In contrast to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Judah alternated godly and wicked kings. In this sermon, we talk about one bright star in the bunch, Josiah, who turned to the Lord beyond all those before or after him.
In the books of I and II Kings, we hear the stories of the northern kingdom of Israel and of the southern kingdom of Judah. In the north, every king had no heart for God and it went from bad to worse as each king departed even further compared to the one before.
Solomon was a man with inner conflict. On one side he had a close relationship with the Lord, on the other he loved this world.
David was a man and a king after God’s heart. Let’s look at his reign as king.
Samuel the last judge listened to the nation and the Lord and anointed the first king of Israel, Saul.
How does the book of Judges help us in our endeavor to stay close to the Lord?
What lessons for our own faith can we observe from the conquering of the Promised Land by Joshua and the Israelites? Are we able to do what Joshua said the Israelites would be unable to do in Joshua 24?
Jesus did what He did (and John wrote what he wrote) because the Father had sent Him to do precisely what He did and to say exactly what He said.
Peter had just been restored by Jesus after having denied Him three times. Now Jesus hints at Peter’s future and immediately asks Him “what about John?” We are quick to compare ourselves to others or wish that God would do in us what He is doing in others. Rather, we should learn to enjoy the work He is accomplishing in our hearts…
In John 21:15‐17, Jesus pulls Peter aside during this last appearance in John’s Gospel. Peter had denied Jesus those three times during Jesus’ trial on Maunday Thursday. That night and going forward, Peter was a grieving man filled with guilt over his behavior. Jesus now restores him, showing that we all can find restoration after our failures against sin and temptation. Jesus…