Restless Wonderer - Bible teaching: Recent Episodes
Paul B Coulter
Part 13 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Further encouragement to Timothy to be a faithful worker for Christ, handling God's Word properly, in contrast to false teachers who have an appearance of godliness but really love self.
Part 12 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul uses three images - the soldier, athlete and farmer - to encourage Timothy to continue in Christ's service and reminds him of the saving power of the gospel.
Part 11 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. The apostle Paul encourages Tomothy to fan his gift into flame and guard the deposit of the gospel through the Holy Spirit's power.
Part 10 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Warnings against false teachers who seek materiual gain and the challenge to be content and generous.
Part 9 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. How can the apostle Paul tell slaves to, "regard their own masters as worthy of all honour". Is the Bible for or against slavery?
Part 8 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Instructions about care for widows and care and discipline for elders.
Part 7 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul reminds Timothy of the heart of his ministry - faithfully teaching the truth of the gospel and Scripture and setting an example of faithfulness.
Part 6 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul's purpose statement for writing to Timothy - so people will know how to behave in the church. Three great truths about what the church is and a beautiful hymn about the One it exists to make known.
Part 4 of the series in 1 and Timothy. Paul's commands to Timothy about men in prayer and women learning.
Part 3 of the series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul recounts the overflowing grace of Christ for him in svaing him and appointing him as an apostle and explains that God's grace can overflow to all through Christ.
Part 2 of a series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Paul commands Timothy to oppose false teaching which misuses the law and gives license to sin.
Part 1 of a series in 1 and 2 Timothy. Introducing the person and role of Timothy and Paul's relationship with him.
Part 14 of the series in Proverbs. Wise sayings from a mother to her son King Lemuel and a wonderful poem about a woman who fears God.
Part 13 of the series in Proverbs. The oracle of Agur, who knows his place before God and prays to be truthful like God and to live contentedly within God's provision.
Part 12 of the series in Proverbs. The final set of wise sayings of Solomon, ending with a challenge not to fear people but to trust in God who will, ultimately, distinguish the wicked from the righteous.
Part 11 of the series in Proverbs. The second set of sayings of the wise and the beginning of sayings of Solomon copied in the time of King Hezekiah.
Part 7 of the series in Proverbs. Further proverbs of Solomon challenging us to wise attitudes and actions.
Part 12 of the series in Numbers. Balaam's donkey and his oracles blessing Israel and prophesying the coming Messiah.
Part 11 of the series in the book of Numbers. Aaron dies, victories east of Jordan, deliverance through a seprent on a pole and the start of the acocunt of Balaam, a prophet for hire.
Part 10 of the series in the book of Numbers. Provisions for the priesthood and purification, Moses' disobedience and refusal from Edom to pass through its lands.
Part 9 of the series in the book of Numbers. Punishment for a sabbath breaker, tassels for garments and judgement on rebels led by Levites and Reubenites, but hope with the rod of Aaron that buds.
Part 8 of the series in the book of Numbers. Moses intercedes for the people - God pardons but judges - then reminds them of the provision off sacrifice for forgiveness of sins.
Part 7 of the series in the book of Numbers. Miriam and Aaron complain against Moses and are corrected by God and 10 of 12 spies sent into the land spread fear among the people because of lack of faith.
Part 6 of the series in the book of Numbers. The people leave Sinai. They grumble and long for Egypt, but God judges and disciplines them, providing manna and quails for them to eat.
Part 5 of the series in the book of Numbers. Instructions from God about lamps and Levites, Passover and silver trumpets, as well as the principle of staying and moving only at God's command.
Part 4 of the series in Numbers. Instructions from God about the Nazirite vow and the priestly blessing followed by an acocunt of the consecration of the altar in the tabernacle.
Part 3 of the series in Numbers. Three instructions from God - about unclean people, about confession and restitution for sins, and about testing a woman accused of adultery.
Part 1 of the book of Numbers. God commands a census of the fighting men of Israel, sets the tribe of Levi aside and orders the way the tribes will camp and march.
Part 8 of the series in Ecclesiastes. The Preacher's (Solomon's) last words in his continued limited prspective on light and the editors concluding comments about him, about wisdom and about the duty of mankind.
Part 7 of the series in Ecclesiastes. Three chapters mixing wisdom with limitations because the author cannot see beyond death and has a fatalistic view of life (with the exception of 8:10-13).
Part 6 of the series in Ecclesiastes. Further reflections on life under the sun - wisdom limited by a horizon of death without hope of eternity.
