Introduction to My Book Project

I have been doing research on Islam for some time now, and I have finally begun writing what will be a small book introducing Islam to Christians and explaining crucial similarities and differences between the two faiths.  I have planned the following chapters-

The Gospel of King Jesus

Introduction

This year’s theme is “proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you,” taken from 1 Peter 2:9. At some point this year I am going to preach through 1 Peter to put this theme in context, but this morning I want to speak with you about the basic meaning of this year’s theme.

We can proclaim the excellencies of God in a lot of ways. We can do it through worship, praising Him for His awesome splendor. The NIV translates this expression, “declare the praises” of God. We can even do it in the way we live, proclaiming God’s love and righteousness through our own good works. The NLT reflects this idea, “you can show others the goodness of God.”

The Song of Simeon (The Original Songs of Jesus' Birth - Part 3)

Introduction

Working through the opening chapters of Luke has been like going to a wonderful party with lots of great food. You want to taste everything, but you only have room on your plate for so much. And in Luke 2, there are several people and events that I would love to preach abouy – the shepherds, Anna, the story about Jesus in the temple at age 12 – but I am going to have to save those stories for another time. What we have been meditating on together are the songs in these opening chapters, the Magnificat of Mary, the Benedictus of Zechariah, and today, the song of an aged Israelite named Simeon.

The Original Songs of Jesus' Birth - Part 2 The Song of Zechariah

Introduction

You all got to meet my niece, Darby, this past Wednesday. I have had lots of pretend nieces and nephews, but it was very cool to spend some time with my only real one. Incidentally, I had the same effect holding her that I do preaching to you – I put her right to sleep!

You all know that I have joked that my sister-in-law Kelli and her husband Ryan timed having Darby just to steal the spotlight away from Kristi and me, since she was born just a few weeks after we were married. But they had waited a long time to have a child, so it just made that time of year even more special for all of us.

Full Preterism and the Resurrection

The word preterist comes from the Latin word for “past,” and in the study of biblical prophecy preterism refers to the belief that prophetic events have already been fulfilled in the past. My notes on the Book of Revelation, for instance, would be described as “partial preterist,” because I take the view that most of the book’s prophecies have already been fulfilled.

There is also a form of preterism known as full preterism. This is the belief that all Bible prophecy has been fulfilled, including the second coming, the resurrection, and the judgment. Among brethren this view is sometimes called “the AD 70 doctrine,”

The Original Songs of Jesus' Birth - Part 1 The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)

Introduction

Last year’s series on “Christmas Carols”

-Did not focus on the many trappings of the traditional Christmas story that are not what we find in Scripture (date of Dec. 25; 3 wise men).

-Instead, focused on the overall feel of the songs, which often sterilize the story of Jesus’ birth in a way that makes it completely unrealistic to picture as a historical event.

“All is calm, all is bright” vs the upheaval that marked the Jewish experience of Roman domination in the first century.

This year I want to do three lessons on the songs that were actually sung about Jesus’ birth. They are all found in Luke’s gospel:

Notes on Islam - Lesson 9 Salvation

Similarities with the Bible

Life, death, judgment, heaven/hell (40:38-40).

Must prepare for judgment and eternity (2:284; 3:185)

Reward/punishment (99:7-8)