Theology / The Church

  • Gathered, Protected, and Preserved

    John 10:27–30

    Today’s passage is clear that no one can snatch God’s people out of His hand. There is no doubt that the elect will be redeemed, and if there is no doubt that the elect include people from every ...Read More

  • God’s Word to His Covenant People

    Romans 9:1-3

    God’s Word is delivered to all of the members of the visible covenant community. But the members of the invisible covenant community show themselves to be His elect people by taking the warnings about staying in faith seriously, repenting ...Read More

  • Good Means for an Evil End

    1 Timothy 6:4b-5

    It is amazing how many people see the gospel as a way to prosper. Rank heresy guaranteeing a hundred-fold financial reward in this life for those who “name it and claim it” permeates the airwaves. Companies emblazon “Christianesque” slogans on ...Read More

  • Gossips and Busybodies

    1 Timothy 5:13

    The life God has given each of us is short, and it will be measured in the heavenly rewards He has promised us. We should therefore make the most of it that He might find us to be good and ...Read More

  • Greetings from the Brethren

    Colossians 4:7-9

    As believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must always speak the truth, but we must always speak it in love (Eph. 4:15). Our default position should be to build networks with other believers and churches who are ...Read More

  • Guarding the Deposit

    1 Timothy 6:20-21

    None of us is seeking to live in conflict with the people around us, and so we are always tempted to make the gospel inoffensive in order that we might preserve the peace. But the gospel is a “stumbling block ...Read More

  • History and the Christian Faith

    2 Thessalonians 1-3

    All three of these types of problems still exist in the church today. Determine to stand strong in the face of persecution. Beware of false teachers—be discerning whom you follow. Resist the temptation to be idle. Pray that when ...Read More

  • Honoring Church Elders

    1 Timothy 5:17-18

    The way in which we value goods or services is seen in the amount we are willing to pay for them. We have no qualms about spending money in order to get the best medical care or receive the best ...Read More

  • Hope Set on God

    1 Timothy 5:5-7

    One of the good and necessary consequences that we can draw from 1 Timothy 5:3–16 is that the church is not required to support financially those widows who are able for whatever reason to support themselves. However, the ...Read More

  • In the Presence of the Court

    1 Timothy 5:19-21

    John Chrysostom says, “As it is wrong to condemn hastily and rashly, so not to punish manifest offenses is to open the way to others, and embolden them to offend. …The threatenings of hell show the care of God for ...Read More

  • Jerusalem Receives the Nations

    Isaiah 60:10-14

    The incredible contribution of Gentiles to the building and restoration of the church of God demonstrates the accuracy of Isaiah’s passage. Since the first coming of Christ, Gentiles have been streaming into the Lord’s Holy City, using their ...Read More

  • Jesus Commissions the Twelve

    Matthew 10:1–15

    Jesus’ selection of twelve disciples is intentional and patterned on the twelve tribes of Israel. Just as God once formed His people from the twelve sons of Jacob, so too does Christ form a new people starting with the twelve ...Read More

  • Leaving Childhood Behind

    Ephesians 4:14

    The church’s greatest advancements in understanding doctrine have come when great heresies have threatened the church. The Arian controversy helped believers delimit the canon’s teaching on the Trinity. Crises over justification and the authority of Scripture led to ...Read More

  • Lifting the Church’s Burden

    1 Timothy 5:16

    Matthew Henry aptly comments, “Rich people should be ashamed to burden the church with their poor relatives.” It is easy to think that helping the impoverished is someone else’s responsibility, even if they are related to us. But each ...Read More

  • Love and Assurance

    Colossians 2:1-2

    Like concern, love is not a mere emotional feeling but must also involve action. We can love other believers in our churches through encouraging them and pointing them to Christ. Contributing regularly to the deacons’ fund or other collections taken ...Read More