Exegetical Meditations (1)
Nine times in the opening chapter of Genesis we read the words: God said. One of those nine times, God tells the land to produce vegetation (Genesis 1:11) and another one of those nine times, God gives his creation (mankind and animals) every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it for food (Genesis 1:29).
January 2019 Fasting Companion
As you participate in the January 2019 fast with others from Living Waters, please feel free to use this guide as a companion. It was developed by Josh McConnon and will be a useful tool for you to use for the 21 days that you cut something out of your life with the intention of growing closer to Jesus. Please also consider coming together once a week on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00 during the fast to worship God with others that will be participating.
New Testament: The Living Text
Two Sides
There are some who earnestly believe that the New Testament has been reproduced perfectly in English, to the extent that there are absolutely no questions regarding the authenticity and accuracy of the text. In their eyes, the English version of the New Testament they hold in their hands is perfect in the sense that it cannot be improved upon.
Jesus is Salvation
Is there anything wrong with saying that Jesus offers the gift of salvation? What about saying that Jesus is the means by which we are saved? Or what about saying simply that Jesus saves?
Four Weeks on the Trinity
There is an upcoming opportunity for you to take part in a class taught by me (Kevin Davis) on the doctrine of the Trinity. This class will begin on Sunday, January 21 and run four straight weeks, ending on Sunday, February 11. All classes will take place at Living Waters Church in the gymnasium and will go from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you are reading this and think a class on the Trinity sounds interesting
Reformed to Read the Bible
500 Years Ago…
Last Tuesday, October 31, marked the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Specifically, it marked the day in which the Augustinian monk, Martin Luther, posted his 95 Theses against the selling of indulgences to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.
The Fruit of Hard Hearts
“The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.” (Mark 3:6, ESV)
There is a point in Mark’s gospel, in chapter 3, where Jesus has a confrontation with the Pharisees over whether or not he should heal a man with a withered hand. Mark writes that, as Jesus entered the synagogue, the Pharisees watched him to see whether or not he would heal the man on the Sabbath (3:2). Notice Mark does not write that the Pharisees watched to see if the work of God might be on display through the healing of this man. They were not interested in seeing God at work; they were interested in keeping control.
The Heart of Paul on Display
“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:22-24)
Paul is led by the Holy Spirit to Jerusalem.
The Deity of Jesus (Part 1)
ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SIN
“And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 ‘Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (Mark 2:5-7, ESV)
Imagine a scenario for a moment: A small group of people break into your house while you are away and steal whatever it is that they want.
Four Implications of the Resurrection
“But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he is risen, as he said. Come see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:5-6)
Tomorrow is the day in which large numbers of Christians around the world celebrate the crucified Son of God being raised from the dead. The implications of the resurrection are countless and could be thought on for the rest our lives with no fear of coming to the end of what the resurrection of Jesus meant and means.