Author: Alan Holden

Stephen: An Example of a Spirit-filled Christian Thesis: The Spirit-filled Christian is endowed with God’s power to endure the world’s opposition, so that the testimony of Jesus is made effective. Introduction The Scripture often exhorts us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean? Think for a moment about a water-saturated…

God’s Faithfulness in Troubles Introduction Billy and his teammates were disappointed and angry. They had lost the ball game to a team that had resorted to unnecessary roughness. Billy went home and told his mother, “Before the game we decided that we would try hard and not cheat or say any bad words. The fellows…

Genuine Healing Those Who Are Suffering or in Trouble, v. 13 A. Meaning of the Greek word, kakapatheia to suffer hardship, trouble, difficult times to be the brunt of mistreatment to be suffering from persecution the word does not refer to physical disease or illness B. “He should pray,” v. 13 No promise that the…

Genuine Wealth and Justice Genuine Wealth Is Not Found in Money, vv. 1-6 A. Idle Wealth, vv. 2-3 Rust is a symbol of disuse Rust is a symbol of destruction B. Tainted Wealth–Money withheld by fraud, v. 4, “taint mine” C. Self-indulgent Wealth, v. 5 D. Ruthless Wealth, v. 6 E. Perishable Wealth, vv. 1…

Genuine Humility Worldly Attitudes Condemned, vv. 1-12 A. About Wrangling, vv. 1-3 A Serious Condition–“wars and fightings” A Poisoned Spring–“your lusts, ye lust,” the eager desire for self-pleasing love of money love of display love of power love of preeminence, ex. Diotrephes in 3 John 9 A Better Way–pray–Wrestling with God is better than wrangling…

Introduction Godly decisions are not choices between a lesser of evils, nor between the best of good options. Trapped between two evils, the Red Sea and the pursuing Egyptian army, the Israelites panicked and preferred to choose the lesser of evils–slavery instead of slaughter. Moses told the people that their salvation and life’s direction was…

The Passover Was Israel’s Deliverance from God’s Wrath. A. A lamb without blemish had to be sacrificed. The blood of the lamb identified the Israelites, v. 13 The blood of the lamb was applied to the doorposts of the Israelites, v. 22. B. An angel of God executes God’s wrath on the Egyptians. C. The…

Judah Sin Infects Generations, vv. 1-2 A. The Lord inscribed Israel’s Covenant to last for generations. B. Judah institutionalized their idolatry to last for generations. Judah’s Sin Incurs the Lord’s Judgment, vv. 3-8 A. The Lord promises exile for their idolatry, vv.3-4. Judah’s sin causes their exile, v. 3. Judah’s sin causes God’s wrath, v….

Genuine Wisdom Genuine Wisdom Is Illustrated by Words, vv. 1-12 A. How the Tongue Guides Life B. How the Tongue Harms Life C. How the Tongue Blesses Life “The tongue of the wise brings healing,” Proverbs 12:18 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” Proverbs 18:21 “He who keepeth his tongue keepeth…

Genuine Faith Genuine Faith Is Demonstrated by Impartiality, vv. 1-13 A. The Command, v. 1 B. The Conduct, vv. 2-3 C. The Consequences, vv. 4-13 Genuine Faith Is Demonstrated by Good Works, vv. 14-26 A. The Inquiry, v. 14 B. The Illustration, vv. 15-17 C. The Indoctrination, vv. 18-26 Conclusion A. Genuine believers view others…