I. 1. The Cry That Assumes Innocence When a people cry out in distress and conclude, “There must be no God, because He does not answer,” they are making a theological assumption: that unanswered prayer equals divine nonexistence or indifference. Scripture repeatedly challenges that assumption. Biblically, crying out is not,
I. 1. Grace Is Given Freely, but It Is Not Mechanically Applied In the New Testament, χάρις (charis) is always initiated by God, but it is not portrayed as an irresistible substance that operates independently of relationship. Paul can say both: * “By grace you have been saved” (Eph 2:8)
I. Rejoice+Grace: A Quiet Connection 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthans 12:9 - My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. The
I. 1. Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him:Haughty eyesA lying tongueHands that shed innocent bloodA heart that devises wicked plansFeet that hurry to run to evilA false witness who breathes out liesOne who sows discord among brothers
I. 1. The Price for What We Want Is Often What God Wants And It’s Never Worth It This is one of Scripture’s most persistent warnings: the human heart, left to itself, bargains foolishly. We want autonomy; the price is intimacy with God. Adam and Eve wanted to
I. The Kidneys as a Reflection of God A biblical-theological and symbolic exploration In Scripture, the kidneys (Hebrew kelayot) are not simply organs. They symbolize the deepest interior of a person—their motives, moral center, secret desires, hidden fears, and the places only God sees. So when we consider
I. 1. What Scripture Condemns Regarding Chemosh and Baal Chemosh (like Molech) is condemned for: * Requiring child sacrifice by fire (2 Kgs. 3:27; cf. Lev. 18:21; 2 Kgs. 23:10) * Representing a worldview in which the strongest gains power through destruction of the weakest * Promoting fear-based manipulation
I. 1. God’s Discipline, Presence, and Protection Psalm 94:12–14 Blessed is the one whom the LORD disciplines… For the LORD will not forsake His people… He will not abandon His heritage. Hebrews 13:5–6 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “So we can confidently
Isaiah 35:4; 41:10, 13; and 43:1, 10–12 form a theological backbone for the ministry of Jesus. These passages were already seeds of expectation, comfort, and identity—and Jesus steps into history as their embodied fulfillment. Think of Isaiah as the blueprint and Jesus as the building
I. 1. The Theological Thread The central theme: God offers covering; people must choose to come under it. Three dynamics emerge: 1. God as Protector – The One who shelters, covers, spreads wings. 2. Humans as Seekers – Those who run under His wings, cling to His garment, or draw near to
1. Many who were forgiven did not come asking for forgiveness When you scan the Gospels, this surprising pattern emerges. * Paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2): They came for physical healing. Jesus’ first words? “Son, your sins are forgiven.” * Woman caught in adultery (John 8): She didn’t confess,
I. When Scripture speaks of riches The Bible does not borrow the language of wealth merely as metaphor. Instead, it deliberately reaches into the world’s most concrete images of abundance—overflowing storehouses, multiplied harvests, unfailing provision—and then amplifies them to a scale the human imagination struggles to fathom.