Bible Commentaries

Isaiah 7:1-25 — sees Æ 2 smoldering stubs of firewood. (i.e. soon to be burned up & vanish) Often our problem is the direction we are looking. Q: What’s your focus? Q: Ask, am I looking at the problem or to the problem solver! (5) Remember Ephraim was Israel’s largest tribe, so often they would call Israel(northern kingdom) simply by the tribe Ephraim. Syria & Ephraim’s idea is, “if we can put all of Palestine together we can withstand Assyria!” So

Jeremiah 29:1-32 — Intro: Last time week looked at the Yoke Sermon! (28:13) The 1st deportation of the Jews has taken place(597bc) so Jeremiah writes to enlighten, encourage & exhort them. There are 4 Letters in ch.29: [1] From Jeremiah to the Exiles. [2]Jeremiah’s response to the false prophets in Babylon. [3]From Shemaiah to ther temple priests concerning

Jeremiah 49:1-39 — widows, and your children fatherless.” Q: Do you know a widow you could minister to? An orphan? An orphanage? {I just talked to Billie Rosmarino, they just harvested 40 -100lb. bags of rice from their own rice fields…yet they use 350 lbs. A week.} [They need more monthly supporters!] Oh how the heart of God loves & protects them – See Ps.68:4-6 (16) Where Ammon trusted in their Valley, Edom trusted in their high hills! They thought they were impregnable. We

Daniel 9:1-27 — (20-27) Both periods involve the # 70. Feel the emotion & movement in this prayer – Read it THE PRAYING PROPHET (1-19) (1,2) Though a prophet of God Daniel still sought to understand Gods Word. While pondering Jeremiah 25:8-11 he understood the 70 year captivity was almost over. Remember: Judah owed God 70 years, because for the 490 years they were in the land they were to have set aside every 7th year for the land to have a Sabbaths rest. They never did. After

Nahum 3:1-19 — Thing”? Like trusting in: “Luck”, “Pachenga”, or “Lotto” to solve your problems, or to put you on easy street. (13,14) Here is Assyria’s “promised peace” (15,16) Paying bribes never pays! We try to expedite matters but to no avail. (We’re saying, “Hurry up God, you’re too slow!”) (17-22) Rabshakeh talks trash! See question in vs.19. (23-32) The

Matthew 5:1-3 — happy (because I’m Happy, Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof) Jesus’ 1st year teaching, probably 1st sermon. So, His 1st word of His µακάριος(ma-Kar-ios)1st found in the 5th centbc by Pindar ancient Gk Lyric poet/Thebes At first, it was only used of the GK gods (Homer uses µάκαρ only 8x’s of men). Slide16 Homer said, it denotes the transcendent happiness of a life beyond care, labour

Mark 15:16-32 — ritual of condemnation went like this. The judge would say Illum duci ad crucem placet [this man should be taken to a cross] Then, he turned to the guard & said, I miles expedi crucem [Go soldier, prepare the cross] (William Barclay, pg.358,359.) It was when the cross was being prepared that Jesus was in the hands of the soldiers. Praetorium – The governor’s headquarters. In the courtyard. NW corner of the Temple area, at the Tower of Antonia,

Mark 3:1-19 — through equal and opposite pressure inside themselves. Christians, likewise, don't have to be hard and thick skinned - as long as they appropriate God's power within to equal the pressure without. (Jay Kesler in Campus Life. Leadership, Vol. 5, no. 2.) Pressed out of measure and pressed to all length, Pressed so intently, it seems beyond strength, Pressed in the body, and pressed in the soul, Pressed in the mind till the dark surges roll, Pressure by foes, and a pressure by friends, Pressure

Mark 7:24-30 — clockwise] Picture this women as a the bright jewel found in a dark place. FAITH SPEAKS What 1st appears to be rudeness...I picture Jesus slowly turning a diamond, allowing the light to dance off each facet, enjoying every color it throws. Also read Mt.15:21-28. The Silent Treatment - Mt.15:23a But He answered her not a word. Her faith pushes on despite His closed ear & closed mouth. Now contrast that w/individuals today who say, unless I hear God I will not believe. She shows incredible

