stolen the body after all?
By: Sam Storms
Might the disciples have stolen the body after all?
By: Sam Storms
I’m not ready to move past the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s consider one of the objections we often hear from critics, anti-supernaturalists, and atheists, namely, that the disciples actually stole the body of Jesus out of the tomb. Continue reading . . . I’m not ready to move past the resurrection of Jesus. Let’s consider one of the objections we often hear from critics, anti-supernaturalists, and atheists, namely, that the disciples actually st...Read More ➔
And what became of the soldiers at the tomb of Jesus?
By: Sam Storms
And what became of the soldiers at the tomb of Jesus?
By: Sam Storms
Before we move on beyond the events of Easter Sunday morning it would be instructive to consider the experience of the soldiers who found themselves swept up in events they didn’t fully grasp. Continue reading . . . Before we move on beyond the events of Easter Sunday morning it would be instructive to consider the experience of the soldiers who found themselves swept up in events they didn’t fully grasp. These were the men who were assigned to guard the tom...Read More ➔
Was Jim Elliot a Fool after all?
By: Sam Storms
Was Jim Elliot a Fool after all?
By: Sam Storms
While a student at Wheaton College, Jim Elliot struggled and prayed over what God would have him do with his life. His passionate and self-sacrificial search for God’s will eventually brought him and four of his friends to the rain forest of Ecuador, on a white strip of sand next to the Curaray River. It was there that Jim and his companions were preparing to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Auca Indians, a violent tribe that until now had absolutely no cont...Read More ➔
It's not the End of the Age: it's just Oklahoma!
1By: Sam Storms
It's not the End of the Age: it's just Oklahoma!
By: Sam Storms
Before I go any further let me say that I love the state of Oklahoma! I was born in Shawnee, in Pottawatomie County (not far from Tecumseh and Seminole; how’s that for some Indian culture!) and have lived nearly 32 years in the state. That being said, we have some interesting weather patterns here in the heartland. Continue reading . . . Before I go any further let me say that I love the state of Oklahoma! I was born in Shawnee, in Pottawatomie County (not far fro...Read More ➔
The Wonder of God's Mercy!
By: Sam Storms
The Wonder of God's Mercy!
By: Sam Storms
Before you go any further in reading this article, please stop. Go to You Tube and type in Matt Redman, “Mercy.” Listen closely to the words. Be energized by the music. And then ask yourself: “Am I continually in awe of the wonder of God’s mercy towards me, hell-deserving sinner that I am?” Continue reading . . . Before you go any further in reading this article, please stop. Go to You Tube and type in Matt Redman, “Mercy.” List...Read More ➔
Why did God do it that way? Dealing with our Doubts
1By: Sam Storms
Why did God do it that way? Dealing with our Doubts
By: Sam Storms
People often mistakenly think I never have doubts about my faith in Christ or that everything in Christianity makes perfectly good sense to me. Quite honestly, that’s not true. I often find myself asking why God did what he has done. What reason did he have for doing it this way and not that way? On occasion, to be honest, it doesn’t strike me as being the best or most efficient way of doing things. On occasion, I say to myself, and to God, “That doesn&...Read More ➔
Jesus is not ashamed of you!
By: Sam Storms
Jesus is not ashamed of you!
By: Sam Storms
A lot of Christians live in the grip of a paralyzing fear: the fear that Jesus Christ is ashamed of them, that he is embarrassed by them, that perhaps if he were free to do so he would simply cut all ties with them lest those outside the community of faith laugh and make fun of a Savior who would want anything at all to do with such silly people like you and me. Continue reading . . . A lot of Christians live in the grip of a paralyzing fear: the fear that Jesus Christ ...Read More ➔
Immanuel's Mantra
3By: Sam Storms
Immanuel's Mantra
By: Sam Storms
My good friend Ray Ortlund is pastor of Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN. Ray and I were at Dallas Theological Seminary at the same time, although he is older than I am (I won’t tell you by how much). Ray was also the primary reason I decided to bring our church into the Acts 29 network. His arguments for joining were persuasive (his arguments on most things typically are) and I’ve never regretted following his advice. Continue reading . . . My good friend R...Read More ➔
The "What" and "How" of Hallowing Christ as Lord (especially in the presence of non-Christians)
By: Sam Storms
The "What" and "How" of Hallowing Christ as Lord (especially in the presence of non-Christians)
By: Sam Storms
We’ve come to the end of our study of 1 Peter 3:13-17 and are now ready to examine the practical dynamics of what God is calling us to do. Continue reading . . . We’ve come to the end of our study of 1 Peter 3:13-17 and are now ready to examine the practical dynamics of what God is calling us to do. Here again is the text. “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, ...Read More ➔
