“These verses [Matthew 3:1-12] describe the ministry of John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a ministry that deserves close attention. Few preachers ever produced such effects. ‘There went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan.’ None ever received such praise from the great Head of the Church. Jesus calls him ‘a burning and a…
Call to Worship July 5 2020
“Forgiven souls are FORGIVING. They do as they have been done by. They look over the offences of their brethren. They endeavor to ‘walk in love, as Christ loved them, and gave Himself for them.’ (Eph. 5:2.) They remember how God for Christ’s sake forgave them, and endeavor to do the same towards their fellow-creatures. Has He forgiven them pounds, and shall they not forgive a few pence? Doubtless…
Call to Worship March 15 2020
The order of service will be slightly different Sunday to include baptism. We are looking forward to this encouraging time as we baptize a young man this Lord’s Day. “Repentance means turning from as much as you know of your sin to give as much as you know of yourself to as much as you know of your God, and as our knowledge grows at these three…
Call to Worship March 8 2020
Thoughts on Deuteronomy 23:1-14 When reading these verses recognize they are a continuation of previous chapters. They not only express covenant community laws, but they express similar ideals. The ongoing idea regarding purity in the community and worship remains to be a major theme in Chapter 23. The word “assembly” in the text refers to the whole of the community whether at worship or war. Yet it…
Call to Worship March 1 2020
Thoughts on Deuteronomy 22 Chapter 22 repeats the importance of the holiness of God, the purity of His people and indicates God’s care for creation and humanity. Furthermore, the readers are reminded of the display God desired to show through the nation Israel. Israel was to be set apart. Their separateness was revealed in their obedience to God’s commands. The applications of these verses further explain how…
Call to Worship February 22 2020
Thoughts on Deuteronomy 21: Once again this chapter in Deuteronomy considers some distresses of life and how the Israelite community is to handle those matters. “The distress concerns,” according to Raymond Brown, “a murdered man (1-9), a captured woman (10-14), a deprived son (15-17), a depraved son (18-21), and an executed criminal (22-23).” (Brown, 203) Each of these instances concerns governance, religion, family, and community in the…
Call to Worship February 16 2020
Thoughts on Deuteronomy 20 Often time portions of Deuteronomy seem out of place or order. We must remember there are connections in the broader context of Deuteronomy to God’s purpose for the ethnic people of Israel. Life, death, future and family are important themes in scripture. In Deuteronomy 19 the main concerns were accidental death versus murder and the future of a family in property rights. Chapter…
Call to Worship February 9 2020
Thoughts on Deuteronomy 19: The Lord God made promises to His people for a future land. He also planned for proper protection for His people interacting in that land. Chapter 19 renders some legal aid for matters of life, property, and testimony. As Raymond Brown stated, “God’s realism is more vividly portrayed in Deuteronomy than anywhere else in the Bible. He makes careful provision for life as…
Call to Worship February 2 2020
Thoughts from Deuteronomy 18: In this chapter Moses reminds God’s people of three specific ways He cares for His people. They were in need of atonement, protection, and prophecy. Moses previously reminded the people of their need for atonement before the Holy God. This atonement was pictured in the sacrificial system purposed by God. Not only did God provide the consistent reminder of their need, he also…
Call to Worship January 26 2020
THE POOR MAN’S OLD TESTAMENT COMMENTARY Robert Hawker “Verse 1 CONTENTS The subject of the divine laws is continued through this Chapter. Moses under GOD’S authority, points out the unblemished state required of the animals to be offered in sacrifice; of the punishment of idolaters: of controversies in judgment: of the election of a king; and of special duties required of him. Deuteronomy 17:1 I hope the…