Israel was being judged by God for their unfaithfulness. Jehovah called them to repentance through the prophet Joel, saying, “So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God” (Joel 2:13). Repentance is not merely an outward show (rending the garments), but a radical change of the inner man (rending the heart).

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Paul places the responsibility on Timothy. The youth are to live in such a way that provides no occasion for their youthfulness to be despised. 

John recorded Jesus speaking about the necessity of walking in the light lest one stumble (cf. John 11:9-10), and then wrote something similar in his epistle, connecting it with love (cf. 1 John 2:7-11). The light of truth and the light of love converge in John 11 as Jesus walks in the light of His Father’s will which includes lovingly providing for others spiritually.

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth" (John 4:23). Who are the true worshipers and what is the true worship?

This sermon reflects on the inspired call to modest attire by Christ through Paul's pen in 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Special attention is given to some Hebrew terminology in Exodus 28:42 and Isaiah 47:2.

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation." (Galatians 6:14-15) Paul refused to boast like the Judaizers. His boasting was better, because it placed all the focus on Christ.

Peter described the false teachers - "These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." (2 Peter 2:17) False teaching may appear attractive, and seem to promise spiritual substance, but it is void and destructive. A few errors are addressed using the text of 2 Peter.

The apostle Paul's letter to the church at Corinth contains a portrait of spiritual leadership. Paul's approach to the problems faced by the Corinthian church serves as an example of how each of us should lead spiritually within the roles and capacity with which God has entrusted us.

Peter enouraged his readers to conduct themleves in fear of God knowing the precious blood of Jesus was their redemption price (1 Peter 1:17-19). In the text, Peter describes from what they were redeemed - "from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers" (v. 18). Before their faith in Christ they were living aimless lives. Their lives lacked purpose and substance. But through Christ they came to have hope and purpose.

Peter enouraged his readers to conduct themleves in fear of God knowing the precious blood of Jesus was their redemption price (1 Peter 1:17-19). In the text, Peter describes from what they were redeemed - "from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers" (v. 18). Before their faith in Christ they were living aimless lives. Their lives lacked purpose and substance. But through Christ they came to have hope and purpose.