Bible Commentaries

1 Kings 16:1-34 — – When under attack stand fast in the faith & yield not an inch. [See that your belief is sound, also see that your belief is applied in yur life] If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything. Eph.6:13,14a Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,… Be Brave – (lit. act like men, grow up) In time of battle, play a hero’s part. No

1 Kings 17:17-24 — biblically sound. These stories of Elijah are reminding us that...from the beginning God was intent on saving all the peoples of the earth. That God is both all-powerful and all-compassionate. Moreover, He, not Baal, held power over life. Lk.4:25,26 Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner

Esther 1:1-22 — characters, the biblical writers may have included episodes from their lives as events relevant to the unfolding of redemptive history, & not as ethical models for us to imitate directly. (Karen Jobes, The NIV Application Commentary, pg.68 footnote #4.) This chapter will set up for us: the Persian Empire’s immensity; the power of a sovereign king (beheaded men building a bridge cuz a storm delayed its completion); it provides us with a context for Queen Esther; & especially it gives

Psalms 49:1-20 — the monk announces, "Pater sancte, sic transit gloria mundi." This is meant to remind the Pope that, despite the grandeur of the ceremony and the long history of the office, he is a mortal man. (Wikipedia - Sic transit gloria mundi) Psalm 49 serves much the same purpose. It is God’s whisper in our ear, reminding us that no matter how much success we or others have, we are but men. All too soon we will die, and any worldly wealth or glory will pass away with us! Background:

Hosea 3:1-5 — Intro: His Club Pic’s on what’s happening behind these walls w/your kids. Opening Scripture & Prayer – Is. 58:13b & 14. “Delight yourself in the Lord” Story - According to an old legend, a man became lost in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius saw the man's predicament and said, "It is evident that men should stay out

Amos 6:1-14 — breeding ground”! Self-confidence is like the stagnant water across the street which only breeds mosquitoes. Q: What did Zechariah say? “Not by might nor by power, but by My ______,' Says the LORD of hosts.” (Zech.4:6) Illustration: You’re in a row boat, rowing as hard as you can against the wind, when a motorboat comes a long side, throws you a rope & says, “tie it on”! Your choice…your rowing power, or His motorboat

Matthew 13:44-46 — universe.” But, Jesus assures us that this world is the object of His concern, and one which He purchased for the manifestation of His glory. Herbert Lockyer Slide11 HIDDEN TREASURE & THE TREASURE HUNTER (44) A. Definitions:  [since Jesus didn’t interpret, we have come up w/many interpretations] Field = World, this habitable globe, His kingdom reign. Slide12 The kingdom of God is the reign

Deuteronomy 5:16-19 — sin. Rom. 3:20 NLT For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. To prepare the nation for the coming of Christ. - Gal.3:19-24 (read) [yellow tab] To make them a separated nation on the earth. - We read in Deut.4:5-8. We are going to grab #5-#8 commandments tonight. Listen for each of these commandments establishing

Mark 2:13-17 — closing on Jesus. The guardian’s of Jewish Orthodoxy was declaring war on Him. So...to the seaside He goes. Open air, fresh breeze, short walk...let’s join Jesus on the shore of Galilee, in Capernaum. A CONVERSION! (13,14) An Invitation to Follow! BACKDROP! Tax Collector – We have many tax collector jokes. A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well. ​​​​​​​In order to simplify tax collections

Luke 1:5-25 — announcement! At Hope Starr’s 5th B-day party a few weeks ago(Desi’s daughter) Hope stood before the family & friends & announced, “Thank you forcoming to my B-day party & my mommy has a baby in her tummy!” 1st of 4 important visits. THE PROMISE OF LITTLE JOHN! (5-25) Zacharias in the Temple! (5-10) (5-7) The days of Herod the Great were not the best of days for the Jewish people. But this priest & his wife prayed & served God in spite of the discouragements. They

Luke 10:25-42 — walls Jesus: rebuked their hostility towards them (9:55); He healed a Samaritan Leper(Lk.17:16); He honored this Samaritan here for his neighborliness; He praised a Samaritan for his gratitude(Lk.17:11-18); He asked a drink from a Samaritan women(Jn.4:7) & preached to the Samaritans she returned with; then in Acts 1:8 he challenged His disciples to witness in Samaria; Philip started a mission in Samaria (Acts 8:5) So here he: dressed the victims wounds; let the man ride on his donkey while

Luke 18:1-14 — Intro: Announce Amazing Grace Movie: Quotes on 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

Luke 22:21-34 — pronounced judgment on him for his betrayal. (Shepherd’s Notes; pg.81,82.) (23) All the disciples were dipping their bread into the main dish, thus they all were asking the question, “Is it I?” (though expecting a neg response) (Mrk 14:19,20) Our Lord did not tell His disciples who the traitor was; in fact, in love, Jesus protected Judas to the very end. He washed Judas’ feet, warned him, and gave him every opportunity to repent. We must never think that Judas was

John 3:22-36 — before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left. THE AFFIRMATION! (27-36) ​​​​​​​4 ways to keep from Jealousy: See the Big Picture; Be Secure in who you are; Have Joy to the Full; Have Pure humility. [1] SEE THE BIG PICTURE! (27) God is in charge, not man! A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

Romans 16:1-27 — probable she had a heathen background. But now, a sweet sister in the lord. Cenchrea – the eastern port of Corinth. Many commentators see her as the person who is delivering the letter. GREETING! (3-16) Here Paul mentions 33 names. 24 from Rome (17 men, 7 women) The other 9 were w/Paul in Corinth(8 men, 1 women). This reveals the importance Paul placed on women in ministry in that 1st cent; and an intimate knowledge of their family relationships & Christian service! Partnering

1 Corinthians 14:1-19 — tongues & prophesy, to the confused & curious Corinthian church, regarding gifts. Let’s remember that he is specifically concerned with the order of the gifts in the church rather than used privately. See “church” in vss. 4,5,12,19,23,28,35. Paul deals with the 2 major objectives for the church: The edifying of the believers! (12) The conversion of the unsaved! (25) This is the 2-fold purpose of the church,…let no church forget it! This

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 Worth International Airport last week. Now, they each have a new home in Texas. When a child is adopted or fostered, or even brought into a blended marriage,

1 Timothy 2:1-15 — stated, "In the event of nuclear attack, fire, or earthquake, the ban on prayer is temporarily lifted." Those in authority – No cavalier generic prayer for them. This seems to be tied to the advancement of the gospel! (see 3,4) Why should we Pray for them? (2b) "I would rather teach 1 man to pray than 10 men to preach." (Charles Spurgeon) To live in peace & quiet – We must pray for gov leaders, that the doors of ministry will be kept open, or will

1 Samuel 20:1-42 — showed greater faith in the promise of God, than did David at this point. THE PROMISE! (12–17) Jonathan promises to warn David about his father’s plans, and both men make a sacred vow to be loyal to each other, whatever the cost. (14,15) Jonathan turns it around, your going to make it, & I might not. So when you do, here’s what I want you to do... (what encouragement!) (14) ESV If I am still alive, show me the steadfast love of the Lord, that I may not die. That

2 Samuel 10:1-19 — sober.” To Teach! ​​​​​​​The bible is full of various kinds of humor: Situational comedy, satire, sarcasm, irony Entire books such as Amos are comedic satire. Most humorous is in ch.4 when God refers to the Real Housewives of Bashan as fat cows. Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, Bring, that we may drink! The bible