Hallowing in our Hearts (and in the way we live each day) Jesus as Lord
1By: Sam Storms
Hallowing in our Hearts (and in the way we live each day) Jesus as Lord
By: Sam Storms
We left off last time with Debbie wondering precisely what it means for her to “honor Christ as Lord,” or to “treat as holy the fact that Christ is Lord.” Life isn’t easy for her in the office. Everyone seems to conspire against her and to make her life as a Christian as miserable as they can. What is she to do? Peter says she should “honor Christ as holy.” But what does that mean? Continue reading . . . We left off last time wi...Read More ➔
Debbie's Dialogue (debate?) with God
1By: Sam Storms
Debbie's Dialogue (debate?) with God
By: Sam Storms
In the previous article we began looking at how Debbie responded when she first read 1 Peter 3:13-17 and the way it influenced how she conducted herself at work where everyone, it seemed, had it in for her. Continue reading . . . In the previous article we began looking at how Debbie responded when she first read 1 Peter 3:13-17 and the way it influenced how she conducted herself at work where everyone, it seemed, had it in for her. Here’s the text again: &ldqu...Read More ➔
Honoring Christ as Lord (even when it costs you everything)
1By: Sam Storms
Honoring Christ as Lord (even when it costs you everything)
By: Sam Storms
Let me try to describe a hypothetical scenario that illustrates how we as Christians are to respond to people who, although hostile to us personally, express a measure of curiosity about our faith and hope in Christ. Continue reading . . . Let me try to describe a hypothetical scenario that illustrates how we as Christians are to respond to people who, although hostile to us personally, express a measure of curiosity about our faith and hope in Christ. Debbie has been ...Read More ➔
Emmanuel Enid
By: Sam Storms
Emmanuel Enid
By: Sam Storms
Last week I posted an article written by my friend, Wade Burleson, titled, “Four Blood Moons: It’s Called Lunacy for a Reason.” You should go back and read it if you happened to miss it. However, I was mistaken in listing the name of Wade’s church. They are now called Emmanuel Enid, Oklahoma. By the way, if you live in Enid and are looking for a good church, stop by and visit them! Continue reading . . . Last week I posted an article written by m...Read More ➔
Sexual Abuse in the Local Church
By: Sam Storms
Sexual Abuse in the Local Church
By: Sam Storms
Pastors, church staff, volunteers, youth workers, o.k., everybody, please listen closely. This may be one of the most important blog posts I’ve ever written. Continue reading . . . Pastors, church staff, volunteers, youth workers, o.k., everybody, please listen closely. This may be one of the most important blog posts I’ve ever written. On Saturday, April 5, 2014, our church hosted Gregory Love who serves as director of MinistrySafe, a consulting organizatio...Read More ➔
"How to be 10% happier: Meditate"
1By: Sam Storms
"How to be 10% happier: Meditate"
By: Sam Storms
At least that’s what the headline read in yesterday’s USA Today (April 3, 2014). The story concerned ABC newsman Dan Harris, the co-anchor of Nightline and weekend editions of Good Morning America, and his new book, 10% Happier. Following an “extremely embarrassing” on-air panic attack, Harris began to explore the world of meditation. “It’s completely secular,” notes Harris. Continue reading . . . At least that’s what the ...Read More ➔
Another Protestant Converts to Catholicism: Why?
8By: Sam Storms
Another Protestant Converts to Catholicism: Why?
By: Sam Storms
News broke in early March that well-known and highly influential Christian leader Ulf Ekman had converted to Roman Catholicism (hereafter RC). Continue reading . . . News broke in early March that well-known and highly influential Christian leader Ulf Ekman had converted to Roman Catholicism (hereafter RC). Ekman had served for many years as pastor of the charismatic church, Word of Life, in Uppsala, Sweden. My interest was stirred not only because of the impact Ekman&r...Read More ➔
A Thank-You Note to the Women of Bridgeway Church
By: Sam Storms
A Thank-You Note to the Women of Bridgeway Church
By: Sam Storms
When we were making our way through Philippians at Bridgeway Church “it just so happened” that I preached on Philippians 4:1-3 on Mother’s Day. So let me take some time to highlight Paul’s description of these two women, Euodia and Syntyche, as those who “labored side by side” with him and served as his “fellow workers” in the gospel. Continue reading . . . When we were making our way through Philippians at Bridgeway Churc...Read More ➔
From Encouragement to Exhortation
By: Sam Storms
From Encouragement to Exhortation
By: Sam Storms
We’ve been looking at the advice given by the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:1-3 for those occasions when Christians clash in the local church. Continue reading . . . We’ve been looking at the advice given by the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:1-3 for those occasions when Christians clash in the local church. “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entrea...Read More ➔
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