Written Sermons
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 126 Title: Reaping in Joy Introduction The journey begins again in this Psalm. It begins with joy, but the Psalms are not chronologically arranged and Psalm 137 is a Psalm of the captivity, so listen to the lament in verses 1-4, By the rivers of Babylon we sat and…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 125 Title: The Lot of the Righteous Introduction In this last Psalm of the present triad we have now arrived in the Holy City. We are rejoicing in the Lord. We began with reverence, then came deliverance and now the theme of this Psalm is providence. We have read…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 124 Title: On Our Side Introduction As the worshipers leave behind the scorn of the world and approach the holy city they are reminded of the way in which the God of Israel has delivered them from their enemies. They are singing because he has enabled them to make…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 123 Title: The Song of a Servant Introduction This new triad of Psalms, 123-125 is an advance over the first group, but as with the previous section, it begins with a reflection of what it is like in this sinful world. There follows a contemplation of the Lord, whom…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 122 Title: The Compact City Introduction We have seen the departure from the present evil world and the journey up to the city of hope and now, in the third song in this triad, we have arrived at the city. In the early nineteenth century Timothy Dwight was a…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 121 Title: The Lord My Keeper Introduction In Psalm 120 the psalmist looked around in anguish at a world of dishonesty, savagery and war. In Psalm 121 we have drawn near to Zion and the psalmist looks up to his refuge and help. In each of the five triads…
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The Songs of Ascent Text: Psalm 120 Title: Flee from Idolatry Introduction In Psalm 120 the writer recognizes his need. Psalm 121 shows the greatness of God, and 122 the recognition that submission to the true God is the only way of peace. In this Psalm, therefore, we see the sad condition of the world.…
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The Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120-134 Introduction and Groupings The Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134 Introduction These Psalms are called “Songs of Degrees” in the authorized King James Version but “Songs of Ascent” In the more modern translations. The Hebrew superscription is Shir Hama’alot, a song of ascending. The idea of going up to…
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Series on Ezekiel III. The Fulfilled Promises C. Fatherland, Text:47:1-48:35 Title: The Lord Is There Introduction We have gone through Ezekiel’s prophecies and seen, first, the fall of Jerusalem and God’s words directed against His fallen people, and then we saw a measure of mercy in the judgments pronounced against foreign nations culminating in the…
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Series on Ezekiel III. The Fulfilled Promises B. Faithful Worship, Text:44:1-46:24 Title: Is Our Worship Better? Introduction In our last study we saw Ezekiel’s vision of Israel’s future in his description of an ideal temple, very large, very high and filled with the glory of God. We understand this temple to be a symbolical representation…
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Series on Ezekiel III. The Fulfilled Promises A. Future Temple, Text: 40:1-43:27 Title: Where Is the Temple? Introduction As you note from your outlines we have come to the third major section of Ezekiel’s prophecy. We have seen the prophecies regarding the fall of Jerusalem and God’s condemnation and punishment of his covenant people, and…
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Series on Ezekiel II. The Foreign Nations H. Final Battle, Text: 38:1-39:29 Title: The Triumph of the People of God Introduction These chapters consist of two oracles against Gog. The names Gog and Magog refer to the same entity. Gog is the ruler and Magog is the people. The two are mentioned together in Revelation…
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Series on Ezekiel II. The Foreign Nations G. Flesh for Dry Bones, Text: 37:1-27 Title: True Revival Introduction The present section of Ezekiel in which the focus of judgment is switched from Israel to the foreign nations is also a portal to the blessings which God has in store for his people. These blessings are…
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Series on Ezekiel II. The Foreign Nations F. Fruit from the Mountains, Text: 35:1-36:38 Title: Jacob Have I Loved Introduction These two chapters are a tale of two nations. The ancient rivalry and hatred between them goes back to Jacob and Esau. They are both mountainous countries. Chapter 35 begins with Mt. Seir in Edom.…
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Series on Ezekiel II. The Foreign Nations E. The Flock and the Shepherd, Text: 34: 1-31 Title: The Good Shepherd Introduction God is preparing the people for what He is going to do. The fullness of the vision will be introduced in chap.40, but already He is preparing them and giving indications of spiritual revival,…
