Posts with the category “more-to-the-sermon”

John 5:19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.Thought:Jesus is not a separate God doing His own thing. He is one with the Father. When He says He can do nothing of Himself, He is not saying He is weak. He is saying He is so perfec...  Read More

John 8:47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.Thought:In the airport, the agent asks the traveler for proof of identity. His feelings, background, and confidence are not enough. He must show something that verifies who he is.Jesus does something similar in John 8. The religious leaders claim to be children of Abraham and children of God. But ...  Read More

John 14:23–24Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.Thought:Jesus gives a clear test of love. He does not say, “If a man loves Me, he will feel a lot of emotion du...  Read More

Ezekiel 36:26–27A 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.And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.Thought:John 8:47 shows a serious truth. Some people cannot truly hear God’s Word because they ar...  Read More

Psalm 95:7–8For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart.Thought:The Bible shows that the real problem with hearing God is usually not in the ears or the mind, but in the heart. Israel heard God speaking through Moses and the prophets, but often they hardened their hearts. They wanted their own way. They ...  Read More

John 8:47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.Thought:Jesus spoke these words to very religious people. They knew Scripture. They went to the synagogue. They claimed to belong to God. But Jesus said the real proof of belonging to God is this: a person who is “of God” hears God’s words.“To be of God” means more than simply being religious or m...  Read More

John 14:7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.Thought:It’s common for many people to hold God at arm’s length. They love learning about Jesus, chatting about spiritual concepts, and soaking up Bible wisdom, but they still don’t fully connect with Him. They see Him as someone to figure out, not someone to trust. They crave infor...  Read More

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Thought:Christ’s saving love does not change. If you belong to Him, He loves you with a steadfast love that took Him to the cross and secures your salvation. That love is rooted in His finished work, not in your u...  Read More

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.ThoughtGod’s love is the beginning of everything. Scripture teaches that the Lord moved toward us first, not because we were good, but because He is gracious. He loved us while we were still sinners, and that love...  Read More

John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.Thought:Jesus defines love in a way that questions our shallow ideas. In His teaching, love is not simply an emotion that rises and falls with our moods or circumstances. Love is faithful loyalty. It is a settled devotion of the heart that shows itself through obedience. Jesus does not call for warm feelings or kind thoughts about Him. He calls for a l...  Read More

John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me…”Thought:Jesus does not say, “He that has heard my commandments,” but, “He that hath my commandments.” That difference matters. To hear Christ’s words can simply mean you have only been exposed to them. You can sit in a service, listen to preaching, read a passage, or memorize facts, and still keep His Word at a dist...  Read More

Acts 27:2929 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.Thought:On Paul’s dangerous voyage, the sailors could not control the wind, the rain, or the waves. They did what they could. They cast out anchors and waited for daylight. The anchors did not calm the sea. They simply kept the ship from being smashed to pieces.We often ...  Read More

John 15:9, 12–139 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. …12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”Thought:In John chapter 15, Jesus speaks to disciples who are weak and imperfect. Peter, who will deny Him. Thomas, who will doubt Him. Others with ...  Read More

Hebrews 6:1919 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.Thought:In Israel’s worship life, pegs, hooks, and nails held the Tabernacle curtains in place and the Torah scrolls in order. The Word of God was pictured as something hanging and secured. Jesus said that all the law and the prophets hang on the two great commands of lo...  Read More

Matthew 22:37–4037 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”Thought:Jesus took what many had turned into hundreds of complicated rules a...  Read More

Matthew 22:35–36Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law?Thought:The lawyer asked a good question, but with the wrong heart. He was not truly seeking the truth. He was testing Jesus. Many of our questions about God, Scripture, and life are necessary and honest, but the real issue is why we ask them.Are w...  Read More

Psalm 20:8–9They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.Thought:Psalm 20 ends with two powerful realities: the fall of God’s enemies and the rise of God’s people. Those who trust in their own strength may appear strong for a time, but their foundation is weak. When the testing comes, they are “brought down and fallen.”In contr...  Read More

Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.Thought:In David’s time, chariots and horses were the cutting-edge symbols of power and security. They were impressive, loud, and terrifying on the battlefield. But they were also limited, fragile, and temporary.Everyone trusts something for the future:Some trust in resources and savings.Some tr...  Read More

Psalm 20:6Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.Thought:The psalm shifts from prayer to confidence: “Now know I…” This is faith speaking with settled assurance. The Lord saves, the Lord hears, and the Lord strengthens.This verse first applies to God’s anointed king, and ultimately to Christ; the Anointed One. ...  Read More

Psalm 20:5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.Thought:David looks backward and rejoices in God’s salvation. He is not guessing about God’s character; he is remembering it. Salvation is more than a doctrine; it is proof that God has already met our greatest need in Christ.When we “rejoice in Thy salvation,” we:Re...  Read More

