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Sep 2014 30 Sep 30, 2014

We would all do well to listen intently to Jonathan Edwards in his sermon, The Excellencies of Christ. Continue reading . . . We would all do well to listen intently to Jonathan Edwards in his sermon, The Excellencies of Christ: It was in Christ’s last sufferings, above all, that he was delivered up to the power of his enemies, and yet by these, above all, he obtained victory over his enemies. Christ never was so in his enemies’ hands, as in the time of h...Read More

Sep 2014 29 Sep 29, 2014
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To what lengths do you think God might go to provide you with rock solid proof that he loves you and will fulfill his promises to you? Continue reading . . . To what lengths do you think God might go to provide you with rock solid proof that he loves you and will fulfill his promises to you? How extravagant might his efforts be? Is there a limit to what he might do or say in order for you to be encouraged and reassured that his promise to save you cannot be broken? If ...Read More

Sep 2014 25 Sep 25, 2014

Iain M. Duguid has some excellent advice for us when it comes to the focus of our preaching. Continue reading . . . Iain M. Duguid has some excellent advice for us when it comes to the focus of our preaching. “Sermons and Bible studies that focus on ‘law’ (the demands of Scripture for our obedience), no matter how accurately biblical in content, tend simply to add to the burden of guilt felt by the average Christian. A friend of mine calls these ser...Read More

Sep 2014 24 Sep 24, 2014

We’ve been looking at Peter’s counsel to us with regard to how we are to respond to the reality of Satan’s schemes and his persistent assault against Christian men and women. Continue reading . . . We’ve been looking at Peter’s counsel to us with regard to how we are to respond to the reality of Satan’s schemes and his persistent assault against Christian men and women. He writes: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary...Read More

Sep 2014 23 Sep 23, 2014

In the previous article I brought to our attention the crucial role that one’s world view plays in how we live and what we expect to encounter in life. Peter has spoken clearly in the concluding paragraph of his first epistle that each we face a war with our mortal enemy, the Devil. And we need to pay close attention to the instruction he gives us. Continue reading . . . In the previous article I brought to our attention the crucial role that one’s world vie...Read More

Sep 2014 22 Sep 22, 2014

After you’ve showered, dressed, and eaten breakfast in the morning, to what are you alerted or concerned with or watching for first of all? Or more simply, what’s the first thing you do as you begin your day? Continue reading . . . After you’ve showered, dressed, and eaten breakfast in the morning, to what are you alerted or concerned with or watching for first of all? Or more simply, what’s the first thing you do as you begin your day? Some of ...Read More

Sep 2014 18 Sep 18, 2014
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In the final article in this brief series, I want you to see the relationship of the full assurance of hope to being energetic and passionate so that through faith and patience we might inherit the promises. Continue reading . . . In the final article in this brief series, I want you to see the relationship of the full assurance of hope to being energetic and passionate so that through faith and patience we might inherit the promises. Look again closely at Hebrews 6:11-...Read More

Sep 2014 17 Sep 17, 2014
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In a previous article I said that God wants you to know that you belong to him. His desire is for every one of his blood-bought children to be gripped and captivated by the certainty of the hope we have in Jesus and to rejoice in it. And here’s why we know that it is true. It comes from what we read in Hebrews 6:11 – “And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end.” Continue reading . . ...Read More

Sep 2014 16 Sep 16, 2014
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We looked in the previous article at the confidence expressed by the author of Hebrews regarding the salvation of those to whom he is writing. He referred to them as the “beloved” of God. But how does he know they are beloved and saved? Where does this confidence come from? How can he be so sure? Continue reading . . . We looked in the previous article at the confidence expressed by the author of Hebrews regarding the salvation of those to whom he is writing...Read More

Sep 2014 15 Sep 15, 2014
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There is no way to exaggerate or overestimate what you could achieve by the grace of God if you were living in the full assurance of your hope in Christ. Continue reading . . . There is no way to exaggerate or overestimate what you could achieve by the grace of God if you were living in the full assurance of your hope in Christ. There is no way to exaggerate or overestimate how deeply you could enjoy the blessings of being a child of God if you were living in the full a...Read More

Sep 2014 12 Sep 12, 2014
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Thus far we’ve looked at the meaning of pride and humility. But we now turn to the question: What difference does it make? Is it really that important? Continue reading . . . Thus far we’ve looked at the meaning of pride and humility. But we now turn to the question: What difference does it make? Is it really that important? (1) Clothe yourselves with humility because “God opposes the proud” (v. 5b). Consider this statement in Isaiah 57:15 &nda...Read More

Sep 2014 11 Sep 11, 2014
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In the previous article we looked at the essence of pride. We now turn to humility. Continue reading . . . In the previous article we looked at the essence of pride. We now turn to humility. The easy answer to our question would simply be to embrace the opposite of each of the seven characteristics of pride. Yes, by all means do that! But let me put a bit more substance to the concept of humility. Again, let me mention 7 features of true humility. (1) An essential elem...Read More

Sep 2014 10 Sep 10, 2014

In the previous article I introduced the subject of pride and humility by drawing our attention to Peter’s exhortation in 1 Peter 5:5-7. Continue reading . . . In the previous article I introduced the subject of pride and humility by drawing our attention to Peter’s exhortation in 1 Peter 5:5-7. Here it is again. “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God ...Read More

Sep 2014 9 Sep 9, 2014
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There are some things that come very easily to me, while others I struggle to achieve. I do some things quite naturally and instinctively. I almost never have to think about them. They just happen. They feel normal. Like breathing. Continue reading . . . There are some things that come very easily to me, while others I struggle to achieve. I do some things quite naturally and instinctively. I almost never have to think about them. They just happen. They feel normal. Lik...Read More

Sep 2014 8 Sep 8, 2014
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Joan Rivers died this past week at the age of 81. She is survived by one daughter and one grandchild. Continue reading . . . Joan Rivers died this past week at the age of 81. She is survived by one daughter and one grandchild. I don’t know if Joan Rivers knew Jesus Christ as her Savior, but nothing in her public statements or her comedy routines would lead me to believe she did. She was Jewish and her memorial service was scheduled to be held in a synagogue in Ne...Read More

Sep 2014 4 Sep 4, 2014
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A couple of years ago, following a rigorous and careful study of the Scriptures, we implemented formal church membership here at Bridgeway. Continue reading . . . A couple of years ago, following a rigorous and careful study of the Scriptures, we implemented formal church membership here at Bridgeway. One of the biblical texts that moved us in that direction was the reference to the people in the local church as being in the “charge” of the Elders (1 Peter 5...Read More

Sep 2014 3 Sep 3, 2014
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How many times have you heard it said: “I like Jesus. It’s the Church I can’t stand!” I wish I had time to write a lengthy article in response to that ill-informed and utterly misguided statement, but I don’t. So I must be brief. Continue reading . . . How many times have you heard it said: “I like Jesus. It’s the Church I can’t stand!” I wish I had time to write a lengthy article in response to that ill-informed and...Read More

Sep 2014 1 Sep 1, 2014
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I have to suppress the urge to laugh out loud when I hear Christians tell me how great it would be if we could only return to the glory days of the early church. Continue reading . . . I have to suppress the urge to laugh out loud when I hear Christians tell me how great it would be if we could only return to the glory days of the early church. They appear to believe that in the first century the church was far better off than it is today, that it knew little of divisio...Read More