Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, November 17th, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Audio Shows
The Bible Questions with Dr. Andrew Farley
When did the New Covenant begin?
November 5, 2024
While many promote the importance of the so-called "spiritual disciplines", the phrase is not found in the Bible. Instead, Scripture teaches the importance of a relationship with God that flows naturally out of grace (Titus 2:11-14). So, we can choose to pray, read the Bible, etc. because we desire to, not because we have to do them.
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When did the New Covenant begin?
October 29, 2024
The New Covenant began at the death of Christ (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:16). This means Jesus lived and ministered under the Old Covenant (Galatians 4:4). This is why some of Jesus' teachings expose the true spirit of the Old Testament law.
October 29, 2024
The New Covenant began at the death of Christ (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:16). This means Jesus lived and ministered under the Old Covenant (Galatians 4:4). This is why some of Jesus' teachings expose the true spirit of the Old Testament law.
What is the New Covenant?
October 22, 2024
The Bible teaches the new covenant is a promise that God made to Himself to save completely all who believe in Jesus (Hebrews 6:13-18). It is the promise of total forgiveness for all sins (Hebrews 8:12); a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Hebrews 8:10); freedom from the Old Covenant law (Hebrews 10:10; Galatians 5:1); and adoption as God's children (1 John 3:1; Hebrews 8:11; Galatians 4:6). It is the gospel of grace inaugurated in the blood of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 9:16-17).
October 22, 2024
The Bible teaches the new covenant is a promise that God made to Himself to save completely all who believe in Jesus (Hebrews 6:13-18). It is the promise of total forgiveness for all sins (Hebrews 8:12); a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Hebrews 8:10); freedom from the Old Covenant law (Hebrews 10:10; Galatians 5:1); and adoption as God's children (1 John 3:1; Hebrews 8:11; Galatians 4:6). It is the gospel of grace inaugurated in the blood of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20, Hebrews 9:16-17).
How can you love God more?
October 15, 2024
We've all heard we need to love God more and prove our love for Him. Some of us have even heard that we are to love God more than our own families! But this concept is actually absent from the New Testament. Scripture never encourages a new-hearted believer to love God more, because we already love Him to the utmost (1 John 3:23; Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:24). Instead, the Bible encourages believers to grow in God's love for them (Ephesians 3:19).
October 15, 2024
We've all heard we need to love God more and prove our love for Him. Some of us have even heard that we are to love God more than our own families! But this concept is actually absent from the New Testament. Scripture never encourages a new-hearted believer to love God more, because we already love Him to the utmost (1 John 3:23; Romans 6:17; Ephesians 6:24). Instead, the Bible encourages believers to grow in God's love for them (Ephesians 3:19).
What does New Testament grace giving look like?
October 8, 2024
Are we to give a set percentage of our income, like a tithe, or is it something different? New Testament grace giving is founded upon our freedom in Christ. We are not under the Law or any spiritual regulation requiring that we give a certain amount. Instead, we can decide from the heart how much we want to give to support the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 9:7).
October 8, 2024
Are we to give a set percentage of our income, like a tithe, or is it something different? New Testament grace giving is founded upon our freedom in Christ. We are not under the Law or any spiritual regulation requiring that we give a certain amount. Instead, we can decide from the heart how much we want to give to support the Gospel message (2 Corinthians 9:7).
What does it mean to be "dead to the Law"?
October 1, 2024
At salvation, believers are crucified with Christ. As a result, we die to the Law, and consequently we die to sin. Once we're taken out from under the dominion of the Law, sin no longer has power over us. As the Scripture states: "apart from the Law, sin is dead" (Romans 7:8). Under God's grace, we end up living a godly life motivated by God's Spirit within us, not by moral regulations from the Old Testament (Titus 2:11-12).
October 1, 2024
At salvation, believers are crucified with Christ. As a result, we die to the Law, and consequently we die to sin. Once we're taken out from under the dominion of the Law, sin no longer has power over us. As the Scripture states: "apart from the Law, sin is dead" (Romans 7:8). Under God's grace, we end up living a godly life motivated by God's Spirit within us, not by moral regulations from the Old Testament (Titus 2:11-12).
Why does the Sermon on the Mount contain such difficult teachings?
