‘Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.’
It is enough to know and believe what the Word of God has revealed, that the holy angels of God take special care of each believer. In this respect angels are collectively called ‘their angels’ (Matthew 18.10). They are said to encamp about them that fear the Lord (Psalm 34.7). This is further evident by the many services which angels do to them and for them.
‘Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man.’
‘Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’
Do we shy away from Christian service? As the Lord’s workers we should desire to glorify Him. Christian service is not about selecting the comfortable positions and the hopeful fields; it is best to make no selection, but to yield our own will to the will of God altogether.
‘The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.’
There is nothing quite like the Ten Commandments for stimulating progress in sanctification, once our minds are primed to see all that they teach. In the New Testament we read that keeping them is an act of love to Christ, and also the basis of assurance. This article employs five biblical keys to unlock the riches of the ‘royal law’.
This article presents the traditional view that we are to seek guidance from the Lord in all the major decisions of life, and he will clarify our thinking, or overrule our circumstances.
‘Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me.’ (Psalm 25.4-5)
We may have a lack of assurance, coldness in prayer, little sense of God, and small desire to pray. Isaiah 50.10 is a good solution – ‘Who is among you… that walketh in darkness, and [yet] hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.’
Are you troubled, and are you inclined to despair? Take counsel; these storms are not beyond what believers in Jesus can bear. Is not the Lord himself with you as your captain, and is not the Holy Ghost with you as your guide, and have you not a faithful God to trust to in the stormiest night you may ever know?
‘Now Pashur the son of Immer the priest, who was also chief governor in the house of the LORD, heard that Jeremiah prophesied these things. Then Pashur smote Jeremiah the prophet, and put him in the stocks that were in the high gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD.’
It is often claimed by those cynical toward the Bible that Genesis 1 is contradicted by Genesis 2. But it is clear that these arguments are not made by people who read Genesis with any degree of care, because their claims are so obviously mistaken and easily refuted. Genesis is amazingly precise and consistent as narrative.
What is awe? A teenage boy went to see the Niagara Falls and was overwhelmed by the power of that mighty cascade of water. Riveted to the spot, he really felt its danger and magnificence. He went down to the lower shelf to view the falling water from behind, and could not stop talking about it for days. That’s awe.
Financial scandals demonstrate the foolishness of believing that you can have morality without Christianity. Spurgeon here refers to the crisis around Overend, Gurney and Company, which collapsed in 1866. The Bank of England refused to bail it out, leading to the collapse of over 200 other banks and companies. How history repeats itself.
‘The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.’
Why was the sabbath day instituted by the Lord, and in what way has it changed with the coming of Christ? How should it be kept? This article responds to these and other questions, showing that the sabbath principle is still God’s will for believers today, and listing its purposes and blessings.
Gossip has been defined as idle talk or compulsive news-mongering, including the spreading of groundless rumour. Do we indulge in it? To see the ugliness of it and its effect upon the church ought surely to make us think, and put us off. We must neither speak gossip, nor listen to it.
‘Behold, they say unto me, Where is the word of the Lord? let it come now. As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before thee.’
‘And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time.’
The music used in contemporary Christianity is a testimony to the decline of reverent worship and intelligent praise in many so-called reformed churches. This article briefly looks at some of the reasons why certain music is inappropriate for the dignified worship of Almighty God. Is it neutral? Can it ever be neutral?
‘The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills.’
‘Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!’
Let every parent know assuredly that it is well with the child, if God has taken it away from you in its infant days. You never heard its declaration of faith; it was not capable of such a thing. Nevertheless, you may rest assured that it is well with the child, well in a higher and a better sense than it is well with yourselves.
Aesthetic worshippers believe that genuine praise needs a ‘physical’ dimension greater than mere unison singing. It assumes that God is an ‘aesthete’ – sitting in the heavens and looking down with appreciation at the skill and beauty that we bring before Him.
A divine covenant is a pledge by God to relate to mankind on certain conditions. God does not relate to man in a haphazard, random, disorderly way, but in accordance with clear principles and purposes, reflecting his holy nature and requirements.
Genesis is the foundational book of the entire Bible, chronicling the origin of the universe and the human race, the entry of sin into the world, and the launching of the history of redemption. Many Christians do not know that all the great doctrines of the faith are introduced in this book.
Many Bible-believing Christians, sadly, do not seem to have realised that each one has a personal commission. They think of themselves in a very humble way as recipients of the grace of God, but not as having received a special call to the service of Christ.
In Leviticus, the Lord prescribes very precisely the order and manner of worship. They were not to devise services for themselves, and even in our day of greater liberty we are not to create expressions of worship not seen in the New Testament.
‘At that time, saith the LORD, they shall bring out the bones of the kings of Judah, and the bones of his princes, and the bones of the priests, and the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves.’
‘The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Stand in the gate of the LORD’s house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.’
‘O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Beth-haccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.’
‘Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.’
‘Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.’
‘But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.’
‘If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.’
‘They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.’
‘Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.’
‘Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.’
‘Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a land that was not sown.’
‘The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.’
‘And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.’
‘And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon? Then Saul arose, and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, having three thousand chosen men of Israel with him, to seek David in the wilderness of Ziph.’
‘And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran.’
‘Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. Therefore David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the LORD said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah.’
‘O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.’
‘So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.’
The great decline of the quality of Bible teaching in the last few decades has brought with it the rejection of this precious and fundamental principle – that God has a specific plan and purpose for the life of each of his children, and that they should seek his direction in all the great issues of life.
‘And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.’
‘And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? … And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him. And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’
Speaking by divine inspiration, the aged leader Joshua gave the people sixteen profound and heart-searching resolutions that stand to this day as monitors of the committed spiritual life. Although given in the form of exhortations, they are clearly intended to be embraced as personal resolutions or pledges by those who love and serve the Lord.
‘And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.’
‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.’
‘Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines’ garrison, that is on the other side.’
A parable from the prophet Isaiah shows major limitations placed by God upon human life when He is left out of consideration. Here are the consequences of a materialistic life, and the great release that comes from turning to the Lord.
‘And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh; And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians… And ye have this day rejected your God…and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.’
‘Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.’
‘And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.’
‘And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?’
‘Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.’
‘What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.’
‘And they of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.’
‘And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Eben-ezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek.’
‘And [Elkanah] had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh.’
David traces the reasons for personal sin in a life, the phenomenon of God’s mercy, the benefits of trusting Him, and the tragic result of rejecting His kindness. There is no treatment of sin and salvation as profound and uplifting as this psalm.
‘Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.’
‘For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.’
‘Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.’
‘His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.’
‘And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.’
‘And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.’
‘And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison.’
‘And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!’
‘There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.’
‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.’
New believers when truly enlightened and saved are moved to make a pledge or vow to God, which will be renewed and deepened throughout this pilgrimage. Here are the important features of such vows, their scope, and their benefits and blessings.
‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.’
‘Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.’
It is said that there is little understanding of eternal life in the Old Testament, but this is very mistaken. 46 Psalms of David speak of eternal glory, and here we survey ten to show that all the Bible is about everlasting salvation.
‘And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.’
The richest king of his time, who indulged to extremes in pleasure, intellectual pursuits and creative skills, and who kept 700 wives – Solomon – eventually found a godless life futile and turned to the Lord. Here is his experience and his appeal to all for conversion.
Who God is, His attributes, purposes and plans are often unknown to people today. Nor do we know how God views us and reaches out to us. Here is the God of the Bible, with His infinite kindness and power, and how He may be known.
‘The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.’
‘And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.’
‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.’
‘This covenant [grace] is the only city of refuge for a distressed soul to fly to for sanctuary, when all the billows and waves of temptation run over him, or Satan doth furiously assault him. If we fly to this armoury, we can never want weapons to resist the devil.’ – Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)
The Biblical account of the Garden of Eden and the fall of mankind is the most profound and searching record of the beginning of sin in all literature. Dismissed in ignorance, it traces the loss and the regaining of vital contact with God.
‘And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.’
King David’s best-known psalm reveals his view of life’s journey. Claiming the Almighty God as his personal guide and Saviour, he points to all that we miss without this divine Shepherd, and the conversion experience that He gives to all who follow Him.
What is the source and authority for our views about life, its source, how it should be lived, what standards we adopt, what we value and support, or what we believe in? Is the authority no more than the imaginations or desires of the heart?
‘I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.’
‘Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.’
Human life is viewed here as a message sent to God, demanding that He gets out of our way, because we have no interest in Him. Here is what lies behind our hostility, what we lose by it, and the way to acceptance by Him.
‘And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.’
The way to know God never changes throughout the Bible. This approach from a prophet-preacher 700 years before Christ is exactly the same as that found throughout the New Testament. Here are the steps of Hosea, to which the Lord will respond.
How can the invisible, unfelt God be loved? It is not possible without some unmistakable experience of His intervention in our life. Here is how that may happen, so that we exclaim with the Psalm, ‘I love the Lord because he hath heard my voice.’
King David imparts his experience of prayer and lays out the key conditions for prayer to be heard and answered. So much prayer, we learn, is distasteful to God and disregarded. May the fundamental human instinct to pray lead to life and peace with God.
‘And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.’
An idol is any object or idea that substitutes for the true God. The Bible shows that idolatry is rampant in every life. Today the worship of self claims that individuals have the right to be themselves and have their desires – we become ‘God’.
‘And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.’
(Ex. 17:11-13)’
Here is a remarkable appeal by Moses to the people of his time about their souls being lifeless and non-operational. Are his famous signs of an inactive soul true of us?
Here is how Moses unfolds the way to connect with God.
‘I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.’
God calls us to think, setting before us the unreasonableness of turning our backs on Him. He shows us what we are rejecting – namely, His forgiving love, the rebuilding of our character, the imparting of life to the soul, and everlasting joy and peace.
‘Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.’
‘The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.’
‘And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king.’
