So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word (1 Kings 18:20–21).
There are many valuable lessons to be learned from Elijah’s encounter with Ahab and the prophets of Baal. We learn...
What Is Impossible for God?
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but...
“The Proper Order”
And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites: for Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. He said to them, “You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. For because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against...
"Oh, Think of the Home Over There"
Introduction
A. Although we usually reflect of the home over there when a loved one has passed away, Christians would do good to think more often about the heavenly place.
B. Peter said that our hope is reserved in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5).
C. Heaven will be more beautiful than anything we have ever imagined, any place we have ever been or seen, and anything we have ever enjoyed.
What is Heaven?
A. Heaven is...
The Next Generation
Introduction
A. In the NT, the word “generation” basically means “the sum total of those born at the same time, expanded to include all those living at a given time” (Arndt & Gingrich).
B. What sort of generation are we, and what sort will follow us here?
I. Will the next generation forget the Lord?
A. The generation after Joshua forgot (Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:1-5).
B. The generation after Hezekiah forgot (2 Kings...
God’s Masterpiece
Introduction
A. There are many human works that are regarded as masterpieces.
B. If God painted a masterpiece of His own, what would it look like?
I. God applied the first strokes of His masterpiece in the creation.
A. God’s original creation was stunning (Genesis 1:25).
B. Man was the crown jewel of God’s creative work (Genesis 1:26-31).
C. God committed His beautiful masterpiece to a canvas of human flesh...
Witnesses of Jesus
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...