A Glimmer of Hope
God creates a glimmer of hope for Naomi and Ruth through three means: His providential orchestration, Ruth’s diligent work, and Boaz’s redemptive kindness.
Ruth 2
Through the Bitter Valley
When suffering comes into our lives, it is hard to see God’s purposes clearly, but He will bring us through the bitter valley to restore our hope.
Ruth 1
Christ Our Hope in Life
Christians have a firm foundation for hope each day because of God’s character, His sovereignty, and the return of Jesus to make all things new.
Psalm 118:24
He Has Risen!
Mark’s cryptic, unusual ending to his Gospel is a call for us to overcome fear and to share the Good news of the resurrection and the message of grace and restoration, knowing that God will accomplish His work despite our wavering faithfulness.
Text: Mark 16:1-8
The Great Reversal
Easter celebrates the Great Reversal, when God overruled the wicked decision of humanity to reject and crucify Jesus, raising Him from the dead so that life has swallowed up death for all who trust in Him.
Acts 2:22-24
Our Eternal Lord
Ezekiel was a priest who spoke God’s Word to God’s people who were exiles in Babylon, and he told of the Messiah as an eternal Lord Who will rule His people, bless His people and dwell with His people forever.
Ezekiel 37:24-28 (ESV)
Standing Strong In Trying Times Series Outline
The book of Daniel gives stories of faithful believers standing strong in trying times of exile and visions of the ultimate victory of God’s Kingdom over the kingdoms of this world.
The Invisible War
There is an invisible war between God’s angelic forces and the forces of Satan which is related to and affects the visible rise and fall of human kingdoms and the plight of God’s people, but God’s Sovereign Plan will be accomplished in the end!
Daniel 10-11 (Daniel 10:1-11:4)
History and the Word of the Sovereign God
Daniel was given a vision of two future kingdoms and an evil ruler who will desecrate God’s Temple and persecute God’s people, but he saw God intervene to destroy the persecutor and deliver His people, for the Sovereign God rules over the kingdoms of mankind.
Daniel 8:1-27
New Boss, Same As the Old Boss
Daniel still faced persecution under the new kingdom, reminding us that God’s people must always live by trust in God rather than man in the land of our exile.
Daniel 6
The Handwriting On the Wall
God brought mighty Babylon and her arrogant king to a swift end as He had promised, and this is a warning to all who arrogantly trust in themselves rather than Christ.
Daniel 5
Humbling the Proud
God is Sovereign over the world, both nations and individuals, and is able to humble the proud and exalt the humble.
Daniel 4 (Daniel 4:1-3, 34-37)
Standing Strong In Fiery Trials
To stand strong in the fiery trials of exile, God’s people must walk by faith – displaying humble confidence in God, trusting in His Sovereign Power, and obeying God and His Word regardless of the consequences.
Daniel 3 (Daniel 3:16-18)
The God of Wisdom and Power
God is the source of wisdom and power, His kingdom is everlasting, and He will give wisdom and power to His exile people as they walk with Him.
Daniel 2
Standing Strong In Exile
To stand strong in our land of exile we must remember our true identity as God’s people, trust in His Sovereignty, and walk with wisdom and humility as we are in the world but not of it.
Daniel 1
Strangers In A Strange Land
To stand strong in trying times, we must know that God is Sovereign and faithful, even in the land of our exile.
Daniel 1:1-2
The Way – Trusting In God’s Sovereignty
To walk in God’s Way while surrounded by those who reject it, God’s people must learn to trust in His Sovereignty, knowing He rules all things and will fulfill His Word.
Psalm 1 – 2
The Key to Human Freedom
The key to human freedom is recognizing and embracing our inherent nature as we were created by God, including both the God-given dignity and limits of that nature.
Genesis 1:26-31
My Only Comfort – Part 2
Question 98: Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death?
Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, from this day forth, to live unto him.
Matthew 10:28–31; Romans 8:28–30
A Godly Response to the Coronavirus
We should respond to times of sickness and suffering with faith in God rather than fear, and act with love for our fellow humans, looking for how God is working to draw people to Himself.
Psalm 46
The Sovereign King
Jesus is the Sovereign Lord over all Who calls us to embrace Him in humble faith for Who He is, not for what we want Him to do for us.
John 4:43-54
Smyrna: The Persecuted Church
The church must be faithful, even when persecuted and killed, knowing that God is Sovereign and eternal life awaits His people.
Revelation 2:8-11
Ephesus: The Loveless Church
The church must test all teaching and reject false teachers, but it must also remain fervent in love for God and people.
Revelation 2:1-7
The Fugitive’s Faithful Father
Despite David’s sin and unfaithfulness, God was faithful to save David and fulfill His covenant promises.
1 Samuel 28:1-2; 29:1-30:8 (30:1-8)
The Fugitive’s Fear
When David does not seek God and trust in His Word but instead acts based on his internal fears, he wanders into a period of exile and sin.
1 Samuel 26-28:2 (1 Samuel 27:1)