Archive for February 2023

Exodus 13-15, Psalm 28, Matthew 12:22-37, Acts 17:16-34 Acts 17:16-34: We come now to Paul’s famous sermon on Mars Hill. What can we learn from it? First, that Paul was observant. He noticed the idols. If we want to understand the culture around us, it is important that we observe what are the idols which dominate our particular…

Exodus 10-12, Psalm 27, Matthew 12:1-21, Acts 17:1-15 Acts 17:1-15: Two cities with different responses to the gospel, and lessons for us to learn from both. In Thessalonica we learn: Paul’s ongoing custom of going first to the synagogue. Paul began with God’s people and moved on only once the message was rejected. There is a great need…

Exodus 7-9, Psalm 26, Matthew 11:20-30, Acts 16:16-40 Acts 16:16-40: Paul and Silas in prison—a remarkable story with much to teach us. First, the power of Jesus over evil spirits. This woman was possessed, and through that possession claimed to predict the future. What the evil spirit was saying about Paul and Silas was true—they were telling people…

Exodus 4-6, Psalm 25, Matthew 11:1-19, Acts 16:1-15 Acts 16:1-15: Three wonderful stories with three sets of important lessons. First, we have the decision to circumcise Timothy. Here seems a strange thing. Why would Paul do this? He’s just delivered a letter from the Jerusalem Council saying it wasn’t necessary for Gentiles to be circumcised. Now he goes…

Exodus 1-3, Psalm 24, Matthew 10:21-42, Acts 15:22-41 Acts 15:22-41:   “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” One of the most famous beginnings to a novel ever written—and in some ways appropriate to this passage in front of us today.   On the one hand, we have the wonderful fruit of wise governance and…