Bible Commentaries

Mark 16:9-11 — garden ages ago that paradise was lost, & it is in a garden now that it would be regained.” Ken Gire, Mary Magdalene, pg.130. Title: Mary Magdalene, Apostle to the Apostles. "Apostle to the Apostles", an honorific title that 4th-cent orthodox theologian Augustine gave her. [i.e. apostle/one divinely sent] Let’s read Mark 16:9-11 & then the fuller story in Jn.20:11-18. WHO IS MARY MAGDALENE? Overview: Mary Magdalene was Mary from Magdala. [funny picture] A

Luke 19:11-27 — that one moment for they knew that if they missed it, they would have to wait for another tide to come in. Shakespeare turned this background of the exact meaning of opportunity into one of his most famous passages. It’s from Julius Caesar, Act 4, Scene 3: There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life Is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat; And we must take the current when

Luke 2:1-7 — How will you respond in the future? Q: What steps can you take to remain joyful when you’re inconvenienced this Christmas/New Year season? Speaking of inconvenience – I was touched by a sermon given by Martin Niemoller. It was in 1944 while he was in Germany’s 1st Concentration camp in “Dachau”. [we visited the very room he stayed] It was a Sermon he wrote on Christmas Eve 1944. (Smith; Great Sermons on the Birth, Death, & Resurrection of Jesus Christ;pg.242) He

Luke 22:35-53 — would’ve said “buy more.” ​​​​​​​So Jesus concludes the conversation after they failed to grasp His meaning in the sword metaphor. THE LORD IS MY FATHER, THY WILL BE DONE! (39-46) ​​​​​​​Now, out of the upper room to the Mount of Olives. This story is almost too sacred to explore by methods of exegesis or exposition. There are things in this that have baffled theologians

Luke 4:1-13 — Intro: Honor Life - Sanctity of Human Life week. There have been at least 43 million babies lost since Roe v. Wade was decided on Jan.22, 1973. [33 years] Prayer: The laws of our land; babies whose lives hang in the balance as we speak; mothers who have had abortions [seek & accept God’s forgiveness]; that our society

Luke 5:33-39 — His coming. It’s not austere & rigid duties of ceremonial Law. - It’s not stern & harsh requirements. Q: Does this describe your religion at all? Q: Have you ever caught yourself resenting other Christians being joyful? (34) To the Pharisees religion was a funeral; but to Jesus it was a wedding! The figure of a Wedding in that day consisted of: Ceremonies, Merriment & Festivity lasting 7 days. The groom was treated like a king, & his bride like a queen. Guests

John 18:1-14 — supporting Arielle; In info booth after service. CCCM has a ministry “Widows Helping Widows” - Weekend Retreat @ Hot Springs. Women who have lost their spouse. Share experiences. Steps of grief. Janie Alfred Speaker. Jan 22-24; $115 (can’t afford let me know) Details on Bulletin Board. Wed Night: Invite you, message entitled “What If” [A personal challenge to Christians in 2010] New Years Eve’s, Eve, Wed night 7pm, not Thursday night. I

Romans 14:1-13 — makes our Christian friend see red, but Paul points out here it should be Gray! Title: Shades of Gray: Gray is not black or white! Slide#7 Outline: Accept One Another; Accept Non-Essentials; Accept The Lordship of Christ. ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER! (1-4) ​​​​​​​No disputes over doubtful things or over disputable matters NIV; or do not quarrel over opinion ESV Background: A lot of issues in that day on how the food was prepared, if it was sacrificed to

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 — fame, & glory. If Jesus was the perfect human being, then we are really messed up on what we’re going after. Paul starts answering these questions here… Title: What is wisdom in Greek? Sophia (σοφία) SOPHIA MEETS JESUS! (18-25) The preaching of the cross - is not the act of preaching itself. It is the Word/logos of the cross! An eminent professor of theology said to his students in his seminary class, “Gentlemen, I

1 Corinthians 6:1-20 — his tears, he embraced Jakov and said, “Thank you for being in my life.” And then he pointed to the heavens and whispered, “You wear His coat very well.” (Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God, (Word Publ., Dallas: 1994), pp. 101-102) Saints, are you wearing His coat well? SAINT LITIGATION! (1-8) Saint Litigation...the Patron Saint of lawsuits? No, maybe the Saint of Mediation? We as saints are to litigate, some matters! Saint Litigation

