Barry Hicks

Genesis 23: 10-20….The deal settled.

Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of theContinue reading “Genesis 23: 10-20….The deal settled.”

Genesis 23: 1-9…..No desire to be anyone’s debtor.

Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her. And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, “I am aContinue reading “Genesis 23: 1-9…..No desire to be anyone’s debtor.”

Genesis 22: 15-24…..The test was always intended to be stopped halfway.

You remember that we went to Acts for a while just after God had rescued Isaac from death as a sacrifice. It was meant to be and was a hard test for Abraham’s preparedness to obey the God who had promised him heaps. And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second timeContinue reading “Genesis 22: 15-24…..The test was always intended to be stopped halfway.”

Acts 15: 37 -16:5 Get on with the business!

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him andContinue reading “Acts 15: 37 -16:5 Get on with the business!”

Acts 15: 30-36…..Planning the next trip.

So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent someContinue reading “Acts 15: 30-36…..Planning the next trip.”

Acts 15: 22-29…..A 2,000 year old letter!

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to theContinue reading “Acts 15: 22-29…..A 2,000 year old letter!”

Acts 15: 13-21: A Basic tenant of Christian thinking…

After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,“‘After this I will return,and I will rebuild the tent of David that hasContinue reading “Acts 15: 13-21: A Basic tenant of Christian thinking…”

Acts 15: 6-14….Serious matters need serious discussion.

The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.Continue reading “Acts 15: 6-14….Serious matters need serious discussion.”

Acts 14: 27 to 15: 5…..The snip theory.

And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised accordingContinue reading “Acts 14: 27 to 15: 5…..The snip theory.”

Acts 14: 19-26….The return trip.

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When theyContinue reading “Acts 14: 19-26….The return trip.”