TEXT: Then, one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.” (Luke 17:15, Reading Luke 17:11-19)

INTRODUCTION: As we walk through this miracle account, I want us to fix our eyes on Jesus and to see why we ought to be at His feet as well - offering Him praise and thanksgiving.  We ought to be at Jesus’ feet not only because 1) Jesus’ Extends Divine Mercy (17:11-14a), but because 2) Jesus Provides Total Cleansing (17:14b-15a).

“And as they went they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14b). Like the cleansing of Naaman of old, these ten men were cleansed at a distance. Jesus did not touch them as part of their healing. Jesus just gave them an instruction that they could have dismissed or ignored. Evidently, they responded obediently to Jesus’ words. The implication is that they were heading to the priests as Jesus had directed them to do, and as they...

TEXT: Then, one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks.” (Luke 17:15, Reading Luke 17:11-19)

INTRODUCTION: As we walk through this miracle account, I want us to fix our eyes on Jesus and to see why we ought to be at His feet as well - offering Him praise and thanksgiving.  We ought to be at Jesus’ feet first of all because Jesus’ Extends Divine Mercy (in Response to Desperate Need.) (17:11-14a)

1. The Cry for Mercy (Luke 17:11-13)

As Jesus entered the village, he was met by ten needy men. It is interesting to note a few things about these people in need of mercy. You see in the text that although they met Jesus, they kept their distance. This is what the Law required, and was the culture and expectation of the day. These men were alienated from other people and from religious life. They were alienated, isolated, and despised.

Second, they seemed...

Dear Friends in Christ,

Greetings to you!

Over the next two weeks, we are looking at one passage of Scripture, Luke 17:11-19.

I really encourage you to think about this passage of Scripture in relation to what is happening in our world right now. The message in its original form was written before the Pandemic and before the events of the last few days here in the USA.

This passage of Scripture illustrates our Lord’s merciful response to the cry of needy people. It, also, illustrates His power to bring cleansing and healing. We need to look to Him and to depend upon Him. We have a Savior who hears our cries and has the power to bring change both for this life and for eternity. And He went all the way to the cross to bring about the salvation that we experience if we trust in Him.

When crises arise, we must not abandon the basic truths about our Lord or the truths taught by our Lord that give us direction, stability, hope, and indeed give us life. He is our source of truth,...

OPENING REMARKS: It has been a blessing to see so many acts of love during this Covid-19 Pandemic season. Indeed, without such acts of sacrificial love our communities would be in much greater danger and experiencing much more suffering. It can be seen on a daily basis that the “true love” is the excellent response to the present crisis.

One of the most descriptive and challenging statements concerning the nature of true God-enabled love is written by the Apostle Paul.

TEXT:  “…..But the greatest of these is love. Pursue love……” (1 Cor. 13:13b-14:1a, 13: 4-7 NKJV)

INTRODUCTION: The “love” chapter, often read at wedding ceremonies, was not written originally for such an occasion. The Apostle Paul is writing to a gifted church struggling with many issues.

In chapters 12-14, the Apostle addresses issues related to the use of spiritual gifts in corporate gatherings. Paul gets to the heart of the matter when he calls the...

Some Important Prepositions

TEXTS: Matthew 1:22-23, Romans 8:31-32, John 14:16-17 (HCSB)

INTRODUCTION: Usually I focus on one primary text of Scripture when I preach. But, for this devotional, I want to view three texts that express three glorious aspects of God’s relationship with us through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We won’t be expounding these texts in full, but rather we will be noting key truths in each of these texts. We will be emphasizing three English prepositions as we go along. And I hope that we will be encouraged as we think of God’s gracious work on our behalf to have an intimate relationship with us, His people, His children in Christ. It may be (especially) in times of difficulty, when encouragement is needed, that you and I will be able to repeat these three prepositions that will bless us with a renewed sense of the Lord’s presence in our lives.

1. God with Us: Matthew 1:18-25 (Read)

The Angel broke into Joseph’s perplexing situation to...

Dear friend,

Romans 8:31-32 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things?” (NKJV)  

What is written below is in no sense an exposition of this beautiful text of Scripture. The text, though, does provide a special Biblical backdrop for the personal testimony I am about to share.

The beginning of my personal story has direct connections with a golf game.

Actually, like many babies I was born in a hospital, Queen Charlotte’s Hospital – Hammersmith in Greater London, England. From what I have been told, I came very early and I was very sick. That’s where the golf game comes into play, so to speak! My father was away at the time of my birth because I came weeks before I was supposed to arrive. (My mother, of course, was not away.)

I have been told that my father was literally playing golf when he...

Directions for Parents, Especially Dads

Since a lot of families are spending more time together these days, it may be good to think about the basics of raising our children. I don’t write as an expert, I write as one who trusts what the Word of God says about this great responsibility. And the one verse below has key truths and many practical implications concerning the critical role parents can and must take in the lives of their children.

Text: Ephesians 6:4 (ESV) “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

INTRODUCTION: The Apostle Paul has addressed husbands and wives concerning their mutual responsibilities in Eph. 5:22-31. He has instructed children to obey and honor their parents in the preceding section (Eph. 6:1-3).  These words in Eph. 6:4 are obviously directed to fathers specifically, although it is safe to assume that they are applicable to all parents, and to all who have...

“Good day” in the Lord Jesus Christ!

I hope you are well in every sense of the word!

I’d like to share a personal word with you about our ministry. It may be that we can be an encouragement to you and a resource for you as you seek to do God’s will in these days. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry of God’s Word continues and must continue.

Indeed, this is a strategic time to be engaged in gospel and “Word” ministry! What an opportunity we have to preach Christ in all His fullness.

For almost 35 years it has been my privilege to serve the Lord with Olford Ministries International, Inc. I have had the opportunity, by God’s grace and goodness, to provide instruction and/or resources for God’s servants, especially those involved in the ministry of preaching and teaching God’s Word. It is very humbling as I look back, because it is God’s doing, and we praise Him for it.

Our primary goals have been to...

TEXT: Romans 1:1-7 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an Apostle ………..to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (ESV)

INTRODUCTION:

The Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is devoted to presenting and defending the gospel of God. The word for “gospel” itself is used three times in the first seventeen verses as Paul begins this letter. But Paul is not simply defending his gospel, he is defending his gospel in the light of his plan to travel to Rome and to preach there (1:10-15). Furthermore, the Apostle is seeking the help of the believers in Rome as he intends to take the gospel all the way to Spain after his visit (15:23-24).  

As Paul opens his letter (1:1-7), he introduces himself as a messenger of the gospel, he then summarizes the message of the gospel, and within these same verses, he describes the ministry of...

The Need to Focus in Order to Finish

TEXT: “And say to Archippus, ‘See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.’” (Colossians 4:17 ESV)

INTRODUCTION:

As important as “getting started” is, it is just as important to finish. The Apostle Paul was a great encourager and exhorter, especially when faithfulness was needed. In this short text at the end of the glorious Letter to the Colossians, the Apostle is seeking to do just that, exhort. As we view this text, consider it an illustration of the need for faithfulness in doing the will of the Lord. Observe first of all:

1. The Need for Exhortation (“And say to Archippus…..”)

This exhortation is to be addressed to Archippus, who was probably a church leader. He may in fact be the same Archippus referred to in Paul’s letter to Philemon (vs. 2). But, let’s pause to consider who was supposed to “say” this to Archippus. The directive is in...