Sound Teaching

Paul wrote about our reconciliation in Romans 5.  That reconciliation is accomplished through the grace extended by God as a demonstration of His love for man. It was that love that compelled God to send His son to die for us. In order for reconciliation to come, it was necessary for us to be justified through His blood, and forgiven by God. “And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (5:11).

Love can and should be expressed in a myriad of ways. One such expression (in reflecting God Himself) is through forgiveness.  “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Forgiveness is an action (deed) that comes naturally toward those we love. Less naturally, to strangers or enemies. This difference is explained through that link between forgiveness and love.  As God is our supreme example, the Christian should be more gracious and expansive in his willingness to forgive.  “We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:19-21). Continue reading “Forgiveness” →

In Mark 10, verses 1-12, we find the account of Jesus answering questions from a group of Pharisees. The teaching of Jesus here reveals some simple truths about the importance God places upon the marriage relationship.

The question of the Pharisees was: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (2).  The question was not asked out of a legitimate desire to learn the truth, it was a means of “testing Him” (2). Jesus’ initial response was to ask them what Moses wrote. He did this not to settle the matter of their question, but to point out that the reason for Moses’ response in regulating but allowing some divorce was because of “the hardness of your heart” (5). This has been and still is the big problem that leads to the prolific use of divorcement by men. Continue reading “Simple Truths re: Marriage & Divorce” →

Here Paul describes a second problem in the early church, the dependence upon the regulations of the old law, and traditions. We have gained liberty in Christ. Faith in Christ is the substance of our relationship to God. If we have that relationship, we are promised the reward of heaven (cf. John 3:16).

Paul warns that we can be cheated through things like circumcision, and the law of Moses which Christ took away in His death on the cross. For this reason we are not judged by either those requirements of the Old Covenant, or the legalistic traditions that arose from them. He specifically referenced “self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body” which “are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (23).

Our baptism into Christ makes us dead to trespasses, as we are made alive together with Him. Our sins have been forgiven. As righteous individuals, we do not have to worry about the judgment of others. We rejoice and depend upon our relationship to Him.

In Proverbs 22, a section of scripture begins which is headed in the NKJV Bible, “Sayings of the Wise.” While this heading is given by men rather than inspiration, it is certainly applicable to the passages which follow.  An example:

“Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28)

A landmark is a boundary. It is used to determine the limits of property. Here it is used to express the importance of respecting boundaries. In ancient times, this was the only way of authoritatively establishing ownership. In other words, removing or relocating a boundary that had been long established was tantamount to robbery! A similar prohibition can be seen at Deuteronomy 19:14.

Our application? God’s word. God has established, in olden times, the boundary of right and wrong. Today our tendency is to remove that ancient landmark to satisfy our own desires and whims. Just like any effort to move a boundary to gain advantage, altering or ignoring God’s word is disrespectful, devious and plain wrong.

It’s fine for the worldly to be progressive, and ancient teachings are not always the best way to go in modern culture.  That is, if they are written by men.  But, the Bible is God’s word.  It is timeless!  It must be respected!

Both ancient men and men today have a problem with pride. Sometimes it exhibits itself in Intellectual Arrogance. The sermon covers instances of this sin in scripture, and in our own time.

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A discussion of Jesus’ self-designation as the Bread of Life. It indicates eternal sustenance to those who come to Him. We discuss how to come to Jesus, and the reward we receive.

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I just found and read a speech delivered by John Clark way back in 1979 on the subject of abortion. It is interesting that his discussion of the issue is basically the same as the approach that Christians take today. There is a reason for this. As our society and societal morals change, the word of God remains the same. There is no need to update our views with new scientific discoveries, and different moral discoveries, because God created life, a truth that remains unchanged, and it is our responsibility as Christians to revere and protect life, especially with regard to the most vulnerable among us. The mother of King Lemuel, in giving him Divine instruction which is recorded in Proverbs 31:8-9, said this, “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

