Category Archives: Bible Study

Bible Study thoughts and tools.

Do Not Judge—A Sermon from Luke 6:35-42

I told somebody this past week that the sermon for today could really only last a few seconds. Don’t get your hopes up, it’s going to be longer than that, but it seems like I should be able to just … Continue reading

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Psalm 4

To the director, with strings. A David psalm. Answer me in my call, O God of my glory! When I’m in a tight spot, you make space for me. Show me grace, and hear my prayer. Sons of man, how … Continue reading

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The Other Beatitudes—A Sermon from Luke 6:20-26

Everybody knows the sermon on the mount.  Unfortunately, if I got up this morning and started reading, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who [yawn] mourn, for they will be…”, … Continue reading

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Sermon on the Plain—Cedar Lane Edition

This past Sunday’s sermon was our introductory foray into the sermon on the plain, an extremely distilled dose of Jesus’ vision of what his disciples are like. Part of the challenge of this past week’s sermon was to get in … Continue reading

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Psalm 3

Here’s my translation of Psalm 3. It’s a simple, beautiful psalm of rescue or salvation. I’m using rescue in my translation, partly because the word “salvation” has been dulled and avoids this connotation.  I think “rescue” feels more immediate as … Continue reading

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Psalm 2

Why are the nations stirred up, and why do the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers scheme together against the Lord and against his chosen one. Let us tear apart their … Continue reading

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The Shunammite Saga

I’ve really enjoyed reading and preaching through the Elisha stories over the past month, and there’s one saga that deserves more attention than the brief mention I gave it in yesterday’s sermon.  It begins in 2 Kings 4, and then … Continue reading

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Psalm 1

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the advice of the wicked, or stand in the road of sinners, or sit in the seat of cynics. Because, his joy is in the Torah of Yahweh, and he meditates … Continue reading

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Be Like Me

One of the gutsier things that pops up repeatedly in Paul’s letters is his unapologetic claim that the churches he ministers should imitate him. I think a case could be made that this element carried more importance in Paul’s understanding … Continue reading

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The Call – A Sermon from Exodus 3

(This is part two of the Exodus Sermon Series.  The Sermon audio for the series is here.) Today, we move in our series on Exodus to a well known section, the appearance of God to Moses in a burning bush. … Continue reading

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