Promise and Fulfillment. Do you serve God “in the new way of the Spirit” or “in the old way of the written code” (Romans 7:6)? Paul says that in Christ we have died to the law so that we serve by the Spirit, a new and different way. What does it mean to serve inContinue reading “The New Way of the Spirit 1”
Author Archives: Marvin Bryant
A Great Number of People Will Believe and Turn to the Lord When …
Acts 11:19-21. God wants great numbers of people to believe and turn to Him, and most Christians have some concern about this as well. A lot of people today focus on positioning the church and presenting the message in ways that will connect with and be relevant to people. I believe some of this isContinue reading “A Great Number of People Will Believe and Turn to the Lord When …”
How Every Christian Can Help the Word Spead
Colossians 4:2-6. There have been always been some Christians who are especially gifted at telling the good news about Jesus. We think of apostles, evangelists, and others who have been used by God to spread his word broadly. But what about the rest of us? Sometimes, honestly, we have been happy to leave it toContinue reading “How Every Christian Can Help the Word Spead”
Five Ways the Word Spreads
1 Peter 3:15. If we want the gospel to “spread rapidly and be honored” then we need to pray for this, knowing that God works toward that end (2 Thessalonians 3:1). We also need to listen to what Scripture tells us about our role in it. 1 Peter 3:15 addresses our part directly and tellsContinue reading “Five Ways the Word Spreads”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 12
The Eternal Kingdom. We could trace the idea of kingdom all the way back to the beginning, because God himself has always been king (Psalm 47). During the Old Testament, for a while, he also exerted his reign through the kings of Israel (Psalm 2). But it seems to me that the kingdom proper unfoldsContinue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 12”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 11
Where are the Better Days? In the first post of this series, we noted the Old Testament prophecies that say better days are coming. God promised he would intervene and bring deliverance, mercy, forgiveness, and peace. He would pour out his Spirit on all who submit to him and would bring about fear of theContinue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 11”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 10
Living a Life Worthy of the King. We cannot enter the eternal kingdom unless we live a life worthy of the King. Some of us will be bothered by that statement because of the way we have come to think about God’s mercy and grace. Yet Scripture emphasizes both God’s grace and obedience. Let’s beginContinue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 10”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 9
The Right Response to the King. The reality of God’s reign among us through Christ is not just interesting. It is extremely significant. It is not merely to be understood and discussed. It is meant to revolutionize our lives. You may remember that the prophecies about the kingdom describe God bringing better days among us.Continue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 9”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 8
Five Vital Roles of the King in His Kingdom. We have noted Jesus’ utterly unique identity. It is revealed by His own powerful deeds, God’s raising him from the dead, and special terms like Messiah and Christ. The early proclaimers in Acts acclaimed him with several other special titles also, including Lord (2:36; 10:36), CornerstoneContinue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 8”
The Story of God’s Kingdom 7
What Does it Mean to call Jesus Messiah? One of the most important truths of the gospel is that Jesus is the supreme authority of the universe. This truth, with God’s help, we must see with both our minds and our hearts. Last time we noted the Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is a centralContinue reading “The Story of God’s Kingdom 7”
Empowering Subjects 