Sleep

Sleep of Physical Rest (Ecclesiastes 5:12) Sleep is good when used for its proper purpose — not for slothfulness, but as rest from a day of productivity Sleep is pleasant — lack of sleep is not pleasant, good, or desirable (2 Corinthians 11:27) Sleep of the working man (2 Thessalonians 3:10; Ecclesiastes 9:10) Sleep implies […]

Handling the Trials of Life

Text: James 1:2-4 “When You Encounter Various Trials” These trials are different than the temptations mentioned later (James 1:13-15) James says, “when,” not “if” — this is a certainty “Consider it All Joy” Not a natural reaction — this is why James had to tell them to do this Suffering has benefits — endurance (James […]

The Honest and Good Heart

Text: Luke 8:15 What The Honest & Good Heart Will Do Hear the word — interested in the truth (Luke 8:8), seeking answers (Matthew 7:7) Be honest — examine what is taught to see if it is the truth (Acts 17:11), examine himself (2 Corinthians 13:5) Do what is right — completely (Acts 2:37-42), not […]

“Awake, Sleeper”

Text: Ephesians 5:14 What Paul Says They Needed to Do Go from sleep to being awake — state of alertness Go from death to life — state of salvation Go from darkness to light — state of enlightenment Why They Needed to Do These Things If they were not alert, they were vulnerable (1 Peter […]

Permit the Children to Come to Me

Text: Mark 10:13-16 Disciples First Turned the Children Away, Then Jesus Welcomed Them — Why? They were important — even from a young age, children are to be trained in the right way (Proverbs 22:6) They provided an important reminder — “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14) Characteristics of Children […]

Finding Purpose Amidst the Vanity of Life

Text: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 All is Vanity Futility of wisdom (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:12-17) Futility of pleasures (Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 10-11) Futility of possessions (Ecclesiastes 2:4-11) Futility of labor (Ecclesiastes 2:18-26) Yet These Things Can Have Profit Profit of wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-18) Profit of pleasures (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10) Profit of possessions (Proverbs 10:15,22) Profit of labor (Proverbs 14:23) Is […]

“I Am the Lord Your God”

Text: Leviticus 19 Chapter begins with a call for holiness (v. 2; cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16) — What will holiness look like? Honor God Keep My sabbaths (v. 3,30) — consistent, ongoing action; reminded them of God’s work in creation (Exodus 20:8-11) Revere My sanctuary (v. 30) — respect the place of worship; specifically for […]