Thinking on Scripture with Dr. Steven R. Cook

Genesis Chapter 42

The
Central Idea of the Text is that God
controlled the circumstances that led Joseph’s brothers to Egypt, to
unwittingly bow to him, and thus fulfill His prophetic promise (Gen. 37:5-8;
42:6, 9).

Genesis Chapter 43

The Central Idea of
the Text is that Joseph tested his brothers to see if jealousy still
motivated them to treat others harshly; especially Benjamin (Gen. 43:31-34). 

Genesis Chapter 44

The
Central Idea of the Text is that Joseph
tested his brothers one last time to see if there was love in their hearts for
one another, and discovered they had matured; especially Judah (Gen. 44:33-34).

Genesis Chapter 45

The Central Idea of
the Text is that Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, stating it was
ultimately God’s sovereignty and not their sin that brought him to Egypt in
order to preserve Jacob’s family and the lives of many others (Gen. 45:5-7).

Genesis Chapter 46

The Central Idea of
the Text is that God providentially brought Jacob and his family to Egypt
to live in the land of Goshen (Gen. 46:1-7; 28-34).

Genesis Chapter 47

The Central Idea of
the Text is that God settled Jacob in Egypt, in the land of Goshen, and
caused him to prosper there (Gen. 47:1-12, 27-31).

Genesis Chapter 48

The Central Idea of
the Text is that Jacob blesses Manasseh, Ephraim, and Joseph and assures
them that all God had promised him regarding land, seed, and blessing would be
theirs (Gen. 48:3-4; 12-16; 21).

Genesis Chapter 49

The Central Idea of
the Text is that Jacob provides his sons with prophetic foresight regarding
the future of their offspring (Gen. 49:2-28).

Genesis Chapter 50

The Central Idea of
the Text is that Jacob’s sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the
divinely promised land of Canaan, as Jacob requested (Gen. 49:29-30; 50:1-13).  

The Tribulation and the Corruption of Men's Hearts

During the seven year tribulation, men will behave poorly and run from God. The corruption of men's hearts will be evident as they refuse to turn to God and continue to worship idols.  Men will seek death rather than turn to the Lord.  

Spiritual Sacrifices of the Christian

Just as the Jewish Priest under the Mosaic Law was to
commit himself to a life of service for the benefit of others, so every
Christian has a specific calling by the Lord to do the same.  Under the Mosaic Law the priesthood was open
only men (Num. 18:21; Deut. 21:5), from the Tribe of Levi (Num. 3:6-9; Deut. 18:1), who had no physical defects (Lev. 21:17-23), and met the age requirements (Num. 8:24-25).  Today, however,
every Christian is a priest to God belonging to “a holy priesthood” and “a
royal priesthood” and has the responsibility “to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).  The “spiritual sacrifices” of every Christian
include:
 
1.    The giving of one’s body for service
to the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).
2.    The sacrifice of praise for
worship (Heb. 13:15).
3.    The doing of good works and
sharing with others (Phil. 4:18; Heb. 13:16).
4.    The sacrifice of one’s life for
the benefit of others (Phil 1:21-26; 2:17).
5.    To walk in sacrificial love (Eph.
5:1-2).

The Resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection of
Jesus is mentioned numerous times in Acts (Acts 1:22; 2:24, 31-32; 3:14-15; 4:1-2,
10, 33; 5:30; 10:39-40; 13:26-39; 17:18, 30-32; 26:22-23). The word resurrection translates the Greek anastasis (Matt 22: 30-32; Luke
20:33-38; John 11:21-25; 1 Cor. 15:12-26; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; Heb. 6:1-3; 1 Pet.
1:3-5; Rev. 20:5-6). The word raised
translates the Greek egeiro, and
often refers to resurrection (Acts 2:24, 32; 10:40; Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). The
“the first resurrection” occurs in stages
starting with Christ, and involves only believers. These believers will live
with Christ during His reign and for all eternity (Rev. 20:5-6).  The final resurrection is for unbelievers
only who will be cast into the Lake of Fire, after the millennial reign of
Christ.  

Expositional Preaching

Biblical Expository Preaching is a verse by verse system of communication
that carefully works through a book of the Bible explaining what each word,
sentence, and paragraph meant to the original audience, explaining linguistic,
historical, and cultural issues as they arise, and then bridging the text and
its theological significance to the current listening audience.  After the sermon, the hearers should better
understand what the passage of Scripture meant to the original audience, and
how to apply it to their own lives.  In Biblical Expository Preaching the
message is driven by the text itself, thus liberating the preacher from any
personal agendas he might be tempted to follow. 
The sermon is authoritative only to the degree that it accurately
communicates the biblical text.  

