Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 7:1-51 — do you have? Let’s write it down. I have $10,000 in the bank. Good, $10,000. What else? I have nothing more. That’s all I have. Have you nothing more? Well, I have some dollars here in my pocket. How many? I’ll see: 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120 - $120. That’s fine. What else do you have? I have nothing else. That’s all. Where do you live? I live in my house. The house, too. Then you mean I must live in the garage? You have a garage, too? That, too. What else?

Nehemiah 1:1-11 — Intro: Question, Contemplation, Prayer Originally Nehemiah was a part of Ezra in the Hebrew bible. The story continues. The Returns: Trip #1 49,897 people return [Zerubbabel leads, 538bc] [purpose rebuild temple] Trip #2 1,754 return [Ezra is in] (80 yrs. later) [purpose to rebuild the people] Trip #3 Nehemiah leads (14 yrs. later) [purpose to rebuild the wall] The Book Outline: Nehemiah can be broken up: Ch.1-6

Nehemiah 10:1-39 — informal synonym for "signature". We have here Nehemiah heading this list & 84 people putting their seal upon it. [Priests (2-8), Levites (14-27), Leaders (9-13), & many other citizens (28)] I call to your attention only one name in vs.15…once again we have Buni from the tribe of thumper again :) Putting a seal on a document was a serious matter. It was taking a solemn oath before God. Numb.30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself

Nehemiah 5:1-19 — Intro:  What you are doing is not good Moses found out the hard way it was much easier to dispose of an Egyptian master than to reconcile 2 Jewish brothers (Ex.2:11-15). This chapter deals with the enemy attacking from within. And a whole lot of selfishness. Selfishness is: Putting yourself at the center of everything. Insisting on getting what you want, when you want it. It means exploiting

Psalms 40:1-17 — David. Some believe it was 2 independent Psalms (1-11; 13-17; & 12 was a transition vs.). [I don’t think so] We’ll see it definitely transcends David & his life. The book of Hebrews lets us know it is a Messianic Psalm for sure(Heb.10:5-10). PERSEVERING IN THE PAST! (1-10) (1,2) Waiting! (1) “Waiting is not idleness, nor carelessness – it is the divine activity of expecting God to work!” (Warren Weirsbe, Prayer praise & Promises Day 99) How

Isaiah 27:1-13 — Intro: Prayer – “God doesn't care so much about being analyzed. Mainly, hewants to be loved.” Last week(ch.26) was a song Israel will sing to the Lord(vs.1). This week(ch.27) it is a song the Lord sings to Israel(vs.2). Remember ch.5? - God sang to Israel,…but it was in regards to their failure. Here is a striking contrast in this song during the millennium, the theme is fruitfulness of the nation, & God’s care over it. We’ll see the enemy defeated(1); the

Isaiah 40:1-11 — experienced a conversion, he escaped & returned to Britain & his family. He had a night vision in which he received a call to evangelize Ireland. He became the greatest single force in the Christianization of Ireland. (The Church in the Middle Ages; pg.53,54) Prayer – May we cry as Samuel did, “Speak Lord your servant hears.” This is the 2nd division of Isaiah. (My favorite) You’ll see there is more to God’s character than judgment…he is full of Mercy &

Jeremiah 25:1-38 — very wonderful, but God's patience with ill-natured saints is a deeper mystery.” CHASTENING JUDAH! (1-11) Vs.3 – 23 years! Jeremiah started serving as a prophet in the yr.626bc. – He continued after the fall in 587bc. – Which encompassed over 40 yrs. – This 23 yr. mark brings us to about mid-way in his prophetic carrier. Often if you’re with a company for a number of years, & have shown faithful service, they give you a gold watch or

Luke 10:1-24 — ahead of Him to every town & place He was about to go. Note Jesus’ urgency…2000 years ago! In a nut shell – Pray before going; travel fast & light; heal the sick; & preach the gospel! The laborers are still few – 9:57-62 told us why - (ministry is difficult & even dangerous) But of course also very rewarding! Labor Shortage – (History) In the East most worked for themselves. They had to 1st take care of their own harvest

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

Luke 9:27-36 — Glory – My Jr. year football(1978). Suiting up in Angel Stadium locker rooms. (St. Paul vs. Bishop Amat; Pat Haden on the side lines)1.3.3.    Hobby’s moments of Glory – 103 lb. Halibut up in Alaska; & most recently my 250 lb. Wild Bore up in Paso Robles. But pick you best moments of Glory…& that’s what they were… “moments”! – Fleeting moments at best. This morning we’re going to get a taste of what 1 day will be

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

2 Samuel 15:1-37 — steps to replace David as king off Israel. He acquires horses & chariots...his private little militia. Then, positions himself as the highest legal authority in Israel...If I were made judge in the land. (4) [politicking at its finest!] (5) See how self may seem to expel self; when in reality it’s but entering deeper into our heart! (F.B.Meyer, Joshua-2nd Kings, pg.134.) No, no don’t bow to me! David had won the hearts of the people through sacrifice & service;