Sermons and Biblical Studies

1 PETER 2:18–25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer [Bishop] of your souls (1 Peter 2:25). The English word bishop translates the Greek word episkopos. That word is an augmentation of the Greek word skopos, meaning “one who looks.” An epi-skopos is “one who … Continue reading “JESUS THE BISHOP”

JAMES 2:1–4 My brothers, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory, with respect to persons (James 2:1, literal translation). James 2:1 is written in a strange way. Most translations smooth out what he writes so that they read “our glorious Lord Jesus Christ” or “Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.” … Continue reading “JESUS CHRIST THE GLORY”

PHILIPPIANS 2:5–11 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). We have seen that Jesus called Himself the Son of Man. The people called Him a prophet. Peter called Him the Messiah. Philippians 2:9–11 tell us the name that God the Father called … Continue reading “JESUS AS LORD”

MATTHEW 16:13–23 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [Messiah; Anointed One], the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Caesarea Philippi is located in a rocky region. In one prominent rock face was a cave and spring known as the Gates of Hades. It was a strategic source of water controlled by a Roman … Continue reading “JESUS THE MESSIAH”

MATTHEW 16:13–20 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets” (Matthew 16:14). Jesus took the disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi and asked them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). Caesarea Philippi, as the name would suggest, was … Continue reading “JESUS THE PROPHET”

MARK 2:1–12 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.…” He said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home” (Mark 2:10–11). Today we interrupt our series in Hebrews to focus our attention a bit more fully on Jesus, our … Continue reading “THE SON OF MAN”

HEBREWS 3:1–6 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest whom we confess (Hebrews 3:1). The author of Hebrews has demonstrated that Jesus is superior to the angels and that His work was the redemption of His people. He now lays out two great … Continue reading “APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST”

HEBREWS 2:14–18 Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). God ultimately holds the power of death, and it is God’s wrath with which we have to deal. Since Adam … Continue reading “FREEDOM FROM FEAR”

HEBREWS 2:10–13 Both the One who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers (Hebrews 2:11). Jesus suffered and died, and then was glorified. He did not need to do this. He was already eternally glorified at the Father’s right … Continue reading “THE GLORIES OF CHRIST”

HEBREWS 2:5–11 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the Author of their salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). Hebrews 2:5–18 argues that God intended to put not only the first creation but also the new creation under human dominion. Humanity lost … Continue reading “THE SUFFERINGS OF JESUS”