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Key Verse: Luke 4:24 “…no prophet is accepted in his own country”. You’ve heard the old adage, “familiarity breeds contempt”. And if not contempt, familiarity breeds at least neglect. This was the case with Jesus. Interestingly, it was also the case with the nation of Israel. And, if we’re honest, it’s the case with you […]

Key Verse: Luke 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…” John the Baptist must have seemed a rather arrogant fellow to some–how may preachers do you know who address candidates for baptism as a “brood of vipers”? He was so opposite the typical evangelist/prophet with their promotional schemes and follow-up plans. In fact, when people […]

Key Verse: Luke 2:30,32 “My eyes have seen Your salvation…a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the story of  Your people Israel.” I’m a Gentile; a Gentile who, with his family lived among Jewish friends and neighbours for seven years in Jerusalem. We speak Hebrew (Kathy and the children, fluently–I, not so fluently), […]

Matthew 5 Divorce vv.31 & 32 – Part 3 In Mt. 19:3-9 Jesus was “tested” by the Pharisees with the question, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” King Herod, who ruled during Jesus’ life, had divorced his wife Herodias, and, as I’ve already pointed out, there […]

Key Verse: Mark 16:6 “…He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” One of the important ingredients in the resurrection of Jesus is the fact of His death. Jesus really died. Just like our ancestors have done. Just like you and I will do. Why is this so important? […]

Key Verse: Mark 15:39 “…Truly this man was the Son of God.” So why are you a Christian? Because  you were raised that way? Perhaps it’s because of Sunday School, or the witness of a friend. Maybe reading the Bible did it. Whatever. But why a Christian, rather than a Buddhist or Muslim? Why not […]

Key Verse: Mark 14:31 & 50 “…’If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And they all said likewise…then they all forsook Him and fled.” I can identify with the disciples. they were keen, energetic fellows, with more than their fair share of courage–it takes a brave man to parry the […]

Key Verse: Mark 13:10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” Prophecy is a hot subject these days. Especially as we’ve just entered the 1990”s, the last decade of this millenium. There are all kinds of self-made prophets out there, ready and more than willing to predict the future. Then there […]

Key Verse: Mark 12:30 “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…” I think we need to establish something right off the top–it’s possible to love someone you don’t like. Why? Because love is an act of the will, whereas “like” […]

Matthew 5 Divorce vv.31 & 32 – Part 2 Remember that it was a man’s world. The liberal view of Hillel, the convenience divorce of Greece and Rome, and the syntheses of these cultural norms all led to a man-sided approach. Shamai, although accused of legalism, sided with the woman. He did not want to […]

Key Verse: Mark 11:9 “…Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Have you ever thought you’d like to be famous? A household name? You know, someone whom people recognize on the street, write articles about and adulate? And, as you fantasize, you undoubtedly see yourself accepting all this adoration rather […]

Key Verse: Mark 10:15 “…Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” I think we’ve all heard it said of some happy senior citizen that he or she is having a “second childhood”. Whereas in their early adulthood and middle age they may have been […]