Introduction A. Considering that Jesus did not parade Himself as the Messiah, how is it that Peter (Matthew 16:16) and so many others—even today—have arrived at the same conclusion about this man of Galilee? B. Let’s listen to the witnesses that testified before Peter and the rest of the world that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God. I. Jesus first calls John the Baptizer to the stand (John 5:32-35). A. This...
“I Am Guilty”
Introduction
A. “I am guilty. I confess it. There are so many things I have done that I am ashamed of. I have been guilty with the thoughts of my mind; I have been guilty with the words of my mouth; and I have been guilty with the actions of my hands.”
B. We live in a world that hates the idea of feeling guilt. We are becoming a society without shame—a society where every sin, of every kind, is permitted. In fact...
Jots and Tittles
Introduction
A. In every aspect of His life, Jesus emphasized the Scriptures: when he preached (Luke 4:14-21), when he rebuked the erring (Matt. 26:54), when He was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11), and when He died (Matt. 27:46).
B. As disciples of Jesus, we should seek to be diligent students and teachers of God’s Word (cf. Ezra 7:10).
C. While we need to read the Bible daily, we must also study it carefully.
I. A jot or tittle...
What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do
Introduction
A. When Judah’s neighbors formed an alliance against her, the king acknowledged that he didn’t know what to do (2 Chronicles 20:6-12).
B. Most of us can sympathize with King Jehoshaphat, having found ourselves in situations where we didn’t know what to do.
C. So what do you do when you don’t know what to do?
I. Jehoshaphat is not the only one ever to find himself in this situation.
A. What was...
Old Testament Lessons on New Testament Baptism
Introduction
A. In spite of the teachings of the New Testament, there are still many who object to the doctrine that baptism is essential for salvation.
B. Paul tells us that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4), and we shall see that there is much that we can learn about NT baptism from familiar OT stories.
I. We learn about baptism when we read of the flood (Genesis 6-7)...
Jesus Barabbas or Jesus Christ?
Introduction
A. The Scriptures are filled with examples of choices men have had to make (Deuteronomy 30:19; Joshua 24:15; 2 Samuel 24:13; 1 Kings 3:5).
B. When Pilate offered the Jews a choice between Barabbas and Jesus, this might seem like an easy call from our perspective, but to a first-century Jew, the right decision was not as easy to make.
I. One lived; the other died.
A. Jesus Barabbas was unjustly...
Bearing One Another’s Burdens
Introduction
A. The fact that there is strength in numbers explains many of the things God has done since the creation of Eve (Genesis 2:18-24).
B. It should be a great comfort to all of us to know that we are not in this fight alone; as soldiers we are all in this together.
I. We have a responsibility to encourage the weak and the faint.
A. Those who are weak in the faith should be able to depend on their stronger brethren...