Sermons and Biblical Studies

LUKE 11:1–10 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). The only thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. It seems that Jesus wanted to elicit … Continue reading “THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER”

JAMES 5:13–18 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord (James 5:14). In his discussion of prayer, James includes comments concerning the prayer of healing. He says that if a person is seriously ill, … Continue reading “PRAYER AND HEALING”

JAMES 5:13–18 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise (James 5:13). James has warned us repeatedly about the dangerous uses of the tongue. Here he tells us the most important proper use of it: talking with God. First of all, he says that … Continue reading “EFFECTIVE PRAYER”

JAMES 5:10–12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned (James 5:12). As we return today to our study in James, the author tells us that this exhortation is “above all else.” He … Continue reading “OATHS AND VOWS”

JOB 1:6–22 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:17). The Bible clearly teaches that God … Continue reading “SOVEREIGNTY AND FREEDOM”

PROVERBS 16:5–9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Last Thursday we considered God’s sovereignty over disastrous situations. Today we want to return to this subject in a bit more depth. The relationship between God’s providence and evil in the world is often misunderstood. We can … Continue reading “HUMAN WICKEDNESS”

ISAIAH 45:1–8 I form the light and create darkness. I bring prosperity and create disaster. I, the Lord, do all these things (Isa. 45:7). Today we often hear that the universe came into being “by chance.” What does this mean? If it means that something called Chance created the universe, then this Chance is nothing … Continue reading “GOD OR CHANCE?”

MATTHEW 5:43–48 [God] causes His sun to rise on evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matt. 5:45). God not only created the universe, He also sustains it. The biblical view of God’s providence is that God is the primary cause not only of the universe itself but of … Continue reading “GOD MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN”

ACTS 17:22–31 And He is not served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else (Acts 17:25). Because James has introduced us to the idea of God’s sovereign plan for history, we will spend several days considering more closely the doctrine of God’s … Continue reading “WHAT IS PROVIDENCE?”

JAMES 5:7–9 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains (James 5:7). James turns his attention back to the family of God in James 5:7 when he says, “Therefore, be patient … Continue reading “THE COMING NEW AGE”