Friday, August 31, 2012

Without Christ,

Without Christ,
I believe that we all understand that along with the rest of the world, we were once WITHOUT CHRIST.
There’s no way I can describe for you the great misery that lies in those two words.
There is no neediness like it, no want like it, and for those who die WITHOUT CHRIST; there is no devastation like the devastation it will bring.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Parables of the Unjust Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus

Parables of the Unjust Steward, Rich Man and Lazarus
This parable has been greatly misunderstood, and one of the reasons is because it looks as though our Lord is commending a crook. The steward is a full-blown crook. Some people think that anyone Jesus mentions in a parable is a hero or an example of a noble character. If that’s what you think, then be prepared for a shock, because this man is a really bad character.

The End of Samson, Judges 16.23-31

The End of Samson, Judges 16.23-31
Many in the crowd that day were making sport with an Israelite, and insulting and abusing him, whom God loved. Nothing fills the measure of the iniquity of any person or people faster than mocking and misusing the servants of God, yes, it is through their own foolishness that they are brought low. Those that make sport with a good man don’t know what they are doing, or whom they offend.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Consequences of Bad Religion, John 11:45-53

Consequences of Bad Religion, John 11:45-53
CHRIST DIED DURING Passover week in Jerusalem.
It was the HIGH HOLY WEEK of the year for the Jewish people.
And Jerusalem was CROWDED with religious pilgrims.
It does not take much reading of the gospel accounts to realize that JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED BY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Jews and Greeks and Wisdom, 1 Cor 1.18-25

Jews and Greeks and Wisdom, 1 Cor 1.18-25
Paul had the best Jewish education available at that time; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the essential point and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, and the fountain of all our joys. And by his death we live.

Commentary on 1st Corinthians, explains every verse.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Enjoy Christian Relationships

http://teachingsermonsforpastorsandlaymen.yolasite.com
Do you ever feel closer to members of our church than to members of your biological family?

When you are saved, you not only entered into a personal relationship with Christ, but you also entered into a new relationship with others who have accepted Jesus as their Savior. 

We are children of God and now we relate to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

We have a lot in common.

Paul's Three I Ams, Romans 1:14-17, free commentary

Paul's Three I Ams, Romans 1:14-17, free commentary If you want to understand Paul's Roman epistle, you can read this commentary.

14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
I am debtor. Paul views himself as a debtor to the whole world. He has been placed in debt by the love of Jesus Christ. “For the love of Christ compels us…” (II Cor 5:14). Paul’s concept of Christian service is that each believer is deeply in debt. It is probably this same concept that inspired Isaac Watts to pen the words of the hymn “At the Cross” when he said, “But drops of grief can ne’er repay the debt of love I owe. Here, Lord, I give myself away, ’tis all that I can do.” Paul felt he had a responsibility to give nothing less than himself to the spreading of the gospel by which he was saved.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Meal with a Pharisee, Luke 14:1-24

Meal with a Pharisee, Luke 14:1-24
Jesus wasn’t in the dark about why He was invited to this dinner. But I have to admit that if a Pharisee had asked me to come to dinner for the purpose of spying on me, I would have refused. The Pharisee and perhaps others who were there were watching Jesus, and looking for something to use to damage the reputation of our Lord.

Yola

Yola
God has established human government because people are sinners and must be controlled. Governmental authority comes from God, so you must respect the office even if you cannot respect the officer. I remember when I was in the Marine Corps; we were told to salute the uniform, not the person. Believe me, there were some officers that I disliked, but this principal made saluting them much easier

Friday, August 24, 2012

Yola

Yola

The last time we studied Jacob’s life we saw him doing one of the most despicable things a man can do. He did it at the request of his mother. You know, sometimes people excuse themselves for being mean by saying it was because their mother didn’t love them when they were little. Believe me, Jacob couldn’t say that. Jacob was loved and spoiled.

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven
When ever Jesus wanted to explain what something was like, to people who didn’t know anything about it, He used parables in which He would compare it to something they did know about.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Heart Cry for Revival, Psalm 80

Heart Cry for Revival, Psalm 80
 Those who love God and seek to serve Him with all their heart have a hedge about them.
Satan cannot touch them unless God allows it, and even then it is for some purpose of God.
On the other hand, through the sin of unbelief, a person can abandon the protection of God, and leave himself open to the attacks of Satan.

