Ray Stedman, in a sermon “Help for Elders” based on 1 Timothy 5: He [Paul] goes back to the Law, to the book of Deuteronomy, and quotes what Moses said: “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” {cf, Deut 25:4}. That was a requirement in Israel. In those days, … More The Old Testament, Oxen and us
John Piper, in a sermon, “The Blinding Effects of Serving God”- Up till now in Luke 15 Jesus is showing with parables what it means that he “receives sinners and eats with them.” This was the accusation of the “Pharisees and scribes” in verse 2. Jesus said, in effect, when I receive sinners and eat … More No Help Wanted. Help Available.
David Porter posted this at “Boomer in the Pew”- Proverb’s personification of God’s wisdom, as Lady Wisdom, is at first a little perplexing. Proverbs 8:4-5 –“To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. 5 O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. To see God’s character personified, and … More Shocking Lady Wisdom?
Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments Ezra was prostrating himself and praying “before the house of God” (10:1). Shecaniah admits, “We have been unfaithful to our God” (10:2). It was with God that they made this covenant because they trembled at His commandment (10:3). They needed to confess their sins to the … More “Genuine repentance must be primarily toward God.”
J. Ligon Duncan III on 1 Timothy 5:1-15, “Caring For the Church” Now this is a strange passage, isn’t it? It doesn’t have the feel of I Timothy 1,2,3, and 4. The personal nature of Paul’s interaction with Timothy is for the moment set aside, and now some specific practical directions for ministry in the … More Now this is a strange passage
John Piper, on Luke 15:1-10, in a sermon “The Happiest Days of Heaven”- The Ninety-Nine Finally, consider the worship of the ninety-nine who are already in the fold. Jesus says there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over these ninety-nine. Does this mean that God does not delight in our … More “The Happiest Days of Heaven”
Proverbs 7 contains some strong words of warning for those who think they somehow are the exception to the rules of wisdom- verse 7: I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, verse 23: as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life. … More Guard your heart.
Pastor Steven J. Cole of Flagstaff Christian Fellowship comments on Ezra 9: Because we are so desensitized toward sin, we fail to have the proper response toward it, whether it is our own sin, or sin in others. We minimize it, justify it, or ignore it and go on our way unaffected by it. If … More How a person reacts to the news of sin tells a lot about that person.
1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. John Piper, in a sermon, “Let No One Despise You For Your Youth” This is one of Paul’s words to the younger Timothy who needed to be reminded that … More Expectations
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. J.C. Ryle comments: We learn, firstly, from … More Give Up Everthing?
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 