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Friday, May 01, 2026

1 Samuel 16-18 - Yahweh Looks at the Heart

David Anointed King

1Sa 16:7 LSB - [7] But Yahweh said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God [sees] not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart."

1Sa 16:13 LSB - [13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

David Becomes Saul’s Armor Bearer

1Sa 16:14 LSB - [14] Now the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh terrorized him.

1Sa 16:18 LSB - [18] Then one of the young men answered and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one who is understanding in speech, and a man of fine form; and Yahweh is with him."

1Sa 16:21 LSB - [21] Then David came to Saul and stood before him; and Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor bearer.

1Sa 16:23 LSB - [23] Thus it happened that whenever the [evil] spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play [it] with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

Goliath Challenges Israel

1Sa 17:26 LSB - [26] Then David spoke to the men who were standing by him, saying, "What will be done for the man who strikes down this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should reproach the battle lines of the living God?"

David Puts Goliath to Death

1Sa 17:40 LSB - [40] Then he took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in the shepherd's bag which he had, even in [his] pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.

1Sa 17:45 LSB - [45] Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of Yahweh of hosts, the God of the battle lines of Israel, whom you have reproached.

1Sa 17:46-47 LSB - [46] "This day Yahweh will deliver you up into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the camp of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, [47] and that all this assembly may know that Yahweh does not save by sword or by spear; for the battle is Yahweh's, and He will give you into our hands."

1Sa 17:48-49 LSB - [48] Then it happened when the Philistine rose and came and drew near to meet David, that David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. [49] And David sent his hand down into his bag and took from it a stone and slung [it] and struck the Philistine on his forehead. And the stone sank into his forehead, so that he fell on his face to the ground.

Jonathan Cuts a Covenant with David

1Sa 18:3 LSB - [3] Then Jonathan cut a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul.

Saul Looks at David with Suspicion

1Sa 18:12-13 LSB - [12] And Saul was afraid of David, for Yahweh was with him but had turned away from Saul. [13] Therefore Saul turned him away from his presence and appointed him as his commander of one thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

Saul’s Daughter Given to David

1Sa 18:23 LSB - [23] So Saul's servants spoke these words in David's hearing. But David said, "Is it trivial in your eyes to become the king's son-in-law, since I am a poor man and lightly esteemed?"

1Sa 18:25 LSB - [25] Saul then said, "Thus you shall say to David, 'The king does not desire any dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to take vengeance on the king's enemies.'" Now Saul planned to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

1Sa 18:26 LSB - [26] Then his servants told David these words, and it was right in the eyes of David to become the king's son-in-law. So before the days had expired,

Thursday, April 30, 2026

1 Samuel 13-15 - To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice

Saul Strikes Down the Philistines

1Sa 13:1 LSB - [1] Saul was [thirty] years old when he began to reign, and he reigned [forty-]two years over Israel.

Act 13:21 LSB - [21] "Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

 

Saul Doesn’t Keep Yahweh’s Commandment

1Sa 13:13-14 LSB - [13] And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which He commanded you, for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. [14] "But now your kingdom shall not endure. Yahweh has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and Yahweh has appointed him as ruler over His people because you have not kept what Yahweh commanded you."

1Sa 13:19, 22 LSB - [19] Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make swords or spears." ... [22] So it happened on the day of battle that neither sword nor spear was found in the hands of any of the people who [were] with Saul and Jonathan, but they were found with Saul and his son Jonathan.

Jonathan Slaughters the Philistines

1Sa 14:6 LSB - [6] Then Jonathan said to the young man who was carrying his armor, "Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps Yahweh will work for us, for Yahweh is not restrained to save by many or by few."

1Sa 14:13-15 LSB - [13] Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him. [14] And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land. [15] And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

1Sa 14:19 LSB - [19] And it happened that while Saul talked to the priest, the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

1Sa 14:23 LSB - [23] So Yahweh saved Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven.

Saul’s Oath Makes the People Weary

1Sa 14:45 LSB - [45] But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great salvation in Israel? Far from it! As Yahweh lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.

