“I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the LORD, do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7) The skeptic will abuse this verse to suggest that God is the creator of immorality. An examination of the context of the verse, as well as the remote context of God’s nature will …
Continue reading Sermon: I Make Peace, and Create EvilSuffering
Suffering, affliction, and death are common to man. The apostles experienced it greatly, but Paul’s description of His ministry is telling concerning the hope of Christians (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Christians look at the unseen, not the seen. As they trust in God, the negative affliction actually transforms them, and prepares them for “the eternal weight …
Continue reading Sermon: The Eternal Weight of Glory
Despite the example of the northern nation of Israel (cf. Jeremiah 3:6-10), and numerous warnings from God with calls to repentance, Judah was carried into Babylonian captivity. In 586 B.C., Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed. Lamentations is a book of dirges reflecting on the destruction witnessed by the prophet. However, the darkness of the …
Continue reading “Great is Your Faithfulness”The Hebrew epistle is addressed to Christians experiencing difficult times of adversity. They were being persecuted for their faith. They allowed this to shrink their faith. They had “forgotten the exhortation which speaks to [them] as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by …
Continue reading Sermon: The Chastening of the Lord“Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.” (Psalm 73:1) The Psalm pictures a struggle of faith. There is doubt concerning the way of righteousness when the wicked are seen to prosper. But in a time of doubt, God is sought, and faith increases. Ppt: Outline: To download, right-click on …
Continue reading Sermon: Truly God is GoodGenesis 16 records the time when Sarai and Abram took matters into their own hands, seeking to find fulfillment in God’s promises through their own wisdom. Giving Hagar to Abram as wife proved to be problematic. One effect was the affliction of Hagar. The account preserves a most comforting aspect of God – “Then she …
Continue reading Sermon: El Roi – You Are the God Who Sees“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13) God has given us instruction on how to react to suffering. The plan God has for us works. We can turn to Him in time of need, and the result will be cheer. Ppt: Outline: To download, right-click …
Continue reading Sermon: From Suffering and Prayer to Cheer and SongGod has equipped His people with the power to endure. This comes from the understanding of the difference between what is seen and what is not seen. Paul demonstrated such as he contrasted the “light affliction,” and the “eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The children of God are blessed with the hope of …
Continue reading Sermon: The Eternal Weight of GloryThe Hebrew writer considers the faith of Moses, starting with his parents, and progressing to the Passover. Ppt: Outline: To download, right-click on the title in the track list and select “Save link as…”
Continue reading Sermon: By Faith – MosesThe Hebrew epistle is addressed to Christians experiencing difficult times of adversity – they were being persecuted for their faith. They allowed this to shrink their faith. They had “forgotten the exhortation which speaks to [them] as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are …
Continue reading Sermon: The Chastening of the Lord