Bible Commentaries

Psalms 15:1-5 — Intro: “Bible study is to prepare people to think & act biblically!” (Boice) This Psalm stands in contrast to the one before it(“The Fool”). Psalms are categorized as: (read list) Ps.15 falls into the category of Liturgy. This Liturgy of instruction gives “the qualifications for worship” at the tabernacle, in the form of a Decalogue(deca=10; logos=word, pronouncement). Background: This probably took place when

Psalms 87:1-7 — great powers & persecutors of Israel. Philistia, the enemy which Israel never dislodged. Tyre, the affluent merchant on the coast. Ethiopia/Cush (present-day southern Egypt, Sudan, and northern Ethiopia) are the symbol of the remoter nations. These 5 nations (representing the Gentile nations) will be among the peoples who acknowledge Him. Their status is declared in 2 ways: Towards God & Towards the people of God. Towards God - Those who know Me. Towards the people of God - they

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18 — much? Just look at Nature & see how monotonous life is. The Earth’s Longevity (4). 1st, Solomon looks to the world he stands on. Man seems so temporary while the earth seems so permanent. The Sun’s Course (5). 2nd, Solomon looks to the heavens around him, looking East to West. Look at Ps.19:1-6 for a description of the sun rising. The sun is seen panting/hastens eager to get to the other side of the horizon As far as the

Isaiah 29:1-24 — Jerusalem! (1-12) On Fire! (1-4) (1) Ariel- “Lion of God”, or “hearth of fire”(in the sense of place of sacrifice) Hearth – Prob. refers to the altar hearth of God in Ezek.43:15,16. Play on words, Ariel is made Ariel. The hearth becomes the picture of a burning furnace. Is fire a good thing? Well it all depends where it is, if it’s contained! (A fire in its rightful place(fire place, stove) is good. Not

Isaiah 5:1-30 — Intro: We have in ch.5: A Song(1-7); a Lament(8-23); & Judgment(24-30). A Sad Song of the Vacant Vineyard! (1-7) STINKY FRUIT! (1-7) (1,2a) Typical Viticulture – (His point?) Nothing was left undone to guarantee a sound crop. Now, I’ve had bad

Jeremiah 48:1-47 — MOAB MEETS THEIR MAKER!  (1-5) INTRO: This chapter(Moab) & the next(Ammon) have something in common Q: What is it? (Gen.19:30-38) Brothers?(sons of Lot); Cousins?(2 sisters boys) During the Babylonian crisis, Moab & Ammon were allies w/Judah in an ill-fated attempt

Joel 2:1-27 — he sounds the warning of the coming “day of the Lord”. Still using Locust analogies. Let’s read vs.1-11 See “day of the Lord” bookends(1 & 11). Joel depicted what the locust look like(4); sound like(5); & approach like(7-9). They say a locust swarms noise can be heard 6 miles off! And has been likened unto a loud waterfall, a torrent, a rushing wind, or a raging flame. (10) A desert locust swarm that crossed the Red Sea in

Numbers 11:1-35 — Non-Israelites who left Egypt with Israel in the Exodus. Complaining is a communicable disease! - the Israelites joined in. George MacDonald, “The slaves of sin rarely grumble at that slavery; it is slavery to God they grumble at.” (5) Ate freely in Egypt - Freely? It only cost them the lives of their baby boys, who were thrown into the Nile by Pharaoh's servants; - the lives of their husbands & brothers, who collapsed under the whips of the taskmaster’s! Can you

Numbers 25:1-18 — INTRO: SSS - (This Sat Night) 2 or More; & Victor’s Testimony. Rev 2:14 tells us that Balaam hatches a plan that could potentially have the nation of Israel implode upon itself. Here in Numbers chapter 25 is the result of that plan. Balaam could not destroy Israel with His curses; but he could defile Israel with his counsel. (Read Numb 31:16) THE JAVELIN OF PHINEHAS! IF YOU CAN’T BEAT-EM, JOIN-EM! (1-5) After 4 failed attempts

Zephaniah 1:1-18 — (2-7) ​​​​​​​A true prophet not only sees farther but he sees deeper. His wrath will consume His creation (2,3) & the hypocrites in the land (4-6). This wasn’t any “sky-is-falling” threat! (chicken little/acorn) (5) They were “double dipping!” (actually triple) They were covering all bases! (ever met someone like that?) Hey, we’re for both parties! But, duplicity is abominable w/God! Christ will be our all…or nothing!

