God Archives - Page 16 of 17 - The Gospel Outpost

James 3:13-18 Both Sides of Wisdom

January 10, 2018

James continues his discussion of wisdom and how we apply it to our lives as Christians. James begins with a rhetorical question challenging to the reader to take a look inward and ask “Am I wise?” Wisdom goes beyond a simple understanding of what is right. While wisdom includes understanding, it goes beyond that. Wisdom, and thus a wise person, applies what they have learned. Yet, this wisdom is easily contrasted with the wisdom of the world. The world will encourage us to pursue selfish gain over and at the expense of others. The wisdom of Heaven, though, strives for a greater and deeper expression of a life changed and redeemed by an everlasting God.

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.

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.

Nobody Special 024: Christmas Claymations and Star Wars The Last Jedi

December 15, 2017

The boys of Nobody Special give their fan theories on Star Wars the Last Jedi. And things get a little wild. And gross. Also, we look at the Christmas traditions and movies we all know and love. That is, unless you have to watch them over and over. We can all admit that Christmas Claymations were weird but they were beloved childhood memories.

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.

And He Shall Be Called: Everlasting Father

December 11, 2017

Isaiah strives to ensure the reign of God is not only established by the Might of God but also depicts the length of His reign. There is a temporal and eternal aspect of God in describing Him as both everlasting and Father. With these two words alone, there is no question as to what Isaiah is saying. Jesus reigns has been inaugurated from the beginning of time and will continue into eternity. He is the progenitor of all life and by Him all things have come into being. He is the order and the guide for all creation and He rules His people with the love and care that would spring forth from a father. He is our Everlasting Father.

And He Shall Be Called: Mighty God

December 4, 2017

Strength and might are not something to be scoffed at. Nor at they things that need to be displayed in a braggadocios manner. True strength does not need to prove itself and nothing is truly beneath it. Strength is not “too good” for a certain place or activity but neither does it feel the need to reassure its presence through multiple and numerous loud assertions. For Jesus Christ and His coming, Jesus displayed His might. While being fully God, He lowered himself and became man, a concept many other religious scoff at. Yet the reason for this is clear. He was coming to save His people and declaring war against the forces of darkness and evil.

And He Shall Be Called: Wonderful Counselor

November 27, 2017

At the front of who this coming Messiah is remains a Wonderful Counselor. When we hear this phrase our initial reaction is to reduce it to a good psychologist. He is someone we can go to who would give us good advice. However true this may be, this severely understates the full scope of Jesus Christ. When Isaiah speaks of something being “wonderful” it is not as we understand it now, but more so as something that is full of wonder. It is incomprehensible and unfathomable. The counsel that Christ brings defies the expectations of mankind and exceeds our humanly ability to understand. Furthermore, Christ goes beyond merely being a counselor as we understand that term, but he is the one who derives the plan. The counsel that Jesus brings is the plan for our salvation.

The Book of James: Faith and Works - James 2:1-13

James 2:1-13 Money and Mercy

November 22, 2017

Too often we judge a person by their financial wealth and ability to produce. We give fine seats to those who have money and influence and place them above others. Through God, however, this system is turned on it’s head. God, having all the riches of the world, chose to come to those who were poor and in need. Likewise, James exhorts the readers to do the same. Money causes problems and conflict and generally serves as the sign the world uses for worth, even intrinsic worth. With God, however, the sign of worth comes from knowing and being known by our creator and heavenly Father.