Part 5 of the series in Ecclesiastes. A short section on worship and vows to God and a longer, desparing reflection on the meaningless of life under the sun.
Part 4 of the series in Ecclesiastes. Based on what we see, people live and die like the animals. If that's the case, what is the point in life and how should we live?
Part 3 of the series in Ecclesiastes. There is a time for everything under heaven and God has placed eternity in our hearts, but can we know what his purpose is or should we just make the best of life as we find it?
Part 2 of the series in Ecclesiastes. Three ways the Preacher tried to find satisfaction only to find he was chasing bubbles.
Part 1 of a series in Ecclesiastes. The introduction to the book and the basic message that life is vanity without God.
Part 16 of the series in Deuteronomy. Two great poems of Moses - his song about God's faithfulness and vengeance and his blessings for the tribes - and the death of Moses.
Part 15 of the series in Deuteronomy. Further warnings of curses and exile for disobedience but also hope of restoration as the covenant is renewed and Moses prepares to hand over leadership to Joshua.
Part 14 of the series in Deuteronomy. The promise of great blessings for faithful obedience to the Law and solemn warnings of dreadful curses for disobedience to the Law.
Part 13 of the series in Deuteronomy. Laws about marriage - the permission for divorce and duty of Levirate marriage - and various laws that will regulate life in Israel to ensure fairness for all.
Part 12 of the series in Deuteronomy. Various laws about how Israel is to live together as a nation honouring one another and staying pure to the Lord.
Part 11 of the series in Deuteronomy. Various laws culminating in a beautiful foresight of Jesus, who became a curse so we might be redeemed.
Part 10 of the series in Deuteronomy. Laws providing for priests and levites and forbidding abominable religious practices, concerning cities of refuge and propert booundaries, witnesses and warfare, and also a promise of a coming Prophet like Moses.
Part 9 of the series in Deuteronomy. Life for the nation is to be shaped around the three great pilgrim feasts (Passover, Weeks and Booths), in faithful worship of God alone, and under the just rule of judges, priests and, if they choose, a king.
Part 8 of the series in Deuteronomy. Food laws and laws about the Sabbath year and the rights of people.
Part 7 of the series in the book of Deuteronomy. God calls his people to absolute faithfulness to him in their lives and worship as they prepare to enter the land, promising them blessings if they obey him.
Part 6 of the series in Deuteronomy. A reminder to Israel of thir sinfulness and stubbornness and a call to circumcise their hearts and love and obey God.
Part 5 of the series in Deuteronomy. God's purpose for Israel, his chosen people, as they enter the land he is giving and enjoy his blessings. Don't forget God, but stay faithful to his covenant!
Part 4 of the series in Deuteronomy. Moses calls Israel to love God with all their being by fearing, serving and trusting him and to pass on his law and their story to their children.
Part 3 of the series in Deuteronomy. The beginning of Moses' reminder of the law, starting with the Ten Commandments and the special way Israel received them from God.
Part 2 of the series in the book of Deuteronomy. Before repeating the law for a new generation, Moses challenges them not to be drawn aside into idolatry by reminding them of God's charatder, covenant and call.
Part 1 of a series in Deuteronomy. Mosts recounts the history of Israel up to the point where they are about to enter the Promised Land, in preparation for his reminder of the Law to this new generation.
Part 7 of the series in Book 4 of the Psalms. Our souls can praise God because of his wonderful creation and his wonderful acts for his people in history, but we must be careful not to neglect them and to return to him if we have.
Part 6 of the series in Book 4 of the Psalms. Our souls can praise God because of who he is and his great blessings to us as individuals.
Part 5 of the series in Book 4 of the Psalms. Three psalms of faith - generally in God as Sehepherd of Israel, then for David who seeks integrity of heart and in his rule, and finally for a man facing distress because his life is ebbing but who looks to God for future blessing.
Part 4 of the series in Book 4 of the Psalms. A trilogy of psalms celebrating the Lord's sovereign rule, righteous judgement and salvation.
Part 3 of the series in Book 4 of the Psalms. A psalm that challenges us to sing praise to God and to hear his voice because we are his sheep and a psalm calling all the nations to sing a new song of salvation to the God who reigns over all.
Part 2 of the series on the Fouth Book of Psalms. A song of praise to God who brings vengeance on his enemies and who disciplines his people.
Part 1 of a series in Book 4 of the Psalms. Four psalms of trust in God and his everlasting word as we live in a fallen world.
