Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

This post is a follow up to one we did called 10 Reasons to Memorize Scripture and features ideas, practical tips and  suggestions and to get the Word of God in both your head and heart.
Remember, information is not transformation.  Our attitude in memorization should be prayerful and humble, seeking to examine our lives and gaze deeply [...]

Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan Preacher during the Great Awakening, is known for the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” his powerful teachings on revivals, and for his famous set of Resolutions.
Instead of having to paw through 2,000+ pages of his works to compile his thoughts on heaven and [...]

What is Biblical repentance and why do we need to repent?  Here is an answer from Pastor Colin Smith:

Pastor Colin defined repentance this way:  “Repentance is turning from all that you know of sin, with all that you know of yourself, to all that you know of God.” (from J.I. Packer)
Bible Study Resource: [...]

Pastor Colin Smith talks about what it will be like for mothers or fathers who made the choice to end the life of an unborn child, and have come to regret the choice they made.  He answers the question “Does God forgive abortion?” and provides hope for those who have made regrettable decisions [...]

Our physical lives need routine check-ups to see that we are healthy and to prevent and diagnose health problems before they become a major threat to our lives.  Our spiritual lives are susceptible to problems as well and require self-examination in order to purge the unhealthy tendencies we have and replace them with the habits [...]

Definition: The doctrine of soul sleep is the belief that after a person dies, their soul goes to sleep during the intermediate state until the final resurrection and judgment of God before they enter their eternal destiny of either heaven or hell.  This is a belief that we have an unconscious existence between our present [...]

What are the cravings of the sinful nature?  What kinds of strong desire does the sinful nature produce?  What does the intense longing that comes from your sinful nature look like?  Here are ten examples.  You’ll recognize them immediately…
1.  When you are blessed, the sinful nature produces pride: The sinful nature wants [...]

Are you self-absorbed?  What do you hold onto as an idol?  How would you feel if God called you to serve in a land known for terror and torture?
These are questions the prophet Jonah had to ask himself as he lived out the story recorded in the book of the Bible that bears his name.  [...]

“The gospel learning I may give you in a few sentences, namely, these: that, inasmuch as through man’s sin, the way of obedience is for ever closed, so that we—none of us—can ever pass by it to a true righteousness, God has now determined to deal with men in a way of mercy, to forgive [...]

In case you missed it, the Unlocking the Bible Twitter Account and Facebook Page have been posting verses, quotes, or sayings about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ each of the 40 days leading up to Easter.  Here is a list of what we have posted.
Easter Bible Verses on the Resurrection:
The Christ will suffer and rise [...]

A common New Year’s resolution among many Christians is a renewed desire and commitment to memorize the Word of God.
Christians have the awesome privilege of knowing God’s heart through the Bible.  We are able to see God’s power, his hatred towards sin and wickedness, and his grace all throughout the Scriptures.
Having this information does not [...]

During the 2011 NFL season, Denver Bronco Quarterback Tim Tebow took the nation by storm by several exciting come from behind victories and by being very open about his Christian faith.  As a student at the University of Florida, Tebow became one of the best college quarterbacks of all-time winning the Heisman trophy and multiple [...]

The resurrection not only has objective support in Scripture, but it also has personal impact. There are plenty pieces of evidence in Scripture to give adequate proof for the event of the resurrection. We could look at the empty tomb, how the grave clothes were left behind, the changed lives of the disciples, the excuses [...]

One does not have to look far to notice how the world lacks hope.  Depression, feelings of loneliness, abandonment, neglect, lost joy, broken relationships, and suicide are common outcomes of a life lived with no hope.
Even as Christians, it can be hard to live with hope in God if things do not seem to be [...]

The purpose of this post is to give Unlocking the Bible’s ministry friends and partners a list of free easy ways to help our ministry.
In addition to being a financial Key Partner by donating as little as $66/year (that is $0.18 per day!), these 8 ways are a great way to help the Gospel run [...]

This post is a list of inspirational Bible verses about love.  These encouraging Bible verses, biblical quotes, and Christian quotes on love should give you a good understanding of the Biblical Scriptures on Love.
These Scriptures on love are all taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).  Because the Bible says so much about God’s love [...]

Christians have been turning to the Scriptures for inspiration and hope since the time of Jesus.  These inspirational and encouraging verses of hope will uplift your soul and give you hope in live and hope in God as you meditate on the powerful truth that is in the Word of God.  This list of Bible [...]

Here’s a video of Pastor Colin Smith talking about the central convictions of the ministry of Unlocking the Bible, as well as our mission.
 

By definition, a “savior” is someone who overcomes our enemies, rescuing us from their powerful grip.  What enemies do every one of us face?  What uniquely qualifies Jesus to be our Savior from them?

In our time, the Gospel has widely been repackaged and redefined as simply a decision to accept Jesus as Savior, but somehow it is disconnected from any meaningful change in a person’s life…

Try to picture this man: He claims to have faith, but he has no deeds (James 2:14).  He says he is a believer.  He talks about faith in Christ.  He claims to be a Christian.  But there isn’t anything distinctively Christ-like about his behavior.  Nothing makes his life obviously different from other men in the world, [...]

Today, I’m giving thanks to God for the privilege of 30 years in pastoral ministry.   I was installed (or as they say in Britain, ‘inducted’) as the pastor of the Enfield Evangelical Free Church in North London on Saturday September 20th 1980, and preached for the first time as their pastor on September 21st.  I [...]