Episodes
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Command #47 - Love and Pray For Your Adversaries
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
Thursday Oct 29, 2020
As world changing as would be the influence of Christians taking the words seriously, Rejoice and be glad when you are reviled and persecuted (Matthew 5:11-12), Jesus goes on to elevate the relation between Christians and their adversaries to a shockingly ambitious level.
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Command #46 - Be Kind
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Tuesday Oct 27, 2020
Biblical literalists more eager to find loopholes in the Commands than to obey them will be the first to point out that Jesus never specifically commanded kindness upon his disciples. We could find no better example of straining at a gnat to swallow a camel.
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Command #45 - Store Up Treasure in Heaven
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
Thursday Oct 22, 2020
The Command, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, may also seem an illusive one. A moment's reflection, however, reveals this as one of the most down-to-earth of all Jesus' Commands.
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Command #44 - Seek First God's Kingdom
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Tuesday Oct 20, 2020
Among the "spiritual" Commands, few are so illusive as this. Jesus concludes his Do not be anxious about your life discussion of the birds of the air and lilies of the the field in Matthew 6 with the words: Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Command #43 - Do Good, Be Good
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
Thursday Oct 15, 2020
One of the profound mysteries of the Christian Church is that human goodness has not comprised more focus in its theology. While it is true that greater good has been done throughout history by Christianity than any nation, movement, or creed, one is hard-pressed to find goodness at the center of any doctrinal teaching.
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Command #42 - Forgive 70 x 7 Times
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
Tuesday Oct 13, 2020
If we transplant Peter's question and the Lord's response from Matthew 18 into the sixth chapter where the theme of forgiveness emerges out of the Lord's prayer, we would have a succinct teaching on prayer, forgiveness, and the reach of forgiveness.
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Command #41 - Forgive
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
Thursday Oct 08, 2020
We noted that forgiveness is one of the least understood components of Christian doctrine. Sadly, it is misunderstood by Christians and non-Christians alike.
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Command #40 - Beware of Practicing Piety to be Noticed
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Tuesday Oct 06, 2020
Righteousness is one of the more curious character qualities of the committed Christian disciple. Jesus tells us to let our light shine before men, but to pray, fast, and do good in secret. If it is visible obedience by Christians that changes the world, why are we also commanded to be invisibly righteous?
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Chapter Thirty-Nine: A High View...and More Lofty Vistas Ahead
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
Thursday Oct 01, 2020
"This is and has been the Father's work from the beginning--to bring us into the home of His heart." -- George MacDonald.
From God a Good Father by Michael Phillips. Read by Michael Kimball. More information on this and similar writings may be found at Father of the Inklings. Visit Amazon to purchase God a Good Father and other books by Michael Phillips.