Sermons and Biblical Studies

Resource •      Parallels with Jesus, Stephen Neill, The Supremacy of Jesus, p. 77

Chosen by God The idea of election goes back to Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3). God chose to make a nation of that patriarch’s descendants. He chose Israel to be his people. He worked his purposes out through that one nation and in due course sent his Messiah as a Jew. After that, God continued to choose, … Continue reading “Election, cf. predestination”

Resource •      J.B. Lightfoot, Philippians, Zondervan, p. 181ff

The Lumberjack The story is told of the big lumberjack who bought a brand new chainsaw and was told it could cut down at least 100 trees a day. But on the first day he only managed to cut down 25 trees. The next day he tried harder and finally cut down 33 trees. The … Continue reading “Effort”

Wasting or Investing Charles Francis Adams, 19th century political figure and diplomat, kept a diary. One day he entered: “Went fishing with my son today—a day wasted.” His son, Brook Adams, also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: “Went fishing with my father—the most … Continue reading “Effective”

The Yalie A bank manager saw a new employee eagerly counting hundred-dollar bills. “You look like an industrious young man,” the manager said. “Where did you receive your financial education?” “Yale,” replied the man. “Excellent,” responded the manager as he shook the man’s hand and introduced himself. “And what is your name?” he asked. “Yim … Continue reading “Education”

A Builder Or a Wrecker As I watched them tear a building down A gang of men in a busy town With a ho-heave-ho, and a lusty yell They swung a beam and the side wall fell I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled, And the men you’d hire if you wanted to build?” … Continue reading “Edificiation”

Quote I want the whole Christ for my Savior, the whole Bible for my book, the whole Church for my fellowship, and the whole world for my mission field. – John Wesley

Definitions of Political Systems Communism: You have two cows. The government takes both of them and gives you part of the milk. Socialism: You have two cows. The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor. Fascism: You have two cows. The government takes both cows and sells you the milk. Nazism: You have … Continue reading “Economics”

I Samuel 7:12 We should retain memories related to the Lord’s goodness and help to our families. These objects then serve to remind us and teach our children, they become family eben-ezers. The word “Eben-ezer” is first used in I Samuel 4:1 and refers to a city 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem and 10 mile … Continue reading “Ebenezer”