Category Archives: Bible

Paul’s Faithful Sayings #4

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The next of these sayings is found in 2 Timothy 2:11-13 and it goes like this:

This is a faithful saying:
     For if we died with Him,
     We shall also live with Him.
If we endure,
     We shall also reign with Him.
     If we deny Him,
     He also will deny us.
If we are faithless,
     He remains faithful;
     He cannot deny Himself.

 Here it is again with some brief commentary:

This is a faithful saying:
     For if we died with Him,
     We shall also live with Him.

Receiving new life in Christ involves dying – dying to self, dying to our old life.  We are no longer our own because we understand that He bought us and we live accordingly.

If we endure,
     We shall also reign with Him.
     If we deny Him,
     He also will deny us.

The born again person will stick it out.  Some people make emotional decisions for Christ that don’t last.  Let’s not imagine that the evidence for eternal salvation is seen in a raised hand, a prayed prayer or filling out a response card at a Christian event.  Everlasting life is, well, everlasting, and without faith in Christ it isn’t there – regardless of what seemed to be there at one time.

If we are faithless,
     He remains faithful;
     He cannot deny Himself.

God’s faithfulness doesn’t depend on my faith – or anyone else’s.  Whew, that’s a relief.  God would be in big trouble if He had to count on us.  But it’s a big, faith-building truth that we can always count on Him.

Palmer St. Podcast: John 18

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This week we’ll read about Jesus’ betrayal and arrest.  We’ll then see Him before Annas and Caiaphas the corrupt high priests (so corrupt, in fact, that the Talmud pronounces a curse against Annas and his family).  In the midst of those “trials” Peter will deny Christ three times.  Finally we’ll see Jesus before Pilate.  In each of these cases, it’s the judge who is actually on trial.  Eventually, we’ll all have to stand in judgment before Jesus.

Here are the notes and audio:

Audio: John18.mp3

Notes: John18.pdf

Paul’s Faithful Sayings #3

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The next bite-sized bit of wisdom is as follows:

“… Exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.” – 1 Timothy 4:7-9 (NKJV)

Bodily exercise profits.  Many of us (including myself) can use more bodily exercise than we normally get.  It makes our years in this body more enjoyable and can give us more years to enjoy.  Still, we’ll only get so many of those years.  The rewards of bodily exercise are temporary at best. 

On the other hand, there is exercise leading to godliness.  Like the physical kind of exercise, spiritual exercise takes a little work or discipline, especially at first.  We need to develop beneficial behaviors to fill the void left by the behaviors that offered no benefit – helpful habits to replace the ones that never really helped.

Once the habits are in place an interesting thing happens: they feel good.  When I don’t get enough exercise, my body craves it.  The workout releases stress and is followed by a reassuring sense of comfort and calm.  The same happens spiritually.  Doing the right thing feels good while sin feels terrible.  Bible reading is a joy; prayer an encouragement.  Time in fellowship with other believers is fun while sharing my faith excites me as I never might have guessed.

Best of all, an investment in godliness brings eternal returns.

Palmer St. Podcast: John 17

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This week we look at Christ’s High Priestly Prayer.  It’s the longest example in Scripture of Christ’s actual words while praying.  In it, we’ll see Him pray for Himself, and then intercede for His disciples and all believers throughout the church age. 

Here are the notes and audio files:

Audio: John17.mp3

Notes: John17.pdf