Sermons and Biblical Studies

LUKE 11:1–4 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). When we study the providence of God it is easy for us to get lost in abstract considerations of doctrine, never … Continue reading “PRAYER AND GOD’S PROVIDENCE”

ROMANS 11:33–36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen (Romans 11:36). The Bible teaches that history has meaning and purpose. In philosophy and theology, the study of the goal of history is called “teleology,” from the Greek words telos (end, goal) and logos … Continue reading “GOD’S PROVIDENCE IN HISTORY”

PHILIPPIANS 2:12–16 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Philippians 2:12–13). In today’s lesson we will consider how God’s providence assists us in our sanctification. How does God’s providence help us grow in grace? … Continue reading “GOD’S POWER WITHIN US”

GENESIS 50:15–21 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20). How does God’s control of all things relate to man’s sinful actions? Does God reach down and compel innocent people to do evil things’? To ask such a … Continue reading “GOD’S PROVIDENCE AND SIN”

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 42:1–2). The idea that God governs and controls all things is sometimes questioned by Christians. But let’s consider the alternative. Shall we believe that God is not in control of all … Continue reading “GOD GOVERNS ALL THINGS”

GENESIS 16:1–16 She [Hagar] gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13). Since God’s care for us extends beyond election into every aspect of our life in Christ, it is appropriate to … Continue reading “THE GOD WHO SUSTAINS US”

PHILIPPIANS 1:3–11 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). God does not abort what He conceives and brings to life. Rather, those whom He brings to new life, He preserves and keeps alive, carrying out … Continue reading “REGENERATION IS PERMANENT”

MARK 8:22–26 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” (Mark 8:23). When we use the word immediate we think of something that happens instantaneously. This is not the … Continue reading “REGENERATION IS IMMEDIATE”

COLOSSIANS 2:13–15 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ (Colossians 2:13). Regeneration is sometimes called “the divine initiative.” It is the activity that God undertakes to intervene in our lives and change us from a state of spiritual death to a … Continue reading “GOD’S ROLE IN REGENERATION”

EPHESIANS 2:1–10 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins (Ephesians 2:1). The new birth is the beginning of a new life. Perhaps like me you had a crisis conversion, and perceived your new birth as a great experience. Or perhaps you only gradually became aware of your new birth as a … Continue reading “REGENERATION IS A NEW LIFE”