Isaiah, 700 years before Christ, prophesies the last phase of the world, from the time of Christ to the end of the age. Throughout, many will be appealing to and urging people to turn to Christ. Here is how God reaches out to us.
A selection of the magnificent promises of God, noting their conditions, and resting on the fact that Christ by his righteousness and atonement secures their benefits for us. An inspiration to collect and embrace the texts of care, love and strength.
Here are several troubling objections to Christian faith drummed into modern society, and why they are entirely wrong. Here also are the chief evidences for the being of God, the basis for finding and knowing Him, and the proving of His life-changing power.
‘The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.’
David’s last prayer is one of the most remarkable and detailed prophecies of the Old Testament, describing what the coming Messiah (Jesus Christ) would do for the world. Every major act of Christ is here, and what these mean for our eternal souls.
‘On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever.’
Job’s words, spoken so long ago out of very great need, are amazingly profound, revealing the vital steps in a search for God. Such a cry will lead to a great discovery of the soul and a ‘meeting’ with Him. Here is what may be found.
‘Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.’
‘Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall..that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together.. but they thought to do me mischief.’
“And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live.” Nehemiah 5:1-2
‘Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.’
‘Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah.’
All things come from God, but the greatest and most significant benefits in life come by application to Him. Here are the ‘deep things’ of God – His mercy and benevolence, and what the promises (in the Scriptures) do for all who ask.
‘And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.’
‘Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.’
‘…the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations…for they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people…’
‘Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.’
King Solomon spoke for humanity throughout time when he listed the greatest false promises in favour of living an entirely material life without reference to God or spiritual matters. Here are few of them, believed by millions, and how they fail.
‘This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.’
‘Praise ye the Lord; I will praise the Lord with my whole heart.’
‘Then the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.’
‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’
‘And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.’
‘Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you..’
The prophet identifies in a single verse the two great missteps in life, giving two contrasting illustrations of human experience. One is a free-flowing fountain of meaning and happiness with God, and the other is a broken cistern representing toil and failure without Him.
‘And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.’
‘Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing.’
According to the Bible, alienation from God is entirely due to the problem of sin. But what is sin, why should it be so offensive to God, and what is the biblical method of bringing about forgiveness and reconciliation with God?
There are many substitutes for God in human society – things to admire, live, serve or possess. Perhaps they are preferred to the true God because they have no moral authority over us. Let Isaiah unfold the differences between these and the true God.
What happens when the dream of life is over and the reality of God’s existence dawns? The Psalmist describes the futility of a life lived without God, and the inevitability of final judgement. Will we face Christ the Lord as our Saviour or as our Judge? ‘As a dream, when one awaketh, so, O Lord, … Continued
‘And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.’
‘And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.’
‘Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.’
‘The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests that were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin: to whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.’
In the disastrous decision of the ungodly king who took Judah into 70 years of captivity we see the very influence that manipulates away from God, and into rationalism and atheism. Here are the ‘levers’ used by unbelieving society to keep us from God.
Full chapter _____________ Psalm 37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be … Continued
‘When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies … Continued
A survey of the book of Malachi, God’s final prophetic interaction with his people before the appearance of John the Baptist. It is cast in six sections: Israel’s spiritual apathy, condemnation of the priests, the charge of treachery, a great prophecy of Christ, a charge to consecration and the destinies of the saved and unsaved. Here are the pastoral lessons for us.
For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard … Continued
‘And king Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus: and king Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the fashion of the altar, and the pattern of it, according to all the workmanship thereof.’ Full chapter _____________ Acts 20 In the seventeenth year of Pekah … Continued
‘Thus saith the Lord of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also.’ Related … Continued
‘Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.’ Related Resource: Church Age Predictions
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and … Continued
‘Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.’ Related Resource: The Sword of the Spirit
People may be brilliant and accomplished in several fields of learning and skill, yet unreceptive and unaware when it comes to the purpose of life and reconciliation with God. Here are miniature parables of Solomon that appeal to us all to be open to God. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so … Continued
‘In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the … Continued
‘Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.’ Related Resource: Christ Purges His Temple
This article will sweep through Deuteronomy 29 – 30 to demonstrate that it records how Moses presented an ‘evangelical covenant’ which was set beside and distinct from the covenant of Sinai, the latter being a ‘works’ covenant that could only condemn. (This is how Paul expounds it in Romans 10.) Chapter 29 verse 1: ‘These … Continued
‘Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.’ Full chapter _____________ … Continued
‘And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.’ Full chapter _____________ Nehemiah 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, … Continued
King David looks back to his experiences of deep cynicism, describing how it gave way to a realisation of the futility of life without God. He saw life as a ‘shadow’, and provides us with a prayer for approaching and finding a forgiving God. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Greatest Rescue of Life, Seeking … Continued
From a series entitled ‘Lessons in Faith’ from the life of Hezekiah. Full chapter _____________ 2 Chronicles 29 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies from 2 Kings entitled ‘Lessons in Faith’. Related Resource: Awakening under Hezekiah
Lessons in faith including Elisha with Hazael, showing the mechanism which begins all wars, and the deathbed act of Elisha exposing a king’s indolence, with spiritual applications. Related Resource: Rend Your Heart
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resource: Answering Doubts About God And Faith
The nature and scope of human love is impressive, but Divine love, made visible in history and, supremely in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, is limitless, freely bestowed and certain toward all who find Him. Here are the ‘lovingkindnesses of the Lord’ they experience. You May Be Also Interested in… Article: The Immeasurable, Personal Love of … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resource: The World’s Most Notorious Counterfeiter & Sincerity First and Foremost in the Christian Armour
‘And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. ‘ The Lord Jesus Christ said: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resource: Inspiring Strong Personal Witness
When the prophet Isaiah told a king to set his house in order, the king knew that he meant the house of his soul, as well as his earthly affairs. Here are the five ‘departments’ of the soul, and how God may bring them to life. You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tracts: The … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings, entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resources: David’s Prayer of Faith & Lessons in Prayer From Nehemiah
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Height and Depth of Salvation, How to Apply for Salvation Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O LORD. Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications. If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings, entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resources: Faith, Doubts, Trials, Assurance & Answering Doubts About God And Faith
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 2 Kings, entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elisha’. Related Resources: An All-Round Ministry & Correcting the Ministry
How is God to be approached in order to experience real conversion? Here are the two essential elements – repentance and faith – what they are, and how they must be expressed to God. Throughout the Bible these are always the two vital steps. You May Be Also Interested in… Bible Study: The Prayer of FaithSermon … Continued
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 1 Kings, entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elijah’. Related Resource: Spiritual Lessons from Elijah
The Bible speaks of the record of sin kept in the depths of every conscience, suppressed by us, but brought out on the day of judgement. Only God can blot out our guilt, and here is why, how and when this may happen for us. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: Freedom from Life’s … Continued
Related Resource: Spiritual Joy
The vanishing benefits of life wholly invested in this material world are here set against the solid, lasting experience of knowing Christ and His lovingkindness and power. Here also is the unreasonableness of unbelief, and how God is to be sought and found. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Christ Defines Spiritual Life, Gaining Life … Continued
Related Resource: Church-Age Blessings Foretold
Part of a series of Bible Studies on 1 Kings, entitled ‘Lessons in Faith from the Life of Elijah’. Related Resource: Spiritual Lessons from Elijah
Related Resource: Backsliding Dangers
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the … Continued
‘Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.’ Full chapter _____________ Exodus 15 Then sang Moses and the children of … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Proverbs 18 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach. The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and … Continued
Related Resource: Solomon’s Fall and Repentance
You May Be Also Interested in… Books: Men of purpose Sermon: Seeking The Purpose of Life, Forgetting the Purpose of Life Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether … Continued
King Solomon’s compelling illustrations of our spiritual need urge us to see the tragedy of living without the help of God, and without ever knowing the way to the city of pardon and blessing. You May Be Also Interested in… Booklet: Seven Certain Signs of True Conversion Sermon: What exactly is conversion?, The Necessity of Conversion Dead … Continued
Related Resources: Sermon Series: Spiritual Lessons – Samuel to Solomon
Related Resource: Christ Purges His Temple
Related Resource: Four Aspects of Wisdom
Related Resource: Sermon Series: Spiritual Lessons – Samuel to Solomon
Related Resource: Living for the Flesh or for the Spirit
Related Resource: Sincerity First and Foremost in the Christian Armour
Related Resource: The Personal Spiritual Life
Related Resource: Answering Doubts About God And Faith
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: In the … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Psalms 100-101 Psalm 100 – A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his … Continued
Related Resource: Exercising a True Deliverance Ministry
Related Resources: The Origin of Beauty & Sarah’s Christ-Like Beauty
Full chapter _____________ Ezekiel 47 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the … Continued
‘And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.’ Full chapter _____________ Genesis 39 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, … Continued
Related Resource: David as King
Related Resources: How to Enter the Kingdom
In the light of recent Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations might I offer these comments. All manifestations of racial disrespect are disgraceful to sincere Christian people. They flow obviously from the Fall of man. All hatred, all superiority, all disdain, all persecution of ‘other’ ethnic groups and religions, together with all ideological persecution (which is the greatest killer in modern times), and all class prejudice is forbidden by the sixth commandment – ‘Thou shalt not kill.’
