PHall | May 21, 2018
For mothers, mothers of children never born, children of mothers gathered unto their mothers, mothers who had to give up their children, mothers who accepted children born of other wombs reborn in their hearts, mothers who never were but cried tears longing to be, mother-figures for those aching and empty: Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | May 4, 2018
I am always looking for different and deeper ways to teach on baptism: Jesus died on the cross and three days later was resurrected while still hanging on the cross. While everyone knows that is not accurate history, it is an accurate description of how many preach the gospel. But it has not always been […]
Category: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, I Corinthians |
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PHall | January 27, 2018
Rom 15:7: “Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.” (CSB). Unless and until we understand how Jesus’ accepts us, we will accept those whom Christ rejects; and reject those whom Christ accepts. The how and why is we are declared righteous, which we are not, by faith. […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | January 27, 2018
There are 3 types of “church people”: 1) Those who emphasize the righteousness of God to the extreme they live in constant fear for their salvation. 2) Those who emphasize the grace of God to the extreme that they live thinking God will accept any worship as long as our attitude is right. 3) Those […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | January 6, 2017
The main problem we have with everyone is they are not us. They don’t think, feel, act or react like us. They don’t always comes to the same conclusions as us, whether about people, issues, the Bible, and “most importantly” – they don’t come to the same conclusions about ourselves that we do. This includes […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | December 17, 2016
Two goals of every Christian, including (especially) every preacher: 1) Figuring out where you fit in God’s Kingdom; 2) Accepting where you fit in God’s Kingdom. Both require submission. Both require preparation. If you don’t know how God has gifted you in the Spirit (Romans 12), then you can’t fulfill either goal. A Christian doesn’t […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | October 13, 2016
“The obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26) is an intriguing phrase because of its paradoxical nature. Because of this there is an overemphasis by one side, and almost total neglect by another. That “faith” obeys is a conundrum to some because they look at faith as just a mental concept – I believe or trust […]
Category: Romans |
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Tags: Denominationalism, Grace
PHall | January 7, 2016
The Ten Commandments warn, “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Ex.20:7). Jesus reasoned in the model prayer, “Holy is your name” (Mt.6:9). Paul writes, “The name of God is blasphemed…because of you” (Rom.2:24). This goes far beyond but includes how we speak: 1) Do we promise something in God’s name and renege? 2) […]
Category: Matthew, Romans, Exodus |
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Tags: Sermon on the Mount
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 […]
Category: Romans |
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PHall | October 5, 2015
Why is it impossible for unbelievers to understand how a Christian can be against a sin, and yet love the sinner? First and as always, we believers must look at ourselves. Do we say “love” but act in hate? Do we preach against sin, but refuse to associate with sinners? Second, despite all the talk […]
Category: Romans |
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