Simply Gospel

May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise.

  • Jacob’s Struggle with an Angel

    In Genesis 32:24, we have one of the more perplexing stories of the Old Testament in which Jacob wrestles with a messenger of the Lord. Jacob has been living in Haran for the last fifteen years after cheating Esau out of his birthright. He will soon encounter his brother, and he is not sure what to expect, and he undertakes preparations to die at his brother’s hand. In this context, this strange turn of events takes place. In this, the messenger comes to a draw with Jacob until he dislocates Jacob’s hip. The messenger changes Jacob’s name and declares him… Continue reading

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  • Congregational Maturation

    No Christian is disposable or dispensable to the congregation of which he or she belongs. As we create a picture of what we want a congregation to grow into, each individual is a part of the process. There is no shortcut to maturity – as a group or as individuals – and, as the individuals commit themselves to growing spiritually, so too will the congregation. Three Contributors to Maturity Commitment. In Acts 2:42-46, the church is in its infancy, and there are three thousand new Christians with diverse backgrounds, opinions, and interpretations. However, these people were steadfast. They were committed.… Continue reading

  • Changing Identities

    I live with an autism spectrum disorder. I acknowledge this, and I refuse to be treated medically. My autism is part of who I am. It is my identity, and, if a person with an ASD is high-functioning enough to be self-sufficient and a productive member of society without medical intervention, I strongly believe it is wrong to force treatment on the individual. To them and myself, autism is no disease or crippling disability that needs curing. It is a part of who we are. To remove that variable would be to remove a part of ourselves, and no one… Continue reading

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  • Things I’ve Learned from Godly Women

    Considering the context of this day, it is appropriate to consider the gift God has given us in the mothers He gave us. I Peter 3:6 calls Christian women daughters of Sara, and godly women, like Sara, have lessons to teach us regardless of our gender. In fact, many people can attribute their obedience to the gospel to the influence of their mothers in studying the Bible with them when young. Learning from Godly Women Sharing the Word. Sharing God’s word is a great contribution women can make to God’s kingdom. In Titus 2:4 instructs women to pass their wisdom… Continue reading

  • Where No Case Exists

    Recently, a small set of billboards have cropped up around the country claiming the Bible accepts homosexuality as a lifestyle. Three verses are cited – II Samuel 1:26, Acts 8:26-40, and Matthew 8:5-13. Unfortunately, none of these passages back up the claim. II Samuel 1:26: I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. This is the most convincing of the examples because of the lack of nuances in the English language when it comes to “love.” The Hebrew word here is ‘ohab,… Continue reading

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  • Taking Sin Seriously

    In his book Studying Sin Seriously, Wendell Winkler speaks to the results of sin – its decisiveness, its deceptiveness, its disgracefulness and destructiveness. Sin is a topic we should, in fact, take seriously, and, in this lesson,w e are going to look at the basic nature of sin and what it does to us as Christians. The Nature of Sin In I John 3:4, sin is equated with lawlessness. It is a violation of God’s law when we set our will over that of God’s. James 4:17 also categorizes sin as omitting God’s will from our actions – the distinction… Continue reading

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  • Building a Stronger Church

    What does it take to build a strong church? We want to be members of congregations that are stable and firm, but how do we reach that point and, having reached it, maintain it? Building and Maintaining a Strong Congregation Faithful Teaching. In II Timothy 4:1-5, Paul warns Timothy to hold to the truth despite any desire for false teachings. He says to be prepared to teach at any time. Acts 20:32 says that God’s word helps build us up and grants us our spiritual inheritance. Tied to this is a desire to teach (Matthew 28:19). We should be eager… Continue reading

  • Lessons from the Transfiguration

    Mark 9:2 begins a recording of the transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and John. This story is also recorded in Matthew and Luke, and most of us are pretty familiar with this event. This event teaches about Christ’s authority and glory as well as the transformation we should go through as his followers. What Can We Learn from the Transfiguration? Authority Jesus is in the presence of Moses and Elijah. Moses is the liberator of the Jews. He brought the law to the people. Elijah is one of the most powerful and dramatic prophets of the Old Testament –… Continue reading

  • Applications from Jonah

    We know from II Kings 14:25 that Jonah was a prophet of God, and in the book named after him, he is called to be a foreign emissary for God’s word. His message is to go to Nineveh, center of the Assyrian Empire – a region on hostile terms with the lands of Judah and Israel. Applying Jonah to Ourselves We cannot run from God. Jonah does not comply, though, he flees in the other direction, and the Bible tells us that he is attempting to hide from God. He is seeking to avoid the Lord’s presence, going down to… Continue reading

  • Congregational Body Building

    Ephesians 4:11 begins by talking about some gifts given to us through the types of people we are around or are influenced by – the apostles and prophets, evangelists, spiritual leaders, and teachers. Paul goes on to explain in verse 12 that these gifts are given for the “equipping of the saints,” making us ready for our work of service. This creates an environment on building and encouragement, and verse 13 tells us this building up is to the goal of spiritual maturity and unity as measured against the standard of Christ. In verses 14-15, maturity helps us withstand impure… Continue reading