It takes encounters with God to know who you are in Him. Before that, you’re left to be defined by others. That’s certainly been my case. It took encounters with God to form an idea of who I am and how God’s nature defines me. Before that, many were accustomed to treating me as convenience […]
Read More KMCD 11: The Lord Who DefinesHope is crucial in the life of the Kingsman. In Romans 15:13, Paul is keen for the church in Rome to experience this kind of hope as he blesses them: May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may […]
Read More KMCD 10: Hope and the KingsmanFaith is vital in the life of the Kingsman. In Genesis 26:1-6, 12-14, Isaac exemplified how faith works even in a famine. Here are some reflections on that. In a Famine, God Calls The famine plays a key part throughout scripture. Those who live in modern Western societies might not really understand what a famine […]
Read More KMCD 09: Faith in the Famine for the KingsmanReading: Mark 2:13-3:6 Context: Why would eating with “tax collectors and sinners” be particularly offensive to the Pharisees? As holy people and the standard-bearers of righteousness, the Pharisees had a clear insight into who was acceptable and who was unacceptable. A bit like the issue of the clean and the unclean. So the Pharisees knew […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 5: Conflict with Religious AuthoritiesKing Jesus operated in fascinating ways on the earth. In Matthew 9:9-13, we see Him call Matthew to follow Him and then respond to the disdain of the Pharisees for attending a dinner at Matthew’s house. Here are some reflections on the reach of the King. Who Jesus Chooses to Follow Him – What to […]
Read More KMCD 08: The Reach of the KingReading: Mark 1:35-2:12 Context: Why does Jesus withdraw to solitary places for prayer, especially after successful ministry times? Jesus withdrawal is about knowing when to be in the crowd and when to be alone with God. It’s a breathing pattern. He breathes in the quality time with the Father to receive all there is to […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 4: Ministry and SolitudePreviously, we considered the marvel of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how it influences the Kingsman. Let’s see how it impacts how the marvel is conveyed within and beyond the church. Conveying the marvel within the church The church must be a community where the marvel is celebrated, not assumed. Here’s how that happens. […]
Read More KMCD 07: The Marvel of the Gospel – Part TwoReading: Mark 1:16-34 Context: What does the immediate response of the fishermen tell us about Jesus’ authority and their recognition of it? Is this a recognition by the men of the authority of Jesus? Did they respond to a command or an invitation? The fishermen’s immediate response speaks more to the appeal of Jesus than […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 3: The Call to DiscipleshipMarvel. It’s a word that captures wonder, astonishment, and awe. When we speak of the marvel of the Gospel, we’re not just acknowledging facts or theology. We’re standing before the most extraordinary moment in all of history – breathless at what God has done. The Kingsman has the great delight and pleasure to be a […]
Read More KMCD 06: The Marvel of the Gospel – Part OneReading: Mark 1:1-15 Context: Why was John the Baptist’s ministry of preparation necessary before Jesus began His public work? There’s the importance of fulfilling prophecy – a crucial element in terms of ensuring we know that what’s going on has been spoken by God well in advance. Then there’s the nature of what John the […]
Read More WIWO: Mark – Episode 2: The Forerunner’s Preparation
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