Sermons and Biblical Studies

Beware of Quotes You can’t quote the Bible indiscriminately. I remember the story of two lawyers during a trial. One thought he would make a great impression on the jury by quoting from the Bible. So he said concerning his opponent’s client, “We have it on the highest authority that it has been said, ‘All … Continue reading “Bible (application)”

Inspiration IA. The main issues. 1B. Revelation. 2B. Inspiration. 3B. Canonization. 4B. Illumination. 5B. Interpretation. 6B. Application. 1C. First three issues deal with the Bible’s authority in our lives. 2C. Second three issues deal with the Bible’s impact upon our lives. 2A. Revelation: the problem of communication: Hebrews 1:1–2. 1B. Nature: Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1–4. … Continue reading “Bible”

Picnic Walking through a state park near Miami, my wife and I saw a Cuban family enjoying a picnic as half a dozen raccoons begged for handouts. The family responded by tossing them bits of food and saying repeatedly, “Oye, chico, ven aca.” (C’mere, boy.”) I later confessed to my wife that my first reaction … Continue reading “Bias”

Family No treachery is worse than betrayal by a family member or friend. Julius Caesar knew such treachery. Among the conspirators who assassinated the Roman leader on March 15, 44 B. C. was Marcus Junius Brutus. Caesar not only trusted Brutus, he had favored him as a son. According to Roman historians, Caesar first resisted … Continue reading “Betrayal”

Eleven Benedictions in the Bible •      “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24–26) •      “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” … Continue reading “Benedictions”

A Saga of Suffering If you were born after 1950, you might not know the story of Ben Hur. This classic book written by a Civil War general, Lew Wallace, in 1899, was turned into a movie starring Charleton Heston, which won the Academy Award for best movie in 1959. It is a towering story … Continue reading “Ben Hur”

Trials of a Missionary From his early boyhood, John Paton wanted to be a missionary. Before studying theology and medicine, Paton served for ten years as a Glasgow City Missionary. After graduation, he was ordained and set sail for the New Hebrides as a Presbyterian missionary. Three months after arriving on the island of Tanna, … Continue reading “Believe”

Unchurched Americans Of unchurched Americans, two-thirds believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ and that he was resurrected from the dead. The belief that Jesus Christ will return to earth someday is held by 62 percent of all Americans. Of the total American adult population, nearly half believe in creationism, and 37 percent believe the … Continue reading “Beliefs”

Placebos Studies show that sugar pills, or placebos, can alleviate many symptoms if a sick person believes he is getting treatment. Current research reveals that 1 in 3 people find such medication to be helpful—even when they are told they are getting a placebo. This illustrates the power of mind over body. It also shows … Continue reading “Belief (false)”

Teen Pregnancy When you’re raised in the country, hunting is just a natural part of growing up. For years I enjoyed packing up my guns and some food to head off into the woods. Even more than the hunting itself, I enjoyed the way these trips always seemed to deepen my relationship with friends as … Continue reading “Belief (vs. action)”