Overview of Malachi: God Answers Back – Rebuked by God

Posted by on Mar 1, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off The Book of Malachi presents God speaking back in answer to the proud cries of the self righteous. Despite all of their rebellion and unfaithfulness and smugness in their confidence in religious externals, God in His compassion still professes His love for His elect people and lays out for them the choice between blessing and cursing as He calls them to repentance. Context: Charles Ryrie:...
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Overview of Zephaniah: The Fearsome Day of the Lord’s Anger

Posted by on Feb 3, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off The Book of Zephaniah merges together a vision of short term judgment on Judah for her refusal to repent and seek after the Lord in humility and righteousness with a vision of the eschatological Day of the Lord. There will be fearsome judgment upon all the nations coupled with a purification of the Lord’s remnant that will lead to unparalleled blessing. The name of the prophet in the Hebrew...
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Overview of Habakkuk: In Wrath Remember Mercy – The Just Shall Live by Faith

Posted by on Jan 30, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off Most of the prophets have been called to deliver a very specific message to a targeted group of people. They have a burden from the Lord and they are very confident in the content of their proclamation. [Quick Review of the Minor Prophets] Habakkuk is very different: “How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and you will not hear?” Not bringing answers to the people; he is like a...
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Overview of Nahum: When God is Your Enemy

Posted by on Jan 30, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off The Book of Nahum presents a sobering graphical depiction of the unleashing of God’s wrath against the wickedness of Nineveh. Just 100 years earlier, the prophet Jonah had been instructed to warn Nineveh to repent. Apparently, their reform had only been short-lived and now God was going to visit upon them utter humiliation and devastation for their unrestrained wickedness. This message...
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Overview of Micah: From Gloom to Glory – Present Judgment… Future Deliverance

Posted by on Jan 30, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off The Book of Micah magnifies the forgiveness and loyal love of a God who has endured pervasive idolatry and rebellion on the part of His people. The prophet bounces back and forth between proclaiming imminent judgment (that will bring painful and shameful devastation and destruction) and directing our vision to the glorious future of the Messianic Kingdom. The present leaders of Israel have...
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Overview of Jonah: Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment

Posted by on Jan 30, 2009 in Sunday School | Comments Off The Book of Jonah calls us to examine the motivation of our hearts in serving God. Are we truly sold out to God’s sovereign will or trying to push our own agenda? Does our heart mirror the compassionate heart of God – overflowing with mercy and grace; or do we evidence a judgmental spirit? Do we love the world without prejudice and without reservation or do we withhold our love from...
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