Pastor’s Blog
Satan Is Subtle
Matthew 4:1-11 Suggested further reading: Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Satan is subtle, a master in the “art” of temptation, having a higher intelligence than us and thousands of years of successful experience. First, he tempts our Lord to distrust His Father’s providential...
Don’t Be Surprised
Matthew 4:1-11 Suggested further reading: Genesis 3:1-6 Since Satan successfully tempted Adam to sin, he was not timid to assault the second Adam, our Lord Jesus. He knew who Jesus was. He had, no doubt, witnessed Jesus’ baptism and saw the dove descending, and heard...
After the Praise Comes the Temptation
Matthew 4:1-11 Suggested further reading: Hebrews 4:14-5:5 Here is a major crisis point in our Savior’s life. Immediately after receiving God’s praise, He is tempted by the devil. The praise of the Father draws a sneering “if” from the devil. It is the same with...
The Blessed Trinity
Matthew 3:13-17 Suggested further reading: Mt 28:18-20; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4-5 The presence of the three Persons of the Trinity is seen: God the Son who is baptized, God the Spirit who descends as a dove upon Him, and God the Father who speaks from heaven. Here we...
Our Lord Was Baptized!
Matthew 3:13-17 Suggested further reading: Acts 6:30-34 Our Lord highly esteemed water baptism! When a Jewish priest began his office at the age of thirty, he was washed with water. When our great High Priest began His greater work, He was publicly baptized. Jesus...
Judgment Day: Rewards and Retribution
Luke 3:15-20 Suggested further reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 There will be a solemn separation on Judgment Day. The unerring justice of the King of kings will divide the wheat from the chaff - an eternal separation. This is no trivial doctrine! It makes our...
A Faithful Minister but an Effective Savior
Luke 3:15-18 Suggested further reading: Acts 10:44-48; 15:7-11. One of many goals of a Biblical ministry is to cause people to think. A great step towards conversion is taken when people begin to think deeply and seriously. A casual thoughtlessness about God is one of...
Repents Means Change of Behavior
Luke 3:8-14 Suggested further reading: James 2:14-26 John uses some strong words to correct the common assumption that having a relationship with godly people can save us. This strongly held assumption grows easily in the fertile ground of the fallen and sinful nature...
A Honest Speaking Preacher
Luke 3:7-9 Suggested further reading: Luke 13:1-5 John made a great impact on his generation as even Jesus noted in Matthew 11:11. Let us note the character of John’s ministry. John spoke with a holy boldness. He spoke openly and forcefully of the hidden and highly...