Part 9 of the series in 2 Corinthians. Paul explains that weakness is not a barrier to serving God, but the way in which he keeps us humble, provides his grace to us, and shows his power. We can be a community of restoration by the presence of the triune God.
Part 8 of the series in 2 Corinthians. Paul shows the futility of boasting in anything except the Lord, hoping the Corinthians will stay faithful to Christ, their betrothed husband, and not be led astray by the false apostles.
Part 7 of the series in 2 Corinthians. Paul calls the Corinthians (and us) to be cheerfula nd generous givers in response to the grace of God to us in Chrust Jesus.
Part 6 of the series in 2 Corinthians. Paul continues to explain what it means to live as the new creation, aware of the judgement seat of Christ - its implications for our relationships and partnerships and for our attitude when someone challenges us about our sin.
Part 5 of the series in 2 Corinthians. Paul calls us to live as God's new creation, living in these bodies (tents) with the judgement seat of Christ and the resurrection body in view.
Part 39 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. The betrayal, arrest and trial of Jesus and his denail by Peter. The anatomy of betrayal.
Part 38 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus foretelols his betrayal, institutes the Lord's Supper, foretells his denial by Peter, and prays in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Part 37 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. The contrast between religious leaders plotting to kill Jesus and Judas whose love of money drives him to cooperate and the devotion of a woman who does a beuatiful thing for him.
Part 36 of a series in Matthew's Gospel. Jessus tells two parables about being ready and living as God calls us until his return and then describes the judgmenet of the nations as being like the separation of sheep and goats.
Part 35 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus speaks about the destruction of Jerusalam by the Romans and his own return in power and glory at the end of this age.
Part 34 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus poses a question about the Messiah to the Pharisees which they can't answer then warns his followersn not to be proud and hypocritical like them, pronounces seven woes on them and grieves over Jerusalem's rejection of him.
Part 33 of the series in Matthew' Gospel. Jesus tells another parable about some people missing out and unexpected people being included in God's kingdom then engages in a series of discussions with his opponents during which he outlines Christian responsibilities to God and State and to love both God and neighbour.
Part 32 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus confronts his opponents - entering Jerusalem in triumph and cleansing the Temple then telling parables that indict them.
Part 31 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. A parable about the first being last and the examples of two brothers who want to be first and two desparate blind men who know they are last but simply cry out for mercy.
Part 30 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus' teaching about marriage and divorce and his call to a rich young man to sell everything and follow him - what will we need to sacrifice foer the kingdom and is it worth it?
Part 29 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus teaches about relationships in the church - becoming and remaining God's little children, not causing others to sin, taking sin seriously in others and in ourselves, loving sinners well, seeking reconciliation, all because we are recipients of the amazing grace of God.
Part 28 (not 27 as I wrongly say in the recording!) of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus' glory is revealed to three disciples in the Transfiguration and he continues to teach his followers about the importance of faith in him, the necessity of his death and the unique relationship he has with Father God.
Part 27 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus tells his disciples that he must die - Peter objects but Jesus rebukes him - and that discipleship is basically cross-shaped, with eternal consequences.
Part 26 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus shows the signs that prove he is Messiah - the Jewish religious leaders still cannot see, but Simon confesses Jesus as the Messiah and becomes Peter, the first stone aligned with Jesus built into his Church and the first of the apostles who will be the foundation of that Church.
Part 25 of the series in Matthew. Jesus teaches his disciples about ministry in dependence upon him from a heart of humility and mercy through words and miraculous actions: feeding 5000, walking on water and healing the daughter of a Canaanite woman.
Part 24 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus' parables about the kingdom show it will grow now in the lives of those who receive the word alongside those who reject it until the final, decisive judgement. Will we be the good soil that receives and believes the good news and the scribes trained in the kingdom to bringits treasures to others?
Part 23 of the series in matthew's Gospel. Jesus is the Servant Isaiah prophesied about and the fulfilment of the pattern set by Solomon and Jonah. Will we reject him and speak evil against him, so facing judgement, or will we accept him and so become part of his new family?
Part 22 of the series in Matthew's Gopsel. Jesus said he is Lord of the Sabbath and showed it - what was he saying to first century Pharisees and what is he saying to us today?
Part 21 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus' famous invitation to come to him and find rest in the context of his prayer and explanation of his relationship with the Father.
Part 20 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus reassures and praises John the Baptist but pronounces woe on cities in Galilee that have rejected his miracles and message.
