The disciples’ proclamation, Jesus is alive, shocked their listeners in Jerusalem. They backed that statement up with the fact that Jesus’ tomb was empty even though guards sent by the Jewish authorities secured it. Obviously, the empty tomb caused innumerable difficulties for those authorities, so much so that they spread the story that the disciplesContinue reading “The Message of the Gospel”
Tag Archives: Kingdom of God
Jesus, Son of God
The number of books written about Jesus presenting him as a legend, an unknown historical figure or the divine Son of God, reveals that he is one of, if not the most fascinating individual in human history. However, you don’t need to go beyond the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to comeContinue reading “Jesus, Son of God”
God Is Good
Many people misunderstand God. How we understand God, impacts how we both view Him and how we deal with life. Jesus revealed a forgotten aspect of who God is. In the Old Testament, the Jews understood God to be Lord who maintained a holy distance from them. They could not approach him. Even in theContinue reading “God Is Good”
Citizenship
While we were living in Italy two of our sons were born there. Growing up some would tell one or the other that they could not be president because they were not born in the United States. That statement reflected a misunderstanding of our Constitution, because our Constitution requires the President to be a naturallyContinue reading “Citizenship”
Jesus, Son of Man
Jesus’ title for himself was not Son of God, nor was it Messiah, but he used a rather common phrase from the Old Testament, “Son of Man” found 193 times in the Old Testament. Virtually all of the usages translate literally the phrase from Hebrew “Son of Adam”. Psalm 144:3 is different and translates theContinue reading “Jesus, Son of Man”
250 Years
Today is the 4th of July, celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 250 years ago. This weekend, many churches are celebrating, decking their facilities with flags, as well as red, white and blue bunting. While there is nothing wrong with celebrating the founding of our nation and praying that GodContinue reading “250 Years”
Jesus Is King
Recent “No Kings” protests in the United States illustrate the anti-monarchical sentiment that historically exists in this country. This sentiment goes back to the rebellion against the authority of King George III of Great Britain, which established what is now known as the United States. However, for those of us who call ourselves Christians, meaningContinue reading “Jesus Is King”
Affections and Freedom
Freedom is more than merely enjoying civil rights. It is more than Jefferson’s life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. True freedom can only be received from the hand of God, otherwise, we are at the mercy of our affections. What we desire and organize our life around. It may be our possessions; it mayContinue reading “Affections and Freedom”
A Peculiar People?
Why does the King James Version of the Bible call Christians a peculiar people? In that version of the Bible, 1 Peter 2:9 refers to Christians as a peculiar people. That phrase sounds odd to our modern ears, because today the word has taken on somewhat of a negative connotation that it did not haveContinue reading “A Peculiar People?”
Misguided Assumptions about Man and God
Our assumptions on a topic naturally lead to our conclusions about that same topic. This is what Paul was getting at when he summed up his thoughts regarding God’s forgiveness of man’s unrighteousness and ungodliness. The Jews of Paul’s day, as do most everyone today, believed that the way to be acceptable before God wasContinue reading “Misguided Assumptions about Man and God”
David Freitag 