Show Me Thy Glory

In Exodus 33, Moses boldly asked God, "I pray Thee, show me Thy glory."  Moses had already experienced remarkable revelations from God and already enjoyed a unique intimacy with Him, but he still desired more of God Himself.  God graciously answered this audacious prayer by showing Moses as much of His glory as Moses could physically survive.  This account challenges us to stir up our desires after God Himself and to boldly pray similar prayers.

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God's Guidance for Our Decisions

Many Christians have questions about how to discern "God's will for their lives" as they make major life decisions.  God's Word promises that He will provide guidance and wisdom to His people.  God communicates His direction to us in various ways, such as through Scripture, Prayer, Waiting upon Him, Providence, Counsel, and the subjective leading of the Holy Spirit.  

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God Working Through Ordinary People

In this final message from the book of Ruth, we consider the remarkable workings of a sovereign God.  God used this small Bethlehem family to play a crucial role in His great purposes, leading to King David and then the Lord Jesus Christ.  Outline:  (1) God has a plan, (2) His plan is being sovereignly accomplished, and (3) He is accomplishing His plan through ordinary people.

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Truths for Family Life

The Book of Ruth provides clear examples that we can apply in our family relationships.  This message covers these major truths: (1) the importance of God's blessing upon your family, (2) the duty of honoring your parents, (3) the importance of godly character in the person that you marry, and (4) the blessing of having and raising children.

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The Blessed Results of Redemption

The latter half of Ruth chapter 4 describes the manifold blessings that resulted from Boaz redeeming Ruth and Naomi.  This message highlights two truths illustrated here: (1) Redemption leads to a lifelong love relationship.  (2) Within that relationship, God is pleased to pour out His wondrous blessings.


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Redemption Pictured - Part 2

In this second message from Ruth 4, we see five additional parallels between Boaz' redemption and the redeeming work of Christ.  (1) The redeemer was motivated by love, (2) redemption was a public transaction, (3) redemption was a legal transaction, (4) redemption was a costly transaction, and (5) redemption was a completed transaction.


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Redemption Pictured - Part 1

In Ruth 4, Boaz becomes the redeemer of Ruth and Naomi.  In Boaz' redemption we see numerous parallels to the redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  In this message we examine three of these: (1) Redemption was prompted by need, (2) The redeemer had to be a close relative, and (3) the redeemer had to be willing to act.

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Pursuing Christ

This message is directed to the non-Christian who wants to become a Christian.  In Ruth's pursuit of Boaz for marriage, we have a rich picture of a sinner's pursuit of Jesus Christ for salvation.  Ruth pursued (1) aggressively, (2) exclusively, and (3) submissively.


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Finding Rest in Christ

Ruth's midnight marriage proposal made to Boaz at the threshing floor was motivated by her need to find "rest" and security.  This pictures the sinner's need to find rest in a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

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Ruth Among Boaz' Workers: A Picture of the Church

In our second message from Ruth chapter 2, we consider four additional spiritual truths illustrated in the story of Ruth gleaning in Boaz' grain fields.  We draw attention to Ruth's remarkable faith and her relationship with Boaz' other workers.

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Ruth Meeting Boaz: A Gospel Picture

Ruth first met her eventual husband Boaz when she was a poor gleaner in his barley field.  The circumstances of their meeting and his gracious treatment of her provide illustrations of several great gospel truths about sinners coming to Christ for salvation.

Bitter and Broken on the way to Blessing

Naomi describes her life as bitter, empty, and full of God's affliction.  In this message, we consider (1) the extent of her bitterness, (2) the Cause of her bitterness (God Himself), and (3) the purpose of these bitter experiences (to make her repent and return to the Lord).  Though Naomi believed her life was bitter and that God was against her, all these experiences had been graciously given by God to bring to the place of unbelievable blessing.

Turning Back or Pressing On?

Ruth and Orpah had similar backgrounds but in Ruth 1:14ff they make very different decisions about their futures.  Ruth chose Jehovah and His people, while Orpah chose the religion and people of Moab.  Their contrasting decisions illustrate four vital salvation truths concerning apostasy and perseverance.

Hearing and Responding to the Gospel

Naomi's decision to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem provides a remarkable picture of a lost person (1) hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and (2) responding to that message with repentance and faith.

Bleak Reality in a Sin-Ruined World

The Book of Ruth begins with a heartbreaking description of sin and its consequences.  This is not only the beginning the remarkable story of Ruth but it's also where the gospel of Jesus Christ begins.  It's only when we see our dark and hopeless condition under sins that we appreciate the glorious light of Christ.