‘Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.’ Full chapter … Continued
Related Resources: How King David Found God
Related Resource: King David’s View of Life
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David speaks to himself in self-pity, focussing on his trials, the power of Saul and the doubtful loyalty of his 600 men. Here are lessons from Satan’s assaults, and what David should have considered. Also, light on Saul and the witch of Endor. Related Resource: Faith’s Higher Reasoning
What accounts for Saul’s resistance to God? But there are the same tendencies even in us as believers. Supremely, in these chapters, are the four arguments of Abigail to deter David from sin, the same arguments so useful to us in restraining ourselves from temptation. Related Resource: Reasons for Faith
Beginning with the erosion of David’s trust in his subterfuge at Nob, proceeding to the total collapse of trust in his flight to Gath, and then the repair of faith in Psalms 34 and 56, and the token of future blessing in the rescue of Keilah. Related Resource: Lessons in Faith from David and Jonathan
‘Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the … Continued
King Saul is under God’s judgement, and David has been secretly anointed as king. Here we see Jonathan’s faith and humility, while pride and suspicion consume Saul. We also see Saul’s classic false ‘conversion’ that soon fails, and David’s laying all before the Lord. Related Resource: David as King
A fresh look at the famous defeat of Goliath showing that for the believer all events are a spiritual matter. Here it is seen that spiritual tenacity and strength co-exist with gentleness and kindness. Here also is the difference between working by flesh or spirit. Related Resource: Spiritual Lessons from Saul and David & From … Continued
A brief study of what it means to be ‘one flesh’, mainly expounding and applying to marriage the terms used by the apostle in 1 Corinthians 13. Often surprising and always challenging, these provide the principles for harmony and happiness in the sanctified life. Full chapter _____________ Genesis 2 Thus the heavens and the earth … Continued
When pilgrimages to Jerusalem reached the last stage of the journey, and the mountains of the city were in sight, this psalm was sung and explained – a call to look to God for reconciliation with Himself, pardon, life, and His power and guidance to eternity. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Unseen … Continued
Job is humbled, repenting of his questioning of God. But he is accepted as a saved man. The ‘friends’ however are condemned and must repent of their false views of God. Job is restored but only when he brings forth fruits meet for repentance. Related Resources: The Meaning and Purpose of the Book of Job … Continued
We take the beasts to be a hippopotamus and crocodile, both teaching trust, the power and invincibility of God (for if He made them they must reflect His infinitely greater capacities) and the contrasting weakness displayed by Job. Related Resource: Job – Strengths and Vulnerabilities & Pastoral Lessons from Job
Here are elements of Job’s humbling (vital for light, pardon and blessing) showing how the Lord works in the lives of all His people. Here also are pastoral lessons drawn from the wild goats, asses and oxen, and from the ostrich and the warhorse. Related Resources: The Triumph of Job & Truth Unfolded to Job
Elihu is a true messenger of God, whose reproof of Job is confined to Job’s post-affliction reactions. His noble speeches anticipate the very words of God, soon to follow, and he gives a full explanation of God’s use of affliction in the lives of His people. Related Resource: The Meaning and Purpose of the Book … Continued
A passage that highlights the key moments in conversion to God; when personal sovereignty collapses, we see our separation from God, and then – the crowning moment – we see the price Christ the Saviour has paid for our forgiveness and reconciliation with Him. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Search for Truth, Finding … Continued
Charged with extreme hypocrisy by his friends, Job describes the virtuous works of his public and private life. But despite his godliness he seems to over-relish his wealth and station, and shows no evangelical compassion for the outcasts of society. Related Resourcea: A Sinner Turned Into A Saint & Every Saint is a Contender
Job is denounced by his justified-by-works friends, but refutes their ideas. He criticises God for not having a complaints procedure for people like himself, yet at the same time, he witnesses to his friends in a magnificent poem on finding wisdom and truth. Related Resource: The Meaning and Purpose of the Book of Job
Job longs for an explanation of his suffering, and for vindication before his ‘friends’. As his friends denigrate him, and his gloom deepens, he is suddenly given a moment of revelation about his personal Redeemer-God, incarnate, and visible to him in a final resurrection. Related Resource: The Triumph of Job
Job’s ‘friends’ increase in hostility with charges of hypocrisy. Job clings to his evangelical view of grace, and upholds God’s perfection, but lapses into self-pity. He then eloquently trounces and disproves the liberal theology of the friends, and proclaims his testimony of salvation. Related Resources: Authentic Revelation & Revelation
Eliphaz begins the attack by the so-called friends. Resenting Job’s evangelical salvation, and protecting their works theology, they insist he is a hypocrite under judgement. They deny that God requires holiness – only a pass mark. With pastoral lessons from Job’s first reply. Related Resources: The Social Mandate – The Imposter in Evangelicalism
The excellencies of Job, the encounters of Satan with God, Job (unknowingly) placed by God to demonstrate the reality of conversion, his crushing afflictions, the shock of his friends, and his magnificent poem of dismay – and the blessings he lost sight of (like us). Related Resources: Truth Unfolded to Job & Job – Strengths … Continued
The contrast between rejected Israelites who invented their own ‘gods’ to their taste, and the remnant who feared the Truth. Then the great upheaval of the New Testament and the lasting features of revived Zion of elect Jews and Gentiles and their worship. Related Resources: The Priesthood of All Believers (2) & The Priesthood of … Continued
‘Hitherto hath the Lord surrounded us’ – the full sense of this famous text with examples of extraordinary helps received by God’s people in past and present; the background and inspiration of many today who expect great things and attempt great things for God.
The call of the Gentiles along with a saved remnant of Israelites will form the New Testament church, the new creation (completely fulfilled in eternal glory). Here are the special blessings of Christ’s people, saved Jews and saved Gentiles, and how diverse saved personalities fellowship.
First God’s indignation at those hostile to believers and Truth (and how Calvary makes their judgement possible). Secondly, God’s kindnesses to believers, and how He is affected by our troubles; then God’s delight in surprising believers with unexpected blessings all the way to glory. Related Resource: Will Believers Pass Through The Judgement?
Messiah speaks of His coming to give forgiveness, life and liberty to lost souls, with happiness and righteousness. Here also is amazing detail of the nature and work of the new Jewish-Gentile church, with a unique pledge of protection and security from Messiah. Related Resources: The Mission of The Messiah & David Sees Messiah’s Reign
‘Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 139 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my … Continued
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the … Continued
You May Be Also Interested in… Series of Studies: Wisdom for LifeSermon: Wisdom or Folly? For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. (Proverbs 1:32-33) The deeper things of life … Continued
The Gospel era will bring an amazing Gentile harvest, transforming Zion into a proclaiming organ, with a mutual love between saved Jews and Gentiles, extending throughout the world. Little Israel will beome a worldwide church. Here are the many precious characteristics – our goal today. Related Resource: The Gospel Age Begins & Jeremiah Predicts the … Continued
In a great call to sincerity the prophet exposes the human tendency to hypocrisy in worship, asserting that any worship that does not change and shape life is useless before God, then outlines the magnificent blessings flowing from conscientious striving for holiness. Related Resources: God’s Rules for Holiness & John’s Steps to Holiness
You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tract: What is life? Sermon: The Voice of GodArticle: Seven Voices of Calvary Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD … Continued
Here is the contrast between the people of Christ and the children of this world, with their entirely different worldviews, lifestyles, aims and commitments. Here also is the equality before God in every sense of believers of all backgrounds, and their eternal safety. Related Resources: Unchanging Christian Distinctives & Christian Distinctives
You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tract: What is life? Sermon: The Troubles of Unbelief The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any … Continued
Isaiah adopts the stance of a Gospel-age preacher proclaiming individual reconciliation and direct access to God by grace alone. Demonstrating Gospel reasoning he speaks of Christ and of Gentile salvation, crediting the outcome to irresistible grace – all with the astounding clarity of prophetic vision. Related Resources: The Gospel Age Begins& Jeremiah Predicts the Gospel Age
Full Service Recordings: You May Be Also Interested in… Video Tract: What is life? Sermon: Before Jehovah’s awesome throneBook: Great God of Wonders Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those … Continued
The Bible has many biographies of people who came to know God, and of others who failed to do so. The story of Micah remarkably portrays dead or false faith, and how it differs from a sincere approach to God, and authentic conversion. The Lord Jesus Christ said: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour … Continued
The magnificent prophecy of the Gospel church describes Christ’s benefits and commission to his N.T. people giving us, 1) a new territory; 2) a new relationship; 3) a new composition, and 4) a new victory. Here are the promises of God for our preservation and power. Related Resources: The Gospel Age Begins & Jeremiah Predicts … Continued
In language of soaring beauty and with characteristic detail and precision the prophet presents first, Christ’s exalted qualifications; secondly, His contrasting humiliation for the work of redemption; thirdly, His rejection; and fourthly, His unique and harrowing atonement, and finally our utter dependence upon Him. Related Resources: Isaiah Describes the Church of Christ & Isaiah Describes … Continued
Full Service Recordings: You May Be Also Interested in… Book: Wonders of GraceSermon: The Pinnacle of Faith and GraceHymn: Amazing grace! how sweet the sound And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which … Continued
Nearly 700 years before the coming of Christ, the prophet details the principal features of the church to come: a people preserved; a people born in new revelation; a people who listen to God, and a people who live to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Related Resource: Christ Prepares His Church & The Impregnable Church
And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the … Continued
Having already said so much about Christ and His future church, Isaiah now shows the astonishing features of the coming Gentile conversion, the unreasonableness of unbelief to be overpowered, and the infallibility of Christ especially in the upholding of His redeemed people. Related Resources: Church Age Predictions & The Church Age Prophesied
This review of four chapters begins with the fall of Babylon biblically foreshadowing the demise of this unbelieving world at the end of time (including the collapse in shame of evolution). Here also are the words of Messiah about His coming and work in the world. Related Resources: The Mission of The Messiah & David … Continued
Here the N.T. church is shown to consist of those who are elect, spiritually converted, connected in a spiritual family, professing Christ and pledged to Him. Here also is how God superintends history for the church, including today as we approach the end of time. Related Resources: God Appeals to Our Souls, God’s Plan for … Continued
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Salvation at the Dawn of History And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. And … Continued
