“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1, ESV) On February 2nd, 1943 four military chaplains were aboard the Dorchester, a luxury ship converted to transport troops during the war. There wereContinue reading “Motivation for Being a Living Sacrifice (Romans 12:1)”
Author Archives: Steve Hankins, Th.D.
The Barrier of Insufficient Participation
Here is a synopsis of chapter 9 in the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” to church health and growth. “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:4–5, ESV)Continue reading “The Barrier of Insufficient Participation”
Give God Glory (Romans 11:33-36)
“For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36, KJV 1900) The Westminster Shorter Catechism was completed by the Westminster Assembly in 1647. The purpose of this document was to establish doctrinal standards for many Presbyterian churches. It was set up in aContinue reading “Give God Glory (Romans 11:33-36)”
No Debtor’s Ethic (Romans 11:35)
““For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”” (Romans 11:34–35, ESV) I have heard well intentioned believers say that they were serving God in order to pay Him back for their salvation. I have heardContinue reading “No Debtor’s Ethic (Romans 11:35)”
Transcendent God (Romans 11:33-34)
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?” (Romans 11:33–34, KJV 1900) I studied and met some very intelligent people in my day.Continue reading “Transcendent God (Romans 11:33-34)”
No Fickleness (Romans 11:28-32)
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:29, ESV) Have you ever been with someone who was indecisive? In leadership it is truly a problem. However, a closely related problem is that of being fickle. The old adage goes, “Don’t change canoes in the middle of the stream.” Now most ofContinue reading “No Fickleness (Romans 11:28-32)”
As It Was Written (Romans 11:26-27)
And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26–27, ESV) Many people throughout history have made predictions. I do not know of anyContinue reading “As It Was Written (Romans 11:26-27)”
The Barrier of Insufficient Leadership
This is a synopsis of a chapter in the book, “Hurdling the Barriers” to church health and growth. I am making progress on the writing and hope to be done in a month. “But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.”Continue reading “The Barrier of Insufficient Leadership”
Removing the Callus (Romans 11:25-26)
“. . . that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved . . .” (Romans 11:25–26, KJV 1900) When I used to play guitar, one of the things that happened was the building of calluses on my left fingertips.Continue reading “Removing the Callus (Romans 11:25-26)”
Lesson from Horticulture (Rom 11:16-24)
“For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” (Romans 11:24, ESV) I have read about the horticultural art of grafting. It is aContinue reading “Lesson from Horticulture (Rom 11:16-24)”
Renewing the Heart 