Seasonal Preaching

The Holy Spirit highlighted a contrast between people Paul preached to in Acts 17 - "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (v. 11). The Bereans exhibited character that we all must seek to emulate.

From the beginning, God's desire has been to dwell with those He created in His image. The tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament play a major role in this desire becoming reality. These foreshadowed the ultimate dwelling place of God among men, the temple of today.

Some seem to become embittered toward the requirements and restrictions of God's word. They dislike the Lord's restraints. However, we must constantly be reminded why the Lord has taken us prisoner to do His will. He has captured us that we may capture the prize (cf. Philippians 3:12).

In Psalm 50, the Holy Spirit speaks of God's judgment of His people Israel, especially concerning their worship before Him, and the hypocrisy of their sinful actions. Does our worship have the right motivation and purpose? Do our daily lives reflect the truth we participate in during worship?

At times we can feel there is little we can bring to the table in serving God and others. We question whether what we can do is significant. Jesus told His disciples about how some would receive them when He commissioned them to preach to the lost of Israel. The actions of those who did so, no matter how small they seemed, were greatly valued by God.

Psalm 42 descibes the intense longing for God in moments of desperation. It encourages us by showing that despite the perceived distance from God, He is near, and we can appeal to Him for help.

Sometimes we can make the mistake of missing the forest for the trees. It is important to get the details right, but not to forget about the big picture in the process. We need to frequently ask ourselves, “What is this all about?,” as we serve God in His will.

Israel was being judged by God for their unfaithfulness. Jehovah called them to repentance through the prophet Joel, saying, “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God” (Joel 2:13). Repentance is not merely an outward show (rending the garments), but a radical change of the inner man (rending the heart).

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Paul places the responsibility on Timothy. The youth are to live in such a way that provides no occasion for their youthfulness to be despised. 

John recorded Jesus speaking about the necessity of walking in the light lest one stumble (cf. John 11:9-10), and then wrote something similar in his epistle, connecting it with love (cf. 1 John 2:7-11). The light of truth and the light of love converge in John 11 as Jesus walks in the light of His Father's will which includes lovingly providing for others spiritually.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). Who are the true worshipers and what is the true worship?

This sermon reflects on the inspired call to modest attire by Christ through Paul's pen in 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Special attention is given to some Hebrew terminology in Exodus 28:42 and Isaiah 47:2.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation." (Galatians 6:14-15) Paul refused to boast like the Judaizers. His boasting was better, because it placed all the focus on Christ.

Peter described the false teachers - "These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." (2 Peter 2:17) False teaching may appear attractive, and seem to promise spiritual substance, but it is void and destructive. A few errors are addressed using the text of 2 Peter.

The apostle Paul's letter to the church at Corinth contains a portrait of spiritual leadership. Paul's approach to the problems faced by the Corinthian church serves as an example of how each of us should lead spiritually within the roles and capacity with which God has entrusted us.

Peter enouraged his readers to conduct themleves in fear of God knowing the precious blood of Jesus was their redemption price (1 Peter 1:17-19). In the text, Peter describes from what they were redeemed - "from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers" (v. 18). Before their faith in Christ they were living aimless lives. Their lives lacked purpose and substance. But through Christ they came to have hope and purpose.

Peter enouraged his readers to conduct themleves in fear of God knowing the precious blood of Jesus was their redemption price (1 Peter 1:17-19). In the text, Peter describes from what they were redeemed - "from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers" (v. 18). Before their faith in Christ they were living aimless lives. Their lives lacked purpose and substance. But through Christ they came to have hope and purpose.

A life of fellowship with God is a blessing in itself, and also brings many blessings with it. Proverbs 3:1-12 outlines some points about the blessing of life in the Lord.

When Jesus was accused of blasphemy for calling Himself the Son of God, He argued from Psalm 82 – “‘I said, “You are gods“‘ – that if God referred to men as gods and “children of the Most High” (Psalm 82:6) then He was not blaspheming. The weight of His argument is noted – “and the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). God's word is authoritative, complete, and infallible. We cannot pick and choose what suits our situations or purposes.

What should we do when we feel like, or see signs of, our faith beginning to wane? When my love to Christ shows signs of weakening, what can I do to rekindle it?

In Paul's letter to the churches of Galatia, he used an incident which occurred in Antioch involving Peter to make a strong point for justification by faith, and not by works of the law - "Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed" (Galatians 2:11). The incident serves us by helping us understand the nature of the problems Paul was addressing, as well as the ways we should interact with one another as brethren.

“But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” (Romans 6:17) Paul noted the transition of the Roman saints from the slave master of sin to another – “that form of doctrine.” “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) Ultimately, the “form of doctrine,” or pattern of teaching to which they were delivered was Christ, and His word.

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11) The Lord took for granted that parents know how to give good gifts to their children. We must make sure that is what we are doing. Do we give them what the Lord says we should?

Abraham was considered by Paul in his letter to the Romans as a case for justification by faith. He concluded, “Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:23-24). What a tremendous blessing! What does it mean that righteousness is imputed to those who have faith?

Paul told the Thessalonians to "test all things" (1 Thessalonians 5:21). However, he pointed to the standard by which they were to test all things - God's word. We must make sure we test everything by the reliable standard, and following it fully.