Psalm 20:1-2The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion.Thought:Trouble is assumed in this psalm, not avoided: “the day of trouble.” The comfort is not that life will be trouble-free, but that we are never alone in it. David prays that the Lord would hear, defend, send help, and strengthen.“H...  Read More

John 15:8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.Thought:Jesus does not call us to a life of minimal fruit but to “much” fruit. The same disciples who were weak, fearful, doubting, and flawed; Peter, Thomas, James, John, Matthew, and the rest. were told that they would go and bear fruit that remains. Their limitations or failures did not define their fut...  Read More

John 15:6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.Thought:Not every branch that appears attached is truly connected. Judas walked with Jesus, heard His teaching, witnessed miracles, and was counted among the disciples, yet his heart was never truly attached to Christ. He was connected to the “caus...  Read More

John 15:2…and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.Thought:Pruning is never pleasant, but it is always purposeful. The Father, the wise Husbandman, cuts away what hinders fruitfulness. In a vineyard, “suckers” and extra shoots may look like growth, but they only produce leaves, not grapes. They block light, steal nutrients, and weaken the harvest.In ou...  Read More

John 15:4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.Thought:There is a difference between knowing about Jesus and abiding in Jesus. The word “abide” means to remain, stay, continue, and not depart. It is a settled, ongoing connection. Like a branch that never detaches from the vine.We often try to “produc...  Read More

John 15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.Thought:In the Old Testament, Israel was often pictured as God’s vineyard, which was rescued from Egypt, planted in the Promised Land, and blessed with God’s presence and promises. Yet, Israel was never the “true vine” itself; it was the vineyard God tended. The true vine was always pointing forward to Jesus Christ.When Jesus says, “I am...  Read More

2 Corinthians 6:14-1814 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I w...  Read More

1 Samuel 15:22And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.Thought:God calls us to simple obedience rather than grand gestures. This means that He delights not in elaborate displays of devotion or in achievements designed to impress others, but in...  Read More

Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.Thought:Being present is a powerful force that can change things in many areas of life. When we’re at church, being present lets us connect deeply with others, share in worship together, and grow spiritually. Similarly, when we’re...  Read More

Matthew 28:20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.Thought:Discipleship is like a lifelong adventure, where we grow and learn all the time. It’s not just about teaching others what we know; it’s about helping them change their lives in a big way through Christ’s teachings. As disciples, we’re here to guide ...  Read More

Galatians 3:27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."Thought:Baptism is a deeply meaningful and important act that goes beyond just a routine. It’s a strong symbol of how much we’re connected and part of Jesus Christ. In this symbolic ceremony, we openly show our loyalty and belonging to Him and His church, which is a community of believers who share the same fait...  Read More

Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Thought:Often, we may think that "going" is the command Jesus gave us in the Great Commission, but the true directive is to "make disciples." This command invites us to see the world as an open field for teaching and sharing Christ's love. While traveling to distant ...  Read More

Genesis 22:13And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns...Thought: Abraham’s willingness to obey God’s confusing instructions regarding Isaac reveals complete trust in God’s promises. The ram being provided as a substitute for Isaac shows God’s foresight and faithfulness even in situations that challenge our understanding. Through this ...  Read More

Genesis 18:22-2322 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. 23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?Thought: Abraham’s conversation with God about Sodom really shows how important and powerful intercessory prayer can be. He was so proactive in praying for Lot’s safety, which shows he c...  Read More

Genesis 18:1-31 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; 2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, 3 And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:...  Read More

Genesis 13:10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere... like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.Thought: Lot's choice to settle near Sodom illustrates a crucial lesson on the problems of relying solely on what is immediately visible or appealing. This inclination can lead us to temptation or sinful conditions, drawing us away fro...  Read More

Psalms 121:1-2I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.Thought: The hills surrounding Jerusalem might have been the sites of idol worship or places of high places under siege during Hezekiah's time. The psalmist poses a question to reflect on, causing us to consider where our true help comes from amidst life's ch...  Read More

Galatians 5:1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.Thought:Freedom is truly found when we release what binds us to our past. In parts of India, Africa, and Southeast Asia, hunters once used a simple trap to capture monkeys alive. A gourd, clay pot, or coconut shell was tied to a tree and filled with nuts or rice,...  Read More

Philippians 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.Thought:God’s grace is the spark that starts and keeps our faith journey going. He brings salvation, but as believers, we need to be ready to jump in and respond to what He’s doing inside us. When we accept His way of making us holy, we’re joining in on His plan for our lives. It takes being open and wil...  Read More

Hebrews 12:1Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.Thought:Just as we pack things unnecessarily for trips or vacations sometimes, we often carry burdens we don’t need in the same manner. These weights; old lifestyles, habits, and sins, slow down our spiritual progress. Evaluate what you’re carrying in yo...  Read More