Blog Archives - Page 29 of 48 - The Gospel Outpost

The Fruit of Self-Control: The Witness of Being Set Apart

October 22, 2018

Athletes hone their bodies into high functioning machines that can do a great deal of spectacular feats and strength and agility. This result does not come without a price. There are plenty of seasons where they skip perfectly good functions, foods, and events for the sake of crafting their skill and ability and shaping their bodies. It takes an enormous amount of self-control to produce the results and the world takes notice of their ability. We all strive to be like them, however, without self-control, we will never approach the results that they do. This should be how the members of the church, specifically the elders and those mature in the faith should present themselves. When outsiders see the church, there should be a notable difference that demonstrates the effects of a change and redeemed life. Furthermore, when people new to the faith see those who are further in their walk, the person of Jesus Christ should be clear and evident in the lives of the elders. This means there will be plenty of things that Christians do and do not that serve as a witness to our faith. There will be places we frequent and places we abstain from that will show the world that Jesus Christ has rescued us from death. Our self-control to obey the law roots itself in the first purpose of the law, which was to separate believers from non-believers. In doing so, we train to obtain a prize beyond that which athlete can obtain.

The Fruit of Self-Control: Taking Advantage of Grace

October 15, 2018

It seems that our current day and culture does not value self-control. Everyone is urged and encouraged to give in to their immediate desires in order to gratify whatever they are seeking. Pleasure has become the god of our current day as we all desire to achieve the most amount of pleasure for what we seek. Yet, throughout scripture, what mankind desires has proven itself time and time again to not be beneficial for their own good. The things that God desires and directs His follows to do, while it may contradict the desires of the flesh, consistently remain better for mankind. When the Spirit of God is alive and moving within us, self-control that refuses to give in to every desire will demonstrate the God within us. Self-control involves taking an intense look at what our heart craves and choose to obey what ultimately will secure our salvation and sustain our soul. It abstains when it’s easier to give in, it runs when it’s easier to walk, and it submits to the will of an infinite and Holy God who only wants what is best for His beloved creation.

Revelation 13:1-10 - The First Beast of Blaspheme

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The First Beast of Blaspheme – Revelation 13:1-10

October 10, 2018

As the dragon stands on the edge of the sea, the devil begins to summon forth two beasts in chapter 13. The first comes from the sea (vs. 1-10) and the second comes from the earth (vs. 11-18). Each are equally frightening but different in their approach. For both, the purpose of the beasts remains the same; to spread the false gospel that the dragon can provide life and safety to people. At this point, the dragon knows his days are numbered and that he will ultimately see his demise and end. Yet, the nature of the dragon seeks destruction for the people. He deceives others in hopes of bringing the destruction that will befall him to others.

The Fruit of Self-Control: With The Good In Mind

October 8, 2018

It seems that our current day and culture does not value self-control. Everyone is urged and encouraged to give in to their immediate desires in order to gratify whatever they are seeking. Pleasure has become the god of our current day as we all desire to achieve the most amount of pleasure for what we seek. Yet, throughout scripture, what mankind desires has proven itself time and time again to not be beneficial for their own good. The things that God desires and directs His follows to do, while it may contradict the desires of the flesh, consistently remain better for mankind. When the Spirit of God is alive and moving within us, self-control that refuses to give in to every desire will demonstrate the God within us. Self-control involves taking an intense look at what our heart craves and choose to obey what ultimately will secure our salvation and sustain our soul. It abstains when it’s easier to give in, it runs when it’s easier to walk, and it submits to the will of an infinite and Holy God who only wants what is best for His beloved creation.

The Fruit of Gentleness: Towards Non-Believers

October 1, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The Dragon, The Child, and The Woman - Revelation 12:1-17

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Dragons, Children, and The Woman – Revelation 12:1-17

September 26, 2018

Throughout the bible, we gain the perspective from earth of God’s intervention and rescue plan for mankind. Throughout the entirety of scripture, God remains the star as He saves those receive Him. Yet, for the most part, this is told through the perspective of the physical. In Revelation 12, John is given a glimpse of the spiritual story. We gain great detail as to the consequences of the devil’s rebellion in heaven, how he came to earth, and ultimately what he will endure. Some parts of this chapter seem to be almost a flashback of events from the past while others still are to come. Often times, from the perspective of man, it seems as though the battle is still ranging onward between God and man. We worry about what we face and that the trials and temptations of the world will be the end of us as the devil tempts us. However, we must remember that Satan, for all his accusations, has no reign or power outside of what God allows him to. The church, no matter what, will be eternally safe against the attacks of Satan as long as the church remains and pursues the One, True Savior.

The Fruit of Gentleness: Restoration

September 24, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Persecution and Protection – Revelation 11:1-19

September 19, 2018

Throughout the whole of this chapter, many times and numbers are given. It is very likely that these are not indicative of the literal time but rather as an indication of completeness and representing God. Furthermore, as John references the temple, it is the opinion of this author that this does not necessitate a physical rebuilding of the temple. The temple refers to the people of God and the true believers who find their identity in the body of Christ. In the Old Testament, the temple represented the place where the priests would intercede for mankind to God. Now, with the coming of Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit, we as the body of Christ represent the intercession of God to the world and identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. In this chapter, you see the believers begin to feel the persecution of the world. For part of this, the people of God will be spared and for others, true believers will feel the unabated persecution. Throughout this chapter, though, we see that God does not abandon His people. No matter what the world does to those who believe, God will protect those who worship Him and belong in Jesus Christ.

The Fruit of Gentleness: A Strong Humility

September 17, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The Angel and The Scroll – Revelation 10:1-11

September 12, 2018

Stop for a moment and consider what John has witnessed so far. John has witnessed the throne room of heaven, seen the beginnings of heaven’s collision with earth, and watched as God poured out judgment on the world. He has witnessed natural disasters beyond explanation and seen heavenly creatures roam throughout the earth. With six of the seven trumpets having resounded their blasts, a brief interlude begins resembling the interlude between the breaking of the seven seals. For all of the wonders that John has seen, though, at this point, it is almost as if there is still time and hope for the people of the world.