2 Corinthians 4:1-18 — Vessels ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Outline: A Great Light in Gloomy Darkness! - A Great Treasure in Jars of Clay! A Great Glory in Light Affliction! A GREAT LIGHT IN GLOOMY DARKNESS! (1-6) ​​​​​​​Paul looks at 4 people, starting with himself! Himself! (1) This ministry – The ministry it had been talking about in the last chapter(see 6,8) We do not lose heart - Sometimes the size of the task becomes a motivation in itself! Winston Churchill

Philippians 3:1-11 — in Jesus. Never rely on it! Don’t even trust it! Flesh will always steer you wrong! No Christian arrives…till he arrives in glory! How far are these true of you? PAUL’S ACHIEVEMENTS! (4-6) Wow! Nice Resume! - Paul says you want to talk confidence in the flesh?…Let’s go! - Check out my wall of Degrees, Plaques, & Certificates! See, when Paul was Saul he was a proud Pharisee; he was B.M.O.C.; Top Dog of the Kennel;

Colossians 1:15-29 — home & see what it looks like...it’s the shape of the cross. (18) Preeminence - (Moule) “A Savior not quite God is a bridge broken at the father end” (20) Peace through the blood of the cross - 1 Cross + 3 nails = 4given Story of substitution & sacrifice! During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the

Philemon 1:1-25 — grace. Here is an unforgettable picture of “Christianity in action!” (2) Apphia – possibly his wife; Archippus – possibly his son. (3) As Paul asks this for him, he will in turn ask this of him. APPRECIATION! (4-7) Paul has so much good to say about Philemon. This was not empty flattery; it was sincere Christian appreciation. He was: a beloved friend(1), a fellow laborer(1), a man of faith & love(5), an effective Christian(6), a refreshing Christian(7),

Hebrews 11:23-40 — w/Lawgiver), historian (writer of Pent, Israel’s history), & deliverer (story of Exodus). In every critical stage in Moses’ life, faith shaped him for his ultimate ministry. And listen to this unparalleled epitaph written in Deut. 34:10-12 NLT There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. The Lord sent him to perform all the miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, and all his servants, and his entire land.

Hebrews 12:4-11 — gives them, one more hand grasp, one more foot hold, to keep them from sliding back. It also helped them to climb one step closer to The Top. No home can function in a scriptural way w/o discipline.
 THE TELEOLOGICAL WOODESHED (4-11) Teleological - The branch of philosophy that deals with ends or final causes. Aristotle claimed that an acorn's intrinsic telos is to become a fully grown oak tree. In our context today God’s discipline towards us is always w/an

Hebrews 2:1-18 — Intro: I remember fishing in Alaska once. It was a stormy 24’ swells, in a 17’ boat. When you fish for Halibut, its best to anchor. We tried. But soon, when the tide surged, it slipped our anchor & there it hung suspended above the seabed. It wasn’t long before we noticed...we were adrift. This

James 1:12-27 — impossible if it’s dependent on circumstances. (13) 2nd Promise! The crown of life - not only a future crown to be received, but also the crown of a rich & full life enjoyed here & now.  In the ancient world crowns(stephanos) had at least 4 great associations: The crown of flowers was worn at times of joy (it was the sign of happy/festive joy). The crown was the mark of royalty (worn by kings & those in authority) The crown of laurel leaves was the victors crown in the games

2 Peter 2:12-22 — darkness. Daylight Debauchery was frowned on, even in degenerate Roman Society! Wrong doctrine & wrong living go together! Spots & blemishes – on an animal made it unfit to be offered to God! They were like a stain on a clean shirt! (14) Steady Sinners! Eyes full of adultery – Their eyes can’t look at a women w/o lusting (Phillips) They’re constantly on the prowl for fornication or adultery. They cannot cease from sin – Not pausing, unable to

Revelation 19:1-21 — Ch.19 is that wave! When the tide of history sweeps in, many will be swept away by the fury of God’s wrath. BRIDE FOOD! (1-10) [Heaven Scene] THE REHEARSAL DINNER! (1-6) It starts with a song of praise!...A Hallel(see Ps.104-109) (1) Alleluia(PTL) - Remember the call to Rejoice was issued? (in 18:20) Here the great multitude in heaven gladly follow orders! Alleluia only occurs here in the N.T. (4x’s) They Praise Him for: [1] His Salvation(1) [2] His