Bible Studies and Bible lists, Bible reading plans

Old Testament Study

Many people find the Old Testament especially hard to approach.  Here are four, short, easy to understand, masterpiece sermons by the Prophet Isaiah.
 He preaches in Hebrew poetry, and in English translation they come out as prose poems.

Isaiah 40: 21 - 31  "The Eternity of God and Renewal of the Human Spirit"  An inspirational classic for all time.

Isaiah 58  "The Fast of the Lord"  The value of compassion toward human need is greater than religious fasting.  A moving sermon in poetic form by a masterful preacher of ancient Israel.

Isaiah 55: 1 - 56: 8  "The Invitation of Grace"  Here is grace and evangelism from the great prophet of the Old Testament.  It sounds much like the New Testament.
The prophet preaches as an ancient water seller giving away water and wine.  Compare this to Jesus speaking of himself as the water of life in the Gospel of John.

Isaiah 52:13 - Isaiah 53: 12  "The Passion and Exaltation of the Servant of the Lord" by the Prophet Isaiah.  Here is the great prophecy of the suffering, death, atonement and exaltation of Jesus Christ. 

Love of God and others scripture lists

 

Special Bible List 

                      Why the Holy Spirit?

     Here is part I of a study of the Holy Spirit. Please note these key Scriptures on the Holy Spirit of God.  Our question is "Why the Holy Spirit?"

       God promises a new heart and a new spirit within.  Ezekiel 36: 26 - 27   Of course, these exiles already had religion.  But God is encouraging them through the Prophet with insight that the Spirit will come.  And that is a much greater blessing in life than religion.

  1.) Mere religion is not enough.  And more religion is not enough.

   I speak of religion as organization, doctrines, rituals, regulations, and human rule attempted over the soul. This will in time prove to be not enough to satisfy the soul.  And will in time become dry, rote, a duty, mechanical and lacking in energy, warmth and joy.

   For these reasons the Old Testament religion predicted its own transformation by the Spirit of God which can give a new heart ( to replace a heart of stone) and a new spirit (the Holy Spirit.)   Read Ezekiel 36: 26 - 27

  2.) The mechanical, what St. Paul calls "the letter" kills; the Spirit gives life.

    Cold, mechanical religion ends up killing people's freedom, joy, and the warmth of life.  St. Paul knew this.  The Scripture plainly says, "The letter kills,

but the Spirit gives life."  2 Corinthians 3: 4 -6

   Has mechanical, rote, dry religion killed anything in you or near you?

 3.)  The fruit of the Spirit is good for you, your church, your family and your neighbor.

      The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience   . . . Read Galatians 5: 22

It is in these results, fruit of the Spirit of God in our lives that bless us and other people. 

 

 

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