The Bible and Pi – Another Win for Scripture

This is the kind of thing that I just love reading.  I think I have found a new blog to frequent.  I have not yet run into an atheist that tried to claim the Bible was inaccurate on the value of Pi, but this is an excellent example of studying deeper in the text.

Can God measure?

Here is the crux of the discovery if you don’t feel like browsing over to the full post (but I recommend checking it out as it isn’t very long):

In Hebrew, the word used for the line around the metal sea which gives its circumference is qav made up of the letters kof-vav. In 1 Kings the word is spelled with an extra letter: kof-vav-hey. Such variances in spelling are not unusual in Biblical Hebrew, and the rabbis maintain that each one give us a hint to look deeper.

The numerical value of kof-vav is 106 and that of kof-vav-hey is 111. Following the hint to go deeper, if we adjust the stated circumference of 30 cubits by 111 / 106 we arrive at the figure 31.415094336962 cubits.* This is very close to the figure given by applying pi to the diameter of 10 cubits: 31.415926535897……

In fact this Bible figure is much closer to the true value of pi than the calculations used by the ancient Bablyonians or Egyptians or Aristotle. Only the Greek Ptolemy (2nd C CE) got closer in the ancient world.

This type of post fits firmly in line with previous posts talking about the veracity of the Bible here.  Enjoy and be blessed.  God’s Word is an amazing book indeed.

Sunday Morning 4/25/10

I have also posted last week’s sermon a week late, so look further down for that one.  Here is the sermon from Sunday.  We had a great time in the Lord and I pray that He will richly bless you through His Word.

True Love Isn’t Halfhearted

Sermon notes 4/25/10

Luke 10:25-37

1. The Good Samaritan
   1. The Samaritan problem
   2. The intent of the Law
   3. The point of the example
2. Loving our neighbor as ourself – Leviticus 19:18
   1. Matthew 22:40 and the foundation of the Law
   2. Only part of the picture – James 2:8-13
   3. Mercy over judgment – 1 John 4:19-20
3. Love the Lord your God – Deuteronomy 6:4
   1. The Greatest Commandment
   2. What does it mean to love God?
      1. Keep the commandments – Luke 11:28 (Luke 8:21)
         1. John 14:15, 21; 15:10; 1 John 2:3-4; 5:2-3
         2. Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; 7:9; 11:1; 1 Kings 8:61; Proverbs 3:1-6
      2. Believers keep the commandments – Revelation 12:17 and 14:12
      3. Even Paul told believers to keep the commandments
         1. 1 Corinthians 7:19
         2. 2 Timothy 3
   3. Learn It, Love It, Live It

Sunday Morning 4/18/10

Sorry for posting this sermon a week late.  Last week was a little more hectic at times than usual and I just let this one slip through on me.  We had a great service and I pray that the message is a blessing to you.  God’s Word is amazing indeed and effective in all.

Latitude, Attitude, Gratitude

Sermon notes 4/18/10

Luke 7:1-17; 36-50

1. Latitude of an authority – Luke 7:1-10
   1. The request for help
   2. The understanding of Jesus’ authority
   3. The demonstration of faith
2. Attitude of a King – Luke 7:11-17
   1. The history of Nain – 2 Kings 4
   2. Stopping a funeral procession
   3. Reliving the history – Elijah, Elisha, and now Yeshua
3. Gratitude of the forgiven – Luke 7:36-50
   1. The contrast of the host and the woman
   2. The parable of the debtor
   3. The forgiveness of sins
      1. To whom much is given much is required – Luke 12:48
      2. How much have we been forgiven and given?

Shrouded in Mystery

Update:  There is another interesting article that was put out this week regarding the back of the Shroud.

I will admit that the Shroud of Turin is one of those things that just fascinates me.  I have no problem believing that it might be the genuine article, but my faith does not hinge on its validity one way or the other.  This latest stir about it is interesting to read about though.

I found this to be worth further reading:

Rogers’ paper made an impact on the Shroud of Turin research community worldwide, because immediately after the results of the 1988 radiocarbon dating were made public, he was a leading voice asserting the shroud was a medieval forgery.

. . .

Rogers concluded in his 2005 paper that the linen in the main body of the shroud had lost vanillin, much like the Dead Sea scroll linens, suggesting the shroud itself is much older than the radiocarbon dating had suggested, very possibly reaching back 2,000 years to the time of Jesus Christ.

So, what do you think about the Shroud of Turin?

Sunday Morning 4/11/10

We had a great service Sunday morning and I always feel so blessed to share from God’s Word.  I pray that this message is a challenge and a blessing to you as it was to me to prepare and preach it.  The primary text is from Luke 6:39-49.  You can listen by clicking on the play button below.  Notes are below that.  May God richly bless you through His Word.

