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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 )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (6 of 10)

Focus Text: John 1.41-42

In a very real sense, each one of us is a work in progress. So was Peter, especially when the following exchange took place: “‘Most assuredly, I [Jesus] say to you [Peter], when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him,…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (5 of 10)

Focus Text: John 18.8-11

Today we continue to examine the impulsive nature of Simon Peter.

“Jesus answered, ‘I have told you [the arresting soldiers] that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way, that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”’ Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. So Jesus said to…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (4 of 10)

Focus Text: Matthew 17.1-6

Some people epitomize certain traits. If you look in the dictionary under rich you might find Bill Gates’ picture; if you look under genius you might find Einstein’s picture; if you look under impulsive, you might find Peter’s picture (laugh here!). That’s what I mean when I say that some people epitomize certain traits; Peter epitomized impulsiveness! We will look at two events (one today; one tomorrow) involving Peter’s impulsiveness during the earthly…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (3 of 10)

Focus Text: Galatians 2.11-16

Three selected events speak of Peter’s penitent and pliable spirit; our study today will take a quick look at these three occasions and draw a practical conclusion from them.

The first event came on the heels of a great compliment paid to Peter; Jesus had just pronounced a blessing upon Peter due to his recognition of the fact that Jesus was the Messiah (see Matthew 16.13-18 & Mark 8.27-30). Almost immediately Jesus began to tell His disciples of the unjust fate that…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (2 of 10)

Focus Text: Acts 4.10-13

Of all the attributes that might be assigned to Peter, it is doubtful that anyone acquainted with him ever accused him of being timid! When questions were asked, he seemed to always have an answer. When a task needed to be done, he always seemed to be willing to do it. When risks were to be taken, he usually seemed willing to take the risk. We will explore some particular events of his life that illustrate just how bold he could be.

Perhaps one of the better known examples of Peter’s…  ( Click for more )

Simon Peter – Prominent Prophet of the Apostles (1 of 10)

Focus Text: John 1.41-42

We introduce Peter with an excerpt from an article as it appears in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: “He [Simon Peter] has been styled the prince of the apostles, and, indeed, seems to have been their leader on every occasion. He is always named first in every list of them, and was their common spokesman. He was hopeful, bold, confident, courageous, frank, impulsive, energetic, vigorous, strong, and loving, and faithful to his Master notwithstanding his defection…  ( Click for more )

Malachi - Prophet of God’s Love – Past, Present, and Future (3 of 3)

Focus Text: Malachi 3.1-5

“‘Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,’ Says the LORD of hosts. ‘But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He…  ( Click for more )

Malachi - Prophet of God’s Love – Past, Present, and Future (2 of 3)

Focus Text: Malachi 2.1-9

The LORD is a God of love – past, present, and future! That was Malachi’s burden and he provided proof of the same through his ministry. Notice how Malachi affirmed God’s present love for Israel.

“‘And now, O priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, And if you will not take it to heart, To give glory to My name,’ Says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will send a curse upon you, And I will curse your blessings.…  ( Click for more )

Malachi - Prophet of God’s Love – Past, Present, and Future (1 of 3)

Focus Text: Malachi 1.1-5

Malachi’s burden [task] was to show that Jehovah, Israel’s God, was a God of love – past, present, and future. To successfully accomplish his task, the prophet began with an assertion: “‘I have loved you,’ says the LORD.” (Malachi 1.2a). But given the circumstances, a mere proposition was not enough; Israel needed proof!

“Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s…  ( Click for more )

Focus Text: Zechariah 7.1-3

“Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev, when the people sent Sherezer, with Regem-Melech and his men, to the house of God, to pray before the LORD, and to ask the priests who were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and the prophets, saying, ‘Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?’” (Zechariah 7.1-3).

It had been two years since the foundation of the…  ( Click for more )

Haggai – Prophet of Introspection and Exhortation (4 of 4)

Focus Text: Haggai 2.4-5

“‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the LORD; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the LORD, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’”

“Be strong!” That was the LORD’S message to every one…  ( Click for more )

Haggai – Prophet of Introspection and Exhortation (3 of 4)

Focus Text: Haggai 1.12-13

“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the LORD. Then Haggai, the LORD’S messenger, spoke the LORD’S message to the people, saying, ‘I am with you, says the LORD.’”

Haggai was a prophet who got godly results!…  ( Click for more )

Focus Text: Haggai 1.5-7

“Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.’ Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’”

Some one has defined insanity as continuing to do the same thing over and over while expecting…  ( Click for more )

Haggai – Prophet of Introspection and Exhortation (1 of 4)

Focus Text: Haggai 1.1-5

“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.’”’ Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet,…  ( Click for more )

Pride - a Common Human Malady

Focus Text: Zephaniah 3.11-12

“In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds In which you transgress against Me; For then I will take away from your midst Those who rejoice in your pride, And you shall no longer be haughty In My holy mountain. I will leave in your midst A meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD.”

Israel was not the first nation to be destroyed because of haughtiness; neither was she to be the last. God hates haughtiness, or as it is called in Proverbs 6.16-17, “a…  ( Click for more )

Habakkuk – The Burden Prophet (4 of 4)

Focus Text: Habakkuk 2.20

“But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

Just what and where is God’s holy temple? Let the scriptures speak. “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands…” (Acts 7.48). “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.” (Acts 17.24). “Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! …  ( Click for more )