Teaching Notes: On A Portrait Of Jesus

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45

Following His resurrection, Jesus opened the understanding of His disciples so they would comprehend the Scriptures (Law of Moses, Prophets, Psalms) and see that the words in them were about Jesus. The Old Testament predicted a Messiah. The New Testament revealed that Jesus is the Messiah.

The entire Bible paints a beautiful “Portrait of Jesus.”

Continue reading →

Teaching Notes: On A Case For Faith

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

You may be familiar with Lee Strobel’s book The Case for Faith. It was published three years ago (Zondervan, 2014). While I am also a career journalist and former atheist and will recommend Lee’s book to you, this Teaching Notes is not about his book.

I wrote this Bible study about 40 years ago (1976) and titled it “A Case for Faith” to address how the Apostle John presented his case for faith in Jesus Christ in his Gospel account. I had been saved for about five years by that time and was amazed at the perfection of God’s Word and the Gospel of Christ. I still am.

Continue reading →

Teaching Notes: On The Occult

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

Though I was involved in Hinduism, Taoism and Buddhism prior to becoming an atheist, I didn’t think of that as being part of the occult. However, the definition of the word might lead you to think of Eastern religions as being part of the occult –

Definition of “occult” (Dictionary.com, Merriam-Webster, Oxford Dictionary, Cambridge English Dictionary)

  • of or relating to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies
  • Mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena
  • relating to mysterious or supernaturalpowers and activities
  • beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious
  • Communicated only to the initiated; esoteric
  • not revealed
  • hidden from view

I saw the connection between Eastern mystical religions and the occult soon after becoming a Christian. As I learned more about that connection, I shared my findings in Bible studies and other speaking opportunities.

Continue reading →

Teaching Notes: On Atheism and Apologetics

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

I was a well-known atheist in the area where I lived in the late 1960’s and early 70’s because of hosting a daily radio talk show where religion was often a topic of discussion. I was a “strong” atheist and used my position to challenge and mock the beliefs of religious people, especially Christians.

After becoming a Christian, I received many invitations to share my story at churches, religious group meetings and on Christian radio programs. The earliest notes I’ve found from my talks about atheism is from a talk I gave on radio more than 40 years ago. I share these notes with the hope they might help you understand the thinking of atheists and the great privilege we have to share Christ with them.

Continue reading →

Romans – The Gospel of God (Part 46)

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” Romans 1:18-19

In our last study in Romans we looked at the history of the ungodly and unrighteous suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.

In this study we will begin looking at the purpose for God’s wrath.

Continue reading →

Teaching Notes: On The New Covenant

Posted on by under Grace Thoughts

I mentioned in the first installment of Teaching Notes that the series would be based on some of my teaching notes from the 1970’s. One of the things I like to do from time to time is compare what I’m teaching now to what I taught decades ago. It goes back to what Paul wrote Timothy about holding fast “the pattern of sound words.” As teachers of God’s Word, are we holding fast to the pattern of sound words that Jesus and His apostles gave us? Are we standing on solid ground when we open the Bible and teach the Gospel of Christ? Are we growing in our spiritual knowledge and understanding in the right direction? My hope and prayer is that we are.

In our most recent Teaching Notes we looked at the subject of Satan. We move now to what the Bible teaches about the New Covenant.

Continue reading →