Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) From my sermon preached at Iglesia Presbiteriana Oaklawn and other places. This Sermon Outline (handed out in English and Spanish): Christ Delights to Show Mercy Jesus Attaches Conditions to His Mercy We Must Not Conceal Our Sins We Must Confess Our …
Jesus’ Blessing (Part 3)
In Numbers 6:24-26, Jesus commands the priest to pronounce these benefits on His people: Verse 24 The LORD bless you and keep you. Verse 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Verse 26 The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. When I was younger, I would get homesick for …
Jesus’ Blessing (Part 2)
In Numbers 6:24-26, Jesus commands the priest to pronounce these benefits on His people: Verse 24 The LORD bless you and keep you. Verse 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. Verse 26 The LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace. I am interpreting these Scriptures in a Christ-centered way, …
Jesus’ Blessing (Part 1)
The Old Testament (”OT”) Book of Numbers is about God (Father, Son, and Spirit) showing His faithfulness to faithless Israel during forty years in the wilderness. Numbers was breathed out by the Spirit through Moses about 1400 BC, but Moses was really writing about Christ in advance of Jesus’ incarnation.1 The New Testament Book of Hebrews describes how Jesus’ high …
I Love to Tell The Story (Part 2)
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel …
I Love to Tell The Story (Part 1)
Here is Jesus’ Great Commission to His followers after His sinless life, atoning death, and bodily resurrection from the grave for us: All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and …
Whiter Than Snow
Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18) Winter snow reminds me of Jesus’ precious gospel, announced 700 years ahead of His first coming by Isaiah, Christ’s prophet, in the Scripture above. Isaiah …
Looking Back, Up, and Forward to Christ
Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: God’s Son appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16) Many people feel lonelier at Christmas time and most counselors’ caseloads get heavier. No …
Hanukkah Points to Christ
In God’s Son was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it….This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all….I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will …
Take the Son: A Parable
In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge….Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy. (Colossians 2:2-3; 1 Peter 1:8) The Precious Son Dies. Imagine a wealthy man who collected rare works of art, everything …