Acts 4:8-12 The summary of the good news told in Acts 4 is medium in length. It is longer than the several one line summaries we find (such as Acts 11:20), but shorter than the extended accounts in Acts 2, 3, 10, 13, and 17. Still, it has rich insights about the gospel and speakingContinue reading “The Good News Told in Acts – 3.”
Author Archives: Marvin Bryant
Four Differences between Secular and Spiritual Resolutions
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 There have been times in my life when I made New Year’s Resolutions and times when I haven’t. Sometimes I have been down on making them because it seems so difficult to keep them. A recent online article suggests about 1/4 of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions and about 1/3 say theyContinue reading “Four Differences between Secular and Spiritual Resolutions”
How to Respond to the Birth of Christ
Luke 2:8-20 In two weeks we will return to our exploration of the good news told in Acts. As Christmas approaches, however, I want to call attention to what the shepherds have to teach us about responding to the birth of Christ. Then, next week, we will notice consider some helpful truths about (New Year’s)Continue reading “How to Respond to the Birth of Christ”
The Good News Told in Acts – 2.
Acts 3:11-26 In this series of posts we are seeking to clarify our understanding of the good news, not for merely theoretical reasons, but as a way of equipping ourselves to be useful to our Master. He may well give us opportunities to speak, and we need to be ready (cf. 1 Peter 3:15; ColossiansContinue reading “The Good News Told in Acts – 2.”
The Good News Told in Acts – 1.
Acts 2:22-41 If God gave you the opportunity to share the good news about Jesus with someone, what would you say? One of the best ways to ready is to clarify our understanding of the good news. And one of the best ways to gain clarity about it is to carefully explore the good newsContinue reading “The Good News Told in Acts – 1.”
Parables of the Kingdom 14
Judgment. Though some Christians still seem to over-emphasize the judgment that is coming at the end of time, in my circles many more Christians today seem to neglect it. I get it. It is important for us to grasp God’s grace too. And we also need to emphasize the importance and relevance of living likeContinue reading “Parables of the Kingdom 14”
Parables of the Kingdom 13
Banquet. When we speculate about what heaven will be like, we mention a variety of things we hope we will get to experience. Many questions may remain unanswered for now, but the Bible also gives us some definite information about what it will be like. For example, God prophesied through Isaiah that one day heContinue reading “Parables of the Kingdom 13”
Parables of the Kingdom 12.
Jesus calls us to leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the one lost sheep.
Parables of the Kingdom 11
The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. This short parable (Luke 18:9-14) teaches a powerful lesson, one I have greatly needed to learn in the course of my life and still need regular reminders about. The Pharisee thanks God that he is better than others. He lists some of those he feels superior to and tellsContinue reading “Parables of the Kingdom 11”
Parables of the Kingdom 10
The Shrewd Manager. The parable of the shrewd manager (Luke 16:1-9) has an important lesson to teach us about money, but we often miss it because some of the wording in the parable throws us off course. The basic story is that a manger is going to lose his job and doesn’t know how heContinue reading “Parables of the Kingdom 10”
