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The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (34/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.30-33

“Therefore they said to Him [Jesus], ‘What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, “He gave them bread from heaven to eat.”’ Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to…  ( Click for more )

Monday Miscellany

Focus Text: John 8.32

This message is not about Christmas; it is about cultures and how they sometimes contrast, conflict, and/or even contradict. All the observations about the two cultures selected for discussion were made between December 1,2007 and today’s date (December 10,2007).

In “Culture X” a national broadcast provided the “sample” from which these conclusions about the culture were extracted. The program seemed to present itself as being mainstream within the country in which the broadcast originated. It was…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (33/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.27-29

Jesus said, “‘Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.’ Then they [the disbelieving multitude] said to Him, ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” (John 6.27-29).

After telling His hearers…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (32/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.25-27

“And when they found Him [Jesus] on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, ‘Rabbi, when did You come here?’ Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.’” (John 6.25-27) …  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (31/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.22-25

After feeding the five thousand, and after perceiving that the multitude wished to make Him a physical king, Jesus departed into the mountain alone. Meanwhile, His disciples entered a boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. In an eventful night, Jesus walked atop the waters of the lake, calmed a raging storm, quelled the fears of His disciples, and made it to His home town.

“On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher (30/TBD)

Focus Text: John 6.15

“Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” (John 6.15).

All down-to-earth people know that power can be a mighty intoxicant. The pages of our history books are filled with remembrances of those who became drunk on its charm and fell prey to its deadly enticements. The world has suffered some of its most horrid atrocities at the hands of men who were egomaniacs staggering…  ( Click for more )

Monday Miscellany

Focus Text: Galatians 4.4-5

Justification could not and cannot come by means of the Law of Moses; this is Paul’s summary argument in Galatians 3. Regardless of what the Jews thought about the Law and the blessings that might come on them through the Law, Paul made no bones about the fact that justification was by faith in Christ and not through the Law. “For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.” (Galatians 3.21b).

Man had one major problem under the Law, and…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 6.7-14

It was not as if He had not previously performed signs and wonders; in fact, many had seen His miracles and believed because of them. “Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.” (John 6.2). Yet, Philip did not foresee the supernatural deed that He was about to do; he just mused, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” (John 6.7). Andrew…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John6.1-6

“After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’ But this He said to test…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 28,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 4.1-14

Yesterday, I wrote: “Men of sound mind do not hazard their lives for causes in which they do not believe. The apostles knew from empirical evidences which they personally witnessed that Jesus was the resurrected Messiah; no amount of coercion or threats could erase or weaken their conviction in this matter. Their hope was not in some earthly reward, but their lives were spent in pursuit of the reward that Jesus had promised in the world to come!”

Now read the…  ( Click for more )

The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher Focus

Text: John 16.12-13

Soon after the establishment of the Lord’s church, persecution of the believers became an ordinary and “to be expected” matter. Starting with Peter and John (Acts 4) and continuing throughout the entirety of the book of Acts, either the Jewish establishment or the Romans acting “on behalf” of the Jews proved to be perennial enemies of the cross. Stephen was the first Christian martyr of whom we read in the Bible (see Acts 7), but he was not to be the last. James,…  ( Click for more )

Monday Miscellany ; November 26,2007

Focus Text: John 18.33-38

We hear a lot about truth. Witnesses in legal proceedings are duty bound to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Under many circumstances, consumers are advised of certain facts under the truth in lending laws. Children are taught the value of truth and the honor that inheres with always telling the truth. Truth is a small word that packs a tremendous wallop when it comes to our lives, our country, our society, our economy, and most importantly to our spiritual welfare.

“Then…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 21, 2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 19.38-40

“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.” (John…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 20,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 3.1-2

It wasn’t easy being a disciple of Christ. Some who followed at the first saw the sacrifices that were involved as well as the dangers and turned their backs. Jesus didn’t blink; His terms of discipleship were non-negotiable! The extraordinary drawing power of Jesus as a man and as a Teacher is reflected in the way some of His disciples reacted to His life and His death. We will talk about one of the more prominent followers of Jesus, and this in spite of the cost.

