The blessing of being poor (in spirit) – Matthew 5:3

Posted on November 6, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 4 Comments

16s Matthew 5:3 reads: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NASB) One must assume that Jesus knew what he was doing when he put this Beatitude first in the list. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. […]

Introduction to the Beatitudes – Sermon on the Mount #3

Posted on November 2, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

5s Before examining the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11, it would be helpful to offer a few words on the meaning of the word translated “blessed” in our English Bibles. The word in the original is makarios, which in Homer denoted the “transcendent happiness […]

He sat down to teach – Sermon on the Mount Series #2

Posted on October 21, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

12s The beginning of the Sermon on the Mount: 1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them . . […]

Composed in the presence of death

I began a draft of this post a few months ago while I was reading Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray. At that time, I thought the quote below worth sharing. But in late August, I was shocked to learn of the death of the son of a friend of mine. He was a great kid with a promising future and he passed away at the age of 23.

When God’s Word Speaks

Wycliffe Bible Translators recently released a collection of stories about how the Bible has transformed people throughout the years. The volume is called When God’s Word Speaks and is available from Wycliffe’s Web Site for $15.95 plus shipping.

Did he really say that?

The opening verses of Matthew 3 record the preaching of John the Baptist. While reading this passage, what jumped out at me is what John said to the Pharisees and Sadducees. He called them a “brood of vipers” and he went on to critique their behavior. I’m sure that the Pharisees and Sadducees bristled at […]

Benedict on church leaders

In his bo Turning Points, Mark Noll quotes from St. Benedict’s instructions on selecting an abbot. As I read it, I thought that it is very applicable to church leaders in any generation so I thought I would it here.

Homeland Security for the Church – The Need to Defend the Faith

The culture surrounding the church is no longer supportive of her mission. As a result, we need to train members to defend their faith. We especially need to equip the youth in the church to understand what they believe and why they should believe it. We, as the church, have the truth of Jesus Christ. If it is the truth, it will be able to stand up in the marketplace of ideas.

If it is spoiled, throw it out

This evening I read 1 Kings 9 where God answers Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Temple. In 1 Kings 9:8 God tells Solomon that the Temple will become a heap of ruins if Israel and her kings go after other gods and serve them. The thought struck me this evening that the Temple, as […]