Saul Fights Against His Enemies


Saul’s Disobedience

1 Samuel 15:9 LSB — But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and they were not willing to devote them to destruction; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

Yahweh Regrets He Made Saul King

1 Samuel 15:10-11 LSB - Then the word of Yahweh came to Samuel, saying, “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not established My words.” And Samuel became angry and cried out to Yahweh all night.

1 Samuel 15:22 LSB - And Samuel said,

“Has Yahweh as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of Yahweh?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:35 LSB - So Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And Yahweh regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

1 Samuel 10-12 - Spirit of God Came Upon Saul

Saul Among the Prophets

1Sa 10:9-10 LSB - [9] Then it happened when he turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart; and all those signs came about on that day. [10] And they came to the hill there, and behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them.

Saul the King

1Sa 10:20-22 LSB - [20] Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken [by lot]. [21] Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but they looked for him, and he could not be found. [22] Therefore they inquired further of Yahweh, "Has the man come here yet?" So Yahweh said, "Behold, he is hiding himself by the baggage."

Hiding Among the Stuff by Spurgeon

I dare say he thinks tonight that, if he had been Saul he would not have been hiding himself. If it were to have his head taken off, a man might very wisely hide himself, but to have a crown put upon his head does not seem to be a reason for hiding ones self, but a reason for coming out into the open and saying, “Here am I; do unto me as seemeth you good!” But this conduct, which seems so strange in Saul, is an exact imago of the behavior of many of you who are here tonight. There may be some of you here present, who may be doing precisely what Saul did, only you are doing it more foolishly than he did. He did but hide away from an earthly crown, but you hide from a heavenly one. He did but shun a crown that fadeth; you seem as though you would avoid a crown that is undefiled and that fadeth not away. The crown which Saul sought to hide from no doubt brought many cares with it, for it is only too often true that —

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”

but the crown which you are avoiding brings no care with it, but much of holy ease and joy, and that head lies easily enough which is crowned with God’s crown of lovingkindness and tender mercy. But you hide yourselves away from it, — from the crown which prophets and apostles counted on, for which they were willing to sacrifice all things, and counted their best prospects but as dross and dun,” that they might win it. This crown, which glittered in the martyr’s eye, and made him, sing as he swam through a sea of blood to reach it: this crown is lightly valued by you, and you hide yourself away among the stuff, that you escape from this boon of God’s bountiful mercy and love.

 

Saul Strikes Down the Ammonites

1Sa 11:6 LSB - [6] Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he burned with anger exceedingly.

1Sa 11:15 LSB - [15] So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; and there Saul and all the men of Israel were exceedingly glad.

Samuel Speaks to Israel

1Sa 12:20-22 LSB - [20] And Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following Yahweh, but serve Yahweh with all your heart. [21] "And you must not turn aside, for [then you would go] after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless. [22] "For Yahweh will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because Yahweh has been pleased to make you a people for Himself.

1Sa 12:23 LSB - [23] "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and upright way.

Monday, April 27, 2026

1 Samuel 7-9 - Saul to Be Anointed Over Israel

1Sa 7:2 LSB - [2] Now it happened from the day when the ark remained at Kiriath-jearim, that the time was long; it was twenty years. And all the house of Israel lamented after Yahweh.


Samuel Judges Israel

1Sa 7:4 LSB - [4] So the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the Ashtaroth and served Yahweh alone.

1Sa 7:9-10 LSB - [9] And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it for a whole burnt offering to Yahweh; and Samuel cried out to Yahweh for Israel, and Yahweh answered him. [10] Now Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, and the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But Yahweh thundered with a great thunder on that day against the Philistines and confused them, so that they were defeated before Israel.

1Sa 7:14 LSB - [14] And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even to Gath; and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. So there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Israel Tells Samuel to Appoint a King

1Sa 8:3 LSB - [3] But his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after greedy gain and took bribes and caused justice to turn aside.

1Sa 8:5 LSB - [5] and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations."

1Sa 8:7-8 LSB - [7] Then Yahweh said to Samuel, "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them. [8] "Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day--in that they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also.

The People Refuse Samuel’s Words

1Sa 8:19 LSB - [19] Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, "No, but there shall be a king over us,

Saul to Be Anointed Over Israel

1Sa 9:16-17 LSB - [16] "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler over My people Israel; and he will save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people because their cry has come to Me." [17] Now Samuel saw Saul, and Yahweh answered him, "Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall restrict My people."


