Emmaus

“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (Gal. 3:13 NKJV). In this verse, we have some important truths regarding the Gospel. Here we are told who the Savior is, why we need a Savior (sin), and what the Savior did for us (substitution). Thus, this verse speaks of Christ, the curse, and Calvary.   Savior/Christ  - “ Christ has redeemed us .” Our Redeemer and Savior is clearly i

“Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” (Luke 24:25-26 NKJV). That first Easter afternoon, the Lord Jesus walked with two of His disciples from Jerusalem to Emmaus. They did not realize it was the Lord Jesus walking with them until after they had invited Him into their home to eat. On the walk, they spoke of their disappointment

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest” (Luke 19:38 NKJV). One of the remarkable features about the Lord Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem was the great honor and praise given to Him as He rode into the city. In Luke 19:35-36, we read, “ Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road .” Putting the garments on th

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Cor. 13:5 NKJV). Tests and examinations are a very important part of schooling, and here in our verse, we are told to take a spiritual test, to do some spiritual examining. Thus, we want to note the who for the examination, the what in the examination, and the ways of the examination.   The who for the examin

“Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Cor. 11:15 NKJV). Here the apostle Paul is addressing the problem of false ministers. He speaks of the presence of false ministers, the person behind false ministers, the portrayal of false ministers, and the perdition for false ministers.   Presence of false ministers  – The apostle Paul did not ignore or deny that there

“That in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor. 8:2 NKJV). Here in this verse, we are told about the incredible giving performance of the Macedonian believers. It says they were motivated by difficulty and delight to give extra liberally.   Difficulty  - “ A great trial of affliction . . . their deep poverty .” It had been said that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Thi

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21 NKJV). Here in our verse is a very clear and concise statement about the work of Christ our Savior for our salvation. There is a great deal of theology expressed in this verse. In it we have the sinlessness of Christ, the substitution of Christ, and the sanctification in Christ.   Sinlessness of Christ  – “ Who knew no sin .” The Lord Jesus Christ never sinne

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17 NKJV). Nothing gives us better perspective and understanding of our trials and afflictions than the Bible. And here in this verse we find great help. It speaks of the difficulty, duration, and dividends of our afflictions.   Difficulty  - “ Our light affliction .” Here the apostle Paul describes the difficulties of our “ afflictions ” in term

“Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart” (2 Cor. 4:1 NKJV). In our verse, the apostle Paul gives us a good lesson about our calling from the Lord. It speaks about the awareness of our calling, the awarding of our calling, and the attitude in our calling.   Awareness of our calling  – “ Since we have this ministry .” While the apostle Paul knew that he was called to be an apostle, he is not the only one who should know his call

“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13 NKJV). In this verse, the Apostle Paul gives four short, pungent, exhortations or commands to the church in Corinth. They concerned being watchful, faithful, manful, and powerful.   Watchful  – “ Watch .” Christians are to be alert, careful, and cautious regarding life. A careless Christian will soon be a defeated Christian. There are many subtle temptations in life to ensnare the believer regarding evil phi