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Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (7 of 15)

Focus Text: 1 Thessalonians 2.7-12

Tenacity, veracity, and capacity – these are three words which describe to some degree the apostle Paul. The two previous installments looked at tenacity and veracity; today’s devotional looks at Paul and the word capacity as it applies to some of his admirable traits.

First, Paul had a great capacity for love. While Paul penned some very strong passages, some of his writings are also full of affection and tenderness. He had little tolerance for error, but he loved those…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (6 of 15)

Focus Text: Galatians 1.10-20

Sometimes rhymes are nice; sometimes they are spice. Sometimes they speak volumes; sometimes their volumes speak. But, when it comes to Paul, a man of great tenacity; It is also needful that we see him as a man of veracity. Corny? Maybe, but at least you get the point!

Veracity can be most simply be defined as the characteristic of being unwilling to tell a lie. Paul was that! Not only was he unwilling to tell a lie, he was unwilling to live a lie. In other words, Paul was a man of great integrity,…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (5 of 15)

Focus Text: 2 Corinthians 4.8-18

Tenacity originally referred to the tendency of one or more substances to adhere or “stick together.” From that root meaning of the word, language has evolved such that the word tenacious now is commonly used to refer to traits of an individual; it still carries the idea of adhering but more specifically, the tendency of an individual to stick to his position and not give up. Tenacity in an individual is an admirable trait, that is, as long as the person is right in his position.…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (4 of 15)

Focus Text: Acts 13.44-47

“But when they [Paul and Barnabas] departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” (Acts 13.15-16).

Prior to the thirteenth chapter of Acts it had been Barnabas and Saul; now it is Paul and Barnabas, Paul coming to the forefront through the…  ( Click for more )

The Malady of Loneliness (3 of 4)

Focus Text: Acts 20.33-35

Did you hear the one about the little boy who heard the preacher cite Acts 20.35, the verse where Paul quoted Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive”? On the way home the little boy brought the matter up and declared, “Giving might be better, but receiving is good enough for me!” We chuckle, but sometimes we are like the little boy. Even though Paul clearly revealed the fact that “…God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9.7), we settle for…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (3 of 15)

Focus Text: 1 Corinthians 9.19-23

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (2 of 15)

Focus Text: Acts 9.1-18

Saul was a man of faith and he also was a man who demanded convincing evidence; these two are not in opposition to one another as some suppose. Saul was a logician of sorts and he acted in harmony with the laws of right thinking. Perhaps he had never truly examined the evidence supporting the case for Jesus as Messiah; whatever the reason, he certainly was not a believer; in fact, Saul was convinced that Jesus was an impostor!

However, Saul was not destined to a life of unbelief. God apparently knew…  ( Click for more )

Paul, Peerless Apostle and Prophet (1 of 15)

Focus Text: Isaiah 66.10-14

His name was Saul, Saul of Tarsus. He loved his work and his love was evidenced by the passion that he poured into it; every ounce of his strength was thrown into doing what he deemed was right. Apathy and lukewarmness were not in his vocabulary. In addition to his passion for action, Saul also was absolutely and positively committed to maintaining a clear conscience; he not only had a “sense of ought,” he was totally given over to practicing what he preached.” Perhaps these two traits…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (10 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 66.10-14

A profile of Isaiah would not be complete without mentioning Isaiah’s love for God and for country. Although it is not stated in just so many words, only a deep and abiding love could have motivated such tenacity in the prophet; his endurance of persecutions, taunts, and ridicule came from a heart fully devoted to the cause of righteousness. Actually the love which Isaiah had was but a reciprocal love which he had seen first in Jehovah. We will examine God’s love and the joy that that love…  ( Click for more )

The Malady of Loneliness (2 of 4)

Focus Text: Galatians 6.1-3

Who needs help? The plain fact is: We all do! That was the principle behind God’s creation of woman, i.e. to be a helper suitable for man. As much as we might like to believe and/or have others believe to the contrary, no one is entirely sufficient in and of him or herself. The strongest man and the strongest woman – both need help from time to time.

The principle of fellowship involves helping; it involves more but certainly helping one another is included. The New Testament is replete with examples…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (9 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 53.10-12

Isaiah’s real hope for Israel was his hope for the Messiah. Like Paul of the New Testament, Isaiah knew that “the hope of Israel” (Acts 28.20) rested entirely upon the coming of Messiah. Isaiah drew word pictures of The Christ, pictures which revealed somewhat of His character, His ministry, and His effect upon man’s fallen state. Study with me as we focus on a few of these word pictures in today’s devotional.

