A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In part 2 of the introduction to John’s wonderful epistle, Pastor Jack looks at seven verses that deal with the distinction between confession (talk) and profession (walk). It’s one thing to say we believe, but it is another thing to act on those beliefs. These seven verses typically start with the words, “If we say…”
A message from the series “1 John ’08-09 // A Father’s Loving Words.” In this introduction to John’s first epistle, Pastor Jack draws attention to the four reasons that John gives for writing this epistle. First, “that your joy may be full,” secondly, “that you may not sin,” thirdly, “that you may not be deceived,” and lastly “that you may have spiritual assurance and be steadfast.”
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” The concluding five psalms of the book of Psalms are like five hallelujah choruses that all build into a crescendo of praise to God. They are filled with themes of happiness and joy due to God’s great love for His saints that reverberate in the life of the writers that result in not only singing but also shouting and dancing. One can almost hear the call to strike up the band from the shofar to the guitar to the bass and drums and wind instruments and loud cymbal and then the shout to come and let all that breathes do what they were created to do…Praise the Lord!
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” All of the four psalms are ascribed to David. In Psalm 142, we find him alone and frightened in the cave of Adullam when he was fleeing from Saul. Psalm 143 contain David’s cry to God when his son, Absalom tried to muster a coop and overthrow his father. Psalm 144 is David’s praise to God, which probably resulted from God’s deliverance from the attempted coop of Absalom. David has been called the “Sweet Psalmist of Israel,” and certainly Psalm 145 reflects just that in a song of God’s love.
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” The old saying absence makes the heart grow fonder can certainly apply to Psalm 137, which speaks of the captives in Babylon remembering Jerusalem with a longing to return. Psalm 138 speaks of God’s faithful care in every situation. In the well-known Psalm 139, David praises God for Who He is knowing that He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent. Psalm 140 is a cry of David to the Lord for deliverance. A great way to learn how to pray.
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” We complete these 15 songs of ascent beginning with Psalm 131 that is attributed to David. Each of the psalms is a song of worship and praise to the Lord for His keeping power and goodness to Israel, the city of Jerusalem and His servants. Though written over a 300-400 year period, some psalms were written by David, one by Solomon and the rest believed to have been written and or compiled by Hezekiah during the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem in about 700 BC, which he applied in faith to that fearful attack.
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” Psalm 126 and the following continue in the series of the “Songs of Ascent” that were sang by the nation of Israel as they came up to Jerusalem three times a year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. Psalm 127 is a great psalm for parents and families. Psalm 128 tells us of the blessings of having the Lord at the center of our lives and families. Psalm 129 reminds us that Israel has always been Satan’s target and as such, God continually has brought deliverance to that nation and particular Jerusalem. Finally in Psalm 130 the psalmist pours out his cry to God and assumes the role of a mediator before God for the people in prayer. The world could use more men like this!
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” Psalm 120 begins a series of 15 psalms that all have the inscription “A Song of Ascents”. These psalms were sang by the people of Israel as they came up to Jerusalem 3 times a year for the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The subject matter of these psalms is that of the nation gathering in the land, the keeping power of God to have her there and the joy that Jerusalem is uniquely the city of God where He has chosen to place His name.
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” We all go through trials and experience afflictions as did the psalmist that wrote this psalm. How he responded by turning to God’s Word for strength and answers would be an encouragement for all of us. Rather than bemoaning his state to others, the writer laid his troubles at God’s feet and experienced the peace that God’s Word brings.
A message from the series “Psalms 2007.” It would seem that this unnamed writer of this psalm went through some suffering and perhaps great persecution and as such his salvation was the Word of God. In this third study through this great psalm, Pastor Jack shows us how God’s Word is both eternal and unchanging. Therefore it is completely reliable. Secondly, those who know and hide God’s Word in their hearts become both scholars and saints. Additionally, God’s Word is like a lamp that brings understanding and lights our pathway through life.