Mark 8:22-33 — speaks of Christ “accommodating the pace of his power to the slowness of the man’s faith.” Or perhaps it was the atmosphere in Bethsaida that hindered him. Remember His problem in Nazareth. see Mark 6:5,6 All I know is…There are many times I need a 2nd touch. Praise God for His 2nd, 3rd, & 4th touch upon our lives. How many things weren’t clear to me, the 1st I heard of them? In

Mark 9:30-50 — our world ought to quicken the conscience, elevate conversation, restrain ethical corruption, promote honesty, & raise the moral atmosphere of society. This portion of Scripture, Jesus lays down how we are to Cultivate our Saltiness. See vs.50...then we’ll back up & see how we can Cultivate this Saltiness. In Mt.5:13 it doesn’t say we should be the salt of the earth...it says we are - “You are the salt of the earth.” We can’t change what we are,

Luke 1:39-56 — Intro: Last week we looked at the virgin birth/conception of Jesus. It was necessary for God to cut off the evil which has been carried down from the 1st father of our race. Rom.5:12 “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” ELIZABETH’S BLESSING! (39-45) VISITING THE MOTHER OF THE BAPTIST! (39-45) Bouncing

John 16:16-33 — storm to pass over the disciples would bloom joy in abundance. But this flower has deeper roots (read 23,24). It isn’t like some flowers, here today, gone tomorrow. It is permanent & complete, a fully blossomed flower. Ps.30:5b Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. (23) In that day you will ask Me nothing - What day? Why nothing? In that day probably refers to the day when the Spirit would come and begin His ministry among them. (Warren

John 4:1-30 — Eccl.2:1-11. Jesus offers another drink! Not merely for time, but for eternity! So vital, so transforming, so satisfying; with just one sip of faith, our deepest thirst is quenched! SPIRITUAL DEHYDRATION! LIQUID WATER VS. LIVING WATER! (1-15) (1-3) Jesus departs to avoid a popularity contest w/John’s ministry, Jesus turned to Galilee. But on the way He had an important appointment. (6) Wearied - Jesus truly human. {He experienced weariness, hunger, thirst} (7) Here His unsuspecting

John 9:13-41 — legalistic accretion had encrusted the original Sabbath laws like barnacles. (William Barclay) The Parents Questioned! (18-23) They answered questions 1 & 2, but not #3 for fear of being kicked out of the synagogue. So they Plead the 5th on the grounds that would incriminate them. The Blind Man Recalled for Further Questioning! (24-34) (24) Give God the Glory – was putting him under oath to extract truth. It was used in Josh 7:19 Now Joshua said to Achan, “My

Acts 11:1-30 — us…Culture! ​​​​​​​In many communities the whole family does what dad does. A few years back they were talking about all the Dalit’s (untouchables) in India possibly coming to the Lord (250 million). Almost a whole village in Mindanao w/the Bailey’s ministry. Peter doesn’t try to figure out the theology here, instead just tells of his experience. (just an ordinary conversation) Not hearsay but their own experience.

Acts 14:1-28 — discovered ancient inscriptions in Lystra dedicated to Zeus & Hermes. Paul didn’t know what they were doing for while because they spoke in their native tongue (11). It probably wouldn’t have gotten so far had he known. God of nature(15), God of history(16), God of providence(17), God of grace (21-23) This was a Joshua “Choose this day whom you will serve” preaching. Some call this an “Allegiance Encounter” (challenge to shift their allegiance) Others

Romans 7:1-12 — Intro: When asked to account for the sleeping giant Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines (asleep some 500yr), a research scientist from the Philippines Department of Volcanology observed, "When a volcano is silent for many years, our people forget that it's a volcano and begin to treat it like a mountain" Like Mount Pinatubo, our sinful

Ephesians 1:1-6 — believers in Ephesus [Other 3 prison epistles: Philippines, Colossians, Philemon] Ephesus was famous for its temple to Diana/Artemis (7th Wonder of the Ancient world). Ephesus emerged as the religious center of all Asia. They had a stadium that held 50,000 spectators. This is where the riot broke out regarding Paul & his friends. Extraordinary miracles took place there… Acts 19:11,12 And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons

Philippians 2:12-30 — believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom.10:10 Present - We are being saved from sins Power! Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Rom.5:9 Future - We will 1 day be saved from sins Presence! For now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.  Rom.13:11 Work out - work on to the finish (LKGNT). Like working