“Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God.” J. Wesley
In the first part of this series, we looked at who exactly we are fighting. We examined the fact that we are not fighting people but fighting against spiritual satanic forces. The enemy uses people, but they are not the enemy. In this part I am going to look at the wicked weapon of despair, and how God has given us a powerful weapon to defeat that weapon in worship.
There has been a lot written about spiritual warfare. Most discussions focus on the celebrated passage in Ephesians 6 concentrating on the full armor of God. That is a remarkable passage, but I think the Scriptures give us far more than defensive armor and one weapon. As powerful as the …
Continue reading "Weapons of Spiritual Warfare: Part 1 – Who Are We Fighting?"
I am a huge Larry Norman fan. So Long Ago the Garden was one of the first Christian albums that I listened to the whole way through. It rocked my world because I always thought that Christian music had to be sterilized copy of what the secular music world was doing. But what Larry Norman …
A Concise History of Christian World Missions: A Panoramic View of Missions from Pentecost to the Present by J. Herbert Kane is an ambitious attempt to review the history of Christian missions succinctly. Kane spent the first part of the book reviewing the different ages of Christian missions and the second part on reviews of …
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Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically by Beth Felker Jones My rating: 4 of 5 stars In her book, Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically, Wheaton University’s Dr. Beth Felker Jones presents an argument that theology is not just for academic discussion. No, theology must go beyond …
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 …
Many church trends have come and gone. The Christian church in all of its forms has ebbed and flowed between many different worship styles and many different liturgical movements. Most of these movements have been a reflection of culture. The Christian church should be sensitive to the culture without losing its identity. But like Indian …
Dealing with our postmodern culture is one of the most important issues the American church is facing today. In the lecture on just what the church is, Dr. James Flynn with the help of Dr. Joseph Umidi, reviewed how institutionalism has had adverse effects on the church – often times shutting down creativity and enhancing …
Continue reading "The Church in Postmodern Post-Christian America – and that’s the good news!"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "The Coming of Jesus and Antichrist – 2 Thessalonians"
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "On Being a Disciple Thoughts on Mark 1 & 2"
Anointed to Heal: True Stories and Practical Insight for Praying for the Sick by Bill Johnson My rating: 2 of 5 stars I wanted to like this book. I really am inspired by Bill Johnson's and Randy Clark's ministry. These two men have been obedient to bringing the Gospel and the name of Jesus to …
The Potter's Promise: A Biblical Defense of Traditional Soteriology by Leighton Flowers My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is an outstanding resource for those who want to look into Traditionalist Soteriology. Dr. Flowers dives deep into traditionally Calvinistic passages and demonstrates some of the faulty exegesis and hermeneutical interpretations of Reformed thinkers. Not afraid …
The life of Thomas Hooker reveals how opposition is really opportunity.
Bob visits a very special literary and historical site to talk about bitterness.
When I lived in New England, many of the towns I rode through had these greens in the center of town.
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 …
Continue reading "Living in the culture – reflections on Ephesians 4"
Continuing his Motorcycle Monday series, Bob visits Yale.
I will be reposting the Bob Hazlett's video Motorcycle Mondays here on Wednesdays. He has some great insights that I want to share.
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 …
The Wandering Wesleyan 