We first…  ( Click for more )

Monday Miscellan; November 19,2007;

Focus Text: Ephesians 5.14-17

It was just a small roadside sign, not more than about 2 feet by 3 feet, that caught my eye. I was driving through a small suburb of Atlanta toward Sunday morning worship services when I saw it and some thoughts came to mind that might be worth sharing. The sign was actually located in the front yard area of an ordinary looking residence, but the content of the sign was everything but ordinary. All the sign said was, “Psychic” with a phone number below it.

Not to get too personal, but I have…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 16, 2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 20.19-23

I think we all have them; friends who seem to delight in showing us their “battle scars.” I know I have a friend who had several surgeries, and he seemed to relish each and every opportunity that came his way to show off a scar from a previous surgery. Of course, he would always preface these exhibitions with, “I hope this doesn’t gross you out, but let me show you where…” That statement would be followed by a display of what ever area had been…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 15, 2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 20.11-18

Yesterday’s message introduced a significant conversation that took place between Jesus and Mary Magdalene; to refresh our memories, we will cite a portion of that text again. Recall that the setting is just after the resurrection of Jesus and before knowledge of His resurrection was known except by a very few, Mary Magdalene being one of that select group.

“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 14,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: John 20.11-18

Some roomers can be dressed up in respectable garb, but rumors look the same no matter how they are dressed. Jesus, unique and unequaled teacher was and is completely knowledgeable of the destructive capability of rumors. Much of His early ministry was spent in the midst of rumors and innuendo; beginning with Herod’s desire to kill Him as a child and ending with suborned witnesses at His trial, Jesus had a lifetime of experience with rumors that were intended to hurt and even…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 13,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: Luke 8.1-3

One synonym for devotee is follower; another is supporter. In the case of Jesus and this miniseries, both definitions are appropriate. We will begin our study by considering a special set of followers about whom we know little, but about whom regrettably we hear even less. “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of…  ( Click for more )

November 12,2007; I have eaten Ashes like Bread

Focus Text: Psalm 102.8-11

“My enemies reproach me all day long, Those who deride me swear an oath against me. For I have eaten ashes like bread, And mingled my drink with weeping, Because of Your indignation and Your wrath; For You have lifted me up and cast me away. My days are like a shadow that lengthens, And I wither away like grass.” (Psalm 102.8-11).

The 102Psalm from which today’s focus text is taken has an introductory statement at its beginning; it reads as follows: “A Prayer of the afflicted…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 9,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: Matthew 16.29-32

Jesus said to the Sadducees, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22.29). We are limiting our comments to the first of His two charges, i.e., “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures…”

I was mistaken once when I failed to properly follow directions to a restaurant; I was also mistaken not long ago when I failed to read the time correctly. The Sadducees were mistaken, but in an entirely different way.…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 8,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: Matthew 16.22-29

Detractors with specific agendas frequently set traps for their “victims.” Such was certainly the case when the things noted in today’s focus text unfolded. “The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, saying: ‘Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 7,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: Matthew 16.20-23

Detractors don’t always wear the uniform of the obvious enemy; frequently they come dressed in the garb of a friend. Jesus’ detractors were sometimes from within His own camp, and sometimes from even the most unexpected sources from within that select group. Today’s message will look at one such detractor (for however brief a period) and how Jesus responded to his comments.

“Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus…  ( Click for more )

Nov. 6,2007; The Series - Jesus, Unique & Unequaled Teacher

Focus Text: Mark 3.13-21

I wonder what would have happened in 1948 on the morning after the presidential election if Harry Truman had believed the headlines of the Chicago Daily Tribune, the headlines which boldly proclaimed, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” I wonder what would have happened if George Foreman had believed his critics who said a man over 40 could never compete against the young guns coming up in boxing (Hint: You’d probably be eating greasy hamburgers instead of ones with the fat grilled…  ( Click for more )