Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

When Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple, they encounter a man named Simeon. Knowing from the Holy Spirit that he will not die until he sees the Messiah, Simeon takes the child into his arms, blesses God, and blesses Joseph and Mary. We bless God when our active obedience matches our professed faith.

After receiving the news of her conception, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth. Upon arrival, Mary breaks into a song of praise. In this passage we discover why Mary went on this journey, what she knew, and how this knowledge humbled her. Mary was favored by God because of her faith.

Psalm 10 was written as a companion to Psalm 9. In Psalm 9 David is praising God, while in Psalm 10 he is asking God, "Why?" The light of Psalm 9 prepares us for the darkness of Psalm 10. But we don't have to stay in the dark. David concludes that in spite of the what things may seem , it is not really what they are when the power, faithfulness, and goodness of God are taken into account.

This psalm of David begins with a call to praise for what God has done, as well as for who He is. It then turns to the certainty of God's future judgment. Finally, there is a prayer of hope. It is expectation of God's promised future that keeps the Christian from despair when the darkest of circumstances befall him.

The first section of Genesis (chapters 1-11) wraps up with the genealogical line of Shem that leads to Abraham. As the chosen line moves toward the Chosen One, the life spans of mankind decrease. The promise of God is a promise of rest.

As the post-Flood population traveled east, they set about to build a city and a tower. The Lord was not pleased with the rebellious attitude behind the project. What God did in response is often viewed as an act of judgment. But in many ways, it was an act of grace.

The last half of the table of nations deals with the descendants of Canaan and the descendants of Shem, Noah's grandson and son, respectively. Even though there is great variation among people groups, we all come from a common source. Becoming a Christian does not change one's ethnic identity, but in Christ there is a spiritual oneness created by God Himself.

This genealogy shows us what became of the descendants of Noah's three sons as they multiplied and filled the earth. Beginning with Japheth and Ham, we start to get a glimpse of the relationship of the nations to Israel and to God's eternal plan. There is a reason for the location and the timing of each person's birth.

This passage about Noah and his son, Ham, is as sad as it is bizarre. Part of the difficulty in understanding what is going on is the vague and scant wording. Several interpretations have been offered over the centuries. The curse on Canaan and the blessings on Shem and Japheth have ramifications that are still playing out today.

The Lord establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising He will never again flood the entire earth. The sign God gives to accompany this promise continually points to His glory; specifically, the glory of God's perfect justice tempered by His lavish mercy.

As Noah and his sons step out of the ark onto a recreated earth, the Lord blesses them and gives them instructions. God reiterates to Noah what He said to the first man and woman on the sixth day of creation. But there are also some differences. Noah receives new instructions 1) in relation to animals; 2) in relation to blood; and 3) in relation to justice.

When the ground is finally dry enough, Noah and his family disembark from the ark. From this passage we see there is 1) a time to leave; 2) a time to worship; and 3) a time to rest.

It is here, in the middle of the Flood account, that God remembers Noah. When God remembers, God intervenes. As the waters begin to recede, the ark, and Noah within, find rest. When God is about to do a new thing, the Spirit begins to stir. Through waiting and sending out the birds from the ark, Noah hears from God.

If the entire world was covered in water as the Bible teaches, then there should be global evidence. We take a look at some of this evidence, along with considering flood myths that abound in cultures worldwide. In passing through the waters, Noah passed through death. So will the Christian be called to die daily.

Having considered the Flood with a focus on Noah and then on the ark, we now turn to consider the event with a focus on the One who brought the Flood--God Himself. Even as God brought destruction, He also brought renewal. But Noah and his family had to enter into the one door on the ark if they were to be delivered.

Previously we focused on the character of Noah. This passage focuses more on the ark that Noah built. Laboring for multiple decades, this huge wooden ship constructed on dry land was a testimony to Noah's faith. Because Noah trusted God, he did according to all the God commanded him.

The Lord begins to speak to Noah, giving him specific guidance for constructing a vessel that will deliver him from the cataclysmic judgment to come. From this passage we learn about Noah's 1) status; 2) instructions; and 3) protection. Even though Noah was righteous in God's sight, he still needed God's intervening provision . Only in this way would he be guaranteed safe passage.

What can account for the widespread wickedness of the ancient world in the days leading up to the Flood? This passage answers that question. The evil was supernaturally charged--and it was related to what the text calls the "sons of God" and the "daughters of men." Only one man found favor with the Lord. But even Noah could do nothing to reverse the depravity or change the hear...

Lamech, Noah's father, viewed his son with expectation. Noah's name is related to rest because Lamech hoped his son would give the human race rest from their work. What is the relationship of good works to faith? We explore this in three ways: 1) God's Work, 2) Our Works, and 3) The Christian's Work.

Adam's descendants through Seth show us that in spite of the death they all experienced, God still granted them life--long life! They all met death except for one, that is. Enoch walked with God. What was it about his fellowship with God that was so deep that Enoch was transported directly into God's glorious presence? And how did he maintain such a walk?

What was God's original intention for man? Sometimes the answer is obscured by the events of Genesis 3. Because of the Fall, God's plan for each person begins with rescuing us from the consequences of our sins. But it doesn't end there. The original intention of God was never rescinded. We are still called to rule and subdue. What does this look like? The answer lies in three images: t...

The descendants of Cain gave us the earliest benefits of civilization. How do we reconcile the contributions they made versus the self-sufficient and self-absorbed spirit in which they accomplished them? We look to the descendants of Seth. Though they did not introduce us to metal tools, music, or cities, they did preserve the knowledge of the LORD. When we are calling on the Lord, we are able to...

Like He did with Cain's parent's, the Lord confronts Cain about what he has done. Unlike his parents, Cain refuses to confess his sin. Though given the opportunity to turn around, Cain instead becomes a perpetual exile, cursed through the earth upon which he spilled his brother's blood. Even in his rebellion, however, the Lord protects Cain. The blood of Abel cries out for vengeance, b...

Adam and Eve had such high hopes for their firstborn, Cain. They couldn't imagine at his birth that he would one day murder his own brother. There are two ways of worship described in this passage. One offering is approved by God and the other rejected. It is in the way we worship that reveals who we serve.

After the Lord finishes speaking the consequences of their sin to the first man and woman, things move quickly. There is an immediacy to Adam giving the woman a name, an immediacy to God providing sufficient covering, and an immediacy to Adam and Eve's expulsion from the garden. The entrance to the garden is guarded to keep them from returning. So begins a plan whereby God will provide a way f...