Three of the bleakest chapters in the Bible are found in Judges 19-21. Why is this dark story in God’s word. This weekend’s “Stranger Things” sermon.

One of the strangest stories in the Bible is found in Mark 11. It’s main point is about the dangers of being all eaves and no fruit, but we might miss it, because of the weirdness of the story. It requires some background we might not have.

In 1 Samuel 28, we get an eerie ghost story filled with stranger things, including a creepy medium and a weird sort séance that brings back the spirit of the prophet Samuel of all people. What’s really going on in the passage and what is the significance of it all?

The Bible records around 20 miracles performed by the prophet Elisha. Most of them are acts of compassion and mercy. He helps people. He blessed people. However, one stands out as a stark exception. At first glance, it appears that Elisha curses a group of kids for doing nothing more than teasing him for being bald. Two mama bears then come out and maul 42 of the kids. Harsh! Let’s take a second look and see what’s really going on here.

The truth is we lie… a lot. Truth today is made out of Play-Doh. It depends on your feelings, your goals, and who you’re talking to. When your view of truth is so fuzzy, it becomes real easy to lie. God calls us, however, to be people of truth. This is one of the great truths that rang out from the slopes of Sinai.

It’s an absolute truth God has spoken. “You shall not steal.” No footnotes. No asterisks. No exceptions. No loopholes. No stealing. Period. It’s too short and simple for us who like things a little more shady. We don’t like things so black and white. We are comfortable in the greys.

There is more to the 6th Commandment than not murdering someone. We need honor and value life.

Before cities, before nations, before a chosen people, and before the church, God created the family. Even as society tries to pull the family apart, God calls us to honor our father and our mother.

The 4th commandment is often the most ignored commandment, but it is also the longest. What is it’s relevance to followers of Jesus who live under the new covenant?

The 10 Commandments begin with putting God first. God says we shall have no other gods before Him. Why? Is He insecure? Does He feel threatened by the competition? It’s not like that at all. In prohibiting all other gods, our Heavenly Father is offering us the greatest gift of all.