February 20, 2023
February 26 | Courage to Restore
Rebuilding walls can take people only so far. At some point a love for the Word of God must be restored for genuine revival to take place. . . .
Articles for tag: Day of Atonement
September 26, 2022
Day of Atonement, Day of Remembrance
By Doug Redford If the Israelites of the Old Testament had the books that we have in our Old Testament, arranged into chapters as ours is, Leviticus 16 would have drawn their attention as the Day of Atonement neared much as Luke 2 gets our attention during the Christmas season. There we see outlined the proper procedure for observing that sacred day, which came to be known as Yom Kippur, literally the “day of covering.” The Jewish people will observe it this year on October 4 and 5. The final verse of Leviticus 16 captures the day’s significance: “Atonement is
November 1, 2021
COMPELLED TO CELEBRATE
Expressions of Gratitude Mattered to God and His People in the Old Testament, and They Still Matter Today
October 18, 2021
Oct. 24 | High Priest in a New Covenant
This text (Hebrews 8:1–9:10) is at the heart of the writer’s argument about how the high priesthood of Jesus interfaces with the old and New Covenants.
June 21, 2021
June 27 | The Temple of Solomon
The Bible describes the Hebrew faith as a celebratory faith. The major festivals were essentially parties. Major life events—even funerals—were celebrated. And so were other big events, including the finishing of the tabernacle.
November 25, 2019
Lesson for Dec. 1, 2019: False Fasting (Isaiah 58:1-10)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 12 (weeks 45-48; November 10—December 1, 2019) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ________ Lesson Aim: Turn to a true fast of selfless service. ________ By Mark Scott Perhaps a good way to usher in Christmas this year (today is what is called the first Sunday of Advent) would be with fasting—a change of pace from the wild office party. In the incarnation of Jesus,
January 26, 2015
Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes
January 12, 2015
Lesson for January 18: Jesus” Intercession for Us (Hebrews 4:14″“5:10)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 11 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The writer of Hebrews reminded Jewish Christians of the new dispensation”s superiority to the old. The role of the high priest was a position familiar to all Jews. The title first occurred in Leviticus 21:10, where it was used to designate Aaron and his successors. Christians have but one who serves in this capacity””Jesus (Hebrews 2:17). He always stands ready
July 29, 2013
Lesson for August 4, 2013: Feast of Tabernacles (Nehemiah 7:73b”“8:18; Leviticus 23:33-43)
By Sam E. Stone Nehemiah went to Jerusalem in 444 BC. Ezra had been there 13 years at the time of today”s text. Ezra served as a priest, however, while Nehemiah came as the civil governor to rebuild the wall and restore Jerusalem as a fortified city. The opening chapters of the book that bears his name tell how he came to be sent there, and how he proceeded to rebuild the wall. Despite fierce opposition, Nehemiah led the people through this challenging time. Nehemiah”s list of those who had returned from Babylon became the basis he would use to
July 15, 2013
Lesson for July 21, 2013: Fasting and Praying (Ezra 7:1″“8:23)
By Sam E. Stone The book of Ezra is composed of two sections: chapters 1″“6 record how the Jews returned from captivity to rebuild the temple; chapters 7″“10 describe how Ezra came back to Jerusalem and led reforms. A period of some 57 years passed between the end of Ezra 6 (515 BC) and the beginning of Ezra 7 (458 BC). During this time, the events described in the book of Esther took place. Plans for the Trip Ezra 7:6-10 The second section of the book begins with a listing of Ezra”s credentials. Ruben Ratzlaff notes, “Like many of
June 24, 2013
Lesson for June 30, 2013: Restoring Joyful Worship (Ezra 1:1″“3:7)
By Sam E. Stone Continuing this quarter”s theme, “God”s People Worship,” we now turn from Isaiah to two other helpful resources””the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Along with the book of Esther, these two writings form the closing section of Old Testament history. They tell of the Jews” return from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and Jerusalem, and the reestablishment of life in their homeland. J. Stafford Wright observes, “It is possible that sacrifices had been offered at times on the temple site during the exile (compare Jeremiah 41:5). But the purpose now was to reinstate the divinely prescribed
May 27, 2013
Lesson for June 2, 2013: Worship and Respond (Isaiah 6)
By Sam E. Stone This quarter we will consider God”s people and worship, learning from Isaiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. First we will study important sections from Isaiah. His book includes many important messianic prophecies. Israel was to be the means by which God”s blessing would come to all nations of the world. Isaiah prophesied during the divided kingdom. He was called in the year that King Uzziah died (about 740 BC), with most of his ministry focused on the southern kingdom (Judah). In the opening chapters of his book, Isaiah warns the rebellious people of God”s judgment upon them. In
June 11, 2012
Lesson for June 17, 2012: Celebrate Jubilee (Leviticus 25)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Last week we learned that the Israelites were required to help the poor and the aliens in their midst. The Lord required fair and just treatment for everyone. This week”s lesson explains an additional unique practice God ordained for his children””jubilee. In our time, “jubilee” often suggests a big party or celebration. To the Hebrews, however, it was “a year of emancipation and restoration provided by Hebrew law to be kept by the emancipation of Hebrew
November 14, 2011
Lesson for Nov. 20, 2011: Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18)
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 20) is written by Jim Littlejohn, pastoral care minister at Connection Pointe Christian Church in Brownsburg, Indiana. ____________ Praying Sincerely (Matthew 6:1-18) By Jim Littlejohn There seems to be a growing number of books about who we are when no one is looking. Our true character jumps up when our guard is let down. Even though we need accountability, the other side of the coin can be just as ugly. How are other people””people we may trust””when we are not looking? For example, ask that question of investors who
March 27, 2011
Getting the Most from Old Testament Law (Part 2)
Those who first received the Law viewed obeying it a privilege, not a restriction. Can New Testament Christians also see the beauty in these ancient texts? (This is another in a series of articles titled “Reading the Bible for All It’s Worth” that Matt Proctor is writing this year.) ________ By Matt Proctor Last week we considered the challenge to look again at the Old Testament Law. We listened to the testimony of Christians whose lives had been changed by reconsidering the purposes behind all the directives God gives in the legal portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. We considered the
