Matthew 04(01–11)

Introduction As we turn to the Lord's temptation in the wilderness, we need to remember that the purpose of Matthew's gospel, like the other gospels, is to teach us about the Lord Jesus. So, as we study this passage, we have to keep in our mind the question, 'What does this passage say about him?' … Continue reading Matthew 04(01–11) →

Matthew 03

Introduction In chapter 2, Matthew recorded for us the visit of the Magi to see the new king who had been born. Then there was the escape to Egypt to get away from Herod who wanted to kill the new king who had been born. Then there was the killing of the children around Bethlehem. … Continue reading Matthew 03 →

Zechariah 13

Introduction Chapters 12 to 14 of Zechariah are one oracle, or message, from the Lord to his people in the days of Zechariah the prophet who had returned to Jerusalem from the exile in Babylon. You'll recall that the people had begun to rebuild the temple which had been destroyed years before when their enemies … Continue reading Zechariah 13 →

Zechariah 12

Introduction Chapters 9 to 11 were one oracle from the Lord to his despondent people in the days of Zechariah who had returned from the exile in Babylon to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. But the work was difficult and slow and there were many obstacles in their way. And while they had returned from … Continue reading Zechariah 12 →

Matthew 02

Introduction Today's passage can be divided into four parts. In verses 1 to 12 we have the visit of the Magi. In verses 13 to 15 we have the escape to Egypt. That's followed in verses 16 to 18 with the killing of the Jewish infants. And in verses 19 to 23 we have the … Continue reading Matthew 02 →

Matthew 01(18–25)

Introduction Last week we spent our time on the Lord's genealogy which appears at the beginning of Matthew's gospel and which presents the Lord Jesus as the fulfilment of God's Old Testament promises, because didn't God promise that one of David's descendants would rule as king and his kingdom will never end? And didn't God … Continue reading Matthew 01(18–25) →

Matthew 01(01–17)

Introduction The gospel of Matthew was written by Matthew, who was also called Levi, and who was one of the Lord's twelve disciples; and he was a tax-collector before the Lord called him. One of the features of his gospel is the way he makes clear how events in the life of Christ fulfil what … Continue reading Matthew 01(01–17) →

Zechariah 11(04–17)

Introduction God sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to preach to his people who had returned to Jerusalem from exile. And though the people had returned to the Promised Land, they were despondent, because they were still living under the authority of a foreign king; and the work to rebuild the temple was difficult and … Continue reading Zechariah 11(04–17) →

2 Timothy 01

Introduction When we began to study 1 Timothy in September, I said that we were beginning a series on Paul's Pastoral Letters. And the Pastoral Letters include not only 1 Timothy but also 2 Timothy and Titus. So, having finished 1 Timothy right before Christmas, we're going to begin 2 Timothy today. It's a short … Continue reading 2 Timothy 01 →

Blessedness

Summary Since the end of August we've been studying the attributes of God to answer the question, 'What is God like?' We began, however, not with an attribute, but with who God is. God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Father is God. The Son is God. The Holy Spirit is … Continue reading Blessedness →