Cross Ethics (2) (Matthew 18:6-14)

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We can say that not caring about the little people is just a contemporary problem.  However, if you look at the Old Testament and Israel’s ideal call they were a nation to be in the forefront to care for the widow and the orphan.  Are these the only little ones that Christ is expressing his concern?  Can we be a little one?  What does it mean that the Lord cares for the little ones?  Does it mean that as the little ones we have a free pass to sin because others made us stumble?  What does the cross teach us about living out the Gospel for our Lord?  

Brotherly Appeal (Philemon 8-16)

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Paul has the authority of an apostle.  This means that Paul can give a command and it is as if Christ gives the command.  Paul makes a big deal not to appeal to his apostolic authority when he exhorts Philemon.  Why does Paul use so many words rather than simply write, “I command you to forgive your brother who ran away!”  Why does Paul try so hard not to constrain Philemon through forceful words?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Shining (1 Corinthians 13)

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The Apostle Paul has written many letters to new churches.  His letters to the Corinthian church discloses that Paul is frustrated by the lack of unity in that church.  The people claim elitism, they call attention to social class, they call attention to their giftedness, they fail to discipline those who need some Godly correction, and there are more issues that we can list.  So, what is the positive solution?  What is the church called to do as we sojourn together through this age?

Sojourning Under the Sun: Sabbath Conforming: Marriage (Matthew 5:27-32)

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Christ goes through the law and lays out the challenge of the seventh commandment.  This is another commandment that one might think is rather easy to keep, but is this really such an easy command to keep?  Is this one of the least commands or do we make it one of the least commands?  What are some of the implications regarding this commandment?

Finding True Love (1 Timothy 1:3-7)

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Love has become something that is rather subjective in our culture.  It seems that many today have reduced love down to a feeling or something that is sentimental.  How does Paul define love?  How does Scripture define love and how is this love not subjective or sentimental?

Loving the Truth (1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (LD 43)

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We know that Paul writes one of the most beautiful passages on love.  It is a passage that we use many times for wedding meditations and unfortunately have potentially emptied this passage of its Christian ethic and challenge for the Christian life.  So, what does this love have to do with the Christian life?  What does this passage on love have to do with telling the truth?