Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 4:1-34 — to bask in its glory. (25) Judah & Israel - Solomon attempted to replace the old tribal loyalties with a new, national identity. (25) Each man living under his own vine and fig tree is a figurative expression for peace and prosperity (Micah 4:4; Zech. 3:10). The vine and fig tree were both symbols of the nation Israel and pictured the Promised Land’s agricultural abundance. SOLOMON FINDING GOD OUTDOORS (29-34) ​​​​​​​(29)

2 Kings 4:1-44 — Intro: Sermons to the Eyes Tonight we’ll walk through 4/5 miracles in Elisha’s life. Spurgeon said miracles were intended to instruct as well as to impress. They are, Sermons to the Eyes. Sometimes we are called to be alone with God. Depending on Him alone. In touch with the Source of miracles.

Leviticus 23:1-22 — Intro: (1,2) New section! -  Chapter 23-25 speaks of the Feasts(7), or the specialoccasions for worship! The idea of “seven” enters in to all these feasts. There are 7 feasts(we’ll take 4 this week)! Also, Weekly, monthly, yearly, the seventh year, the 50th year, all deal with the #7. (1,2) Feasts = Nothing to do with eating. (Day of Atonement was a fast) “It meant appointed times”. 2 Hebrew words are

Leviticus 23:1-22 — Intro: (1,2) New section! -  Chapter 23-25 speaks of the Feasts(7), or the specialoccasions for worship! The idea of “seven” enters in to all these feasts. There are 7 feasts(we’ll take 4 this week)! Also, Weekly, monthly, yearly, the seventh year, the 50th year, all deal with the #7. (1,2) Feasts = Nothing to do with eating. (Day of Atonement was a fast) “It meant appointed times”. 2 Hebrew words are

Isaiah 2:1-22 — friend! Outline: God’s City(Jer) as it Ought to Be; God’s City as it Was; God’s City as it Will Be. Ch.1 Isaiah looked within the heart of the nation, now he looks ahead to the future glorious kingdom. GOD’S CITY AS IT OUGHT TO BE! (1-4) This continues on from 1:27-31 “Zion shall be…”. Micah 4:1-3 is almost identical. (2 contemporaries) (2b) Jerusalem a beacon in a dark world! Jerusalem will be both political & spiritual headquarters in those

Isaiah 21:1-17 — Intro: Intro: What more judgments? What did Habakkuk do with them? See Hab.3:2(ch.2 was 5 woes - He let them affect himself personally!) BABYLON! (21) ​​​​​​​Babylon is Bounced! (1-4) (1) “Wilderness/desert by the sea” – Babylonian plain by the Tigris & Euphrates rivers. (2) Elam = Ancient name for Persia. Medes & Persians would come against Babylon like a storm across the desert(1,2). (3,4) Isaiah

Isaiah 21:1-17 — Intro: Intro: What more judgments? What did Habakkuk do with them? See Hab.3:2(ch.2 was 5 woes - He let them affect himself personally!) BABYLON! (21) ​​​​​​​Babylon is Bounced! (1-4) (1) “Wilderness/desert by the sea” – Babylonian plain by the Tigris & Euphrates rivers. (2) Elam = Ancient name for Persia. Medes & Persians would come against Babylon like a storm across the desert(1,2). (3,4) Isaiah

Isaiah 35:1-10 — The desolate wilderness turns into a beautiful garden. Human history began in a garden, but man’s sin turned it into a desert. God’s creation will rejoice when it’s set free from the bondage of sin (Warren Wiersbe; pg.472; With the Word.) (2b) Oswald Chambers, “The one aim of the call of God is the satisfaction of God, not a call to do something for Him.” ☺ (3) Those weak will be made strong! (4) Those fearful-hearted will be made courageous! (5-7)

Isaiah 39:1-8 — MID-LIFE STUPIDITY! (ch.39) FLATTERY! (1-8) 3rd Test (1-4) Read whole chapter! Q: What was Hezekiah’s sin here? (Pride, trusting in his armory?) “What could not be accomplished through an army or an illness was accomplished through flattery!” (Warren Wiersbe;

Isaiah 39:1-8 — MID-LIFE STUPIDITY! (ch.39) FLATTERY! (1-8) 3rd Test (1-4) Read whole chapter! Q: What was Hezekiah’s sin here? (Pride, trusting in his armory?) “What could not be accomplished through an army or an illness was accomplished through flattery!” (Warren Wiersbe;

