Jeff Shelnutt Sermons

When Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple, they encounter a man named Simeon. Knowing from the Holy Spirit that he will not die until he sees the Messiah, Simeon takes the child into his arms, blesses God, and blesses Joseph and Mary. We bless God when our active obedience matches our professed faith.

After receiving the news of her conception, Mary visited her relative Elizabeth. Upon arrival, Mary breaks into a song of praise. In this passage we discover why Mary went on this journey, what she knew, and how this knowledge humbled her. Mary was favored by God because of her faith.

Psalm 10 was written as a companion to Psalm 9. In Psalm 9 David is praising God, while in Psalm 10 he is asking God, "Why?" The light of Psalm 9 prepares us for the darkness of Psalm 10. But we don't have to stay in the dark. David concludes that in spite of the what things may seem, it is not really what they are when the power, faithfulness, and goodness of God are taken into account.

This psalm of David begins with a call to praise for what God has done, as well as for who He is. It then turns to the certainty of God's future judgment. Finally, there is a prayer of hope. It is expectation of God's promised future that keeps the Christian from despair when the darkest of circumstances befall him.

The first section of Genesis (chapters 1-11) wraps up with the genealogical line of Shem that leads to Abraham. As the chosen line moves toward the Chosen One, the life spans of mankind decrease. The promise of God is a promise of rest.

As the post-Flood population traveled east, they set about to build a city and a tower. The Lord was not pleased with the rebellious attitude behind the project. What God did in response is often viewed as an act of judgment. But in many ways, it was an act of grace.

The last half of the table of nations deals with the descendants of Canaan and the descendants of Shem, Noah's grandson and son, respectively. Even though there is great variation among people groups, we all come from a common source. Becoming a Christian does not change one's ethnic identity, but in Christ there is a spiritual oneness created by God Himself.

This genealogy shows us what became of the descendants of Noah's three sons as they multiplied and filled the earth. Beginning with Japheth and Ham, we start to get a glimpse of the relationship of the nations to Israel and to God's eternal plan. There is a reason for the location and the timing of each person's birth.

This passage about Noah and his son, Ham, is as sad as it is bizarre. Part of the difficulty in understanding what is going on is the vague and scant wording. Several interpretations have been offered over the centuries. The curse on Canaan and the blessings on Shem and Japheth have ramifications that are still playing out today.

The Lord establishes a covenant with Noah and his descendants, promising He will never again flood the entire earth. The sign God gives to accompany this promise continually points to His glory; specifically, the glory of God's perfect justice tempered by His lavish mercy.