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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.