Category Archives: Expository Teaching

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25 The Child’s Name and Mission – Continued Three times in the gospel of Matthew we hear that Jesus is God with us: in the beginning, at its midpoint, and at the end. It is a crucial … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25 Conceived by the Holy Spirit – Continued From last lesson: “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25 Conceived by the Holy Spirit Mary and Joseph are betrothed (legally pledged to be married), however, not yet married, when the account of Jesus’ birth begins. “Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit” (Matthew … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 The Incarnation’s Purpose (John 3:16-18) – Continued From last lesson: The fact that Jesus provided this life does not mean that everyone automatically has it. It is available, but as stated earlier, only to the ones … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 The Incarnation’s Purpose (John 3:16-18) Some interpreters feel that Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus actually ended with John 3:15. They hold that John 3:16-21 is solely the apostle’s commentary. However, in light of all other Scripture, I … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 The Conversation With Jesus (John 3:2-15) – Continued From last lesson: Nicodemus was so ingrained to the natural that he still didn’t comprehend the spiritual. So he asked, “How can these things be?” If he, a … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 The Conversation With Jesus (John 3:2-15) – Continued Jesus introduced His answer to Nicodemus with the words “Most assuredly” (verses 3, 5, 11). “I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 The Conversation With Jesus (John 3:2-15) Note that Nicodemus opened the dialogue with a compliment for Jesus. “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God.” In Nicodemus’ mind he knew that no man … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: John 3:1-18 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ “ A man living in a luxurious penthouse in some major city can be as lost from God as much as any man … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 Sharing Blessings – Continued From last lesson: If we try to keep going without proper food and rest, we will faint. How important it is to “wait on the Lord” to get the strength we need … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 Sharing Blessings – Continued From last lesson: God has also told us to be careful where we sow, and it is this principle that Paul deals with here. He looks on our material possessions as seed, … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 Sharing Blessings Just as “one another” is a key phrase in the Christian vocabulary, so is the word fellowship (translated “share” in verse 6). From the very beginning of the church, sharing was one of the … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 Bearing Burdens – Continued A contrast in attitude – continued. From last lesson: The word “gained” used in Matthew 18:15-35 is the same word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 to refer to winning the lost … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 Bearing Burdens – Continued A contrast in aim – continued. From last lesson: The spiritual man would seek to restore the brother in love, while the legalist would exploit the brother. Instead of trying to restore … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:1-10 The story has often been told about the message the founder of the Salvation Army sent to their international convention. General William Booth was unable to attend personally because of ill health, so he cabled the … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:1-13 God’s Word Will Reveal the Problem (verses 12–13).  The subtlety of the temptation in self-dependence is highlighted by these next verses. The opening word, “For,” strongly ties them to the previous verse since they explain what … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:1-13 The Rest Obtained Is New-Creation Rest (verses 8–11) – Continued. In the light of the last lesson, it becomes very clear that truly keeping the sabbath is not merely observing a special day (that is but … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:1-13 The Rest Obtained Is New-Creation Rest (verses 8–11).  Though Jesus is not compared here with Joshua in terms of relative greatness, it is apparent from these verses that the work of Joshua in leading Israel into … Continue reading →

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:1-13 The Time for Response Is Today (verses 3–7). In verses 3–10, we learn the full meaning of the word rest. First, it is a rest which believers of the first century (and today) can actually experience. … Continue reading →