Back in Chapter 7, God instructed Jeremiah to stand in the gate of the Lord's house and proclaim God's message to the people.  Here, in Chapter 26, Jeremiah is told to stand in the court of the Lord's house and again proclaim a message from God.  This probably would have taken place during one of the major feasts, when a lot of people would have been there.

Download | Duration: 00:44:21

The Bible is full of references to sports.  Paul often talks about running a race, the victor's crown, even about boxing.  The challenge of Chapter 12 of Hebrews is that life is seen as a great life-long marathon race.  In a marathon, everyone who finishes is a winner.

Download | Duration: 00:49:20

The 11th Chapter of Hebrews is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible.  It is called "the faith chapter"; the "roll call of faith"; and "God's great hall of faith".  Faith is absolutely essential to the Christian life.  If faith is so vital, then we need to understand the meaning of faith.

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Chapter 24 of The Book of Jeremiah is a sort of appendix to the book.  It relates to a vision given after Jeconiah had been carried away captive to Babylon.  Second Kings Chapter 24, verses 8-16, give the background for this.  After Jeconiah was taken captive, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, installed Zedekiah as king of Judah (2nd Kings 24:17)

Download | Duration: 00:40:08

The tone of The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of persuasion and admonition; and the theme of Hebrews is the superiority of the Person, office and work of Jesus Christ - His superiority over the Mosaic Law, the Levitical priesthood, angels, temples, the Old Covenant sacrifices, and sin.

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We need to understand a few things:  1) Our time on this earth is limited; 2) We must make the most of every opportunity, and ; 3) We should understand what the will of the Lord is.

Download | Duration: 00:28:09

The celebration of Christmas has caused some controversy in recent years for a variety of reasons.  Many have been concerned that Christ is too often left out of Christmas, and replaced by decorations, presents and fudge.  A growing number of Christians have been arguing that we should not celebrate Christmas at all, because there is no command to do so in the Bible, and because the celebration has pagan roots.

Download | Duration: 00:35:42

A great many people consider the Law from the standpoint of the Ten Commandments, but The Epistle to the Hebrews approaches the Law from the viewpoint of its place of worship and its priesthood.  That approach puts the emphasis on the settling of the sin issue, and, as Paul will point out, the Law never really settled the sin question.

Download | Duration: 00:41:49

As we continue through The Book of Jeremiah, we need to keep in mind that the chapters are not in chronological order.  As far as the order of time goes, we jump around quite a bit in our study in this Book.  The section we are in, last week and this, covers the period of a few kings of Judah.  Chapters 22 & 23 are related by theme, not necessarily by chronology.

Download | Duration: 00:41:43

Spiritual vegetarians be warned!  We are entering the "meat department" of God's Word.  After introducing how Jesus is High Priest after the order of Melchizidek, we continue unpacking the glory of Christ as seen in the shadow of the Old Testament, which is fading away.

Download | Duration: 00:39:50

Jeremiah, at this point, has been prophesying the judgment of God for some 20 years.  No one is listening - no one is repenting - no one is following God.  Judgment is sure, and God will not be mocked. 

Download | Duration: 00:36:22

What is the greatest problem facing humanity today?  It's not war with Iraq, or war in Afghanistan, terrorism, or violence.  It's not troubled marriages, immoral lifestyles, or abortion.  It's not even financial trouble, health issues or world hunger.  What is it?

Download | Duration: 00:49:02

As Christians, we can experience disappointment, or have set-backs in our lives, that make us just want to quit.  We begin our walk with Christ full of excitement, fully intending to do whatever it takes to make it all the way.  But, after a while, Christianity becomes too boring.

Download | Duration: 00:50:26

Giving thanks to God the Father, or having a life characterized by a thankful heart, is the crowning virtue of our worship of God.  But, giving thanks is also the product of a life that is growing in the knoweldge of God in spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Download | Duration: 00:34:39

In the first two Chapters of The Epistle to the Hebrews, Paul has shown that Christ is superior to the prophets and the angels.  In Chapters 3 & 4, he has shown that Jesus is even greater than Moses.  Now he points to Aaron, Israel's first high priest, and proves that Christ is a greater Priest than Aaron. 

Download | Duration: 00:52:09

Chapters 14 & 15 comprise one unit, one sermon, that Jeremiah gave ot the people.  We saw Chapter 14 last week, but we didn't have time to get to Chapter 15, so we'll begin this evening with the second-half of that sermon.  In this chapter, we see Jeremiah, a brokenhearted man, who goes to God to pray for his people.  That was a good thing, but we'll see that God has something quite interesting to say to Jeremiah.

Download | Duration: 00:46:35

It is a fact that we live in a warring, restless and troubled world.  The peace and rest offered by the world is a far cry from that which is offered to us in Jesus Christ.  He provides for us a peace and a rest that the world can never give.  As we think of God's peace and rest, we must remember the warning contained in Hebrews Chapter 3, and repeated today in Chapter 4. 

