A Look into Praying for the Sainted Dead (2 Timothy, Lesson 3)

This is a lesson from our study of 2 Timothy.  Paul mentioned that he prayed for a man named Onesiphorus, who most likely had died when Paul prayed for him.  So, we look into this to see what we can learn. ———– Read 2 Timothy 1:16-17 In what tense (past, present, or future) does Paul refer […]

2 Corinthians, Lesson 3: An Excursus on Confirmation

This is an excursus that we took on the origins of Confirmation while studying 2 Corinthians. In the last lesson, Paul and Timothy referred to themselves by saying, “God has establishes us with you into Christ and has anointed us” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Their use of “you” shows that the Corinthian congregation was included in […]

1 Corinthians 15:51-57: Funeral Sermon for Ruby Kintzinger

Ruby Kintzinger was a long-time member of Shepherd of the Hills.  She passed away on August 20, 2015 and her funeral was on August 24.  This was her funeral sermon.   Listen, I tell you a secret. We will not all die as Ruby has died. But all of us, those who have died and those who live, […]

2 Corinthians, Lesson 2: A Further Explanation for the Letter, Part 1

Paul and Timothy finished 2 Corinthians 1:7 on the theme of suffering and God comforting during times of suffering. They continue on the topic of suffering, but then transition into discussing life and death.   Life and Death Read 2 Corinthians 1:8 “we do not want you to be ignorant”: This expression served two purposes. […]

2 Timothy, Lesson 2: Fan into Flame to Guard the Deposit

Having greeted Timothy, Paul reminded him of the faith that he, his mother, and grandmother all had. Reminding him of that, Paul now transitions to the main premise of this entire letter.   Fan into Flame Paul now tells Timothy what needs to take place so he can endure the suffering that may come with […]

2 Corinthians 3:4-11: The Letter Kills but the Spirit Gives Life

When someone reads the Bible, it’s easy for him to misidentify the person or people a text may reference. For example, in today’s epistle reading, we heard the word “we.” Did that “we” refer to the Corinthian congregation? Does that “we” refer to you? So, let’s take a moment to find out who that “we” […]

Luke 18:9-14 (Genesis 4:1-15): Coming to God on Whose Terms?

Why do people brag? It’s because they want recognition; they want others to notice them. After all, doesn’t it feel good when others sing your praises? Of course it does! But what if they won’t do that? What if the moment passes and no one notices how hard you’ve worked or how clever you are? […]

2 Timothy, Lesson 1: Introduction

We covered a general survey of Paul’s Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus) in Lesson 1 of 1 Timothy. For that reason, we won’t cover that specific information but delve directly into 2 Timothy.   Introduction Author: The Apostle Paul (2 Timothy 1:1).   Paul’s Situation and Date of Letter When Paul wrote […]

Luke 19:41-48: Jesus, the Incarnate Temple, Brings True Peace

Jeri was breathtakingly beautiful. All the men wanted to be with her, and all the women wanted to be her. But more than that, she was intelligent and industrious. She also had the best husband in the world, someone who was faithful, loyal, and caring, someone who sacrificed for her. Jeri’s husband made sure that […]

2 Corinthians, Lesson 1: Introduction

2 Corinthians among the letters that Paul had written to Corinth Paul’s first visited Corinth in 50-51 AD, when he was brought before Gallio, the Roman proconsul (Acts 18:12-17). Because of that, we can date that first visit accurately. It was during that time that the Corinthian congregation formed (covered in 1 Corinthians, Lesson 1, […]