Theology / Salvation

  • You Must Be Born Again

    John 3:1–3

    Many people are sitting in our pews today unaware that they must be born again. It is possible to grow up in the church and never put your faith in Jesus personally even if you have been baptized and confirmed ...Read More

  • A Narrow Gate; a Hard Way

    Matthew 7:13–14

    Matthew Henry summarizes Jesus’ teaching in today’s passage: “We must endure hardship, must wrestle and be in agony, must watch in all things, and walk with care and circumspection. We must go through much tribulation.” Christ’s way is ...Read More

  • To Be Continued

    Genesis 50:22–26

    The history of Israel — the history of all those who by faith in Jesus alone are reckoned as God’s people — continues today. The story did not end when God closed the canon of Scripture, the church continues to wait ...Read More

  • The Divine Initiative

    Ephesians 2:1–10

    If we use the doctrine of election as an excuse to do no evangelizing in the world, we have perverted the Word of God. No one but Paul more clearly explained the Lord’s gracious election, and no one was ...Read More

  • God and Unbelief

    Romans 9:9–18

    When God chooses someone for salvation, He does so in love, working directly in us, making Him the cause of our redemption (1 Peter 1:1–3). But in passing over the non-elect (reprobation), the Lord’s work is passive ...Read More

  • Man’s Radical Fallenness

    John 6:44

    “Regeneration precedes faith” summarizes biblical soteriology (the doctrine of salvation). Having one’s will transformed by the regenerative touch of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says, must come before anyone can enter the kingdom (John 3:3, 5). If you trust ...Read More

  • By the Word

    Romans 10:17

    If you fear your attempts to share the Gospel are without power, remember that God will indeed send His Spirit to empower His Word, no matter how feeble the preacher. As you study Scripture, ask Him to illumine their meaning ...Read More

  • A Gift From God

    Ephesians 2:1-10

    Our experience also demonstrates the reality of the grace of faith. Imagine two people with the same background hear the Gospel. Yet only one of them believes, thus showing that it is not merely our surrounding environment that leads us ...Read More

  • Examples of Faith, Part II

    Hebrews 11:24–12:2

    Around the world, many worship in fear of the government killing them for their faith. If that is your situation, continue holding fast to God’s promises. In other places, standing for Jesus may mean befriending the social pariah, disciplining ...Read More

  • Examples of Faith, Part I

    Hebrews 11:8–23

    Faith entails believing God will fulfill His promises despite the world’s opinion. The world tells us to store up treasures for ourselves, but Jesus says we must hold our blessings loosely so we can share them with others (Matt ...Read More

  • Faith and Evidence

    Hebrews 11:3–7

    Christian faith is manifest in the lives of those who seek to please the Lord. Only those who by their words and deeds show love to the one, true God and their neighbor can rightly expect a place in the ...Read More

  • A Hopeful Vision

    Hebrews 11:1–2

    The Christian life is a pilgrimage of faith. Hebrews 11:2 tells us that by faith “the people of old received their commendation.” Is your faith worthy of commendation? Do you trust the Lord in all your circumstances? To strengthen ...Read More

  • Faith and Righteousness

    Genesis 15:6

    How have you responded to the promises God offers to you in His Word? Do you stand as Abram did with humility and lean on the Lord and His promises? Have you obeyed Him today? Has your professed trust issued ...Read More

  • The Proto-Evangelium

    Genesis 3:14-15

    Two thousand years ago, the Lord Jesus Christ won the decisive victory over Satan through His death and resurrection. The devil is destined for eternal destruction, even though he now futilely assaults the people of God. While we must be ...Read More

  • Born of Him

    1 John 5:1

    When we are sure we are born of God we can be more sure we will overcome the world. This will lead us to live the Christian life more confidently and see many answers to prayer as we pray more ...Read More