Gleanings From Grace

HOW TO DEAL WITH TEMPTATION

TEXT:Matthew 4:1-11
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS
Temptation is probably the most familiar experience of the Christian. While some may be tempted more than others, all will be tempted.
I believe there is a great deal that we can learn from the temptations of Christ as found in Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
I am firmly convinced that there are some basic principles and similarities between the temptations of Jesus and our temptations. {Read More…}

Text: Matthew 14:22-33

Introduction: A very familiar story. “Walking on water” has become synonymous with perfection. Most of us have admired Peter’s courage. Just to step out of that boat took a great deal of something. Call it courage…faith…reckless abandon…whatever. But I want to look at Peter’s walk on the wild side from a little different angle, if I may. {Read More…}

TEXT: Matthew 10:42

INTRODUCTION: The Rewards of Refreshing

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. A line in “The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” says “He prayeth best who loveth best, all things great and small…”  It is easy to love the great things, the big things.  Our culture celebrates power, money,  influence, and  beauty.    But that same culture ignores the small and seemingly insignificant things.  The good mother, the faithful employee, the day laborer, the plain looking, the simply dressed, the common person…these are just faces in the crowd, extras on the movie set, non-essentials in the quest for perfection. {Read More…}

READINGS: Matt. 27:33-50; 2 Cor. 5:17-21
SUBJECT: The Word of Anguish
TEXT: “…My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46).

Introduction:  It is now midday. For three hours the body of Jesus has been exposed to the burning rays of the sun. The divine Sufferer has almost reached the point of exhaustion when a supernatural phenomenon takes place: darkness falls over the whole earth, and a cry is heard. ..”My God, My God, why has thou forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). This cry of anguish expresses: {Read More…}

READING: John 19:25-27

TEXT: “…Jesus. . .said to His mother, ‘Woman behold thy son!’ Then He said to the disciple, ‘Behold your mother!’…” (19:26-27).

Introduction: A.Those Who Were Standing by the Cross (19:25) It is uncertain whether John mentions three women or four. If we compare the various accounts it would seem that the following is the case. Reference is made to the women at the cross here, in Matthew 27:56, and in Mark 15:40. Comparing the accounts we see that: {Read More…}

TEXT:(Mat 13:35 KJV) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Intro: This verse tells us that there are some things that have been kept secret from the foundations of the world. There are some things that were “hidden, a mystery” from before the world was ever formed. This “mystery” is spoken of in other passages as well, (Rom 16:25 KJV) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
1 Cor. 2:7-10; Col. 1:25-27. All these verses, plus others, reveal to us the fact that there are some things that have been hidden from eternity. These hidden mysteries have been revealed to the saints of God. God says that we can know these mysteries and be blessed by them. I would like to share with you 4 great mysteries that were put in place before the world was made and that are a great mystery to the lost, but a great blessing to the saved. Let’s consider together this thought, “Before there was a world.” {Read More…}

Text: (Matthew 16:13-18)–13. When Jesus came into the coasts of Cae-sa-re-a Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?  14. And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Eli-jah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the phophets.  15. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  16. And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.  17. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jo-na: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.  18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {Read More…}