Yola

Yola
Jesus was very approachable, by all classes of people, as we shall see in today’s scripture lesson. It is the story of the sinful woman who worshiped Him, at a dinner given in the home of a well-to-do Pharisee. We have already read the scripture, so let’s look closely at what took place. The story begins with these words,And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.” We have to imagine the guests arriving and Simon the Pharisee welcoming them with all the suitable courtesies; and embracing each and every one in turn. Slaves were there to wash the dirt from their sandaled feet, and to pour sweet olive oil over their heads. But there was one of the guests who was not treated with respect. He was just a poor man, invited because His being there might prove to be entertaining to the other guests. No kiss of welcome was offered to Him, and the slaves did not wait on him with the luxuries that were provided the other guests. Jesus accepted the invitation, and came to the dinner, even though He knew the intentions of the one who invited Him.

Yola

Yola
Jesus was very approachable, by all classes of people, as we shall see in today’s scripture lesson. It is the story of the sinful woman who worshiped Him, at a dinner given in the home of a well-to-do Pharisee. We have already read the scripture, so let’s look closely at what took place. The story begins with these words,And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.” We have to imagine the guests arriving and Simon the Pharisee welcoming them with all the suitable courtesies; and embracing each and every one in turn. Slaves were there to wash the dirt from their sandaled feet, and to pour sweet olive oil over their heads. But there was one of the guests who was not treated with respect. He was just a poor man, invited because His being there might prove to be entertaining to the other guests. No kiss of welcome was offered to Him, and the slaves did not wait on him with the luxuries that were provided the other guests. Jesus accepted the invitation, and came to the dinner, even though He knew the intentions of the one who invited Him.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Jews and Greeks and Wisdom, 1 Cor 1.18-25

Jews and Greeks and Wisdom, 1 Cor 1.18-25
Paul had the best Jewish education available at that time; but the plain preaching of a crucified Jesus, was more powerful than all the oratory and philosophy of the heathen world. This is the essential point and substance of the gospel. Christ crucified is the foundation of all our hopes, and the fountain of all our joys.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Yola

Yola
Although Jerusalem was the royal city, he made many trips to the country, not only to his own country of Galilee, but to other parts, even those that were in out-of-the-way places, beyond Jordan. Here Christ retires from the public scene, and He went away again beyond Jordan. There he found some rest and quiet, when there was none in Jerusalem.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Keeping Warm at the Enemy’s Fire, Luke 22:31-34, 54-62

Keeping Warm at the Enemy’s Fire, Luke 22:31-34, 54-62
When we see an especially strong Christian face a spiritual defeat, we tend to think, “I would have expected that to happen to anyone but him.”
Peter’s denial while keeping warm at the enemy’s fire creates a similar surprise.
Peter was a strong individual, a great leader, and a dynamic Christian.
Peter showed his personal strength in three ways. See what they are.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

New Testament Epistles

New Testament Epistles
The city of Corinth was famous for its wealth and bustling business community, which was mainly due to its location between the Ionian and Aegean Seas on the isthmus connecting the Peloponese with Greece. In Paul's time it was the capital of the province of Achaia and the seat of the Roman proconsul’s government (see [1]Acts 18:12). The condition of morals of this city was notorious for corruption and wickedness, even in the degenerate heathen world; so much so that "to Corinthianize" was a proverbial phrase for "to play the lustful and immoral." Corinth was invaded by all kinds of religions and philosophies. With this in mind, Paul was concerned for the purity of the Christian Church at Corinth. That Church was founded by Paul on his first visit (see Acts 18:1-17), but the city had gotten into the church; and that explained why there were so many problems. The believers in Corinth needed to heed Romans 12:2—And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.—and so do we today.

Feast of Dedication, John 10:22-39

Feast of Dedication, John 10:22-39
The Feast of Dedication of the Altar or the Feast of the Purification of the Temple (Hanukkah, as it is most commonly called today) occurs in December and lasts eight days. A candle is lighted each day in observance of this celebration, which is also called the Feast of Lights. The feast celebrates the victories of Judas Maccabaeus (165 B.C.). When Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria (175–164 B.C.), tried to abolish the Jewish religion, he attacked Jerusalem. He killed 80,000 Jews, profaned the temple courts and chambers, and sacrificed swine to the pagan god Zeus on the temple altar. Judas Maccabaeus and his brothers fought Epiphanes and won. They cleansed and restored the temple and rebuilt the altar. This Feast of Hanukkah is still celebrated by the Jews. John referred to the various Jewish feasts more than the other gospel writers.

