Gleanings From Grace

TEXT: Jude 1:1-3
INTRODUCTION: May I suggest that the words “earnestly” and “contend” were given in our Text to show us that a strong effort is required to continue in the faith.
• We all must exercise discipline as disciples.
• We must acknowledge that there are numerous enemies to our faith. They may be categorized as
• (1) the world, (2) the flesh, and (3) the devil.
• Most battles that we face do not even involve the world and the devil; our flesh alone gets us into enough trouble. May we consider the value and the way of earnestly contending for the faith… {Read More…}

Introduction: There is a plague in an old English Church that reads, “In the year 1653 when all things sacred throughout the land were demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley built this church, whose singular praise is this, to have done the best of things in the worst of times.” {Read More…}

TEXT: John 1:35-42

INTRODUCTION: An Ordinary Man That Was Extraordinary.  I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but most of us would be classified as ordinary people. By that I mean, most of us have never been or never will be listed in the Bluebook of society or Who’s Who. Most of us are not even listed in Who’s Not.  There are few of us, if any, Phi Beta Kappa’s, Val Dictorian’s, All-American’s, or Miss America’s. I doubt there are any Nobel Peace Prize winners among us. Most of us were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Most are not from the aristocracy. Most of us would be like the fellow who said, ONE OLE BOY SAID “I wasn’t born in a log cabin like some of the great men of our country, but I want you to know that just as soon as my family could afford one, we bought it and moved in!”
Most of us are just plain, old, down-right, everyday ordinary people. But then, most everybody else is ordinary. Now if that is discouraging listen to what ILL. One Writer Said “Most of Christ’s followers must remain unknown to fame. They must live a simple life, a thing of routine. Few take notice of them. Thus they live day by day, not idly or unprofitably, indeed, but in a small place-until the end come. {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…}