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Christ in Colossians | Let No One Disqualify You – Colossians 2:16-23

February 4, 2019

As Paul continues his letter to the Colossians church, he addresses the issue of those who would seek to disqualify them because they did not say or do specific things. Paul essentially looks at barriers to outsiders joining the church and receiving the grace of God. For those not raised in a particular jewish upbringing, their faith would look different from those who were raised in Jewish homes. Furthermore, as they shifted to a faith in Jesus Christ, they would no longer fit in with the standards of the world and the image the world speaks to be the most important. With Christ is before and above all things, the Christian does not need any additional steps to receive Christ. Paul firmly roots His message in the Gospel that understands Jesus came for the blessing of mankind and for the enjoyment of His presence forever. We are not to indulge ourselves in self-righteousness or fleshly indulgence but we should not cast away the blessing of God for the sake of appearing holier than others, giving off the false image of being a “good Christian.”

Nobody Special 052 | Abortion and Christianity

February 1, 2019

Gillette made a commercial to tackle the issue of manhood in today’s day and age. The world has not been more upset since the day before yesterday when the world fought over the previous fad. Thus, the boys of Nobody Special wade into the controversial waters of making statements about gender roles and society to determine if this commercial was indeed offensive.

Christ Reigns Over All Things | Revelation 20:1-15

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Christ’s Reign Over All Things – Revelation 20:1-15

January 30, 2019

On the heels of chapter 18, we see the response of the throne room of heaven. Throughout the course of Revelation 19:1-10, there is cause for celebration. Evil’s defeat is secure as the justice of God comes to its fullness. The prayers of the saints from earlier has come to fruition and the finality of God’s judgments, the sorting between the wheat and chaff, is completed and those who have remained faithful to the One True God can celebrate in the victory of Jesus Christ. This chapter, and the chapters that follow, look as if they are wrapping up the defeat of goodness over evil. But to view it as the climax of the story would be to miss the point of the Gospel entirely. The thrust of the Gospel is not evil is defeated (though this is certainly a central piece) but rather is that God’s glory surpasses all things as He reigns throughout eternity and we, as recipients of the love of God, enter into the fullness of God’s presence for all eternity. Revelation is not the climax of evil’s defeat but the birth of the bride of Christ’s relationship that will last forever.

Christ in Colossians | Alive in Christ | Colossians 2:1-15

Christ in Colossians | Alive in Christ – Colossians 2:6-15

January 28, 2019

At the heart of the problem in the church in Colossae doubted that divinity of Christ to be sufficient for all salvation. Paul, with fondness for the church, sought to bring the church to their fullness of understanding and life in the Gospel, struggle and toil for their sake. Paul had been imprisoned for his zeal for the Gospel and gladly endured the punishment for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, despite the oddly optimistic outlook we cannot overlook the bleak circumstances that Paul endures for the Gospel. Imprisoned, hungry, tired, poor, and in at least one occasion, almost killed, Paul’s suffering came as the direct result of the faith He held in Jesus Christ. As gentiles came to Christ, the theological and philosophical differences they brought would need to be brought into spiritual maturity by those, like Paul who pastor and teach the church and drive them to the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Christ Returns in Victory – Revelation 19:11-21

January 23, 2019

On the heels of chapter 18, we see the response of the throne room of heaven. Throughout the course of Revelation 19:1-10, there is cause for celebration. Evil’s defeat is secure as the justice of God comes to its fullness. The prayers of the saints from earlier has come to fruition and the finality of God’s judgments, the sorting between the wheat and chaff, is completed and those who have remained faithful to the One True God can celebrate in the victory of Jesus Christ. This chapter, and the chapters that follow, look as if they are wrapping up the defeat of goodness over evil. But to view it as the climax of the story would be to miss the point of the Gospel entirely. The thrust of the Gospel is not evil is defeated (though this is certainly a central piece) but rather is that God’s glory surpasses all things as He reigns throughout eternity and we, as recipients of the love of God, enter into the fullness of God’s presence for all eternity. Revelation is not the climax of evil’s defeat but the birth of the bride of Christ’s relationship that will last forever.

