The Glory of God

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The Tabernacle has now been prepared and assembled.  It seems as well that Moses’ make shift “Tent of Meeting” has been replaced by the new shrine.   The Tabernacle has been consecrated and so that specific work was finished for Moses.   God’s manifest presence God’s presence with his people has been represented by a pillar of… Continue reading The Glory of God

Romans 6:5-11

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Paul reinforces the point, not only have we died with Christ but we have been buried with him, our death is like his, of the same kind, a death to sin.   We share his death.  This means that we also share his resurrection (v5).  Our old self was in effect crucified with Christ so that… Continue reading Romans 6:5-11

How would I structure a church preaching programme

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How do you help a church to receive a good healthy balanced diet of Bible teaching?  Well here are some thoughts I have based on experience. I think that the crucial thing is not to over think it.  We tend to over think it when we spend a lot of time worrying about whether or… Continue reading How would I structure a church preaching programme

Moving In

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We’ve moved home a couple of times.  We’ve never built our new home from scratch. I probably don’t need to tell you that. However, each move means careful planning, getting measurements, choosing furniture, assembling shelves, hanging curtains etc.   The Israelites would one day move into “God’s place”, the promised land.  In the meantime, during their… Continue reading Moving In

Romans 6:1-4

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Paul’s interim conclusion has been that the Law has increased sin, increased the trespass or transgression.   He has also said that this is good because where sin increases, so does grace.  Does this mean that we have an excuse, a justification even for continuing to sin? Does what we do matter if we are forgiven… Continue reading Romans 6:1-4

Rebellion

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There is now an interruption to the instructions that YHWH is giving to Moses on Sinai.  Whilst Moses was meeting with God on the mountain, trouble was brewing in the camp below.  Aaron would be tested, how would he respond? “Make us gods” The people observe that Moses is taking time to return from Sinai. … Continue reading Rebellion

Patterns in Romans 5

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In Romans 5, we see a few intentional patterns at worth through repeated phrases.  First there is the idea of “much more.”   If we were “redeemed by his blood”, then “much more” will we be saved…from wrath” (v9).  If enemies were “reconciled by his death” then “much more will we be saved by his life”. … Continue reading Patterns in Romans 5

Why does Paul say that the law came to increase our wrongdoing?

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Paul’s statement in Romans 5:20 seems surprising, strange and counter intuitive even.  We expect him to tell us that the Law came to constrain and reduce the impact of sin and wrongdoing by teaching us how to live and by creating sanctions for and deterrents against wrongdoing. However, he insists not just that the Law’s… Continue reading Why does Paul say that the law came to increase our wrongdoing?

Why had the woman at the well had five husbands?

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Jesus meets a woman at a well and asks her for water.   Then, when she expresses surprise at a Jew asking her for water, he offers her living water. When he tells her to get her husband,  she explains that she cannot and he confirms she has spoken the truth.  She has in fact had… Continue reading Why had the woman at the well had five husbands?