The leaders of our land have done just the opposite.  Interestingly, the history of the 14th amendment is illustrative of this fact. The 14th amendment directly addressed the inequities of the Dred Scott decision, which denied rights to African Americans, and upheld slavery back in 1857. After the Civil War was fought, the government rightly amended the constitution. The amendment reads that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Imagine, our government having to change the constitution to grant personhood to black people. But it was necessary. Continue reading “Consequences of the Pro-Abortion Position” →

The text calls for us to have the same mind (will) as Christ.  The decision He made: to leave heaven, come to earth as a man, and humble Himself to the point of death on the cross shows clearly our Lord’s mind regarding others. He was motivated by love and selflessness. Jesus once said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). We can’t do for Him what He did for us, so in His next breath he said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Unfortunately too many are too selfish or indifferent to do even this for their Lord.

God celebrated and rewarded the sacrifice of Jesus through His resurrection and exaltation. It is as a result of this exaltation that Jesus has become the appointed judge for all mankind. In the day of judgment, every knee will bow and confess Him as Lord.

So, yes, we need the same mind which was in Christ Jesus!

“Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, “I repent,” you shall forgive him’” (Luke 17:1-4).

Jesus’ warning to His disciples here are words that are applicable to us today. He speaks of offenses as inevitable things. By offenses, Jesus was referring to “sin traps”, things a man or woman might to do cause another to stumble and sin.  Colly Caldwell had an interesting thought about this, “The forms these spiritual sin-traps may take will vary with each person but the effect can be devastating. It may come as a result of immoral influence, pleasurable seduction, false doctrinal teaching, or material gain.” (Truth Commentary). Continue reading “Take Heed to Yourself” →

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Mankind experienced the first advent of the Christ.  As Paul wrote, He came to earth, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). This sacrificial death is how He bore those sins, and served as a propitiation or appeasing sacrifice to the justice of the Father. We read in the New Testament the sacrifice, and the Father’s acceptance of that sacrifice. The Hebrew writer, “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

What we haven’t experienced in the second advent of Christ. When He comes again, it will be apart from sin.  The work of redemption has been accomplished in His sacrifice on the cross. In contrast His second coming will be as a conquering King! He will gloriously appear in the sky. He will bring all of His chosen ones to His bosom, and will deliver them to an eternity in His presence (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (4:18).

A discussion of 1 Corinthians 15, showing both what would be the case if Christ had not been raised from the dead, and the ramifications of the truth that He has!

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A Discussion of the Joy that ultimately comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ

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“Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:159-160).

A love for God’s word is characteristic of the true Christian. It is what animates him. What guides him in his every step on the earth. Why? As the Psalmist stated, “The entirety of your word is truth…”

In the New Testament, the word of God is referred to as the sword of the Spirit. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). As Paul states in this context, it is a part of the Christian’s armor, the purpose of which is to enable the Christian “to stand against the wiles of the devil” (6:11). Together with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith and the helmet of salvation, we are equipped as a soldier of the Lord. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (6:13). Continue reading “The Sword of the Spirit” →

Our verses continue to explain God’s show of mercy and grace, revealed in Paul’s statement in (2:1), “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

First is the affirmation of God’s rich mercy. This is a mercy that has been shown to many over the ages, which at its apex allows man to continue to exist despite our rebellion against Him.

This mercy comes because of God’s love for His creation, especially man, and despite our sin. As Paul relates our existence, “we all conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath” it becomes obvious that our continued existence can be explained ONLY by our Creator’s love and mercy.

God sent His Son, and that grace is how we are made alive!  It is why we have the hope of eternity in heaven, sitting together. God is so very kind and gracious. That love is seen in, and only in, the gift of His Son to the world. (cf. John 3:16).

Who is it that our world celebrates most?  The entertainer, the athlete, the artist. The ones who make a name for themselves. The ones who blaze a path. The ones who standout or amaze. Sometimes these things can be for very scandalous reasons — they may be villainous, outlandish, immoral, seekers of attention, ready to do anything to be famous, to be a figure that the world simply can’t ignore. This indicates values that do not really accord with God and His will. For both the celebrated and those who adore them.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Continue reading “Aspire to Live a Quiet Life” →