Text: Matthew 13:14-16 After giving the parable of the sower, Jesus said that some WOULD NOT understand. It was not that they COULD NOT, but they refused to see and hear. This meant they would miss out on the healing the Lord offered. The primary application was about being healed of their sin. Yet there […]
January 27, 2025
Leaving Behind the Fruit of Our Labor
Text: Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 In the book of Ecclesiastes, the wise man spoke of the futility of life “under the sun.” One of the reasons he saw this as futile was that he would leave the fruit of his labor to someone else. The one receiving it could squander it or act foolishly with it. This […]
January 20, 2025
Pressing On Toward the Goal
Text: Philippians 3:12-14 At the start of a new year, we focus a lot on GOALS we want to reach in the future (health, work, relationships, etc.). All of these may be good, but we must never lose sight of what should be our PRIMARY goal – “the resurrection” (Philippians 3:11). In our text, Paul […]
November 18, 2024
Willing to Forgive
Text: Luke 17:3-4 Jesus taught His disciples about the need to forgive those who sin against them. Yet it is not always easy to do this, especially when the sin is habitual – seven times a day (Luke 17:4) or seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22). However, as the Lord’s disciples, we must be willing to […]
November 4, 2024
Sowing and Reaping
Text: Galatians 6:9 God created the world, and it operates according to the rules He established. This includes times of “seedtime and harvest” (Genesis 8:22). The outcome of the harvest depends (in part) on what was planted, when it was planted, and how it was done. This illustration of sowing and reaping is used throughout […]
October 28, 2024
Taking Meals Together
Text: Acts 2:46-47 The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the togetherness of brethren in the early church. Shortly after the church was established, the first Christians were meeting and eating together. Many churches today host “fellowship meals” – meals hosted by a congregation and conducted as part of the church’s work. But was Luke describing a church-sponsored meal? […]
October 14, 2024
Judged by the Law of Liberty
Text: James 2:12-13 James said we will be “judged by the law of liberty” or “the law that gives freedom” (NIV). This should affect how we “speak” and “act.” So what does this mean? What is the “law of liberty”? How does recognizing this affect our lives? And how does this impact our view of […]
