The children of Israel in the wilderness stands as a lesson for the believers. We see examples of great faith, followed by examples of great failures.
As they crossed the Red Sea, we see the children of Israel both trusting and obeying the Lord.
But later, as they approached the border of the promised land, twelve spies returned from surveying the land. The land was good, they reported, but filled with strong people, fortified cities and giants. But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, urged the people to enter the land, trusting the Lord to fight the battles for them. But rather than trust, the people rejected the Lord and Moses, His servant.
What lessons to these examples hold for us?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Lord bless you through the teaching of His Word.
The Apostle Peter is in his last days before being martyred for his faith. He penned his letter to the church in Asia in order to remind them to remember the teaching of scripture as handed down by both the prophets and the apostles. But he also wrote to warn them regarding the scoffers that would come; those who mock the coming of the Lord, willfully forgetting that God both created the world and judged it with the flood of Noah's day.
In answering these mockers, Peter again reminds them of who God is and of his character.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
As Acts 6 closed, we saw Stephen, "full of grace and power...performing great wonders and signs among the people." Those from among the Jews who argued with him were "unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking" (Acts 6:8, 10). The Jewish leaders therefore brought Stephen before the Sanhedrin, bringing against him false charges that he spoke against the temple and against Moses, His servant.
In the opening portion of Acts 7, we see Stephen begin to make his defense. First, we see him address those present as his brothers and fathers. While his accusers treated him with no respect, Stephen responded with respect, establishing common through the worship of the same God. But in his defense, he also gave an indictment of those accusing him. His indictment focused on three themes:
- God, and therefore the people of God, are not restricted to a certain location, such as a land or temple.
- Israel has a history of rejecting the prophets and deliverers sent by God
- God's vindication of His servants.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
As we return to the book of Acts, we catch up with Stephen. Up to this point, Luke's focus in Acts has been on the church in Jerusalem, the preaching, the growth, and the persecution has largely been in Jerusalem.
In Stephen, we come to a turning point in the book of Acts, from a focus from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria. We will see that the death of Stephen is the climax of the Jewish persecution in Jerusalem. His death provided the impetus for the spread of the church into Judea and Samaria. Finally, in Stephen, we are introduces to Saul of Tarsus, later known as Paul.
In today's lesson, we are introduced to the character of Stephen and the beginnings of the trial that will eventually lead to his execution.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
There are great blessings to living on the world God created; and God is pleased to have us enjoy the simple things of this world. But many, including evangelical Christians, get caught up in many other things. In particular, the events of 2020 saw many believers distracted by Covid and the politics of a controversial election.
One thing we must remember is that, for the believer, this is not our home. We are called to have an eye on what is coming up ahead. In today's lesson, we consider God's call for us to be heavenly-minded believers.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May God bless you through the teaching of God's Word.
Homosexuality is an issue that has increased in prominence within our own world and culture, as well as the church. The month of June is Pride Month, in which society, as a whole, celebrates and affirms the homosexual lifestyle.
But what does Scripture say regarding homosexuality? And how do we respond to the world's claims, not only about the legitimacy of homosexuality, but claims that the Word of God affirms this lifestyle? And finally, how does the Gospel inform our response to the world around us?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May the Word of God provide you with guidance on this very relevant topic.
In Psalm 51 we see the penitent prayer of David following his sin with Bathsheba. In the first part of this psalm, we saw David approaching God for forgiveness, grace and mercy on the basis of God's own character.
Now in the second half, we see David approaching God seeking renewal of his inner most being; "Create in me a clean heart." As we look at David's heart, we see that his purpose was not just for his own forgiveness and renewal, but that as a forgiven sinner, he could instruct others on how to approach God to find grace and mercy themselves.
As you listen to today's lesson, may you be encouraged through this prayer that was born out of David's own failure and God's immeasurable grace.
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Holy Word.
As we celebrate Mothers' Day, we often look to Scripture for examples of mothers from whom we can gain valuable lessons. When we look at Hannah, we see a figure barren for so long, praying for a son, only to give away her first born son to the Lord.
What made it possible for Hannah to surrender a child for whom she had so desperately longed? And as we consider her character, what lessons are there for us?
Thank you for listening to today's lesson. May God bless you through the teaching of His Word.
Many of us learn by doing. Others demonstrate something and we do it. When the disciples asked Jesus, "Teach us to pray...", the Lord prayed, demonstrating a pattern of prayer for His followers.
In the same way, Psalm 51 is a teaching Psalm. In it, David offers a demonstration of how a sinner can approach God to confess our sin and to trust in the goodness and loving kindness of a God who is at once both Holy and gracious and merciful.
In Psalm 51, we see that David makes no attempt to down play or cover his own sin. We see David confessing that his sin, although involving others, was ultimately against God alone. And finally we see David repenting of his sin; acknowledging that God is just and blameless in His judgment.
But then David turns his demonstration to trust; for He turns to the very character and nature of God as both Holy and righteous, but also gracious and merciful. And in his prayer, David asks three things of God:
- Purify me with hyssop; literally De-Sin me
- Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow
- Blot out all my iniquities
During today's lesson, may we be exhorted to look honestly at our own sin, then come to a Holy and Gracious Father, trusting Him to forgive our sin through the blood of His Son.
Thank you for listening. May you be blessed through the teaching of God's Word.
