2 Corinthians 8:3 NIV

THE DEACONS In our study of bishops, we learned that their function is the spiritual care and oversight of the house of God. We noted that bishops are also called elders, and that there are several bishops in one church, rather than one bishop over several churches. We come next to the study of deac... Read More

Practical Wisdom For Calvinists Practical & Theological Guidelines for Those Who Embrace the "Doctrines of Grace" The following practical and theological items, although they apply to every believer regardless of their particular theological tradition, are especially directed to those who adhere to ... Read More

And in your comfort, we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. See again how he exalts their praises, and shows their love. For having said, 'I was pleased that my Epistle wrought so much and that you gained so much,' for I rejoice, he says... Read More

A Sermon on Tithing January 24, 1982 2 Corinthians 12:15 Several weeks ago I spent four days at Shalom House, our Conference retreat center. The text that filled me with most longing and soaked through my prayers was 2 Cor. 12:15, "I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls." The last morn... Read More

There is a great need in the body of Christ for consistent reading of the Holy Scriptures in their entirety, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse. In this case we are encouraging a chronological reading of the Scriptures. Most of the confusion is created when certain teachers, groups, or... Read More

Discipline or "sound mind" (4995) (sophronismos from sophron in turn from sozo = save + phren = mind) so literally this word describes "a saved mind" or "a sound mind". (See study of related word sophronos). Not only is such a mind secure and sound but it carries the additional idea that this mind i... Read More

Power (1411) (dunamis from dunamai = to be able, to have power) power especially achieving power. It refers to intrinsic power or inherent ability, the power or ability to carry out some function, the potential for functioning in some way (power, might, strength, ability, capability), the power resi... Read More

Gained approval (3140) (martureo from mártus = witness = one who has information or knowledge of something and can bring to light or confirm something. English = martyr) in its most basic sense refers to a legal witness. Thus the verb martureo means to be a witness, to testify, to give evidence, to ... Read More

No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon." (Luke 16:13) Here our Lord made it clear that the alternate master to God, is Mammon (money and material riches). The alternate m... Read More

"Cursed is the man who puts his trust in mortal man, and makes flesh his strength. He will be like a stunted shrub in the desert. But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence. He will be like a tree planted along a riverbank that will go right on produc... Read More