1 Kings 04

Introduction A couple of weeks ago we studied 1 Kings 3 together where the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and offered to give him whatever he wanted. And Solomon asked for a wise and discerning heart so that he would be able to govern God's people well. And God was pleased that he … Continue reading 1 Kings 04 →

Matthew 20(17–28)

Introduction Today's passage is a kind of sandwich because in the middle of the passage you've got the story about James and John and their mother and how the brothers want to sit at the Lord's right hand in his kingdom. And then there's the indignant reaction of the other disciples when they hear about … Continue reading Matthew 20(17–28) →

Matthew 19(13–30)

Verses 13 to 15 Matthew tells us in verse 13 that little children were brought to the Lord Jesus so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. Apparently it was the custom in those days for parents to bring their children to the scribes so that they would pray for … Continue reading Matthew 19(13–30) →

Matthew 20(01–16)

Introduction We come today to this parable which is only found in Matthew's gospel. However, it's connected to the previous passage by means of the repetition of the saying that 'the last will be first and the first will be last'. Do you see how that saying appears in verse 30 at the end of … Continue reading Matthew 20(01–16) →

1 Kings 03

Introduction In chapter 1 we saw that David was old and well advanced in years and drawing near the end of his life. Adonijah, his oldest surviving son, exalted himself and made a move to take the throne and become the next king of Israel. Nathan the prophet was alarmed when he found out about … Continue reading 1 Kings 03 →

Job 38(01)–40(05)

Introduction The book of Job began with the Lord drawing Satan's attention to Job who was blameless and upright and a man who feared God and shunned evil. And Satan scoffed, saying that Job only worshipped God because of what he got out of God in this life. Job only worshipped God because God had … Continue reading Job 38(01)–40(05) →

Job 36+37

Introduction We're studying Elihu's fourth and final speech today. You might recall that he was waiting for Job and his friends to finish what they had to say about Job's suffering. And once they finished speaking, Elihu began to speak. In his first speech he responded to Job's complaint that God is silent and will … Continue reading Job 36+37 →

Matthew 19(01–12)

Verses 1 and 2 Chapter 19 opens with Matthew telling us that when the Lord finished saying these things -- the things we were studying in chapter 18 about how to treat one another -- he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. That is, to … Continue reading Matthew 19(01–12) →

Matthew 18(15–35)

Introduction I said last week that the block of teaching in chapter 18 is to do with how we relate to one another. And from verses 1 to 14 -- which we studied last week -- we learned that instead of being proud and instead of exalting ourselves over our fellow believers, we're to be … Continue reading Matthew 18(15–35) →

1 Kings 02

Introduction When we studied 1 Kings 1 last week we saw that King David had become old and weak and it was clear that he was near the end of his life. And his oldest surviving son, Adonijah, put himself forward. That is, he exalted himself and said that he will be king. And he … Continue reading 1 Kings 02 →