Archives for December 2018

In this week's sermon on Matthew 2, CJ both further helped us connect the gospel to our study of Exodus and encouraged us towards greater affection towards Jesus in light of that. First, we examined the Magi. This mysterious band of Gentiles from the East knew little about Scripture, had to travel a remarkably long distance, and gave precious valuables to the baby. What...

"God's foreknowledge told him that he would stretch out his hand only to meet mighty resistance but, plainly he was in no hurry to implement the final showdown he foresaw (3:19-20). As 2 Peter 3:9 says, 'The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance'-Pharaoh included. But eventually the Lord's patience comes to an end for he...

This post is based on CJ Mahaney's sermon,Power to Strike and Save,given on December 9, 2018. First, the Nile turned to blood. Then the frogs camelots of them.everywhere. Followed by the swarms of gnatsswarms of flies, and still the plagues came. Death of the livestock, boils, hail, locustsand just when the world under the sun couldn't seem to descend any further into c...

"With one single blow he gave them a water and food shortage, a transportation shutdown, a financial disaster, and a spiritual crisis." Phil Ryken "There was a suitableness in God's choosing the frogs to humble Egypt's kings, because frogs were worshipped by that nation as emblems of the Deity. Images of a certain frog-headed goddess were placed in the catacombs, and frog...

This past Sunday, C.J. explored the opening scenes of God's confrontation with Pharaoh and the idols of Egypt. While the stage was previously set for Moses and Aaron to take the Lord's message of deliverance to the king of Egypt, we are now given a prelude, of sorts, for the impending larger conflict. In Exodus 7:8-13, God commissions Moses and Aaron to stand before Phara...

This post is based on CJ Mahaney's sermon,Why the Prelude?,given on December 2, 2018. On Sunday, Pastor CJ preached from Exodus 7:8-13. In this passage, Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh in order to appeal him to let God's people go free. Even after he witnesses the awesome power of God in action, Pharaoh's heart was hardened. Pharaoh is both a merciful warning and a...

"Magic was a main element in the Egyptian religion at this time, and those who mastered these powers were held in high esteem. The priests, belonging to the highest officials of Pharaoh, possessed secret knowledge and were skilled in all sorts of mysterious rites. By casting spells, they could allegedly overpower humans and control gods and thereby attain dominion over the...