Isaiah 61:1-11 — Book (Rev.) Intro story: Why this passage is special to me! ☺ Pastor Garry Ansdel gave to me after my 1st memorial in 1989. HIS 1ST COMING! (1,2a) HIS ANNOINTING & APPOINTING! (1,2a) Note: Trinity in vs.1. Turn to Lk.4:16-21. (thus claiming to be Messiah – Also tried to kill 4:29) Note of course where he broke the verse (2 advents). Here is God’s manifesto for Him. The prophets viewed the 2 comings of Christ like 2 mountain peaks; from a distance

Isaiah 61:1-11 — Book (Rev.) Intro story: Why this passage is special to me! ☺ Pastor Garry Ansdel gave to me after my 1st memorial in 1989. HIS 1ST COMING! (1,2a) HIS ANNOINTING & APPOINTING! (1,2a) Note: Trinity in vs.1. Turn to Lk.4:16-21. (thus claiming to be Messiah – Also tried to kill 4:29) Note of course where he broke the verse (2 advents). Here is God’s manifesto for Him. The prophets viewed the 2 comings of Christ like 2 mountain peaks; from a distance

Hosea 5:1-15 — THEIR DEEDS! (1-3) (1) Priests, the People, & Political Power heads. THEIR DEEDS KEPT THEM FROM GOD! (4-7) (4-7) (NIV) "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD.” Q: Why do you think that their deeds didn’t permit them to return to God?

Hosea 5:1-15 — THEIR DEEDS! (1-3) (1) Priests, the People, & Political Power heads. THEIR DEEDS KEPT THEM FROM GOD! (4-7) (4-7) (NIV) "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit of prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the LORD.” Q: Why do you think that their deeds didn’t permit them to return to God?

Matthew 13:1-23 — (Zi-ra-scape) because of our water situation. Let’s picture lush Garden-of-Eden-Scape. 3rd major section of Mt. 8 parables. Western Texts calls it the Parable of the Sower. Eastern, Parable of the Seed. But its actually the Parable of the Soils (4 diff soils. 4 diff results) What soil type currently represents your response to God & His Word? What can you do for your heart to become the kind of soil Jesus is looking for? PARABLE OF THE SOILS (1-9) THE SETTING (1,2) Jesus leaves

Matthew 13:1-23 — (Zi-ra-scape) because of our water situation. Let’s picture lush Garden-of-Eden-Scape. 3rd major section of Mt. 8 parables. Western Texts calls it the Parable of the Sower. Eastern, Parable of the Seed. But its actually the Parable of the Soils (4 diff soils. 4 diff results) What soil type currently represents your response to God & His Word? What can you do for your heart to become the kind of soil Jesus is looking for? PARABLE OF THE SOILS (1-9) THE SETTING (1,2) Jesus leaves

Mark 6:1-13 — (1-6) NAZARETH (1,2) Nazareth - Archeologist tell us it was nothing more than a hamlet, on a rocky hillside, with no more than 500 people living there. The people in His hometown had tried to kill Jesus, their homegrown boy, just a year before (Lk 4:29), but He graciously returned and gave them another opportunity to get to know Him. MORE THAN A CARPENTER (3) Back in the home church/synagogue he would have attended as a child & young man. Where did He get this wisdom? He never went to

2 Samuel 12:1-15 — think his life that year was enjoyable, sippin lemonade on his patio, taking long walks on the beach w/his new young bride, free of guilt! No way, it was sleepless nights, tossing & turning. (he had no joy Ps.51:12) See Ps 32:1-5(esp.3,4) Augustine fav Ps. Inscribed it on wall next to bed b4 died to meditate on it better. (3) God cannot & will not ignore sin…thus he brings pressure upon us! (Phys & Emot) Example: Like a festering sore, it needs either pressure

2 Samuel 4:1-12 — way to go Scott & Jean Adam, & Phyllis Macay & Bob Riggle. Way to live out a great story! [combining retirement, a hobby, faith, missions] May you rest in peace & shine in glory! ISHBOSHETH’s Coup de Grâce! (Ch.4) ​​​​​​​Coup de grâce = a final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal. This was Ishbosheth’s coup de grâce for his ailing kingdom. THE ACCIDENT! (1-4) There

2 Samuel 4:1-12 — way to go Scott & Jean Adam, & Phyllis Macay & Bob Riggle. Way to live out a great story! [combining retirement, a hobby, faith, missions] May you rest in peace & shine in glory! ISHBOSHETH’s Coup de Grâce! (Ch.4) ​​​​​​​Coup de grâce = a final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal. This was Ishbosheth’s coup de grâce for his ailing kingdom. THE ACCIDENT! (1-4) There