According to Exodus 19:1, three months had passed since the Lord delivered the children of Israel from the oppression of Pharaoh and the bondage of Egypt. They entered the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp at the foot of the mountain. The Lord instructed Moses to sanctify the people, for in three days the Lord would meet with Israel. On the third day, the Lord’s presence was marked by lightning and thunder, thick clouds, loud trumpet blasts, smoke and fire, shaking and trembling. It was glorious, awesome, and terrible. In Exodus 20:19, the Israelites told Moses, “You speak to us; and we will listen; but do not let...

Paul planted the church at Thessalonica during his second missionary journey. Envy-induced persecution forced Paul to flee the city weeks after its formation. Being hindered from returning, Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to teach Christian doctrine and duty. Shortly after, Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians to address confusion about the second coming of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2 rebuts the claim that the day of the Lord had already come.  2 Thessalonians 3 rebukes those who used the second coming as an excuse not to work.  Alongside these doctrinal and ethical concerns surrounding the Lord’s return, 2 Thessalonians 1:3 says they faced “persecutions” and “afflictions.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 addresses these issues head-on. Verses 13-14 is thanksgiving: “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose...

The Lord’s Prayer begins with an invocation: “Our Father in heaven.” The remainder of the model prayer consists of petitions to the heavenly Father. The first petition is “Hallowed be your name.” The last petition is “Deliver us from evil.” Prayer is both an act of worship and an act of warfare.  We pray for certain things and against certain things.  It is our prayer that god be exalted, and evil be defeated.  J.I. Packer wrote: “The vision of life in God’s family that we learn from the Lord’s Prayer has three dimensions. It is a life of devotion, of dependence, and of danger.” “Deliver us from evil” is a war cry that acknowledges the pervasive reality of evil, recognizes...

William Law said, “There is nothing that makes us love a man so much as prayer for him.” You cannot stubbornly hate a person you sincerely pray for. Prayer cultivates and characterizes love. Many relationships have benefited from what one writer has called “The Five Love Languages.” Unfortunately, prayer is not one of these love languages. Yet there is no greater way to love a person than to pray for that person. 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 shows us what it looks like when love prays.  During his second missionary journey, Paul preached the gospel in Thessalonica. Many repented of their sins and trusted Christ. The church at Thessalonica was born. Envious religious leaders stirred up a mob to cause trouble. Acts 17:6 says, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here...

Visiting his childhood church, the actor Richard Burton offered to perform something for the congregation. His pastor asked him to recite Psalm 23. Burton agreed on the condition that his pastor would do the same. The actor gave an impressive recitation that left the congregation spellbound. The room erupted in applause when he finished. When the room quieted, the old pastor rose to recite the same psalm. When he finished, there was not a dry eye in the room. Burton said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I reached your eyes and ears, but my old pastor has reached your hearts. The difference...

 Luke 13 begins with breaking news reported to Jesus. Some Galileans traveled to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices. Under orders of Pilate, Roman soldiers stormed the temple and massacred the worshipers. After this atrocity in the holy place, the blood of the worshipers and the blood of their sacrifices flowed in a common stream.  Without comment on the personal tragedy, political violence, or legal implications of Pilate’s blasphemous act, Jesus responded to the theological assumptions of those who reported this news. Verses 2-3 read: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”  Jesus played reporter in verse 4: “Or the eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them.” A tower in...

Pyrrhus of Epirus fought the Roman Empire. He won the Battle of Heraclea in 280 B.C. and the Battle of Asculum in 279 B.C. but at a great cost. His close commanders were killed. His fighting forces were depleted. Military reinforcements were unavailable. Political allies proved useless. The Romans lost more soldiers than Pyrrhus. But the more they lost, the more soldiers poured out of Rome, determined to fight and win. When Pyrrhus received the news of victory in Asculum, he replied, “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.” “A Pyrrhic...

Gabriel told the virgin Mary she was pregnant. How could this be possible? Joseph would discover his betrothed carried a baby that was not his. How could this be explained? Mary’s baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would be called the Son of God. How could this be true? Luke 1:37 explains: “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Luke 1:38 is Mary’s response: “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Mary then visited relatives who had also received angelic news of a supernatural birth. Aged Zechariah and barren Elizabeth would have a son named John. At Mary’s greeting, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. It was prenatal praise.  In Luke 1:42-45, Elizabeth cried with a loud voice: “Blessed are you among...

The Lord’s Prayer teaches the heavenly Father can be trusted with all of our needs – past, present, and future. We can pray about present needs: “Give us this day our daily bread.” We can pray about past sins: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We can pray about future trials: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” The Model Prayer also teaches us to pray about what we need the most. We need divine provision: “Give us this day our daily bread.” We need divine pardon: “and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” We need divine protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver...

Luke 1:39-45 is preceded by the angelic announcements of two miraculous births:  Luke 1:5-25 is Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of John to his father, Zechariah. Luk 1:26-38 is Gabriel’s announcement of the birth of Jesus to his mother, Mary.  Our text is followed by the Magnificat in verses 46-55. It is the first of a series of songs that declare the meaning and magnitude of Christ’s birth. Our text bridges the divine revelation and the human response to the Incarnation. Here the glorious meets the ordinary. Gabriel foretold that Mary would give birth to a son. It would be a miraculous birth in that Mary was a virgin. Mary’s baby, conceived by the Holy Spirit, would be called holy – the Son of God. How did Mary respond to this...

A wealthy merchant took a journey, carrying with him his most valuable jewels. Another traveler befriended him along the way. He made it seem like a chance encounter. But he planned to rob the merchant of his precious stones. Each night, they stopped at an inn to rest. The merchant insisted that his new friend wash up first. As he did, the merchant hid his jewels under the would-be thief’s pillow. As the merchanted washed up, the thief would rummage through his belongings unsuccessfully. As this reoccurred for several nights, the thief gave up. As they parted ways, the merchant...

The Lord’s Prayer begins with God’s glory. The second half focuses on our needs. These personal petitions begin our bodies: “Give us this day our daily bread.” The remaining petitions address our souls: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”Even though our bodies are addressed first, the priority is our souls.  The first concern of the soul is stated in Matthew 6:12: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors.” The first word of this petition is the conjunction “and,” which connects verse 12 to verse 11: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Forgiveness...