Seasonal Preaching

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....

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....

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.