Bible study outlines, illustrations, et al
John 1:1-14 Introduction: Christmas Eve commemorates the birth of Christ. The Catholic Church commemorates the birth of Christ in the Christ Mass. The World commemorates the birth of Christ through crass commercialism. Christmas Eve Brought Eternal Life in Christ Produced Spiritual Life, vv. 1-3. A. Creation was God’s first word, but man’s sin condemned man…
What is you most precious possession? Pastor Rittenhouse and his family were on vacation when they saw a suitcase fly off the top of a car going in the opposite direction. They stopped to pick it up, but the driver of the other car never stopped. The only clue to the driver’s identity was a…
In some parts of Mexico, hot springs and cold springs are found side by side–and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon, the women often brings their laundry and boil their clothes in the hot springs and then rinse them in the cold ones. A tourist, watching this procedure, commented to his Mexican friend:…
Psalm 92 teaches us that thanksgiving should be a part of our daily life, not just something we do on Thanksgiving Day. The first verse teaches three lessons about thanksgiving. The Perspective of Thanksgiving Psalm 92 teaches us that giving thanks puts us in a better perspective on our life and helps to stop some…
The squeaking wheel doesn’t always get the grease. Sometimes it gets replaced. Watch your attitude toward the thing that troubles you. Your attitude may hurt more than the thing. Please don’t pray for rain if you are going to complain about the mud. Those who beef too much often land in the stew. As a…
What Child Is This? Introduction Isaiah 11 tells us why is the birth of Jesus more important than the birth of any other religious leader. Thesis: Jesus is God in the Flesh. The Messiah Will Be the Child of David. A. Jesus was a descendant of David through Mary. B. Jesus was a rod from…
Isaiah 9 was spoken in a time of darkness, fear, and failed leadership. King Ahaz refused to trust God’s promise, choosing human alliances over faith—yet God responded with Good News.
In this sermon, we explore the joy of Christ’s Kingdom as revealed in Isaiah 9:
• The joy of the Lord’s Light, which replaces death with life and reveals the glory of God in Jesus Christ
• The joy of the Lord’s Liberty, as Christ frees us from sin, death, and legalism
• The joy of the Lord’s Government, where Christ reigns as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace
Isaiah’s prophecy does not merely describe a future kingdom—it reveals how Christ rules now in the hearts of those who trust Him. While the world still waits for His visible reign, believers today experience the joy of His light, freedom, and righteous rule.
The Gospel is this: Jesus will rule the world one day—but today, He rules the lives surrendered to Him by faith.
1 Chronicles 16:8-36 Introduction to Thanksgiving Thanksgiving was being celebrated at the church on Monday evening before the holiday. Little Tommy was annoyed at having to attend church two days in a row. To help him understand how important this was, his mother showed him a card from his grandmother, with a Pilgrim family on…
Obedience is not a soft, syrupy word. It’s a gritty, stubborn word. Obedience challenges us to do what God commands, to go where God leads, and to speak what God inspires. The story of Mary and Joseph gives us a picture of obedience in its fullness and reveals to us the difficulty and delight of…
Isaiah 7 reveals how moments of crisis test our faith and tempt us to sacrifice the peace and presence of “God with us.” When King Ahaz faced political pressure, military threats, and fear of the unknown, he chose human alliances over trusting the Lord—rejecting the promise of Immanuel.
In this exposition of Isaiah 7, we explore:
Why fear causes us to trust human solutions instead of God
The messages of Isaiah, Shear-jashub, and Immanuel
The conditional promise of God’s presence through faith
The double meaning of the virgin sign—to Ahaz and to the house of David
How sacrificing faith leads to forfeiting peace, assurance, and God’s presence
Isaiah’s warning still speaks today. The world urges us to trust its wisdom, power, and alliances, but the Lord calls us to stand firm in faith and find salvation in Christ.
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.
Don’t sacrifice Immanuel. Trust the Lord and be saved.