2 Timothy 03(10–17)

Introduction In the passage we studied last week, Paul described for Timothy -- and for us -- what it will be like in these, the last days in which we're living. Do you remember? The last days are not some far off time in the future, because the last days are today. We're living in … Continue reading 2 Timothy 03(10–17) →

2 Timothy 03(01–09)

Introduction Here's Paul the Apostle, writing to Timothy, one of his co-workers in the gospel, who is now in Ephesus, overseeing the church in that place. And Paul is writing to Timothy with advice and instruction about what to do and what to teach to the members of the church. And there are signs in … Continue reading 2 Timothy 03(01–09) →

Matthew 05(01–12)

Structure of the Sermon We've reached the Sermon on the Mount today. Every time I read this sermon, I try to work out its structure. How should we divide it? What are its parts? Is it ordered in a certain way? Fortunately, when preparing for this evening, I came across an article by a New … Continue reading Matthew 05(01–12) →

2 Timothy 02(14–26)

Introduction 'Keep reminding them of these things.' That's how today's passage begins. The word 'them' is not in the original Greek text, but it's safe to assume that Paul is referring to the believers in Ephesus, where Timothy was ministering. And what did Paul want Timothy to remind the people about? Well, presumably Timothy was … Continue reading 2 Timothy 02(14–26) →

2 Timothy 02(08–13)

Introduction In the first part of 2 Timothy 2, which we looked at last week, Paul gave Timothy three instructions. Do you remember what they were? Firstly, be strong in, or by, the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Since the challenges of the ministry were getting too much for Timothy, since his troubles were … Continue reading 2 Timothy 02(08–13) →

2 Timothy 02(01–07)

Introduction Paul is writing to Timothy, who was one of his co-workers in the ministry. And Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the church there. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul gave Timothy instructions about what to do and what to teach and how to deal with the false teachers who were … Continue reading 2 Timothy 02(01–07) →

Matthew 04(12–25)

Introduction We've been thinking about the way Matthew depicts the Lord Jesus as the new and better Israel and how the Lord Jesus has been re-tracing Israel's steps. So, God regarded Israel as his son and called Israel out of Egypt, where they had become slaves. And the Lord Jesus is God's son and God … Continue reading Matthew 04(12–25) →

Malachi 01(06)–02(09)

Introduction Like Haggai and Zechariah, Malachi was a post-exilic prophet, which means the Lord sent him to minister to his people who had returned to Jerusalem after the exile in Babylon. When the people first returned from exile, they rebuilt the altar and they began to rebuild the temple. But their enemies opposed them and … Continue reading Malachi 01(06)–02(09) →

Malachi 01(01–05)

Introduction I've said before that I'm a completionist. You know what a completionist is, don't you? If someone plays video games, and he's a completionist, then he has to complete every level of the game and he's not satisfied until he does. Or if someone is on twitter or another social media platform, and she's … Continue reading Malachi 01(01–05) →

Zechariah 14

Introduction We've reached the final chapter of Zechariah's prophecy. Back in chapter 1, the Lord spoke through Zechariah to his people who had returned from the exile in Babylon and the Lord commanded them to return to him. They had returned to Jerusalem, but now they must return to God by giving up their sins … Continue reading Zechariah 14 →