Daniel 9:1-19 – Prayer with Feeling
Instrumental Music in Worship?
Is the Old Man Dead?
Temptations of Jesus (Part 1)
This article looks at the biblical meaning of the word "temptation." In his human nature, Jesus was temptable. Because of this human nature, Christ is able to sympathize with believers. At the same time, however, he remained sinless.
Temptations of Jesus (Part 2)
Christ's victory over the devil's temptations (Matthew 4, Luke 2) is significant for believers. The devil intended his temptations to work against Christ's mission, but Christ was victorious over him because of the Spirit and the word of God. Believers are to follow Jesus' example in resisting temptation.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 2): Total Depravity
This is the second article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article looks at total depravity, showing that it refers to man's sinful nature and his inability to do spiritual good.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 3): Unconditional Election
This is the third article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article focuses on unconditional election. The nature of man, being sinful, is not a foundation for God's election. Predestination is completely rooted in God. Desiring Christ, repentance, and seeking forgiveness are marks of election.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 4): Limited Atonement
This is the fourth article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article focuses on limited atonement. Christ's work is intended specifically for those who are elected.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 5): Irresistible Grace
This is the fifth article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article looks at irresistible grace. This doctrine is important because it shows that salvation does not depend on the free will of man, but on the sovereign grace of God. God brings the sinner to trust in Christ, giving him the will through the Holy Spirit to respond to the calling of the gospel.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 6): Perseverance of the Saints
This is the sixth article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article focuses on the perseverance of the saints. Perseverance is rooted in God, who enables believers to be fruitful.
The Five Points of Calvinism (Part 7): Evangelism
This is the last article in a series on the five points of Calvinism. This article responds to the accusation that Calvinism hinders evangelism through its belief in predestination. In actual fact, Calvinism should incentivize evangelism.
Matthew 5:3-12 - Introduction to the Beatitudes
This is the first article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article is an introduction to the Beatitudes. Here the author describes the meaning of 'blessedness' in the context of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:3 - Kingdom of Heaven
This is the second article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article focuses on the first Beatitude, which describes Christians as being poor in spirit. This Beatitude does not exalt poverty, but rather refers to an awareness of sin and the realization that we cannot pay anything toward our debt. We are completely dependant upon God's grace.
Matthew 5:4 - The Happy Mourner
This is the third article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article looks at the second Beatitude, which describes Christians as mourners. This mourning is a grief over one's sins and the sins of others. This mourning is accompanied by gospel repentance.
Matthew 5:5 - Heirs to the Earth
This is the fourth article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article focuses on the third Beatitude, which describes Christians as being meek. Meekness involves being submissive to God's word and authority, seeking the good of others, and controlling emotions.
Matthew 5:6 - Holy Hunger
This is the fifth article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article looks at the fourth Beatitude, which describes Christians as being hungry and thirsty. This hunger and thirst is for being righteous before God. Satisfaction for this hunger for righteousness is found in Christ.
Matthew 5:7 - Pure in Heart
This is the sixth article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article focuses on the sixth Beatitude, which describes Christians as being marked by purity. This purity is modeled by God, and is a result of God's work through the Spirit. The author identifies some signs of both purity and impurity, and describes a way of pursuing purity in this life.
Matthew 5:9 - Peacemaking
This is the eighth article in an nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article focuses on the seventh Beatitude, which describes Christians as peacemakers. This peace must be understood in the context of the kingdom of God. This peace between God and man has been destroyed by sin, and can only be restored through Christ.
Matthew 5:10 - Suffering Persecution
This is the final article in a nine part series on the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3-12. This article focuses on the last Beatitude, which speaks about persecution. Christians are persecuted because of their loyalty to Christ in a world that hates Christ. The author discusses different types of persecution, and offers the ecouragement that God will strengthen believers facing persecution.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 2): Your Kingdom Come
This is the second article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. When we pray for God's kingdom to come (the second petition), we are expressing the desire to see God ruling the lives of men. We are also praying for the fullness of the kingdom that will come with Christ's return.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 1): Our Father
This is the first article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. The Lord's Prayer can be used as a model for our prayer. Most important in prayer is our attitude toward God. Here we are encouraged to approach God as our Father in heaven. At the same time, we are reminded that His Name is glorious and deserves to be honoured through our lives (the first petition).
The Lord's Prayer (Part 3): Your Will Be Done
This is the third article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. By praying, "Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" (the third petition), Christians express their desire to see God in His sovereignty conforming events on this earth to His revealed will. It is also an expression of delighting in God's will.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 5): Forgiveness
This is the fifth article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. Praying for forgiveness (the fifth petition) is necessary because sin is directed against God. The author discusses the relationship between confession of sins and repentance, and points to God as the model for forgiveness.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 4): Our Daily Bread
This is the fourth article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. When we pray the fourth petition, "Give us our daily bread", we affirm our dependence on God and acknowledge that we deserve nothing. At the same time we express our longing for the Bread of Life - Christ Himself.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 6): Temptation
This is the sixth article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. This article focuses on Matthew 6:13, explaining what it means when we pray the sixth petition, "Lead us not into temptation". Christians face the devil as their enemy, but also sin. Victory over sin and the devil lies in Christ our Saviour.
The Lord's Prayer (Part 7): The Greatness of God
This is the final article in a seven part series on the Lord's Prayer. Looking at Matthew 6:13, this article focuses on the doxology at the end of the Lord's Prayer. Christians can find comfort in knowing that God is supreme and sovereign, and that God rules for the sake of the church. Prayer is a great comfort to the Christian, since we know that God listens to and answers our prayers.
Esther 9 & 10 - Salutary Lessons All Round
Esther 7 & 8 - The Lord Overruling for His Compromised People
Esther 5 & 6 - Man Proposes But God Disposes
Esther 4 - A Turning Point?
Esther 3 - Gathering Storm
Esther 2:10-23 - One Compromise Leads to Another
Esther 2:1-9 - Worldly Concerns Lead to Worldly Choices
Esther 1 - Who? What? Why?
Practising Holiness
The Importance of Holiness
Holiness is important for the Christian life because it is God's will that we should be holy. Holiness is the result of Christ and the Holy Sprit's work, is the fruit of true faith and love, is a form of witnessing for Christ, and provides comfort and prepares the believer for heaven.
Ephesians 6:14 – The Breastplate of Righteousness
According to Ephesians 6:14, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. This article discusses what it means to put on the breastplate of righteousness. The author discusses the righteousness we have in Christ and the holiness we must display as Christians.
Ephesians 6:11-14 - Spiritual Warfare
According to Ephesians 6:11-14, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. This article reminds Christians of the reality of this warfare by showing that we are faced by a real enemy, the devil, who is powerful, cunning and wicked. However, by the truth of God's word believers are able to stand against the devil.
Ephesians 6:16 - The Shield of Faith
According to Ephesians 6:16, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. This article discusses what it means to put on the shield of faith. The author discusses how the devil attacks Christians through doubts and fears, and how how by faith believers are able to overcome.
Ephesians 6:17 - The Helmet of Salvation
According to Ephesians 6:17, Christians are engaged in spiritual warfare. This article discusses what it means to put on the helmet of salvation; that is, to hold firm to biblical doctrine and Christian hope.
Ephesians 6:17 - The Sword of the Spirit
According to Ephesians 6:17, the only offensive weapon Christians have in standing against the devil is the word of God. Therefore, not believing that God's word is infallible and inerrant weakens the church.