Category Archives: preaching

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE END TIMES?

The end times, also known as the apocalypse or the last days, refers to the period in which many religious beliefs hold that the world will come to an end. This concept has been present in various cultures and religions throughout history, and it continues to captivate the minds of believers and non-believers alike. In this article, we will explore the different interpretations of the end times and what they mean for humanity.

In Christianity, the end times are often associated with the second coming of Jesus Christ, also known as the Parousia. This event is described in the New Testament as the return of Christ to judge the living and the dead, and to establish his kingdom on earth. Many Christians believe that the end times will be marked by various signs, such as wars, natural disasters, and the rise of false prophets.

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THE NATURE OF GOD

The nature of God has been a subject of philosophical and theological inquiry for centuries. Throughout human history, people have attempted to understand the nature of the divine and the role it plays in the universe. While the concept of God varies among different cultures and religions, there are some common features that define the nature of God.

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DEFINITION OF THE DAY (FOOL, FOOLISHNESS, AND FOLLY PT 2 OF 2)

NEW TESTAMENT – The contrasting elements of wisdom and folly evident in the OT were clearly in the mind of Paul when he asked, “Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? (1 Cor 1:20b HCSB). However, in the NT, this polarity between wisdom and folly is not always stressed. In fact, it is possible that a certain kind of wisdom can actually be folly. In Matt 7:26;2-3; Rom 2:20 “folly” is used synonymously with “experiential wisdom.” Wisdom based only on human intellect and experiences without considering God is folly.

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EVERYDAY LIFE IN BIBLE TIMES (HANDS “TO RAISE OR STRETCH OUT” PT 1 OF 3)

As students , we learned to raise our hand in the classroom to gain recognition to speak. The en masse raising of hands at a sporting event signals celebration. Neither of these forms of hand raising are apparent in the art and literature of the ancient Near East, but we do find both morals and gods depicted with uplifted hands in a variety of scenarios.

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WOMEN OF THE BIBLE (THE SAMARITAN WOMAN “MEETING THE THIRST QUENCHER”)

Isn’t it amazing how an entire life can change in a moment? That’s the way it happened for the unnamed woman we meet in John 4.

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WHAT SHOULD WE BELIEVE ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

Most Christians approach this topic from one of three viewpoints. One group sees all the gifts mentioned in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 as still operative today. Another group says that the more spectacular, so-called “sign” gifts (prophecy, tongues, healing) were given only for the beginning era of the church (people who hold this position are called “cessationists”). Still others teach that all the gifts were temporary in nature.

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BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (SUPERSTITIOUS SAILORS)

Sailors of ancient times tended to be very superstitious because of their constant exposure to the dangers of the sea. When a storm struck the ship in which Jonah was escaping from the call of the Lord, they assumed the pagan gods were punishing them because of their displeasure with one person on board.

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BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (ACCIDENTAL DEATH)

This verse shows God’s desire that cities of refuge be established throughout the land once the Israelites had conquered and settled the land of Canaan. Any person who caused the accidental death of another could seek refuge in one of these cities until it was determined through due process what punishment, if any, should be levied against him.

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BIBLE CUSTOMS AND CURIOSITIES (EATING BLOOD FORBIDDEN)

These verses occur in the context of presenting a sacrificial animal as an offering to the Lord. The Israelites believed the blood of such an animal was sacred, since it carried the very essence of life itself. In a sense, the blood was the ransom price that atoned for their sins. It was to be drained from the animal and poured on the ground at the base of the altar.

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DOES IT REALLY MATTER THAT MUCH IF JESUS EVER COMES BACK TO EARTH?

When Jesus makes a promise, He keeps it. Previous generations thought they would see Jesus’ return, but they did not. Through this long wait, God has been faithful to His people. The church has grown. God’s family is getting larger.

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