It had to be frustrating for the Lord as He tried to prepare the apostles for the time when they would be at the forefront in the growth of the church. An illustration of this can be seen in how those men responded to the words of Jesus. “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” The…
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Let's Go Back to the Bible
Posts by Dan Jenkins (Page 15)
The appearance of John the Baptist introduced a religious act that was unknown before his time. It was the immersion of an individual in water in order to bring about the remission of sins. Jesus asked the Pharisees the question, “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25). Their answer shows just how new it was.…
How often have you heard these words of Jesus in Bible classes and sermons? “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). They touch our hearts, but they may become even more powerful when we look at the words preceding His invitation. Before giving His invitation, He spoke to the Father.…
Judging by the topics discussed in the epistles, almost every congregation had to deal with the problem brought into the church by those whose past religion demanded that for one to be saved he had to be circumcised. The problem really surfaced when uncircumcised Gentiles became members. At first the church was entirely Jewish, but when Saul/Paul led the persecution of the…
When we read the story of the prodigal son, we are so impressed that the father ran to meet him and immediately gave him such blessings. Have you considered that when Jesus lived on this earth, He showed the same kind of love for the wayward? He was Immanuel, God with us, and to see Him was to see the Father (John…
In a recent evangelistic sermon, I heard David Sproule speak to those assembled and told them that he had been praying specifically for them. As I listened, I thought of the great impact it would have if every Christian did this. At that point of the sermon, I began to pray the same prayer. Have we not all sung, “While we pray…
When the Lord said, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23), He obviously is not talking about that large muscle in our chests. The Bible uses the word “heart” over 800 times and almost always, if not actually always, refers to that inner part of our being. When the Lord discussed the…
The writer of Hebrews could so easily see the dangers faced by those Jewish Christians. The nation that killed God’s Son turned its wrath on the church almost from the day it began. Jesus had warned them about the trials that were coming. Obviously, they persecuted those Gentiles who had become followers of Jesus, but their persecution was even more fierce on…