The Gospel era will be for believers a time of labour for the Lord with much opposition, but here are the comforts of God beginning with Isaiah’s six great arguments for assurance. Here also are predictions of regenerating power and many special provisions. Related Resources: Paul’s Blueprint For A Believing Church & Paul’s Blueprint For … Continued
People have always looked outside the concept of one true God to man-made gods (and to ‘no-God’) for the meaning of life. Here is why, and all that they miss, and here also is how God enters countless lives bringing eternal blessings. You May Be Also Interested in… Hymn: Thou hidden source of calm repose Sermon: When … Continued
With further inspired insights into the Gospel era the prophet describes an entirely new order in which the church will proclaim Christ and His accomplished salvation, sing a new hymnody extending the book of Psalms, and labour as the church militant in evangelism. Related Resources The Beauties of the Gospel Church The Gospel era will … Continued
An unbelieving world, says Isaiah, will be deaf to the message behind God’s mighty events (whether conquest or pandemic) while believers will know His love and power, and reap a great spiritual harvest. Here we explore the prophet’s powerful words and their fulfillment. Related Resources The Beauties of the Gospel Church The Gospel era will … Continued
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: God, A Faithful Creator Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them. (Ecclesiastes 12:1) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. … Continued
In this prophecy of the church age Isaiah demonstrates the challenging character of Gospel preaching, first stressing the obviousness of God, then His sovereign rule throughout history, and finally the rewards of faith and prayer – especially the power and strength imparted by Him. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermons: The Beauties of the Gospel … Continued
It is astonishing just how much Isaiah was shown about the age of Messiah and the composition and work of the Gospel church. In just 17 verses of sublime literature we are given 11 features and doctrines of the Jewish-Gentile church of Christ. Home » Sermons » Isaiah Describes the Christian Era Related Resources Christian Fellowship After extolling Christ … Continued
More on Hezekiah’s repentance. He is dying at 39 with no sons, and rendered unfit to continue the Davidic line. He thinks he is eternally lost and makes his model repentance, soon marred by another compromise. How very like our church situation today! Related Resources Awakening under Hezekiah From a series entitled ‘Lessons in Faith’ … Continued
Here are the aims and desires of all who live life without God, and their failure to gain what is desired. Here also are the obstacles that keep us from God, the benefits that come with His forgiveness, and how He is to be approached. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Valuing your Life Blessed … Continued
King Hezekiah’s soundness is seen in his purge of idolatry and sincere commitment when disciplined by the Lord. But he continued in compromise with Assyria and Egypt. Here is his repentance for this also, and the consequent remarkable blessing, with application to our compromises today. Related Resources: Seeds of the Reformation & Great Advances Sown … Continued
Over three chapters there are several major prophecies about Christ’s coming church covering firstly her doctrinal foundation (eg: Christ the hiding place – justification), then her conversion characteristic, then her worship priority, then her laws, and finally her pilgrim ethos. Here are details and applications. Related Resources Challenges Facing the Churches ‘One of themselves, even … Continued
Israel’s greatest king – David – was also a remarkable teacher, prophet and psalmist. But it was as a youth that he found a personal relationship with the living God, and this psalm recalls the experience that changed his life and took him from shepherding to ruling. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: King David’s … Continued
The Lord’s chief complaint against Judah is their following human schemes not His Word. Here are applications to us today, both as churches, and as individuals in lockdown, along with the predicted blessings (and other conditions) that will come to the faithful. Related Resources Church-Age Blessings Foretold ‘Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, … Continued
A prophecy about the fall of Samaria and later the Babylonian invasion of Judah tells us much about God’s method and purpose when He allows HIV, MERS, SARS, earthquakes, floods, fires, and now worldwide plague. Here also is God’s promise of personal salvation. Related Resources Doubts About God’s Providence Providence – God’s fore-provision for all … Continued
You May Be Also Interested in… Book: The PromiseSermon: God Keeps His Promises And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: … Continued
In the light of end-time events here are the themes on which to reflect for assurance, inner peace, trust, spiritual stability, and a view of the sovereign work of God. Here also are features of human nature that influence many situations. Related Resources Books – Devotional/Bible study Buy Now The Mutual Love of Christ and … Continued
“Why be thankful to God?” we may ask. We grasp at attempts to explain away the evidence of design in our universe, and we do so, according to scripture, because of human pride. Here are the psalmist’s steps for paying homage to God and finding Him. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Who Cares for … Continued
In just one chapter of striking symbols lies the most remarkable vision of the final judgement, the setting apart of the redeemed, the end of all antagonism and the judgement of demons. It is followed by the rhapsodic praise of Zion’s eternal inhabitants. Related Resources Resurrection at the End of Time Paul presents the resurrection … Continued
A community so privileged with the Temple and the prophets, and so devout in worship, are to be disciplined for the failure of real dedication to the Lord – the prevailing feature of so much evangelicalism today. Here is Isaiah’s challenging analysis and application. Related Resources The Momentous Vision Daniel’s vision of four beasts extends … Continued
Long before the rise of Babylon Isaiah foretells her character and fall. She aspired to be as Lucifer, and how she reflects Satan her ultimate master, and also Antichrist of the last times. Literal Babylon fell, and so will the culture of the world that she symbolises. Related Resources The Fall of Babylon Sensational chronicles … Continued
The ten northern tribes receive a last warning, then their fall (722BC) is predicted. As for Judah, she will also be punished by Assyria but with the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, the surviving remnant of the discipline. Here are lessons for spiritual service in our day. Related Resource Christ Purges His Temple The Lord’s purity … Continued
The prophet Isaiah confronts Ahaz, king of Judah, over his pending appeal to Assyria for military aid. The king refuses a sign-miracle, and the coming of Messiah by virgin birth is announced. Here objections are answered and lessons drawn for present day believers. Related Resources The Shield of Faith Why is faith described as a … Continued
Isaiah places his message first, coming to his own call in chapter six. The overwhelming holiness of the Lord, seen by vision, crushes him, leading to forgiveness and commissioning, and here are the lessons for soul winning and warning so often left unapplied today. Related Resources Christ’s Conditions of Service The Lord calls His disciples … Continued
Over 2700 years ago the prophet’s vision describes the full scale of human nature and man’s fallen behaviour in six remarkably concise yet profound categories. There is nothing so penetrating even in the New Testament as the astonishing scenario of the vineyard parable and the six woes. Related Resource The Dividing of Mankind Here is … Continued
Isaiah predicts Judah’s future troubles through invasion and captivity of all the leading men, showing the reasons for judgement, especially the vaunting of man. Here is the application to the church today, and here also is a magnificent detailed prophecy of the New Testament age. Related Resource Church Age Predictions Isaiah predicts Judah’s future troubles … Continued
Proceeding in the manner of an unfolding mystery tale, the prophet begins on the remote, rural start, and step by step, reveals the astounding coming of the Son of Man and Son of God, rising to the magnifying of His saving power and love.
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Valuing your Life, Walking In and For LightHymn: The Lord my Saviour is my light (Psalm 27) For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. … Continued
Isaiah’s first prophecy of Christ and His Kingdom; its characteristics, conversions and blessings; culminating in the prophet’s inspired appeal – as from the heart of God – for people to learn the way of salvation and walk in this light to the Heavenly city. Full chapter _____________ Isaiah 2 The word that Isaiah the son … Continued
Isaiah introduces his prophecies with vivid descriptions of the desperate plight of Judah – yet she was in great prosperity. But he speaks in earthly terms of her spiritual state, listing failings mirrored in our churches today. Here are the Lord’s warnings and remedies.
David, pursued by 3000 military men of Saul, has taken refuge in a mountain cave. Bereft of all help, he turns to God, and is delivered. Here he recalls his sense of helplessness in order to illustrate the realisation of spiritual isolation and loss that usually precedes conversion to God.
Joe 2:13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: How God Turns HeartsAddresses: Philippians – Exalting Christ and Filling Christian Hearts And the … Continued
In an atheistic age people do not think about owing anything to God. But our lives, gifts, powers and bodily provisions are all from Him, and we surely owe Him thanks and obedience. How will we stand before our Maker at the end of our journey?
This second message on spiritual awakening reviews the errors of Israel described by the prophet that must be repented of for a special visitation of the Spirit, and here are the obvious parallels with the general state of evangelicalism in our age. Revival includes reform.
Unmistakable signs of revival in the Old Testament; the term in the Psalms (‘revival/awakening’); and a sweeping tour of British revivals. Finally, ten prominent characteristics of true revival, and the example of Hezekiah’s revival and its parallels with historic Western awakenings.
The feelings of God disclosed by the prophet for all who live and die without knowing Him and His forgiveness, wasting the treasures of life, and going into a lost eternity. Here is the call of God to come to Him for new life.
The two parts of Samson’s life, the time of integrity, power and blessing, and the time of his fall and punishment. Why the upright part is essential to the pastoral message of the passage. Also, the fall, its components and its deep lessons for us.
The low view of inspiration that has invaded modern evangelical commentaries and most Study Bibles is never more evident than in their character assassination of Samson. Here is the Bible’s own view; here is the vindication of Samson as a Hebrews 11 hero of faith.
A very remarkable presentation of the way to find God in which the psalmist uses ten illustrations in just five verses, to show (1) the human predicament – cut off from God; (2) the remedy – what God has done; (3) our response; and (4) the result.
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Our Thoughts Compared with God’s Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Isaiah 51 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed … Continued
You May Be Also Interested in… Sermon: Abundant Pardon for Seekers Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he … Continued
‘And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.’ Full chapter _____________ 1 Samuel 16 And the … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Deuteronomy 10 At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. And I will write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou … Continued
Jephthah, a rare godly man in apostate Israel, is called from exile to defend the typical church. He makes a pious but rash vow and honours it with an obedience matched by his daughter. Not a human sacrifice, of course, but a challenge of commitment.
The non-cooperation of Succoth, the snare of Gideon’s ephod, the fable of Jotham, and the reign of Abimelech the bramble provide lessons on the antagonism of the flesh to spiritual progress, and its longing for human rule, rather than that of the Lord.
