Category: Bible Commentary

A Tale of Two Buildings (1 Peter 2:4-11)

November 10, 2016

There are two major building projects undertaken in the story of Scripture — they both continue today. In our study of 1 Peter we discover that each believer is called to be a part of God’s “spiritual temple” He is building. In the OT era, God’s healing, forgiving presence dwelled in the physical temple in Jerusalem. People … More A Tale of Two Buildings (1 Peter 2:4-11)

Political Fervor & Christian Apathy

October 20, 2016

This is a timely repost from about 2011 when MainStreet was just getting launched. It was during another local election season where people were passionately campaigning for and against a school referendum. You can sense my urgency and deep burden for our local community.  Regardless how we vote on November 8, may we vote Jesus leader of our lives … More Political Fervor & Christian Apathy

“I Approve this Message!”(1 Peter 1:22-2:3)

October 19, 2016

Tonight will be the third and final presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. It promises to be another 2 hours of childish mudslinging and below-the-belt personal attacks. This election cycle has become such a circus (or train wreck) that people are watching in record numbers. Young people are throwing viewing parties much like … More “I Approve this Message!”(1 Peter 1:22-2:3)

Squirrel Spirituality

October 13, 2016

Here’s a timely repost from 2010. -JB It’s that time of year again.  The leaves are turning colors and the trees are raining down acorns like rogue astroids in our backyard. They’re more plentiful this year than ever before at our home.  I literally need to shovel off the deck every morning to avoid a … More Squirrel Spirituality

Activate the Mind, Stoke the Fires of Hope (1 Peter 1:13-16)

October 5, 2016

Hope is a rare commodity these days. The fashions of the day are cynicism, anxiety and self-indulgence. With violence and discord stealing the headlines daily, we tend toward one of three different coping mechanisms (or a combination of the three): Our minds grow cynical in the midst of confusion and ideological impasses in the public discourse. … More Activate the Mind, Stoke the Fires of Hope (1 Peter 1:13-16)

A Non-Anxious Presence in an Anxious World

October 1, 2016

Christianity Today (September ’16) featured the findings of a LifeWay Research survey that asked 2,000 people who do NOT attend church what would draw them to one. The results were revealing: Skye Jethani, on the Phil Vischer Podcast, insightfully asked the following question while discussing this survey: What does it say about our deepest concerns and highest … More A Non-Anxious Presence in an Anxious World

Gospeling in Corinth 1: God-Logic

September 20, 2016

I’m reposting a short series of reflections on Paul’s ministry in the pagan metropolis of Corinth and how he went about proclaiming the gospel and making disciples in a very unbelieving culture. The apostle Paul writes (using The Message paraphrase): “The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent … More Gospeling in Corinth 1: God-Logic

God’s Chosen ‘Elect’? (1 Peter 1:1-2)

September 19, 2016

You can’t even get through one verse in 1 Peter before coming across an enormously controversial theological issue: divine election and foreknowledge. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect…who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…” I didn’t even try to wade into these choppy waters in my sermon this past … More God’s Chosen ‘Elect’? (1 Peter 1:1-2)