Teaching & Study

History: Herod’s Temple

October 12, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Church History, Graphics, Resource

The Temple in Jerusalem that stood in Jesus’ time is commonly referred to as Herod’s Temple or the Second Temple. It was a total rebuild and upgrade of the much more modest structure built after Jewish people began to return to their homeland at the end of the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 3). It was completed about 520 BC. Herd began his reconstruction in about 19 BC. Parts of Herod’s structures were still under construction even as Jesus visited it during His ministry (John 2:20-21; Matthew 24:1-2).

There are lots of resources available to help us visualize what this structure and the complex surrounding it probably looked like. These resources are helpful because the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70 and the current Temple Mount is occupied by an Islamic Mosque and the Islamic Dome of the Rock shrine.

History: Martin Luther, the Musician

October 9, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Church History, Resource

Motivated by the recent documentary on Martin Luther which we recommended, today I want to touch on another aspect of Luther’s influence on Christianity – the way we “protestants” view music! “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise,” said Luther. He also wrote, “Music is next to theology!” And, “It (sacred music) drives away the devil!”

This article is not going to be long. Instead it will link to other resources freely available on the internet to let readers learn as much as they will of the work and influence of Luther in the realm of sacred music.

But briefly I would repeat what I tell my students in our History of Christianity course. Luther wrote hymns in the language and style of the people of his day. He even published a hymnbook of his and others hymns to be used in the “protesting” churches. He strongly believed in and practiced congregational a cappella singing.

#10 – Having the Eyes of Your Heart Enlightened Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

October 5, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

Having presented God’s purpose and plan to bless us beyond measure, Paul now prays (1:15-23) that our eyes be opened to see what God has and is doing on our behalf! Otherwise, we have riches beyond measure, but will continue think and live like paupers. Today we will also learn just how great Jesus is, and our vital connection to Him as His “body” on earth.

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” – Ephesians 1:18-19

#9 – The Plan & Purpose of God Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

October 4, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

Today we finally begin our study of the actual text of Ephesians. The first section, covering 1:3-14, presents Paul’s premise for the entire book. Here we discover that our salvation is the culmination of the purpose and plan of God from before the Creation. Nothing was by chance with Him; all had been been foreseen and provided for. And it was all for our us!

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” – Ephesians 1:11-12

Paul uses some wonderful words in our text that really illuminate and emphasize his point about God’s eternal plan. Here’s a list of some of those words: predestined, purpose, will, riches, grace, lavished, praise, seal, and pledge.

#8 – God’s Glory: More of the Story Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 30, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

We have already observed that Paul emphasizes God’s glory in his letter to the Ephesians. I believe this was an intentional contrast/comparison to the praise often lavished on Artemis and her temple by her worshipers. Her temple was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The riches stored within her chambers were probably unmatched anywhere else in their world. And the legend of her ancient visitation to Ephesus in the form of a powerful meteor led many to seek her help and favor even into the 1st Century.

But Paul had taught the believers in Ephesus that Artemis was not a real god, and in fact was not real at all (Acts 19:23-27)! Likely he is now also reminding them of what he had previous taught them in person: that at the power, riches and glory really resided in the One True God in which they now believed.

#7 – To the Praise of His Glory Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 29, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

As we have listened to Paul speak of the surpassing power of God for us who believe, and of His lavishing of His riches upon us, we must ask what is His motivation in doing such things for those who are merely His creatures? In Ephesians 1:6, we read that this is all “to the praise of His glory and grace.” Today we are going to examine what the “glory” of God is.

The Apostle uses the Greek word for “glory” 7 times in his letter to the Ephesians. Six of those instances are in reference to God’s glory. They are in 1:6, 12, 14, 17, 18; 3:16, and 21. So what does “glory” (Gk. doxa) mean? The term itself means “splendor, brightness, excellence, honor, majesty, pre-eminence.” However, the definition alone does not seem sufficient to explain what Paul (and the Biblical writers in general) had in mind when they use it in reference to God. Here are a couple of fairly brief articles where the authors try to give a sense of the Biblical use of this term “glory of God.”

