Author: Alan Holden

Luke 1:26-38 and Matthew 1:18-25 Introduction Obedience is not a soft, syrupy word. It is a gritty, tenacious one. It challenges us to do what God commands, to go where He leads, and to speak what He inspires. Mary and Joseph help us frame a picture of obedience in its full context and reveal to…

Assurance of Forgiveness Introduction Some people hold grudges for years until an appropriate time to lash out in vengeance. When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers worried that Joseph would get his revenge for their sins against him. Thesis: When we doubt God’s forgiveness, God gives us assurance. Why do we doubt God’s forgiveness? The Memory of…

Restoring Broken Relationships Introduction Forgiveness is man’s deepest need and God’s highest achievement. –Horace Bushnell. Joseph, like Jesus, was sent ahead of his brothers to provide a way for their preservation. Thesis: Jesus prepares the way for our salvation. Joseph’s life, as a type of Christ, demonstrates the preparations for our salvation. Christ Prays that…

Regenerative Power of Confession Introduction We often try to change our ways/habits through turning over new leaves, only to realize failure. We go to positive actualization seminars, and we find some measure of success. However, the Bible teaches that true conversion, a changing of one’s life from dishonor to honoring God, only occurs through confession…

From Slave to Prime Minister Introduction Christians do not always understand why they face adversity. Some resent being overlooked for promotions; yet they feel inadequate when put to the challenge of the promotion. Just as a sculptor chisels off the rough edges of a masterpiece sculpture, so God allows adversity to chisel off our rough…

Taming Temptation Introduction Every person is tempted. Everyone who has a body to live in will be tempted through that body. Everyone who has a mind will be tempted through thoughts. Thesis: Temptations have no power over us, unless we allow temptation to control us. I want to ask some questions about temptation and look…

Facing Forgiveness Introduction We need to learn how to forgive and reconcile broken relationships. We need to know that it is possible, if we swallow pride. We also need to put faces on forgiveness. In Chapter 31, God commanded Jacob to return home. It seemed to be a good idea to Jacob, since his relations…

A Forgotten Promise Introduction Novelist Ayn Rand has mesmerized a student audience at Yale University with her prickly ideas. Afterward, a reporter from Time magazine asked, “Miss Rand, what’s wrong with the modern world?” Without hesitation, she replied, “Never before has the world been so desperately asking for answers to crucial questions, and never before…

The Sign of God’s Promise Introduction More and more people see the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. What Alzheimer’s does is to change a person into the basest human being. Often the person suffering from Alzheimer’s is mean and vile, and cannot control their actions and functions. When a Christian gets Alzheimer’s disease and that person’s…

The Infection of Sin Introduction Two high school girls in California, both well liked, both talented and ambitious, both usually at the center stage of the school’s social activities, came to the cheerleading tryouts together. It was a friendly rivalry. One was selected, but the other didn’t make it. That night a beast came out…