Last week, we learned what the Scriptures were for Jesus and his Apostles: The Septuagint, the Greek-language version of the Old Testament. Jesus also affirmed this in His Scripture quotes, which favored the Septuagint and when He told the Sadducees they didn’t know the Scripture, referring to the book of Tobit (Matthew 22:29). In 397 […]
John 16:16-22: The Church as a Woman in Labor
May 18, 2017 by
The saints in the struggle, the Church on earth, is a woman in labor. The saints at rest, the Church in eternal glory, is compared to a mother whose birthing pains are past. No longer in contractions, she now beholds her baby born, her anguish long forgotten. The people of God, described as a pregnant […]
The Apocrypha, Lesson 1: Background–The Jews Lose their Hebrew
May 18, 2017 by
In Jesus’ day, Greek was the “universal” language around the Mediterranean world. Earlier, most Jews lost their ability to read and speak in Hebrew during their captivity in Babylon. Hebrew became the domain of rabbis, who learned it to read the Scriptures. We learn of this loss in Nehemiah. Read Nehemiah 8:1, 5-8 The household […]
Psalm 23: The Holy Hunter
April 30, 2017 by
A chapter about the Lord and His sheep. Such a poor reputation comes with these wool-covered creatures. For they are gamey to the nose and stupid of mind, too quick to roam and become lost. Such poor eyesight, but they do recognize their shepherd’s voice! For sheep to thrive, they must learn to live by […]
Romans, Lesson 30: Greetings and Conclusion
April 30, 2017 by
After asking the congregation in Rome to welcome Phoebe, a deaconess, and likely the courier for his letter, Paul now mentions many names in the congregation at Rome. Read Romans 16:3-15 Jewish Male (5) Jewish Female (2) Gentile Male (13) Gentile Female (7) Acquila Prisca (Priscilla) Epaenetus (Greek) Mary (common Jewish […]
Romans, Lessons 28-29: Paul’s Appeal and a study on Deaconesses by way of Phoebe
April 30, 2017 by
Paul shared his plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain. But first, he needs to deliver the monetary aid to the Jerusalem Christians, and so he makes a request of the Roman Christians. A Final Appeal Read Romans 15:30-32 What does Paul ask of the Roman Christians, in general? What does […]
Luke 24:1-8: Remember What Jesus Told You
April 16, 2017 by
The angel asks a strange question. “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” The answer is clear. “Where else will Jesus be?” These women awoke early in the morning, not wanting to leave their Lord’s body without a proper burial. With heavy footsteps, laden with grief, they talk. How will they anoint the […]
Good Friday, The Centurion: This Man, Jesus, is the Son of God!
April 14, 2017 by
The day is dark on a Friday so long ago. The life drains from an unusual man as He goes to His gloomy end. Is He not supposed to be the One, prophesied by Scripture? Yes, but we find Him too powerless to save Himself. The injustice of corrupt leaders and what is expedient for […]
Jesus, Our Passover Lamb
April 13, 2017 by
Exodus 6:2-8, Exodus 12:1-14, and Luke 22:14-20 The end is near. The words our Savior speaks are clear, “I wanted much to eat this Passover with you [, my disciples,] before I suffer.” “The Son of Man is going to his death according to God’s plan.” The path of death is now before Him. For […]
Al and Gloria Hynek’s Funeral Sermon
April 12, 2017 by
Job 13:20-25; Romans 5:8-10; John 3:1-7, 9-12, 16-17 A story of love and a story of heartbreak. One sentence to describe my understanding of Al and Gloria in my life as their pastor. One comes to worship and joins in the life of this congregation, the other stays on the fringes, cloistered in the […]
