Posts

Our Relationship With The Weak (preaching resource for 12/7/25, Advent 2

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This post exegetes Romans 14:1-15:13 providing context for the Epistle reading on 12/7/25, which this year is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Insights are drawn from  John Stott’s "The Message of Romans" and "The Expositors Bible Commentary." "The Apostle Paul" by van Dyck (public domain vie Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In Romans chapters 12 and 13 Paul presents love as the ethical center of the gospel, which fulfills the Law of Moses. In Romans 14:1-15:13 Paul then gives a lengthy example of how love is to be lived in the real circumstances of the church in Rome. The issue is the strained relations between two church groups, which Paul refers to as the ‘weak’ and the ‘strong’. His plea is that the ‘strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak’ (Romans 15:1) and the weak must not sit in judgment of the strong.  Who are the weak?  There are four possibilities: 1.  New converts from paganism.   There was such a group in Corinth (1Cor 8) whose over-sensiti...
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The Last Days (preaching resource for 11/30/25, Advent 1

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This post exegetes Matthew chapters 24 & 25, providing context for the Gospel reading on 11/30/25, which this year is the 1st Sunday of Advent. Insights are drawn from "Kingdom, Grace, Judgment" by Robert Capon; "New Bible Commentary" by RT France; and "Bible Knowledge Commentary" by Louis Barbieri. "He Wept Over It" by Simonet (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Note: This study of The Last Days is divided into two parts: The Great Transition (Mat 24:1-35) and The  Great Consummation (Mat 24:36-25:46).   Part 1: The Great Transition  Matthew 24:1–35 "Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem" by David Roberts (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction and interpretive approach At the end of Matthew chapter 23, Jesus mourns the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Mat 23:37-38). He sees this terrible event as signaling a great transition from the present dispensation (age) into a new one. The new age, elsewhere called The Last Days...
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Symbols of Jesus’ Suffering (preaching resource for 11/23/25, 24th Sunday after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Luke chapter 22, providing context for the Gospel reading on 11/23/25, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, which this year is the last day of Ordinary Time known as Reign of Christ Sunday. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary"), and Robert Farrar Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"). "Kiss of Judas" by Giotto (publc domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Luke chapter 22 continues the account of Holy Week. The last part of this chapter (vv39-71) covers Jesus’ arrest and trial by the Jewish authorities—events that span late Thursday night into early Friday morning. As we proceed, we’ll note six symbols that highlight Jesus’ suffering in our place: a garden, a cup, a kiss, a sword, a rooster, and a throne.  A garden  Luke 22:39 39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. After leaving the Last Supper, held in the Upp...
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Jesus, Judgment and The End (preaching resource for 11/16/25, 23rd Sunday after Pentecost)

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This post exegetes Luke chapter 21, providing context for the Gospel reading on 11/16/25, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost. Insights are drawn from Warren Wiersbe ("The Bible Expository Commentary"), Howard Marshall ("New Bible Commentary"), and Robert Farrar Capon ("Kingdom, Grace, Judgment"). Jesus teaching in the temple courts, painting by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In chapter 21, Luke continues the story of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week. At this point, Jesus is still in the temple courts—teaching his disciples and others. The light of his presence in the House of God exposes people’s true colors. It is within this context of judgment in the shadow of the cross and the empty tomb, that Luke continues… 1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put i...
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