Mark 1:29-45 — Intro: Notice so far: We need Jesus in our lives (repent & believe; 14,15), in our sights (Follow me; 16-20); in our church (synagogue; 21-28). And Today we’ll see we need Him...in our homes (29-31); in our cities (32-34); in our quiet time (35-39); in our deserted places (40-45). After church what do you do? Sunday

Mark 1:29-45 — Intro: Notice so far: We need Jesus in our lives (repent & believe; 14,15), in our sights (Follow me; 16-20); in our church (synagogue; 21-28). And Today we’ll see we need Him...in our homes (29-31); in our cities (32-34); in our quiet time (35-39); in our deserted places (40-45). After church what do you do? Sunday

Luke 1:1-4 — Prayer) Armando prayed for me, “that as Brian studies this gospel, that this gospel would study Brian!” (my prayer for all of us!) Book Overview: Lk.1& 2 = 30 yrs of Jesus’ life; Lk.3 - 19:28 = 3 yrs of Jesus’ life; Lk.19:29 - 24:53 = 1 week of Jesus’ life. Only 8% deals with Jesus life before ministry 25% deals with His last week before He died. It is the longest single book in the NT. Luke & Acts constitute 28% of the NT, making Luke the most prolific

Luke 17:20-37 — be here among you. When I’m away don’t be seduced. FACTS! (24) His return won’t be secretive, but will be as evident as flashing lightning across the skies! PREREQUISITE BEFORE THE 2ND COMING! (25) He will 1st be rejected and crucified. The cross is the heart of God’s purpose, & the key to His kingdom. CONDITIONS EXISTING AT THE 2ND COMING! (26-30) When He returns he won’t find everybody ready & waiting for Him. Nope,

Luke 8:40-56 — with physical & moral chaos. HER DETERMINATION! ​​​​​​​Just being in the crowd is no assurance of receiving the blessing. Touching the Tassel! (border - fringe, or tassel) Read Numb.15:37-41 Before Palm Pilots & voice messages we remembered things with strings. Like the string tied around a finger! Moses instructed, "And you will look at the strings, & you will remember all the instructions of God…& you will

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 — life, filling the walls of your home & your workplace. Solomon said… A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. Prov.17:22 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up. Prov.12:25 A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. Prov.15:13 For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Prov.15:15 Our 1st soul search: Am I living the joy filled life? [2]

Colossians 2:1-10 — knowledge because we have Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom & knowledge. FILLED FULL IN CHRIST! BE ENCOURAGED! (1) Conflict - Struggle. The picture is an athletic contest which is strenuous & demanding. (LKGNT; pg. 571) Vs.2-10 explains Paul’s inner struggle for the believers at Colosse & Laodicea. Note vs.2 starts with that… BE ENCOURAGED! (2a) There was a story of a man who one morning opened his door to get the newspaper

1 Samuel 27:1-12 — The farmer turned to his wife. "Hey Rose, what do we call this dog?" :) Maybe this morning you feel Gods forgotten all about you? That’s how David felt in our text today. From a victory over taking revenge on Nabal in ch.25; Then a victory over Saul in ch.26; To being overwhelmed by despair in ch.27. “I’m gonna die. Saul’s going to get me & kill me eventually. I need an escape.” These feelings are not unusual. You can’t have

2 Samuel 16:1-23 — remission/forgiveness How do we wish to be forgiven? We want it to be unconditional, complete, finished. However, instead of us forgiving others, we usually opt for 1 of 3 different responses: (Taken from Charles Swindoll, David, pg.252) Conditional forgiveness: “I will forgive if…”; “I will forgive as soon as…”; “If you come back & makes things right then I will forgive you”. It’s saying, “I’m waiting

2 Samuel 16:1-23 — remission/forgiveness How do we wish to be forgiven? We want it to be unconditional, complete, finished. However, instead of us forgiving others, we usually opt for 1 of 3 different responses: (Taken from Charles Swindoll, David, pg.252) Conditional forgiveness: “I will forgive if…”; “I will forgive as soon as…”; “If you come back & makes things right then I will forgive you”. It’s saying, “I’m waiting