Gideon’s expulsion of the Midianites is an example of a literal event superintended by God to provide an overview of spiritual mission. Here are three disqualifications for instrumentality plus an insight into God’s work in minds, and how harmony in the ‘church’ was preserved.
Midianite oppression drives Israel to prayer – and rebuke! Conviction must precede restoration. Gideon by faith seeks divine authority for action. The altar of compromise is destroyed, and further authority sought for war (the fleece). Here are rich lessons, lost if Gideon is thought faithless.
While the Study Bibles mostly see Barak as a coward, Hebrews 11 shows him to be a hero of faith and achievements. Here is the narrative in this light, with numerous lessons for today including the reasons why several tribes failed to rally to the cause.
Appealing to individuals to seek the Lord, Jeremiah uses powerful illustrations to show how we are seen by God. He speaks of the inevitable things in life, of our vulnerability to unbelief, of things that distract us from God, and of how we may find Him.
The Judges seen through the lens of Hebrews 11 as men of clear faith, not defective men of their time as many erroneously teach today. Here are lessons for us from the Mesopotamian and Moabite oppressions and from the lives of Othniel and Ehud.
A chapter teeming with detailed prophecy of Christ’s person and work together with the characteristics of the Gospel Age and the uniting of saved Jews and Gentiles in the church. Here it is also proved that Messiah will be a divine person and not the nation.
The famous appendix of Judges, speaking of events after Joshua and the elders. Micah and the Danites – a record of astounding syncretism from so-blessed a people, yielding lessons on how we as sincere people may fall into ‘double-mindedness’, first barely consciously, then fully.
An incomparable psalm for understanding the riches of thankfulness. Here are unexpected seams of thought from God’s acts of creation, deliverance, guidance and provision. Here also is how the psalmist anticipates conversion and the Christian life, and shows the spiritual benefits of thankfulness.
Before Elisha’s special enduement of the Spirit came three tests of loyalty, followed by a vital question. What will we ask of the Lord? What will a new preacher ask? Here is the meaning of the parting of Jordan, a chariot of fire, and the whirlwind ascension.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the … Continued
After twenty years of historical silence, Joshua’s last convocation of Israel is recorded, with his remarkable speech presenting sixteen distinctive exhortations or ‘resolutions’ for the lives of God’s children. There is nothing quite so searching and comprehensive in all the Bible.
Israel’s tribes failed to clear residual Canaanite occupation, diluting their commission – the lessons. Joshua implements cities of refuge – here is how we know they have significance for the Christian life. Here also is the first piece of ‘theatre’ in the ancient church, and its folly.
King David’s burden is to convey the very real experience he had of association with God. He spells out the tangible changes in his life through conversion, the evidences and scale of God’s interventions and helps, then the terms on which one must approach Him.
The Saviour’s prayer – ‘Sanctify them through thy truth’ has led to a review of the Ten Commandments, this study surveying the scope of the last three – ‘Thou shalt not steal…bear false witness….covet’ – and especially how these guide believers in the life of the church.
Continuing John 17:17, ‘Sanctify them through thy truth’, we here review the fifth to the seventh commandments to see the wide application given by Moses and the New Testament, each commandment naming the chief sin of a ‘family’ of offences. This is the path of holiness.
We learn the need of limited methods in the Lord’s work, how to identify ‘Hazors’ or pivotal issues in the defence of faith, the necessity of total obedience to God’s plan, and the certain fall of Anakim giants that triggered Israel’s unbelief and disobedience.
Joshua’s defence of the Gibeonites teems with spiritual lessons that still apply and bless God’s people. Among them are once-only miracles that establish Joshua and his principles and crushed pagan deification of sun and moon. Here is Joshua’s promoting of faith.
Isaiah’s sublime poetry exhorts the superiority of God’s thoughts and plans – so benevolent, magnificent and certain. Here is what God thinks of us, and what He is ready to do for us, if we listen to Him and turn to Him for a new life.
Biblical proofs that Joshua’s conquest was a moral action of divine judgement that included an offer of peace to pagan cities (refused by all except the Gibeonites) if yielding to the moral standards displayed at Ebal. The Gibeonites in a positive light – illustrating evangelical repentance.
Suggested by the teaching of Jeremiah, here are the reasons why people are inclined to turn away from God, and to block out thoughts of His help and of eternity. Here also is a summary of all that is lost, and how to find Him.
Achan sins and all Israel must suffer – why? Is it just? The question answered. The nature of ‘the accursed thing’ and its equivalent today. Here is ‘spiritual desertion’ as they knew it (and how it may strike believing churches), Achan’s obduracy, and the nation’s restoration.
Four steps are emphasised in Joshua 4-6: first, the cherishing of God’s works (the Jordan memorial), second, not hindering the work (by prolonging the reproach of Egypt), third, clinging to one’s sense of God (the theophany), and fourth, keeping faith as paramount (the strange siege).
First, tests of faith exemplified; second, the fourfold significance of the ark for us today; third, the necessity of reverence; fourth, the preaching of God’s Word central in every church event; fifth, all glory to be assigned to God, not leaders.
The remarkable high priestly blessing given by God to be pronounced in Old Testament times lists the elements of spiritual life and experience given freely by God to all who sincerely seek and trust Him. Here is the substance of a true meeting with God.
The well-known sending of the two spies contrasts with the twelve sent forty years before, who offended the Lord by presuming to choose the route of conquest. We learn the necessity of honouring God’s prerogatives — prescribed directions for the Christian life and church.
The literal history of Joshua, showing the pastoral parallels for our spiritual lives today in chapter 1. Here is Joshua’s momentous call, the certain promise of instrumentality, the effort needed, the necessity of a focus for faith, and other principles often neglected yet so vital today.
“Buy the truth” urges Solomon – a search for the explanation and meaning of life, and a relationship with the Lord. Don’t sell it, as many do, for a godless life. Here is how the heart is given to God, and how eyes are opened.
A sequence of verses showing how to steer oneself toward consideration of others, use ‘unbreachable barriers’ to avoid sin, maintain diligence in all things, avoid giving superficial counsel, register and convey disapproval of wrong, and treasure family devotion and the means of grace.
The ‘depraved’ human condition was acknowledged for centuries past because it is so obviously true. Here Isaiah shows human unreasonableness before God, alienation, rebellion, and inability to change. Here also is the way to find God’s forgiveness and life-changing power.
This group of verses unfolds five ‘companions’ of biblical truth as we search and apply it to life. Fascinating illustrations press home lessons on the need of: diligence, purity (in doctrine and methods), reality (especially the call to service), humility, and diplomacy (or sensitivity).
It is astounding how many illustrations and arguments the prophet Jeremiah uses to persuade people in 586 BC to turn back to God. Yet today his reasoning is just as vital, as he stirs us to see our need of spiritual life.
Through four striking illustrations Solomon considers spiritual ‘skills’: a noble building showing the three stages of spiritual life, warfare showing strategies for resisting Satan, the uninitiated builder or soldier showing hopeless consequences, and the need for constant exercise of spiritual skills.
As far as human beings are concerned, the multitude of God’s tender mercies are the towering wonder of His divine attributes. Here are His mercies of salvation, their benefits, the great cost to God of their implementation, and the happiness of receiving them.
Starting with a brief comment on the ‘rod’ in Proverbs, and what it does not mean, here is a remarkable 20-verse topic showing how Satan first makes sin desirable, promotes it through bad company, weakens thirst for regular teaching, then tightens sin’s grip on us.
– earthly and personal desires that is. Beginning with the need to curb determination to have one’s way, Solomon deals with anger, longings in general, and the ‘evil eye’ of coveting. He powerfully emphasises the need to observe God’s sacred boundaries in life.
The first proverb in this group announces the theme – the believer’s reputation for shining integrity (and its works), showing that it encompasses a true view of self (humility), principled living, keeping personal spiritual independence, and other precious elements. With examples of typical failure.
Here are eight consecutive graphic proverbs presenting distinctive aspects of sanctification: the need for a plan, the special guarding of appetites and words, fleeing pride, fearing indolence, being outgoing, keeping utmost sincerity in worship, applying Truth, and being ever-correctable. These powerful helps explored.
Bandits raiding the trade routes of the biblical world paid a price in wounds and death at the hands of militia. Solomon applies their lifestyle to the spiritual cost of disdaining the Lord. Here are the blessings lost by neglect, or gained by coming to Christ.
Twelve verses track the fallen state of mankind, revealing strikingly different and often surprising aspects of our lost condition. It stirs our sympathy, prayers and witness, and, of course, our gratitude for salvation. We see also the vast differences between being lost or saved.
Full chapter _____________ Psalms 100-101 Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of … Continued
Here are six influences to be resisted: things that intoxicate (not only alcohol), peace and acceptance, the love of strife, the love of comfort and convenience, untested dreams and plans, and inner self-justification. Here also are the biblical ways of defeating them.
Despite the intellectual brilliance of the human race, we are capable of great foolishness in our dismissal of God, as King David points out. Here are the reasons why we suppose that God keeps no account of our lives, and all that we lose by this thinking.
Full chapter _____________ Genesis 15 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Genesis 42 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and … Continued
Our title identifies the theme running through this group of twelve proverbs (clearly so in eight of them). Here are twelve distinctive and vital counsels for Christian fellowship, all of them curing defects and enabling deeper ties of respect and love between the Lord’s people.
Remarkable and profound verses show the necessity of being wholly submitted to the Lord in all departments of the spiritual journey – including the direction of life, self-examination, advance in holiness, pride-abatement, and persecution. Almost every verse couples a human action with a divine response.
‘Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 33 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: … Continued
Profound verses tell how to keep a calm mental, emotional state with joy in the Lord (no matter what). Here are the duties of appreciation, joy and gratitude even alongside woes, the need for food for the soul, and for simplicity, love, and self-control.
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. (Psalm 33:5-6) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan Tabernacle … Continued
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:26) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan … Continued
A book of great complexity if approached only for a technical grasp of Mosaic worship, but of ongoing lively application and delight if searched for the spiritual purpose behind each of the ceremonies presented.
A study of a selection of psalms to show how they minister to communion with God, and the securing of spiritual strength and perception in all conditions of life.
A book of great complexity if approached only for a technical grasp of Mosaic worship, but of ongoing lively application and delight if searched for the spiritual purpose behind each of the ceremonies presented.
Six major features of the world that can be explained by the creative work of the God of Scripture, but that cannot be explained by evolution.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (Isaiah 55:6-7) The … Continued
What do we lose by forgetting God and the soul, and building our lives without interest in these things? Society currently urges us into unbelief, but here is how God reasons with us about the purpose of existence and the way to eternal life.
Full chapter _____________ Malachi 3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the … Continued
The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. … Continued
Here is the climax of persecution of the church by Antichrist, cut short by the return of Christ. We look at the church militant, the future glory, and the significance of the symbolic time to the end, with the encouragements and lessons for the church.
An acclaimed and magnificent jewel of poetic literature by Solomon shows that we are not free, but subject in all things to forces outside our control. Then, by a parable, he shows how conversion to God is the way to real freedom and purpose.
This astonishing chapter falls into three parts: first, detailed prophecy of events up to 175BC (all fulfilled and here summarised); then the tyranny of Antiochus toward Palestine; then the end-times acts of Antichrist, now being fulfilled before our eyes in church and state.
Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be … Continued
How the prophet’s prayers, longing for knowledge, and self-abasement before God, are rewarded by the most detailed prophecy of future events in the Bible. Here also is insight into the unseen spiritual warfare involving a principal demon and the victorious Saviour.
A final appeal of Moses to men and women about their need of God, which describes the human struggle for independence from Him – and the cost. Moses sets out the things that God bestows now and eternally, and pleads to us all to consider.
Here is Daniel’s prayer for the restoration of Jerusalem, and the vision of seventy ‘sevens’ and how, by the traditional evangelical view, the prophet’s eyes are lifted to Calvary and Christ’s six accomplishments there.
Our society today knows so little about almighty God, having wilfully shut Him out of all consideration. But look, says the Bible, at His attributes, ways and plans. Consider the uniqueness of God and compare His actions, plans and promises with those of human society.
Daniel’s vision of the Persian and the Greek empires, from which would come Antiochus Epiphanes, who would inflict seven years of woes upon Jerusalem, being a type and figure of the last-days antichrist, providing a picture of his last offensive against the faith.
Daniel’s vision of four beasts extends the prophet’s picture of the four empires, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, that would precede the coming of Christ, with emphasis on the ‘little horn’, antichrist, that would devour the earth and attack the church until Christ’s return.
One of the greatest problems of mankind is an upside-down estimation of good and bad, desirable and undesirable, here challenged by King Solomon pleading for a spiritual view of life, without which we will never seek or find God. Here are his ‘shock’ arguments.
Persecution of the seed of the woman by that of the serpent flares up when subordinates of Darius plot Daniel’s death, but his faith and deliverance lead to religious freedom for Jews, attestation for the prophet, worldwide testimony, and a challenge for us.
Seventy years earlier, Nebuchadnezzar was indifferent to the true God. Later, God punished his pride (and stopped the genocide of the faithful). Belshazzar now adds insolent derision, always the last stage before judgement, and spurns repentance. Here is the ‘true story’ of that last night.
Who is truly wise and understanding? – asks King Solomon. ‘The Preacher’ answering the question in a series of unusual and striking illustrations, showing the necessity of finding the eternal purpose of earthly life, and coming to know and walk with God.
Isaiah portrays God as issuing a call to us to reason or argue with Him about His terms for a relationship. What are our grounds for keeping away from Him? What would He say about this, and how would He deal with us?
The purpose of God in the humbling (though not the conversion) of a seemingly invincible emperor shortly before his death and then the fall of the empire. Daniel is assured of God’s sovereignty overall, and we glean promises for the present turmoil.
Nebuchadnezzar’s ‘image’ was Satan’s scheme to achieve submission to paganism or execution of all Jews at court, and through the empire, eliminating any remnant of faithful Israel and the plan of redemption. A miracle averted all with minimal deaths. Here are mighty spiritual encouragements.
In the mighty Babylonian empire human power seemed to have extinguished the people of God and the Messianic promise. Then God revealed the coming sequence and end of world empires and the day of Christ. Here is the startling rise of Daniel, prophet and guardian.
An extremely long life of remarkable instrumentality in the preservation of God’s people along with unique prophetic insights began with a pivotal and risk-laden test. Here is the proving of Daniel and other young Israelites by which they denied the world and obeyed God.
An overview of surprising themes in Leviticus, including the need for feelingfulness, identifying sins of ignorance and strange fire today, Christian distinctiveness, and the ongoing message of the feasts and the jubilee. Also, the ‘appendix’ – the rules for vows, then and now.
Moses gives the gracious key to how God would deal with Israel by physical, earthly, public benefits or disciplines according to their general national behaviour. Here also by way of application are the equivalent spiritual benefits and disciplines for Gospel age believers.
The well-known extraordinary conversion of Manasseh, Judah’s most evil king, provides a picture of how God draws people to Himself, imbuing them with a deep realisation of their need, so that they give Him their lives to be entirely changed.
The purpose of the Land Sabbath — far beyond the resting of the land — its moral benefits and spiritual lessons; then the remarkable Jubilee law with its spiritual and prophetic purpose. Was a Jubilee ever held? The true Jubilee in Isaiah, fulfilled in Christ and His Church.
The human plight of today is looking away from God and alienation from Him. Here is the gracious appeal of God that stirs us from unawareness to see our spiritual need, and to experience His reconciling kindness in conversion. Here is the call of God.
All seven major feasts of Moses are in this chapter. This overview explains the spiritual purpose of each, showing how they form a perfect agenda for the meditation of believers, as well as a preacher’s checklist of essential themes for the blessing of God’s people.
Millions pray to the one eternal, almighty God. Who may pray to Him, and how? On what basis may the Holy One be approached? What makes prayer acceptable or futile? What kind of request is heard, and what is the proof? Here are David’s answers.
Rules for discerning the ongoing message for today in the ceremonies of the law, eg: the vital spiritual application (not digestive!) of the embargo on eating the offering after two days; the priests’ funeral restrictions, the giving of children to Molech, and especially spiritual sincerity.
First, how the annual Day of Atonement foretells the one sacrifice of Messiah; secondly, sexual conduct laws, including the abomination of same-sex relationships and their moral-law permanence; thirdly, the message of uncircumcised fruit – that no culture is neutral but all must be sanctified.
– Especially if God is set aside. The limitation of idols listed in this Psalm apply to the idol of today – materialistic atheism. Lacking voice, vision and hearing it has no explanation of life’s purpose, no help and no power. The Gospel of Christ is the opposite.
Related Resources God’s Rules for Holiness Taken at face value the Ten Commandments are binding on all people, and will guard the way to Heaven, so that evil will never spoil its glory and purity. But the Commandments are far greater than their surface meaning, as this book shows. They challenge us as Christians on … Continued
The 23rd psalm is the most famous of David’s poetic compositions, but people often do not realise it is the king’s brilliant summary of his view of life – of how he saw himself before his Creator – and how he came to find and know Him.
Numerous times we are told that worship and priesthood were prescribed in detail by God, yet immediately and fatally Nadab and Abihu innovated. Why? Here are common answers, but Scripture mentions only that their novelty was not commanded by God, and here are lessons for churches today.
Lessons from the offerings for our devotional lives today, first for peace (thankfulness), second for sins of ‘ignorance’ (light untroubled sinning), third for guilt by association, fourth for ‘trespass’ (sins against God). How can we repent without knowing these categories of offence?
Full chapter _____________ 2 Kings 7 Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. Then a lord on whose hand … Continued
The burnt offerings are past and over, eclipsed by Calvary, but by placing ourselves in the midst of the scene we may feel the impact of the symbolism and the nature of guilt. Here we learn much about how to think in times of repentance.
Full chapter _____________ Isaiah 8 Moreover the LORD said unto me, Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen concerning Maher-shalal-hash-baz. And I took unto me faithful witnesses to record, Uriah the priest, and Zechariah the son of Jeberechiah. And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare … Continued
‘And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Genesis 22 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him … Continued
‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Full chapter _____________ Isaiah 58 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they … Continued
The Bible is a book of ‘reformations’ from beginning to end. One of the great cables or themes running through its narratives is the calling out of the world of the people of God, their (repeated) re-absorption over time by the wiles of the devil, and their victorious reclamations as a distinctive people. [School of Theology address]
King David, a man of immense ability naturally, tells from experience of the journey from self-confidence and self-satisfaction to being humbled to see his vital need of God, and going on to seek and find a life-changing relationship with Him.
Why should vague or false ideas about God so offend Him? Here are the marks of wrong religion, and how they differ massively from the faith of the Bible. Here also are the motives for false faith, and the benefits of the true.
Contrary to what Bible critics ignorantly claim, the Old Testament is full of heaven and the eternal bliss of the redeemed. Here is a review of David’s psalms that overwhelmingly prove so, including an explanation of the few places that suggest (wrongly understood) the contrary.
A prophet of 700BC shows the sympathetic heart of God and sets out the terms and the manner for approaching Him, providing the words and the promises that God will hear. Here are our greatest needs, and how God amazingly meets them, and the outcome in our lives.
This study refutes a new book attacking the credibility of the Bible (The Bible for Grown-Ups), denying all Bible history before 900BC and claiming endless errors along with the absence of any spiritual message or consistent morality in the OT period. (We hear of teachers indoctrinating classes with it.)
