Did the Jesus of the New Testament Exist? Part One: Internal and External Evidence from the Early Christians Did the Jesus of the New Testament ever exist? Was he a genuine historical figure who lived in first century Palestine? Is all we know about this Jesus found only in the Read more…
The Bald, the Bears & the Bad Boys 2 Kings 2:23-25 Having just read the text, it may give you pause and cause to scratch your head and wonder, “Why is this story recorded by God in the Bible and given for our learning?” First, consider a little background. Elijah Read more…
A Very Costly Piece of Real Estate 1 Kings 21 A warning familiar to most is: “Buyer beware!” However, when studying the story of King Ahab’s covetousness for Naboth’s vineyard a better warning would be: “Seller beware!” Before looking into the story, a glance at the preceding events will give Read more…
Elijah’s Burnout & Re-ignition 1 Kings 19 Elijah and an Angel, 19:1-7 Many spiritual giants of the Bible have suffered spiritual burnout, such as Moses, Jeremiah, and even Elijah. In 1 Kings 19:4 we learn of Elijah’s burnout. “But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came Read more…
Elijah’s Miracles of Survival & Revival 1 Kings 17 & 18 Eugene Britnell wrote, “Any man whose life, influence and relation to the God of the universe is such that he can turn the rain off and on like a faucet in the kitchen, multiply food, raise the dead, defeat Read more…
Ananias & Church Enemy #1 Acts 9:10-18; 23:12 Perhaps no one in the twentieth century was more notorious and epitomized evil like Adolph Hitler. Several attempts were made to remove him from power by those within the Third Reich and by foreign governments. All these missions failed. However, what if Read more…
A Cautionary Tale 1 Kings 13 Once upon a time an old prophet came across a corpse along the road. It had fallen victim to the lion who was still standing next to his prey. The lion had not eaten the corpse of the man and seemed to have no Read more…
Rehoboam: King Who Abandoned God 2 Chronicles 10-12 It is approximately 930 BC and Rehoboam has become King. Rehoboam had big shoes to fill. King David, his grandfather, was a man after God’s own heart. His father, Solomon, was the richest and wisest of kings in all the world. His Read more…
Solomon’s Foolish Compromises 1 Kings 11 In answering a question in Bible class as to the reason Solomon turned away from God, a little girl explained, “because he had 700 wives and 300 porcupines.” Close enough. But, he had three hundred concubines which are secondary wives. Can you imagine for Read more…
Ezra’s Congregational Discipline Part 1: Ezra 10:1-17 Back in the mid-1980s a Church of Christ in Oklahoma was sued over the congregational discipline of a member who had an affair with the local town mayor. This had a negative ripple effect among the brethren. Many elders refused to discipline members out Read more…