Posts by bboyd

Genesis 25, Matthew 24, Esther 1, Acts 24

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Genesis 25: Abraham passes away after securing his legacy through his sons Isaac and Ishmael, while the narrative shifts to focus on Isaac's twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Matthew 24: Jesus prophesies the destruction of the Temple, warns of false prophets and persecution, and describes the signs of His second coming, urging vigilance and faithfulness. Esther 1: King Ahasuerus dismisses Queen Vashti for her defiance and plans to find a new queen. Acts 24: Paul defends himself against accusations before Governor Felix, emphasizing his faith and conduct, but Felix keeps Paul in custody.


Genesis 24, Matthew 23, Nehemiah 13, Acts 23

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Genesis 24: Abraham's servant finds Rebekah to be Isaac's wife through a divinely answered prayer at a well. Matthew 23: Jesus condemns the hypocrisy and legalism of the Pharisees and scribes, warning them of divine judgment while expressing a deep lament for Jerusalem's resistance to God's messengers. Nehemiah 13: Nehemiah enforces reforms to restore the integrity of worship and community life in Jerusalem, confronting issues like Sabbath breaking, intermarriage, and temple negligence. Acts 23: Paul's declaration of his faith and hope in the resurrection causes a division among the Sanhedrin, leading to a plot against his life which is thwarted by his nephew.


The Power of Persistent Prayer: Prayer’s Role in Church Growth

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In this episode of Sermon Notes, Jay Strother, senior pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church, engages in a compelling conversation with Harry Brown, the president of New Generations Ministry. Together, they delve into the transformative power of prayer and its pivotal role in disciple-making movements worldwide.


Genesis 23, Matthew 22, Nehemiah 12, Acts 22

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Genesis 23: Abraham buys the Cave of Machpelah from the Hethites to bury Sarah, establishing his family's burial place in Canaan. Matthew 22: Jesus teaches through parables and confronts religious leaders about the essence of God's law, emphasizing love as the greatest commandment. Nehemiah 12: The dedication of Jerusalem's walls features a large, celebratory procession, symbolizing the restoration of communal and religious life. Acts 22: Paul shares his conversion story and divine mission to the Gentiles, invoking his Roman citizenship to avoid unjust punishment from a hostile crowd.


Genesis 22, Matthew 21, Nehemiah 11, Acts 21

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Genesis 22: Abraham is tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac but is stopped by an angel just in time, reaffirming God's promise of numerous descendants through Isaac due to Abraham's faithfulness. Matthew 21: Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly, cleanses the temple, curses a fig tree as a lesson in faith, and confronts the religious leaders with parables highlighting their failures and the kingdom being opened to others. Nehemiah 11: Leaders and residents are appointed to live in Jerusalem to repopulate it, emphasizing the diverse roles and families involved in restoring the city and maintaining the temple services. Acts 21: Paul faces warnings against going to Jerusalem, continues his journey, and upon arrival, attempts to pacify Jewish believers by joining in purification rites, only to be arrested after being falsely accused of defiling the temple.


Genesis 21, Matthew 20, Nehemiah 10, Acts 20

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Genesis 21: Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's promise; Hagar and Ishmael are sent away but are protected and blessed by God; Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech at Beer-sheba. Matthew 20: Jesus shares the parable of the vineyard workers to illustrate God’s generosity, predicts His suffering and death, teaches servant leadership, and heals two blind men near Jericho. Nehemiah 10: The Israelites renew their covenant with God, committing to obey His laws, honor the Sabbath, avoid intermarriage with foreign nations, and support the temple through offerings and firstfruits. Acts 20: Paul encourages the churches in Macedonia and Greece, raises Eutychus from the dead in Troas, and gives a heartfelt farewell to the Ephesian elders, warning them of future challenges.


