Creator, Sustainer, Reconciler, Redeemer INTRODUCTION One of the phrases that I find myself repeating over and over again is, “It’s not about me; it’s all about Jesus.” This is a concept that I need to keep in my head and my heart. A few years ago, I found the book, It’s Not About Me, by Max…
The declaration that JESUS IS LORD has one meaning but many applications. This phrase encompasses all of history—past, present, and future—and reveals the power that orders the universe. When believers realize the vast dimension of the Lordship of Christ, they will live as Christ-like servants and anticipate their future life as joint heirs with Jesus throughout eternity.…
Guest article from The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament Adam lived in the Garden, where God walked with him, provided for him, and infused his life with purpose and satisfaction. When Adam sinned, he lost his perfect intimacy with God and his enjoyment of a perfect world. He became estranged from…
2 Timothy 1:2 The Apostle Paul typically opened and sometimes closed his letters with at least two of the three words in the above verse. These three words—grace, mercy, and peace—are recognized by believers in Christ but often “brushed over” when these words are read in Scripture, heard in sermons, or spoken in spiritually oriented…
Hebrews 12:1-3 INTRODUCTION What motivates you in the daily race of life? If your motivation is anything that the natural world offers (riches, popularity, success, physical gratification, etc.), then you do not have God’s motivating factor at the center of your life. If your motivation is related to another person (earning respect, having them serve you,…
This article focuses on a three-word phrase that is central to the Christian faith. The phrase, JESUS IS LORD, has only one meaning but has innumerable applications. This phrase encompasses all of human history—past, present, and future— and reveals the infinite power that orders the universe. The reality of this phrase causes demons to tremble and,…
Is the Early Church Leadership Pattern for Today? Thus far, this series has reviewed various aspects of church leadership. Part 8 is the final presentation in this series. This study emphasizes that a plurality of elders – the New Testament plan for church leadership – remains the model for church leadership today. Some churches and denominations may…
Responsibilities & Qualifications of Church Leaders Thus far, this series has presented leadership plans along with insights about church leaders. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH LEADERS Part 6 highlighted common characteristics of believers growing in Christ. For example, all believers are spiritually gifted to minister in ways that build up the Body of Christ and bring glory to God. While ministering…
Singular Leaders in the Bible This series deals with New Testament church leadership. The New Testament leadership plan can be described as a plurality of elders or, with similar accuracy, a plurality of overseers/bishops or a plurality of shepherds/pastors. As Part 2 of this series indicated, the words for overseer/bishop (episkopos), elder (presbuteros), and shepherd/pastor (poimen) are used interchangeably in the New Testament…
Church Leadership: Plurality of Elders This is the third article in a series on Church Leadership. Part 1 gave an overview of the various forms of church leadership in use today. Part 2 focused on a church’s servant-leaders and the three Greek words that describe them. In our previous study, we saw that episkopos (overseer/bishop), presbuteros (elder) and poimen (shepherd/pastor) all refer to…