Sermons and Biblical Studies

General Resource •      Kingdom Conflict, J. Stowell, Victor, 1985. Days of Creation Professor James Barr, of Oxford, although he rejects Genesis as sober history, wrote: “So far as I know, there is no professor of Hebrew or Old Testament at any world class university who does not believe that the writers of Genesis 1–11 intended … Continue reading “Genesis”

Zinzendorf’s Instructions In 1722 Count Nicholaus von Zinzendorf of Saxony founded a colony of pietist believers called “hernhut,” later known as Moravians. He also traveled to America and set up communities that began to send out missionaries, first to Greenland, then to the West Indies, then beyond. By the time Zinzendorf died in 1760 some … Continue reading “Zinzendorf, Count Von”

The Zealots—Firebrands of Revolution •      Ardent nationalists who awaited an opportunity to revolt against Rome. •      Resisted paying taxes to Rome or to the temple. •      One particular tax revolt against Rome, led by Judas the Galilean (6 B.C.), secured Galilee’s reputation as a seedbed of revolutionaries. •      Blamed by some for the collapse of … Continue reading “Zealot, Zealots”

Dislocated a Shoulder While Directing Halford Lucock says, “I was impressed several years ago when I read the Eugene Ormandy dislocated a shoulder while directing the Philadelphia Orchestra. I do not know what they were playing, but he was giving all of himself to it! And I have asked myself sadly, ‘Did I ever dislocate … Continue reading “Zeal”

Prayer for a Blessing Bestow, dear Lord, upon our youth, The gift of saving grace; And let the seed of sacred truth Fall in a fruitful place. Grace is a plant, where’er it grows, Of pure and heavenly root; But fairest in the youngest shows, And yields the sweetest fruit. Ye careless ones, O hear … Continue reading “Youth, cf. Teens”

I Almost Failed to Give Him the Key The early years of the 19th century were troubled times in the German confederation. Rumors of revolution and rioting had the federated government in panic. Klemens von Metternich, the chief statesman of the confederation, ordered thousands of young men drafted into the army to guard the borders … Continue reading “Yielded”

Submission O Lord, my best desire fulfill, And help me to resign Life, health, and comfort to Thy will, And make Thy pleasure mine. Why should I shrink at Thy command, Whose love forbids my fears? Or tremble at the gracious hand That wipes away my tears? No, rather let me freely yield What most … Continue reading “Yield”

Yeast or Leaven Yeast, or leaven, is a powerful fungus that can cause a lump of dough to rise into bread, ferment liquids into alcohol, or cause painful infections. When Jesus spoke of yeast in His comments about the Pharisees and Herod (v. 15), His disciples were quite confused. What could He mean? What was … Continue reading “Yeast”

The Challenge The Challenge: 100 million adults attend church weekly, most for 10+ years, 49% not even believers. The average Christian in American today will die without ever having shared his faith in Christ with another person. George Barna Seminar, Spokane, October, 1998 The Marks of a 1. A witness must have a first-hand experience … Continue reading “Witness”

Without •      Without shedding of blood, no remission Heb. 9:22 •      Without faith no pleasing God Heb. 11:6 •      Without holiness, no heaven Heb. 12:14 •      Without chastisement, no sonship Heb. 12:8 From the Book of 750 Bible and Gospel Studies, 1909, George W. Noble, Chicago