New Post: The Prodigal Son
The next part of my series on Jesus’ parables is now available. This is on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This series is based on messages I’ve given at Beatty Baptist Church.
Continue reading →Andrew Bernhardt
New Page: Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
The next part of my series on Jesus’ parables is now available. This is on the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares. This series is based on messages I’ve given at Beatty Baptist Church. Eventually I’ll have them all listed on their own page.
Continue reading →New Page: Parable of the Sower
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted regularly. I’d like to get back into it, beginning with a series of posts on the parables of Jesus. These will be based on messages I’ve given in the past at Beatty Baptist Church. The first of these is complete and it’s on the first of the parables, the Parable of the Sower. My eventual goal is to get the whole series online, and then work them into a new book with the working title “The Story Teller, and Other Analogies.” This book would contain, as the centerpiece, an expanded version of my “God the Author” analogy, and some other smaller articles that use good analogies. Don’t know if I’ll ever complete … Continue reading →
Beware of Worldly Virtues in the Church
Ever since Jesus warned His disciples of false prophets in Matthew 7:15, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” have promulgated their doctrine. Most of the New Testament epistles addressed the errors of various false teachers such as the Judaizers and Gnostics. But the New Testament warns us things will be much worse in the end times, just before Jesus returns, …and that some Christians would buy into the doctrines of demons: Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons… – 1 Timothy 4:1 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for … Continue reading →
The Wrong Miracle
(Reposted from fadingman.dtjsoft.com) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. … – Luke 4:16ff (ESV) “I suppose some will call it a miracle. I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I can’t explain it.” “Soon after Joseph and Mary’s son moved out of town, we heard things about him. You know, news of what he did in Cana, Capernaum – those places. Amazing things! Marvelous things! But funny… it sure didn’t sound like stories of our Jesus. He hadn’t done any miracles for us when he lived here. At least, none that we could verify with our own eyes. But we hoped the next time he came to town, he’d do for us what … Continue reading →
Part 2 of The Story Writer
It took some time, (the brain wouldn’t cooperate), but the second part of the Story Writer is now available. It’s called ‘The Story‘, and its about recognizing the clues that we are in a story written by God. It’s when we see discover the clues ourselves that our confidence in God’s control grows. I have one more part to write which will cover various topics such as the purpose God has for His story, the purpose of suffering, and more. Hopefully it won’t take as long.
Continue reading →Why The Resurrection?
(From a sermon I gave at Beatty Baptist Church on April 12, 2020.) For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the curious type. Always have been. When something interests me, I try to find out as much about it as possible. When I was young, I would satisfy my curiosity by reading National Geographic magazines and encyclopedia articles. In fact, I preferred reading to socializing. I’m still somewhat like that. Social distancing is not a problem for me. When I find something worthy of my interest, I want to know as much about it as I can. Satisfying my curiosity begins with asking the right questions. And my favorite question to ask is “Why?” During this coronavirus pandemic, … Continue reading →
New page: The Story Writer
I’m working on a powerful analogy to help explain many of the attributes of God’s nature in a way that can foster greater love for Him, trust in Him, and obedience to Him. It can also help us explain God to non-believers, young and old. I just finished the first part and it’s available for your perusal here. I have two more parts to organize and write, which may take some time as I don’t write fast. If this analogy has helped you, let me know!
Continue reading →The Gift Of Faith
He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” – Luke 23:42 Here is a thief with great faith. This sinner admitted he deserved what he suffered. At the same time, he knew Jesus, suffering next to him, was innocent. He also recognized the Lordship of Jesus. He recognized Jesus had the compassion and authority to overlook his sins. And he knew that this death would not stop Jesus from returning in power and great glory to reward those who trust in Him. What a contrast with the disciples, whose hope died when their Lord died (Luke 24:21). They didn’t believe when told He was risen from the dead. They didn’t remember what He had told … Continue reading →
Passing On God’s Mercy
And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God to him? … – 2 Samuel 9:3 David was a nobody, a tender of sheep, the youngest of eight children. But God raised him up to become the king of Israel. God showered grace and mercy on David throughout his life. With God’s help he defeated a lion and a bear. He gave him victory over Goliath and the Philistines. He protected him from the evil intentions of king Saul (and later his own son, Absalom). God’s presence was with David from the beginning. David was most thankful to be a recipent of God’s mercy, and he wanted … Continue reading →