Category: Apostasy

Subject: Apostasy

Admonition to Imitation

Any surface reading of the New Testament gives plenty of evidence to refute the Calvinistic doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints. The Calvinistic view ultimately excuses the unrepented failures in the lives of erring Christians. An example of such a refutation can be found in Paul’s writing to the Ephesians. In chapter 5 of the letter, Paul writes to Christians (the audience to which he writes) to be “imitators of God as dear children” (1). This is an admonition, an admonition with consequence as we will quickly see. Continue reading “Admonition to Imitation”

The Ministry of the Prophet Hosea

The beginning of the book of Hosea sets the timeline.  He received words from God, “in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel” (Hosea 1:1). This reign of the second Jeroboam is related in 2 Kings 14:23-29. Jeroboam reigned over a nation that was fully steeped in idolatry, which was soon to fall to the mighty nation of Assyria.  The people were taken into captivity, and the northern nation was no more. The internal evidence seems to indicate that Hosea’s ministry of prophecy took place only a few decades before the end of the nation in 722 B.C.

It is important to note how God felt toward idolatry. The beginning of the 10 commandments given by God is, “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…” (Exodus 20:3-5a). Idolatry was considered a great unfaithfulness, a spiritual adultery to God. And yet, for its entire existence, the northern kingdom of Israel consistently practiced the sin. Continue reading “The Ministry of the Prophet Hosea”

The Earth Which Drinks in the Rain

An interesting illustration is used by the writer of Hebrews to describe the danger of a Christian losing his standing with God. Yes, I know that many deny it is a possibility, but both the direct words (Hebrews 6:4-6), and the illustration that follows (6:7-8) clearly teaches it is true.

“For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is being burned.”

Ultimately, the illustration establishes that our continued standing with God is determined by how we respond to the redemptive blessing He has granted to us. We celebrate the fruitful land that brings us sustaining crops. But if the same rain brings only thorns and briers, it is not only not useful, but not accepted. Consider the phrase, “it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is being burned.”

There is hope for the unfaithful. The illustration shows, “near to being cursed,” that God’s judgment for Christians bearing thorns and briers instead of good fruit is not yet certain.  It is near, but there is time for repentance, at least until a day comes where the time is ended.  “…whose end is being burned.”

The Hebrew writer was hopeful that his warning would bring change and renewal (6:9-12). If so, diligence will bring reward. If not, rejection will be final.

 

Sermon Minute: Steadfast in Faith

The Patternists: A Lifetime of Faithfulness

idolatry Solomon

Solomon was a wise man. God greatly blessed his reign over Israel. He wrote Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. His advice to his son in the book of Proverbs serves as a guidebook to successfully navigating around the pitfalls of immorality and foolishness.

And yet, in the end, Solomon failed God. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Lord had warned him not to intermarry with these foreign women, but he ignored God. The text of 1 Kings 11 records his mistake. “Solomon clung to these in love” (2). “…his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lords, as did his father David” (3b-6).

Continue reading “The Patternists: A Lifetime of Faithfulness”

The Patternists: Wage the Good Warfare

sword and bible2

I would like to share a few thoughts regarding Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:18-20:

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.”

First, what does it mean for Timothy to wage the good warfare? It is evident that we are at war with Satan. There is the responsibility that each has to fight personally against Satan. This is why we don the armor of God (cf. Ephesians 6), that we may be able, “to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Wage the Good Warfare”

Sermon: Philip’s Work in Samaria (Acts 8)

Philip Work in Samaria

A study of Philip’s ministry among the Samaritans, recorded in Acts 8.

Sermon: What is Fair?

What is Fair

An examination of Ezekiel 18, which give us much insight as to the grievous nature of sin, and how our righteous God deals with both those who pursue sin, and those who pursue righteousness.

The Patternists: Turning Your Heart from God

turning away2

King Solomon serves as a cautionary tale to all Christians concerning the necessity of staying true to God’s will. Most are aware that Solomon began his reign as King of Israel in a commendable way, as a young man asking God for wisdom, that he might be a capable king. We are told, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore”; and “he was wiser than all men” (1 Kings 4:29,31).

Solomon built a temple to the Lord and placed the ark of the Lord in it. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon prayed, saying “Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You” (1 Kings 8:23).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Turning Your Heart from God”

Sermon: Guarding Against Apostasy

Apostasy

Speaker: Josh Cox
Suggestions on how to avoid faltering in faith. It is possible for a child of God to lose their way, and thus their soul.

