Hebrews 3:14 — “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” What does the writer to the Hebrews mean when he talks about Christians being “partakers of Christ?” Does this have to do with our salvation in Christ, or does it refer to our ongoing…
Luke 11:27-28 — “But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” In this lesser known incident in Jesus’ public ministry, we see Him responding to a woman who called out while He was teaching. She expressed her admiration for Jesus by acknowledging the privilege that had been…
Matthew 24:29-31 — “Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” As we continue our study through the Olivet Discourse, we come…
Luke 11:24-26 — “And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in…” What was the message Jesus was communicating in this obscure little paragraph about an unclean spirit who goes out of a man and then returns? Was…
Luke 11:21-26 — “But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.” What was Jesus communicating to His audience by way of this little parable about a strong man who is overcome by a stronger man? Did it…
I Kings 12:1-20 — “And the king answered the people roughly… saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” When Solomon’s son Rehoboam went out to meet the people at Shechem he gave what was perhaps…
Proverbs 12:1 — “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.” How well do you take criticism? What is your first response when someone gives you negative feedback? Do you really want to know the truth about yourself and your actions? It’s safe to say that we all struggle to receive criticism…
Matthew 27:41-43 — We often pay close attention to the physical suffering Jesus experienced during His various trials and as He was crucified. We are also careful to ponder the deep spiritual component of His suffering as He was “made sin for us.” What we don’t often think about, is how He felt when He…
Matthew 27:24 — “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.” In this, the first sermon of a new year, we consider Pilate’s actions…
II Kings 2:9-22 — “And Elisha said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.” The city of Jericho was situated in a beautiful place, but it had a major problem. The water was bad and the land had become barren. The men of the city turned to…