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August 8,2007; Part 5 of TBD

Focus Text: Luke 6.31-36

We continue our study of how God treats sinners. Specifically, we are considering the use of the word sinner as it is used in contrast to faithful believers. Contrary to what some religious creeds say, not every thing that sinners do is reprehensible; some things sinners do are actually worthy of imitation. However, in matters such as we consider today, they do not go far enough. Consider the words of Jesus which follow immediately.

“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if…  ( Click for more )

August 7,2007; Part 4 of TBD

Focus Text: Matthew 9.9-13

Who or what groups of people are referred to in the scriptures as sinners other than believers in Christ who inadvertently stray or who temporarily leave the path of righteousness only to return after a short time? Actually, the answer to this question is probably my first response to the query, “Who is a sinner?” I prefer to think of those who have never named the name of Christ as sinners – and most certainly they are. For the next few days, we will examine some usages of the word sinner in the…  ( Click for more )

August 6,2007; The Unshakable Kingdom

Focus Text: Hebrews 12.25-29

“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.’ Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.…  ( Click for more )

August 3,2007; Part 4 of TBD

Focus Text: James 5.19-20

Clarification is necessary when it comes to the use of the word sinner(s) in the New Testament. Sometimes the word is used to refer to a group/class of people who live in obvious rebellion to God’s word. At other times it is used to refer to those who live in subjection to God’s will, but who momentarily or inadvertently stray. And as if that were not enough, sometimes the word is used simply to refer to the fact that all of us sin from time to time, and hence, we are all sinners by that definition. As we…  ( Click for more )

August 2,2007; Part 3 of TBD

Focus Text: Genesis 3.1-8

Someone has observed that one cannot even pronounce the word sin without hearing the heinous hiss of the serpent. Had the serpent not wielded his influence upon mankind, this discussion of how God treats sinners would not be taking place. The hiss of the serpent made the word sin necessary. One thing is certain: If all our information were limited to the first two chapters of Genesis, the time when man lived virtually in God’s presence, we would never know nor need to know how God treats sinners – there…  ( Click for more )

August 1,2007; Part 2 of TBD

Focus Text: 1 John 1.5-10

In considering the question of how God treats sinners, it becomes of paramount importance to know just who is a sinner! If I don’t know anyone who is a sinner, and if I never meet anyone who is a sinner, the scale of importance of the issue drops to virtually zero. However, if I know a sinner or two, or if I am likely to come in contact with a sinner, the degree of importance rises somewhat. In fact, the more sinners I know or am likely to know, the more important the question becomes. I must confess that…  ( Click for more )

July 31,2007; Part 1 of TBD

Focus Text: Psalm 25

Is it really important for me to know how God treats sinners? Is it important to those who regularly receive and/or read this column to know how God treats sinners? When my friend first suggested this as the topic for a series of articles, it was intriguing, but maybe not compelling. Then I thought about the significance of such a group of messages and the implications of the topic. The more I reflected, the more compelling I saw the subject matter to be; hence, this series of articles! If you don’t see the subject matter…  ( Click for more )

July 30,2007; Secure!

Focus Text: John 10.27-29

To be secure is a driving force among humankind. We crave the knowledge that everything will be all right whether we are speaking of our jobs, our homes, our health, our financial situation, or a myriad of other concerns. Security means that we can rest assured that nothing adverse will happen whether foreseen or unforeseen. As Christians, we have the need to be secure spiritually; God has seen fit to attend to that need.

Jesus spoke of that security when He said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they…  ( Click for more )

July 17,2007; Series Conclusion (3 of 3)

Focus Text: John 16.12-15

From the previous installment, we quote: “He [the Spirit of truth] was to guide them [the apostles] into all truth. He would speak only that which He heard from the Lord Jesus Christ, and all that the Father had also belonged to the Son. When it was all said and done, the Holy Spirit knew everything that Jesus wanted and needed to say to the apostles, and Jesus knew everything that the Father knew! There simply was no more truth anywhere in all the realms of heaven, truth that related to man’s…  ( Click for more )

July 16,2007; Time Capsules

Focus Text: John 14.6

According to Wikipedia (see www.en.wikipedia.org.), the phrase time capsule was coined in the mid 30’s in connection with preparations for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. The idea was to “bury” some cultural artifacts from the then current society and preserve them for others to see much, much later (5000 years later, or 6939). Westinghouse prepared the time capsule that is yet buried in New York City, a cylinder containing, among other things, a spool of thread, a doll, and several minutes…  ( Click for more )

July 13,2007; Series Conclusion (2 of 3)