Vital Christian Characteristics

In the closing verses of Peter's first epistle, he commends messenger Silvanus and conveys greetings to the letter's recipients.  In the course of these verses, however, Peter mentions six characteristics of Christians that summarize major themes of the entire epistle: faithfulness, grace, being chosen by God, love, peace and being in Christ.  This message examines each of these vital characteristics of each believer.

God of All Grace

In 1Peter 5:10, God is described as "the God of all grace".   Because He is so gracious, the passage teaches us, the Christian (1) can endure suffering, (2) can be certain of entering eternal glory, (3) will grow in sanctification and stability, and (4) will be moved to worship God.

Your Adversary, the Devil

The Apostle Peter warns us Christians about the Devil, our spiritual adversary.  In this message, we consider (1) the reality of the Devil, (2) the destructive activity of the Devil, particularly via his lies and temptations, and (3) how we must resist the Devil.  Not only are we able to resist his schemes, but the Bible promises that we will succeed through the victory that Christ won for us at the Cross.

Casting Anxiety

1Peter 5:7 provides a powerful  solution for the common human problem of anxiety.  God simply commands us to "cast" those anxieties from ourselves and onto Himself, our loving Heavenly Father.  We can safely trust God with all our problems "because He cares for you."

Humble Yourself

Pride is a major problem in living the Christian life.  In 1Peter 5:5-6 the Apostle Peter describes three relationships in which humility is needed: toward elders, toward everyone in the church, and toward God Himself.  The passage also gives three strong incentives to pursue greater humility: (1) God is opposed to proud people. (2) God gives grace to humble people.  (3) God will exalt the humble in His time.

Elders Exhorted

The Apostle Peter specifically exhorts church elders.  He first describes their work as "shepherding the flock" and "exercising oversight".  Then he gives them six specific directions in carrying out these essential activities within the local church.

Judgment at the Household of God

1Peter 4:17-18 sets forth three weighty, sobering truths: (1) Our salvation involves difficulty, (2) God is bringing judgment upon His people, and (3) God will ultimately punish non-Christians with unimaginable suffering.

Christian Suffering

Christians suffer all manner of hardships, trials, afflictions, and persecution.  In this passage in 1Peter 4:12-19, the Word of God provides eight principles for understanding and responding to the difficulties of life.

Spiritual Gifts

Peter's words in 1Peter 4:10-11 teach us five truths about spiritual gifts:  (1) Every Christian has received one or more gifts, (2) The source of all gifts is God's grace, (3) Our gifts should be used to benefit other Christians, (4) Our gifts are empowered by God Himself, and (5) Our gifts should ultimately result in God being glorified.

Hospitality

In 1Peter 4:9, Christians are exhorted to "be hospitable to one another without complaint".  This message examines what hospitality means, a proper attitude in doing it, the benefits it conveys, and practical suggestions for implementing it in our lives.

Sin of Testing God

We are tempted to "put God to the test" in various areas of life.  Instead of focusing on these phenomena, God's Word directs us to His greatest sign: Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected.

Fervent, Forgiving Love in the Church

"Above all", Peter urges in 1Peter 4:8, Christians much maintain a fervent love for each other.  Because of this love, they will be able to "cover" a "multitude of sins" (and other offenses) in genuine forgiveness.

Motivations for Holy Living

In 1Peter 4:1-7 the Apostle Peter exhorts his readers to forsake sin and pursue holiness. This message examines six strong motives for greater sanctification as found in these verses.

"Baptism Now Saves You"

This message examines the topic of water baptism.  On the one hand we may be tempted to despise baptism -- either failing to be baptized ourselves or not appreciating the beneficial role of baptism in our salvation.  On the other hand, many make too much of baptism, even perverting the Gospel by adding human good works to the all-sufficient saving work of Christ.  We seek to avoid both extremes by rightly understanding the Apostle Peter's teaching in 1Peter 3:21.

The Days of Noah

The Biblical account of Noah, the Ark, and the Flood teaches five great truths: (1) Christ is involved in the preaching of truth, (2) God is amazingly patient with sinners, (3) God is nevertheless willing to punish sinners in a devastating way, (4) Most people will not heed the warning of coming judgement, and (5) A few will be saved by faith in Christ (of whom the Ark is a type).

Tuesday evening Bible Study location change

As we've announced at recent meetings, the location of our Tuesday evening Bible Study is being changed.  Beginning with this coming Tuesday, June 4, we will be meeting at the Paquin Tower building about two miles west of my house.

Paquin Tower is a 15 story (tallest building in Columbia) apartment building situated at the northern edge of the MU campus.  The building has 200 units of subsidized housing for people with disabilities, and all the residents have been invited to the Study.   We will be meeting in the main floor lobby "dining room" area.  The start time will continue to be at 6:30PM.

The building is conveniently located, being a little south of Broadway and a little west of College Blvd.  The simplest route is to take Broadway to College Blvd., then turn left (south) on College and, after a few blocks, turn right (west) onto Paquin Street.  The Paquin Tower main lobby entrance is on the right.  You (definitely) can't miss it.

Abundant parking is available on Paquin Street and surrounding streets.  All the metered street parking is free after 6PM.  We've been asked to NOT park in the Paquin Tower parking lot.

Here's a Google map of the location:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=1201+Paquin+Street,+Columbia,+MO&hl=en&ll=38.947878,-92.32348&spn=0.009579,0.021136&sll=38.947661,-92.323383&sspn=0.004823,0.010568&gl=us&hnear=1201+Paquin+St,+Columbia,+Boone,+Missouri+65201&t=m&z=16

We're thankful to have a meeting place in such a great location, and we're especially thankful for the outreach opportunity toward the building's residents.  We greatly need the Lord's help to bring the right folks to the Study and make future study times profitable. 

Christ Brings Us to God

The heart of the gospel message is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Christ went through all these things "that He might bring us to God".

Approaching Apologetics

Apologetics is the area of theology concerned with defending the Christian faith against the objections of unbelievers.  This message examines the Bible's remarkable descriptions of unbelievers and how these truths should affect our apologetic approach.

Preparing for Persecution

Some form of persecution is inevitable for all Christians.  This passage exhorts believers to prepare for persecution in these ways: (1) Be zealous, (2) Be fearless, (3) Be submitted to the Lordship of Christ, (4) Be ready to defend your faith, and (5) Keep a good conscience.

Love Life and See Good Days

1Peter 3:8-12 provides God's instructions for those who desire to "love life and see good days". In order to have a joyful life without regrets: (1) Love people, (2) Humble yourself, (3) Forsake sin, and (4) Walk closely with God.

The Love of Christ Controls Us

Jesus Christ's love for us who are Christians should be a powerful motivating force in our lives, as it was for the Apostle Paul. It is only reasonable that we should live for Him who lovingly laid down His life for us.

Marriage: Understand and Honor

After addressing wives, the Apostle Peter gives instructions to husbands.  They must (1) live with their wives in an understanding way and (2) grant their wives honor.  In addition, the text provides three reasons why it is so important that the husband do so: The wife is a weaker vessel, she is a fellow-heir of the grace of life, and disobedience will hinder the husband's prayer life.

Marriage: Submission Encouraged and Defended

In 1Peter 3:1-6, the submissive wife is given four strong encouragements: (1) winning her husband's salvation, (2) providing a beautiful, lasting adornment, (3) that she need not submit in fear, and (4) that her submission is precious in God's sight.  The message concludes with nine responses to the common criticisms brought against this Biblical teaching.

Marriage: Submission Described

The Apostle Peter exhorts wives to be submissive to their own husbands.  This message describes what this means, discusses the example of Sarah and Abraham, includes other Scriptures with this same teaching, and considers exceptions to this general rule of wives' submission.

Accomplishments of Christ's Suffering

Christ's suffering at the cross yielded great benefits for all believers.  According to 1Peter 2:24-25, He (1) bore the penalty for our sins, (2) caused us to die to the controlling power of sin, (3) made us live unto righteousness, (4) healed our whole person, and (5) brought us back under the care of the Shepherd. 

Expectantly Receiving and Freely Distributing

God encourages us to come to Him expecting to receive large measures of glorious grace.  We then have the privilege of freely distributing these gracious things unto others.

Christ Our Example

The Apostle Peter calls us to imitate Jesus Christ in His example of patient, humble, submissive suffering as He was abused by unjust authorities at the time of His crucifixion.

The Christian Employee

As Christians, we should be ideal employees.  We're called to submit to our bosses, giving them "all respect" and full obedience.  Ultimately we do our work "heartily, as unto the Lord."

Submitting to Civil Government

In 1Peter 2:13-17 Christians are called to submit ourselves to "every human institution." Three reasons are also provided for why this is so important.

Abstain from Fleshly Lusts

Peter tenderly exhorts believers to abstain from sinful lusts.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ provides power for deliverance from these stronghold sins that "wage war against the soul".

Proclaiming the Excellencies of Christ

Peter describes the Christian church as a chosen race, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, and those who are actively proclaiming the excellencies of Christ.

Living Stones in a Spiritual House

Christians are described in various ways in 1Peter 2:4-10.  This message discusses four truths about believers, specifically that they: (1) come to Christ by faith, (2) are like living stones, (3) are built together into a spiritual house, and (4) are priests offering spiritual sacrifices.

Word of God - Part 2

The theme of 1Peter 1:23-2:3 is the Word of God. This message discusses four additional truths about the Word from this passage: (1) It enables believers to put aside sin, (2) It should be strongly desired, (3) It is pure, and (4) It produces spiritual growth.