Posts by Kevin Collins
A Living Faith Evidenced in Refraining from Partiality (James 2:1–13, Part 2)
Out of all the examples that you could think of to pick out to prove the genuineness of a person’s faith, what would be at the top of your list? What sins would you identify to show someone to be a hypocrite rather than living out a genuine faith? How many of us would have…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in Refraining from Partiality (James 2:1–13, Part 1)
James 2:1-13 should be read in light of James’ main concern of his letter (James 1:19–27 with Matthew 7:21, 24). What is the main concern of James’ letter? Hiebert identifies it: “Such obeying of the Word constitutes the essence of living faith. These verses express James’ central concern.”1 James 2:1-13 summarizes one of James’ prime…
Read MoreA Living Faith Evidenced in One’s Response to Scripture (James 1:19-27)
In James 1:1-18, James the half-brother of Jesus and pastor of the Jerusalem church addressed the circumstances of suffering that his scattered flock was enduring. A living faith is evidenced in one’s response to trials (see the previous posts here). And it is in such circumstances of suffering that one’s faith will be challenged regarding…
Read MoreAn Overview of the Book of James
The Book of James may be one of the most needful encouragements and exhortations to believers in our day. Of course, every book of the Bible seems that way when you’re teaching through it verse by verse. That’s because every part of the Bible is supremely powerful to address us according to what’s most needed…
Read MoreKeys for Ministry Stability and Progress (Part 2)
In the previous post we introduced the following: Ministries need unity in vision, mission, philosophy, and doctrine for the work of the ministry to flourish without being impeded by the turmoil that comes from a mixed multitude of people who fundamentally disagree on any one of these four categories. In this post we’ll pick back…
Read MoreKeys for Ministry Stability and Progress (Part 1)
We seem to live in an age of turmoil and even crisis within large ministry organizations or institutions—whatever major denomination that you observe. And yet we want stability in our own ministries. We want to optimistically move forward successfully fulfilling the mission God has given to us. How can we do so? Ministry stability and…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 4)
This is the fourth in a series of four posts. Click here for previous posts: part 1, part 2, part 3. If you are a Christian you have been given a worthy ministry: to share the gospel. Yet, we all find this hard because of the opposition that we face. If you are to faint…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 3)
This is the third in a series of posts. Click here for previous posts: part 1, part 2. In a culture that is growing in opposition to the Christian gospel and Christian living, we need Paul’s encouragement in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 not to faint. The verb “faint not” refers to not being cowardly or to…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (Part 2)
Click here for part 1 of this series. I’m sure you have observed growing opposition to the Christian gospel and Christian ethics—not only in the culture around you but also within the self-proclaimed evangelical church. No doubt, troubles are hitting closer and closer to home: in our own local churches, families, or communities. There’s no…
Read MoreDon’t Give Up Ministering the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:16–18)
I first came across 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 in light of my physical struggles. I suppose the verses can be applied in principle even to such a situation like that. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which…
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