This morning we’re going to move away from Jesus’ teaching to the impact that his life and teaching had upon his followers. In Acts 11 the apostle Peter provides a summary of how he personally was eyewitness to the Holy Spirit falling upon the Gentiles even as he had fallen …
Last week we considered for a second time how Jesus’ resurrection and post-resurrection appearances to his disciples provide a strong confirmation that his teaching prior to the resurrection was true. In this morning’s passage, following Martin’s preaching of the first 21 verses a few weeks ago, we have an opportunity …
Two weeks ago we noted the many times Jesus appeared to his followers from the time he rose from the dead on that first Easter morning until he ascended to heaven forty days later. These post-resurrection appearances are pivotal because they confirm that Jesus is who he said he was. …
Our passage this morning has such a very sad beginning and such a very joyous end. On the first day of the week—a Sunday that will turn out to be the very first Easter Sunday—one of Jesus’ disciples, Mary Magdalene—and, by the way, there isn’t a scrap of evidence in …
In chapters 40–55, the prophet Isaiah, whose name means “The LORD Saves,” is writing to exiles, 200 years in the future, offering them a word of comfort in a portion of his prophesy known as The Book of Comfort. But as we’ve heard in the Scripture reading, this portion of …
Knowing how the week ends, I’ve always found the account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday—also known as Passion Sunday—to be a little confusing. It’s so joyous and exuberant. Jesus is being acknowledged as the King that he is. With this kind of beginning, what would make …
Having looked at the parable of the prodigal son last week—or, more accurately, the parable of our compassionate heavenly Father!—this morning’s passage provides an interesting counter-point because in it we have a stark contrast between the apostle Paul’s attitude and that of the elder son from the parable. In his …
Our passage this morning is commonly referred to as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” As you know, a parable is a story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson and it was one of Jesus’ favorite forms of teaching. And who doesn’t love a good story? There are …
This morning we return to the book of the prophet Isaiah. As mentioned before, Isaiah lived from around 740–681 BC. The general theme of his writing is “Yahweh Saves!” which is also what Isaiah’s name means—“The LORD saves.” And, again, whereas the first 39 chapters of his book are an …
Our passage this morning tells how the LORD confirmed his promise to Abram, to make of him a great nation. We first read about this call a few chapters earlier Genesis 12 where it’s recorded that: 1The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your …
