Audio

What Makes Christianity Christian?

• Lesson 1 for the week of March 25 to April 1

Background Considerations: The earliest surviving picture of Jesus was scratched on a plaster wall in the city of Rome about 200 A.D. In the crude graffiti a human body, drawn from the backside, is stretched...

Continue reading →

Blessed Assurances in Revelation

• Lesson 13 for the week of March 18 to March 25

Background Considerations: Of all the books of the Bible, Revelation promises the greatest assurance, especially to those who have been oppressed, marginalized, wronged, in other words those needing hope the most. If one stands back...

Continue reading →

Witnessing With Assurance

• Lesson 12 for the week of March 11 to March 18

Background Considerations: A confident Christian has something to say about faith and is not afraid to say it. Although gifts vary and levels of intensity (from nature and nurture!) differ among people, those who have...

Continue reading →

God’s Assurance in Baptism and the Communion

• Lesson 11 for the week of March 4 to March 11

Background Considerations: Christians all over the world relate in different ways to sacraments. In many places you can never have too many; there is a ritual every time you turn around. And people find it...

Continue reading →

Assurance and the Final Judgment

• Lesson 10 for the week of February 26 to March 4

Background Considerations: The appearance in the same sentence of “assurance” and “judgment” seems to create an oxymoron; this does not make sense, because people are normally not encouraged by references to accountability and assessment. Are...

Continue reading →

Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses

• Lesson 9 for the week of February 19 to February 26

Background Considerations: Reviewing some definitions of “faith” might prove helpful in a good Bible dictionary in preparation for the discussion of this lesson. The Old Testament is more holistic and uses terms like faithfulness and...

Continue reading →

Assurance and Christ’s High-Priestly Ministry

• Lesson 8 for the week of February 12 to February 19

Background Considerations: The book of Hebrews is unlike others in the New Testament in its focus and style. What can we know about the background of this book which could help us interpret it? From...

Continue reading →

John’s Experience and Assurance of Salvation

• Lesson 7 for the week of February 5 to February 12

Background Considerations: The material from John is among the later materials which make up our New Testament. Perhaps this explains some of the reflective nature of this literature since it comes out of a mature...

Continue reading →

Peter’s Growth in the Grace of Christ

• Lesson 6 for the week of January 29 to February 5

Background Considerations: By all counts, the biblical treatments of the Apostle Peter, find him to be an intriguing character in the cast of disciples. Brash, arrogant, pushy, assertive, vocal, impatience, a grand-stander ­ these all...

Continue reading →

Paul’s Experience and Teaching of Assurance

• Lesson 5 for the week of January 22 to January 29

Background Considerations: The major issue at stake in this lesson has to do with sanctification and salvation as they relate to assurance. While Paul’s experience on the Damascus Road is the focal point for the...

Continue reading →

Christ’s Assurance of Justification by Faith

• Lesson 4 for the week of January 15 to January 22

Background Considerations: It might make some sense, in thinking about this lesson, to consult a good dictionary and a good Bible dictionary on terms like: guilt, forgiveness, justification. The latter in particular is a technical...

Continue reading →

The Work of Christ: Our Assurance

• Lesson 3 for the week of January 8 to January 15

Background Considerations: The issue in this lesson does not have so much to do with the nature of Christ as with his activities on our behalf as reason for assurance. Over the centuries, believers have...

Continue reading →

The Person of Christ: Our Assurance

• Lesson 2 for the week of January 1 to January 8

Background Considerations: The Christian centuries have witnessed endless debates about the person and nature of Christ. These extended from conflicts about the divinity of Jesus and the idea of a trinity during the first five...

Continue reading →

The Foundation of Our Assurance

• Lesson 1 for the week of December 25 to January 1

Assurance and the Bible: One of the major issues in this lesson has to do with the trustworthiness of the Bible as a source of assurance. How might one get at this concern? What kinds...

Continue reading →