Seasonal Preaching

Jesus came to earth and manifested His glory. Men denied Him glory throughout His stay, but the glory He sought was from His Father. This is a glory He offers men, but some refuse it as they seek another glory. What glory are you seeking?

The Christian has a bold claim of salvation and hope, but is there evidence for such a claim? The apostle Peter wrote,  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear"  (1 Peter 3:15). What is a legitimate defense for the claim of hope?

Some seek to distinguish the gospel from doctrine and minimize the importance of the latter in the process. Is doctrine unimportant? Will doctrine affect my life? How does doctrine shape my life?

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”  (Matthew 16:18) Jesus built His church as He said He would. What does the church Jesus built look like?

“For who has despised the day of small things?”  (Zechariah 4:10) God encouraged Zerubbabel to finish building the temple. God’s hands were involved in “the day of small things.” This day is something we all experience, and we must realize its importance.

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, the scripture tells us he saw the grace of God (cf. Acts 11:23). The grace of God is visible, though in spiritual ways (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7). What will we be seeing when we see the grace of God?

“I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”  (John 4:38) It is important that we remember those who labored before us, and the blessings we receive from their work as we seek to continue it with our own labors.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest…let us draw near…”  (Hebrews 10:19, 22). The book of Hebrews is filled with encouraging truths about the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. These give Christians boldness to approach Godl

"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified."  ( 2 Corinthians 13:5 ) The importance of self-examination cannot be overemphasized. A Christian cannot be faithful without the practice. How are we to examine ourselves?

The call to spread the gospel to the lost and dying world is given to each individual Christian, and to the church collectively. The task can be daunting, and Christians often shrink from it. The words of Paul in  1 Corinthians 3:5-17  give insight into the nature of sowing the seed of God's word, and our involvment in it. His teaching should embolden us to do God's work.

The death of king Josiah is given more detail in 2 Chronicles 35 (cf.  2 Chronicles 35:20-25 ). The account shows that God spoke to Josiah through Necho, the king of Egypt. God was warning the king not to meddle with His affairs. The account demonstrates how Josiah meddled with God, and we should avoid doing the same.

The Hebrew writer concluded his chapter on faith by noting the fact that there are numerous other examples he had not addressed. The history of God’s people is rich with multitudes of men and women who faithfully served God. The writer then points the readers to their main focus in faith, Jesus Christ.

The leadership of Moses was instrumental in the exodus from Egypt, but without the faith of the Israelites there would not have been deliverance. God requires us to move forward at His word by faith. This pattern continued with the nation's conquest of the promised land, and even applied to those few inhabitants of the land of Canaan who appealed to YHWH for safety. (cf. Hebrews 11:29-31)

The Old Testament contains three prominent anointed positions which were shadows of the Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Jesus fulfills the roles of prophet, priest, and king.

The Hebrew writer continues his examples of faith with Moses (cf.  Hebrews 11:23-28 ). Much is learned about faith in consideration of this faithful servant of God’s house. It started with the faith of his parents, and progressed to his own faith being displayed in impressive ways. Moses made choices by faith with full recognition of the consequences, yet considering following God as supreme.

"Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law."  ( Psalm 119:18 ) God's people should always strive for a deeper understanding of His will. This is not merely an intellectual pursuit, but one of great practical import. The words of the Psalmist indicate the need for God's aid.

The Hebrew christians were encouraged,  "For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise"  ( Hebrews 10:36 ). When God makes a promise, faith expresses full confidence through faithful activity.  Hebrews 11:17-22 describes the actions of faith displayed by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph who had great confidence in God's prom...

The Corinthians had responded to the gospel of God's grace and were saved from their immoral and idolatrous sinful life. However, Paul had received reports indicating their behavior had reverted to their past ways. Paul reminds them,  "And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God....

"By faith Abraham obeyed..."  ( Hebrews 11:8 ). Abraham, the father of faith, is the subject of focus for the greater part of Hebrews 11. Observing his faith provides great insight into what pleases God.

Paul prayed for the Ephesians to be strengthened in  Ephesians 3:14-21 . This strength is needed for Christians to walk worthy of their calling, and bring glory to God. The prayer gives us insight into what this strength is, and how it is derived, as well as what it produces within us.

The first three characters the Hebrew writer utilizes to display the faith that pleases God are Abel, Enoch, and Noah ( Hebrews 11:4-7 ). Faith acts on God's word, leads to right standing with God, is willing to change, is outspoken, affects others for good, and provides an example for all to follow.

The epistle to the Hebrews warned the brethren of apostasy. As they were suffering persecution, the writer explained,  “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…Now the just shall live by faith” ( Hebrews 10:36 ,  38 ). An active and enduring faith is essential to pleasing God.

Luke recorded the activity of the church upon its establishment,  "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine"  (Acts 2:42). What is significant about this doctrine? If the first Christians were so focused on the apostles' doctrine, should we be?

Luke recorded the activity of the church upon its establishment,  "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine"  (Acts 2:42). What is significant about this doctrine? If the first Christians were so focused on the apostles' doctrine, should we be?

Often, circumstances arise which lead to reminiscence concerning loved ones who have passed. These moments also often times lead to meditations on what those passsed loved ones may think about current matters if they were around to express those thoughts. Usually, these conversations center around temporal matters which lack spiritual substance. The account of the rich man and Lazarus in  Luke 16:...