Promises: The Promise of Christ’s Blood
“The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7b, CSB) There is freedom in that promise. We don’t strive to repay the penalty because of…
Category: Series
Promises: The Promise Keeper
I promise. The weight of those words greatly depends on who is speaking. There is much to doubt when a politician utters them. We know well those in our lives…
Corinthian Controversies: The Final One
The Final controversy Paul addresses in his first letter shouldn’t be controversial for believers. Paul begins, “Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I…
Corinthian Controversies: Tongues and Prophecy
In Paul’s list of nine spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11), two top the rest on the controversy scale. We’re good with words of wisdom, knowledge, and discerning of spirits. Faith,…
Are We There Yet?
Are we there yet? How many times have we said or heard that phrase? The cliché occurrence is a child going with their parents to someplace special. But how often…
Corinthian Controversies: Pursue Love
The bride was radiant. The groom was resplendent. They looked deeply into each other’s eyes as the minister read this familiar passage. “If I speak with the tongues of mankind…
Corinthian Controversies: A Different Unity
Why does our body have an appendix? It doesn’t seem to do anything. Unlike our other organs, it has no grand function. Yet it exists and can cause serious problems…
Corinthian Controversies: Spiritual Gifts
It’s all good in sports until the referee or umpire makes a bad call. Tempers flare, dust flies, and people are ejected from the game. That’s nearly the same scene…
Corinthian Controversies – Reboot
What is Standard Operating Procedure Number One when a piece of tech is malfunctioning? Reboot it or remove its power. I’ve given that instruction countless times with success. And sometimes,…
Corinthian Controversies: Hair, Respect, and Value
The first line of a NASCAR race opening ceremony is, “Would you please rise and remove your hats.” In our culture, it is a sign of respect for what follows:…
Corinthian Controversies: Freedom’s Restraint
The Christian controversy of freedom versus restraint is nothing new. The early church struggled to find the right balance. As we’ve seen in the past few weeks on these pages,…
Corinthian Controversies: Big Little Sins
There’s a Midwestern idiom about people’s chickens coming home to roost. Basically, it means those moments when people receive the deserved results of their wrongful actions or attitudes. Some call…