Posts from August 2024
From the Director’s Desk (August 2024) – Trent Kennedy
As you know, we have been training servants for church work since 1978. It has been said that Southwest trains more than just preachers, and that is true. We have trained missionaries to Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania. We have trained Bible Class teachers who labor week-in and week-out to teach in local congregations across Texas and other states. We have trained elders from San Angelo to San Antonio, from Texarkana to Burnet, and many places in between. We…
Ezekiel, Prophet Of The Captivity – Ronnie Scherffius
The Book of Ezekiel is one of the most magnificent books of the Old Testament. Yet, among the major prophets, it is generally the least considered. The time of Ezekiel spanned from the latter days of one of Judah’s greatest kings (Josiah) to exile with the captives in Babylon. The message of the prophet was two-fold, punishment for one’s own sin and the assurance of restoration because of God’s mercy and righteousness. The unique way in which Ezekiel presents God’s…
Lamentations – Carl McCann
In 154 verses Jeremiah pours out a heartfelt, tear-stained lament over the destruction of Jerusalem and the carrying away of God’s people into Babylonian captivity. For some 40 years Jeremiah had prophesied of the coming judgment of God through Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian kingdom (Jer. 1-29). Interestingly, Jeremiah refers to Babylon some 150 times in Jeremiah 20-52; but it is not mentioned in Lamentations. Jeremiah emphasizes God as the one who dealt with the sins of Judah (Lam. 2:17). In…
A Brief Dossier on Jeremiah – Andy Baker
As a matter of help for the average Bible student, let’s make a dossier as we examine a few things regarding Jeremiah the prophet to help us to know some elementary things about him, his relationship with God, and with God’s rebellious people. Who: Jeremiah, aka “The Weeping Prophet.” His father was Hilkiah was the priest (who found the Book of the Law in the temple in Josiah’s reign. 2 Kings 22). He was from the priest city of Anathoth…
The Life and Work of Isaiah – Adam Orr
The Holy Spirit inspired the beloved physician, Luke, to record the conversion of a man from Ethiopia. He was a treasurer returning home from Jerusalem on the road that led to Gaza. Philip ran to the chariot and found the man reading. When asked if he understood what he was reading, the man said, “How can I unless someone explains it?” And beginning at the Scripture, Philip taught him about Jesus and salvation found only in His name. What was…
Setting the Stage – Cody Westbrook
As far as we know the designation “major prophets” is attributed to the time of Augustin who referred to the “the twelve prophets who are called minor from the brevity of their writings” and “those who are called greater prophets because they published larger volumes.” The ancient Jews divided their bible into three major sections: Law, Prophets, and Writings. The Prophets were divided into the Former and Latter Prophets. The Septuagint rearranged the order and gave rise to the current…
Do You Believe What You Preach?
To be sure, each of us understands the importance of practicing what we preach (cf. Rom. 2:21). But, we must also believe what we preach. You may remind someone struggling with loneliness that the Lord is always with them (Heb. 13:5), but do you believe that to be true when you struggle with loneliness? You may comfort a brother working through financial stress by reminding him of Matthew 6:33, but do you find comfort in that passage when you endure…
Believe Not Every Spirit
First John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” The first century church had the responsibility of guarding the truth. The Church of the twenty-first century has that obligation as well. John begins his exhortation with the term “beloved.” It appears eight times in his epistles, three of which are in 1 John 4. It is a term of affection and…
The Lord is Good (Part 3)
Psalm 107:1 calls us to give thanks to God for His goodness, and how we need to do so! The goodness of God is a deep and enriching study. His goodness is associated with His mercy, His faithfulness, and His loving kindness. To say that God is good is to say that He is generous, and that He has the capacity and desire to give and provide in abundance, without any ulterior motive. We see His goodness on display in…
The Lord is Good (Part 2)
The Lord proclaims His goodness in Exodus 34:6-7. Note that His goodness summarizes all other qualities listed in the passage. It is not an abstract idea, but that which is seen in His action toward man. In a more specific sense, the goodness God is most clearly seen in His generosity. “When the biblical writers call God ‘good,’ they are thinking in general of all those moral qualities which prompt His people to call Him ‘perfect,’ and in particular of…
From the Director’s Desk (July 2024) – Trent Kennedy
And they’re off! The Bible program trains men and women to work in the Kingdom; we equip them to be effective preachers, teachers, missionaries, and servants. The course takes nearly two full years, but SWSBS graduates have a solid foundation after they finish. SWSBS has been training Christians “to know Jesus and make Him known” since 1978. This year marked our 46th commencement exercise. Among the nine graduates, three of our ladies will marry SWSBS alumni and help with their…
Elisha, the Son of Shaphat – Kevin Cauley
God told Elijah to anoint Elisha “as prophet in your place” (1 Kings 19:16). He was a prophet of war who would “sweep up” after Jehu by killing those who opposed God (1 Kings 19:17; 2 Kings 13:3; 2 Kings 9:22). When Elijah called Elisha, he slaughtered his own oxen, burned the yokes to cook the meat, and fed the people (1 Kings 19:21). He would not return to the farm. Elisha’s persistence resulted in his being given a double…
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