VIETNAMESE ALLIANCE CHURCH
San Francisco, California
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Awake, O Sleeper
A popular call to backsliding believers to wake up from their slumber and bear fruit for Christ. Is the call a one time transition from death to life, or a never-ending struggle to maintain an acceptable state of wakefulness, and fruitfulness?
To Be Born Again
You must have heard people refer to themselves as born-again Christians, but what does it really mean to be born again?
7 Days Until Christ Returns
A well known Bible expositor wrote a book, whose title is borrowed for this article, to help believers prepare themselves against the day of Christ's return. This article proposes a more certain, and Scripture-based, way to be ready for that day.
The Old and the New
Few Christians know that there is an old covenant and there is a new one, but even fewer really know why there are two, and know enough of their differences to experience a transformation by the renewing of their mind, a paradigm shift in how they relate to their God.
Change My Heart Oh God
The title of a popular Christian song that expresses the desire for change in a believer's heart. This crying out from deep within of large majority of believers is emblematic of their understanding of the gospel. How do they expect their hearts to be changed? This article will show where the real issues are and a real and realizable answer to a yearning, a thirst that should have been quenched by the water of l.
Why Do You Ask Me What Is Good?
Most people ponder the question “What must I do to inherit the kingdom of God?” Case in point is it is the same question the rich young ruler asked Jesus in Matthew 19:16. It's a good question, but the answer is not what most folks are looking for.
Work Out Your Own Salvation
Philippians 2:12 says “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”, and Christians roll up their sleeves to get busy. And more than just getting busy, they do it with fear and trembling, too. This article will show that traditional interpretations of “work out” and “fear and trembling” are problematic and incongruous with the rest of Scriptures.
Repentance From Dead Works
What seems to preoccupy most Christians is the issue of sin, both of the things you should do but don't do, and of the things you should not do but you do. The same thing is also true with the majority of Christian teaching which is dedicated toward solving this perennial problem. But the key verse we're studying in this article denounces it as elementary teaching while it admonishes us to move on to maturity.
Self Denial, the Cross, and Following Jesus
Almost all Christians must have heard at least more than once sermons that encourage them to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Jesus as both a commandment and a promise that they would experience peace, joy, and ultimately a more fulfilling Christian life. Is this what Jesus had in mind when he spoke these words?
Putting Off Of The Body Of The Flesh
“In him you also were circumcised - not, however, with a circumcision performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ. Having been buried with him in baptism, you also have been raised with him through your faith in the power of God who raised him from the dead (Colossians 2:11-12—NET).”
Entering God’s Rest
Before Jesus took his last breath on the cross, he said: “It's finished.” So just as God rested after he completed the work of creation, Jesus rested after he completed the work of saving man. It is his will that we enter this rest, yet so many Christians do not experience it, their walk with God is still weighed down with burdens as they try to achieve what only Jesus could achieve for them, and he had already done so.
The Gospel, The Freer The More Sanctifying
Many are concerned that the unlimitted teaching of grace will cause many to fall into antinomianism, and take advantage of the grace of God and find a license to sin. However Dr. Chalmers, an 18th century theologian, attempts to show us in his writing that such is not a case in the Christian experience.
Ephesians 2:1
One mistranslated word can completely change the meaning of a verse. The mistranslation though may have been unintentional, it could reflect the theology of the translator; the implication can be profound, as it affects how people view their relationship with God, and consequently leads them astray.
When The Son Sets You Free
Matthew 5:48 says this about God: 'Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' Therefore, if Christ hasn't already made you perfect, when will you be? One more revival meeting? One more communion? One more Bible verse to memorize? One more soul to win for Christ? No, if you aren't already perfectly acceptable to God, you will never be.
Out Of One Danger, Into Another
Are we ever more in danger of teaching an error, than when we are combatting one? For when a teacher has the 'antinomians' in his sights, I find he often becomes a proponent of increased endeavour, talking of the 'necessities' required in a 'holy' life, instead of rather the holy inevitabilities to be expected in the regenerate.
Understanding Forgiveness
What does God's forgiveness mean to you? Does He still count your sins against you?
The Lord’s Supper
The Lord's Supper and the Christian Communion. Understanding it from the Passover context.