“Wholehearted Thanksgiving” (Psalm 9)
Wholehearted Thanksgiving (Psalm 9) We’ve heard a lot about recounting in the news over the past few weeks. Once again, Florida was in the middle of the controversy. At least we have our act together over here in California… Hopefully, recounting the wonderful deeds of the Lord isn’t so complicated. Psalm 10 has no title supporting the theory that 9-10 were originally one (mostly acrostic) psalm. However, due to a significant shift in the mood, we will only focus on…
“The Family of God” (Luke 8:19-21)
The Family of God (Luke 8:19-21) This follows Jesus’ teaching on the parables (the Sower and the Lamp). In both cases, the emphasis was upon how people respond to God’s Word. There are many inadequate ways to receive God’s Word (road, rocks, thorns). It is only the good soil that hears God’s Word and does it who will produce fruit. Along the same lines, the lamp is the light of God’s Word that illuminates the truth for those in darkness,…
“Civil War” (Judges 20-21)
Civil War (Judges 20-21) Conclusion: Israel’s religious decline > moral decline > political decline. Upon receiving their portion of the Levite’s concubine, Israel gathered for battle. Read Judges 20-21. The near elimination, and subsequent restoration, of the Benjamites portray Israel’s need for a king. I. Vengeance Upon Benjamin (20:1-48) 1. A Devastating Unity (1-18) 400,000 Israelites gather for a divine mission. Upon hearing the Levite’s story, minus any self-incriminating details, Israel unanimously decide to attack Gibeah, demanding Benjamin hand over…
“The Light of God’s Word” (Luke 8:16-18)
The Light of God’s Word (Luke 8:16-18) The parable of the Sower was related to the proclamation of God’s Word and the various soils in which it lands. The good soil bears much fruit. That fruit is the multiplication of the Word received. Jesus stays on the same subject, but transitions to another analogy. God’s Word is not only like a seed, but it’s also like a light. Because men love the darkness, we don’t always appreciate the light. It…
“It Was the Worst of Times” (Judges 19)
It Was the Worst of Times (Judges 19) Judges ends with a description of the political and religious decline of Israel (reverse of introduction). Last week we noted the corruption of worship as idolatry in the household of Micah escalated to idolatry in the tribe of Dan. The decline magnifies in the following section where Benjamin looks like Sodom. You won’t find illustrations of this chapter in your Children’s Storybook Bible. Why is this so dark? (19:1; cf. 17:6). Judges…
“Sola Gratia” (Ephesians 2:1-10)
Sola Gratia (Eph. 2:1-10) It’s a lot easier to state the truth of this doctrine than it is to feel the joy and freedom we have received because of it. God gives life through his Son to display the riches of his grace. Our silence is not only a missed opportunity for our neighbor to hear the gospel, but, a missed opportunity to display God’s grace. I want to know fully and display often, the riches of God’s mercy. Illus:…
“The Corruption of Worship” (Judges 17-18)
The Corruption of Worship (Judges 17-18) Jack Arnold writes: There can be no appreciation for the Reformation until one sees the great spiritual need of the western world in the 16th century. No Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant or Independent can gloss over the period of history from 590 to 1517. This period is a “black spot” to all who name the name of Christ, but it is Christian history. The Medieval Church had repeated the failure of Israel during the…
“The Death of Samson” Judges 16:1-31
The Death of Samson (Judges 16) Introduction I’m going to try to be somewhat discreet as I preach this text, but we will need to address a topic that was a significant problem for Samson. It’s a significant problem for many more people today. In his book, Hide or Seek, John Freeman writes: At times I’m still amazed at the pushback I get from men who are reluctant to install a filter or accountability software on their computer. For men,…
“The Parable of the Sower” (Luke 8:4-15)
The Parable of the Sower Brad Mills / General Luke / Parables / Luke 8:4–15 The dangers of falling asleep in church are often exaggerated when we read the story of Eutychus in Acts 20. In fact, falling asleep in church is quite common, and it rarely leads to any serious injury. I appreciate what Kent Hughes says about it: Falling asleep in church really does not concern me. It can happen for any number of reasons, both good…