The phrase “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” comes from the Bible and refers to the inner conflict between our sinful human nature and our desire to follow God’s will. It appears in Matthew 26:41, where Jesus says to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This verse illustrates the struggle between our spiritual aspirations and our earthly limitations. Even when we want to do what’s right, our human frailties and tendencies towards sin often overpower our…
Author: Tim Collings
The baptism of John the Baptist was an important event recorded in all four Gospels in the New Testament. John the Baptist was a prophet who was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. John’s baptism had great theological significance and importance in revealing Jesus to Israel as the Son of God. John’s Identity and Ministry John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, relatives of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:5-25, 36-45). John was known as the prophet who came to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy to “prepare the way for the…
The book of 1 Samuel is one of great intrigue and interest. It details the rise of Israel’s first two kings – Saul and David. Here we will explore some of the key questions that often arise when studying this book: Why was Israel demanding a king? Up until this point, Israel had been led by judges appointed by God. However, in 1 Samuel 8 we see the elders of Israel approaching Samuel and demanding a king. Why this sudden desire for a monarchy? A few reasons are suggested: – Samuel was aging and his sons were corrupt (1 Samuel…
The question of whether a church should be “seeker sensitive” is an important one for church leaders and members to consider. At its core, it is asking how a church can most effectively fulfill Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Here is an overview of key factors church leaders should weigh when determining their approach. Defining “Seeker Sensitive” “Seeker sensitive” refers to churches that adapt their worship services and programs to better connect with non-Christians exploring faith. This could include using contemporary music, avoiding insider church language, and preaching relevant topical sermons. The goal…
Why did God let my house burn down in a fire? Introduction God allows suffering in this world for reasons that are often beyond our understanding. Even when tragedy strikes, God does not abandon us but walks with us through the fire. While a house fire can feel senseless and devastating, Christians can find hope and meaning even in the ashes. The Mystery of Suffering When personal disaster strikes, we naturally ask “Why God?” Our hearts cry out for an explanation that makes sense of the pain. Yet God’s ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and He is…
Why do we have to dress up nice for church? This is a question many Christians ask. The Bible does not give direct commands about how to dress for church, but it does provide some principles that can guide our thinking. Here are a few biblical reasons why dressing up nicely for church is encouraged: 1. To Honor God When coming together to worship God, we want to offer our best to Him (Malachi 1:6-8). Our clothing is an outward reflection of our inward attitude towards God. Dressing up nice shows we want to honor God and give Him our…
The phrase “the Lord is my banner” comes from Exodus 17:15, where Moses built an altar and called it “The Lord is my banner.” This phrase means that the Lord himself is our rallying point, our standard, our flag that we gather around and find our identity and strength in. Here are some key things the Bible teaches about what it means that the Lord is our banner: 1. The Lord unites us under Himself. In ancient times, an army would rally around their banner as they went to battle. The banner represented who they were fighting for and their…
The Bible provides wisdom and insight into why some churches thrive and grow while others struggle and decline. Ultimately, it comes down to faithfulness – both to God’s Word and to relying on His power. Churches that stay true to the Gospel and seek God’s direction tend to be spiritually vibrant. Ones that stray from biblical truth or depend on their own strength often lose their lampstand (Revelation 2:5). Here is a deeper look at what Scripture says about thriving churches versus declining ones. Thriving Churches: Preach the Word Churches that thrive focus on preaching the Word of God. They…
The verse “the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” comes from 2 Corinthians 3:6, where Paul is contrasting relying on the law (the letter) versus relying on the Holy Spirit for salvation and spiritual growth. In context, Paul is defending his ministry against those who were requiring adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. The “letter” here refers to the law of Moses – the commandments, rules, and regulations given to Israel. The law was good and served an important purpose, but it could not give life or righteousness (Galatians 3:21). Trying to earn salvation through perfect obedience to…
The Bible has much to say about the role of pastors and how Christians should relate to them. Overall, the scriptures teach that pastors are given authority by God to lead and shepherd church congregations, and believers are called to submit to and obey their pastoral leadership—but this must be balanced with discernment and an understanding that pastors are still imperfect people who can make mistakes. Here are some key principles the Bible offers on obeying pastors: Pastors are given authority by God to lead the church Several verses indicate that pastors have a God-given authority and responsibility to lead…