And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22 ESV Even before 1 Samuel 15, God had already promised another king in Saul's place …
Continue reading To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice | 1 Samuel 15:22
I hasten and do not delayto keep your commandments. Psalm 119:60 ESV This verse immediately flows from the previous one, which is made evident by the ESV's decision to conclude verse 59 with a semi-colon rather than a period. In that verse, the psalmist noted that as he considered his ways he also turned his …
When I think on my ways,I turn my feet to your testimonies; Psalm 119:59 ESV Thus far, in our present stanza, the psalmist has confessed that the LORD is his portion and promised to keep His word; however, knowing his sinfulness, he also entreated the LORD’s favor, not according to his good works but according …
This blessing has fallen to me,that I have kept your precepts. Psalm 119:56 ESV We come now to the final verse of stanza Zayin of Psalm 119, and within the first line we find a difficulty. The psalmist declares, "this blessing has fallen to me..." And the question immediately before us is: which blessing? The …
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Yesterday I was invited to be a guest preacher at a sister congregation, and these are the notes for that sermon. For the next passage in Mark that was preached yesterday, you can listen to Pastor Jim's sermon here. My son, be attentive to my words;incline your ear to my sayings.Let them not escape from …
This sermon was originally preached in 2015 Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will …
In order to attempt to do justice to chapter 2 of Calvin's Little Book on the Christian Life, that post will come on Friday this week rather than today. In exchange, I leave you with what was intended to be Friday's post. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,and I …
for I find my delight in your commandments,which I love. Psalm 119:47 ESV As is common to stanza waw, this verse is a continuation of the previous verse, in which the psalmist declared that he would speak of the testimonies of God before kings without shame. Of course, that verse too was rooted particularly in …
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And I shall walk in a wide place,for I have sought your precepts. Psalm 119:45 ESV Given that this verse begins with the word and, we would do well to set it within the context of the previous verse: “I will keep your law continually, forever and ever” (v. 44). Having made that his intention, …
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This sermon was originally preached in 2018. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice …
Continue reading Think About These Things | Philippians 4:8-9
B. C. Newton 