My message on the birth announcement of John the Baptist. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

The Messiah’s “preeminence” (Col. 1:18)—as in Romans 14:10–12 and Philippians 2:9–16— presumably holds eschatological import, since authority assumes divine judgment in its final denouement (cf. Rom. 2:16; 2 Cor. 5:10). Moreover, Paul’s reference to Christ as “the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18) is an affirmation of the Jewish apocalyptic hope of the resurrection rather than a redefining or actualizing of it.Christ being the “the firstborn among many brothers” (Rom. 8:29), or “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20), only confirmed for Paul the surety of the final climactic resurrection. - John P. Harrigan

Israel reveals the hearts of men, and Jerusalem will sift the nations. - Bill Scofield

The Acts 1 ascension and enthronement shows us He (Jesus) is the Daniel 7 Son of Man, qualified and appointed to pour out what happened in Acts 2, and soon to be sent to perform the judgment the Father has committed to Him!  - Nick Uva

Jewish eschatology is not the antithesis of the gospel (Origen), nor the background (Dodd), nor even the mother (Kasemann). Rather, it is the very framework. Jewish eschatology is the framework of the death of the Messiah, the gift of the Spirit, and the mission to the Gentiles. - John P. Harrigan

Theology 101: Just as the followers of Apollos could learn from Peter, and the Paul faction needed to hear from Apollos, as a non-denominational Christian, I’ve learned a lot from Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Wesleyan, Anglican, and many other brothers and sisters in Christ. - Dr. Michael Svigel

As much as I love the Church Fathers and Protestant Reformers, reading the New Testament primarily through their lens, without sufficient interaction with the world of Second Temple Period Judaism that formed Jesus and his Jewish Apostles, has led to so many errors in Christian theology.  - Travis M. Snow

Israel's groaning under bondage and Pharaoh's ever-hardening heart combine for a highly particular theological drama: humanity must be redeemed from bondage - from death itself, before it can be brought into life with God. - L. Michael Morales

I sometimes speak of David as a “theologian of God’s emotions.” He described God’s heart as full of joy and pleasure. Jesus is full of joy. His primary posture of heart is gladness (Ps. 16:11). - Mike Bickle

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7 

There will be no universal peace until the Prince of Peace appears. - J. C. Ryle 

Mediatory intercession [Moses in Exodus 32:32, "Blot me out!"] is not merely prayer in the sense of 'making requests', but a plea that is also an act of self-giving, that flows from self-sacrifice.   -L. Michael Morales

"I am a Bible Christian, and if an archangel were to come and offer me some new truth, I'd ask him for a reference." -A.W.Tozer.

Paul thus summarized communion and the kerygma of the church: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). This dual emphasis on the death and the return of Messiah is seen throughout Paul’s writings, and it seems that the crucifixion and Parousia of Christ together constituted the essential “center” of Paul’s gospel. - John P. Harrigan

The God of the Bible takes our misery and suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself. - Timothy Keller

My message on the treasure of the gospel of Luke. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Partial obedience is disobedience. Some of us want to follow the Lord so far, but not the whole way. - Leonard Ravenhill

The marriage supper of the Lamb is going to be a high-culture, regal event. I’m preparing myself now because I don’t want to feel underdressed at that event. (Rev 19:8) - Bob Sorge

Theology 101: When the church of Philadelphia had “but little power,” Jesus didn’t tell them to form an alliance with the politically powerful. He told them to hold fast, so no one would seize their crown. -Dr. Michael Svigel

...the trajectory of Genesis is from fullness of life to death, and that in relation to alienation from the Presence of God...Exodus narrates how Israel is reborn out of this grave and ushered into the divine Presence, reversing the movement of Genesis. -L. Michael Morales

I have one driving conviction: Jesus and the apostles did not change Jewish eschatology commonly held in the first century. Why is this a "marginal" or "fringe" idea? It's historical sound and biblically faithful. It should be mainstream.  - John P. Harrigan

Humanity...is not the culmination of creation, but rather humanity in Sabbath day communion with God. -L. Michael Morales

Will Christ Return Seven Years After the Rapture? 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5,...

Theology 101: It is not an error to focus on “spiritual things.” It is an error to think that focusing on spiritual things excludes physical, mental, emotional, social, and even political things. In an incarnational worldview, these things cannot be separated from the spiritual. - Dr. Michael Svigel

The idea that God ordained the crucifixion of the Messiah on our behalf did not mean a redefinition of Paul’s former expectations, but rather a confirmation and amplification of them. Hence he declares, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (5:1–2). Elsewhere in the letter, hope is explicitly associated with the resurrection of the dead (8:20–25) and the promises to the patriarchs (15:8–13). Being justified by the death of the Messiah increased Paul's confidence in the apocalyptic hope of eternal glory.  - John P. Harrigan

Would someone close to you be able to say, despite your weaknesses, that all of your life was aimed toward a singular goal? For disciples of Jesus, the goal is to be found blameless on the last day and attain to the resurrection in the age to come. This takes intentional focus. - Joshua Hawkins

Theology 101: Churches desperately need leaders who will avoid things that will make them wildly famous or wildly infamous. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: No writer of fiction would make up a story with six or seven characters named Mary and just as many named James. Maybe—and this is rare—we might have two same-named characters. But not three or four; and six or seven is absurd. Only real life is that messy. - Dr. Michael Svigel

Theology 101: A gathered church body should observe the Lord's Supper only as often as they want to repent from sin, recommit to righteousness, renew their faith, and embrace Christ’s sanctifying grace through his person and work. - Dr. Michael Svigel