The first thing we are told about this woman is that she had been blessed financially. God had blessed her, and she wanted to bring blessing to others.

One way she could do this was to give hospitality to the prophet Elijah. Now she took i...

The story of the widow’s oil points us very wonderfully to our Lord Jesus. Think about what God did for her sons. He paid their debt. He saved them from slavery. He gave them a future. This is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.

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Let’s look at this story from the perspective of the two boys. It’s striking how often they are mentioned, and it is through their eyes that we see these two truths.

1. God works for our freedom
These two boys had quite...

Notice, there was something for this woman to do. God provided for her as she walked in faith and obedience. God is not limited by our faith or by our obedience, but He calls us to be actively engaged in the means by which He provides.

Elis...

There is something important here about how to help a person in need. The first question is, “What do you have?” What do you have that you could sell to pay this debt? God works with what He has already provided.

God is not limited...

This woman’s great loss opened a whole chapter of troubles. God’s law made provision for widows among God’s people, primarily through the extended family. But for whatever reason, this woman seems to have fallen through the net, and she was left w...

Many Christians are familiar with the story of Elijah the prophet, but fewer know the story of Elisha the prophet. Elijah is the better known of the two, but God’s people enjoyed more blessing in the days of Elisha than they ever did in the days o...

What promise is Peter talking about here? God has promised to judge the earth with fire, just as He once judged the earth with water.

You would expect the verse to say, “God is not slow in fulfilling his promise… He is patient with the unb...

If one day is like a thousand years with the Lord, then the average human life (70 years), would run 25 million years. That’s a long time!

Maybe you’re feeling the pressure of all the stuff you have to get done next week. But, if you had 7...

Do the math—Abraham was born on Monday. King David was born on Tuesday. Jesus was born on Wednesday. The middle ages flashed by yesterday, and our generation will have passed before this morning is over. Another 30 generations will have passed by ...

Over the last century, we have seen evolutionism, which said “There is no Creator!” We are seeing the decline of postmodernism, which said “There is no Truth!” And now we’re seeing the rise of a new atheism, which says “There is no God!”

Pe...

This is what the first Christians experienced; it’s what we experience today; and it will be the experience of the church until Christ comes.

When the New Testament refers to the “last days,” it includes all the days between Jesus’ first a...

There is a great promise here for the Christian. You love the Lord and you grieve over sins—in you and around you. God knows how to rescue you from trials. And He will rescue you. You can count on that.

We learn something ...

The dog goes back and sniffs around. It is intrigued; it loves the vomit. The pig goes back and wallows in the mud. Why? Pigs love mud. And the unrighteous love sin. That’s why they keep going back to it.

The washed pig looks better...

Here is one “hidden” mark of a genuine believer. It cannot be known for sure in others, but you can be sure of it in yourself.

Be careful not to make false judgements about others. Peter writes about those who deny the Lord (2:1). But Peter...

Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come through the doors of the church each year, there will be some who would do the church more harm than good.

They may seem like...

What is the difference between a genuine believer and a counterfeit believer? Here are four more characteristics that Peter gives us.

4. Different Character. (What kind of people are being produced?) The true believer pursues virtue,...

Second Peter 1 describes genuine believers. Second Peter 2 describes counterfeit believers. Put these chapters side by side, and you will see the differences between them.

1. Different Source. (Where does the messa...

There are no ifs, ands, or buts here. It’s a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history.

False prophets were a constant problem in the Old ...

Why would you get up tomorrow morning and read the Bible? It’s more than gathering information, it’s about grasping all that Jesus is for you, savouring all that He has done for you, and receiving all that He holds in Hi...

Being reminded of something you already know gets annoying fast. So, when Peter says, “I intend to always remind you of what you already know and are firmly established in,” it looks like a formula for frustration.

But “remembering” in the ...

The best way to grasp what Peter is saying is through a story.

Paul is under arrest and he is being taken to Rome. Luke describes the journey: “A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was ca...

Peter wants us to know how the Scripture came to be written. Where did the Old Testament come from?

Peter begins by telling us where the Scriptures did not come from: “No prophecy of Scripture…” (1:20). He is distinguishing “prophe...

Peter is talking about the second coming of our Lord Jesus, when He will appear in power and glory, and all His people will be with Him.

Peter says, “This isn’t a cleverly invented myth. I know because I’ve seen His power and glory. I saw ...

In Jesus Christ you will find everything you need for life. But if our knowledge of Jesus comes through the Bible, how do we know that it is reliable? Can we trust the Bible?

Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, identifies four ...

If you pursue virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, you will be fruitful—whatever you try, wherever God calls you.

Peter wants to encourage us to pursue these things, and he tells us what ...

If there isn’t a sense in your heart that “This is what I must pursue,” if there’s no correlation between Peter’s call and the pursuit of your life, there is something wrong with you. That’s what Peter is saying.

If you are a perso...

Here are four more virtues that Peter encourages us to actively pursue in the power of the Holy Spirit:

4. Steadfastness (Pressing on): The impulsive person gives up easily. He is pushed around by what he feels. When the im...

Peter’s emphasis is on our effort to actively pursue these in the power of the Holy Spirit: Make every effort to add these things to your faith. Go after them. Make them your own. God has given you power, now stretch yourself out in the pursuit of...

If God has provided everything we need for a godly life, why is it that some Christians never seem to grow? They never seem to have much joy or make any progress. Peter says that they’re “ineffective or unfruitful” in their knowledge of Christ (1:...