Bible Commentaries

Psalms 141:1-10 — during my down time w/my neck. I suggest 3 reasons why we don’t pray as we ought: [1] We don’t know our God very well – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.” (Is.55:8) Because we are not like God & do not know Him well, we are usually unsure what we should pray for. [2] We don’t know our Bible very well – Our ignorance of God is traceable to our ignorance of the bible. God has revealed

Leviticus 11:1-47 — nations. Adding to the picture of the distance between a holy God & sinful humanity, chapters 11-17 emphasizes “cleanness vs. uncleanness” in diet, hygiene, & disease”. (11) Food; (12) Birth; (13,14) Disease; (15) Normal Bodily functions These laws certainly served a practical hygienic purpose, yet there was also a spiritual principle involved. We don’t know when God’s people 1st received the law about clean & unclean foods. It was

Ezekiel 4:1-17 — quench(extinguish)] The Significance! (3) The Babylonian army, like an iron wall, will soon surround Jerusalem. [2] EZEKIEL’S SLEEPING HABITS! (4:4-8) ​​​​​​​The Length of the Siege! The Symbols! (5-7) Lie on Left Side – 390 days for the years of Israel’s sin. Lie on Right Side –40 days for the years of Judah’s sin. Lie on his Back w/arms tied – The Significance! (4,8) Each day(390 + 40) represents on year

Matthew 13:1-23 — (18-23) ​​​​​​​3 DEFINITIONS [sower - word - soil] The Sower (18) - Here Christ, but any believer who shares the Word of God w/ others. Sow Plentifully: 2 Cor.9:6 Whoever sows generously will also reap generously Sow Passionately: Ps.126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Sow Patiently: Gal.6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. The Word=The Seed. The gospel is always a fruitful seed as to its

Matthew 13:44-46 — noticeably individual. The twin truths: the costliness of the Treasure/Pearl & the delight of the Purchaser. Slide10 Hendrik Van Loon wrote of this world, “Ours is a 5th-rate planet, revolving around a 10th-rate sun, in the forgotten corner of the universe.” But, Jesus assures us that this world is the object of His concern, and one which He purchased for the manifestation

Matthew 18:21-35 — Forgiveness - is the restoration of fellowship w/another human being This facet of forgiveness is so important that Jesus conditions our forgiveness and restoration to fellowship w/the Father on our willingness to forgive others.Matt. 6:14,15; 18:21-35; Luke 6:37; Col. 3:13; Eph. 4:31–32 Personal forgiveness has a vertical dimension - we must release the person to God. Personal forgiveness has a horizontal dimension - we must confront the offender and forgive if he repents. Lk.17:3,4

Matthew 19:1-30 — trouble. Condemn divorce and risk John’s same fate. Condone divorce and lose the confidence of devout people. TO TIE THE KNOT OR NOT (1-12) UNTYING THE KNOT (1-3) 2 Schools of rabbinical thought in Jesus’ day: Rabbi Shammai (50bc-30ad) – Very Strict. Only if a man married a woman & then found out she wasn’t a virgin. Rabbi Hillel (100bc-10ad) – Very Liberal. One of Hillel’s followers said a man could divorce his wife simply if he found another woman

Matthew 8:18-27 — Intro: I have decided to follow Jesus Last week I pointed out, Matthew 1st introduced to the Person of the King in ch. 1-4. Next, to the Principle of the King in 5-7. & now in 8,9 as the Power of the King. We said if a king doesn’t have power what good are His credentials/principles? In ch.8,9 we have 10 miracles (covered 4 last Sun). Last week we looked at the Grace to the outcasts. This week,

Matthew 8:28-34 — secondary to swine. (34) A whole city coming out to meet Jesus. A whole city unanimous in their appeal to Him. Their appeal? depart from us! :( Jesus indulges man’s wishes. He immediately left & didn’t return! In Mt.15 the disciples tell Jesus, do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying? (12) Jesus’ response...Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. Chiling words...Let them alone. But know the opposite can

Mark 2:13-17 — Maris(in purple), King's Highway (in red). [The imp land bridge between Europe & Africa] All traffic must go through here. It was 1 of the great roads of the world! ["Via Maris" is Latin and means "the Way of the Sea" from Mt 4:15] The Romans collected their taxes through a system called “Tax Farming” (like our Franchises today) They assessed a tax figure, then sold the right to collect taxes to the highest bidder. There were 2 kinds

