The Pharisees (Part 1)

Having their origin in the days of Ezra, the Scribes and Pharisees were extremely zealous for the law, separating themselves for this exclusive purpose.

More Righteous Than the Pharisees?

The Pharisees were in the office or seat of Moses. Jesus taught His followers to follow their words (pertaining to the Law of God), but not their personal examples.

Righteousness from Inside-Out

Many people fail to understand the kind of righteousness God is looking for. God wants it written on our hearts—not just a set of dos and don'ts.

The Merciful

The harsh religion of the Pharisees was unfeeling, placing more attention on rituals and man-made laws, and had turned their super-righteousness into sin.

Philippians (Part Seven)

Paul warns the Philippians that nothing blemishes their witness more than complaining, because like the Israelites, they were calling God into account.

Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Three)

Though the Old and New Testament are complementary to one another, the emphasis of justice in the New Testament switches from national to personal in scope.

The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart

Purity before God is far more than just being clean. To Jesus, being pure in heart, described in the Beatitudes, touches on the very holiness of God.

Preparing for the Feast

The Feast of Tabernacles is far more than a yearly vacation. It is a time set apart for both rejoicing before God and learning to fear Him.

Why Did the Jews Hate Jesus?

The elites' jealousy over losing political power fueled their hatred of Jesus. Conflict between those who have power and those who want it is a way of life.

Overcoming Hypocrisy

We are continually in danger of being deceived by our carnal nature, a nature which distracts us from following God, even though we go through the motions.

Sabbathkeeping (Part 3)

The biblical instructions for Sabbath keeping apply far more to the church than to the Israelites, who did not have the fullness of scriptural counsel.

The Second Commandment

Most people consider the second commandment to deal with making or falling down before a pagan idol, but it covers all aspects of the way we worship.

Leadership and Covenants (Part Two)

We must learn the lessons of godly leadership now because our positions in the Kingdom will require their use. Society demonstrates a lack of personal leadership.

The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Three): The Meal Offering

The meal offering represents the fulfillment of the second great commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Here is how to understand this offering.

Checklist for Overcoming

Romans 12-16 provide a checklist for overcoming and promoting positive relationships, developing tender affection. We are mutually dependent upon one another.

Matthew (Part Eleven)

Life consists of a series of choices, often a dilemma of a pleasurable choice on one hand and a difficult choice (that produces more growth) on the other.

Abraham (Part Eight)

If we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.

Matthew (Part Eight)

The Doctrine of Israel (Part Nine): Romans 11

Paul poses two questions in Romans 11: Has God discarded Israel for all time? Will God graft physical Israel into the Covenant people of Abraham?