Part 19 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus appoints twelve apostles and sends them out on a mission to Israel with (limited) lessons for their later (and now our) mission to the world.
Part 18 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus shows the pattern of his kingdom and our mission, then calls us to pray and respond.
Part 17 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus reveals himself to be he physican for sinners and the bridegroom of God's people who has come to bring new wine and new wineskins.
Part 16 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Six accounts of miracles showing Jesus' authority surrounding a challenge to respond to his call.
Part 15 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. As the 'Sermon on the Mount' draws to a close, Jesus chalelnges us with a series of images to decide which way we will live and whether we will build our lives on the only sure foundation - him and his words.
Part 14 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. How do I relate to others? Jesus calls us to a high standard (a narrow way) and promises our Father will give what we need to walk it if we ask him.
Part 13 of the series in matthew's Gospel. Jesus teaches us to prioritise God's kingdoma nd heavenly treasure and not to serve money or be anxius about what we need.
Part 12 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus teaches his disciples how to think of acts of righteousness and how to pray to their heavenly Father.
Part 11 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. The final example of Jesus restoring the standard of the law - about love for neighbours including loving enemies - and his challenge to religious hypocrites who do pious acts to be seen and call for us to trust our heavenly Father who rewards what is done in secret.
Part 10 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus again restores the standard of the law, this time about truthfulness and revenge.
Part 9 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. What did Jesus mean by saying he had come to fulfil the law and the prophets?
Part 8 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world?
Part 7 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus begins his 'Sermon on the Mount' with eight Beatitudes showing who us truly blessed and what it means to be blessed in the kingdom of heaven.
Part 6 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus begins his public ministry, calling four fishermen to be his disciples and proclaiming and demonstrating the kingdom of heaven.
Part 4 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus is tempted by the devil in the wilderness yet remains without sin.
Part 4 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist and revealed to be the Son of God.
Part 3 of the series in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus fulfils the Old Testament in multiple ways as Magi come to worship him in Bethlehem and he is saved by Joseph in Egypt then taken to grow up in Nazareth in Galilee.
Part 2 of the series in Matthew's Gospel. Joseph, the quiet but faithful man, believes the angel who says Mary's son will be Immanuel and a Saviour from sins.
Part 1 of a series in Matthew's Gospel. Matthew introduces his Gospel with a genealogy of Jesus, the Messiah descended from Abraham and David, that shows he will fulfil Israel's story and bring blessing to the nations.
Part 3 of the series in the book of Lamentations. Two further songs of lament which express our sorrow but also remind us to look to God for hope.
Part 2 of the series in the book of Lamentations. Two songs of lament but also a great expression of faith in God's faithfulness and daily mercies.
Part 1 of a series in the book of Lamentations. Background to the book, the value of lament, and the message of Chapter 1.
Part 5 of the series in the book of Esther. A dramatic conclusion to the tale of Esther and Mordecia - God's people, threatened with destruction, are delivered and blessed while their enemy is overthrown.
Part 4 of the series in the book of Esther. Mordecai influences Esther to act to save the Jews and Esther comes to the fore in her courage and wisdom just as Haman's pride and bitterness set the path for his downfall.
Part 3 of the series in the book of Esther. Introducing Haman the Agagite and setting up his plot to destroy the Jews.
Part 2 of the series in the book of Esther. Introducing Mordecai and Esther, Jewish people in the Persian Empire, and Esther's rise to become queen.
Part 1 of a series in the book of Esther. Introducing King Ahaseurus (Xerxes) and the book of Esther in its historical context.
Part 25 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul's pride in his mission because of what Christ has accomplished through him by the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles.
Part 24 of the series in the book of Romans. The call to harmony among Christians in the pattern of Christ and the call of God on Paul to bring the gospel to Gentiles.
Part 23 of the series in the book of Romans. Two principles to guide Christians relating together over differences: faith and love.
Part 22 of the series in Romans. How can I be indebted to love other people? How does love fulfil the law? What will it mean for us to live in light of Jesus' soon return?
Part 26 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul's personal greetings, warning against being led astray by false teachers and commendation to God.
Part 22 of the series in the book or Romans. Christians must submit to the authorities - why, how and when?
Part 20 of the series in the book of Romans. The outworking of renewed minds in our relationships with other Christians and with those who oppose us.
Part 19 of the series in the book of Romans. What does it mean to have our minds transformed and to know and do God's will? How can we avoid being conformed to the world's ways of thinking and acting?