Mark 4:1-20 — interpret a parable. 3 DEFINITIONS The Sower (14) - Here Christ, but any believer who shares the Word of God w/others. Sow Plentifully – 2 Cor.9:6 Whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Sow Passionately – Ps.126:5 Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. Sow Patiently – Gal.6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. The Word=The Seed. The gospel is always a fruitful seed as

Luke 18:1-14 — slavery. Outline: 2 Parables on Prayer! (2 Prayerables) (1-8) A parable to the disciples, to pray & not lose heart. (9-14) A parable to those who trust in themselves, will walk away unjustified. PERSISTENCE PRAYER! (1-8) PRAY OR PASS OUT! (1-5) Your choice Pray or Pass-out (pale, faint, loose heart)! 3 or 4 years ago I was having trouble with passing out at the gym. Scary feeling. Q: Ever feel like your spiritually fainting? Q: Ever lose heart in praying for

Luke 19:1-10 — condition. (4) Sycamore tree – Fig-mulberry tree. (leaves like mulberry, fruit that of a fig) And this tree was about to bear fruit!!! Zacchaeus showed the same determination to contact Jesus, as Bartimaeus. ZACCHAEUS THE SOUGHT! (5-7) (5) Though Jesus was surrounded by a great crowd of people, Jesus took time for individuals,…He even saw a man up a tree! Jesus even called him by name. But, why call Zacchaeus? There were better men in the city. Why him? Simply

Luke 22:21-34 — redefined! The motivation determines its character! Picture 2 poles with a tension wire!   I------------I 1st pole is 1 Tim.3:1 “If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.” 2nd pole is Jer.45:5 “do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them;” (turn to) We praise God for what Jeremiah but also for his assistant! Assistants help those for whom they work, so they can be freed to get their work done! Moses

Luke 24:1-12 — you of Resurrection Joy! ​​​​​​​He is alive forevermore! Rev.1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” THE ANGELS AT THE TOMB! (5-8) (7) Forgotten words come back w/fresh meaning when circumstances have changed & we have made progress in knowledge & character. An encouragement for parents who have had kids that have walk away from the truth. If you have stored truth in

Luke 7:36-50 — {b} he wanted to get some new evidence against him. Q: Have you ever been invited over to dinner & then find out “you” were the main course? According to the Harmony of the Gospels, just before this event Jesus just said Mt.11:25-30(read). Maybe there she responded to the gospel & trusted Christ? And now she was coming to express her love & worship. Having taken His yoke, she came to express her love. (Warren Wiersbe) Old life over, new life begun (implied by

Acts 4:23-37 — isn’t it better to shake things up there? Their prayer was immediate, united, unselfish, undaunted, & Scriptural. GREAT POWER! (4:32-33a) ​​​​​​​Here we have a concept that was brought up in 2:45, now amplified. The early believers were living in harmony & unity. [1 heart, 1 soul] Proof of this was expressed in the sharing of their resources with one another. Through the charity of the wealthier members, like Barnabas, the poor received

Galatians 4:1-31 — Intro: Let’s start with this 25 sec heartwarming video showing the reunion between 2 toddlers who became best friends at a Chinese orphanage, only to be separated when one was adopted. Hannah, 4, and Dawson, 3, hadn’t seen each other for 11 months when they embraced at the Dallas-Fort

Ephesians 5:1-21 — drunkard. Course talk – quick wit. Crude joking. Makes light of human weakness or human goodness. Which do you think God hears? When you give thanks before your meal...or when you complain about everything you were served? (5) Paul underscores the seriousness of this kind of behavior by saying (read vs.5). Obviously there is forgiveness to one who falls to one of these...he’s speaking about anyone who does this habitually with an unrepentant heart. WALK

1 Samuel 15:1-35 — of the Jewish people. The army of Amalek attacked the recently emancipated slaves shortly after Israel came out of Egypt. Sum up Ex.17:8-16 See promise vs.14. The Lord declared perpetual war against Amalek vs.17. More details Read Deut. 25:17-19. Why was God was so mad? vs.18 [rear ranks: women, children, grandparents, sick, weary, tired] Don’t forget vs.19 - God viewed this as reprehensible! So, Amalek attacked when Israel was most vulnerable; habitually when they