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The Battle Plan (Ephesians 6:11,13)
Paul turns from the battle cry in Ephesians 6:10 to the battle plan in Ephesians 6:11, 13. We must not only prepare ourselves for battle by becoming strong, we must also protect ourselves in battle by having a plan. The battle plan has three parts. We must put on the armor of God, stand our ground, and watch out for traps laid by the devil. Let us consider each part of the plan. Put on Your Armor (Ephesians 6:11a, 13a) The first part of the battle plan is to put on the whole armor of God. Paul states this instruction twice in Ephesians 6:11, 13 when he writes, “Put on the whole armor of God” and “take up the whole armor of God.” When Paul wrote these words, he was in prison in Rome and was likely chained to a Roman soldier twenty-four hours a day. Being chained to an armed guard was one of...
The Battle Cry (Ephesians 6:10)
Living the Christian life is one of the hardest things you will ever attempt to do. Of course, this is only true if you really attempt to live as a Christian. Far too many Christians think that it is enough to slap a fish bumper sticker on their car, wear Christian t-shirts, and attend a weekly worship service at the church building on the corner. Truly living the Christian life does not consist of such things, and those who live the Christian life in such insignificant ways will face little resistance or trouble. But the Christian who truly steps out to follow Jesus into the dark and hellish places of earth will experience great difficulties, trials, and roadblocks in life. Such Christians will be called to love those they would rather hate, to forgive those who deserve nothing but death,...
Think you know what humility is? Think again. (An Interview with Dan Kent, author of Confident Humility)
I had the privilege of interviewing Dan Kent this week about his book, Confident Humility. I’ll be honest. When I first heard that he had written a book about humility, I thought “Booooring … we all know everything there is to know about humility.” But then I read the book. Mind. Blown. It turns out I have been thinking and teaching about humility entirely wrong. Dan Kent’s book opened my eyes to what truly humility is, how humility works, and how to attain humility in my life. If you want to understand what the Bible teaches about humility and how to become humble and live humbly in your life, listen to my interview with Dan Kent, and then go buy a copy of his book on Amazon. Let your view of humility get turned upside down! Podcast Links: Watch the Interview with Dan Kent here: [embedded...
Do the warning passages of Hebrews 6:7-8 and Hebrews 10:27 refer to Christians going to hell?
My book, What is Hell? is now available on Amazon. I am doing a series of podcast studies that focus on some of the content from the book. The studies look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? Also, if you are part of my discipleship group, there will be an online course about hell as well. In this study, we will consider two of the warning passages in Hebrews to see if they are warning Christians about the possibility of going to hell. We will look at Hebrews 6:7-8 and Hebrews 10:27. Does Hebrews 6:7-8 warn about hell? For the earth which drinks in the rain that ...
Does 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 teach about hell?
My book, What is Hell? is now available on Amazon. I am doing a series of podcast studies that focus on some of the content from the book. The studies look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? Also, if you are part of my discipleship group, there will be an online course about hell as well. In this study, we will be looking at 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, which refers to flaming fire of vengeance and everlasting destruction coming upon those who do not obey the gospel. This certainly sounds like a punishment of everlasting torture, doesn’t it? So what is Paul referring ...
Is the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) a warning about hell?
My book, What is Hell? is now available on Amazon. I am doing a series of podcast studies that focus on some of the content from the book. The studies look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? Also, if you are part of my discipleship group, there will be an online course about hell as well. In this article, we are considering the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. This is probably the premier passage in the Bible that convinces people about the reality of hell as a place of eternal suffering and torment. But is this really what Jesus is teaching i...
Does Mark 9:42-50 teach about hell when it refers to worms and fire?
My book, What is Hell? is now available on Amazon. I am doing a series of podcast studies that focus on some of the content from the book. The studies look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? The following study looks at Mark 9:42-50 to see whether are not this text teaches that hell is an everlasting place of suffering and torment for the unbelieving dead. Does Mark 9:42-50 teach about hell? Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched… (Mark 9:48). Mark 9:42-50 is very similar to Matthew 18:6-9, and can be understood in a nearly identical way. So it mi...
Is the everlasting fire of Matthew 25:41 a warning about hell?
I have a book on hell coming out in June, titled What is Hell? You can pre-order the Kindle version on Amazon. Between now and then, I will be focusing my podcasts studies on some of the content from the book. We will look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell, and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? In this study, we will consider the phrase “everlasting fire” as it is used in Matthew 25:41. What is the Everlasting Fire of Matthew 25:41? Let us begin by looking at the text. Then he will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and ...
Is the everlasting fire of Matthew 18:8-9 a reference to everlasting torment in hell?
I have a book on hell coming out in June, titled What is Hell? You can pre-order the Kindle version on Amazon. Between now and then, I will be focusing my podcasts studies on some of the content from the book. We will look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell, and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? In this study, we will consider Matthew 18:8-9 to see whether or not the reference to hell in this text refers to everlasting torment in fiery flames. What is the meaning of “hell” in Matthew 18:8-9? Let us begin by looking at the text of Matthew 18:8-9. “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off an...
Is the furnace of fire in Matthew 13:40-42 a reference to hell?
I have a book on hell coming out in June, titled What is Hell? You can pre-order the Kindle version on Amazon. Between now and then, I will be focusing my podcasts studies on some of the content from the book. We will look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell, and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? In this study, we are considering the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matthew 13:24-30, and specifically what it means when the tares are cast into a furnace of fire, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Is Matthew 13:40, 42 (Matt 13:50) a warning about hell? Let’s begin with the specific vers...
NICNT and NICOT on Sale at Logos
The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (NICOT) and New Testament (NICNT) is easily my favorite series of commentaries. I own almost all of them in the hardback versions, but recently had the chance to fill out my set through Logos Bible Software. I chose the volumes on Job, Psalms, Matthew, John, and Hebrews. Logos is having a major sale on the sets, with the full collection (53 vols) at 48% off. You can can individual volumes for $29.99 or less. If you don’t have Logos Bible Software, you can use my code, REDEEMINGGOD8, to get 10% of your purchase, PLUS 5 free books. Even though I have most of the NICNT and NICOT series on hardback, I love using Logos for these commentaries because I can search through the volumes much more quickly than with the paperback versions. For exam...
Does the unquenchable fire of Matthew 3:10-12 refer to hell?
I have a book on hell coming out in June, titled What is Hell? You can pre-order the Kindle version on Amazon. Between now and then, I will be focusing my podcasts studies on some of the content from the book. We will look at the eight key terms that are often equated with hell, and about a dozen key passages that are thought to teach about hell. If you want to learn the truth about hell, and what the Bible actually teaches about hell, make sure you get a copy of my book, What is Hell? Also, if you are part of my discipleship group, there will be an online course about hell as well. In this article, we will be discussing the topic of “unquenchable fire” as it is talked about by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:10-12 (and the parallel passage in Luke 3:16-17). Matthew 3:10-12 (Luke 3:16-...
