Showing results by author "King James Bible" in All Categories

The Israelites have not been pursuing holiness as they should be. Rebellious and sinful, the people are in need of a savior. The prophet Malachi plays an important role in Israelite history. God warns Israel through Malachi. He tells them to repent and speaks of future restoration, foreshadowing of the coming Messiah. Listen to Malachi as he warns the people while still managing to remind them of God’s endless love.

The prophet Micah scolds Israel and Judah for their idolatry and injustice to the poor. The Assyrians are about to invade and the two Jewish nations will have to suffer for their sinfulness. Thankfully, God’s judgment is seasoned with mercy and he will not break the covenant with His people.

False claims about Jesus have been made for centuries, even during Jesus’ time on Earth. The apostle Luke refutes many of the distorted reports about Jesus in this Gospel. He depicts to his listeners the true Christ: the Son of Man who has come to seek and save what is lost. Listen to the third Gospel and learn about our Lord Jesus, a friend of sinners, and what he freely offers us.

The prophet Nahum cries out to Nineveh, hoping they will turn from their wicked ways. They listened to Jonah the first time by repenting and turning to God, but will the powerful and proud Nineveh listen to the warnings of Nahum a century later? This story teaches us that even the strength of a powerful city cannot hold out against God's power.

Edom was at odds with Israel ever since its forefather Esau had struggled in the womb with his twin brother Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. After Edom played a role in the destruction of Jerusalem, the prophet Obadiah gives warning to the nation of their coming judgment, fulfilling God's promise from hundreds of years earlier: "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curseth thee." (Gen. 12:3)

An entire generation of faithless Israelites have come and gone, Moses has just died in the presence of the Lord, and now it’s up to Joshua to lead the Israelites into victory. Journey with Joshua as he faces many obstacles on the quest to capture the Promised Land while remaining completely committed to God.

There is an inseparable link between our faith and how we live our lives. In his letter to his coworker, Titus, Paul gives us practical instruction on godly living as well as qualifications for Church leaders. While Paul paints a picture of what a healthy Church looks like, he also emphasizes the Gospel as the source of godliness: "...he saved us not because of works done by us in righteousness but according to his own mercy...."

Songs of Solomon emphasizes the holiness and beauty of marriage through the story of a bridegroom who is in love with his bride. It can also been seen as an illustration of Christ’s love for the Church. Listen to this love poem and get a taste of how marriage paints a perfect picture of the Gospel.

When God led His people out of Egypt, His work in their lives was not complete. God had a plan to transform His people to be recognized as distinctively His. The Israelites were called to be set apart and to be holy, but living a life of holiness is no walk in the park. Follow the Israelites as they strive to live apart from sin by following a daunting list of regulations and laws.

Idolatry, rebellion, disobedience, pride. Second Kings illustrates the collapse of a divided nation that turned its back on God. This, however, does not change the fact that God is faithful. Like any good father, he does not allow his children's sinfulness to carry on without discipline.

If you could ask God for anything in the world, knowing it would be given to you, what would you ask for? Solomon asked for wisdom. For many, this sounds like a silly request, but Solomon knew wisdom was everything he needed in order to successfully carry out the assignment God gave him. In this book, we can learn the importance of habitually looking to God, the giver of all good things.

In the beginning of all beginnings, the artist of all artists simply spoke, and all of creation unfolded before him. Satisfied with his work, God said, "It is good." Not long after, the first human beings faced a serious choice when tempted to shake off their Creator’s leadership so as to be his equal. Out of great love, God then chose the Israelites as a nation to be witnesses of his existence. Listen to Genesis, and experience the hope that remains in the midst of creation, fall, and re-creation.

The church has always been in danger of “secret agents” who gain entry into the Christian community and thwart the gospel, consequently leading believers astray. We see this in Jude’s letter as he tackles the same issues Peter did in his second letter.

Like many of us, the Thessalonians need to be reminded of the reality of Christ’s second coming. In this book, Paul encourages believers to look forward to the second coming as the final accomplishment of God’s promise to save his people. In light of the Thessalonians’ false sense of security, Paul only addresses the timing of the second coming by saying, “…the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” (1 Thes. 5:2)

Giving practical advice for showing hospitality and having a charitable heart toward others, the Apostle John focuses on living life in a way that displays one's love for God. Another vital aspect of this book is John's warnings about false teachers. These individuals "have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist" (2 John 7).

David is dead and Solomon takes the throne. First Kings begins with a united kingdom and ends with division. This is a story of a monarchy’s breakdown but it is also a story of God’s tireless desire to maintain a relationship with His people.

As Christians we often face opposition while doing kingdom work. It is sometimes easy for us to forget about God's sovereignty and become discouraged. The prophet Haggai challenges God's people to trust in God's power as they face local opposition while building the Temple. He encourages them to repent and look to God for strength. Listen to Haggai as he draws attention to common struggles we face today.

God is faithful and always keeps his promises. In 1 Chronicles, God's promise to David is fulfilled when David becomes king over all of Israel. The genealogies in this book remind us that every one of God's children plays a role in his redemption plan. We can rest assured that we are each playing a vital role in this plan as well.

Hebrews is about persevering in the faith. Written concerning the Jewish Christians, this letter serves as a reminder that Christ is superior to priests, angels, and the old covenant laws. His sacrifice is once for all unlike the sacrificial system.

The gospel does not discriminate. We see this in Paul’s letter to Philemon as he asks him to take back his runaway slave, Onesimus, not as a slave but rather as a beloved brother in Christ. Onesimus ran away from his master, Philemon, and escaped to Rome. On his journey, he ran into the apostle Paul and became a Christian. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, it becomes evident that the gospel can transform lives and also unite two unexpected people as brothers.