SCRIPTURE: John 2:12-25 OBSERVATION: Jesus reserves His harshest response for the religious leaders. How does this picture of Jesus fit with ”Jesus meek and mild”? Does Jesus’ use of violence here justify our use of violence if the cause is just? Jesus does not speak clearly (re. destroying the temple), as if He is intentionally provoking…
Author: Norm
Mar 17 — Psalm 69:19-36
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 69:19-36 OBSERVATION: David was guilty of some serious sin (v.5) but when he looked for mercy, his family and friends (v.8) were harsh and judgmental. He looked for sympathy but received none (v.20). He is angry at them for not being merciful and prays that God would treat them as they treated him (vv.22-28)….
Life at Hope Church
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Mar 16 — Psalm 69:1-18
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 69:1-18 OBSERVATION: It seems that David is guilty of shameful sin (v.5) and he is now experiencing the humiliation and despair that go with that. He is personally, emotionally, spiritually drowning, and his enemies are delighting in his shame, forcing him to endure even more shame than he deserves (v.4). He is concerned that…
Mar 15 — 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 OBSERVATION: Paul is being honest when he admits that the Christian message sounds foolish to most people – a crucified God-in-flesh? He argues that God’s “folly” is actually true wisdom, deeper wisdom, so deep that those who consider themselves wise can’t see or understand it. If God were capable of a stupid thought,…
Mar 14 — Psalm 19:1-14
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 19:1-14 OBSERVATION: As I read this Psalm, I imagine David out in the fields with his sheep, looking up into the vast skies surrounding him, watching the sun run its course from its rising to its seeting (vv.4-6), and marvelling at how great God is. I also imagine him reflecting on his “tabernacle lessons”,…
Mar 13 — Exodus 20:1-21
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 20:1-21 OBSERVATION: In v.2, the NIV translates the special name of God given in Exodus 3:14, in Hebrew it is YHWH, as LORD, in capitol letters. In other words, v.2 reads “I am the “‘I am what I am’, your God!” God is not being mysterious in this name, we can understand it best through…
Mar 12 — Romans 4:1-25
SCRIPTURE: Romans 4:1-25 OBSERVATION: Paul is explaining that God’s blessing is not received because of what we do (law, works, as payment for our efforts) but simply because we trust God. Abraham received the promise of the nations BEFORE he was circumcised, not BECAUSE he was circumcised. God’s blessing is first, separate from our performance or…
Sermon on Exodus 20:1-21
I’m preaching on The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-21) this coming Sunday (March 18, 2007). Its the daily Bible Reading scheduled for March 13. Some of us heard these commands every Sunday growing up, but do we really know what they say, what they mean? Do we still need to hear this law, now that Jesus has…
Mar 11 — Genesis 17:15-27
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 17:15-27 OBSERVATION: Continues from previous verses, now the blessing given to Sarah (mother of nations). Isaac’s name, which means “he laughs”, was a constant reminder to Abraham that he doubted God. Ishmael, who was Abraham’s son and heir according to Mesopotamian law, was not the son that God would work out His plan of…