“What is the Glory of God?” from www.gotquestions.org.
“What is God’s glory?” – excerpts from a sermon by John Piper on www.desiringgod.org.

Read This: Are You an Arminian? Or a Calvinist?

September 28, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Church History, Teaching & Study

The question in our title is not asking whether someone is a citizen of Armenia. Rather it is framing a question from theology which dates back 400 years, but is still relevant today.

John Calvin was part of the Reformation of the early 1500s in Europe which gave rise to Protestantism and modern denominations in contrast to Roman Catholicism. In his Institutes of the Christian Religion, Calvin attempted to present a comprehensive view of Christian theology based on Scripture alone. This was in contrast to Roman Catholic theology which was a combination of Scripture, tradition, and papal and church council decrees. Calvin’s theological views are often referred to as “Calvinism,” probably a term Calvin himself would have found offensive.

#6 – The Unsearchable Riches Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 27, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Pages, Series, Teaching & Study

We saw in Lesson #5 that Paul wanted the believers in Ephesus to know God’s power at work for and in them. In that same passage (Ephesians 1:17-19), he also prayed that they would know “the riches of His glorious inheritance.” Today’s message reflects the core theme of this study series – “Riches Beyond Measure!” As we listen to Paul tell of the many ways God has made his treasure and wealth available to us, we should recognize how rich we truly are in Christ.

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved– and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. – (Ephesians 2:4-7, ESV)

#5 – His Power for Us Who Believe Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 26, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Series, Teaching & Study

Last lesson we saw how God’s power was demonstrated in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Not only was God’s power demonstrated in His creation and in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, it is also displayed in what He has and is doing for all those who believe. In Ephesians 1:17-19 Paul prayed that the Christians would know (Greek: oida) “His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Oida meant “to perceive, know about, realize, recognize.” Today’s message looks at the five ways Paul says God’s power is at work for us.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

Read This: “Four Views of the Lord’s Supper”

September 25, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Read This, Teaching & Study

When I’ve taught my course on “Christian History,” one of the many doctrines and practices we look at over almost 2,000 years of historic “mainstream” Christianity is the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper (also called at times the Eucharist or Holy Communion). Most of my students are surprised or even shocked when they learn that there are other “views” about what the Supper is about.

As I continue listening to back episodes of the Simply Put Podcast (which I have already praised on several occasions), I am reminded of many examples from Christianity’s history of such diversity in views. I am reproducing below the Simply Put Podcast episode on “Four Views of the Lord’s Supper” so you might understand these different views of the Supper better. I think Barry Cooper does an excellent job concisely describing the four major views. Would you rather listen to the podcast than read it? Then click here.

#4 – The Power of the Resurrection Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 24, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Series, Teaching & Study

(This message was delivered on “Easter Sunday, 2013.) As detailed in Lesson Two, “Ephesus – The Great City,” riches, glory and power were proudly on display in Ephesus. Much of the success and splendor of the city was credited by the residents to the goddess Artemis. However, the Apostle Paul wanted the Ephesian believers to know that the power at work in the gospel and in their lives was vastly superior to that claimed for Artemis. Today we want to see that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead was the power at work in their (and now our) lives!

Acts 19:34 – “…they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

#3 – To Preach to the Gentiles Riches Beyond Measure: Lessons from Ephesians

September 23, 2020 By Richard Cravy in Ephesians, Series, Teaching & Study

The Apostle Paul’s work in Ephesus was the last extended work of his we have recorded. It consumed most of what we call his Third Missionary Journey, and covered some three years – the longest period he spent working in any city during his journeys. It seems as if all he did before was in preparation for this time. And what a time it was! These three years were marked by large numbers of conversions, numerous miracles, and riots. Join us today as we review the work of Paul in Ephesus.

“To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:8-10)

With these words Paul speaks in his letter of the goal of his work in Ephesus… and indeed summarizes what this epistle itself is about.