Dr Paul Allen

The Temptation of Christ, 1854 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” HEBREWS 4:15 Jesus Christ provides us with the perfect example of how to defeat temptation . Learning how to successfully resist temptation is vitally important, for we sin only when we yield to temptation. Christians throughout history have recognized the importance of resisting temptation. One early believer wrote, “Fly from all occasions of temptation, and if still tempted, fly further still. If there is no escape possible, then have done with running and show a bold face and take the two–edged sword of the Spirit.” The desire to escape temptation has led many in the history of the church to attempt heroic but ultimately futile feats of ascetic self–denial. So desperate did one monk become that he threw himself into a thicket of thorn bushes! Unfortunately, that did...

“But thanks be to God , which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ .” ( 1 Corinthians 15:57 ) There are innumerable things for which we could—and should—give thanks to God. But there are three notable gifts mentioned by Paul in his letters to the Corinthians in which he was led to use this particular exclamation: “Thanks be to God.” We shall do well to look at these great blessings, and then—like Paul—pour out our own thanks to God for them! The first is in our text above, giving thanks for God’s gift of victory. And what victory is that? “Death is swallowed up in victory” (v. 54), and death has lost its terrible sting for the believer, for Christ conquered death forever when He died for our sins and rose again. The second is similar yet goes beyond even the first gift: “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place” ( 2 Corinthians2:14 ). Not only victory over death but v...

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God ; that ye may know that ye have eternal life , and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” ( 1 John 5:13 ) We are informed in Scripture that He assigns great value and power to His Name. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” ( Acts4:12 ). “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” ( Philippians 2:9-10 ). He protects and empowers us to do great things in service to Him. “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” ( Psalm 3:3 ). “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler” ( Psalm 91:4 ). In His service and following His lead, we are victorious. “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy ...

Christmas 2003: The Nativity (Photo credit: DUCKMARX ) “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ .” ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ) It has been observed that this first-written of Paul’s epistles contains more direct references to the second coming of Christ than any of his other writings. Each of its chapters comes to a close with a reference to Christ ’s return in relation to some aspect of His great salvation, as applied to our personal lives. In the first chapter, he speaks of the second coming in relation toservice. “. . . how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven” (1:9-10). Then, in the second chapter, Paul speaks of soul-winning. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” Next, there is an emphasis on stability. “T...

English: Cross in the village of Úsilné, České Budějovice District, Czech Republic with the writing 'Blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ'. Česky: Křížek v obci Úsilné v okrese České Budějovice s nápisem 'Pochválen buď Pán Ježíš Kristus'. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ .” 2 PETER 1:8 If you are a Christian, your life will produce spiritual fruit. If you want to enjoy assurance of salvation in all its richness, you need to faithfully pursue all the virtues we have been studying this past week. The reason is simple—they produce fruit in the Christian life , and nothing is a better indicator of true salvation than that. It was the criterion Christ used to distinguish between the true and false believer (Matt. 7:15–20). The reasonable question that ought to arise next is, what is fruit? The New Testament says it encompasses m...

No Trespassing (Photo credit: K2D2vaca ) 2 Thessalonians 3:6,11-13 - In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ , we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Trespassing on other people’s property carries consequences. “No Trespassing” signs usually carry a threat of prosecution if someone steps over the boundaries. This analogy can be applied to our relational and spiritual boundaries as well. The Bible repeatedly affirms this principle, saying that there are consequences to “trespassing.” It tells us that “if we walk one way, this will happen, and if we walk another way, something else will happen.” Just...

Ovrios, the tradition of burning the Jude (who betrayed Jesus Christ), in Kondariotissa. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear , pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” ( Jude 1:22-23 ) In the context of this passage, Jude has been exhorting us to “build up” ourselves in the “most holy faith,” keeping ourselves in God’s love and looking forward to “the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ ” ( Jude 1:20-21 ). The instructions that follow may apply to us and our fellow believers. If so, then these categories would fit the “vessels of . . . dishonor” that Paul alludes to that are in a “great house” ( 2 Timothy 2:20 ). “Of some have compassion, making a difference.” Some of those in our circle of influence need our “pity.” The word choices imply a desperate need that we must attempt to remedy. Many of the Lord’s healing miracles were done because of compassion. We are encouraged to “mak...

Everything God does in our lives is for our benefit, including suffering . Though they never seem pleasant at the time, hard times produce wonderful benefits in our lives. Affliction drives us to God’s word. Here are seven more benefits of suffering: Affliction drives us to God in prayer Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. PS 107:6 When the sun’s shining and everything’s going our way, we don’t feel our need for God. But desperate times lead to desperate prayer. When we’re helpless to change our situation, we cry out to our Savior, who delivers us from our distress. Affliction humbles us So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 CO 12:7 Afflictions remind us of how fragile we are. It keeps us lowly. Reminds us that ...

GOD IS BORED OF YOU (Photo credit: Tom Coates ) The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. The believer who lives close to the Father ’s heart is free to express his feelings to Him. You do not have to be uptight with God . He knew every detail of your life the moment He created you. When you were saved, the Lord Jesus Christ understood all of your past failures and hang-ups and your future struggles. Because you are now His child for all eternity, you can be completely honest with Him. You can pour out your hurts, your anger, your disappointments, your secrets, and your dreams to the Lord. He will never reject you (Heb. 13:5). You can never turn away His steadfast love. There will be times when you do not understand what God is up to in your life. God’s presence may seem distant. Because you have God’s assurance of His presence and because of His unceasing activity on your behalf, you can still cling to Him and worship Him in the knowledge ...

The Lord Jesus Christ was about to depart for heaven to return to His former glory ( cf. John 17:1–6). Before doing that, He left the apostles with a final, dramatic moment which provided powerful motivation for carrying on His work. To their amazement, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight (cf. vv. 2, 11, 22).  Jesus, in His glorious resurrection body, left this world for the realm of heaven to take His place on the throne at God’s right hand. Back on the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50), the shocked apostles were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing. To their further consternation, angels, described as two men in white clothing, suddenly appeared and stood beside them.  Such angelic appearances were not unusual (Gen. 18:2; Josh. 5:13–15; Mark 16:5). Two of them confirm the promise of Christ ’s return as true (cf. John 8:17). These angels asked the bewildered apostles, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand...

Roman soldier from a Calvary (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” ( Psalm  22:18 )   The 22nd Psalm is justly famous as a remarkable prophetic preview of the sufferings and death of the Lord Jesus on the cross, written by David approximately 1,000 years before it was fulfilled. It describes in accurate detail the sufferings of the Lord and the actions of the sneering spectators as they watched Him die.   One of the most heartless acts of the Roman soldiers carrying out the crucifixion was the indignity of stripping Him of the garments He was wearing and then dividing them among themselves, even gambling to determine who would get His seamless vesture. The significance of this cruel scene is indicated by the fact that it is one of the very few specific events in the life of Christ recorded in all four Gospels .   We must not forget that the Lord Jesus Christ once had been arrayed, as it were, in...