The phrase “the rocks will cry out” comes from Luke 19:40, where Jesus says: “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” This statement occurs right after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where people were praising and shouting “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). Some of the Pharisees told Jesus to rebuke His disciples for this praise, and Jesus responded that if the disciples were silent, the stones would cry out instead. There are a few key things to understand about this verse: 1. It emphasizes the…
Author: Nicole Sands
Preparing a biblically-sound sermon that effectively communicates God’s truth and transforms lives is one of the most important tasks of a pastor. Here is a good process to follow when preparing a sermon: 1. Choose the passage and topic The first step is choosing which passage of Scripture you will preach on. Spend time praying and asking God to guide you to a text and topic that will minister to your congregation’s current needs. You may also consider preaching through a book of the Bible sequentially. Once you’ve chosen a passage, take time to meditate on it and determine the…
The verse Philippians 4:8 instructs believers to focus their thoughts on things that are praiseworthy and admirable. In the King James Version, it reads “whatsoever things are lovely.” The English Standard Version uses the phrase “whatever is lovely.” So what exactly does this mean? The Context of Philippians 4:8 To properly understand this verse, it’s important to look at the surrounding context. Philippians 4 opens with Paul urging the believers in Philippi to stand firm in the Lord (v. 1). In verse 2, he pleads with two specific women in the church to agree in the Lord. Beginning in verse…
Man, as described in the Bible, is a being created in the image of God, yet fallen into sin and in need of redemption. Though flawed and finite, man has great value and purpose in God’s eyes. Scripture provides insight into the origins, nature, and destiny of humankind. The Creation of Man The Bible teaches that God created man. Genesis 1:26-27 states, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Being made in God’s…
The question of whether the human soul is mortal or immortal is one that has been debated for centuries. The Bible provides insight into this profound question, though interpretations vary across denominations and individual perspectives. Overall, the biblical evidence seems to point to the human soul being immortal, created to exist eternally after death of the physical body. In the Old Testament, several verses imply the immortality of the soul. Genesis 2:7 states that “…the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living…
The “mystery of iniquity” is a term found in 2 Thessalonians 2:7, referring to the spirit of lawlessness that will culminate in the coming of the Antichrist. This mysterious power of evil has been working since New Testament times, but is destined to reach its zenith right before Christ’s return. Let’s explore what the Bible says about this important end-times topic. 1. The Context of 2 Thessalonians 2 In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul is addressing confusion among the Thessalonian believers about the end times. Apparently a forged letter claiming to be from Paul had circulated, saying that the day of…
The verse in Jeremiah 1:5 states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” This powerful statement from God to Jeremiah has significant meaning for us today. God’s Sovereignty and Omniscience Firstly, this verse demonstrates God’s complete sovereignty and omniscience. As the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator, God foreknew Jeremiah and had a plan for him even before he was conceived. This emphasizes that God is outside of time and space, with the ability to see our past, present and future. He knew…
Psychotherapy refers to the process of treating psychological, emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal problems through talking with a trained therapist. As Christians, our view of psychotherapy should be shaped by biblical principles about human nature, mental health, counseling, and reliance on God. Here are some key points for Christians to consider regarding psychotherapy: 1. The limits of psychotherapy Psychotherapy can be helpful for certain issues, but it has limits. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, Scripture is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”…
The issue of lying is a complex one that requires careful examination of biblical principles. At first glance, it may seem that lying is always wrong. After all, the Bible clearly condemns “lying lips” and identifies the devil as “the father of lies” (Proverbs 12:22; John 8:44). However, there are instances in Scripture where deception seems to be permitted or even celebrated. To understand the biblical perspective on lying, we must first recognize that there are different types and motivations for untruthfulness. There is malicious lying intended to harm others, careless lying that spreads misinformation, and lying to avoid punishment…
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important and widely celebrated Hindu festivals. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival is associated with various legends and stories throughout Hindu mythology and lasts for five days during the autumn season, typically in October or November. The main theme of Diwali is the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Each of the five days marks a different tradition and significance: Day 1 – Dhanteras: Dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.…