“He [Messiah] will feed His flock like a shepherd; He…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (8 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 7.14

Isaiah was a prophet with sustaining hope. He had hope for himself, hope for Israel, hope for other nations, and most importantly, he had hope for the coming Messiah. Isaiah’s work contains faint images as well as explicit descriptions of the Coming One throughout his book. To state it succinctly, Isaiah was a prophet who had great Messianic hope and he expressed that hope to any and all who would listen to his words. Today and tomorrow’s message will briefly survey a couple of Isaiah’s…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (7 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 1.2-7

Personal integrity cannot exist without a great spirit of conscientiousness; Isaiah possessed both of these qualities in great abundance. His desire to see men come to the LORD and be obedient to Him was not an artificial desire parroted by a mime; it was a heartfelt message rooted in his love for God and love for his fellowman. What else would prompt a man to speak with such candor, fervor, and with such perpetual hope and freshness? We will briefly note Isaiah’s integrity and his conscientious spirit…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (6 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 38.1-3

How could one think, study, speak, or write about Isaiah without considering his extraordinary courage? His courage is implied by the length of time he persevered in delivering God’s word to his countrymen as well as in specific deeds during his ministry. Today’s message will look at the courage of Isaiah as it related to a specific act done during his ministry.

In our western culture, we find it hard to recognize the ruthless power that the kings of old wielded. Their ungodly and cold-blooded…  ( Click for more )

The Malady of Loneliness

Focus Text: Genesis 2.18-25

This article is written with the full recognition that there is a vast difference between being alone and being lonely. However, there was a reason that God recognized from the beginning that it was not good for man to be alone (see Genesis 2.18). There are a number or reason for that recognition, but among them was the desire to prevent loneliness as a way of life for man. With these brief observations at hand, we now begin a Monday series that looks at loneliness, its cause(s), and its cure(s).

Man is destined to…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (5 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 55.1-7

Reconciliation is a beautiful and comforting word. It implies two or more parties who have been alienated in some way. It also speaks of willing hearts and minds that are intent on finding a solution to their problems.

In a context of spiritual matters, it speaks of restored fellowship between God and man. In an even larger religious context, reconciliation means salvation from eternal punishment. One who is familiar with the book of Isaiah might be surprised that the word reconciliation does not appear…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (4 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 6.8-13

Isaiah had a “hard row to hoe” as we noted in an earlier message. In his role as a prophet of God, Isaiah’s ministry spanned about half a century. With apparently sparse results, Isaiah continued to proclaim God’s message with all the vigor that his body could muster. His words were and are a clarion call to truth and personal accountability. Surrounded by a nation saturated with materialism and secularism, Isaiah was the epitome of perseverance. If Isaiah expected an easier assignment,…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (3 of 10)

Focus Text: 2 Kings 19.1-4

“And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it [the threatening message from the king of Assyria], that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. And they said to him, ‘Thus says Hezekiah: “This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (2 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 55.7-11

Citing the third paragraph of yesterday’s message - Isaiah’s “call” went like this: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!’…  ( Click for more )

Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament (1 of 10)

Focus Text: Isaiah 6.1-7

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia’s article on Isaiah begins with this opening paragraph: “Of all Israel's celebrated prophets, Isaiah is the king. The writings which bear his name are among the profoundest in all literature. One great theme--salvation by faith--stamps them all. Isaiah is the Paul of the Old Testament.” Following their lead, we have styles this mini-series, “Isaiah, Paul of the Old Testament.”

That Isaiah was a true prophet of Jehovah is a fact…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (10 of 10)

Focus Text: 2 Peter 3.14-18

“Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation——as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (9 of 10)

Focus Text: 1 Peter 5.1-4

Part of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost went like this: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know —— Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (8 of 10)

Focus Text: 1 Peter 5.1-4

Like other first century writers, Peter had a great hope which sustained him, and that hope was absolutely not the hope “of this world.” Rather, he considered himself and other believers to be “sojourners and pilgrims.” (see 1 Peter 2.11). In a context related to leadership Peter wrote, “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (7 of 10)

Focus Text: 1 Peter 4.3-5

Peter was not one given to abiding in error; he made errors but he did not stay in them; his heart, once convicted of its wrongs, was quick to change and return to the path of right. Jesus knew this about him when He called him. Jesus knew this about him when He rebuked him as recorded in Matthew 16.22-23. Jesus knew this about him when He warned him of the denial that would take place just prior to His crucifixion. In short, Jesus knew Peter inside and out!

Some men find it…  ( Click for more )