The Transfiguration of Jesus

The latest from Thinking Faith...


The Transfiguration of Jesus
This Sunday’s gospel reading is the account of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. Luke tells us that the disciples who witnessed Jesus’s encounter with Moses and Elijah were terrified by what they saw and heard, but Jack Mahoney suggests that this experience was one that nourished and encouraged them. What can we learn from this event, as Peter, James and John did, about the Christ towards whom we journey throughout Lent?

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Read also my sermon A Transfiguration of Love.

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A Transfiguration of Love

A Transfiguration of Love

Text: Luke 9:28-36

Sermon Statement

The transfiguration of Jesus Christ is a God-event which affirms who Jesus is and encourages him to the cross. We can draw encouragement from a God who loves us that he plans for our redemption through his son, Jesus Christ.

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Who is Jesus' Grandfather?

GOOD QUESTION Why Jesus' Genealogies Don't Match Up What the two genealogies of Christ, found in Matthew and Luke, are really trying to say. By Grant Osborne

Is Jesus paternal grandfather Jacob (Matt.1:15) or Heli (Luke 3:23b)?

Interesting answers from Prof. Osborne. Grant Osborne is professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.

Matthew's list resembles those used by rulers to justify their rank and status, and by families to determine connections to a common ancestor. Matthew arranges his genealogy into three groups of 14 names each. In Jewish gematria—a kind of numerology stemming from the fact that letters of the Hebrew alphabet were also numbers—names have numerical value. The three consonants for David add up to 14. So Matthew underscores Jesus' kingly ancestry by working in groups of David, or 14.

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Overflowing from the Fullness of Christ

Strengthening in the Fullness of Christ

Building Up in the Fullness of Christ

Jesus, the Universe and Red Cliff

The latest from Thinking Faith...


The Letter to the Colossians: Jesus and the Universe
As we conclude the Year of St Paul, Brian Purfield looks at Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, in which the primacy of Christ is highlighted. The apostle tells the Christians at Colossae that Christ is the ‘the first-born of all creation’ – why was this such an important message for Paul to teach, and how do we let this shape our faith? Read >>

http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20090623_1.htm

Film Review: Red Cliff
Reviewed by Nathan Koblintz
Red Cliff depicts the battle between the end of the Han dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms that sits as a myth at the centre of popular Chinese history. It is beautifully put together, the battle scenes played out at every perspective and speed imaginable, interspersed with long descriptive shots of weapons, feathers, mountains, facial features. Perhaps we can find something challenging in the film’s depiction of heroism... Read more >>

http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/FILM_20090623_1.htm

Famous Last Words on Good Friday

The last seven sentences of Jesus Christ



Sermon Statement

Jesus’ famous last words revealed who he is and what he had done for us – God incarnate and the penal substitution for our sins

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Famous Last Words on Good Friday

The last seven sentences of Jesus Christ



Sermon Statement

Jesus’ famous last words revealed who he is and what he had done for us – God incarnate and the penal substitution for our sins

read more

Film Review on Fireproof

I am normally quite sceptical of "Christian movies" because they are usually quite predictable and you sort of know the ending which is usually happy or as expected.

Fireproof is about two persons in a marriage. The marriage is on the rocks and they are about to get a divorce. The husband, Captain Caleb is a fire fighter and lives by the code that "never leave your partner behind." The wife is Catherine, a hospital administrator who is tempted to commit adultery. Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a forty day test called "The Love Dare."

This movie is a good reminder that commitment to the Lord, who is the third person in a marriage is an effective way to "fireproof" a marriage.

Film Review on Fireproof

I am normally quite sceptical of "Christian movies" because they are usually quite predictable and you sort of know the ending which is usually happy or as expected.

Fireproof is about two persons in a marriage. The marriage is on the rocks and they are about to get a divorce. The husband, Captain Caleb is a fire fighter and lives by the code that "never leave your partner behind." The wife is Catherine, a hospital administrator who is tempted to commit adultery. Caleb's father challenges his son to commit to a forty day test called "The Love Dare."

This movie is a good reminder that commitment to the Lord, who is the third person in a marriage is an effective way to "fireproof" a marriage.

Look Up, Look Up

Text: Numbers 21: 4-9

Sermon Statement

Only by looking up at Christ on the Cross do we receive the grace to be saved, strengthened, comforted and healed.

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Look Up, Look Up

Text: Numbers 21: 4-9

Sermon Statement

Only by looking up at Christ on the Cross do we receive the grace to be saved, strengthened, comforted and healed.

read more

Jesus: Man, Messiah or More

With biblical scholar Darrell Bock and others weighing the evidence, a new, eight-part documentary series offered by Day of Discovery asks the question, "Jesus: Man, Messiah, or More?" The first installment is available now for free; later ones to come next month.

Jesus: Man, Messiah or More

With biblical scholar Darrell Bock and others weighing the evidence, a new, eight-part documentary series offered by Day of Discovery asks the question, "Jesus: Man, Messiah, or More?" The first installment is available now for free; later ones to come next month.

Problems with the Manga Messiah?

I have received some negative comments about the Manga Messiah by some church leaders. I am curious about their objections. Is it because they are not used to the manga illustrations and their way of story telling? Or they object to the Gospel story told in a comic format? The Manga Messiah is all about Jesus Christ as told in the four Gospels.

I have read through the whole of Manga Messiah and I cannot find anything seriously wrong with it. This is taking into account that it is a paraphrased narrative synoptic telling of the the Gospel story. It is illustrated in the manga style which will appeal to the younger people who are reading lots of Japanese manga. I will not hesitate to recommend it to the younger folks.

I will be interested to know what are some of the objections to it.


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Problems with the Manga Messiah?

I have received some negative comments about the Manga Messiah by some church leaders. I am curious about their objections. Is it because they are not used to the manga illustrations and their way of story telling? Or they object to the Gospel story told in a comic format? The Manga Messiah is all about Jesus Christ as told in the four Gospels.

I have read through the whole of Manga Messiah and I cannot find anything seriously wrong with it. This is taking into account that it is a paraphrased narrative synoptic telling of the the Gospel story. It is illustrated in the manga style which will appeal to the younger people who are reading lots of Japanese manga. I will not hesitate to recommend it to the younger folks.

I will be interested to know what are some of the objections to it.


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Blessed Christmas

Blessed Christmas to all

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Blessed Christmas

Blessed Christmas to all

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John Calvin on Nativity of Jesus Christ

RPM, Volume 10, Number 52, December 21 to December 27 2008

Sermon on the Nativity of Jesus Christ

By John Calvin

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. — Luke 2:1-14

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I really enjoyed this transcript of John Calvin's sermon.