Sermons and Biblical Studies

522. What Is Meant by Showing "The Lord's Death till He Come"? This passage in 1Co_11:26 has been variously discussed. Is it the Lord's presence, the coming to take away his followers by death, or his coming to judge the world that is here meant? The best expositors hold that the apostle clearly referred to … Continue reading “522 – What Is Meant by Showing "The Lord's Death till He Come"?”

521. What Did Paul Mean by "Delivering" an Offender unto Satan? As the apostle himself states explicitly it was that the offender might be saved (see 1Co_5:5). The man, a member of the Corinthian Church, had fallen into grievous sin, and was living a vicious life. Paul, hearing of it, decides that he must be … Continue reading “521 – What Did Paul Mean by "Delivering" an Offender unto Satan?”

520. How Can "One Vessel Be Chosen onto Honor and Another unto Dishonor"? This passage (Rom_9:21, Rom_9:23) brings up the discussion of the whole subject of "election." The Jews seem to have gotten the idea, from their long habit of exclusiveness, that God had no right to offer salvation to the Gentiles. Paul is here … Continue reading “520 – How Can "One Vessel Be Chosen onto Honor and Another unto Dishonor"?”

519. What Is Meant by "All Things Work Together for Good to Them That Love God"? This passage (Rom_8:28) means that the events of life, including things that we call misfortunes, will be over-ruled to spiritual advantage. The Christian is not promised immunity from trouble, but that his troubles will tend to make him a … Continue reading “519 – What Is Meant by "All Things Work Together for Good to Them That Love God"?”

518. What Is Meant by "Where There Is No Vision the People Perish"? "Vision" (Pro_29:18) means communion with God and the revelation of his will. When communities or nations get out of touch with God and cease to know his will, they begin to perish. The Hebrew verb means to become "dissipated" and "unbridled" and … Continue reading “518 – What Is Meant by "Where There Is No Vision the People Perish"?”

517. What Does Paul Mean in Rom_5:7? "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die" (Rom_5:7). The apostle is illustrating the fact of the Atonement by the facts of everyday life. He says it is hard to find one man who will … Continue reading “517 – What Does Paul Mean in Rom_5:7?”

516. What Is Meant by "Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters"? The illustration in Ecc_11:1 is taken from the custom of sowing seed by casting it from the boats into the overflowing Nile, or in marshy ground. When the waters recede, the grain in the alluvial soil springs up. "Waters" expresses multitudes, whose seemingly hopeless … Continue reading “516 – What Is Meant by "Cast Thy Bread Upon the Waters"?”

515. What Are We to Understand by "Time and Chains Happeneth to Them All"? You are not to take all the words of Ecc_9:11 as true and inspired because, as the writer shows, he found out that what he said at one time was disproved later on. He is relating his experience. He was seeking … Continue reading “515 – What Are We to Understand by "Time and Chains Happeneth to Them All"?”

514. How Was the Term Saint First Applied to the Evangelists? During the early days of the Christian Church, there was no authoritative use of the word "Saint" as a title. Wherever the word occurs in our New Testament, it simply means a "devout person," one who has been sanctified and specially consecrated. After the … Continue reading “514 – How Was the Term Saint First Applied to the Evangelists?”

513. Is It Possible for One to Be Over-rghteous ? Commentators interpret the phrase "righteous overmuch" (Ecc_7:16) as descriptive of religious presumption ; of that self-made righteousness which would lay the greatest stress upon outward performances and would claim personal credit for results which the true believer recognizes as the gift of divine grace alone. … Continue reading “513 – Is It Possible for One to Be Over-rghteous ?”