Archive for July 2025

2 Chronicles 22-24, Psalm 146, Luke 12:1-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-12   Luke 12:1-12: Having so strongly critiqued the Pharisee, Jesus now exposes the heart of the matter. The real center of the problem for the Pharisee is “hypocrisy” (12:1). This is the “leaven,” the part that seeps through everything else and gives power to everything else. Hypocrisy is…

2 Chronicles 20-21, Psalm 145, Luke 11:37-54, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5  Luke 11:37-54: In this section, Jesus pulls no punches in his denouncement of false religion. Characteristically, Jesus reserves his most stringent judgment for those who are fake religious leaders. The “Pharisees” and the “scribes” fell into traps that it is worth all those who are “religious” taking note…

2 Chronicles 17-19, Psalm 144, Luke 11:29-36, 2 Thessalonians 1 Luke 11:29-36: People are crowding to hear Jesus speak, and as they do so, Jesus realizes that some of them are asking for a “sign.” Jesus has certainly done many miracles and taught in many miraculous ways that point to his identity—so to ask for a “sign” now…

2 Chronicles 13-16, Psalm 143, Luke 11:14-28, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28  Luke 11:14-28: Jesus does an extraordinary miracle and the people marvel. But some come back to this miracle questioning how it is that Jesus accomplished it. “By the prince of demons he cast out demons.” This line of logic has often been used to dismiss the work of…

2 Chronicles 10-12, Psalm 142, Luke 11:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Luke 11:1-13: We come now to the famous “Lord’s Prayer” that Jesus taught his disciples. Note that Jesus was himself praying. It is well to record the number of times that Jesus is mentioned as praying. If he must pray, how much more must we! Note, also, that…

2 Chronicles 8-9, Psalm 141, Luke 10:38-42, 1 Thessalonians 4:11-18 Luke 10:38-42: We come to the famous story of “Martha and Mary.” It is a story that has been interpreted on many different levels, but, in the words of Jesus, “one thing is necessary,” and there is one controlling aspect of the message which we are to take…

2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 140, Luke 10:25-37, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10 Luke 10:25-37: A religious lawyer comes up to Jesus and asks him a question to test him. These experts in the Mosaic law had by and large not bought into the message of Jesus, nor the preparatory message of John the Baptist (Luke 7:30). Evidently, this lawyer is…

2 Chronicles 3-5, Psalm 139, Luke 10:17-24, 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Luke 10:17-24: They come back rejoicing (Luke 10:17)! It has been an amazing season of ministry. They are in particular rejoicing at the spiritual victories they have seen: even the demons submit to them in Jesus’ name. This is no small thing. Note the power of the name…

2 Chronicles 1-2, Psalm 138, Luke 10:1-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:1-6  Luke 10:1-16: This passage is worth studying closely for important and relevant principles related to Christian ministry. 1.  The importance of teamwork. Jesus did not send them out alone, but in pairs: “two by two” (Luke 10:1). Rarely we will be called to some work without God also…

1 Chronicles 29, Psalm 137, Luke 9:51-62, 1 Thessalonians 2:10-21 Luke 9:51-62: Jesus “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51, 53). This is his purpose and goal, and the time has come for him to go in that direction. It is good to have a goal, for without a goal you cannot accomplish much. But while…