Bible Commentaries

Esther overview — story through a flow of events, building suspense to a pivotal point. The problems & tension then cascade downward until all is resolved, yet the final solutions areunexpected. The reader is never bored. (Shepherd’s Notes, Ruth, Esther, pg.42) WHERE ESTHER FITS IN HISTORY Date Written - Events in this book are set in the era of the Persian Empire, sometime between 483-471 b.c. Extended from Sudan to Pakistan to Greece.B. Chronologically - Esther comes between the return of

Esther overview — story through a flow of events, building suspense to a pivotal point. The problems & tension then cascade downward until all is resolved, yet the final solutions areunexpected. The reader is never bored. (Shepherd’s Notes, Ruth, Esther, pg.42) WHERE ESTHER FITS IN HISTORY Date Written - Events in this book are set in the era of the Persian Empire, sometime between 483-471 b.c. Extended from Sudan to Pakistan to Greece.B. Chronologically - Esther comes between the return of

Leviticus 17:1-16 — 17-20 we have a legal code again stressing “holiness”. All along the Lord was looking for not only an obedience to the law, but for them to have a holy character! {Which are not necessarily the same thing!} These chapters deal with 4 special areas that needed to be respected & kept holy: the sanctity of Blood(life)[17]; the sanctity of Sex [18]; the sanctity of the Law[19]; the sanctity of Judgment[20] Q: What about all the other religions? - What about others who are sincere

Leviticus 18:1-30 — didn’t exist; the modernist pretend that nothing else exists.” HOLINESS IN MARRIAGE RELATIONS! (1-5) Holiness is best realized in connection w/the nature & character of God. (Griffith Thomas) The Basis of Holiness! (1-4) “I am the Lord your God”(2) – God’s character & claim on us form the foundation of true life. This reminds us we are “under” His authority! Q: Are you under His authority? If so, does that change

Matthew 10:1-4 — every disease and every sickness - Healing, in addition to exorcism, served as an authentication of the disciples’ message. Jesus commands them to validate their commission and message through substantiated signs. TEAM ECLECTIC (2-4) ​​​​​​​The 12 apostles - Matthew initially refers to this group as disciples, or learners. He calls them apostles...those who are sent out w/the authority of the sender. We have here 6 groups of

Matthew 6:16-18 — it not be the intent of your heart that you appear to men to be fasting. So when you fast, fast from vainglory, ambition, pride, & self-glorification. There is only 1 commanded in Scripture to Fast...on the Day of Atonement. Slide14a Lev. 23:27 you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. [Afflict your souls is equivalent to fasting in the Pentateuch] By the NT time the Jews had turned this into twice a week (tax collector & the Pharisee) Muslims

Mark 4:21-34 — others. (21) Explain lamp/oil/wick. Its purpose is to illuminate the whole room. (22) He who has been enlightened must in turn enlighten others. The message of His Kingdom/His Coming should be shared as widely as possible. (24) Hear it & use it Only as the disciples share the light they have received will they be able to receive more light from their Lord. Maybe this is the reason for the ignorance of the church. Sounds like Jesus is saying, “I’m

Luke 12:13-21 — one hand on the man’s shoulder and pointing heavenward with the other, simply said, “How much do you have in that direction?” The man hung his head and confessed, “I never thought of that.” (Our Daily Bread, October 24, 1992) Q: What is the true meaning of life? Q: If someone gave you 10,000 this week, what would you do with it? Q: How much do you have in that direction? So many have learned how to make money but never learned how to spend it! Did

Luke 2:21-35 — guest…Mr. Simeon! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Rom.15:13 Pray! PRESENTATION & BABY DEDICATION! (21-24) The Temple was central in Israel’s worship & hopes. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.11) 3 Rites/Ceremonies: [1] Circumcision (21) – as prescribed in Gen.17:9-14 Circumcision was usually done in the parents’ home, and

Luke 3:1-38 — find him in the hottest & deepest chasm in the world! (3) Johns baptism looked forward to the coming of the Savior(also 16). Christian Baptism looks back in identification w/Christ’s death, burial, & res(Rom.6:1-6). Acts 19:3,4 “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after

John 3:1-15 — fell on his knees before that door & realized a liberating truth: Christ Himself is the door, & it opens to no human effort. Rather, the door swings on the well-oiled hinges of Christ’s righteousness…& opens by faith. (Chuck Swindoll pg.39,40) Here we have the first of Jesus’ 12 discourses in John. In ch’s 3 & 4 we eavesdrop into 2 private conversations Jesus had with a couple of Israel locals (1 man & 1 woman) The Man - a respected religious leader; a