Overview of Bible Prophecy Part 1

Biblical
prophecy is the pronouncement that God will bring certain events to pass,
primarily in connection with His covenants to Israel.  The biblical covenants rest on the integrity
of God and power of God.  Because they
have never been completely fulfilled and God cannot lie or fail with regard to
His promises (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18), their future fulfillments are certain to
come to pass.

Overview of Bible Prophecy Part 2

Biblical
prophecy is the pronouncement that God will bring certain events to pass,
primarily in connection with His covenants to Israel.  The biblical covenants rest on the integrity
of God and power of God.  Because they
have never been completely fulfilled and God cannot lie or fail with regard to
His promises (Tit. 1:2; Heb. 6:18), their future fulfillments are certain to
come to pass.

Biblical Prayer Part 1

Prayer
is most often an appeal to God to change a difficult or helpless situation.  The Lord sovereignly answers our requests as
His wisdom, righteousness and love dictate; sometimes He answers yes and sometimes no.  The Lord has His reasons
and they always glorify Him.  Sometimes
God changes our situations as we request (i.e. concerning employment, health,
finances, etc.), and sometimes He leaves the situation and seeks to change our
attitude (e.g. Paul’s thorn in the flesh,
2 Cor. 12:7-10).  When God does not
remove a difficult situation as we request, then He intends for us to deal with
it.  God uses difficult situations to
remove pride (Dan. 4:37; 2 Cor. 12:7-10), or to develop godliness (Jam.
1:2-4).  It’s almost always the case that
we prefer God change our circumstances rather than our attitude; and yet, it
seems both biblically and experientially that God prefers to do the
opposite.  Though the Lord is concerned
about our difficult situations, He’s more concerned Christian character than
comfort.

Biblical Prayer Part 2

Prayer
is most often an appeal to God to change a difficult or helpless situation.  The Lord sovereignly answers our requests as
His wisdom, righteousness and love dictate; sometimes He answers yes and sometimes no.  The Lord has His reasons
and they always glorify Him.  Sometimes
God changes our situations as we request (i.e. concerning employment, health,
finances, etc.), and sometimes He leaves the situation and seeks to change our
attitude (e.g. Paul’s thorn in the flesh,
2 Cor. 12:7-10).  When God does not
remove a difficult situation as we request, then He intends for us to deal with
it.  God uses difficult situations to
remove pride (Dan. 4:37; 2 Cor. 12:7-10), or to develop godliness (Jam.
1:2-4).  It’s almost always the case that
we prefer God change our circumstances rather than our attitude; and yet, it
seems both biblically and experientially that God prefers to do the
opposite.  Though the Lord is concerned
about our difficult situations, He’s more concerned Christian character than
comfort.

Biblical Prayer Part 3

Prayer
is most often an appeal to God to change a difficult or helpless situation.  The Lord sovereignly answers our requests as
His wisdom, righteousness and love dictate; sometimes He answers yes and sometimes no.  The Lord has His reasons
and they always glorify Him.  Sometimes
God changes our situations as we request (i.e. concerning employment, health, finances,
etc.), and sometimes He leaves the situation and seeks to change our attitude
(e.g. Paul’s thorn in the flesh, 2
Cor. 12:7-10).  When God does not remove
a difficult situation as we request, then He intends for us to deal with it.  God uses difficult situations to remove pride
(Dan. 4:37; 2 Cor. 12:7-10), or to develop godliness (Jam. 1:2-4).  It’s almost always the case that we prefer
God change our circumstances rather than our attitude; and yet, it seems both biblically
and experientially that God prefers to do the opposite.  Though the Lord is concerned about our
difficult situations, He’s more concerned Christian character than comfort.

Overcoming Stress Part 1

Adversity
comes to everyone, but only the believer – armed with Scripture – has a
sufficient base with which to handle to pressures of life.  Mental and emotional stability comes from
learning and living God’s word on a regular basis.  

Overcoming Stress Part 2

Adversity
comes to everyone, but only the believer – armed with Scripture – has a
sufficient base with which to handle to pressures of life.  Mental and emotional stability comes from
learning and living God’s word on a regular basis.  

Introduction to the Mosaic Law

The Mosaic Law refers to “the statutes and ordinances and
laws which the LORD established between Himself and the sons of Israel through
Moses at Mount Sinai” (Lev. 26:46).  The
Mosaic Law reflects God’s righteous character; therefore, “the Law
is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good” (Rom. 7:12).  The Mosaic Law measured Israel’s performance
under the Mosaic Covenant and was the basis for blessing or cursing (see Deut.
28).

