by admin | Sep 29, 2025 | 3 John, Christ-Centered Preaching, Section Seven
This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. John wrote (3 John 1:11a ESV): Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good (τὸ ἀγαθόν). Whoever does good1 is from God (ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ἐστιν)… I wondered, “How does Jesus...
by admin | Sep 14, 2025 | 3 John, Christ-Centered Preaching, Section Seven
This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. A Catholic friend concluded that 3 John is about the canonization of the saints. John wrote that, Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority,1...
by admin | Sep 1, 2025 | 3 John, Christ-Centered Preaching, Section Seven
This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. The Call to Action in 3 John is fairly clear in the text (3 John 1:11 ESV). Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not...
by admin | Aug 24, 2025 | Explorations, Section Seven
I want to continue hearing with faith1 the truth of the Gospel in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, but first I need to record the new covenant sermon that is still coming to fruition within me. The 4th chapter of 1 John followed the 3rd: “The interlinear...
by admin | Aug 9, 2025 | Justice and Mercy, Section Seven
These essays are my notes. This one will serve as a record of what has been happening around me as I studied for the previous essay. A visiting pastor preached Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV): “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its...
by admin | Jul 24, 2025 | Justice and Mercy, Section Seven
It was brought to my attention recently in Matthew 12:18-21 that “Matthew’s and the Holy Spirit’s word choices deserve a fuller consideration”1 (Matthew 12:18 ESV). “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my...
by admin | Jul 6, 2025 | 3 John, Christ-Centered Preaching, Section Seven
This is a continuation of my notes on 3 John for the preaching class I’m taking. One feature of a sermon introduction is to “establish the context of the passage.” I have my own sketchy ideas about the historical context of 3 John, but would prefer to “establish...
by admin | Jun 23, 2025 | Explorations, Section Seven
I’ll continue hearing with faith1 the dramatic contrast of the truth of the Gospel (Ephesians 2:1-10 ESV): And you were dead in the trespasses and sins [Table] in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the...
by admin | Jun 9, 2025 | Explorations, Section Seven
I’ll continue hearing with faith1 the truth of the Gospel (Ephesians 1:15-23 ESV): For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you2 in my prayers,...
by admin | May 26, 2025 | Explorations, Section Seven
I was asked to compare the “translation” from the previous essay side-by-side with the ESV. Galatians 5:25-6:5 (ESV/EXP11) Galatians 5:25-6:5 (ESV) (Links refer back to the rationale for this particular understanding of the Greek text.) (Links refer to differences in...