Genesis 20, Matthew 19, Nehemiah 9, Acts 19

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Genesis 20: Abraham deceives Abimelech by calling Sarah his sister; God warns Abimelech in a dream, leading to Sarah's return and Abraham praying for Abimelech's household to be healed. Matthew 19: Jesus teaches about marriage and divorce, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage; he blesses children, and challenges a rich young ruler to give up his wealth for eternal life, illustrating the difficulty for the rich to enter heaven. Nehemiah 9: Israelites confess their sins and recount God's faithful acts throughout their history, acknowledging God's mercy despite their repeated disobedience and celebrating His provision and guidance. Acts 19: Paul evangelizes in Ephesus, where extraordinary miracles occur, leading to a riot incited by those whose livelihoods are threatened by the spread of the gospel; the disturbance underscores the tension between new Christian converts and traditional pagan practices.


Genesis 19, Matthew 18, Nehemiah 8, Acts 18

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Genesis 19: Angels visit Lot in Sodom, protect him from the townspeople, and facilitate the escape of Lot and his daughters before destroying Sodom and Gomorrah. Matthew 18: Jesus teaches about humility, comparing greatness in heaven to the innocence of children, emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, and narrates the parable of the lost sheep and the unforgiving servant. Nehemiah 8: Ezra reads the law to the returned exiles, leading to a revival of obedience and celebration of the Festival of Shelters, as the community rediscovers and rejoices in God's commands. Acts 18: Paul founds the church in Corinth, faces opposition but receives divine assurance, and continues preaching to the Gentiles.


Genesis 18, Matthew 17, Nehemiah 7, Acts 17

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Genesis 18: Abraham entertains three divine visitors who predict Sarah's pregnancy; Abraham negotiates with God to spare Sodom if righteous people are found there. Matthew 17: Jesus is transfigured, revealing His divine nature; He heals a demon-possessed boy and predicts His death again, teaching on faith and spiritual authority. Nehemiah 7: After Jerusalem's walls are rebuilt, Nehemiah organizes a genealogical registration, emphasizing the return and contributions of the exiles for the city's restoration. Acts 17: Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea, faces opposition, and delivers a profound message about the known God in Athens, converting several, including Dionysius and Damaris.


Genesis 17, Matthew 16, Nehemiah 6, Acts 16

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Genesis 17: God establishes his covenant with Abram, renaming him Abraham, promising him numerous descendants, and instituting circumcision as a sign of the covenant. Matthew 16: Jesus warns of the Pharisees' and Sadducees' teachings, Peter confesses Jesus as the Messiah, and Jesus predicts his death and teaches on taking up one's cross. Nehemiah 6: Nehemiah faces opposition while rebuilding Jerusalem's walls but completes the task with divine assistance, proving the enemies' conspiracies futile. Acts 16: Paul recruits Timothy, they spread the Gospel through Macedonia after a divine vision, and a miraculous jail escape underscores their mission, leading to the conversion and baptism of a jailer and his family.


Genesis 16, Matthew 15, Nehemiah 5, Acts 15

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Genesis 16: Sarai, unable to bear children, gives her slave Hagar to Abram to conceive an heir. Hagar becomes pregnant, leading to conflict with Sarai, and eventually runs away. An angel instructs Hagar to return and prophesies the birth of her son, Ishmael. Matthew 15: Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for valuing tradition over God's commandments and teaches that purity comes from the heart. He also heals the daughter of a Canaanite woman because of her great faith and feeds 4,000 people with seven loaves and a few fish. Nehemiah 5: Nehemiah confronts the wealthy Jews exploiting the poor during a famine by lending money at high interest rates. He calls for justice and the cancellation of debts, which the people agree to, and continues to lead the wall's rebuilding. Acts 15: The Jerusalem Council addresses whether Gentile converts must observe Jewish law. It concludes that Gentiles should abstain from idolatry and immorality but need not adhere to all Jewish customs.


When Prayer Moves Mountains: Inspirational Stories from Brentwood Baptist Church

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In this episode of Sermon Notes, host Jay Strother delves into the profound role of prayer in personal and community life with guests Joe Hudson and Brian Ball, focusing predominantly on the prayer efforts for Brentwood Baptist Church and the divine answers received.