NextGenKent

God is a Master Designer. Jesus said He is always at work. I had always looked at that God was literally working ... like with His hands on something--focused on one thing somewhere over there . When I studied the passage in Acts 18, the truth of God working came a lot closer to me. If you have had a conflict this past week, God is working.  Acts 18 is about God working, but it is also about a man who has learned how to get in on that work and be a part of it. Paul has a mindset that has been transformed, but is also bolstered by his continued ministry and life experience.  And isn't that exactly what we want? Let me set this up for you in a more revealing sort of way of what I am getting at--take a look at this passage from a Light vs. Darkness perspective. HOME COURT: CORINTH, assumed property of Darkness.  HOME TEAM: DARKNESS and Coach Satan, various government mouthpieces--both Jewish and Gentile (after the resurrection, the Jewish system becomes a ...

If you had one wish to grow as a Christian, what would it be? At this point in my Christian walk it would be to always be filled with the Spirit to overflowing.  Ephesians 4:17-24 Paul says, "I  want to share this with you who are in the kingdom of our Master: never return to living the Gentile way of life—like those outside the kingdom." This passage talks about “a way of life” which Paul calls “a walk.” This passage states the differences between Christians and non-Christians in the way they “walk.”  Some people think that there are no differences between Christians and non-Christians other than beliefs. Some think the only difference is Christians are forgiven (also false). This passage refutes both of those beliefs.  How would you describe the “nations/Gentile” way of living in your own words? Do you know anyone living a “Gentile way of life?" Paul describes the Gentile-way as walking around in the futility of their mind (useless thou...

When John the Baptizer came onto the scene the Gospel writers stated he was fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah, Prepare the way of The Lord. How did John do this? By "leveling the playing field." The Jews' days were numbered and the time for the Temple to be no more was close at hand. Everything was about to change. The entire way of processing information from those who saw themselves 'above others' was going to be brought down--both in the spiritual and in the physical. John was preaching a "level gospel", The scribes, Pharisees and religious lawyers were going to be brought "down". The world as they knew it was about to flee! Jesus' life, death, and resurrection would cause everything to change, Nothing would ever be the same. It would be like not having a sun or a moon--or an authority who knew what to do. The 'constant things' would shift. And those who were poor and ignorant of the laws and righteousness would no...

The converted lifestyle can be understood by looking back through the Gospels and reading what the authors had in mind as they wrote.  This takes a more intuitive (meditative?) approach in synthesizing from the author’s words what is to be understood. Matthew's recording of Jesus’ message of “repent” and “follow me” was all a part of his mission to “the people dwelling in darkness…and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death” (4:16-17).  The “great light” that has “dawned” on them would shine on the “narrow gate” and “the way [that] is hard that leads to life” (7:13-14). The people’s repentance was from some very specific things—the easy yet destructive  way  that many were traveling on. Being born a Jew, being Moses’ people or being Abraham’s people was not going to be good enough for entrance.  Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven”...