When asked by the Pharisees and Herodians whether or not it was lawful for Jews to pay tribute to Caesar, Jesus replied by asking whose image was engraved upon one of their coins. They answered him: “Caesar’s.” This set the stage for one of Jesus’ most famous teachings: “Render to Caesar the things that are […]
A parable is a story or saying designed to teach a deeper truth through a comparison with every-day realities. Greg Lanier explains why Jesus told parables: “Like the prophets of old, Jesus used parables to reveal the mystery of the kingdom, to stimulate reflection on sin, to call people to repentance—and to produce the opposite […]
After the triumphal entry, our Lord’s first order of business was not with the Roman occupation but with the Jews and their temple. Rather than fulfilling its role as a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:6-7), the temple had become a “den of robbers” (Jer. 7:9-11)—a sanctuary for the wicked and hypocritical, the […]
The Bible uses the imagery of fruit and fruitfulness often, and God’s word is clear that the fruit we bear in this life either leads to death or to eternal life. Yet, in one sense, to bear fruit leading to death is ultimately to be unfruitful. In other words, there is only one kind of fruitfulness […]
One of the main themes of Titus is that sound doctrine leads to wholehearted devotion. The false teachers on Crete were trying to produce godliness through their doctrine—by conformity to a set of rules and external regulations. However, their legalism only resulted in detestable, disobedient sinners with defiled hearts, “unfit for any good work” (Titus […]
Having stated the goals of gospel ministry and the qualifications of elders, Paul explains how the goals of faith and godliness are achieved in the local church: “He [an elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke […]
The church on Crete was new. Elders had not yet been appointed, the believers were fragile, and false teaching had already begun to creep into their midst. In fact, the problems they faced are no different from what we see today: issues regarding leadership, legalism, liberalism, discipleship, obedience, and overall gospel-forgetfulness. The apostle Paul had […]
The Lord Jesus Christ is returning one day in glory to judge the world, destroy his enemies, and establish his kingdom in righteousness. But when the Son of Man comes, who will be found righteous so as to dwell in his kingdom (Luke 18:8)? This is the dilemma of fall humanity. Though many put their […]
The kingdom of God—his reign over all creatures, kingdoms, and history— is one of the central themes of the Bible. Scripture is filled with promises concerning God’s future, everlasting, unchallenged, and glorious rule. Jesus Christ, the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13-14), was the sign that God himself had come in the flesh to inaugurate the […]
