Cross Examination (Malachi 1:6-14)

The Lord has established for Israel that the Lord really does love Israel.  The Lord is also one who has been faithful to the promises of the covenant of grace.  The Lord has delivered, defended, and deposited Israel right where they need to be.  Now the Lord turns to cross examine Israel.  Have they loved the Lord as they should?  How has Israel failed to love the Lord?

Impartial to God’s Law (James 2:1-13)

One of the challenges of the Christian life is not allowing our earthly perspective to get in the way of our heavenly perspective.  We are people called to arrive at heaven.  We are people called to have the orientation of heaven ever before us as we sojourn through this age.  So, how is this worked out?  On the one hand we are struggling sinners called to honor the Lord and on the other hand we are called by a perfect God.  So, how are we to live our the righteous requirements of the law in light of our sinful struggle?

Mysterious Confession of Freedom (1 Timothy 4:1-5)

Paul tells us that Godliness is a mystery in 1 Timothy 3:16.  Saying that Godliness is a mysteryis a pretty profound statement because Paul is encouraging Timothy to stand against agitators in Ephesus.  How can such a statement encourage Timothy?  How can such a statement help Timothy refute the false teaching that is entering the church?  So, what happens if we lose sight of Christ being our life blood and nourishing us in our redemption?  What happens if we fail to see that Godliness is a mystery?