I want men to fill their minds with passages of Scripture while they are well and strong, that they may have sure help in the day of need. I want them to be diligent in studying the Bible, in order that the grand old Book may stand by them and talk with them when earthly friends fail. - JC Ryle

My message on filling in Luke 4 through the gospel of John 1b to 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Thus the “double portion,” so often associated with primogeniture (cf. Deut. 21:17; Isa. 61:7), is given to assist the older son in performing his responsibility of leadership for the welfare of the whole. In such a light, Israel will receive “the wealth of the nations” (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6) in the age to come.  - John P. Harrigan

Deep within every human being is a longing that our Creator, in whose image we are made, would be pleased with us. He is pleased, however, with only one man— Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Matt. 3:17; 17:5)—and God has shown this to be so by raising him, and only him, from the dead (cf. Acts 17:31; Rom. 1:4). The fact that all human beings remain in the grave proves the divine disapproval of their lives. This is a depressing fact only for those who refuse to acknowledge their condition, turn, and bind themselves by faith to Christ crucified. For God has answered our cry for divine approval by putting forward his Son “as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith” (Rom. 3:25).  - John P. Harrigan

To most Gentiles, the binding of salvation to Jewish ethnicity is incredibly offensive, since we Irish (as a personal example) fancy ourselves as the “saviors of civilization.” But so also do the Koreans, the Arabs, and the French—and likewise historically the Romans, Mongols, and Germans. Indeed, it is the divine choice concerning one ethnos that offends every other ethnos. Furthermore, it is the divine choice concerning one man, Jesus of Nazareth, that offends every other human being. Why not me? Why not you? Why not the Irish? Why not the Chinese? Because God chose. The sovereignty of God simply cannot be overruled on this point.  -John P. Harrigan

As God did not at first choose you because you were high, 

He will not now forsake you because you are low. — John Flavel

God is a righteous judge and

a God who shows his wrath every day.

If anyone does not repent,

he will sharpen his sword;

He has strung his bow and made it ready.

- Psalm 7

Theology 101: One of your leadership priorities in ministry is to gradually divest yourself of authority and responsibility and to gradually invest authority and responsibility in the next generation. Nobody is called to die with the baton. - Dr. Micheal Svigel

“He that is busy is tempted by but one devil; he that is idle, by a legion." - Thomas Fuller

This is my success: to love you and be loved by you. 

-Prayer room chorus

The Gift of the Holy Spirit is not a realization of Jewish eschatology. 

The Gift of the Holy Spirit confirms Jewish eschatology! 

-Adam Castro

Theology 101: In your Bible reading this year, mark all passages about the hope of dying and going to heaven one color; then mark all passages on the hope of bodily resurrection another color. Then adjust your evangelism, teaching, and preaching accordingly. - Dr. Michael Svigel

"It is most needful in times of religious excitement, to remind men that godliness does not consist in profession, but must be proved by inward vitality and outward holiness." – Spurgeon

“Ambition is a gilded misery, a secret poison, a hidden plague, the engineer of deceit, the mother of hypocrisy, the parent of envy, the original of vices, the moth of holiness, the blinder of hearts, turning medicines into maladies, and remedies into diseases.” - Thomas Brooks

The bridegroom God of Sinai is the same God who took on flesh and was crucified and rose from the dead. It’s the same God who included the gentiles. It’s the same God that comes back to Jerusalem to rule the earth.

As a gentile, understand the greatest display of grace is coming. -TJ Sewob

As someone who is often referred to as an end times teacher, the great damage these scandals will cause absolutely breaks my heart. The beautiful message of Christ's return and the renewal of all things has always been the focal point of all biblical hope. Does the Bible call us to die to ourselves and even embrace martyrdom if necessary? 100%. Will persecution drastically increase against the faithful in the last days? Yep. Things like the tribulation and the mark of the beast however, these are not the focus of the Gospel.

