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PHall | December 2, 2015
Formal Chiasm All through 1 John, the writer has been contrasting the two groups. In this chiasm we can see these contrasts in the complementary parts. A – TRUE AND FALSE SPIRITS (1a) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, B – FALSE PROPHETS […]
PHall | December 1, 2015
Jesus tells His apostles to buy swords. Is this verse about self-defense? Is Jesus making the apostles appear to be zealots to fulfill v.37? Is the meaning metaphorical for preparing them to suffer and the sword stands for something spiritual? I believe Jesus does mean literal swords, although we have to be careful how we […]
PHall | November 25, 2015
How did Samson, the womanizing, violent, self-serving judge make it into the Hall of Faith (Hebrews 11:32)? In some strange way he and Paul are partners in grace. Paul had to learn “power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). Samson, gifted by God with great strength only learned to rely upon God when he “gained […]
PHall | November 23, 2015
What did Jesus mean when saying “My kingdom is not of this world.” Did He simply mean otherworldly as in spiritual and not physical? World or kosmos often means “the systems of the world,” and “social constructs of society.” Then Jesus shows how: “or else My servants would be fighting.” I then wondered how many […]
PHall | November 23, 2015
Jesus’ central message was not about how to get to heaven or find happiness; it was about the coming kingdom of God which is God’s rule. Put God first by submitting to His authority, then His holiness will lead you to joy and ultimately heaven. Repent for the kingdom is at hand is living the […]
PHall | November 18, 2015
1 John is notoriously hard to organize. Some suggest the epistle’s structure is best described as “rambling.” Believing the Holy Spirit to be behind the writing, I have a difficult time describing this letter in way that to me sounds at best disorganized and at worst derogatory. Part of the problem is John does so […]
PHall | November 17, 2015
A – ECHOES OF EDEN (1) “Write to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in His right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands says: B – PRESENT STAND AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS (2) I know your works, your labor, and your endurance, and that you […]
PHall | November 17, 2015
Good-hearted people are confused over what should be done with the Syrian refugees. I hope we all use these real-time ethical situations to hone our understanding of God’s demands upon us Christians. Have you noticed Romans 12 ends with an admonition to love and feed our enemies and not take violent revenge? Have you noticed […]
PHall | November 17, 2015
Parent: “You should have said, “Yes mam,” and did what your mother said. Child: “You mean whatever my mother asks me to do I should say ‘Yes mam,’ and do it?” Parent: “Yes.” Child (sarcastically): “So if she says I should jump off a cliff….” There have been many ways in which adults bemoan that […]
PHall | November 15, 2015
Revelation 2:8-11 (HCSB) Anacrusis (8) “Write to the angel of the church in Smyrna: A – JESUS’ DEATH AND LIFE “The First and the Last, the One who was dead and came to life, says: B – PHYSICAL OPPOSITE OF SPIRITUAL (9a) I know your affliction and poverty, yet you are rich. C – ADVERSARY […]