Bible Commentaries

Luke 12:35-59 — even at intervals going to the door, looking outside, & seeing if he’s coming. India illustration(GFA, KP, Kerala) – received us very late. Met us at car to bring our things in. Went to kitchen to make us some toast. WAITING! (35,36) INSTRUCTION! (35,36) Be ready! – He requires vigilance, attentiveness, alertness, awareness. Waist girded – long flowing robes gathered up, to free yourself for activity. Lamps burning – required keeping your wick trimmed,

Luke 19:28-44 — CLOTHES, & DEAD BRANCHES! (28-40) THE PREPARATION! (28-34) Though it might have been a triumphal entry in some peoples eyes, I believe it was more of a personal presentation of the King of Israel in God’s eyes. THE CELEBRATION! (35-38) THE CROWDS PREPARE HIS PATH! (35,36) As He approaches Jerusalem his following grew. Though welcomed by many, still criticized by the religious leaders. THE CROWDS PROCLAIM HIS PRAISE! (37,38) There were 3 special groups in that

Luke 20:1-19 — Authority?” Where’d it come from? They had rejected the ministry of John the Baptist, & that led to their refusal to trust Christ. “You may forget your decisions, but they will not forget you!” (www) (5) Who says that’s what Jesus would’ve said? If they’d agree to John being “from heaven” then maybe he would have answered their question with simply, “consult what He said about Me!” {didn’t feel

John 17:20-26 — behalf. JESUS’ 3-FOLD PRAYER FOR YOU! INTRO! (20) Here, Jesus’ prayer turned specifically to those who would come to believe in Him through the disciples message & testimony. You & me (if you’re a believer) Jesus prayed for Himself(1-5); prayed for the disciples(6-19); for us(20-26). Prayer is pivotal to the spiritual life, as spiritual men of the bible inform us: Jesus instructed us, men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Paul lays out prayer’s priority,

John 21:1-14 — INTRO: I saw a lady hitch-hiking on the 15 freeway on-ramp with a sign that simply read, North! In Jn.21 the disciples aren’t sure where to turn...they just head “north”. So many Christians think that once they have “repented of their sin, believed on Christ,

Acts 16:11-40 — duty. A soft heart; a blind heart; & a hard heart. Recap Macedonian call. [Destination, Europe – Duty, to preach the gospel!] We picked up Luke(10)[“we” passages] Both Philippi narratives 16:10-17; 20:5-15 3 HEARTS, 1 SAVIOR! (11-40) A SOFT HEART! (11-15) (11) Sailing – On that ship were seeds of life for Europe. Later to become seeds that would sail to America. (12) Philippi - named after Philip of Macedon II (father

Romans 8:18-27 — redemption? Do you dream about heaven? Are you waiting for Jesus on your tiptoes w/a craned neck? Oh to be like the caged bird that will beat its wings against it prison cage hoping to one day escape to fly free in heavens sky! WE GROAN! (23-25) ​​​​​​​Groaning – God hears groaning! Ex.2:23-25 Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out;

1 Corinthians 3:5-23 — to express deep & difficult truths. Examples: He’s a Vine that nourishes its branches; a Shepherd who lays down His life for his sheep; the One True Light for a dark world; the Bread of life. HARVESTING! [Agricultural Metaphor] (5-9) ​​​​​​​This has to do with understanding we are servants & God alone is Lord! New Flash: We are just ministers - servants - slaves! God’s servants are many, but God alone is Lord. The

Ephesians 3:1-21 — Intro: God’s Splash Ball Remember there are 2 prayers in Ephesians (here and in 1:15-23) complement each other. The 1st, a prayer for enlightenment; the 2nd is for enablement. Paul wants the Ephesians to learn all they have in Christ and then live what they have learned. Last week: Paul unveiled the mystery of old...the

Titus 2:11-15 — that one does for another person, expecting no return; but these favors were always done for friends. Christ gave grace a far richer meaning because the favor He did at Calvary was done not for friends, but for those who hated Him. Rom.5:10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. “Only as we grasp the significance of God’s grace can we eagerly do

