The next king in our study of the kings of Israel and Judah is a young man named Joash (Jehoash). He was a good king during the first part of his 40-year reign, but then turned bad. What went wrong? He lacked personal godly character. What is character? “Character can be defined as what makes […]
Throughout the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon makes many contrasts using the words “better … than”. We have noted several already. However, here in chapter 7, he gives us a cluster of these contrasting statements. On the first read of them, they may seem backward to your thinking, but as we examine them more closely, I […]
Ahab’s Last Straw Date: 29 April 2020 Text: 1 Kings 21:1-20 Key Lesson: God’s patience will eventually run out. Ahab’s Selfishness § Naboth had a vineyard in Jezreel (v.1). King Ahab wanted it and offered to buy it or to trade for it (v.2). This was a selfish demand. Naboth refused because of God’s law […]
We live in an age of compromise. Many Christians are taking a soft stand and leaning toward the world. The Apostle Paul wrote these helpful words to the carnal church at Corinth, (1 Corinthians 16:13) “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” Like the Corinthian believers, we must watch […]
Children often lack the wisdom to discern what is good for them. Given the choice, they will choose to eat sweets rather than veggies, to stay ignorant rather than go to school, to play rather than to work, and to be selfish rather than to share. Unfortunately, many adults are just big kids. They too […]
Key Lesson: God is still seeking men to preach the Word. Elisha’s Call to Preach (v.19) Obeying God’s orders, Elijah, having found Elisha, walked out into the freshly ploughed field. As Elisha’s oxen pulled their plough passed where Elijah was standing, he took his old hairy mantle and cast it upon Elisha’s shoulders. In those […]
Psalm 107 reminds me of the cycles found in the book of Judges (prosperity > sin > oppression > repent > mercy > prosperity). However, in this Psalm, the emphasis is on God’s sovereign ways to get us to do right and to praise Him for his lovingkindness. These are two lessons that we often […]
In times of distress, pandemic, sadness, sickness or fear one of the best things we can receive is calming advice. Transition In Ecclesiastes 5, God gives us four words of advice that will calm our souls if we heed them. The first calming advice is to… Think Before You Speak to God (v.1-7) Be swift […]
Elijah Anointed Elisha (pt.1) Date: 15 April 2020 Text: 1 Kings 19:15-21 Key Lesson: Seek to prepare your children to serve. God’s Instructions (v.15-18) God could have left Elijah to die there in the cave, but He did not do that. The Lord is merciful. (Psalms 103:10, 14) “He hath not dealt with us after […]
Being resurrection Sunday, this morning we examined the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. This evening, I want us to broaden the topic and consider future resurrections. What does God tell us about the resurrection of believers and unbelievers? (Read text) Transition As we look at this subject, I want us to answer two important […]