Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 11:1-43 — ruler! ​​​​​​​Perhaps Solomon’s great sin was not so much sexuality as it was simply the desire to be thought great. Solomon had wisdom for everybody else but would not apply it to himself. Rom.2:21-24 nlt Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan

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

Nehemiah 10:1-39 — backslide. Hosea first said, My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him. 11:7 and later God reveals I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 14:4 Last chapter...An incredible chapter: after fasting, separation, confession, reading of the word, & worship; came a long prayer of recommitment & covenant with God. Well the end of ch.9 & all of ch.10 is a long awaited Front-Slide. Story:

Psalms 104:1-35 — Intro: If you were to take the facts of Gen.1, & turn it into poetry…you would come up w/Ps.104. This Psalm is set up in the same basic order of Gen.1(the 6 days of creation) It is the history of our planet in poetry. Sometimes we city folk forget to look around at nature…or get out in it! – In the U.S. alone we lay

Psalms 20:1-9 — union without unity: Just tie two cats together by their tails and throw them over a clothesline. [it’s more than doing something together, but Harmony] It’s anticipating waving their flags/banners after victory is won! [4] FAITH! (6) Now we have David’s response. In Hebrew it is rendered “He has saved”. That is, God already has given David the victory. 1 Jn.5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory

Psalms 40:1-17 — & have, to praise God for all He is & does!” (www) Note who did all of this! – He(The Lord) did! Read what “He” did in vs.1-3. (3b) When God does a great thing for you…share it w/others! (4,5) Trusting! Salvation is really a matter of whom we Trust! Human nature is such that we would rather trust in almost anyone or anything…rather than in the Lord. “makes the lord his trust” - It isn’t trusting

Isaiah 28:1-29 — you? Or, is that a Christ Crown I see you sporting? If not, repent & receive the glorious diadem – the Lord Himself! It was a confident time in Israel but their prosperity would fade like: [1] A fading flower(1,3,4) [2] Be carried away in a storm & flood(2) [3] Be swallowed swiftly like fresh fruit(4). (7,8) Religious leaders should be filled w/the spirit, not with wine! An Indictment against an Unteachable spirit! (9-14) (9,10) The priests &

Isaiah 40:1-11 — 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 & Grace

Daniel 11:1-45 — Intro: An Angels Apocalyptic Insight Remember the outline of the Angel from ch.10?11:2-11:35(Immediate Future) 11:26-12:4(Distant Future) Daniel here reveals the angels message that had such amazingly detailed predictions of the future kingdoms...that Porphyry (a 3rd cent. heathen philosopher) claimed it was written after the facts. Many others have followed suit

Luke 1:57-80 — (57-63) They made signs (62)  – to nod, to signal by nodding. Zacharias was obviously not only voiceless but couldn’t hear either. Writing tablet (63) – a small wooden tablet covered w/a film of wax. (LKGNT pg.141) The naming of a child! (59-61) On the 8th day the boy was circumcised and received his name. Girls could be named any time within 30 days of their birth. (William Barclay; Lk.1:57-66) Often times friends & local musicians would be

Luke 12:35-59 — – 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, & oil replenished. WATCHING! (37-40) ​​​​​​​CELEBRATION! (37,38) Prepared ones will experience great joy at His return. Note the double beatitude! CAUTION! (39,40) Constant watchfulness must be maintained. He comes as a thief so

Luke 13:18-35 — to all nations, permeating all cultures, & infiltrating Satan’s very kingdom…like yeast to dough! GOD’S KINGDOM IS NARROW & BROAD! (22-30) ​​​​​​​NARROW WAY! (22-28) (22-24) Lord, are there few who are saved? What’s Jesus’ answer to the question? [U can’t grab a percentage on this!] Will not be able - only because they missed their opportunity. The “many” are those who try

Luke 2:8-20 — were… The 1st Hearers of the Christmas Gospel! The 1st Believers of the Christmas Gospel! The 1st Preachers of the Christmas Gospel! The Shepherds!!! HEAVEN TOUCHES EARTH! (8-20) THE 1ST HEARERS OF THE CHRISTMAS GOSPEL! (8-14) The Shepherds Reputation! (8) Bible Almanac – “Shepherds were distrusted in Jesus’ day, as being a wild bunch.” James Boice – “This rural nomadic folk were a despised class in the 1st cent. Also, they

Luke 6:17-36 — “a Portrait of Jesus”. It is certain that this Sermon has definite application for us today! These truths are all repeated in the NT epistles for the church today See Jesus’ own ending, in whom He says it’s for! Mt.7:24-27. Not just those that heard His words, but those that’ll hear His sayings! (vs.24) If it’s only for the “Millennium” then what about Lk.6:22? Everyone of us is pursuing after Happiness! Even

John 17:20-26 — would become great.Alexander was seeing his own reflection in that prophecy. In a moment of understanding & awe, he not only spared Jerusalem from being pillaged but treated the Jews there with dignity. (Charles Swindoll; John introduction, pg.43.) Just as Alexander saw himself in Daniel’s prophecy, so we can see ourselves in Jesus’ prayer in Jn.17. He doesn’t call us by name, but it is clear that He had each of us in mind (20) Scripture talks about us! Let’s

John 2:1-12 — Jesus! I believe we should be followers of Mary! [Protestants, never put Mary down, she is Jesus mother!!! Instead, point our Catholic friends to follow what she says!] Mary doesn’t have a lot of words in Scripture...but here they are. Lk 1:34 “how can this be?”{didn't understand Gabriel, regarding her being pregnant} Lk1:34 38 “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word”{to Gods messenger Gabriel...submission} Lk1:46-55 Mary’s

Romans 11:1-36 — was sparing a remnant. - Assyrian captivity, God spared a remnant. - Babylonian captivity, God spared a remnant. - Even Paul, a remnant himself as he goes to the Gentiles. (5) Key: at this present time there is a remnant! (6) Grace x’s 4! John Stott said, The repeated promises in the Qur'an of the forgiveness of a compassionate and merciful Allah are all made to the meritorious, whose merits have been weighed in Allah's scales, whereas The Gospel is good news of mercy

Romans 5:1-11 — God. Thus, we can face the future w/joy! We can already reflect that glory by living an obedient life. SIGNING BONUS! (3-5) ​​​​​​​And not only that - "But wait! There's more!" 4 time golden glove winning catcher, Yadier Molina[YAH-dee-air] Puerto Rico, received $75 million for 5 years to play with St. Louis Cardinals, & gave him a signing bonus for $1mil. In Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel is hoping $25,000 signing

Romans 8:18-27 — the end of the age! Suffering is Certain; Suffering is purposeful; Suffering doesn’t compare. [1] Suffering is Certain (last week16,17) – To all fellow heirs. At the Nicene Council, an important church meeting in the 4th century a.d., of the 318 delegates attending, fewer than 12 had not lost an eye or lost a hand or did not limp on a leg lamed by torture for their Christian faith. Vance Havner Suffering is a certainty in the Christian life! [not always physical

2 Samuel 3:1-39 — beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end. - H.E. Fosdick ABNER THE NEGOTIATOR! (1-21) DAVID’S TRIBE INCREASES! (1-5) (1) David’s government was growing stronger & stronger! Ps. 84:5-8 (Overview of Ps.: Dwelling w/God 1-4; Desiring God 5-8; Depending on God 9-12) Often whole towns would travel on pilgrimage to Jerusalem together. As they would go they would sing & look 3 ways: [1] Look Within: heart set on pilgrimage. Everyone