A Quick Note on Galatians 2:1-10

January 21, 2019

Paul held a perspective and mission that seemed to defy expectations and contradict the training held by Paul. At numerous occasions, Paul boasted in his education, having experienced world-class, quality training by highly skilled and influential teachers. Gamaliel being the most notable, established himself as a leader and scholar among the Sanhedrin as he interpreted the law with great skill and wisdom. Many sought the attention and mentorship of Gamaliel and Paul received the mentorship, setting him head and shoulders above the rest. Yet, despite the upbringing, God called Paul out of the Judaic sphere to reach the gentiles. Paul’s message and heart for the gentiles with the training of the Sanhedrin gave him a distinct perspective to defend against the Judaizers (who sought to burden the gentiles with the constraints of the Judaic law) and stand firm in the preeminence of Jesus Christ over any nationality or ethnic background. Seeing the faith of Paul and the heart for the Gospel, the apostles extended the right hand of fellowship. Paul understood the heart of the Gospel to extend beyond borders and walls, that the mission of loving and caring for the world to make Jesus Christ known throughout all the world.

Nobody Special 051 | Gillette’s Shaving Grace

January 18, 2019

Gillette made a commercial to tackle the issue of manhood in today’s day and age. The world has not been more upset since the day before yesterday when the world fought over the previous fad. Thus, the boys of Nobody Special wade into the controversial waters of making statements about gender roles and society to determine if this commercial was indeed offensive.

The Hallelujah and The Wedding Feast | Revelation 19:10

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | The Hallelujah and The Wedding Feast – Revelation 19:1-10

January 16, 2019

On the heels of chapter 18, we see the response of the throne room of heaven. Throughout the course of Revelation 19:1-10, there is cause for celebration. Evil’s defeat is secure as the justice of God comes to its fullness. The prayers of the saints from earlier has come to fruition and the finality of God’s judgments, the sorting between the wheat and chaff, is completed and those who have remained faithful to the One True God can celebrate in the victory of Jesus Christ. This chapter, and the chapters that follow, look as if they are wrapping up the defeat of goodness over evil. But to view it as the climax of the story would be to miss the point of the Gospel entirely. The thrust of the Gospel is not evil is defeated (though this is certainly a central piece) but rather is that God’s glory surpasses all things as He reigns throughout eternity and we, as recipients of the love of God, enter into the fullness of God’s presence for all eternity. Revelation is not the climax of evil’s defeat but the birth of the bride of Christ’s relationship that will last forever.

Christ in Colossians | Suffering For The Gospel – Colossians 1:24-29

January 14, 2019

At the heart of the problem in the church in Colossae doubted that divinity of Christ to be sufficient for all salvation. Paul, with fondness for the church, sought to bring the church to their fullness of understanding and life in the Gospel, struggle and toil for their sake. Paul had been imprisoned for his zeal for the Gospel and gladly endured the punishment for the sake of the Gospel. Yet, despite the oddly optimistic outlook we cannot overlook the bleak circumstances that Paul endures for the Gospel. Imprisoned, hungry, tired, poor, and in at least one occasion, almost killed, Paul’s suffering came as the direct result of the faith He held in Jesus Christ. As gentiles came to Christ, the theological and philosophical differences they brought would need to be brought into spiritual maturity by those, like Paul who pastor and teach the church and drive them to the fullness of relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | The Fall of Babylon – Revelation 18:1-24

January 10, 2019

While the wrath poured out in Revelation 16 represents the spiritual victory of the Lamb of God over the world and the last attempt for people to return to the one true God, Revelation 17 and 18 detail the total defeat of the Satan and the kingdom of Babylon. Throughout the course of Revelation 17, John employs imagery that would be easily identifiable to the modern day reader, where the interpretation and implication could easily be understood. Yet, as with most scriptures and prophesy in the bible, there are likely dual meanings. The immediate understanding and context and the much larger scope as time comes to a conclusion. Ultimately, the hearts of man and the desires of the flesh have no fundamentally changed throughout history. While the technology and context changes, the temptation remains the same; to sell ourselves and our identity to the prostitute for momentary pleasure at the cost of our spiritual well being.