Yola

Yola
Jude is concerned with apostasy. Even in his day, the church was already being infiltrated by religious Quislings, men who posed as servants of God but who were actually enemies of the cross of Christ. Jude’s purpose is to expose these traitors and to describe their ultimate doom.

Commentary on Book of Jude

Friday, August 17, 2012

Living At a New Address, 1 john 1.5-9, 1 John 3.5-10

Living At a New Address, 1 john 1.5-9, 1 John 3.5-10
Being a Christian is like living at a new address.
A Christian is someone who has moved from the house of sin and death into a new home with Christ.
When you live with Christ, you want to show Him your love by doing good works and resisting sin.
You will sin again, but you will never again live with sin, because you have a new address; you are living with Jesus.
This new relationship to sin is made possible by Christ’s victory over death.
His died in your place so that you don’t have to die.
He was raised from the dead so you could be justified before God.
You not only have a new home, but you also have a new righteousness.
Your old righteousness was like “filthy rags,” but now you have been given the righteousness of Christ.

Yola

Yola

All believers look forward to spending eternity in heaven. It’s natural then for us to have a curiosity about what heaven is like. Understandably, the scriptures are highly symbolic in their description of heaven. This is true because the Bible must use “earthly” words to describe a celestial place. Most of what the Bible says about heaven must be recognized in its symbolic and figurative setting. The writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit were simply using the most expressive language at their disposal to portray heaven. Some concentrated on those characteristics of heaven that parallel the material and physical nature of earth, such as the “streets of gold,” “walls of jasper”, and “gates of pearl.” 

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven

Parables of the Mustard Seed and Leaven
The mustard seed was often planted by farmers in Palestine.  Matthew and Mark point to the seed’s small size and contrast this with the size of the full-grown tree (a mustard seed can produce a tree 30 feet tall).  

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Bible Sermons Online-Always Free

Bible Sermons Online-Always Free

There is a time of judgment for kings, and dictators, and presidents, even though some of them believe that they don’t have to answer to anyone on earth, and that they are above God’s judgment.
But even if they escape judgment on earth, they will be tried before the throne of Jesus Christ.

The Period Of The Judges-Free Commentary on the Book of Judges

The Period Of The Judges-Free Commentary on the Book of Judges

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Barren Fig Tree, Luke 13:6-9

Barren Fig Tree, Luke 13:6-9
Our Lord also gave us this parable about a certain man that had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. This parable is found only in Luke, but both here and in the miraculous cursing of the fig tree in Matthew 21:18–21, the tree seems to stand for Israel. The lesson is that when God gives spiritual privileges, He has a right to expect fruit. One might also learn the danger of not producing fruit. Even though the Lord was merciful with Israel, He had to judge that nation.

Paul's Epistle to the Romans,

Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Bible study
 The Roman church may have been formed by believers who heard Peter’s message during the celebration of Pentecost (Acts 2). Paul had never visited the church at Rome, but he recognized the strategic significance of the church there. Therefore Paul shared in detail the basic doctrine of Christianity with these believers.

Monday, August 13, 2012

The Period Of The Judges

The Period Of The Judges

Begin your Bible Study with the Book of Judges--a very interesting study of the great men God chose to deliver Israel from her enemies.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Selfishness Separates Families, Genesis 27.30-45

Selfishness Separates Families, Genesis 27.30-45

Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, differed from the start. 
Esau, the oldest, was a man of the field, while Jacob was a “home boy.”  Twice, during their days at home, Jacob took advantage of Esau.  First, he enticed his older brother to sell his birthright to him for a bowl of pottage.  The second time he and his mother, Rebekah, deceived Isaac and made him grant the major family blessing to Jacob rather than Esau. Because of his deception, Jacob had to flee and spent twenty years in a distant land waiting for Esau’s anger to cool.  Even when Jacob returned, he was still not certain that he was safe from his older brother’s wrath.  We can learn several valuable lessons from this story.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Jesus Deals With Hypocrisy, Covetousness, Worry and Alertness

Jesus Deals With Hypocrisy, Covetousness, Worry and Alertness

A large crowd had got together to hear Christ preach.  The scribes and Pharisees were there, but they were looking for something that they could accuse him of.  But the people, who were not prejudice against Him and jealous, still admired him, followed Him, and gave Him respect.

