Blog Archives - Page 37 of 48 - The Gospel Outpost

Making All Things New: From Death To Life

January 8, 2018

Towards the end of John’s Revelation he understood God’s desire for the salvation of His people. God was making all things new. The plan wasn’t to attempt to tidy of or to make a used car to be like new, but to reform and remake a person new. There is a difference between new and like new and God would be making all things new. God, on His sovereign throne, would command existence itself to be restored to fullness by His powerful might and His wondrous grace. Though sin had been introduced to the world and through it death, God removes the decay for the restoration of mankind.

Exodus Week 7: God’s Self-Revelation

January 4, 2018

Three months have now gone by since the people of Israel were saved from the mad king tyrant of Pharaoh. During that time, the people had followed the guidance of God with a pillar of smoke and fire guiding them day and night. The presence of God was with them and guiding them to safety. Even more so than that, God had made provisions for them for both food and water, to provide for them supernaturally. Clearly, God intended for the Israelites to not only survive but to live a thriving life.

Great New Adventures For A Grand New Year

January 1, 2018

For some of us, it was a difficult year and for other it was a year of adjustment. Other, it was a season of waiting and trying to remain faithful where we are for the time that we are there. If your year was anything like mine, it was a year that seemed to slowly chip away at a great deal of things. Now, as we arrive in 2018, a great opportunity to renew and refresh stands before me. Sure, the start of a new year is, frankly, an arbitrary date on a calendar, but nonetheless, New Years remains an opportunity for self-reflection. As Christians, this can be a phenomenal opportunity to take an honest look at who we are and where we are going. With that said, I have a few encouragements for everyone this upcoming year and some personal goals that I am setting out to accomplish.

Exodus Week 6: God’s Provision

December 28, 2017

The saga with the Egyptians, for all intents and purposes, was over for the Israelites. The army that had chased them had perished into the mighty waves of the Red Sea that God had parted for the Israelites to cross safely and rescinded when the Egyptians pursued the people under God’s care. They were well on their way to the Promised Land that God had set apart for His people. The journey, though, would not necessarily be easy. Along the way, the people would need to lean into the faith that had got them to this moment to see them through to the next.

And He Shall Be Called: Immanuel

December 25, 2017

Isaiah spoke often of the coming Messiah for the deliverance and salvation of God’s people. As the angels spoke to John, they revealed the truth of the words from Isaiah. “‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. ‘ Isaiah 7:14, NIV As with many of the names given throughout the biblical text, names carry a significance and meaning as to the nature of a person. Immanuel translates from the Hebrew to “God is with us.” The nature of Jesus’ relationship with mankind is summed up in with this name.

Exodus Week 5: God’s Victory At Sea

December 21, 2017

As the Israelites looked upon the Egyptian army bearing down on them with their backs to the Red Sea, their enslavement or death looked imminent. The situation for the Israelites appeared to be fatal. It had only been one day since they were led by the hand out God out of Egypt. Yet, having been rescued through the sovereign grace of God, the people immediately began to doubt that God had even sent Moses.

James 3:1-12 The Steering of Our Lives

December 20, 2017

It is fascinating how something so small can have such a tremendous effect. The tongue and the words we speak are an incredible guide for how we put on the full display of the Gospel in our lives. The way we address people, things, and discuss our situations can guide and steer our whole outlook and worldview. Even worse, it can reveal the treasonous nature inside of ourselves. The same mouth that produces praise for God also produces the same foul hatred and despair for others and the world around us. Clearly, the tongue, with its great potential to speak life also carries with it an undeniable temptation to tear down.

And He Shall Be Called: Prince of Peace

December 18, 2017

Jesus is the Messiah that the prophet Isaiah spoke of long before His arrival and fulfills the role as the Prince of Peace. Within Jesus is this dual identity of both being a full reigning sovereign and an approachable man. While King’s rule over their land, one of their main tasks is to protect the citizens and maintain peace throughout the land. Jesus, being a reigning sovereign, is no stranger to this task. Peace guided God to take the form of man in order to restore the right relationship between them. When man allowed sin and chaos to enter into perfection, Christ came to restore the peace between the people. The King had come and fought hard for the peace that is without end.

Exodus Week 4: God Redeems His People

December 14, 2017

As we pick up the story in chapter 11, the people of Egypt have endured nine different plagues sent by God. For some of these plagues, Pharaoh’s sorcerers were able to somewhat approximate their effects. Yet, much like the staff turning into a snake, their works never produced the same strength and power as the plagues brought down by the one, true God. Yet, for all of these plagues, the Israelites had been spared. The plagues had wreaked havoc over Egypt, punishing their source of water, their food, and their livelihood. The Israelites, however, prospered and were protected during this time. Pharaoh noticed.

James 2:14-26 A Faith Expressed

December 13, 2017

Our relationship with Chirst is transformative in that it seeps into every creavase of our being. While the bible does contain many commandments for the Christian to follow, this is not the point. The point of the Gospel is that we are saved and transformed by the power of God and guided towards a new way of living. If we believe that Jesus Christ came and died for our sins then we understand that He is offering us a new and transformed life. Our faith goes beyond mere knowledge and straight to expressing that same belief.