Influence

The Pharisees and Sadducees - Matthew 3:7 – 3:12 (commentary)

We find John rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees were the most influential of the Jewish sects of that day. They were usually orthodox in doctrine and followed good qualities: They knew the Scriptures - Matthew 23:2They tithed - Luke 18:12They fasted - Matthew 9:1 …

Equal Justice For All - Exodus 23:1 – 23:9 (commentary)

In this passage, another law of the Israelites is given: IV. Things involving Legal Justice: 1. To be a true witness and not side in with the unrighteous in legal cases (v. 1). 2. Not to pervert justice by being influenced by the crowd (v. 2). 3. Not to show favoritism to the poor (v. …

Devine Testing of Israel - Judges 2:16 – 2:23 (commentary)

Because Israel forsook the Lord, He forsook them. He turned them over to their enemies time after time. When the judgment became so severe that the nation finally did cry out to God, He would send a deliverer in the form of a judge (vv. 16-17). Sad to say, the people would turn to the Lord ...

Live to Influence, Not be Influenced - Jeremiah 15:15 – 15:21 (commentary)

In this passage, Jeremiah accuses God of not helping him when he really needed it (vv. 15-18). Keep in mind God had promised ultimately to deliver and vindicate Jeremiah (v. 11), but he wanted God to avenge him of his persecutors. Though God was long-suffering, Jeremiah hoped for …