Hebrews 10(01–25)

Introduction I've pointed out before that at the end of the book of Hebrews the writer refer to what he's written as a 'word of exhortation'. So, he's written this letter to exhort his readers and to encourage them strongly and to appeal to them. And, in particular, he wants to warn them about something … Continue reading Hebrews 10(01–25) →

Hebrews 09

Introduction The writer of this letter has been teaching us that the one who is Son is greater than the prophets; and he’s greater than the angels; and he’s greater than Moses; and he’s greater than Joshua. He’s greater than the prophets, because, while God spoke through them at many times and in various ways, … Continue reading Hebrews 09 →

Hebrews 08

Introduction 'The point of what we are saying is this....' That's how the author of Hebrews begins chapter 8. And, of course, it means he's about highlight for us the main point of what he's been saying. You listen to someone on the radio or on a podcast or in a lecture or in a … Continue reading Hebrews 08 →

Esther 09+10

Summary Haman convinced the king of Persia to issue an decree to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews in the empire. Mordecai convinced Queen Esther to go to the king to beg for mercy and to plead with him for her people. At first she hesitated, because to go before the king uninvited was … Continue reading Esther 09+10 →

Esther 07+08

Introduction Haman persuaded the king to issue a decree to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews in the Persian Empire. Mordecai persuaded Esther to go to the king and to beg for mercy and to plead with him for her people. And so, Esther took her life in her hand -- because normally the … Continue reading Esther 07+08 →

Matthew 10(24–42)

Introduction I said last week that, in the section of Matthew's gospel which runs from verse 35 of chapter 9 to the end of chapter 10, the Lord is speaking to his disciples about their mission at that time. However, while much of what he said to them was for them at that time, nevertheless … Continue reading Matthew 10(24–42) →

Esther 05+06

Introduction The very existence of God's people is in danger because Haman persuaded King Xerxes to issue an order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews throughout the empire, an empire that stretched from India to Ethiopia. When the Jews, including Mordecai, heard the news, they fasted, wept and wailed. Mordecai then sent word … Continue reading Esther 05+06 →

Matthew 09(35)–10(23)

Introduction Today we come to a new section of Matthew's gospel which runs from verse 35 of chapter 9 to the end of chapter 10. And in this section, Matthew records for us what the Lord said to his disciples about mission. So, in the first part of this section, the Lord tells us that … Continue reading Matthew 09(35)–10(23) →

Psalm 051

Introduction Psalm 51 is a penitential psalm in which the psalmist confesses his sin to the Lord and seeks God's mercy and forgiveness. You'll see from the title that the background to the psalm is the time when Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sin with Bathsheba. David had committed adultery with Bathsheba; and … Continue reading Psalm 051 →

Psalm 050

Introduction Worship can be a contentious issue in the church; and from time to time people talk about the worship wars. And we have worship wars because people have strong views on worship and on the kind of thing we should sing in church. And we learn from this psalm that the Lord himself takes … Continue reading Psalm 050 →