Faithful to the End

Luke begins the third missionary journey of Paul with the introduction of Apollos and his ministry in Ephesus. Paul also comes to minister in Ephesus. Paul finds disciples, believers who don't understand the difference between John's baptism and the baptism of Jesus. Paul explains and they are baptized, then receive the Spirit after Paul lays hands on them. A final account of the 7 sons of...

Paul continues his narrative account of receiving the gospel, informing the church and apostles in Jerusalem and now the impact of Peter coming to Antioch and withdrawing from the Gentile believers. The implications of this withdrawal by Peter impacted the other Jews in Antioch and even impacted Barnabas, whom those in Antioch would have known well and trusted. This break causes Paul to confront P...

As Luke continues the story of the early church, we come to the city of Corinth - well known to many believers because of the letters to that church. Here Paul again goes to the synagogue to reason with Jews and devout Gentiles, again facing opposition from Jews. Here Paul declares that the judgment of their decision is on them and that he will now go to the Gentiles (though this is certainly not...

As Paul continues to build his case with the believers of Galatia, he informs them of another trip to Jerusalem. This was a private meeting with influential people in the church in Jerusalem, including at least three of the apostles; James, Peter and John. Paul went and presented the gospel of grace, they agree and there is confirmation of his focus to the Gentiles. They did not demand that Gentil...

Luke records, that Paul, while he waits for Silas and Timothy in Athens is infuriated by the idolatry of Athens. He again reasons in the synagogue and in the marketplace, as is his habit in each city he comes into. Through his reasoning, he engages two philosophical extremes (Epicureans and the Stoics). These two groups believe, respectively, in a life of chance or a life of predetermined fate. Pa...

As Paul continues to build his case as an apostle of Jesus with the authority to speak the gospel message that has been given to him from God, he gives an account of where the message of the gospel originates. The gospel is authoritative because it's origin is from God himself, from Jesus, given to Paul to communicate apart from any approval or coaching by men or approval from the church at Je...

As we gathered to celebrate the Lord's Table together, we considered the instruction Paul offers to the church at Corinth and the reasons behind that instruction. Their selfish, self-seeking approach to communion had actually made it into something it was never intended to be. They were abusing one another and so abusing the commemoration of Jesus, his life and selfless sacrifice for them. How...

Paul immediately turns to the issue that is facing the believers in Galatia - the false gospel that is being purported as the true way to God. This false gospel is so insidious and dangerous that Paul wastes no time in confronting it as faulty and insufficient. Paul continues with his theme of the true gospel and our necessity to never abandon the simple truths and straightforward claims. As 21st...

As Luke continues the story of the early church, we come to Thessalonica and Berea. Both are presented in light of responding to the message of the word of God. Both are given the word of God, the message of Jesus as Messiah who would suffer and be raised from the dead. Paul calls those in the synagogue to hear and believe the truth about Jesus. How do we respond to the word of God?  How do hear t...

As Paul begins this letter to the Galatians, he offers his typical greeting. In his greeting to the Galatians, Paul offers two of the primary features of this letter: a defense of his apostleship and a defense of the only true and all-sufficient gospel of Jesus. He includes the two primary emphasis of the gospel - the self-sacrifice of Jesus for sins and his resurrection from the dead. Paul longs...

As Luke continues to tell the story of the early church advance, he brings us to the town of Philippi. In Philippi, we are introduced to three converts to the gospel. First, Lydia, a wealthy woman from Asia, a worshiper of God, who hears the message of Jesus and believes. We then are introduced to a slave girl, being used for her ability to tell the future because she is indwelt by a demon, the &q...

As Peter concludes this letter, he returns to the focus he began with at the outset of the book - growth in godliness. As believers, it is essential that we continue to grow in sanctification. It is a lifelong process that takes effort on our part, along with the grace of God at work in our lives. How are you growing in godliness?  How have you grown in the past several months? In his letter, most...

