Month: January 2009

The New Testament reveals an explicit pattern for the organization of the local church. It is to be autonomous, with elders and deacons. The lesson details that pattern established by God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

God has given clear instructions on our communication and speech. Our communication must not be corrupt, we must not be guilty of evil speaking. Rather we must speak the Lord’s will, praise God and proclaim his blessings. Also, our speech toward others must be honest and faithful.

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2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

The apostle Paul suffered a great deal because of his ministry in the gospel. He was constantly in peril, and coveted the prayers of the saints for protection. His petition here is especially specific, as he requested protection from “unreasonable and wicked men.”

Why are some men wicked? Because, “not all have faith.” Those without faith are often actively antagonistic toward Christ.

Such a sobering reality is certainly cause for prayer, but not for despair. Despite the antagonism of the worldly, Paul had reason for comfort and confidence. “But the Lord is faithful.” (cf. Romans 8:31).
Not only was Paul confident in God’s faithfulness, he was confident in the faithfulness of the Thessalonians. They were doing God’s will, and he believed they would continue to be faithful to Him.

This prayer was that their hearts (referencing both devotion and will) would be directed into the Love of God (indicating a love for God, seen in obedience) and the Patience of Christ (indicating a need for the same patience evinced by the Savior Himself in His life on earth). A wonderful prayer indeed!

I recently came across the following quote: “Where God places a period, let no man put a question mark.”

I understand the quote to mean that men must accept the decree of God in all things. This is something that is rarely seen in the world today. A premium is placed on skepticism and independence of thought. These things are considered virtuous, and have certainly helped to fuel discovery and advancement in human learning.

However, truth does not need discovery in the realm of religion. The mystery “has been revealed” (Colossians 1:26). The faith has been “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Further, it is impossible for man to determine for himself the proper path. “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

It is certainly appropriate to question what God’s will is. We should study our Bibles daily, and use our God given intelligence to determine what it is that God has revealed to us. What we do not have the right to do is to question why God has said what he has said. Or, whether the words contained in scripture are beneficial to man in today’s society. May we say as the Psalmist, “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments” (Psalm 119:73).

God has proven that he cares for us. The ultimate expression of that love is His sending Jesus to earth, to die for our sins. As God cares deeply for you, it follows that you should care for Him as well. This is shown in faithful living before Him.

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The word “enemy” is used on a number of occasions to represent those antagonistic to Christ and our faith. This lesson examines some of the passages that refer to enemies of the cross of Christ.

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Here Paul answers an apparent question regarding the status of those who die prior to our Lord’s second coming. What will happen to those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus?”

The answer is one that will bring comfort to all those who are Christians (cf. 18). The dead in Christ will be raised in the day of judgment!

The assurance Paul offers is established in the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. In His resurrection, he claimed victory over death, and became our forerunner. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (20). This sentiment is expressed in verse 14 of our text.

Paul concisely states the coming events of that day:

1. The Lord will descend from heaven;
2. The dead in Christ will be resurrected;
3. Those Christians who are alive will be transformed and taken;
4. We will be forever in the presence of our Lord.

The text does not indicate a “rapture” of the saints; it is rather an explanation of the ultimate end of all Christians at the Judgment Day.

The child of God, though happy with his lot on earth, nevertheless is aware of what will come after. So, he eagerly awaits the time when he can be further clothed with immortality, and rest in the presence of Almighty God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The scriptures teach that the way is strait and the gate narrow that leads to eternal life, and that few will be saved. This sermon seeks to answer why this is so.

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Colossians 1:1-2

Even in Paul’s short greetings much can be learned. Here he succinctly defends his apostleship, saying he obtained his office “by the will of God.” For a more complete defense, see Galatians 1:10-20.

He identifies his fellow worker Timothy, his “son in the faith” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), and then immediately identifies his readers as “saints” and “faithful brethren in Christ.”

The word saint refers to one who has been “set apart”; in this case, from the world by God. The word indicates not only a privileged status with God, but also is a call to holy living. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). The second phrase also indicates their holiness as he specifies that they were faithful brethren.

His greeting is a blessing upon them. Grace and Peace to them from God and His Son. Grace refers to the unmerited act of redemption that God supplied to man in the death of His Son. Peace refers to the well-being that is the result of that gift. The greeting is very concise, but was full of meaning to the Colossians, and is to God’s children today as well!

John 3:6-8

The text of John 3 contains a verse that is commonly misunderstood by religious people. It is the eighth verse, which reads, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” As David Lipscomb wrote, “These verses have been ever of great difficulty because men try to get out of them what is not in them.” (G.A. Commentary, John, pg. 46).

A proper understanding of the passage is not difficult so long as the context is observed and respected. The important thing to remember is that Jesus has described the new birth (a spiritual birth), and that Nicodemus was confused by the description because he was thinking of the physical birth (cf. vs. 4).

Continue reading “The Wind Blows Where It Wishes” →

An article in the January 3 New York Times related the religious convictions of Tom and Claudia Riner of Louisville, KY.

Tom is the pastor of a small Baptist church, and has served as a Democratic representative in the Kentucky state legislature for the past 26 years. He is constantly introducing legislation that is designed to keep faith in God at the center of government and society. As such, he and his wife are constantly opposed by such groups as the ACLU, and have had numerous pieces of legislation overturned by the Supreme Court.

Continue reading “In The News: A “More Diverse Context”” →

Clip these, and stick them on your refrigerator or some other
conspicuous space!

Personal

• Read entire Bible within a year’s time.
• Practice Hospitality.
• Host a Bible Study.
• Increase prayer quality and frequency.
• Meditate often.
• Preach to others.
• Worship elsewhere while on vacation.

At West Side

• Attend the 5:40 pm personal work meeting each Sunday.
• Sign the duty lists in the foyer to volunteer.
• Be diligent in both preparation for and participation in Bible classes.
• Avoid conflicts with our scheduled gospel meetings and singing.
• Increase weekly giving if possible.
• Greet Visitors
• Attend quarterly singings.
• Take notes during preaching.
• Tell others about our web site.
• Request CD’s to hand out to others.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 3:13-14

The apostle Paul determined to “press toward the goal.” The record of his ministry in the New Testament attests to his success in this determination. Paul was not successful by chance. He was resolute, making it his primary purpose in life to fulfill the ministry given him by God. “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:15).

Continue reading “New Year’s Resolutions” →

Many are aware of the furor that has erupted over Barack Obama’s decision to have Rick Warren deliver the invocation at his inauguration ceremony. Obama promised during his campaign to bring people who differ together so that our nation might come to embrace common ideals despite strong differences. His choice of Warren, who believes what the Bible teaches on the subject of homosexuality and abortion, is an example of Obama keeping this promise.

Interestingly, though this promise among others constitutes one of the reasons he was embraced by the left in this country, it is also the reason why he is being criticised by those same supporters when said promise is put into practice. It seems that homosexuals and abortionists want us to listen to and accept them, but they are unwilling to listen to and accept us! In effect, they are intolerant of those who are intolerant! Put another way, they have long complained of being “marginalized” by society, and now that one of their own is being put into office, they are seeking to do the same to those who disagree with them!

Continue reading “In The News: The Intolerance of the Tolerant” →