Sermons and Biblical Studies

JOB 42:1–6 Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:1). One day Satan came before God and boasted that humanity had rejected the Lord and was following him. God pointed to Job as a man who was still faithful to … Continue reading “THE TRIALS OF JOB”

JEREMIAH 1:4–19 The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4–5). When Jeremiah was a young man God came to him and told him that he … Continue reading “THE TASK OF JEREMIAH”

LUKE 1:26–38 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). The highest title ever bestowed on a woman by human beings is the title theotokos (pronounced in English “thee-OH-te”-kos”). It means “bearer of God.” Now when the church fathers bestowed this title on … Continue reading “MARY THE “THEOTOKOS””

ESTHER 4 If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14). King Xerxes had elevated one of his courtiers, … Continue reading “ESTHER SPEAKS OUT”

2 KINGS 2:1–18 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied (2 Kings 2:9). When it came time for Elijah to be taken into heaven, he took his servant Elisha … Continue reading “ELISHA’S CHOICE”

1 KINGS 18:16–46 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing (1 Kings 18:21). The problem in Elijah’s day was religious syncretism. Syncretism means a mixture of principles, occurring … Continue reading “STEADFAST ELIJAH”

1 SAMUEL 16 Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one” (1 Samuel 16:12). In our day the demands of our society tend to squeeze us into such narrow areas of specialization that we become virtually one-dimensional people. Actually, each of us has many talents, but few of us get to … Continue reading “A RENAISSANCE MAN”

JUDGES 4 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time (Judges 4:4). During the time of the Judges, each tribe in Israel had its own government and its own judge. In a time of emergency, however, God would select a national judge to lead in the crisis, generally to drive … Continue reading “DEBORAH THE JUDGESS”

JOSHUA 1:1–9 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them” (Joshua 1:6). After Moses’ death, Joshua ascended to be supreme judge and military commander in Israel. The Lord gave him a series of commands in Joshua 1:6–9. First God said, “Be … Continue reading “JOSHUA THE LEADER”

EXODUS 20:18–21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was (Exodus 20:21). Romans 16 contains a list of heroic people in the Roman church, people who were standing for Christ in a hostile world. For the next couple of weeks let us consider some of the great heroes … Continue reading “MOSES THE MEDIATOR”