Sunday, April 26, 2026

1 Samuel 4-6 - The Ark Returned to Israel

The Philistines Take the Ark

1Sa 4:3 LSB - [3] Then the people came into the camp, and the elders of Israel said, "Why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies."

1Sa 4:10-11 LSB - [10] So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent; and the slaughter was very great, for there fell of Israel 30,000 foot soldiers. [11] And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

The Death of Eli

1Sa 4:18 LSB - [18] And it happened that when he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate, and his neck was broken, and he died, for the man was old and heavy. Thus he judged Israel forty years.

Yahweh’s Hand Against the Philistines

1Sa 5:4 LSB - [4] But they arose early the next morning, and behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of Yahweh. And the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands [were] cut off on the threshold; only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

1Sa 5:11 LSB - [11] They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines and said, "Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, so that it will not put us and our people to death." For there was a deadly confusion throughout the city; the hand of God was very glorious there.

The Ark Returned to Israel

1Sa 6:7-9 LSB - [7] "So now, take and make a new cart and two milch cows on which there has never been a yoke; and hitch the cows to the cart and take their calves home, away from them. [8] "And take the ark of Yahweh and place it on the cart; and put the articles of gold which you return to Him as a guilt offering in a box by its side. Then send it away that it may go. [9] "See, if it goes up by the way of its own territory to Beth-shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we will know that it was not His hand that smote us; it happened to us by chance."

1Sa 6:14-15 LSB - [14] And the cart came into the field of Joshua the Beth-shemite and stood there, and a large stone [was] there; and they split the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to Yahweh. [15] And the Levites took down the ark of Yahweh and the box that was with it, in which were the articles of gold, and put them on the large stone; and the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices that day to Yahweh.

1Sa 6:19 LSB - [19] Then He struck down some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of Yahweh. He struck down of all the people, 50,070 men, and the people mourned because Yahweh had struck the people with a great slaughter.

1Sa 6:19 ESV - [19] And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow.

1 Samuel 1-3 - Yahweh Calls Samuel

Elkanah and His Wives

1Sa 1:5 LSB - [5] but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had closed her womb.

1Sa 1:11 LSB - [11] And she made a vow and said, "O Yahweh of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a seed amongst men, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head."

The Birth of Samuel

1Sa 1:20 LSB - [20] Now it happened in due time that Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son; and she named him Samuel, [saying], "Because I have asked him of Yahweh."

Samuel = "his name is El"

1Sa 1:27-28 LSB - [27] "For this young boy I prayed, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of Him. [28] "So I have also dedicated him to Yahweh; as long as he lives, he is dedicated to Yahweh." So he worshiped Yahweh there.

Hannah’s Song of Thanksgiving

1Sa 2:1 LSB - [1] Then Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in Yahweh; My horn is exalted in Yahweh; My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, Because I am glad in Your salvation.

The Sin of Eli’s Sons

1Sa 2:17 LSB - [17] Thus the sin of the young men was very great before Yahweh, for the men spurned the offering of Yahweh.


Samuel Before Yahweh as a Boy

1Sa 2:18 LSB - [18] Now Samuel was ministering before Yahweh, [as] a young boy girded with a linen ephod.

Eli Hears About His Sons’ Evils

1Sa 2:25 LSB - [25] "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against Yahweh, who can pray for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for Yahweh desired to put them to death.

1Sa 2:26 LSB - [26] Now the young boy Samuel was growing in stature and in favor both with Yahweh and with men.

Eli Honors His Sons Above Yahweh

1Sa 2:29 LSB - [29] 'Why do you kick at My sacrifice and at My offering which I have commanded [in My] habitation, and honor your sons above Me, by making yourselves fat with the choicest of every offering of My people Israel?'

1Sa 2:35 LSB - [35] 'But I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in My soul; and I will build him a faithful house, and he will walk before My anointed always.

