The Final Word
Each weekday at noon a local TV station poses a “sound-off” question. It might be “Should city crews use more salt on the streets?” or “Would you like to see flu shots mandated for all…
The Final Word
GOOD FRIDAY 2013
Following the question “Whom do men say that I am?” Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “But whom do You say that I am?” Peter responded with his sterling confession, “You are the Christ, the…
WHAT ABOUT FASTING?
When was the last time you fasted? Have you ever fasted? In Old Testament times fasting—abstaining from food for a specified time—was a common religious practice. Even though there was no direct command from God…
“This is most certainly true!”
CATECHISM SERIES: Studies in The Apostles’ Creed Part Two of a Series 2) God is Maker of Heaven and Earth Several years ago I watched an interesting program entitled If Walls Could Talk. The premise…
The Beauty and Joy of Christian Fellowship
(Seventh of eight installments) Already now in this sinful world believers in Christ are enabled to experience the beauty and joy of Christian fellowship. We certainly can appreciate those moments in our lives when God…
Catchy One-liners Can be Dangerous
“We only believe as much of the Bible as we practice.” This statement on a local church sign speaks a spiritually dangerous half-truth. The implication that everything the Bible teaches is to be preached and…
Noah, Daniel, and Job can’t save!
“…Even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in [the land], as I live, says the Lord God, they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.” (Ezekiel 14:20)
What do Noah, Daniel, and Job have in common? Each was well known for his righteousness. We read that “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations” (Genesis 6:9). Of Job we are told that he was “a blameless and upright man” (Job 1:8). And by the time of the prophet Ezekiel, Daniel’s life had also shown him to be a righteous follower of the Lord in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (see Daniel chapter 1).
And why are these three men in particular mentioned in the book of Ezekiel? For the simple reason that, as our text says, even if they were in the land, they would not be able to save the Jews from the destruction to come at the hands of the Babylonians.
God had sent prophets through whom He warned, encouraged, and pleaded with His people, but still they continued their idol worship. In His loving grace the Lord had shown great patience with them, but the Jews continued to rely on themselves for strength, to depend on their physical ancestry as an “in” with God.
LENTEN . . . JOY?
“…(Jesus) who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
The term joy is not one we typically associate with the seven weeks of the Lenten season. Joy is an emotion usually reserved for the seasons of Christmas and Easter.
The emotions of godly sobriety and repentance are usually associated with Lent—and rightly so. Our thoughts focus on the need for forgiveness of sins, as we consider the suffering, sorrow, shame, and death our Lord Jesus endured to reconcile sinners unto God.
“Everybody Loves a Parade”?
PALM SUNDAY: (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-15)
It has been said that everybody loves a parade. Large crowds of people young and old flock curbside to watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Rose Bowl Parade, or the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
What makes parades popular are beautiful floats, waving celebrities decked out in finery, marching bands, and giant-size balloon characters. Many say they like parades because of the fun-filled entertainment and positive atmosphere.
…Lord, may Thy body and Thy blood be for my soul the highest good!
Picture the scene.
The date is approximately 1600 B.C. The Israelites are living in Egypt, suffering as slaves
at the hands of brutal taskmasters. Pharaoh had refused to let the Israelites leave his country though God has commanded him to do so, and He had sent nine plagues to try to lead him to comply.
Now the Lord resolved to send one more plague. He revealed that on that very night every firstborn in Egypt would die, “from the firstborn son of Pharaoh …