Titus 3:1-15 — has been broken. Shalom has been vandalized. Things are not the way they are supposed to be. As Milton said, It’s paradise lost. (By Dr. David Naugle|Published Date: March 08, 2010 http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/columns/indepth/14715-humpty-dumpty) OFF THE WALL (3) ​​​​​​​Every once in awhile the thin veneer is pulled back from humanity & we get a true glimpse of man’s depravity…which isn’t much different

Hebrews 4:1-13 — wind blowing against your face all day. [Haleakala summit/warming hut] It’s like a ship finally pulling into a safe harbor after many days battling a storm tossed sea. Our theme continues with rest. [Rest in Heb = Noah] 5 rests in Scripture: [1] God’s Sabbath rest [2] Canaan rest after wandering for 40 yrs. [3] the Believer’s rest present at salvation [4] the Overcomers present rest of victory [5] The future Eternal rest in heaven. God’s Sabbath

Hebrews 9:1-15 — (Heb.4-8) Guilt? - by forgiving us (Heb.9,10) Guilt Feelings? - by cleansing us (Heb.9,10) ​​​​​​​OLD SYSTEM (1-10) ​​​​​​​A SYMBOLIC TABERNACLE (1-5) At the Tabernacle, everything points to the holiness of God & the sinfulness of man. In that, no one could enter God’s presence w/o the shedding of blood. Explain the different parts of the tabernacle: [3 main parts: Outer, Holy place, Holy

Ruth 2:1-23 — Intro: Last week - 1:19 “excited” = stirred, better translation. םוּה – “Pertaining to being in a surprised state, possibly implyingdismay over a situation, with a relatively large group of people not fully understanding a situation and so make inquiries about it.” (Swanson, J.

1 Samuel 11:1-15 — raiding the more civilized area. Some people respond to crisis by giving in! (1-3) [Ok, b back in 7 days so you can poke our eyes out!] Some people respond to crisis by giving up! (4) [wept]Some people respond to crisis by gettin er done! (5-11) [Larry the cable guy, “get er done”] (5) Its 1 thing to have authority & ability quite something else to prove yourself a leader. So, how do you rally a whole country together? Nothing better than a common enemy! (we saw this

1 Samuel 18:1-16 — erroneous. The claim is usually the twisting of 2 Sam.1:26 “Your love to me was wonderful, Surpassing the love of women” which was simply a tribute to Jonathan after his death. They were both seasoned soldiers & not young adolescents(Jon was 25-28 yrs older) This kind of manly affection that comrade in arms understand. When Jonathan gave his official garments & his armor to David, making him a friend & equal, Jonathan was acknowledging that David would 1 day take his place. (Warren

1 Samuel 29:1-11 — INTRO: Demarcation (dēmärˈkā sh əәn) noun The action of fixing the boundary or limits of something. This ch. is David’s line of demarcation. This is an important moment in David’s life. This is where self-will brings you! David

2 Samuel 12:1-15 — Pray for: We 1st acknowledge those who have given their lives for our freedom, esp for their families. We are thankful for our brave & courageous men & women who serve. Outline: David’s Trial(1-6); Verdict(7-9); Pardon(10-15). As we focus again on David’s terrible sins, that led to terrible consequences, we must remember the big picture of this 50 year old king. David was a great man, who served a great nation, who loved a great God. 62 chapters

2 Samuel 13:1-39 — for”. He knew it was breaking God’s law by violating a virgin he could not marry. It was evil for him to nurture an abnormal love for his half sister. And he should have stopped feeding that appetite the moment it started. Read Mt.5:27-30 He was so infatuated w/Tamar that he really thought he loved her & became ill thinking about it. But it wasn’t love but lust, a passion that so controlled him that he became like an animal. The virgin princesses were

2 Samuel 2:1-32 — start David! Matter of fact he makes it habit to do so. Already we’ve seen it with Abiathar the priest as he asked him to consult the ephod (1 Sam.23:9-12). And by asking Gad the prophet to pray to God for a word of wisdom (1 Sam.22:5) (2,3) 20 miles N.E. to Hebron. [Headquarters in Hebron!] Hebron was important to Jewish history: Abraham’s tomb was near there. And Sarah’s, Isaac’s, Rebecca’s, & Jacob & Leah’s. David’s men