The man who had all he wanted (2 Samuel 12:7-8), decided he wanted something he couldn’t have. This says something profound about the deceitful nature of both sin and the human heart (Hebrews 3:13; Jeremiah 17:9). After all, David was no spiritual slacker. He fought giants and composed psalms. He survived being pursued by King Saul and his 3,ooo troops—his conscience notContinue reading “Be Warned And Live Wisely”
Category Archives: 1 Corinthians
Not Trending On Twitter
The people of God look a little strange at times from the world’s point of view. That’s not a 21st century phenomenon or a failure of the church—it’s always been the case. In the first century, Paul told the disciples at Corinth who were part of the wisdom worshipping Greek culture that “in the wisdomContinue reading “Not Trending On Twitter”
When the Church tries to be Cool (3)
Paul agrees with the Corinthians that his message is lacking in cool rhetorical flourishes that the Greeks esteemed. He is proud that it centers upon the cross–even though the Corinthian culture deems it fit for the fool rather than the cool (v. 18, 22). Paul will accept such a conclusion—but only when the terms areContinue reading “When the Church tries to be Cool (3)”
When the Church tries to be Cool (2)
But there’s another layer to what was going on at Corinth. From what Paul says in the latter part of 1 Corinthians 1, it’s clear that their divisiveness wasn’t solely a matter of trying to best their brother (or sister). They wanted their man to carry the day because they thought his style would beContinue reading “When the Church tries to be Cool (2)”
When the Church Tries to be Cool (1)
That Jesus was crucified is a brute fact of history acknowledged by non-biblical sources (Tacitus, Mara Bar Sarapion, Lucian, etc.), as well as the writers of Scripture. But we recognize that history is only in a small sense about dates, names, and places. These things are better thought of as the starting point for itsContinue reading “When the Church Tries to be Cool (1)”
When Rights Are Wrong
My generation has witnessed the call for every kind of right imaginable: from basic civil rights to well . . . vegetable rights. In between, there have been some things that aren’t so humorous—the right to put the unborn to death, the right to do what no civilization has ever done and redefine the marriageContinue reading “When Rights Are Wrong”
What Are You Wearing?
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Emperor’s New Clothes is one of those wonderful stories for children that has much to say to adults. If you remember, the emperor is a boastful sort who is taken advantage of by two tailors promising to make him the finest set of clothes ever seen—sort of. The catch is that the clothes are soContinue reading “What Are You Wearing?”
The Range of Redemption
The Corinthians understood they had been redeemed through Jesus, but like some disciples today, they didn’t grasp how wide-ranging that deliverance was. If you ask people today about their salvation many will tell you something to the effect of “my soul has been saved.” That’s gloriously true and worthy of the highest celebration—it just doesn’tContinue reading “The Range of Redemption”
Staying on the Same Page (2)
When I was in elementary school, we played a game on the playground called Red Rover. The rules were simple. The class divided into two groups. Each side formed a line by holding hands and the two lines faced each other with about ten yards between them. One group would call out the name ofContinue reading “Staying on the Same Page (2)”
Staying on the Same Page (1)
Paul shares some wonderful things with the Corinthians in 1:4-9. He speaks of: the grace given to them in Jesus (v. 4), their enrichment in every way (v. 5), confirmation that Christ was present among them (v. 6), their abundance of spiritual gifts (v. 7), how God would keep them to the end so that theyContinue reading “Staying on the Same Page (1)”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 