The Encouragement Epistle – II Timothy 1:6-7

It makes perfect sense if we think about it in one way, and then it is ridiculous if looked at differently. I’m talking about the fact that several sections of the inspired Word of God were written to individuals. It is easy to understand why the Holy Spirit spoke to...

In Times Like These – Hebrews 6:17-20

A few minutes ago we sang Ruth Caye Jones’ hymn, “In Times like These.” In times like these you need a Saviour, and in times like these you need the Bible. In times like these you need an anchor which can grip the solid rock, the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth Jones, born in...

Nigh Drawing – James 4:6-10

I am not a artist; I can’t draw accurately, and can’t paint. I even have a hard time painting the walls in my house. I have a hard time keeping my crayons between the lines. But I am surrounded by artists, and our house is filled with their original work – from...

Replenishing the Gift Card – Ephesians 5:18

Judy and I are “old school” when it comes to many areas of our finances. Some people might simplify that and just say that we are “old.” Whatever – each week I personally take the check our treasurer gives me and I deposit it. I don’t take a picture of it and email it...

Mending Their Nets – Matthew 4:18-22

The Lord Jesus was just beginning His earthly ministry. Matthew 3 ended with His baptism and His Father’s approval, emphasized with the declaration: “THIS is my beloved Son, in whom I am WELL pleased.” Our chapter begins with the battle between Jesus and Satan – “Then...

The Education of an Apostle – II Timothy 4:9-17

The Holy Spirit hasn’t revealed a lot about the personal life of the Apostle Paul. In fact, there are relative few details about any of the great characters of the Bible. But there are little snippets from time to time about David, Abraham, Nehemiah and Daniel. And...

Short-Sighted Faith – John 5:39-47

After the Lord Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, another confrontation with the Jews began. Questions came up about Jesus’ authority and power. In John 5:22 Christ said, “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son, that all men...

The Minor, Minor Prophets – Numbers 22:22-31

Years ago, I met a pastor who had been dismissed from his church. His people had rebelled against his leadership, and I was forced by circumstances to look into the problem. The leader of the mutiny couldn’t point to any doctrinal issues; it was a matter of clashing...

The Possibility of Great Peace – Psalm 119:165

Only once have I preached from this verse, and it was twenty years ago. I didn’t pull that message out, but I was tempted, because I have it listed as a gospel message. There are just too many great scriptures in the Bible. And when a quarter of my sermons are about...

How God Became Man – Galatians 4:4-5

In a moment I will have you turn to Luke 1 and 2 and also to Matthew 1. When you see what we are studying this evening, you may think that I have lost my mind, or perhaps I have begun using the Greek Orthodox calender. Here we are in April, and I am taking you to some...

Annotations on Anatomy– I Corinthians 6:19-20

Years ago, we had a member who, earlier in his life, had been a Baptist pastor. Knowing the pressures and problems of the ministry, he went out of his way to be a blessing to Judy and me. He and his wife were generous, taking us out for meals, and often inviting us to...

Prayer Problems – Hebrews 10:19-22

What would you say is greatest blessing that we have as Christians? Is it the forgiveness of all our sins – past, present and future? Is it the ability to live above our temptations with assurance of victory through Christ and the Spirit? Is it eternal life and our...

Sitting Close to Jesus – Ephesians 2:1-7

Before we return to Ephesians 2, I would like to take you back to John 13. You don’t need to turn there; I will just try to stir your imaginations. John doesn’t follow the same outline as the Synoptic Gospel, but it is all there. Christ and His disciples were alone in...

How Much Grace is Too Much? – Acts 4:32-35

Judy and I read from a couple sources during our devotions together. The other day, I was reading Spurgeon’s “Morning and Evening,” when I came across these words: “Think how much grace one saint requires… So much that nothing but THE Infinite could supply his...