Dan Lee
1 Timothy 1:8-11, The Blessings of God's Law

The law is good. With this declaration of truth, Scripture shows us that God’s law was meant to bless us. But how does the law do this? At least in three ways as they emerge from this text: 1) protection from evil of the fallen world, 2) conviction for sin which leads us to salvation, and 3) sanctification of the believer unto their conformity to Christ. The law was designed to lead us to the Savior to save us and then to train us that we may be like Him in His love for God and love for man.

Dan Lee
1 Timothy 1:1-7, Focused and Undistracted

The burden that drove Paul to write First Timothy was the distractions that could steer the church away from God’s purpose for her, namely, the administration of God which is by faith, the love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Paul opens his letter with a strong appeal to his authority to ensure that Timothy understood the gravity of the issues at hand and that the church would receive Timothy’s leadership in this matter. In this passage, we find four strong encouragements to guide us away from the thousand termites that can eat away at our own walk with the Lord and the maturation of God’s church: 1) avoid speculative ideas, 2) understand our stewardship, 3) pursue godliness, and 4) exude holy love.

Dan Lee
Deut. 30:11-14, Bibliology: The Clarity of ...

As one preacher once put it: “The main things in Scripture are the plain things, and the plain things in Scripture are the main things.” This is indeed Scripture’s claim about itself, that the word of God is understandable in its gospel call to the free gift of salvation through faith in Christ and repentance from sin. But this is a very nuanced doctrine. Four such nuances are explored here: progress, study, Spirit, and limitation. May we all continually grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

Dan Lee
2 Tim. 3:14-4:5, Bibliology: The Sufficiency of ...

Scripture is sufficient for all the matters about which it speaks. This means the Bible is all we need to do all that God desires for us to do, i.e., what we must believe and how we are to live before God. No other source of special revelation for faith and life is needed in addition to the Bible. Whether it is for salvation, personal godliness, or the life and ministry of the church, Scripture is what God has chosen to give us and it is enough. Were we to ask what books make up these sufficient Scriptures, we heartily answer, the Old Testament Jesus affirmed and the New Testament Jesus authorized, these 39 and 27 books of the two testaments are the word of God, and no more.

Dan Lee
1 Cor. 15:20-26, 50-57, Our Victory in Christ

No man is a match for death and its sting, because we all descend from Adam. But God has provided another man, “the last Adam” who unlike the first gives life (v45), not takes away life. Indeed, all who are “Christ’s” will like Him be raised from the dead when He comes (v23). Christ is the firstfruits, and we the harvest after Him (v20). All who are one with Christ by faith share in His victory over death. This victory culminates when death itself is destroyed and the imperishable kingdom of God commences. It is for that eternal dwelling place that the Lord will fit us at glorification.

John 11:45-53, No Setbacks for Our Sovereign God

The aftermath of Lazarus’ resurrection may be seen as a setback to Jesus’ ministry. While many of the Jews who had come to Bethany believe, some take word to Jesus’ enemies, the Pharisees, and this triggers a chain reaction that sets the stage for Jesus’ crucifixion. Is this all a setback in the plan of God? No. This is all a part of God’s plan of redemption. Whether it is hostility in general or it is the highest level of government authority, God is bigger them all and weaves the black thread of evil into His beautiful tapestry of redemption, to bring many sons to glory, first His only begotten Son, then His many adopted sons.

John 11:40-45, Jesus is no hyper-Calvinist

We live under the sovereign control of God whose purpose cannot be thwarted. But should this make us passive and lazy in our sense of participation in the works of God? In this study of the gospel of John, we see Jesus also living under the sovereignty of God, and yet He is in no way passive. He actively maintains a sharp focus on the purpose of God, He prays and seeks for God’s purpose to come to pass, and He actively participates in the work of God to raise Lazarus ultimately for the glory of God. May we like Christ actively pray and labor to bring to pass the revealed will of our sovereign God.

Matthew 11:28-30, 28:18-20, Hear and Follow (Part 3)

Christ is not only the way to God as God, He is the provider/giver and He is the authority over all. In this third installment of studies in discipleship, we examine these two additional passages. Christ provides man with the knowledge of God, rest for the soul and a better yoke/burden. Furthermore, Christ’s authority is universal and its aim on earth is obedience. May the Lord help us to daily walk with Him and be an infectious influence to those around us.

John 14:6, Hear and Follow (Part 2)

In this sermon, we launch our study of 10 sayings of Christ. The first of these is John 14:6, where we hear in Jesus’ own words that He is divine way to God, the divine truth and the divine life. Furthermore, Jesus claims that He is the only way to God, and there is no other way to God. This is what Jesus has to say about Himself. Faith in Him is the exclusive way to knowing God (John 14:7-11) and to an eternity in heaven (John 14:1-5).