Luke 5:27-32 — Levi was a tax collector and that meant he was despised. Tax collectors grew rich by collaborating with the Jewish people’s enemies. Often they were mentioned in the same breath as the “sinners,” that is, they were grouped with men and women who were notorious for their wicked lifestyles. So in this text…
Colossians 2:20-22 — Under the influence of false teachers, the Colossians had brought elements of the pagan worldview into their Christian lives. Paul addressed this by reminding them of their union with Christ and challenging them about their submission to man-made rules. We too can adopt pagan ways of thinking in our approach to the Christian…
Proverbs 3:13-18 — Wisdom can buy what money can’t. That’s what the Holy Spirit through Solomon’s pen teaches us in this text. It’s only when we live by God’s wisdom that life works. But far more importantly, God’s wisdom is that which leads to everlasting life. We can enjoy a wonderful life now, but what about eternity?
Luke 5:17-26 — This text tells the much loved story of the paralysed man who was let down through the roof by his friends. They were confident that Jesus could heal their sick friend and that’s exactly what He did! There are many wonderful lessons that might be drawn from this story, but the real…
Proverbs 3:13-18 — What is true happiness and how do we find it? These are some of life’s most important questions and the world doesn’t really have an answer. We live in communities filled with people who, though outwardly cheerful, are deeply unhappy. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit through Solomon’s pen tells us plainly in this…
I Peter 1:22-25 — This lesson begins with a detailed overview of the theology and worship of the Orthodox Church with particular emphasis on the role that icons play. The sad reality is that by its use of icons and other external forms, the Orthodox Church has diminished the role of Scripture. In considering all…
Luke 5:12-15 — In Jesus’ day, leprosy was not only a painful disease it was a shameful disease to be afflicted with. The sufferer was ceremonially unclean and forced to live outside the city. He had to deal with the stigma of his illness and the emotional toll of being isolated from community life. In this…
Luke 5:16 — The New Testament commands Christians to pray. It is a duty that often requires considerable effort and discipline. There are very few Christians who don’t struggle to pray like they know they should. But what we see in this short verse is a truth that has the potential to transform our prayer…
Luke 5:1-11 — In this text we have the Miracle of the Great Catch which culminated in Peter’s wonderful confession of faith, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” This was a glorious realisation, but the curious thing is that Peter had already witnessed several displays of Jesus’ divine power, some…
Colossians 2:19 — Is listening to a sermon on a mobile phone or watching a sermon on an iPad a satisfactory substitute for the gathered worship of God’s people? Can we be casual in our association with the church and expect to grow as Christians? The New Testament answers these questions with a resounding “no!” The Christian…