Part 18 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul draws his thoughts about Israel and the Gentiles to a close with a wonderful statement of God's greatness then calls us to reflect on the mercy of God and so offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him.
Part 17 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul explains that God has not abandoned Israel - there has always been a faithful remnant and in the future many Jews will turn to Jesus.
Part 16 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul explains that salvation is, and always has been, through faith in the message of God proclaimed to people.
Part 15 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul has expressed his confidence in the security of our salvation (Chapter 8) - he now deals with the objection that God cannot be trusted because He seems to have abandoned Israel who were His chosen people.
Part 14 of the series in the book of Romans. The apostle Paul expresses his confidence that our salvation is secure because God can be trusted and no one and nothing can disrupt His purposes for us.
Part 13 of the series in Romans. The wonderful promise that God works everything together for the purpose of making us like Jesus as the Spirit intercedes for us even when we don't know how to pray.
Part 12 of the series in Romans. The apostle Paul explains that all the suffering we experience is a result of the bondage of creation to sin and that the hope before us is to be revealed in glory as God's children.
Part 11 of the series in Romans. Those who are in Christ have no condemnation and no obligation to sin and death, but we can serve God according to the way of the Spirit who causes us to cry 'Abba Father!' and who leads us to live according to God's standard.
Part 10 of the series in Romans. The law condemns but we are no longer bound to it, but to Christ. The law is good, but in the flesh, apart from God, we cannot live up to its standard.
Part 9 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul answers objections that might arise saying that grace means we can carry on sinning by an illustration from slavery - we are not slaves to sin but to God and righteousness.
Part 8 of the series in the book of Romans. The actions of the first Adam and their conseequences (disobedience leading to death) contrasted with the actions of Jesus and their consequences (obedience leading to justification).
Part 7 of the series in Romans. Paul begins to explain the consequences of our salvation - living in grace and boasting in sufferings as we experience God's love.
Part 6 of the series in Romans. Both Jew and Gentile are sinners (Chapter 1), under God's wrath (Chapter 2) and able to be saved only through justification through Christ (Chapter 3). Now Paul explains that this justification comes only through faith like Abraham's and what that saving faith is.
Part 5 of the series in Romans. Paul, having shown that both Jews and Gentiles have sinned and are under God's wrath, now shows that there is one way for each of them to be saved - through the propitiation achieved by Jesus on the bassi of which we can be justified.
Part 4 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul explains that the Jews who might pass judgement on Gentiles have no excuse either before God's righteous judgemnet. All will be judged by the standard of God's justice and all need God's mercy and salvation.
Part 3 of the series in the book of Romans. Paul explains the natrue of sin and God's wrath against us as sinners - wrong worship supporting wrong beliefs which justify wrong desires that lead to wrong actions.
Part 2 of the series in the book of Romans. The apostle Paul explains his longing to preach the gospel in Rome and his confidence in the gospel as God's power to save people, whether Jews or Greeks, through faith.
Part 1 of a series in the book of Romans. The apostle Paul explains that he is a servant of Christ and an apostle of Christ set apart for the gospel. He introduces central ideas in his gospel which is all about how Jesus, Israel's Messiah, becomes the Lord of all peoples.
Part 28 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Josiah's bold reforms bring the focus back to worship of God, but the exile of Judah is now inevitable and a quick succession of ungodly kings reign as puppets first of Egypt and then of Babylon until, in 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzat destroys Jerusalem and the Temple. The book ends with hope, though, as Jehoicahin finds favour in Babylon.
Part 27 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. God deliverse Hezekiah and extends his life just as He delivered Jerusalem and extended the life of the kingdom of Judah but the Babylonians come onto the scene. Then we see two evil kings - Manasseh and Amon - who lead Judah to new depths of idolatry while God tells through prophets of coming exile.
Part 26 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Faithful King Hezekiah prays and seeks God's Word through the prophet Isaiah when faced with the threats and temptations of Assyrian king Sennacherib. God delivers Jerusalem and destroys His enemies.
Part 25 of the series in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. Ahaz, an unfairhful king of Judah, and Hoshea, the last king of Israel. God acts in judgement against the northern kingdom for their idolatry, causing them to be exiled by Assyria, but His grace comes to the nations who settle in Samaria.
Part 24 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Amaziah begins well as king in Judah but acts foolishly and ends up being assassinated. Meanwhile, Jeroboam II strengthens the northern kingdom further as God blesses, speaking through the prophet Jonah. Two more godly kings of Judah - Azariah and Jotham - and a quick sucession of kings in the north as Assyria rises on the scene.
