A quick explanation of what is called the Synoptic Problem dealing with the Synoptic Gospels. I was either going to post this or post a song about it. Be thankful that you got this version.
After thousands of years with written scripture, you would think we would all have the basics down by now. I was recently asked, "Why preaching remains important for the ministry of church leadership?" The short answer is found in Matthew 28:19-20, " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Making disciples and teaching. That's the simple answer. " Go tell the world about me. I was dead but now I live. I've gotta go now for a little while but goodbye is not the end." I go back to these lyrics to a song by Cain talking about the Great Commission often. What the apostles endured wasn't supposed to lie in the grave with them as the disciples would soon need to become teachers. They were reluctant at first to travel outside o...
It is easy to focus on King David as the great king he was and the valiant young man that slayed the fearsome Goliath. But just like so many human leaders, he was a broken man and his sins had great consequences for him, his family and his lineage. Our reason for talking about it here isn't to denigrate but to remind ourselves of our humanity, our predilection towards sin and our need for grace. Sometimes we forget how much grace we are shown. King David was known as a man with a heart for God. His early years showed cunning, prowess and courage in the face of insurmountable odds. His faith and anointing definitely gave him a well earned confidence. Yet, a point came where he wasn't leading his men to battle. In fact, on the one such occasion he stayed back and Bathsheba just happened to catch his eye. They say, "Idle hands make for the devil's playground." His lack of focus on the battles his nation was fighting definitely al...
A good engineer will tell you sound structure is crucial. Possibly because anything that withstands the ravages of time and nature has to have a firm foundation and solid design. Historically, I can see that as well. When opening the New Testament, you find that a lot has changed since Malachi. One has to note that the split nation of Israel fought each other and they would often enlist neighbors in their infighting. Those neighbors got used to the idea of attacking Israel (Judea and the Northern Kingdom.) Syria would take over parts of the Northern Kingdom, Assyria would conquer Samaria and take them captive in 723, The Babylonians would destroy the Assyrians in 586, Persian ruler Cyrus would conquer the Babylonian empire (which included Jerusalem), in 332 Greek leader Alexander The Great would dominate Judea and Jerusalem and Romans would capture Jerusalem in 70. Quick detour: For some reason, in my head, I hear the song "Istanbul" by They Might Be Giants... "I...
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