Download | Duration: 00:44:48

In Chapters 11 and 12, Jeremiah will deliver a message to the people of Judah after the Law had been read to the people.  Remember, the Book of the Law had been found in the Temple after they were cleaning and repairing it.  The Book was found by Hilkiah, the High Priest, Jeremiah's father.  After God gave the Jews the Ten Commandments, He went on to prounounce that there would be judgments upon the people if the Law was not obeyed.  This is what Jeremiah will emphasize here.

Download | Duration: 00:42:32

Last week, in Chapter 1 of The Epistle to the Hebrews, we say Jesus Christ exalted.  We saw Jesus higher than the angels, because He is God.  Now we will see Him become lower than the angels, becasue He was made in the likeness of mna.  We will see Him in His humanity.

Download | Duration: 00:47:42

Many Jewish believers, having stepped out of Judaism and into Christianity, wanted to reverse their course in order to escape persecution by the "Judaizers".  The Epistle to the Hebrews exhots them to "go on to perfection", is it says in Hebrews 6:1.

Download | Duration: 00:40:12

We are continuing through the section in The Book of Jeremiah that is sometimes referred to as the "Temple Sermon".  There is no real consensus among Bible scholars as to the organization of the book, because it is not chronological, and it's hard to tell for sure which pieces fit where.  But, our concern is primarily with God's message as He delivers it through Jeremiah.

Download | Duration: 00:38:05

There are many people who don't want to hear the truth, becasue it will shake up the false hope they have that they're going to heaven when, indeed, they are not.  There are so many professing Christians today that believe themselves right with God, but they don't know how they were saved, and they don't have assurance that they're saved.

Download | Duration: 00:41:02

Jeremiah continues to proclaim the judgment of God upon the nation of Judah.  Chapter 6 concludes his first two sermons, which Jeremiah had given in the first five years of his ministry.  Jeremiah gave the message, but, unfortunately, most will atttempt to kill the messenger if they don't like the message.

Download | Duration: 00:48:38

 The Gospel rests on two great pillars, two sturdy pillars, that hold up the entire Gospel and the Christian faith:

            1)  The death of Jesus Christ, and;
            2)  The resurrection of Jesus Christ

Paul gives us the sure Gospel message in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.  Last week we looked at the death and burial of Jesus....this week we'll look at His resurrection.

Download | Duration: 00:40:04

This morning, we'll see two people, and two contrasting attitudes when it comes to being accountable for their actions. We have come to the central fact of the Gospel message - the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Paul defined the Gospel, in part, in 1 Corinthians 15:3 - "that Christ died for our sins..." The suffering, as we would consider it, the pain, as we know it, is not the issue. What is the main issue surrounding the crucifixion and death of Christ?

Download | Duration: 00:40:05

Chapters 2 through 6 comprise the first and second sermons of Jeremiah, and were given during the first five yeras of his ministry as a prophet.  We will see the mournful pleas of an insulted God.  We'll experience the Lord's indignation, but through it all, we'll see the love of God for His people, and for the land.  Through all of this, God will pronounce the certainty of doom upon those who remain unrepentant.

Download | Duration: 00:51:01

It was politics at its worst that was operating in Israel around 33 AD when the ruling religious/political group conspired to arrest, try and murder Jesus Christ.  Praise God that despite the worst intentions of the Jewish religious leaders, and the Roman rulers, God's plan won out. 

Download | Duration: 00:50:03

The Book of Jeremiah is the prophecy of a man called by God in his youth from the priest-city of Anathoth, about 3 miles Northeast of Jerusalem.  Jeremiah is a heartbroken prophet delivering a heartbreaking message.  Jeremiah is truly the "weeping prophet".  Jeremiah labors for more than 40 years proclaiming a message from God of doom to the stiff-necked and rebellious people of Judah.

Download | Duration: 00:42:31

Jesus, in Chapter 25, continues with some parables about being prepared, and staying occupied, while we are waiting for His return.  This chapter expands on the answer of Jesus to the question in Vs. 3 of Chapter 24 "What will be the sign of Your Coming?"

Download | Duration: 00:50:41

There have been earthquakes and storms and floods and fires since the beginning of mankind.  But, recently we have seen an increase in these "natural disasters", along with an array of "man-made" disasters, which should be labelled as "terrorism".  Whenever we have any of these things going on, people will always ask "Where was God when.......(fill in the blank) happened?"  Let's see what the Scriptures have to say as to how we should answer that question.

Download | Duration: 00:30:13

There's an attitude that exists, certainly among scientists, the educational elite, and surprisingly, even among some Christian college professors, that the Bible is not historically accurate.

Download | Duration: 00:56:35

We are at the end of our study in The Song of Solomon.  In Chapter 7, the bridegroom tells of his delight in his bride.  He describes her using one beautiful figure of speech after another.

Download | Duration: 00:38:03

There's a lot going around these days about abuse in the church. Predominately, it's physical and/or sexual abuse...but, this morning, Jesus speaks to another kind, a specific kind of abuse in the church - "spiritual abuse". 

Download | Duration: 00:45:57

In Chapter 5, we're going to see conflict in the mind of the bride about spending time with her bridegroom.  The conflict centers around whether to stay and enjoy each other's company, or to go out and accomplish things they are responsible for.  The church, the bride of Christ, should be doing both.  We need to spend time at the feet of Jesus, but we also need to be about the business of the Lord-seeking those which are lost.