Acts 1:1-3 — bring about New life! Q: How has God’s Spirit moved in our country’s history since its inception? 1st Great Awakening (1720’s) Started: Dutch Reformed; spread to Congregationalist, thanks to Jonathan Edwards in Mass.(1734); which sparked George Whitefield & the Wesley’s in New England & the Middle Colonies(1739); next to the Presbyterians; Baptists; Methodists. Results: [1] Widespread conversion [2] Stirring of missionary interest [3] Founding of Evangelical

Romans 15:1-13 — never kicks, balks, or bites, & lives only to please its driver.” The good doctor listened to it all & then whispered to the owner, “Do you suppose you could get that horse to join my church?” We continue our discussion from ch.14 regarding strong & weak Christians…& their unity. We move from: don’t despise other Christians for their liberties or lack thereof in gray issues. And, don’t hinder their conduct. To now in the positive, to follow the example

Romans 3:21-31 — gave the definition for a paradox as “truth standing on its head shouting for attention.” A paradox is a powerful vehicle for truth, because it makes people think. The Scriptures often use Paradox - We see, unseen things (2 Cor. 4:18); we conquer by yielding (Rom. 6:16-18); we find rest under a yoke (Mt. 11:28-30); we reign by serving (Mark 10:42-44); we are made great by becoming little (Luke 9:48); we are exalted by being humble (Mt. 23:12); we become wise by being fools for

Ephesians 2:1-10 — choice] Publicly (3) -Our public walk. Conduct ourselves. They gratified the desires (i.e. fulfilling) of their sinful nature. And this involves both the body/flesh & mind. [or, our desires & thoughts] WHAT WE ARE (4-6) [He Loved Us; He Liberated Us; He Lifted Us] ​​​​​​​Now we get to look at the polar opposite. Rom.5:20b,21 where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. Paul starts this contrast with but

Titus 1:10-16 — introduce to a few other angry birds this morning. Outline: Woodpeckers on the Ark & Cuckoo Birds in the Nest. WOODPECKERS ON THE ARK (10-12) ​​​​​​​Woodpeckers come in all shapes & sizes (3 1/4”-23”). They have strong bills for drilling & hammering on trees. They have long sticky tongues for grabbing & extracting their prey(insects). We also now know they have very small brains (maximize area between the brain/skull). I think

1 Peter 2:13-17 — individualism. EVERYONE! (17) Msg - Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government. Q: What can I do to affect my community? (you asked for it...here you go!) These 4 together create a tough balancing act. (17a) Humanitarian! – Honor all people! Honor, value, esteem, respect. That’s regardless of their faith, their godless lifestyles, or their attitudes toward Christians. Why everyone?

1 Peter 5:1-14 — people wrongly, & jumped to conclusions only knowing one side. Thats ministry in the raw! “Imperfect shepherds, leading imperfect sheep, in the service of a perfect God, who has a perfect plan!” (Chuck Swindoll, Insights on 1 Pet., pg.234) LIFE LESSONS TO LEARN FROM THE CHIEF SHEPHERD! (1-4) Shepherds do what? – They lead, protect, & they feed sheep. To love to preach is one thing, to love those to whom we preach, quite another Russian proverb: “Without

1 Samuel 13:1-23 — Deleon - Divorce Care. Dominic Gomez & team(50+ folks) - building homes in Valle Verde, Mexicali, México. Wed Night, Sharing our Faith Series - This week: Finding your style in sharing your faith. #1 Imp of Discipleship; #2 Testimony(4 part: my story, His, ours, theirs). SAUL’S SLIPPERY SLOPE! ​​​​​​​We’ve all heard the expression “a Slippery Slope”. It is the slide from A to Z via the intermediate steps

2 Samuel 12:13-31 — whirlwind. (Taken & adapted from Charles Swindoll intro pg.152 David.) One boat, was tied loosely to its moorings, snaps the rope & is carried out by the violent currents only to crash upon the rocks. But another boat, secured by its nautical ropes to the 4 cleats on the dock, is able to ride out the storm. And, it is ready to sail when the sun comes out in the morning. Our last chapter dealt with David right in the midst of a whirlwind, reaping the results of sin. Let’s see how he weathered