For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live: But seek not Beth-el, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beer-sheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Beth-el shall come to nought. Seek the LORD, and ye shall live; lest he break out like … Continued
King David’s last words combine a history of time with a ‘world view’ from God’s perspective. Here is the solution to the greatest problem of mankind – moral disorder and alienation from God – and how Christ saves countless souls out of every age of time.
Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel: and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Israel. (Amos 4:12) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan Tabernacle we cater for the needs of the soul. Permit me, as a pastor … Continued
— or the Hebrew original: the untangling of knots. A survey of doubts, firstly Genesis 3 and their satanic origin, then Peter’s doubting of Matthew 14, then praying without doubt (other texts), backsliding doubts, and different forms of doubt and how to confront them (Ephesians 6).
So often people seem to have no inclination whatsoever to know about God, or what His plans may be. Here is why this is, and how much we miss, if this is our case, and what lies ahead if we do not find Him.
Probably David’s last and most uplifting psalm containing standards for his successors but chiefly soaring into messianic prophecy. Here is spelled out the character, extent and fruits of Christ’s reign using vivid pictures exclusively fulfilled by the One ‘who only doeth wondrous things’.
And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and … Continued
Fleeing Saul in the wilderness of Ziph David’s quest for communion is rewarded, this psalm revealing his steps under four discernible headings: 1. his longing for it (the means), 2. his commitment to praise (including the feast analogy), 3. his dependence, 4. the element of anticipation.
Composed when David was at the height of his power, this looks back at Saul’s disastrous reign and its cause to help people value their present blessings. To us, it says inversely – reviving past evangelical blessings means abandoning new methodology and trusting the Word alone.
David takes his terrifying predicament to the Lord, but not before affirming his trust in God’s promises and power – a vital antidote to making self-pitying complaints rather than offering believing prayers. Here are the lessons of his great example in the conquest of fear or discontent.
This hymn with a refrain that recurs 11 times addresses a series of exhortations to believers, accompanied by strong divine promises, especially to see all of life in the light of eternity. Containing the famous four words – Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, it constitutes a rich devotional feast.
David’s prayer in deep waters, but his chief concern is God’s glory and the perpetuation of his witness. Here also are the answers to the seven questions we may ask in personal Bible study – Is there a doctrine here, a duty, a reproof, a promise? etc.
The authentic call of God when a ‘voice from behind us’ breaks through the turmoil of life summoning us to consider our Maker. The call is about reconciliation with God, about forgiveness and how Christ has secured it, about receiving new life. Will we respond to Him?
Dependence is a central duty of the Christian life and vital to the blessing of churches. Here is the nature of dependent prayer in troubles, the avoiding of worldly solutions, the forms in which God gives strength, and some of the mistakes of today.
Although hostility and war threaten the king, the running theme of this psalm is close communion with the Lord, his first and chief source of relief and perspective. Here we trace how the king went about it, his experience and its fruits.
Carefully structured, this great prayer provides a profound study of dedication, yet it also works as a quick checklist of the vital elements, such as one might keep in the back of one’s Bible. Here are David’s six ‘departments’ for regular recommitment.
First it is shown that the main theme of this prayer – paths and ways – is about the course of life and its major decisions and crises. Then we see several prerequisites or conditions for discerning the Lord’s guidance, all equally prayed for by the king.
The greatest tragedy of modern life is that so many people are deprived of any knowledge of a real relationship with God. Here is one of the first accounts in the Bible of how we may come to experience and know Him. This is Jacob’s great discovery.
Just what we need for the day of intense trial, temptation, persecution, loss, illness or turmoil. Here is God’s promise for prayer, the conditions for being heard, the part we must play, the duty of appreciation, the effect on assurance and avoiding fleshly solutions.
An insight into a most helpful approach to assurance, not here by reviewing our experience (legitimate as that is) but by reflecting (1) on God’s attributes in creation (2) on the distinctive qualities of the Word, and (3) by avoidance of certain kinds of sin.
Many wonder how any person could love God. Is not love an affection we have for people, or beauty or a cause? Here is an insight into how countless people, great and small, have stumbled into an experience of great love of God.
David in despair and hounded by Saul controls his feelings and (1) articulates his needs in prayer (2) affirming that God knows what He will do (3) that he has a higher, better life (4) that God alone can help and (5) yielding his life afresh.
A truly extraordinary psalm with numerous illuminating metaphors. Here we see 13 of them under the headings (1) the place of prayer (2) the priority of guarding lips and heart (3) the heeding of correction (4) coping with the world’s contempt (5) Satan’s snares.
Extraordinary psalms – here the riches of fellowship are unfolded: first the ideal; secondly, the fragrance or pleasantness of Christian warmth; thirdly, its power and productiveness; fourthly, its eternal character. In these exquisitely structured verses two feelingful illustrations speak to our hearts.
A king’s devotions – these three memorable verses enable believers to maintain humility, dependence and trust in all circumstances. Firstly, a regular confession, secondly, the deportment or stance to be worked at, thirdly, the patience and waiting factor. All these sustained a great ruler’s trust.
Rahab of Jericho typifies the journey vast numbers take from materialism to faith. A harlot – hostess began to reason, here is how, and came to meet with God. From her experience, here is the way to approach God for forgiveness and new life.
‘For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.’ Full chapter _____________ Ezra 7 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, … Continued
Most modern ‘study Bibles’ limit Psalms 123-6 to the release from Babylonian captivity. But older works are right to relate them to all Zion’s trials, including spiritual opposition. Never underestimate, says David, the war against the saints, its periodical peaks, and remarkable deliverances.
Unique Psalms – David reflecting on the church, especially Messiah’s, using the picture of the Temple. Here are the riches and benefits of God’s provision of gatherings of his people. We too should reflect on the meaning of its structure, purposes, ‘walls’, ‘palaces’, and peace.
What kind of hopes and desires is it legitimate to pray for? Are there terms for answered prayer? Here are lessons from David’s words – ‘Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me?’ Also – the astonishing affection of God for each believer.
From the beginning to the end of the Bible, the way of finding Almighty God never changes. Remarkably, the life of Cain so long ago shows the same bitter resistance to God that we maintain until the day we turn to Him for free forgiveness.
A unique model prayer rich in counsel, including problems in prayer. Four evident sections cover (1) The petitioner’s humble approach, (2) God’s approachability and readiness to respond, (3) The petitioner’s promise to God (a vital part of prayer), (4) The core petition itself, including the token for good.
A soul-searching psalm that presents all the things in life provided exclusively by God, together with things we cannot possess or experience unless we apply to Jesus Christ the Saviour for forgiveness and eternal life. Then only do substantial and eternal things become ours. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for … Continued
Unique psalms: here is the whole scene of redemptive warfare, lifting us above setbacks and discouragements. Here too is prophecy – the ascension of Christ and the New Testament age, with the harvest of the Gentiles and coming judgement, and with surprising assurances along the way.
Unique psalms: here David shows us how to summon ourselves to praise. The main subjects are God’s forgiveness of, and compassionate acts toward, His people, both flowing from His character, and infinitely exceeding our guilt and inadequacy. The pinnacle of praise then lifts to Heaven.
A unique and challenging psalm: David’s ten vows for his reign, all to do with his moral rules for personal life and for his administration. Here is – (1) his dedication; (2) his plea for evident divine involvement; (3) his defence of the cause in the spiritual warfare.
‘These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.’ Full chapter _____________ Deuteronomy 1 These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Nehemiah 1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had … Continued
‘Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.’ Full chapter _____________ Psalm 104 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest thyself with light as with a … Continued
‘Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even … Continued
Isaiah shows God’s case in His dispute with mankind, and the limitations and bondage of life without Him (seen in the prophet’s famous ‘cart-rope’ illustration). Here is all that God has done for mankind, and His power and kindness in receiving individual seekers.
Like someone in denial about an illness, we somehow shut out all thoughts of our relationship with God and of eternity. We cannot see why God would reject us. The Bible tells us how much we need to find Him, and how He has made it possible.
It has been said that atheists have more ‘gods’ than anyone, but all have more than they realise. Here is what they are, why we cling to them, and what they do to us. Only conversion to the true God releases us from them and their service.
The actions of a king in choosing earthly counsels in times of trouble, rather than God’s solution, amazingly mirrors the actions of most of us as we fashion our policy for life. Here are our reactions to life’s troubles, and the earthly or heavenly options before us.
The most brilliant of men and women may be altogether disconnected when it comes to spiritual awareness or concern. Here are Solomon’s jolting miniature parables designed to draw us from indifference to God and the soul, and bring us to know Christ the Lord.
The call of God to the young Samuel provides an insight into how a person’s heart is first engaged and then drawn to spiritual conversion and life. For so many, is the story of alienation and resistance giving way to discovery of and reconciliation with God.
Marriage at the beginning established for all time; man’s headship in the light of the equality of men and women before God; marriage as a covenant; the nobility of the unmarried; the way of courtship; a husband’s duties and the divine promise of 1 Peter 3.7.
Ezekiel has lamented the failure of separation from the world, and now the river symbolises the church’s positive work in the world. Here is the meaning of its secret source and miraculous expansion, with our soul-winning priority, and the incidental yet mighty social benefits in times when there is great acceptance and blessing of souls.
Is this great city/temple vision to be fulfilled literally or does it portray Christ’s Church? Here are the reasons why historic interpreters were all sure it pointed to the Church, and how this view reveals the many vital pastoral applications for today.
An obvious parable (as Ezekiel shows by building in major pointers) about the coming of Christ and the church age, telling us about the constant hostility of the world against the church, how God will restrict it, and its end times crescendo when Christ returns.
Among nations to be judged for hostility to God’s people, Tyre was unique, and subject to uniquely phased judgement. Here is how she parallels anti-Christian thought today, and the perspective we gain from this (already partially fulfilled) prophecy.
