“Thy Kingdom Come” #2
Such was the prayer of earnest disciples and such a prayer manifested not only their confidence that there was such a kingdom to come, but their petition expressing their desire for its appearance. The prophets had “prophesied of the grace that should come unto you” (1 Pet. 1:10), not only assuring men that such was […]
“Thy Kingdom Come” #1
The “Lord’s prayer” (as it is commonly called but more appropriately “The model prayer”), was given by Jesus on two different occasions. It appeared early in His ministry when He preached the “Sermon on the Mount” and is found in Matthew 6:9-13. The second time it was given was in response to His disciples who […]
The Kingdom Is Like a Marriage Feast
The parable of the marriage feast of the king’s son in Matt. 22:1-14 has many similarities to other of Jesus’ parables. It is very transparent and likely was perceived by the Pharisees as having them and the whole Jewish nation in mind. The parable related that a certain king made a marriage feast for his son […]
The Kingdom Is Like a Slighted Invitation
Luke 14 contains three parables and the chapter could be titled “Parables while sitting at meat” for all three related to feasts and were given while Jesus was “sitting at meat in the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees” (Lk. 14:1). The first two of the parables were pointed, calling out the […]
The Resurrection
Men have long wondered if there is life after death. “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). The answer was implied in the Old Testament, as Jesus pointed out to the Sadducees — yes there will be a resurrection from the dead (Matthew 22:23-33). When Paul preached the resurrection of Christ at […]
Are You a Friend of Jesus?
Before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, Jesus calmed the hearts of His disciples and prepared them for what was to come. In John 15:9-14, He defined the elements of being His friend. He said that His friends abide in His love just like He has abided in the Father’s love. The way to do that […]
The Kingdom Is Like Ten Virgins
The parable of the ten virgins follows Jesus’ prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem as well as His response about the “end of the world” (Mt. 24:3). Unlike the fall of Jerusalem in which there was a sign which warned that Christians were to flee the certain destruction that fall would bring “When ye see […]
The Kingdom Is Like Pounds
The parable of the pounds was given because “they supposed that the kingdom of God immediately to appear” (Lk. 19:11). Luke alone records this parable and it is much like the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). But while there are similarities, there are also points of difference and other details in the parable of […]
Car and Motorcycle Giveaway!
The Houston Chronicle recently reported the Abundant Life Christian Center in Galveston County gave away a new PT Cruiser and Harley-Davidson Sportster on New Year’s Eve. Since Nov. 30, church members were allowed to enter the drawing each time they attended (twice if they brought a visitor). The church “pastor” said he did not see […]
“The Lord Said Unto My Lord …”
Often a biblical passage may be used to establish a variety of points and, while the point made by citing the passage may not be the principal thrust of the verse, deductive reasoning from the verse may lead to that proper conclusion. One such passage is Psalms 110:1, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit […]