Welcome to the first in a series looking at the Kingdom of God (KoG). Through this series, I will be writing about how the KoG impacts our lives now as well as how we have something spectacular to look forward to in the future. To start this series, I want to look at how Jesus and the Bible talk about the KoG.
Lost and Found Psalm 119:9-16
Sharing thoughts on the role of the Teacher
Entering a new age of Evangelism
The title “evangelist” brings with it a set of powerful preconceptions. For some, it brings to mind thoughts of John Wesley going from town to town on horseback, George Whitfield preaching in large fields in England or Dwight Moody in halls and on stages around the world. For others, the evangelist brings to mind …
Vocation as Worship
All of life is worship. This is something that true regardless of one’s religious affiliation or faith commitment. Whatever is thought about the most, whatever is worried about the most, and whatever costs the most time is what is worshipped. When one becomes a Christ follower, then those things that were once worshipped are unseated …
The Office of Apostle
I am new to the idea of the 5-fold ministry. Sure, I have read Ephesians 4: “And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in …
The Coming of Jesus and Antichrist – 2 Thessalonians
If Paul describes precursors to the “Day of the Lord,” does that not contradict 1 Thessalonians 5:2 when the Day of the Lord is described as coming like “a thief in the night” – a sudden coming of Jesus? The “day of the Lord” was something that bothered the Thessalonians. In chapter 2 of second …
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Covenant – Various passages in Hebrews
What makes the New Covenant superior to the Old Covenant? The writer of Hebrews makes a bold claim in chapter 8:6. “But Jesus has now obtained a superior ministry, and to that degree he is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been established on better promises.” He is claiming that a New Covenant …
Sermon – The Power of Testimony
As a follow up to my last blog, here is a sermon I gave on this subject. I go a little bit deeper than my Blog. The sermon can be found Here. Here are the links to Sister Amber's testimony: Part 1 and Part 2 Sermon notes: The Power of Testimony Testimony enhances our spiritual …
The Power of Testimony
In the three accounts of Paul’s conversion, there are some differences in what those who were with him saw and heard. Do these differences discredit Paul’s testimony? When giving testimony, the one who is testifying needs to have credibility. Credibility leads authority to the testimony to persuade or confirm facts that are under consideration. In …
Jesus and Grief – John 11
Why did Jesus wait four days before visiting Lazarus? When a loved one or a friend is on their deathbed, the usual response is to go immediately to them and be with them in their final hours. When Jesus received word that his dear friend Lazarus was sick (11:3), he delayed going to visit him. …
Lost and found: A Look at Luke 15
What was it about the “tax collectors and sinners” that caused such angst among the Pharisees, but who were the object of much of Jesus’ ministry? Luke 15 presents an interesting confrontation between the religious leaders and Jesus. Since the beginning of his ministry, Jesus spent the most time with those who were outside …
On Being a Disciple Thoughts on Mark 1 & 2
Jesus used the words “follow me” when calling the apostles. What was it about this calling that was different from other callings? Mark describes Jesus calling five of the twelve apostles in the passages 1:16-20 and 2:13-14. For Andrew, Simon, James, John, and Matthew, the call resulted in an immediate following (1:16-20). The calling of …
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Bob Hazlett – Opposition turned into Opportunity
The life of Thomas Hooker reveals how opposition is really opportunity.
Bob Hazlett – Overcoming Bitterness
Bob visits a very special literary and historical site to talk about bitterness.
Bob Hazlett – How to overcome offense
In his continuing series Motorcycle Mondays...
Bob Hazlett – Future Church
When I lived in New England, many of the towns I rode through had these greens in the center of town.
Living in the culture – reflections on Ephesians 4
What is God’s responsibility for unity and what are the believers’ responsibilities? In the first section of Ephesians 4, Paul makes reference to unity or describes unity. The oneness of the faith in vss. 3 – 5 stresses a theological unity. Vss. 11-14 describe leadership roles that build up the maturity of the body in …
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Bob Hazlett – Be the Church
I will be reposting the Bob Hazlett's video Motorcycle Mondays here on Wednesdays. He has some great insights that I want to share.
Problem Of Pain or Pleasure?
Luke 19:16-31 (NIV) 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his …
Selling out the Holy Spirit
Acts 8:9-23New International Version (NIV) Simon the Sorcerer 9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called …
Thoughts on Psalm 42/43
Why do the two questions in 42:5, "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?", lead the writer to refer to geographical locations? The writer of the Psalm is in deep despair. He began to answer his questions first by a declaration of hope. "Put your hope in God, for I …
As for me and my house…
Why did Joshua challenge the nation of Israel in the midst of the covenant renewal? Before we get into the challenge Joshua gave to Israel inverse 15, it is important that vs. 14 is properly understood. Joshua is issued a challenge, but what does this challenge really man and why is it important that he …
Bridegrooms, unshrunk cloth, and new wineskins
"Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees[e] were fasting. People came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the Pharisees’ disciples fast, but your disciples do not fast?” 19 Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they …
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On Forgiveness…
The power that lies in forgiveness and in unforgiveness is immense. It is also something that is universal to the human experience. Because we live in a world that is fallen and sin abounds, all of us in some form or another have to go through periods of needing to forgive and needing to be …
The Wandering Wesleyan 