Month: October 2008

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Here in the Colossian epistle, Paul gives several exhortations which are rather closely tied together. Simply, they are:

1. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom.
2. Teach each other by singing spiritual songs with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3. Do all things by the authority of Jesus Christ.

Underlying each of these is an emphasis on the importance of doctrine in the life of those who name the name of Christ. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Interestingly, a search in the New King James version of the New Testament reveals three other times where the phrase “know the truth” is used. The way in which the phrase is used is significant.

Continue reading “The Word of Christ” →

Philippians 1:9-11

This prayer of Paul is interesting in that it is on behalf of the Christians at Philippi, and expresses his desire for their continued growth.

He prays for their love to “abound more and more”, but notice how the apostle links love to knowledge and discernment. Why is it that love must be with discernment? So that “you may approve the things that are excellent.”

In our day, love is undiscerning, and tolerant even of error and evil. When evil is tolerated by God’s children, it has the unhappy effect of compromising purity and godliness. It is Paul’s desire that the Philippians (and we) be “sincere and without offense.” In order for that to happen, discernment had to accompany their (and our) love.

We must avoid being influenced to evil. Christians should be careful to develop sufficient knowledge of what God approves, that we might instead be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Christ.”

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

The preceding paragraph of instructions, given by the great Apostle Paul to Timothy, his “son in the faith”, contains much of benefit to all who wear the name of our Lord. The call to diligence in doctrine, love and morality are not exclusive to young evangelists. Rather they are needed for all who would be followers of God.

Continue reading ““Be An Example … in Purity”” →

Man is different than the animals. He was created by God in His image. His purpose on earth is to serve God, and do His will. In doing this, he secures for himself a place in eternity in the presence of God.

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In 2 Corinthians 2:12-17 the apostle Paul uses the metaphor of fragrance or aroma to describe the preaching of the gospel. To some, the word is the aroma of death, while to others it is the aroma of life. We are to preach that gospel (diffuse the aroma), and those who are right minded will accept and embrace it.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Prayer of Elijah. 1 Kings 18:41-46. Elijah was a righteous man who prayed to God fervently in accord with Jehovah’s will. As such, his prayer was answered. This example serves to teach us important lessons regarding prayer.

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Romans 2:11 states that there “is not partiality with God.” Because God is impartial and just, he has given everyone the right to hope. It follows that He requires the same with regard to the redemption of all men. God doesn’t play favorites. He “commands all men everywhere to repent.”

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An expository sermon discussing what might first be considered a paradox. The liberty we have in Christ comes as we make ourselves a slave to Him. (Text: Galatians 5:1-6).

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The question before us is, What does the Bible require we believe, in order for it to be said that we believe in Jesus. Points made:

• Jesus is the Christ
• Jesus is the Son of God
• The Virgin Birth
• The Death, Burial and Resurrection
• The Only One Who Can Save

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Anti-abortion activists accuse Obama of “supporting infanticide,” and the National Right to Life Committee says he’s conducted a “four-year effort to cover up his full role in killing legislation to protect born-alive survivors of abortions.” Obama says they’re “lying.”

At issue is Obama’s opposition to Illinois legislation in 2001, 2002 and 2003 that would have defined any aborted fetus that showed signs of life as a “born alive infant” entitled to legal protection, even if doctors believe it could not survive.

Obama opposed the 2001 and 2002 “born alive” bills as backdoor attacks on a woman’s legal right to abortion, but he says he would have been “fully in support” of a similar federal bill that President Bush had signed in 2002, because it contained protections for Roe v. Wade.

FactCheck.org

Analysis:

It seems that in every Presidential election, the issue of abortion is hotly contested, with the unhappy result of polarizing Americans. While it is certainly not appropriate to use the pulpit as a political tool, it is the responsibility of Christians to speak out against sin. Abortion is sinful, and those who are supporting it are supporting the killing of unborn children. According to scripture, the unborn is a child (cf. Psalm 139:13; Luke 1:41).

Continue reading “In The News: Obama and ‘Infanticide” →

In 1 Kings 18, we have the record of a conversation between the prophet Elijah and a steward of King Ahab named Obadiah.

Obadiah

The name Obadiah is a common one in the Old Testament. We know nothing of the man other than what is revealed in this text. From the text we can state with confidence his faithfulness to Jehovah, even though he was “in charge of his [Ahab’s] house” (vs. 3).

Verses 4 and 5 of 1 Kings 18 reveals that Obadiah “feared the Lord greatly”, and had personally secured the safety of 100 prophets by hiding them from the murderous actions of Jezebel.

Continue reading “Elijahs and Obadiahs” →

Ephesians 6:1-4

Here the Holy Spirit reveals instructions to children and fathers.

First, children are to obey. The simplicity of the reason would certainly appeal to a child, “for this is right.”

Additionally, Paul records the promise of Deut. 5:16, “that it may be well with you.” It is the wise child who heeds and obeys the counsel of his parents. God is pleased, and many pitfalls that other young people fall into are avoided.

Second, the admonition to fathers. “Do not provoke your children to wrath.” This does not mean to not make your children mad. Rather, the provocation would be because of wrong action on the part of the father. In contrast, the godly father is to “bring them up” or grow them into godly men and women through training and nurturing. God’s word supplies the father what is needed in this. We are to follow God’s instructions rather than our own philosophies on childrearing.