A simple way to study a book of the Bible is to make note of repeated words or phrases; this is often the easiest way to identify the theme of a book! In Malachi, that phrase is “but you say”, which appears frequently in just four chapters. Why does the prophet use this phrase so often, and what does it signify for the modern reader?
(Preaching on the return from exile. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 31, 2025.)
Zechariah, like most of the post-exilic prophets, urged Israel to return and repent by reminding them exactly why they had been sent into exile in the first place. What can we learn about God’s desire for repentance by considering how God dealt with people in times past?
(Preaching on the return from exile. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 17, 2025.)
This was by far one of the most difficult charts/timelines to put together in our journey through the Bible this year. The Babylonian exile and eventual return serves as the backdrop for many Old Testament books. I hope this can give you a clearer overall picture of this momentous period of Biblical history.
The first half of Isaiah primarily consists of God’s judgment on Israel and the nations. Why did Isaiah prophesy so much judgment, and how might we be in danger of the same denunciations today?
(Preaching through the prophets. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 22, 2025.)
The “Prophets” is the largest section of the English Old Testament, and there are a lot of prophets whose work is primarily found in the narrative sections of the Bible. The prophets clearly played a vital role in God’s connection with Israel. What was their job, how should we think about them, and how does their work compare to the mission of Christians today?
(Preaching on the prophets. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 15, 2025.)
We begin our foray into the era of Israel’s divided kingdom with an overview of the entire period, from the division after Solomon’s death to the eventual exile of Judah. What patterns repeated themselves throughout this part of Israel’s history, and what should modern readers glean from this section of the Bible?
(Preaching through 1-2 Kings. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 1, 2025.)
To accompany our study of Ezekiel, I have revised and updated my timeline of the most prominent Israelite prophets. I hope this can be helpful for your study of the Old Testament!
Watts in the Word 
