Within the text are the closing statements of Paul’s letter to the saints in Rome. In his finishing thoughts there is an assurance given. The subject is “Him who is able to establish you.” Paul explains that God is able to establish them “according to his gospel.” The gospel of which Paul speaks is the …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Romans 16:25-27Pondering Scripture
In the given text we read some of the last words of Stephen. These courageous words spoken by Stephen ultimately led to his demise that is recorded in the following verses (7:54-60). Stephen accuses the audience of being “stiff-necked.” They were unwilling to submit themselves to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. Like a stiff-necked …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Acts 7:51-53The subject of our text is the Word. The three words that Genesis begins with are the same as the three John uses to begin his gospel, “In the beginning” (Genesis 1:1).John describes the Word as being in the beginning. This Word of which John speaks, we will later learn, is Jesus (1:14-18).This text shows …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: John 1:1-5The account of these Galileans being killed by Pilate is not recorded in scripture. However, it was reported to Jesus by those in this account. The Jews of Galilee being killed in the place of sacrifices would have been a terrible occurrence to the Jewish nation. Jesus said, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Luke 13:1-5In the given text we see Jesus speak one of His many parables. In this particular parable Jesus is describing the kingdom of God. He likens it to a man “scattering seed on the ground.” The seed, being the word of God, must be spread by a disciple. We must not neglect those in the …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Mark 4:26-29In Matthew’s record of the sermon on the mount Jesus speaks of His disciples as the “salt of the earth.” Salt is flavoring, and is used in preserving meat. We Christians are God’s means of saving the world from eternal punishment. We are to season this bland and sinful world! We are to preserve it …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16The Apostle Paul explains in the verses prior to our text that the purpose of the old law was to be a “tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (v.24). He explains that “faith has come” and “we are no longer under a tutor” (v.25). The law was meant …
Continue reading Pondering Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29