Seasonal Preaching

By inspiration, the aposlte Paul lists some virtues possessed by those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit through the word of Christ. “The fruit of the Spirit is...faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

By inspiration, the aposlte Paul lists some virtues possessed by those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit through the word of Christ. “The fruit of the Spirit is...faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).

By inspiration, the aposlte Paul lists some virtues possessed by those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit through the word of Christ. "The fruit of the Spirit is...longsuffering, kindness, goodness" (Galatians 5:22).

Judah had been carried off to Babylonian captivity for their unfaithfulness, and Ezekiel prophesied to the exiles. Though their sins brought reproach upon God, for His name's sake He would bring them back to their land. A greater spiritual renewal, restoration, and revival was also in God's plan (Ezekiel 36-37).

By inspiration, the aposlte Paul lists some virtues possessed by those who are under the influence of the Holy Spirit through the word of Christ. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace" (Galatians 5:22).

Luke 7:36-50 records an incredible interaction Jesus had with a Pharisee and a woman who was a known sinner in the city. Jesus places the actions of the woman in contrast to that of the Pharisee to demonstrate the fact of her forgiveness, and what it provoked in her. The amazing account of God's mercy moves us to confidence, love, and peace.

Galatians 5:22-23 contains a list which comprises the fruit of the Spirit. These characteristics are possessed by those who are led by the will of God revealed by His Spirit. By bearing this fruit one is in fellowship with Christ, and imitates Him. The context of Galatians 5 is key to understanding the point of list given by God, and the important role it plays in the life of a Christian.

Everyone likes a compliment. However, some compliment to flatter or manipulate. Not all compliments are equal. On several occasions, Jesus gave compliments to people for certain character traits displayed in their lives. If Jesus gave a compliment, it meant something. What did Jesus find worthy of a compliment?

After his sin of unlawful sacrifice Saul was told that his kingdom would not continue, and that God has “sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” (1 Samuel 13:14) This tells us Saul was after his own heart, and his actions demonstrate what that looks like.

Paul explained the mystery of God that has been revealed, "that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him"(Ephesians 1:10). This is a wonderful truth giving us all purpose, direction, and hope.

Proverbs 6:12-19 describes one who is "A worthless person, a wicked man." God describes what He hates, and what is abominable to Him. We must not possess the characteristics of this man, but we must also beware of him, and realize God's expectations of us when we encounter him.

Proverbs 6:12-19 describes one who is "A worthless person, a wicked man." God describes what He hates, and what is abominable to Him. We must not possess the characteristics of this man, but we must also beware of him, and realize God's expectations of us when we encounter him.

"Holy and reverend is his name." (Psalm 111:9, ASV) A relationship with God is impossible without fear, and reverence. This is fundamental to His nature, and His dealings with man.

Psalm 119 is all about the word of God. Within the psalm are many blessings revealed as coming from it. Our lives should be molded and influenced by the will of God revealed in His inspired word.

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.