Category Archives: Bible

I Write to You Because…

Posted on July 31, 2018 by Don Merritt

Today, we have an amazing text, one that I have never really appreciated until a few years ago.  It just hit me: Wow! I must have been a victim of my training, because this is a transitional passage between John’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sunday Sermon Notes: July 29, 2018

Posted on July 29, 2018 by Don Merritt

Title: Jesus Teaches in Parables Text: Mark 4:1-20 Parallel Texts: Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15 With the beginning of chapter four, we see a shift in Mark’s narrative to a battery of parables. Parables are interesting things, little stories that teach … Continue reading →

Posted in Sunday Class Notes | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Love and Hate; Light and Dark

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Don Merritt

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

My Dear Children

Posted on July 26, 2018 by Don Merritt

 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Come Into the Light

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Don Merritt

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Word of Life

Posted on July 24, 2018 by Don Merritt

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Sunday Sermon Notes: July 22, 2018

Posted on July 22, 2018 by Don Merritt

Title: Very Strange Text: Mark 3:20-35 Parallel Texts: Matthew 12:22-37, 46-50; Luke 11:14-23; 8:19-21 After Jesus appoints the Twelve, things start to become strange; something isn’t quite right in this story. Jesus and the disciples are in a house, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Sunday Class Notes | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Finale

Posted on July 20, 2018 by Don Merritt

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.     Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right;     the righteous walk in them,     but the rebellious stumble in them. Hosea 14:9 This final verse really seems to sum up the entire … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

God’s Response

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Don Merritt

“I will heal their waywardness     and love them freely,     for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel;     he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon     he will send down his roots;    his … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Repentance

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Don Merritt

Take words with you     and return to the Lord. Say to him:     “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously,     that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us;     we will not mount warhorses. We will never again … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments