Sermons and Biblical Studies

ACTS 17:16–21 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16). The city of Athens was the seat of Greek philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had lived and taught there. Before them Thales, Anaximander, Parmenides, Heraclitus, and many others had practiced … Continue reading “PHILOSOPHY AND SUPERSTITION”

REVELATION 21 The city does not need the sun … for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp (Revelation 21:23). Nowhere in the New Testament are we given a clear, precise description of heaven. We get glimpses of what heaven is like, but we don’t see a detailed picture. … Continue reading “THE BEAUTIES OF HEAVEN”

MATTHEW 13:24–43 They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 13:42). The doctrine of eternal punishment, though unpopular and frightening, is found as a part of the confession of every branch of the Christian church. It has only been in the last century that under … Continue reading “THE AWFUL REALITY OF HELL”

REVELATION 20:1–15 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:2). Revelation 20:1–6 mentions a thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints: the millennium. This is the only passage in the Bible that speaks of this, and because it is not obvious … Continue reading “THE MILLENNIUM: WHEN IS IT?”

MARK 13:1–23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time (Mark 13:23). In theology, the study of future things prophesied in the Bible is called eschatology. Both Thessalonian epistles show us that the early church was interested in prophecy, and Paul was as well. Today we have a problem with … Continue reading “THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPHECY”

2 THESSALONIANS 1–3 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter (2 Thessalonians 2:15). Several decades ago the liberal skeptic Rudolph Bultmann wrote that “the question of meaning in history has become meaningless.” While it is easy for any but … Continue reading “HISTORY AND THE CHRISTIAN FAITH”

1 THESSALONIANS 4–5 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you (1 Thessalonians 5:1). Paul had only spent a few weeks in Thessalonica, and one of the things he had taught them was that Jesus would return soon to bring wrath upon the apostate Jews. He also taught them … Continue reading “ANSWERS FOR THE THESSALONIANS”

1 THESSALONIANS 1–3 So when we could stand it longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens (1 Thessalonians 3:1). Before he went to Athens, Paul sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to strengthen the church there (1 Thess. 3:2). From Athens Paul moved on to Corinth (Acts 18:1). There he was … Continue reading “A LETTER TO THE THESSALONIANS”

ACTS 17:1–15 When the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, they went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up (Acts 17:13). After leaving Philippi, Paul and company came to Thessalonica. Paul went first, as always, to the synagogue, and for three Sabbaths he preached out … Continue reading “OPPOSITION AT THESSALONICA”

1 CORINTHIANS 1:10–17 Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:16a). The Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Reformed churches all practice infant baptism. Today we want to look at four lines of evidence that show the validity of this practice. First, just as baptism is the sign of entrance into … Continue reading “THE INFANT BAPTISM QUESTION”