One of the most convincing proofs that the risen Lord Jesus had poured out the promised Holy Spirit can be seen in the events following Peter’s sermon on Pentecost. Luke not only records that those who received Peter’s words were baptized were added to the church (v.41), but he also gives a comprehensive portrait of […]

What does the church need for effective witness in the world today? Do we need celebrity pastors to attract ‘seekers’ with inspiring messages? How about awesome worship ‘experiences’ that merely copy the world’s entertainment? Do we need a fresh demonstration of signs and wonders? Or should we keep quiet on the sound doctrine that the […]

The ascension of the risen Lord Jesus and the sending of the Spirit are the two primary events in redemptive history that explain the incredible growth of the Christian church in Acts. However, between them, Luke includes the brief story of how another disciple was chosen to replace Judas as one of the twelve Apostles. While […]

After two years through the gospel of Luke we come to the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry. But this is far from the end of his story. The exaltation of the risen Lord Jesus to the right hand of the Father, and the sending of the promised Holy Spirit, was the catalyst that sparked the […]

We know that forty days after his resurrection, and after appearing to over 500 people, Jesus ascended into heaven to the right hand of the Father. He now intercedes for us and will one day return in glory. But, with Jesus no longer physically in our midst, how can we know that Jesus is truly […]

Psalm 78 demonstrates that, from Moses to David, Israel repeatedly failed to believe God. Despite his abundant mercy and grace, they failed to trust his saving power, to keep the covenant, and to obey his law. And one of the fundamental causes behind Israel’s constant sin and rebellion was that they forgot the Lord their […]

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 […]

What is the church? A typical, modern-day conception of the church is that it is a building where you go to hear preaching and singing once a week (or at least on Christmas and Easter).  But the question is a bit misleading. The church is not so much a what but a who. According to Scripture, the […]

Throughout Luke, we’ve seen glimpses of Jesus’ divinity in his supernatural authority over sickness, demons, nature, and even death; he’s was not just a prophet or a good teacher but Immanuel, God with us. But in the event of his transfiguration, his humanity was peeled back enough for his divine glory to physically shine. As […]

The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. This sign not only shows us Jesus’ compassion towards the crowds and his divine power to multiply the food, but—like every other miracle Jesus performed—points us to why he was sent into the world. In John’s gospel, speaking to the crowds […]

“A sower went out to sow his seed”—so begins one of the most familiar parables of Jesus, a profound teaching found in all three Synoptic gospels (Matt. 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15). Jesus frequently would illustrate kingdom truths and spiritual realities with images, stories, and experiences from everyday life that would relate to his hearers.  Yet the purpose […]

As if the events surrounding the outset of Jesus’ public ministry weren’t profound enough, Luke records yet another astonishing and pivotal moment in his gospel.  Having entered the local synagogue and read from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus rolls up the scroll and declares: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:20-21). He was humbly […]

As Paul begins to bring his epistle to a close, he exhorts the church to “be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might” (Eph. 6:10). He masterfully weaves together the many themes present throughout the letter in order to encourage the saints to put on the gospel armor of God in its entirety, […]

Continuing to describe the practical outworking of being filled with the Spirit, namely, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Eph. 5:21), Paul applies the gospel to the relationships between children and their parents, as well as slaves (employees) and their masters (employers). In these relationship, believers are radically called to be obedient, kind, gracious, […]

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Eph. 2:19). Thus Paul concludes this magnificent chapter with a stunning picture of sinful humanity, both Jew and Gentile, being built together into the temple of God. This holy dwelling place is built upon […]