διὰ τοῦτο ἀναλάβετε τὴν πανοπλίαν τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα δυνηθῆτε ἀντιστῆναι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ πονηρᾷ καὶ ἅπαντα κατεργασάμενοι στῆναι. (NA27) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (ESV) διὰ τοῦτο – because of this. Paul refers… Continue reading Ephesians 6:13
Author: Tony Arsenal
Justified by Works?
This sermon, delivered by Mr. Tony Arsenal, focuses on James 2:14–26 and the relationship between faith and works in the Christian life. Mr. Arsenal begins by addressing the controversy surrounding this passage, particularly in reconciling James’ teaching on works with Paul’s emphasis on justification by faith alone. He explains that James is not teaching a… Continue reading Justified by Works?
#NotTheGospel
n this sermon, Tony Arsenal delves into James 2:1–13 to explore the sin of partiality and its deep contradiction to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He begins by explaining how James transitions from theoretical discussions in chapter one to practical applications in chapter two, focusing on how favoritism within the church community is a direct… Continue reading #NotTheGospel
Active Listening
This sermon, delivered by Mr. Tony Arsenal at New Hope Community Church, focuses on James 1:19-27 and emphasizes the importance of active listening, hearing and doing the Word, and perseverance in trials. Mr. Arsenal begins by exploring the command to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger,” highlighting the transformative power… Continue reading Active Listening
The Triumphal Entries
Tony Arsenal delivers a powerful sermon on the Triumphal Entry of Christ into Jerusalem, as recorded in John 12:12-19. The sermon explores the profound theological significance of Palm Sunday, emphasizing how it marks the beginning of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death. Arsenal delves into the historical and cultural context of the event, illustrating… Continue reading The Triumphal Entries
The Unchanging Father of Lights
This sermon, based on James 1:12–18, examines trials, temptations, and the unchanging nature of God. The preacher begins by discussing the concept of steadfastness under trial, emphasizing that trials are given by God to strengthen faith and produce spiritual maturity. These trials ultimately lead to the “crown of life,” a reward symbolizing eternal life and… Continue reading The Unchanging Father of Lights
The Wisdom of Trials
This sermon, titled “The Wisdom of Trials,” dives into James 1:1–11, exploring the profound truth that God uses trials to authenticate and strengthen our faith. The speaker, Mr. Tony Arsenal, begins by introducing the unique structure and authorship of the book of James, highlighting its practical and command-heavy nature compared to the letters of Paul.… Continue reading The Wisdom of Trials
Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – A (I Hope) Friendly Review
Aimee Byrd, for those who are unfamiliar, is a popular blogger, podcaster, conference speaker, and writer. She is a member in good standing in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and has recently published a book titled Recovering from Biblical manhood and Womanhood. Before I get into my review here I want to lay my cards on… Continue reading Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood – A (I Hope) Friendly Review
The Intercession of the Saints in the Early Church Debunked: Shepherd of Hermas
A friend of mine passed along a link to a florilegium listing on churchfathers.org. For those who do not know, a florilegium is a list of excerpts from a variety of writers, usually surrounding a particular topic. Now, florilegia have been used since the medieval era to make patristic figures say what they aren’t saying. This… Continue reading The Intercession of the Saints in the Early Church Debunked: Shepherd of Hermas
John 1:1
The Word was. Before all things, in eternity past. The Word existed. If the Word was there in the beginning, he existed before the beginning. Such is the unfathomable, ineffable existence of the Word.