Discussion on God's Providence Part 1

Divine
providence means that God controls the circumstances of life in such a way that
He is directing history as He desires according to His predetermined plan from
eternity past.  In short, people are
moved by the circumstances God controls. 
Life is never a series of accidents where one chance event is followed
by another; but rather, it is a series of appointments whereby the sovereign
God of the universe “causes all things to work together for good” (Rom.
8:28).  God never creates evil, but He
does sometimes use it to accomplish His purposes.  

Discussion on God's Providence Part 2

Divine
providence means that God controls the circumstances of life in such a way that
He is directing history as He desires according to His predetermined plan from
eternity past.  In short, people are
moved by the circumstances God controls. 
Life is never a series of accidents where one chance event is followed
by another; but rather, it is a series of appointments whereby the sovereign
God of the universe “causes all things to work together for good” (Rom.
8:28).  God never creates evil, but He
does sometimes use it to accomplish His purposes.  

The New Covenant and the Lord's Supper

The New Covenant is specifically mentioned by the Lord Jesus on the night He was betrayed, before He went to the cross and shed His blood and died.  At the last supper Jesus instituted what is commonly called the Lord’s Supper which is celebrated by Christians today (1 Cor. 11:23-26).  (complete study notes)

Marriage and God

Marriage, according to Scripture, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33).  Adam and Eve, the first couple, were created in God’s image with the purpose of serving Him and exercising responsible dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).  The husband was created to be the loving leader to guide the relationship into God’s will, and the wife was to walk with him and help him (Gen. 2:18; 21-23; cf. Eph. 5:25-33).   

Marriage and the Bible

Marriage, according to Scripture, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33).  Adam and Eve, the first couple, were created in God’s image with the purpose of serving Him and exercising responsible dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).  The husband was created to be the loving leader to guide the relationship into God’s will, and the wife was to walk with him and help him (Gen. 2:18; 21-23; cf. Eph. 5:25-33).   

Marriage and Faith

Marriage, according to Scripture, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33).  Adam and Eve, the first couple, were created in God’s image with the purpose of serving Him and exercising responsible dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).  The husband was created to be the loving leader to guide the relationship into God’s will, and the wife was to walk with him and help him (Gen. 2:18; 21-23; cf. Eph. 5:25-33).   

The Spiritual Marriage

Marriage, according to Scripture, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33).  Adam and Eve, the first couple, were created in God’s image with the purpose of serving Him and exercising responsible dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).  The husband was created to be the loving leader to guide the relationship into God’s will, and the wife was to walk with him and help him (Gen. 2:18; 21-23; cf. Eph. 5:25-33).   

Marriage - Love and Respect

Marriage, according to Scripture, is between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:24; Eph. 5:22-33).  Adam and Eve, the first couple, were created in God’s image with the purpose of serving Him and exercising responsible dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:26-28).  The husband was created to be the loving leader to guide the relationship into God’s will, and the wife was to walk with him and help him (Gen. 2:18; 21-23; cf. Eph. 5:25-33).   

The Doctrine of Grace Part 1

The Greek word ca,rij charis is most commonly translated grace, favor, andthank you.  ca,rij charis appears 155 times in the New Testament, and from that number the apostle Paul uses the word 130 times.  Grace refers to the unmerited favor that one person shows toward an undeserving other.  The greatest expression of grace is observed in the love God shows toward undeserving sinners for whom He sent His Son to die in their place so they might have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16-19; Rom. 5:6-10).  (complete set of notes) 

The Doctrine of Grace Part 2

The Greek word ca,rij charis is most commonly translated grace, favor, andthank you.  ca,rij charis appears 155 times in the New Testament, and from that number the apostle Paul uses the word 130 times.  Grace refers to the unmerited favor that one person shows toward an undeserving other.  The greatest expression of grace is observed in the love God shows toward undeserving sinners for whom He sent His Son to die in their place so they might have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16-19; Rom. 5:6-10).  (complete set of notes) 

The Doctrine of Grace Part 3

The Greek word ca,rij charis is most commonly translated grace, favor, andthank you.  ca,rij charis appears 155 times in the New Testament, and from that number the apostle Paul uses the word 130 times.  Grace refers to the unmerited favor that one person shows toward an undeserving other.  The greatest expression of grace is observed in the love God shows toward undeserving sinners for whom He sent His Son to die in their place so they might have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16-19; Rom. 5:6-10).  (complete set of notes)

The Doctrine of Grace Part 4

The Greek word ca,rij charis is most commonly translated grace, favor, andthank you.  ca,rij charis appears 155 times in the New Testament, and from that number the apostle Paul uses the word 130 times.  Grace refers to the unmerited favor that one person shows toward an undeserving other.  The greatest expression of grace is observed in the love God shows toward undeserving sinners for whom He sent His Son to die in their place so they might have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16-19; Rom. 5:6-10).  (complete set of notes)

