Sermons and Biblical Studies

JOHN 7:20–24 “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). The Jewish leaders had passed a rash judgment concerning Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. So rash was their judgment that they immediately wanted to bring about the full penalty of the law for His “breaking” the Sabbath. Jesus rebukes them … Continue reading “RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS”

JOHN 7:10–19 “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17). Once Jesus arrived at the Feast of Tabernacles, He began to teach. The Jewish leaders, who had been critical of Him, were perplexed by the … Continue reading “KNOWLEDGE, LOVE, OBEDIENCE”

JOHN 7:1–9 “My time has not yet come.… The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil” (John 7:6–7). Not only did the crowds reject Jesus’ claims concerning Himself, but His own brothers did as well. If Jesus had been more concerned about pleasing His … Continue reading “IN GOD’S TIMING”

JOHN 6:66–71 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). As the crowds turned their backs on Him, Jesus asked the Twelve if they, too, would leave because of unbelief. Peter steps to the forefront and answers on behalf of the entire group. The response he gives is … Continue reading “JESUS—THE ONLY WAY”

JOHN 6:60–65 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?” (John 6:60). Those who heard Jesus’ sermon were divided into three groups: the Jewish leaders; His disciples, hundreds who were long-time followers of Jesus; and the Twelve. We have already looked at the reaction … Continue reading “A DIFFICULT SAYING”

JOHN 6:52–59 “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:54). As we stated in our lesson yesterday, whenever the truth is proclaimed eventually there’s going to be controversy. Turning now from our overview of the doctrine of predestination, we pick … Continue reading “EATING OF HIS FLESH”

2 TIMOTHY 2:14–26 … there are not only vessels gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor (2 Tim. 2:20). Any time you begin talking about election, you know that you are going to have controversy. Because of this, some people would rather just not talk about … Continue reading “GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY GLORIFIED”

ROMANS 10 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom. 10:14). You will often hear opponents of the Reformation view of predestination say, “If predestination is true there … Continue reading “WHY EVANGELIZE?”

EXODUS 33:12–23 “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Ex. 33:19). One of the most common controversies surrounding the doctrine of election has to do with the question of double predestination. Does God actively, or positively, condemn some to eternal death … Continue reading “DOUBLE PREDESTINATION”

EPHESIANS 2:1–10 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). Even if the Bible never mentioned predestination or election, we would be driven to this conclusion solely on the basis of what the Scriptures have to say about man’s fallen condition. The Bible teaches that natural man is “dead … Continue reading “MAN’S INABILITY”