Category: TalkofJESUS.com – NEW Testament
-
They Stumble Because They Disobey
The Apostle Simon Peter, who Jesus nicknamed, ‘the rock,’ warns the church about those who disobey God. He quotes scripture pointing to Christ as the cornerstone of the Temple and as a rejected stone causing some to stumble. As we suggested earlier in Apostates from Jude’s letter, these ‘religious’ opponents of Jesus often sway others…
-
Jude -3- Apostates
Why did Jude write to the churches about apostasy? What is apostasy and how do we recognize apostates? As we learned previously in the study of Jude’s reason for exhortation, certain intruders have joined the churches to which he writes. Jude describes them as ungodly people who pervert God’s grace. He accuses these apostates of…
-
Jude -2- Necessity is the Father of Exhortation
To Correct or Encourage? Do I just keep encouraging my child, servant or follower, or must I instruct them with words of exhortation? Every parent, master, or leader must judge between the value of correction versus positive reinforcement. Jude, a leader of the church no less loving of the recipients of his letter than the…
-
Jude – Now I will praise the Lord
Who is Jude? The first thing I want to know about any letter I receive is who sent it to me. So as a leader or member of one of several churches we would want to be certain of the identity of the author of Jude and the authenticity of Jude’s message. Jude, a bondservant…
-
James – Above all – 9
But above all things, my brethren, swear not… James 5:12a KJV You had begun to count the barrage of important words to the congregation. “FINALLY,” says the preacher after a lengthy sermon, as our dull ears and glassy eyes slowly return, “point number nine.” Peter, Paul and others frequently conclude with ‘finally,’ James closes his…
-
James – Come now, brothers – 8
Our church receives a pastoral letter from James by messenger. We know James and trust his wisdom and leadership. He addresses us familially as brothers, opening with encouragement, ‘count it all joy when you experience trials.’ Come now, brothers, James urges, be wise, repent and do what the Lord wills. Unlike the church nearer the…