Sermon: Fall 2021 Gospel Meeting (Dennis Scroggins)

Scroggins Meeting

All lessons preached by Dennis Scroggins, October 2-7, 2021

Lesson 1 (Saturday, October 2, 2021)
By Faith Noah Condemned the World

Dennis uses the example of Noah (and the text of Hebrews 11:7) to show that as he condemned the world by his righteous life, we as Christians are to shine as lights in the world as well.

Lesson 2 (Sunday @ 9am, October 3, 2021)
The Sin of Unforgiveness

Too often Christians harbor resentment and anger in their hearts when they have been offended. Such anger is self-destructive and sinful.

Lesson 3 (Sunday @ 10am, October 3, 2021)
Bitterness: The Devil’s Distraction

Bitterness of heart can destroy the spiritual well-being of the child of God. It is one of the Devil’s most successful tools in derailing the Christian walk.

Lesson 4 (Sunday @ 11am, October 3, 2021)
Spiritual Cannibalism

When Christians attack one another, it is a form of spiritual cannibalism. (Galatians 5:15), “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

Lesson 5 (Monday, October 4, 2021)
Friendship – Fellowship

The basis for Christian fellowship has never been friendship. It revolves around obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. Too often in the world today, Christians forget this truth.

Lesson 6 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)
Why Does the Holy Spirit Speak to You, and Not to Me?

Many religious people believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them. The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth, and now we have it in written form. So many, though sincere, are misguided in their feelings on the matter.

Lesson 7 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)
Who is the Greatest Among You?

Greatness in the kingdom is the product of service. We must humble ourselves before God and man to serve Him as He desires.

Lesson 8 (Wednesday, October 7, 2021)
Progressive Church Movement Found in the Churches of Christ

A progressive attitude is present as a part of an ecumenical movement in many evangelical denominations. Progressive in the sense of a depature from the standard of God’s word. Unfortunately, such attitudes can be found in the Lord’s church as well.

Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger

Bronger Meeting

JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:

Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)

Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World

  • In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Sunday Class: Successful Marriages

Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians

Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race

Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns

Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?

  • If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart

  • There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Why Do Some Christians Not Grow?

wilted flower

The need for growing spiritually is well established in the New Testament. Those who remain babes in Christ remain as vulnerable to spiritual dangers as their physical counterparts are to the temporal dangers of life. They are weak, and undiscerning, which make them easy fodder for the devil and his minions.

“For he who lacks these things [attributes of the spiritually mature] is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9).

Knowing the importance of spiritual development and growth, it is disheartening when we witness a Christian who is stagnant spiritually. It happens far too often.

Continue reading “Why Do Some Christians Not Grow?”

I Press On

Press On

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 1:12). Paul’s words here are often passed over in favor of quoting the two that follow. “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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).

But, verse 12 adds much to the thought Paul is expressing in the text. Primarily, it states the fact that Paul had not yet attained whatever “that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” is. What is it? The glorious prize! The crown of righteousness!

You have two religious attitudes that prevail in our day. The first is the view that because I have been saved, the attaining of the goal is a fait accompli. I may should press on, but I don’t have to press on. I am saved. I am going to heaven. My eternal destiny is set.

The second is that expressed by Paul in our text. He was saved, but he knew that the crown of righteousness had not yet been awarded. As such, he lived with purpose. He sought daily to maintain his relationship with the Lord, pressing forward to attain the goal. He did not want to become a castaway! (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul’s attitude is the correct one. Don’t presume, get to work!

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Raised with Christ

baptism

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1).

This passage is rightly understood as an exhortation to focus on spiritual matters to the saving of the soul. Our interest in this article, however, is to the first half of the “if, then” construction in the passage. “If then you were raised with Christ…” Notice also verse 3, “For you died…”

The reference is to baptism. In chapter 2, verse 12 Paul wrote, “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” Paul wrote a similar passage to the Romans, “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4).

The logical conclusion to be found in these words is that baptism plays a part in one being born again. It is not merely a sign of what has been accomplished. It is a step taken to begin a new life, being “raised with Christ.”

Baptism is necessary to salvation. When one is saved, it is then necessary, as a new creature, to “seek those things which are above.” In this short verse, the false doctrines of “faith only” and “once saved always saved” are denied.

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