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Brad Hoffman

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One for All

Why did Jesus die? What purpose did his death serve? And who gets to decide what that purpose is? These are all important, let’s say essential questions, to discovering the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross. A fascinating passage in John’s gospel provides answers to these questions as John…

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Study Bibles

Joy for the Barren

Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised that one day his people would be fruitful beyond all measure. Their shame, disgrace, and vulnerability would be taken away and their joy restored. Let’s see how God uses the picture of the barren, widowed, and divorced woman to show his people that their…

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Commentaries

“All This Happened to Fulfill . . .”

Most scholars recognize that Matthew’s gospel places a strong emphasis on showing that Jesus fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures. R. T. France, in his commentary on Matthew in the New International Commentary series, actual says that fulfillment is “the central theme of Matthew’s gospel.” Let’s look at how Matthew draws…

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Study Bibles

Revivals and Awakenings

While most of the church’s growth over the centuries has been marked by slow and steady progress, there have been remarkable works of God when the church grew rapidly in a rather short amount of time. Historians have typically referred to these supernatural works of God as revivals or awakenings.…

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Topical

Cultivating Contentment

How are you doing in the area of contentment? How full is your level of satisfaction with your spouse, family, career, or church? How content are you in your walk with the Lord? As much as you may be pressing on toward goals and aspiring to grow, how much is…

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Bibles

A Clear and Consistent Bible Translation

Since its release on the Olive Tree Bible App in August of 2022, the Legacy Standard Bible has been one of our best-selling Bibles. Building on the legacy of the New American Standard Bible, the Legacy Standard Bible aims to clearly and consistently translate the Word of God into the…

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Commentaries

Taking the Name in Vain

God commanded his people not to take his name in vain. But what does that actually mean? It’s rightly believed that this prohibits speech that defames God’s name, but is that all there is to it? In his commentary on Exodus in the Story of God Bible Commentary, Christopher Wright…

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Commentaries

Solomon’s Prayer: When Heaven Meets Earth

Upon the completion of building the temple, Solomon prays an extraordinary prayer. Solomon’s prayer extolls Yahweh for keeping his promises to David, expresses his astonishment that Yahweh would condescend to dwell among them, and petitions Yahweh to act on behalf of his people. Let’s see what we can learn from…

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