Recent Sermons

God's sovereignty is at work throughout the entire trip of Paul to Rome.

Agrippa hears Paul's testimony but is unwilling to place his faith in Jesus.

Festus reviews Paul's legal case as he attempts to appease the Jews.

This is the only formal trial scene in the Book of Acts.

Jehoiakim reigned eleven years in Judah, but only as a puppet king under the authority of Egypt. Instead of following after the ways of God as did His father Josiah, he chose the path of idolatry and self-reliance. The people did not like Him, mostly because he taxed them heavily in order to pay the tribute tax to Pharaoh (2 Kings 23:31-35). He was a weak king and lacked moral sense and found himself in the midst of great political confusion. At first, he was under the control of Egypt, but then Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon defeated Pharaoh Neco of Egypt and then besieged Jerusalem. Jehoiakim, Zedekiah and Jehoiachin were all wicked leaders leaving the door of Judah wide open for Babylon to destroy it, carrying away the people for seventy long years of captivity.

Clinging to the promise of God that he would testify for Jesus in Rome, Paul was able to endure people problems, physical problems and false imprisonment. In the midst of all of this, God used several different people and circumstances to protect Paul and provide him with further opportunities to share the gospel.

Josiah was the last godly king in Judah. His predecessors were very wicked and national revival, a turning back to God, was desperately needed. The Temple was used very little and was in need of great repair. The priests had lost the Word of God and idolatrous things accumulated within the structure. In the same way, there are many churches today that still function as a religious building, but the Word of God no longer is recognized as having any authority. Josiah’s ministry, as the King of Judah, fulfilled a prophecy given years before (I Kings 13:1-5). The Word of God was found in the Temple and he obeyed it and led the nation to follow.