The phenomenon of human love, what drives it, its strengths and limits and why rationalists cannot explain it. The superiority of Divine love, the mystery of why it is not wanted, the consequences of missing it, and how it may be experienced and proved.
While God’s forgiveness and spiritual life are free, the questions asked by buyers of large acquisitions may be asked when seeking a religion. Who made it? Does it have a Saviour? Does it work? Will it last? How will I be affected? What are the alternatives? etc
700 years before Christ, Isaiah describes the radical change that conversion brings about, using pictures of sight to the blind, agility to the crippled, and rivers streaming into the desert. Here is how the phenomenon of new life enters heart and soul when we come to Christ.
The psalmist predicts the destruction of Zion and its restoration after exile; also its spiritual revival in the Christian age. Here is Christ’s blueprint for individual churches (rather than denominations, societies and private ministries), their superior qualities, their end-time oppression, and final triumph.
‘Remember thy Creator’, said the billionaire king whose attempts to make atheism and self-indulgence work all failed him. Here is his counsel to learn about God and grace while there is time for this to transform us and fill our lives here, and prepare us for eternity.
Despite training, Israelites were ignorant of doctrine, choosing uninspired nonsense over the Word. They thought Exodus taught that parental sin was punished in children. Ezekiel denies it, unless children choose to sin. A call to personal knowledge of doctrine and conduct – so rare today.
From the parables of the vine and of two great eagles the greatest faults of the ‘typical’ church (repeated today) were pride and idolatry. Ezekiel shows that humility, simplicity and faithfulness are essential for true blessing. We see how worldliness is the equivalent of idolatry.
God’s message through the ‘reasoning prophet’ was that society in general makes two massively harmful decisions. One is to reject spiritual life from God, and the other is to live for short-lived material things alone. Here the gains and losses are compared.
It is remarkable how the vision-messages given by God to Ezekiel are structured and divided to ideal sermonic form, as if they are inspired lessons in delivery. Here we see the Lord’s own subject, shape and divisions for several major ‘sermons’.
A new vision of the holiness of God fills the prophet with indignation at the insult to Him of apostasy. Commissioned a watchman to souls, a time of barren ministry creates dependence on the unction of the Spirit, while the siege enactment teaches his attitude.
First, proof that Ezekiel’s commission applies to all believers. Secondly, why he is constantly reminded of his human vulnerabilities. Thirdly, how the Spirit carries him and us over the opposition of the age. Fourthly, proclamational not missional (in the modern sense) methods are commanded.
The personal spiritual message of Ezekiel 1 – the call of a prophet certainly, but also the commission that should dawn dramatically on all believers, bringing a powerful sense of God, His glory and omniscience. How this brings fruitfulness, while its absence has ruined much evangelical witness.
David’s rhapsodic review of all the ways by which he knew the mighty hand of God in every condition of life. Both deeply searching and powerfully comforting, here are the details of the Lord’s love toward his own in action, and the gratitude we owe.
Isaiah the prophet long ago uttered the famous message to King Hezekiah of Judah, ‘set your house in order: for you shall die’. Here we view the five ‘departments’ of the soul and ask if they are fit for the great journey into eternity?
David shows praise is about the Lord and his work, and also about the believer’s many recurring deliverances throughout this life of countless needs. These blessings cannot be experienced without concern for holiness and reverence. Here are inspired counsels for both personal and congregational praise.
The Bible presents God using terms of massive significance such as omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign, holy, just, unchanging and merciful. He is personal and may be known and approached – but how? Here is the way made open by Christ the Lord that the Bible sets before us.
‘I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.’ Full chapter _____________ Song of Solomon 5 I am come into my … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Psalm 50 The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it … Continued
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. (Psalm 2:12) The deeper things of life are so easily crowded out today. Here at the Metropolitan Tabernacle we cater for the needs of … Continued
Israel’s susceptibility to the Moabite strategy of penetration and corruption, and Satan’s use of this today. Moses retired, the type of Christ to be unblemished for entry into the land. The Reubenites and our tendency to settle down rather than fight the Christian warfare.
Why God used the phenomenon of an ass seeing the angel of the Lord and speaking. Balaam’s true visions, and how he grasped the vulnerability of Israel should she lose her distinctiveness. The outcome – ‘the doctrine of Balaam’ – found to this day among evangelicals.
Often called the apocalypse of the Old Testament, Zechariah’s prophecy is full of Christ, the church age, and end-times visions intended for the uplifting of the faithful.
Preparatory Devotional Address (Psalm 116): The spiritual responses and resolutions of a serving heart to the love of God.
From the meaning of the ‘serpent of brass’ to the lessons of Balaam’s contradictions. A true prophet, and false; sincere, yet insincere; powerless, yet unleashing against God’s people the most devastating and enduring Satanic strategy. Balaams surely ‘live’ today; the biblical record is for us.
The people craved a repentance-free, non-challenging religion, but God commands that His appointed worship be kept sacred. How His rules for ministry are disobeyed today. The profound message of the red heifer. Also the error of Moses that cost his entry into Canaan.
King Solomon long ago named the six main false ideas about the human race and its viability without the need of God. These are still the basis of confident unbelief, even though repeatedly proved mistaken. Here is how knowing Christ solves everything.
The Israelites did not accept that unbelief and disobedience should shut them out of Canaan, Korah and the people demanding both a new priesthood, and a no-repentance, non-sifting ministry. Here are the parallels for our time, and the lessons of the wanderings.
The disastrous decision at Kadesh when the people recoiled from entering the land, and the present day equivalent when churches and members recoil from serious effort to reach young and old alike in the battle for souls. Why has the serving culture almost disappeared?
Lessons begin to flow from this typical church, including: the cloudy pillar shows the way but they must watch for localised dangers. The daily prayer of Moses provides a profound plan for our petitions. Satan infuses gloom that quickly turns to lust – plus remedial thinking.
From the ‘strange fire’ judgement to the march from Sinai, we trace the preparation of the Israelites in (1) learning to preserve the presence of God; (2) maintaining purity, and (3) pursuing an ideal of true dedication. Here is a pattern for churches today.
The chief and distinctive purposes of Numbers seen through NT eyes, the Israelites being a type of the church. Here is the ‘working church’ concept, seldom followed today, the call-up to war and activism, faith, holiness, order, and the centrality of worship in everything.
Promises of wonders greater than the Red Sea crossing were kept then, and subsequently in the history of the church, even to the present wherever saved people strive to keep the conditions named: no compromise, honour spiritual obligations, and be consecrated to God’s service.
Following the golden calf God took away His presence and limited the Israelites to a ‘preservation’ grade of experience, mirrored today when we host worldliness or other sins. Here also is the intercession of Moses and his special experience of God’s glory, with lessons.
With Moses away, the idolatrous apostasy at Sinai was met by Aaron’s strategy of appeasement. It was a disaster, condemned by God (yet recurring to this day in evangelical history). How different from the stance of Moses – a type of Christ and an example to us!
Full chapter _____________ Haggai 2 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of … Continued
(1) The daily sweet savour offerings of lambs (2) the altar of incense (3) the half-shekel ransom money (4) the brass laver, and (5) the anointing oil – all had an obvious teaching message for worship and life. Here are these lessons.
God’s own campaign for our souls, and His statement of the human problem of unbelief and detachment from Him. Here, through Isaiah, is God’s reasoned call to us, with what He must do if we refuse, and His amazing kindness if we respond.
The symbolism of the high priest’s garments has often been greatly overdeveloped, but they clearly were symbols of the woman’s promised seed and Abraham’s expected descendant. Here is what they surely conveyed to believing Israelites, and how they spoke of our Redeemer.
‘In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, … Continued
Full chapter _____________ Zephaniah 3 Woe to her that is filthy and polluted, to the oppressing city! She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God. Her princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves; they gnaw not the … Continued
As well as illustrated prophecies, abiding principles of Christian doctrine, witness and worship are plainly taught by the major features of the Tabernacle (often missed or violated by today’s evangelicalism). Here they are, with their implicit promises and encouragements.
A prophet of old denounced his generation for shutting their ears to the voice of God, rejecting His call, and refusing to approach Him for help. Here are the steps that lead to a sure discovery of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
An overview of the civil laws given to Moses for Israel to show their great wisdom and kindness, and to explain the real benefits of some that seem unfair when not read alongside passages that explain them. Also, their immense value to Christians.
The Ten Commandments are holy, just and good or beneficial, reflecting God’s own nature. Here are the benefits of the first four. Says God – I am your God: and will be your Father, Saviour, Friend, Defender, Provider and Guide. You will need no other ‘god’.
Many only ever approach God over emergencies, but not to find Him or to have Him as their God. Others approach Him in a way He has already said in the Bible is unacceptable to Him. King David shows the way, and here is his effective approach.
Here are stirring spiritual parallels in God’s words to the typical church at Sinai: eg being borne on eagles’ wings, a peculiar treasure, and a kingdom of priests. Here also is distinctiveness from the world, knowing God by faith alone, and reverence.
‘The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.’ Full chapter _____________ Nahum 1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision … Continued
The trial of faith when the cloudy pillar stops the migrating column in dry Rephidim, and Horeb’s rock – type of Calvary. Then the Amalekites, Satan’s agents to fight Israel: their astonishing unbelief and antagonism until their ‘man of sin’ Haman plans Israel’s destruction c470BC. Today’s equivalent.
The astonishing feeding of an entire nation for 40 years by miraculous manna is a worthy type or prophetic illustration of the redeeming work of Christ. Here are some of the many parallels, and the pastoral lessons for us all, that stream from this narrative.
David provides eight reasons why we commit personal sin, then sets out the magnitude of God’s mercy, His promises of pardon and life, His soaring unchangeable standards, His provisions of help, and the precious thing He gives to those who trust Him.
‘The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumour from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle.’ Full chapter _____________ Obadiah 1 The vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We … Continued