Friday, August 10, 2012

The Living Christ in the Church, Acts 3.1-18

The Living Christ in the Church, Acts 3.1-18

In our scripture we read that Peter and John had an encounter with a lame man who had been crippled from birth.  Each day someone carried him to the temple and laid him by the gate called Beautiful.  He begged from the crowds of worshipers who passed this prominent place.  This is how he provided for his needs. What a contrast!  On one hand there is a man who has been crippled all his life, and on the other hand there is the beautiful gate to the temple.  And here at the gate is where the man’s healing took place.  The man saw Peter and John approaching the gate, so he begged them for money.  But why did he beg from Peter and John instead of others in the crowd?  Only God can answer that question. 

 But Peter’s words changed the man’s life: “I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, (rise and) walk” (Acts 3:6).  Peter took the man by the hand and helped him up. 

 The man was healed instantly. 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Harmony of the Gospels, There is Harmony within the Gospels

Harmony of the Gospels, There is Harmony within the Gospels
Jesus was a dinner guest in the home of a Pharisee, but He did not flatter His host or the other guests by avoiding the truth. He exposed their hypocrisy and condemned them for their sins (Matt. 23). They ruined people (v. 44), burdened them (v. 46), and locked the door on them (v. 52), while posing as holy men of God. Instead of taking the opportunity of repenting and being forgiven, they opposed Jesus and attacked Him. Today’s lesson is about the conversation between Jesus and a certain Pharisee that took place during dinner. Jesus says many of those things to the Pharisee and his guests that He will say to them later in the temple. Jesus is consistent in what He says; He will not say anything in private that He would not say in front of a large congregation.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

What the World Needs Now is Love, 1 John 3:11-18, 4:7-12

What the World Needs Now is Love, 1 John 3:11-18, 4:7-12

Since “God is love,” His children who have His nature should also manifest His love, because the children should be like the Father!  Our love for others makes God’s love real and visible to them so we can better witness to them about Christ. 

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Accused of Connection with Beelzebub, Luke 11:14-36

Accused of Connection with Beelzebub, Luke 11:14-36

We are told here that a demonic was brought to Jesus, who cured him instantly and completely, so that the man, who had been terribly afflicted, was now no longer demon-possessed. Also, he was able to talk. It is not surprising that the crowd that witnessed this miracle was astonished.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Christian Rewards, 1 Corinthians 3.8-15

Christian Rewards, 1 Corinthians 3.8-15

 Today, we are going to be studying the subject of Christian rewards. It’s something that we can all look forward to. I don’t know if you are aware that the Bible says that every child of God is going to receive a reward.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Another Lesson on Prayer, Luke 11:1-13

Another Lesson on Prayer, Luke 11:1-13


After watching Jesus pray, one of His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. It was the custom of our Lord to get alone to pray. One of His disciples must have overheard Him pray, and now had a desire to pray like Christ prayed. The disciple is not just asking how to pray. The Lord had given the Sermon on the Mount, and at that time He gave them what we call the Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) which outlined how one should pray. This disciple is not asking for a technique, a system, an art form, or a ritual to follow. It’s not a matter of how to do it, but he wanted to pray like Christ prayed.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Stand Up, You Dry Bones, Ezekiel 37.1-10

Stand Up, You Dry Bones, Ezekiel 37.1-10


We know that only the Holy Spirit can bring life to dead souls, so what should we do?  Well, there are certain ways in which we can act properly toward God; and there are certain attitudes which it would be well for us to take up; and from these we may gain the approval of God and get His help with our case.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Harmony of the Gospels

Harmony of the Gospels

 Christ tells us that there is only one thing needful; but He never really says what that one thing is.  But if we look closely at the story in our text, I bettcha we can figure out what that one thing is.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Do You Love Me?, John 21: 15-17

Do You Love Me?, John 21: 15-17

Jesus was the same after His crucifixion, as He was before His crucifixion.  Although, He had lain in the tomb, and descended into the place of the dead, and then retraced His steps back to the land of the living, He remained unchanged in His behavior and character.  His death, and His resurrection, could not change His character as a man, any more than they could affect His distinctiveness as God the Son. 

He is Jesus and He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.