Peter addressed his first epistle, "To the pilgrims of the Dispersion...elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:1-2). These Elect Pilgrims, Christians, are encouraged to endure while suffering for doing good. The foundation for that endurance is addressed in chapter 1 - faith, hope, and love.

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). As we're sent into the world with wonderful good news that many will violently reject we must strike the balance Jesus instructed.

"The turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them" (Proverbs 1:32). Complacency is destructive in general, but especially spiritually. We must fight complacency, and ever strive to grow and improve.

John 11 records the 7th and final miracle of Jesus' ministry in John's record. In the text, Jesus makes a bold claim, and then proves it by raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15) The love of Christ showed for us by dying for our sins motivates us to do great things for Him. In seeing how His love was manifested, we ought to respond in the same ways.

Acts 16 records Paul's response to the vision of the "Macedonian call" (Acts 16:6-10). In Philippi, a city in Macedonia, Paul was imprisoned and found opportunity to preach the gospel to a jailor. The account of the Philippian jailor's conversion is instructive in many ways (cf. Acts 16:25-34). The urgency of obedience to the gospel in the account is especially apparent.

John 9 records the sixth of seven miracles performed by Jesus in John's gospel. In the account, Jesus gives physical sight to a man who had been blind from birth. However, this was in order to lead this man, and others, to the more important spiritual sight. Jesus makes an important application at the close of the account saying, "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.” (John 9:39)

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) What does life look like for those who have been raised with Christ in baptism? What is the newness of life? How does one walk in newness of life?

John 6:15-21 records the familiar miracle where Jesus walks on the sea. In it we observe that Jesus has the power over nature. The implications are significant for us who live in the natural world, and long for the spiritual home promised by God.

Sympathy is an important responsibility of the Christian to his brethren, and all men. It must be well rounded, as Paul wrote, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15)

John 17 records Jesus' prayer concluding His final moments with His disciples before His betrayal. The prayer is one concerning consecration - concerning Jesus' final work on the cross, the apostles' ministry that was to begin after Jesus was glorified, and for all those who believe through the apostolic ministry to be united in the Father and Son.

“Paradise” is used three times in the New Testament. Despite the limited use, the word is filled with comfort and joy. Christians have the assurance of Paradise in death, and in the the resurrection from the dead.

John 6 records Jesus' fourth miracle in John's gospel. By feeding over 5,000 with only five loves and two fish, with twelve baskets full of fragments remaining, Jesus displayed His power over quantity.

The Hebrew writer contrasted the old which was of the earth with the new which was heavenly by noting the former could be shaken, and the latter could not (cf. Hebrews 12:25-29). It is wise for us to put our faith in that which cannot be shaken, and which will remain.

John 5:1-15 records Jesus' third miracle in the gospel of John. By immediatly healing a man with an infirmity of 38 years, Jesus demonstrated His power over time. This is significant for all of us for many reasons.

What is the context of John 14:1-6? Is Jesus referring to mansions in heaven, or something else?

God's eternal plan for the church included special appointed servants. These are called deacons. What is their work? Why is it important? What are the qualifications?

The erroneous doctrine of Premillennialism is prevalent. Among the many details of this doctrine is the secret and silent “rapture,” or catching away, of the saints at Christ's coming. Is this taught in scripture?

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2 Peter 1:9) Christians must guard themselves against shortsightedness. They are to live with heaven in their view, and give diligence to be more like Christ each day.

When the Thessalonians were converted, they had their hope set on the return of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Surely, after Paul wrote about the hope of those who had fallen asleep and the future reunion with them in the resurrection the Thessalonians eager anticipation of that Day would grow (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). In his closing chapter, Paul wrote concerning the hope of the Christian concerning the Day of the Lord, and the need for their preparation for that great Day.

John 4:46-54 record Jesus' second miracle in the gospel of John. From Cana, Jesus healed a nobleman's son in Capernaum. Being 25 miles away, Jesus demonstrated the power over distance. This truth is extremely important for each of us.

Paul was thankful for the news he received from Timothy about the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. They continued in their work for the Lord even though tested by firey trials. However, Paul's love for them is shown in his earnest desire that they "abound more and more" (1 Thessalonians 4:1). In chapter 4, Paul covers some areas that in which the brethren needed growth, just as we do.

At the beginning of a new year it is wise to sharpen our spiritual focus. Among several things, our focus should be on faith, obedience, grace, being unspotted from the world, and our salvation.

The trial of persecution the Thessalonians faced was a great concern for Paul. He could no longer stand not knowing how they were doing, and sent Timothy who came with good news (cf. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, 6). They showed great faith and endurance in their trial, and stand as an example to emulate.

The miracles of Jesus confirm His claim as the Messiah, the Son of God (cf. John 20:30-31). They also teach us much about the nature of His power, His character, His relation to us and His desire for us. The miracles confirm His revelation, but are a revelation themselves. In the first miracle in Cana of Galilee, Jesus showed His power over quality.

Paul elaborates on the remembrance of the manner of his coming to the Thessalonians, and his conduct among them (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 9). Chapter 2 gives a description of Paul's motive, method, and conduct in preaching to the Thessalonians, and their reception of the message.