Christ in the Wilderness 4

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 As we’ve noted, the temptations of the wilderness were a battle, not the whole war.  Luke 4:13 states, the devil left only to return at an opportune time. What times were opportune? Well in Matthew 16 we have another heavenly declaration of Jesus’ identity.  This time it comes through [...]

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The strange new world of the bible

What do you see when you look up? This? or this: ht Mark Meynell A theological revolution occured early last century when Karl Barth turned from his liberal protestant heritage to jump with both feet into “the strange new world of the bible” (the title of an early book of his). Have you jumped in, [...]

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Want a taste of the promised land?

I love how the word “BIBLICAL” is used here.  “BIBLICAL” means NOT JUNK.  (In spite of how Scripture loves “fat portions”). Of course it all depends on which Scriptures you choose. What about sour grapes, bitter herbs and ashes?  Now with 30% more locusts!  That’s also biblical…  Or, what about… No, there are too many [...]

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T4G Cribs

What’s all this T4G Cribs nonsense?  There’s a growing number of these videos.  Just watch the first minute of this one and you’ll get the idea: I’m saying nothing about the men featured.  I am questioning the pedestal on which they’re being placed. I mean the opening credits are a massive turn-off for me.  Am [...]

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Walking as He walked [Thawed out Thursday]

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” [...]

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Who sounds sillier – Stephen Baldwin or Richard Dawkins?

Stephen Baldwin has been ridiculed for his comments on Celebrity Big Brother regarding evolution.  He said: If we’re descended from apes, how come there are still apes? Ok, a misunderstanding of the theory.  But is the theory more or less silly than the misunderstanding? Here’s Richard Dawkins answering the very objection Baldwin makes.  See if [...]

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Christ in the Wilderness 3

source As we’ve seen, Satan’s three temptations concern Christ’s identity as Son of God. Round 1: 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that [...]

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Instant Bravery

In a bible study yesterday the subject of courage came up.  Someone mentioned the courage of David versus Goliath.  So the question was asked “How were the people meant to be brave in the face of Goliath and the Philistines?” One person answered:  “Look at David!” Good answer.  Instant bravery, just look at your King’s [...]

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Jesus is Saviour to all

I just heard again that song: ‘Shout to the North’ (lyrics here).  Great tune huh?  What do we think about the lyrics? Years ago I led the music in a church (a very small church you understand, but my knowledge of four guitar chords made me a relative virtuoso). Well happily enough, Shout to the [...]

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Christ in the Wilderness 2

Who is this Spirit-Anointed Champion? The Baptism and the Temptations go hand in hand. Just as Israel passed through the waters and into the wilderness (and this was a baptism – 1 Cor 10:1ff), so the True Israel, Jesus, would pass through the waters of baptism and into the wilderness.  Note also that the Spirit [...]

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Truth for sale

As spotted yesterday in an airport bookshop.  Sorry for the blur, I was in a hurry. Note the section.

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Christ in the Wilderness 1

In Matthew 4:1-11, Christ is driven by the Spirit into the desert. In His battle with Satan, Christ is like Adam, like Israel and like David. Like Adam, the devil confronts Him with audible temptations to doubt God’s word and eat.  And like Adam the fate of humanity rests on His shoulders. Like Israel, He [...]

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Happy Friday – Sleep Talkin Man

From Sleep Talkin Man. I choose to believe these are the genuine nocturnal ramblings of one Englishman as recorded by his American wife.  I believe this in spite of the fact his wife records him using words like “douche-bag” and “doofus”. By the way, he also uses some more choice words, so if that kind [...]

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Trinity Day Conference in Swansea

They’re doing it again.  And it looks a winner.  Another Trinity day at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Swansea. Saturday 30th January: 10.30am-3pm This time they’ve got Mike Reeves and Stuart Olyott as well as Martin Downes. Stuart Olyott “Why doctrine matters” Mike Reeves “The Trinity in the writings” and “The Trinity in the gospels” Martin [...]

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More than a million dead

Since the earthquake – more than one million have died worldwide.  150 000 per day.  Every day without fail a Haiti-sized disaster strikes.  This is not to play down the horror of this crisis.  It’s to awaken us to a daily horror that we accept all too readily.  56 million people – that’s almost the [...]

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Born neutral or born in sin?

I was recently discussing original sin with some people who disagreed with it.  It seemed to them something like the doctrine that ‘God hates babies’.  Fumbling around for what to say, I eventually settled on this. If you buy into the ‘born neutral’ position, you’re living in a world in which performance is everything.  God’s [...]

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Cold Contact Evangelism? [Thawed out Thursday]

I first wrote this 2 years ago.  The comments here are well worth reading – especially Missy’s, for whom door-to-door was her way into the Christian life.  I’ve slightly updated the post. . A friend of mine recently asked which was better – 5 sessions of 5 pairs spending two hours door-knocking; or those 5 [...]

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Getting to the heart of things

Heart warming sermon by Rich Owen on the Lord’s Supper. The middle 20 minutes are pure gold! Dave K nails it on reason. Our old heart… invents, borrows and distorts logic… to fit our desires. You cannot reshape that distorted reason with more reason. It requires a changing of the heart from which our reason [...]

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