SCRIPTURE: Jeremiah 31:23-40 OBSERVATION: Apparently Jeremiah was sleeping when these visions and prophecies came to him in a dream (v.26). The people were living a nightmare (temple destroyed, nation in ruins, living as slaves/captives), so this dream was pleasant, it promised restoration and hope! “The days are coming” is a promise to those who are suffering,…
Author: Norm
Mar 26 — Ephesians 2:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:1-10 OBSERVATION: This passage compares what the Ephesians were before they believed (dead in sin, following the ways of world and Satan) and what they became after they believed (loved by God, made alive, saved by grace, raised with Christ, seated in the heavenly realms). Describes life without God as “gratifying the cravings of…
Mar 25 — Luke 1:26-38
SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:26-38 OBSERVATION: What did the angel look like? Mary is troubled by his words, not by his appearance, so we can presume that he did not appear in a scary way. At other times an angel might be frightening, but it makes sense that he appeared in a positive, non-frightening manner to a young…
Ask Your Questions Here!
If you post a question below, I will do my best to suggest some possible answers. I make no claims to have the answers, but if you ask, I will check into it. Your questions will also help me to plan my sermons. Feel free to add your comments on the questions and answers. You…
Sermon on Psalm 146
Oops, sorry, I forgot to mention that I am preaching on Psalm 146 this Sunday (March 25), especially v.3, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.” Its kind of late, but if anyone has any thoughts on this, please share them!
Mar 24 — John 3:1-21
SCRIPTURE: John 3:1-21 OBSERVATION: Nicodemus seems to be a genuine seeker, he comes at night because he is afraid of his peers. He shows up again after Jesus dies (John 19:39), helping to bury Jesus. Jesus answers Nicodemus in a mysterious way, in a way that confuses him. This seems to be Jesus pattern, speaking in parables…
Mar 23 — Numbers 21:1-9
SCRIPTURE: Numbers 21:1-9 OBSERVATION: A violent time: Israel cruelly attacked, Arad and his people totally destroyed, poisonous snakes killing some Israelites, and God seems to be actively mixed up in it. How can God tolerate, endorse so much violence and suffering? We tend to ignore our own responsibility, wasn’t Arad’s defeat in response to his nations…
Mar 22 — Judges 5:1-31
SCRIPTURE: Judges 5:1-31 OBSERVATION: This song celebrates Israel’s victory over their cruel (and mighty) oppressors. God receives the credit, He supported His people with a thunderstorm (heavens poured, mountains quaked, vv.4-5). Life in Israel went from bad to worse when they turned to foreign gods, only improved when Deborah and other willing leaders led the way…
Mar 21 — Judges 4:1-24
SCRIPTURE: Judges 4:1-24 OBSERVATION: When it says that they did “evil in the eyes of the Lord”, we need to see this as extreme evil (immorality, child sacrifice, crime, violence and injustice), this was the normal pattern of life in that day, and God was calling them to a higher morality. Israel was often tempted to…
Mar 20 — 2 Chronicles 36:11-23
SCRIPTURE: 2 Chronicles 36:11-23 OBSERVATION: This passage shows the outcome of rejecting God. God patiently calls people again and again, sending a variety of messengers, but ultimately He will give them over to their sinful choices and allow them to really experience what life is like without Him. Zedekiah is a king in the line of David,…