Author Archives: Jefferson Vann
behind the scenes
Exodus 5:1-6:9. It appears on the surface that Moses’ first attempt at delivering the people of Israel fails. God is doing something behind the scenes that sets up the board for a new kind of operation. He is giving Pharaoh … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, patience, perseverance, plan of God, redemption, suffering
Tagged Exodus 5, Exodus 6
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message empowered mission
Romans 1:1-17. A few years ago, when preaching on this passage, I used the following outline: 1. The Gospel has the answer for every person. 2. Faith is the means of receiving this power. 3. The message must be effectively … Continue reading
sharing his passion
Exodus 4. The ESV Study Bible explains: “The three signs indicate the extent of the Lord’s power and prefigure the realms of the plagues to come: creatures of the earth (staff to a serpent), people (Moses’ hand becoming leprous), and … Continue reading
God left him to himself
2 Chronicles 32. The chronicler has a unique perspective on why Hezekiah made the mistake of showing the Babylonian envoys his treasures. He says that “God left him to himself in order to test him and to know all that … Continue reading
preparing for the mission
Exodus 2:23-3:22. All the while Israel was groaning because of their slavery and crying out to God, the LORD was preparing Moses for the task of leading them out of Egypt. The LORD taught Moses by having him raise a … Continue reading
Posted in leadership, ministry, patience, plan of God, preparation, trust
Tagged Exodus 2, Exodus 3
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strange deliverance
Exodus 1:22-2:22. This story begins with a birth, and ends with a birth. Moses is born with a death sentence on his head. He is delivered by means of God’s sovereignty and the intervention of several women. Pharaoh had commanded … Continue reading
the gospel on trial
Acts 25:1-26:32. During his two years in prison at Caesarea, Paul had opportunity to defend his actions against the accusations of his Jewish antagonists. In doing so, Paul makes it clear that the gospel message he has preached is really … Continue reading
Posted in courage, eternal life, forgiveness, hope, repentance, resurrection, witness
Tagged Acts 25, Acts 26
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our tears in his bottle
Psalm 56. David did not glide through life without challenges and troubles. He had numerous enemies, and his life was in danger constantly. He comforted himself not in the idea that God was going to help him overcome his problems … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, courage, future, patience, perseverance, relationship with God, trust
Tagged Psalm 56
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his geographical will
Acts 21:17-23:11. My Bible records the words of Jesus in red letters. Reading through this text, it becomes quite clear that Paul goes where he goes because Jesus prompts him to do so. Jesus told him to go to Damascus … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, faithfulness, ministry, obedience, submission, witness
Tagged Acts 21, Acts 22, Acts 23
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enough is enough
2 Chronicles 28. The Chronicler mentions three prominent leaders of the tribe of Ephraim who had the courage to stand up against the army of Israel. The horrible king Ahaz had sent his army against his own kinsmen of Judah. … Continue reading