The Doctrine of Grace Part 5

The Greek word ca,rij charis is most commonly translated grace, favor, and thank you.  ca,rij charis appears 155 times in the New
Testament, and from that number the apostle Paul uses the word 130 times.  Grace refers to the unmerited favor that one
person shows toward an undeserving other. 
The greatest expression of grace is observed in the love God shows
toward undeserving sinners for whom He sent His Son to die in their place so
they might have eternal life in Christ (John 3:16-19; Rom. 5:6-10).  (complete set of notes)

Made in God's Image

The Bible teaches that man is special, made in God's image, with the ability to reason, feel and act.  

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper symbolizes the person of Christ and the ratification of the New Covenant with some of it's spiritual blessings for Christians.  

A Lesson on Humility

God's Word teaches that believer's are to be humble and submit themselves to the Lord for Christian service.  

Jesus Washes the Disciple's Feet

Jesus provided an object lesson in humility and forgiveness when He washed the disciple's feet during the Last Supper (John 13:1-17).

Imprecatory Prayer

The imprecatory prayer called for God to execute justice against those who wrongfully hurt or antagonized His people.  

The Doctrine of Grace Part 1

God shows both common and special grace to men.  Common grace is the undeserved kindness He shows to all men, whether righteous or wicked, by meeting their most basic needs and caring for them (Matt. 5:45).  Special grace is that particular favor God shows to His elect who trust in Christ as their Savior, receive salvation, spiritual gifts, care for life, and eternal blessings (John 3:16; Eph. 1:3; 2:8-9; Tit. 2:11-14; 2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 21:1-7).

The Doctrine of Grace Part 2

God shows both common and special
grace to men.  Common grace is the undeserved kindness He shows to all men,
whether righteous or wicked, by meeting their most basic needs and caring for
them (Matt. 5:45).  Special grace is that particular favor God shows to His
elect who trust in Christ as their Savior, receive salvation, spiritual gifts,
care for life, and eternal blessings (John 3:16; Eph. 1:3; 2:8-9; Tit. 2:11-14;
2 Pet. 3:18; Rev. 21:1-7).

The Birth of Jesus - Luke 2:1-20

Luke records the good news announcement of the birth of Jesus.

Biblical Fasting Part 2

Fasting was a way of expressing genuine
humility to the Lord during a time of mourning, suffering, or threat of
suffering in which a person called out to the Lord in prayer (2 Sam.
12:13-23; cf. Ezra 8:21; Neh. 1:1-4; Est. 4:16; Jonah 3:1-10).

Biblical Fasting Part 1

Fasting was a way of expressing genuine
humility to the Lord during a time of mourning, suffering, or threat of
suffering in which a person called out to the Lord in prayer (2 Sam.
12:13-23; cf. Ezra 8:21; Neh. 1:1-4; Est. 4:16; Jonah 3:1-10).

Daniel 9:24-27 - Seventy Weeks of Prophecy

God revealed prophetic events to the prophet Daniel that referred to Israel, the Antichrist, and the seven year tribulation. 

The Antichrist

The Antichrist is a Gentile world ruler who rises to power shortly after the rapture of the church (2 Thess. 2:1-10; Rev. 13:1).  His reign will begin when he brokers a contract of peace with Israel and the surrounding nations of the Middle East (Dan. 9:24-27).  The Antichrist will rule for the seven years of the Tribulation.  He will be defeated when Christ returns after the Tribulation to establish His millennial reign on earth (Rev. 19:11-21).

Angelic Warfare

There are both unfallen and fallen angels, and the Bible reveals battles that take place between (Dan. 10:13, 20-21).  The believer resists demonic attack by submitting to God and
relying on His word (Matt. 4:1-11; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Jas. 4:7). 

The Doctrine of Death

Death
means separation, not cessation or annihilation of life.  When Adam ate the forbidden fruit, he died
spiritually in that his relationship with God was severed and he was in danger
of the Lake of Fire which God had prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matt.
25:41).  Even though Adam was made
spiritually alive again (Gen. 3:21), he died physically at a later time in his
life (Gen. 5:5).  

The Doctrine of the Occult

Occultism is any religious system of belief and
practice that attempts to manipulate the world, circumstances, or people by
supernatural means for personal advantage.  Occultism pursues things
mystical or magical, is self-serving and is often syncretistic, embracing other
religions.  

How to Test a False Prophet Part 1

God knew false prophets would try to mislead His people, so He gave them several tests they could apply to discern a true prophet from a false one. Bible teacher Steven R. Cook explains those biblical passages.