The Solid Rock

Sermon notes 4/11/10

Luke 6:39-49

1. Becoming like our Teacher – v. 39-42
   1. Overcoming blindness – seeing but not seeing
   2. Student models the teacher
      1. John 13:15; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6
   3. Seeing logs – James 1:22-25
2. Fruitfulness – Good and Bad – Luke 6:43-45
   1. The fruit in our life reveals what is in our heart – v. 45
   2. Bad fruit – Galatians 5:19-21
   3. Good fruit – Galatians 5:22-24
3. The Two Foundations – Luke 6:46-49
   1. Saying without doing – v. 46
   2. The Solid Rock – v. 47-48
   3. The Shifting Sand – v. 49

Time for an amicable separation

If you don’t read Walter Williams’ columns already, you should.  I will admit that I have kept my eye on a couple of movements that seek to do the kinds of things he mentions in this column.

Time for an amicable separation.

Sunday Morning 4/4/10

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning.  We had a great service and a wonderful time praising the Lord.  I wish I could include the singing part of the service from mornings like this one because everyone sounded so great singing Sunday.  It really blessed my heart to be in the house of the Lord among our family here.  Here is the audio from the sermon and the notes are below as well.  May God richly bless you through His Word.



The Firstfruits of the Harvest

Sermon notes 4/4/10

1 Corinthians 15:12-28; 42-49

1. If Christ hadn’t risen, we would have no hope – v. 12-19
   1. Why is faith in vain if Christ wasn’t raised?
   2. Modern day “doubters” who call themselves “Christian”
   3. The resurrection isn’t an optional issue
2. Christ is the Firstfruits of the Resurrection – v. 20-23
   1. The firstfruits represented the promise of a greater harvest
      1. Leviticus 23:9-14
      2. Christ literally fulfilled this – v. 11
      3. This starts the countdown to Pentecost – v. 15-16
   2. We follow Him as a continuing “firstfruits” – Romans 11:16
      1. James 1:16-18
      2. Romans 8:22-30
      3. Revelation 14:1-5; 12-13
3. The image of the firstfruits – 1 Corinthians 15:42-49
   1. What we are is not what we will be
      1. Remade in Christ’s likeness – v. 49; Romans 8:29
      2. Philippians 3:17-21
      3. Colossians 3:1-17 – verse 10
      4. 1 John 3:2
   2. 1 John 3:16-24 – Recognizing the firstfruits of the harvest

The nonexistent, evil chick called Easter

I know that many who come here are aware of my thoughts regarding the pagan influences present in much of modern Christianity.  I don’t feel like writing any more today about it, but I have been meaning to share a link to this article for a few days now.  There is no better time than today.

The nonexistent, evil chick called Easter.

Feel free to share your thoughts.  I think you will find it impossible to argue with the facts though, that the church has muddied the water through the centuries and has hidden the pure source of living water from too many with hollow customs that have nothing to do with God’s Word or His way.  If you were unaware of these things before, take some time to consider these things.

Sunday Morning 3/28/10

I have the recording issues sorted out with batteries in place and recorder in the house so we have the sermon from Sunday to post.  Sorry for the delay in getting it on here.  I will prioritize the audio posting so that is it up by Monday night on most weeks going forward.  The sermon this Sunday was about how Passover foreshadowed and still continues to show the work of the Messiah.  We had a wonderful Seder at the church on Tuesday night and I have an enormous appreciation for what God has done with the Feasts of the Lord to teach and communicate His plan.  Feel free to follow along with the sermon notes as well.  There were far more Scriptures than I could cover in detail so there is plenty of extra study you can take advantage of with these notes.  May God richly bless you through His Word.

P.S. I noticed there is a bit of traffic coming in looking for Baptist Good Friday sermons.  We are not doing a separate service this year, but those interested can check out last year’s sermon by following this link.

Celebrating Passover

Sermon notes 3/28/10

1. These are the Lord’s Feasts – Lev. 23:1-2
   1. Matthew 22:3-4 – proclaimed to them that are bidden.
   2. Deuteronomy 16:16
2. What Christ did before and leading up to the Passover.
   1. The cleansing of the home
      1. The candle: Psalm 119:105

      2. The feather: Psalm 91:4

      3. The wooden spoon: Deuteronomy 21:22,23 –

      4. Leaven: 2 Corinthians 5:21

      5. The linen cloth: Mark 15:46

      6. Taken outside: Hebrews 13:13

      7. John 2:13-15 – Jesus cleaned His Father’s house
   2. He came into the temple the same day/time as the Passover lambs – Exodus. 12:3-6, John 12:12-13
      1. The people sang – Psalm 118:24-26
   3. He was inspected just like the Passover lamb
      1. Mark 12:13
      2. Matthew 26:59-60
      3. Luke 23:13-15

3. What Christ did to fulfill Passover.

   1. The Four Cups – Exodus 6:6-7

      1. The Cup of Sanctification – Ex. 4:22,23

      2. The Cup of Deliverance – Romans 6:16

      3. The Cup of Redemption – I will redeem you

         1. The Afikomen and the Last Supper – it is brought back at the third cup

            1. Mt. 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-21

      4. The Cup of Acceptance – I will take you to me

      5. These cups are reflected in Ephesians 1:4-7

4. The finishing stanza – closing hymn (Mark 14:26)

   1. Psalm 118:21-23,27

   2. Psalm 118:14-16

How government brings conflict

Walter Williams is one of my all time favorite columnists.  There isn’t much I can add to this at all.  I simply encourage you to go and read it.

Beer or wine? How government brings conflict.