Focus Text: John 16.12-15

THE Prophet had some significant words to say to some prophets [His apostles]. Hear Him:

“I [Jesus] still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said…  ( Click for more )

July 12,2007; Series Conclusion (1 of 3)

Focus Text: Revelation 22.6-10

Today’s devotional begins a wrap-up of the series, Profiles of the Prophets. Our very first installment over 100 messages ago contained the following words:

John was directly interfacing with an angel and in that exchange [as described in the focus text, Revelation 22.6-10], John was so overwhelmed by the events that he fell down to worship at the feet of the angel. In short order and with no room for misunderstanding the angel corrected John because of his attempt to worship him. As he…  ( Click for more )

July 11,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (12 of 12)

Focus Text: John 14.6-11

The thrust of this miniseries concerning Jesus as a Preacher and a Prophet has been to catch a glimpse of His character and personality as conveyed in His discourses. Today’s devotional will conclude this segment of this overall series, but we do so with the full knowledge that we have only touched the “hem of the garment” especially when it comes to the Christ. We conclude by examining a key text excerpted from His discussions with the apostles on the eve…  ( Click for more )

July 10,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (11 of 12)

Focus Text: John 13.31-35

Betrayal was at hand. Things were happening behind the scenes that even the most fertile imaginations would never have thought. Even the apostles who had been warned about the dangers that awaited Jesus in Jerusalem found what He had told them hard to believe. However so as to leave no doubt, He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you [the apostles], one of you will betray Me…” (John 13.21). These words caused quite a stir among His closest followers, so much so…  ( Click for more )

July 9,2007; Exalted of God – What an Honor!

Focus Text: 1 Peter 5.6-7

The word exalt literally means, “…to lift up.” The word usually translated exalt was used by Jesus to describe what Moses did when he “…lifted up the serpent in the wilderness.” (John 3.14). Capernaum, a self-righteous city, had exalted (or lifted up) itself. Concerning it, Jesus said, “And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.” (Luke 10.15). In that vein, Jesus also said, “For whoever exalts himself…  ( Click for more )

July 6,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (10 of 12)

Focus Text: John 13.12-17

“So when He [Jesus] had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is…  ( Click for more )

July 5,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (9 of 12)

Focus Text: John 13.5-12

“After that, He [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you,…  ( Click for more )

July 3,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (8 of 12)

Focus Text: John 13.3-9

Our understanding of Jesus simply cannot be complete without an intimate knowledge of His last few hours upon the earth. Perhaps no portion of Sacred Scripture gives more insight into the person of Jesus than His final discourses just prior to His crucifixion. When one reads the events and discussions that took place on the night of the Last Supper a great vista of understanding opens up that otherwise might remain obscured. The final five installments of this miniseries will focus…  ( Click for more )

July 2,2007; Jesus Loves Me! This I Know

Focus Text: John 11.3-5

“Therefore the sisters [Martha and Mary] sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love [Lazarus] is sick.’ When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” (John 11.3-5).

It is interesting that the two sisters, both of whom were the objects of the Master’s affection, referred to their brother as “…he…  ( Click for more )

June 29, 2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (7 of 12)

Focus Text: John 10.28-31

“‘And I [Jesus] give them [My sheep] eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him.’” (John 10.28-31).

How great was/is Jesus? What power and authority did He possess while here upon this earth? What relationship…  ( Click for more )

June 28, 2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (6 of 12)

Focus Text: John 10.24-28

“Then the Jews surrounded Him [Jesus] and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;…  ( Click for more )

June 27,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (5 of 12)

Focus Text: John 5.45-47

“Do not think that I [Jesus] shall accuse you [the rebellious Jewish leaders in Jerusalem] to the Father; there is one who accuses you——Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” (John 5.45-47).

A present active participle is a verb which depicts present and ongoing action; Jesus told the Jews that Moses accuses [present active…  ( Click for more )

June 26,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (4 of 12)

Focus Text: John 5.38-44

Jesus is presenting arguments to prove that He is Messiah and as such, very God. His character and “style” are revealed in today’s focus text – and might we add, both His character and style are a surprise to many today and their modernized and politically correct image of Jesus.

“But you do not have His [God the Father’s] word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you…  ( Click for more )

June 25,2007; Jesus, Prince of Preachers and Premier Prophet (4 of 12)

Focus Text: John 5.38-44

Jesus is presenting arguments to prove that He is Messiah and as such, very God. His character and “style” are revealed in today’s focus text – and might we add, both His character and style are a surprise to many today and their modernized and politically correct image of Jesus.

“But you do not have His [God the Father’s] word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you…  ( Click for more )