As Luke continues to tell the story of the early church, he brings us to the transition of the missionary team to their second journey. Paul and Barnabas have a strong disagreement over bringing John Mark along and they divide from one another and two teams are formed: Silas and Paul, Barnabas and John Mark. Paul and Silas add Timothy to their team and then God directs them to go into Macedonia to...

As Peter continues to offer hope to these believers, who have been scattered because of persecution and are facing the opposition of skeptics and false teachers, he reminds them about the character of God and his return. First, Peter reminds them that God is not bound by time, as human beings are - God is eternal and infinite, he has no beginning and no ending and therefore, time is not the same t...

Dr. LaGioia challenged us to be ready for the Return of Jesus. He is coming again and his return should give us hope as believers and a confident expectation of all that is to come for us at his return. Are you Ready? Are you anticipating his return? Will you consider his return and how it can and should impact your daily living? God can and will give us grace to live in light of his coming. Grace...

James asserts that the life of a genuine believer is marked by transformation, not isolation. True transformation is evident in our treatment of others, especially outsiders, those who have nothing to give and from we have nothing to gain by showing compassion and genuinely loving them. Widows and orphans at this time, were the best examples of those who likely had little to offer and gained their...

Throughout Acts, one of the major themes is the inclusion of the Gentiles as part of the people of God. Acts 15 sets in finality for the church the inclusion of the Gentiles without having to first become Jewish proselytes - this is the key truth that comes out in Acts 15. Through this discussion, the truth of salvation by God's grace through faith in Jesus alone is once again affirmed and con...

Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Door - eternal life is available only through him.  Jesus alone offers us grace for life and a relationship with God through him. Throughout the Gospel of John we see the truth that Jesus is the promised one, the anointed one from God through his signs, witnesses, and statements; and he has come to rescue humanity from sin!                             Graceway Ch...

As Luke continues the account of the early church and the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth, he records this account of the ministry of Paul and Barnabas; their gospel preaching and its effects in the cities of Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. The work of God continues and grows as they faithful declare the glories of Jesus, even as the message is taylored to the Gentile audience (15-18). Th...

John records the account of a man born blind and the restoration of his sight. Jesus sees and ironically, the blind man sees, but the rest of the account records the sightless responses of the disciples, his own parents and the Pharisees. Spiritual sight comes only through the lens of Jesus provides. Do you have spiritual eyes to see? Throughout the Gospel of John we see the truth that Jesus is th...

Throughout Chapter 13, eight times Luke addresses the proclamation of the Word of God and the acceptance and rejection of it. Initially, Saul and Barnabas launch from the church in Antioch, stopping first on the island of Cyprus, where Sergius Paulus, the proconsul accepts the teaching of God. They continue on and stop off at Antioch of Pisidia, where many Jews and Gentiles respond to the word of...

Peter turns from his descriptions of false teachers to the continuing growth of these believers. He calls them to remember and recall the truths of the prophets and command of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. He also addresses the arguments from false teachers, skeptics against the second coming of Jesus. He is going to return and Peter wants these believers to remember that and live in light of it.  I...

Luke presents to mounting opposition and persecution faced by the church in Jerusalem, especially at the hands of Herod. He first kills James, the brother of John and then arrests Peter. Luke then offers the miraculous release of Peter, which is followed by the death of Herod. Luke concludes with the note that the gospel continued to advance and multiply! God's work continues and grows despite...

Peter continues his description of false teachers, warning about their character and their teaching. Ultimately, these false teachers will the demise they deny - the return of Jesus and the judgment of all, including those who deny his existence and return. Peter describes their character as as arrogant, lustful and greedy. He describes their teaching as empty because it fails to offer real hope a...

Luke continues with the account of Peter and Cornelius, now before the church at Jerusalem. Jewish believers question Peter's table fellowship with Gentiles and Peter explains the obvious working of God in their lives and their obvious inclusion in God's saving plan. The Jewish believers collectively rejoice and accept these new converts of the gospel. Luke goes on to describe the work of...