September 24, 2024
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is often presented as a beautiful passage to inspire spiritual growth in the believer. However, the reality is that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His audience to cut off their hands, to pluck out their eyes, and to be perfect like God. In addition, He tells them that looking with lust equals adultery and that anger is the same as murder. Finally, Jesus tells His audience to get right with others before offering their animal sacrifices and that they'll be answerable to the Sanhedrin – a Jewish council from two thousand years ago. Clearly, there's a context of Judaism that must be factored into understanding the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is purposely introducing a perfect and impossible standard (the true spirit of the Law) in order to expose the spiritual slavery and hypocrisy of His Jewish audience. With this in mind, the Sermon on the Mount is not a sweet passage for Christian growth, but instead it serves as "nails in the coffin" of anyone who thinks they can keep the true standard of the Jewish law.
September 24, 2024
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is often presented as a beautiful passage to inspire spiritual growth in the believer. However, the reality is that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His audience to cut off their hands, to pluck out their eyes, and to be perfect like God. In addition, He tells them that looking with lust equals adultery and that anger is the same as murder. Finally, Jesus tells His audience to get right with others before offering their animal sacrifices and that they'll be answerable to the Sanhedrin – a Jewish council from two thousand years ago. Clearly, there's a context of Judaism that must be factored into understanding the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is purposely introducing a perfect and impossible standard (the true spirit of the Law) in order to expose the spiritual slavery and hypocrisy of His Jewish audience. With this in mind, the Sermon on the Mount is not a sweet passage for Christian growth, but instead it serves as "nails in the coffin" of anyone who thinks they can keep the true standard of the Jewish law.
Are Christians still under the Ten Commandments (the moral law)?
September 17, 2024
The Apostle Paul states that Christians are not under the Law (Galatians 3:19-20). The Ten Commandments (the moral law) are not an exception to this freedom. We trust Jesus as our sacrifice and as our daily source of morality and ethics. Christ within us, apart from the Law, is enough to produce the godly life we desire (Galatians 5:22-23).
September 17, 2024
The Apostle Paul states that Christians are not under the Law (Galatians 3:19-20). The Ten Commandments (the moral law) are not an exception to this freedom. We trust Jesus as our sacrifice and as our daily source of morality and ethics. Christ within us, apart from the Law, is enough to produce the godly life we desire (Galatians 5:22-23).
Do Christians need to keep the Sabbath?
September 10, 2024
Some teach that Christians need to keep the Old Testament Sabbath which forbids physical work from Friday at sundown to Saturday evening. But Scripture teaches that the Sabbath was merely a shadow of the spiritual rest we enjoy in Christ (Hebrews 10:1). All who believe in Jesus enter a spiritual rest because of His finished work (Hebrews 4:3).
September 10, 2024
Some teach that Christians need to keep the Old Testament Sabbath which forbids physical work from Friday at sundown to Saturday evening. But Scripture teaches that the Sabbath was merely a shadow of the spiritual rest we enjoy in Christ (Hebrews 10:1). All who believe in Jesus enter a spiritual rest because of His finished work (Hebrews 4:3).
What is the greatest commandment?
September 3, 2024
People often believe they should try to love God with all their strength and try to love others as they love themselves. However, this misunderstanding results from misinterpreting a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee (Matthew 22:34-40). An expert in the Law came to Jesus and asked Him what were the greatest commands in the Law. Jesus answered that the greatest commandments in the Law are to love God with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. But Jesus was referring to the greatest commands in the Law, and we believers are not under the Law. Instead, we are led internally by God's Spirit and the new covenant laws written on our hearts today.
September 3, 2024
People often believe they should try to love God with all their strength and try to love others as they love themselves. However, this misunderstanding results from misinterpreting a conversation between Jesus and a Pharisee (Matthew 22:34-40). An expert in the Law came to Jesus and asked Him what were the greatest commands in the Law. Jesus answered that the greatest commandments in the Law are to love God with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. But Jesus was referring to the greatest commands in the Law, and we believers are not under the Law. Instead, we are led internally by God's Spirit and the new covenant laws written on our hearts today.
What laws are written on a believer's heart?
August 27, 2024
The laws written on a believer's heart are not the Ten Commandments, because we are no longer under the Law (Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 3:6-7). Believers have the new commands of Jesus written on our hearts: believe in Him and love one another just as He has loved us (1 John 3:23; 5:3; John 13:34).
August 27, 2024
The laws written on a believer's heart are not the Ten Commandments, because we are no longer under the Law (Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:14; 2 Corinthians 3:6-7). Believers have the new commands of Jesus written on our hearts: believe in Him and love one another just as He has loved us (1 John 3:23; 5:3; John 13:34).