Download | Duration: 00:42:53

As we begin where we left off last week, at verse 23, we are in a section of The Gospel of Matthew where Jesus is constantly being challenged by the religious authorities of the day.  These religious rulers are becoming more ugly and more hateful in thier manner of going things.

Download | Duration: 00:58:01

How do you measure your worth?  If the guy just a little better than you gets this much, and the guy just a little worse than you gets this much, do you think you must be worth something in-between?

Download | Duration: 00:46:02

As we go through The Song of Solomon, or The Song of Songs, we will continue to see a picture of Jesus Christ and His relationship to His bride, the church.

Download | Duration: 00:45:27

Who is our final authority?  What do we do with conflict within the body of Christ?  Why were we created?  How do we get to heaven?  Jesus deals with these questions and more as we finish Chapter 18 and go through Chapter 19 of the Gospel of Matthew.

Download | Duration: 00:56:53

We find the disciples again misunderstanding Jesus.  They see a revelation of Jesus in a way that they have never seen before, and it blows them away.  As we get into Chapter 17, keep in mind that chapter breaks are man's idea, and not inspired.  We have such a case here...verse 28 of Chapter 16 actually belongs as verse 1 of Chapter 17. 

Download | Duration: 00:47:04

Just as a recap, there have been four major different ways to interpret The Song of Solomon. 

1. As the glory of wedded love;
2. As the love of Jehovah God for the nation of Israel;
3. As a picture of Jesus Christ and the church; and
4. As the communion between Jesus Christ and the individual believer.

We have been, and will be, looking at The Song of Solomon using the 3rd of these, as a picture of Jesus Christ and the church....the bride of Christ.

Download | Duration: 00:45:53

Without a show of hands, have you ever done something really embarrassing in front of a very famous or powerful person?  In this next section of The Gospel of Matthew, we're going to see a woman who does the outrageous, risking total embarrassment. As a Gentile, she approaches Jesus and asks for a healing for her daughter.  But, Jesus doesn't just immediately do it - at first He refuses.

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The text of the Song of Solomon doesn't identify who the Shulamite woman is, other than being a Shulamite.  There are those who feel that the woman is Abishag, the one who comforted king David in his last days.  See 1 Kings 1:1-4; 15.  Solomon was the heir aparent to assume the throne of the king of Israel upon the death of David.

Download | Duration: 00:43:30

In ministry, when the Lord is really working through you, it's easy for it to go to your head.  Your self-image can swell to several times bigger than your hat size.  That's the problem Jesus faces with His disicples in the last half of Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Matthew.  They have just been a part of an incredible miracle.  Through their hands, thousands of people were fed from just a couple loaves of bread and some fish.  That's pretty amazing stuff.

Download | Duration: 00:45:28

The first verse of this Book identifies the author - Solomon.  It also tells us that this is not a story, it is a song.  Solomon also wrote The Book of Proverbs and The Book of Ecclesiastes, but we learn in 1 Kings 4:32 that Solomon wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs.  We can be sure of a couple of things:

• We have the best that Solomon wrote; and
• We have just exactly what the Holy Spirit wants us to have

Download | Duration: 00:39:03

As we continue in our study of The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, we will begin with verse 44.  Jesus is going to, first of all, speak about treasure.  Each and every day of our walk with the Lord should be a treasure hunt.  Whenever we open God's Word, we should be searching for nuggets.  When we pray, we should expect treasures of comfort and power and revelation.  When we worship, we can seek the treasures of His presence. 

Download | Duration: 00:50:11

We're not used to earthquakes in this area, in the upper midwest, even though they are prophesied in Matthew 24:7 as one of the signs of Jesus' coming at the end of the age.  Jesus said that there would be earthquakes in "various" or "diverse" places.

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In Chapter 13, Jesus puts on His gardening gloves, picks up a packet of Burpee Seeds, and heads into the garden of life to teach us lessons about how to make the soil of our lives good for growth.

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Tonight, we wrap up our study in The Book of Lamentations.  Over the previous four Chapters, we've seen the very heart of Jeremiah the prophet.  He faithfully proclaimed a message to his people from God that actually broke his heart.  Jeremiah was sensitive.  Jeremiah was sincere.  Jeremiah was sympathetic.  And Jeremiah was tender.

Download | Duration: 00:33:10

Have you ever had a feeling or sense of panic, a feeling of a lack of control?  You realize you've done something you shouldn't, or you haven't done something you should, and it's too late?  That feeling is the source of more Christian nightmares than any other.

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Again, we see Jeremiah sitting in the midst of the destruction of Jerusalem, amid the debris and ashes.  The city has been taken in the siege, the Temple has been burned down, the city walls are all rubble, and most of the population has been taken into captivity in Babylon.  We must all face the fact that God is a righteous God, as well as a God of love.  Because God is righteous, He must judge sin, and He is righteous and just in doing so.  But, Judah didn't receive the full judgment and wrath of God, because God is also merciful.

Download | Duration: 00:43:26