Yahweh Calls Samuel

1Sa 3:19-21 LSB - [19] Thus Samuel grew, and Yahweh was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. [20] So all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of Yahweh. [21] And Yahweh appeared again at Shiloh, because Yahweh revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of Yahweh.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Mark 13-16 - My Body and My Blood of the Covenant

Things to Come

Mar 13:2 LSB - [2] And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down."

Mar 13:4 LSB - [4] "Tell us, when will these things be, and what [will be] the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?"

Mar 13:9-11 LSB - [9] "But see to yourselves; for they will deliver you to [the] courts, and you will be beaten in [the] synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to them. [10] "And the gospel must first be proclaimed to all the nations. [11] "And when they lead you away, delivering you up, do not worry beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but [it is] the Holy Spirit.

Mar 13:14 LSB - [14] "But when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.

What Is the ‘Abomination of Desolation’?


The Return of Christ

Mar 13:26-27 LSB - [26] "And then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory. [27] "And then He will send forth the angels, and will gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

Mar 13:29-31 LSB - [29] "Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, [right] at the door. [30] "Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. [31] "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Mar 13:33 LSB - [33] "See to it, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the [appointed] time will come.


The Plot to Kill Jesus


The Costly Perfume

Mar 14:3 LSB - [3] And while He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining [at the table], there came a woman with an alabaster jar of perfume of very costly pure nard; [and] she broke the jar and poured it over His head.

Mar 14:8-9 LSB - [8] "She has done what she could; she anointed My body beforehand for the burial. [9] "And truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman did will also be spoken of in memory of her."

The Passover Meal

Mar 14:18 LSB - [18] And as they were reclining [at the table] and eating, Jesus said, "Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me--the one who is eating with Me."

The Lord’s Supper

Mar 14:22-24 LSB - [22] And while they were eating, He took [some] bread, and after a blessing, He broke [it], and gave [it] to them, and said, "Take [it]; this is My body." [23] And when He had taken a cup [and] given thanks, He gave [it] to them, and they all drank from it. [24] And He said to them, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Mar 14:36 LSB - [36] And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."

Mar 14:39-40 LSB - [39] And again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. [40] And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

Mar 14:51-52 LSB - [51] And a young man was following Him, wearing [nothing but] a linen sheet over [his] naked [body]; and they seized him. [52] But he pulled free of the linen sheet and escaped naked.

Jesus Before His Accusers

Mar 14:61-62 LSB - [61] But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him and said to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed [One]?" [62] And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."

Peter’s Denials

Mar 14:68 LSB - [68] But he denied [it], saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out into the entryway.

Mar 14:70 LSB - [70] But again he was denying it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, "Surely you are [one] of them, for you are also a Galilean."

Mar 14:71 LSB - [71] But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!"

Mar 14:72 LSB - [72] And immediately a rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said the statement to him, "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And throwing himself down, he [began to] cry.

Jesus Before Pilate

Mar 15:2 LSB - [2] And Pilate questioned Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him and said, "You yourself say [it]."

Jesus Is Mocked

Mar 15:19 LSB - [19] And they kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him; and kneeling, they were bowing down before Him.

The Crucifixion

Mar 15:34 LSB - [34] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?"

Mar 15:37 LSB - [37] And Jesus, uttering a loud cry, breathed His last.

Jesus Is Buried

Mar 15:46 LSB - [46] And when Joseph had bought a linen cloth and took Him down, he wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.


Thursday, April 23, 2026

Mark 10-12 - Permit the Children to Come to Me

Teaching About Divorce

Mar 10:6-9 LSB - [6] "But from the beginning of creation, [God] MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE. [7] "FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, [8] AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. [9] "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."

