Articles

It doesn’t require a very critical reading of the four Gospels to notice that the twelve disciples often missed the mark when it came to understanding what it means to follow Jesus. Even though they were bold enough to confess that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 9:20), they still had little grasp of what that truly meant. Indeed, they seemed to mistakenly think that Jesus’ anointing would lead to the kind of worldly power that people have always sought after (Luke 9:46). But Jesus taught that a key part of being the Messiah was self-denial, death, and ultimately resurrection—and that to follow Him would mean the same for all of His disciples.

Topics: Articles

Parents ask a lot of questions about their children: Did they get enough to eat today? Are they spending too much time in front of the screen? What type of schooling is best for them? While these sorts of concerns are important, making them the top parenting priority can cause them to be like packing foam—they’ll fill whatever box they’re set in, leaving little to no room for the most important question of all: What kind of spiritual heritage will I leave to my children?

Topics: Articles

During Jesus’ ministry on earth, while people answered His call to follow Him, not all became lifelong followers. The Gospel of John tells us of at least one incident when many who had been His disciples “turned back and no longer walked with Him” (John 6:66). Nevertheless, some stood with Him through thick and thin, repenting and seeking His forgiveness on the occasions when they did fall away.

Topics: Articles

The book of Amos contains a truth that is as unpalatable today as it was in Amos’s time: when God’s people begin to look and act like a culture that is defined by moral perversity, material prosperity, and religious hypocrisy, they will become alienated from their creator God. Persistent, unrepentant disobedience will lead to His judgment (Amos 3:13–15; cf. Rev. 2:12–29). Instead of living in the joy of fellowship with Him, those who profess to be God’s people will experience God turning away from them because of the sin they treasure.

Topics: Articles

“I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.” (2 Timothy 4:6)

When you read the Pastoral Epistles carefully, you will find that Paul mentions cities that are not mentioned in Acts. The inference is that after he was released from prison in Rome, he revisited Ephesus and also visited a few other places. At the end of that time, he was imprisoned once again, and he then wrote his final letters.

Topics: Articles

In 1959, the Scottish theologian John Murray published the first volume of his commentary on the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. Commenting on this book, Alistair Begg has said, “This has been my favorite commentary on Romans for the past forty-seven years. It is a must for every serious student of the Bible.”

Topics: Articles

When Jesus called the first disciples, He called them to leave everything and follow Him. In other words, He asked them to put their faith in Him. But they didn’t simply say they believed. They didn’t pull one bumper sticker off their boat and replace it with another. They left the boat behind. On the foundation of their faith, they stepped forward in obedience. What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means not only to call Him “Lord” but also to honor Him as Lord by obeying His commands.

Topics: Articles

ROMANS 8:18“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Topics: Articles

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.” (Proverbs 10:9–11)

Topics: Articles

Are you a grumbler or grateful? It's a question that requires some introspection. Does your mind gravitate towards what's good and what's working or do you first focus on problems and the next set of challenges to overcome?

Topics: Articles