Philippians 1:12–18: Joy
What is the source of the Christian’s joy? Not circumstances, but the progress of the gospel. (Exposition of Philippians 1:12–18)
Philippians 1:1–11: Fellowship
God created human beings not simply for relationships, but for fellowship—that is, spiritual commonality in Christ. (Exposition of Philippians 1:1–11)
Introduction: Have This Mind: A Primer on the Cruciform Life (Philippians)
Read the introduction for my forthcoming pastoral commentary on Paul’s letter to the Philippians: Have This Mind: A Primer on the Cruciform Life.
Discipleship according to John
Over the course of John’s Letters, he has worked through three primary themes: (1) Know God, (2) Believe the Gospel, and (3) Love one another. (Summary of 1, 2 and 3 John)
3 John: The Case Study of Gaius and Diotrephes
In 3 John, the Apostle John contrasts living for Christ versus living for self. Everyone is someone’s disciple; what kind of master do you serve? (Exposition of 3 John)
2 John: The Case Study of the Elect Lady
In 2 John, the apostle John gives us a case study of the themes of 1 John. Specifically, John shows how love and truth fit together in the Christian life. (Exposition of 2 John)
1 John 5:18–21: Eternal Life
In the closing section of his First Letter, the Apostle John insists that Jesus Christ is God and eternal life—and that we should therefore keep ourselves from idols. (Exposition of 1 John 5:18–21)
1 John 5:13–17: Prayer
Building on what he wrote about faith in the previous passage, the Apostle John now shifts his attention to prayer—especially prayer for the prodigal brother. (Exposition of 1 John 5:13–17)
1 John 5:1–12: Faith
What is faith? Where does faith come from? How do we get faith? What does faith do? Toward the end of his First Letter, the Apostle John answers these questions. (Exposition of 1 John 5:1–12)
1 John 4:7–21: Love
The love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ transforms us by both leading us to abide in God and driving out our fear of judgment. (Exposition of 1 John 4:7–21)
1 John 4:1–6: Discernment
We are inundated with influencers. Because of this, we need desperately for God’s word to help us with our skills of discernment to distinguish between truth and error. (Exposition of 1 John 4:1–6)
1 John 3:11–24: Righteousness
The righteousness of God’s people has always attracted persecution from the world. Even so, righteous love gives us confidence before God. (Exposition of 1 John 3:11–24)