The primary focus of the Good News is the hope of a new world, one in which corrupt political leaders and spiritual principalities both cease. Instead the meek—humble servant leaders govern the earth under the leadership of the King of justice. It is a message about a time when things like addiction, premature death, and overdoses will no longer exist. No more sickness, no more death. No more mental health issues, body dysphoria, gender confusion, or suicide. No more election seasons. No political ads or even political parties.

The Bible does not teach the end of the world. It teaches the end of this current broken, corrupt world system. It promises a renewed earth, a restored, amplified Eden. Combine the Garden Paradise of Eden with something similar to the Kingdom of David or Solomon at the time of its greatest glory. This is how the biblical prophets envision the age to come. Peace among the nations. No more wars. Neighbors inviting neighbors over to "sit under their own vine or fig tree." No more anxiety or depression. Instead "gladness and joy will overtake them." 

Whether one believes any of these things or not, it is the most beautiful message that has ever been proclaimed. It meets the deepest needs of every man, woman, and child who has ever lived. Churches and ministries may collapse. Leaders may fall. Heroes may utterly fail us. Kingdoms and nations may wither and decay into irrelevance. This message of hope however, will remain. Down through the ages, the light will continue to shine and the truth will go forth.

"The Church" will look drastically different than what many of us expected. It will be far more real and humble than what many of us have grown accustomed to.

Celebrity Christianity is dead. 

What remains is withering on the vine and will soon fall to the ground. Many wrongly see the fall of great ministers and the collapse of ministries as the end of something. I believe it is the beginning of something far more beautiful. Come what may, let the Maranatha cry pour forth from our broken hearts. Until He splits the sky... -Joel Richardson

The events of the last days are not coming in verses you can apply when it is applicable, but as a culminating tsunami. - TJ Sewob

Nothing is more brutally offensive to the heart of prideful man than the completely unmerited favor of God. - Aaron in Writing

In all of our family celebrations, carols, and gift giving, let's not forget: Christmas doesn't end joyfully for everyone.

The little baby we adore today will one day descend with fire and angels to terrify his enemies. - Josh Hawkins

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." -Rev. 22.16

“…for the churches.”

Do not overlook the sacred and undying love of the risen Lord for local churches. - BA Purtle

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. (Romans 15:8-9)

To confirm, not redefine. - Josh Hawkins

"If our hopes are being disappointed just now, it means that they are being purified." - Oswald Chambers

My teaching on the testing of Jesus in the wilderness from Luke 4. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

There’s vast beauty and profound sweetness to be enjoyed even in this fallen world. Common grace is real.

Think of what the age to come will be like, when creation is perfected.

Read about it in Scripture and let your imagination soar in accordance with the promises.

Splendid.

-BA Purtle

The present age and all human institutions are fundamentally incapable of bringing the lasting peace and joy to the world envisioned in the prophets. God must act to accomplish these things from heaven. - Bill Scofield

“To grasp supersessionism as a structural problem, consider the following. The standard canonical narrative turns on four key episodes: God’s intention to consummate the first parents whom God has created, the fall, Christ’s incarnation and the inauguration of the church, and final consummation. These four episodes play a uniquely important role in the standard model because together they constitute the model’s basic plot or story line.” - R. Kendall Soulen

“If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” John 18:36

“Thy kingdom come” = “Come, Lord Jesus.”

-John Piper

Brothers and sisters, we are one day closer to the resurrection, which among other glories, will mean perfect and permanent freedom from:

1) indwelling sin

2) temptation

3) our proneness to wander and leave the God we love

Hasten it, Lord. We want to see the King in His beauty.

-BA Purtle

My friend David Thompson's message on recapitulation of Jesus in Matthew 2. 

My teaching on the Sermon on the Mount within Jewish apocalypticism. Notes. Audio 1. Audio 2. 

Love Jesus, Preach The Gospel, Die, And Be Forgotten | Dick Brogden | Th...