Part 23 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Atahliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel and queen mother in Judah, tries to annihilate the Davidic dynasty but fails. Through courageous people, God preserves the young king Jehoash who later repairs the temple. Meanwhile in the northern kingdom the dynasty of Jehu is established and God shows his favour while Elisha dies.
Part 22 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. The house of Ahab, Jezebel and the worship of Baal are purged from the northern kingdom by Jehu, but he does not worship God wholeheartedly and Israel's territory begins to decline.
Part 21 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. God opens and closes eyes, ears and mouths. God miraculously delivers Elisha and the cities of Dothan and Samaria, but the king of Israel does not believe.
Part 20 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. The familiar but dramatic and shocking story of God's favour and blessing extended to Naaman, the Syrian general, through Elisha (and a servant girl!) and God's judgement on Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, for his unfaithfulness.
Part 19 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. God's favour to Israel is displayed through Elisha, whose miracles echo those of Elijah (but are greater in impact) and foreshadow those of Jesus, who brings God's favour to us.
Part 18 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. The end of Elijah's ministry - judgement on Ahaziah and his men and an amazing ascension ina whirlwind - and the start of Elisha's ministry with a double portion of Elijah's spirit - acts of divine healing for Jericho and judgement on those who reject Elisha.
Part 17 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Ahab makes a surprising change of haeart and is spared, but then returns to foolishness and wickedness and perishes when fighting the Syrians with his ally, Jehoshaphat, a godly king of Judah. Ahaziah, Ahab's son, becomes king in Samaria, but is as wicked as his parents, leading the people in Baal worship.
Part 16 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. God's words to Ahab and Ahab's partial obedience but ultimate disobedience both in releasing Ben-hadad and in allowing Jezebel to kill Naboth. God pronounces jugement on Ahab and Jezebel.
Part 15 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Elijah's despair and God's provision - an Israelite returns to Sinai but God will not start over again. Elisha is appointed to assist Elijah.
Part 14 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. At God's bidding Elijah sets up a dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal, resulting in a clear demonstration of God's power and Baal's nothingness.
Part 13 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Elijah appears dramatically on the scene to confront Ahab - this miracle-working prophet echoes back to Moses and forward to Christ.
Part 12 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Two kings of Judah - one bad (Abijam) and one good (Asa) - and six kings of Israel - all bad. The northern kingdom is led over 160 years back to Baal and Asherah worship - even Jericho is rebuilt - by Ahab, their most wicked king yet.
Part 11 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Jeroboam's tragic story unfolds as God wanrs him but he does not repent and so God pronounces judgement on him. Rehoboam too follows the path of sin.
Part 10 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. The foolishness of Rehoboam and God's fulfilment of His judgement on Solomon leads to the division of the kingdom. Jeroboam does not take the opportunity God gave him but leads the northern kingdom into idolatry.
Part 9 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon's heart turns from God and God raises adversaries against him, predicting the division of his kingdom after Solomon's death.
Part 8 of a series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon's glory and potential as the pinnacle of the visible blessing of God, but also God's warning to him and the seeds of his future failings.
Part 7 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon has the ark of the covenant brought to the Temple and prays for God's blessing before offering sacrifices to Him.
Part 6 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon builds the Temple - a majestic house for God symbolic of His rule over all creation - but also a great (and much bigger!) house for himself.
Part 5 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon's administration of Israel and plans for the Temple show great skill from God mixed with the seeds of future division and resentments.
Part 4 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Solomon asks for and receives wisdom from God and then uses it for the sake of justice among God's people.
Part 3 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. David's last words to Solomon and Solomon's first actions as king - a combination of godly wisdom that envisages a king as a model subject to God's law and human 'wisdom' that holds grudges and takes revenge.
Part 2 of the series in 1 and 2 Kings. Adonijah, David's eldest remaining son, tries to make himself king in place of his father, but his plan is foiled by the quick actions of Bathsheba (mother of Solomon) and the prophet Nathan so that Solomon is confirmed as David's successor.
Part 1 of a series in 1 and 2 Kings. David is old and frail - what will happen next? Introducing the content and themes of Kings with ideas of how we can read these books as Christians.
Part 11 of the series in the book of Colossians. Paul brings the letter full circle by explaining how the gospel will continue to grow (as he said it was in Chapter 1) through both people like him who are gifted to preach and every believer in our conversations if we are wise and season them with grace.