Jesus Blesses Little Children

Mar 10:14 LSB - [14] But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Children Brought to Christ, Not to the Font - Spurgeon

I cannot tell you how much I owe to the solemn words of my good mother. It was the custom on Sunday evenings, while we were yet little children, for her to stay at home with us, and then we sat round the table and read verse by verse, and she explained the Scripture to us. After that was done, then came the time of pleading; there was a little piece of "Alleyn's Alarm," or of Baxter's "Call to the Unconverted," and this was read with pointed observations made to each of us as we sat round the table; and the question was asked how long it would be before we would think about our state, how long before we would seek the Lord. Then came a mother's prayer, and some of the words of a mother's prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is grey. I remember on one occasion her praying thus: "Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ." That thought of a mother's bearing swift witness against me, pierced my conscience and stirred my heart. This pleading with them for God and with God for them is the true way to bring children to Christ. Sunday-school teachers! you have a high and noble work, press forward in it. In our schools you do not try to bring children to the baptistry for regeneration, you point them away from ceremonies; if I know the teachers of this school aright, I know you are trying to bring your classes to Christ. Let Christ be the sum and substance of your teaching in the school. Young men and young women, in your classes lift up Christ, lift him up on high; and if anybody shall say to you, "Why do you thus talk to the children?" you can say, "Because my soul yearns towards them, and I pant for their conversion;" and if any should afterwards object, you can remember that Jesus is greatly displeased with them, and not with you, for you only obey the injunction, "Feed my lambs."

Alarm to Unconverted - Joseph Alleine.pdf

A Call to the Unconverted

 

Mar 10:15 LSB - [15] "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it [at all]."


The Rich Young Ruler

Mar 10:29-30 LSB - [29] Jesus said, "Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel's sake, [30] except [one who] will receive one hundred times as much now in the present age--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, [along] with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

Mar 10:33-34 LSB - [33] "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will deliver Him over to the Gentiles. [34] "And they will mock Him and spit on Him, and flog Him and kill [Him], and three days later He will rise again."

A Request for Status

Mar 43-45 LSB - [43] "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; [44] and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. [45] "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Bartimaeus Regains His Sight

Mar 10:47 LSB - [47] And when he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Mar 10:51-52 LSB - [51] And Jesus answered him and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, [I want] to regain my sight!" [52] And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has saved you." Immediately he regained his sight and [began] following Him on the road.

The Triumphal Entry

Mar 11:3 LSB - [3] "And if anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' you say, 'The Lord has need of it'; and immediately he will send it back here."

Mar 11:7-9 LSB - [7] And they brought the colt to Jesus and put their garments on it; and He sat on it. [8] And many spread their garments in the road, and others [spread] leafy branches, having cut [them] from the fields. [9] And those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;

The Barren Fig Tree


Jesus Drives Merchants from the Temple

Mar 11:17 LSB - [17] And He [began to] teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? But you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Isa 56:6-7 LSB - [6] "Also the foreigners who join themselves to Yahweh, To minister to Him, and to love the name of Yahweh, To be His slaves, every one who keeps from profaning the sabbath And takes hold of My covenant, [7] Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them glad in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples."

Mar 11:23-24 LSB - [23] "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be [granted] him. [24] "For this reason I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be [granted] to you.

Mar 11:25-26 LSB - [25] "And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. [26] ["But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."]


The Authority of Jesus Challenged


Parable of the Vine-Growers

Mar 12:10-11 LSB - [10] "Have you not even read this Scripture: 'THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNER [stone]; [11] THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES'?"

Psa 118:22-23 LSB - [22] The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner [stone]. [23] This is from Yahweh; It is marvelous in our eyes.

1Pe 2:6-8 LSB - [6] For [this] is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER [stone], AND HE WHO BELIEVES UPON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME." [7] This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNER [stone]," [8] and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE." They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this [stumbling] they were also appointed.

 

Taxes to Caesar

Mar 12:17 LSB - [17] And Jesus said to them, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." And they were amazed at Him.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

Mar 12:25-26 LSB - [25] "For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. [26] "But regarding the fact that the dead are raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the [passage] about [the burning] bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, AND THE GOD OF JACOB'?

The Foremost Commandment

Mar 12:32-33 LSB - [32] And the scribe said to Him, "Right, Teacher; You have truly stated that HE IS ONE, AND THERE IS NO ONE ELSE BESIDES HIM; [33] AND TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL THE HEART AND WITH ALL THE UNDERSTANDING AND WITH ALL THE STRENGTH, AND TO LOVE ONE'S NEIGHBOR AS HIMSELF, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

The Widow’s Offering

Mar 12:43-44 LSB - [43] And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all those putting [money] into the treasury; [44] for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."