Sound Teaching

Our society has for a long time been at odds with God’s will concerning the home. Man has long shown willfulness before his Creator. This willfulness has led him to think his own preferences, his own ideas to be superior to God’s. In our own lifetimes there has been a big change. Divorce has become rampant. Radical feminism has changed views regarding the roles that husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, are to have in their familial relationships. Economic pressures have made it difficult to maintain the Bible model of the family. Children are more likely to be given what they want rather than what they need. Worship and fellowship has become the exception rather than the rule. Marriage is passé to many. Sexual promiscuity both premarital and extra-marital is ubiquitous. Even the participants in the marital relationship has been altered in our times to be inclusive of same sex unions. Continue reading “Order in the Home” →

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is perhaps the best known chapter of the whole book. Given several names, a favorite is “God’s Hall of Fame of Faith.” The text begins with an explanation of faith itself.

Is it the substructure or foundation of our hope as Christians. Our faith is founded upon God’s promises. It is not merely a superstition or blind supposition, it is grounded in all that God has revealed and proved to mankind through the ages. All of the miracles, fulfilled prophecies, and ultimately the demonstration of God’s power over death in the resurrection of the Christ, give us an anchor or rock for our hope. We believe! We know! God will grant us eternal life!

Faith is the evidence needed to validate all things spiritual. Physical things are easy. To consistently focus on heaven and our future existence is harder. God has supplied the answers. We can know. This sustained the “elders” those who went before. It will sustain us as well.

The unbeliever wonders at our existence. He grapples with how we came to exist, why we are here. The Christian knows the answer – God!

There are many passages in scripture which reveal the principle of cause and effect. This is true with the life you live on earth, but is especially true regarding your eternal standing with God.

Consider the following two passages that illustrate this truth. The first from Paul’s pen, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). He follows with two contrasting ends, “he who sows to his flesh will reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (8).

The other passage, from the book of Proverbs, “He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail” (22:8). A sinful life is vain. What seems fulfilling ultimately is like a crop of green stalks that do not produce fruit. Or like one whose rod is used to beat and prod breaking in his hand. It is common for the worldly to think their lives to be full and effective. This is an effective lie that Satan tells. It is an illusion.

Remember the principle of moral cause and effect. Forgetting it will cost you your soul! “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that we may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).

A Practical discussion of what makes a dependable English translation of God’s word, and what you should look for in purchasing your own personal Bible.

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A few main points in this section of scripture:

1. They were to remember their former struggles. These struggles consisted of personal humiliations, and the humiliations of their companions. They were made a “spectacle.” The literal meaning is to be “brought upon a stage.” It indicated a very public humiliation or shaming as a part of their persecution.
2. Their memory should contain their support of the author (Paul?) and their economic loss. The fact that they had willingly, even joyfully endured this persecution because of their faith and hope (“an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven”) showed the one time strength of that hope.
3. There was danger that such confidence was being “cast away”, and the writer reminds them of that great reward, asking them not to just let it go. They needed endurance to receive the promises.
4. God is faithful to those who remain faithful to Him! Faithfulness brings eternal reward, but faltering in the end brings only ruin!

A discussion of Philippians 3:3-11, identifying what uniquely has proper value for mankind, Jesus Christ.  It is necessary that we differentiate between Him and all else!

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I recently came across a post from another preacher, asking for ideas to help prepare a sermon on conspiracy theories. His premise: (which is true) is with the popularity of social media, there has been an exacerbation of mistrust for authority, and a willingness to entertain unfounded rumors. It is something I have noticed as well. It can paint us in an unflattering light to the world which we desire to influence with the gospel of our Lord! If we allow ourselves to express unfounded rumors and make contentions that can’t be defended, whether false or true, we are taken less seriously when defending our Lord. Continue reading “Conspiracy Theories” →

The consequence of a departure from Christ is great! Christ is the sole means chosen by God to save mankind! If we reject Him, all that remains is condemnation in judgment. All who make themselves enemies of God will be defeated in that day. This includes anyone who rejects His truth for a lie.

The Hebrew writer uses Moses’ law (familiar to his readers) as an illustration. Any Israelite who rejected that law (specifically for idolatry, an abomination) was physically punished with death (Deuteronomy 17:2-6).

It is no different in God’s new covenant, ratified with the blood of Christ. A Christian who turns away from the Lord is described as one who does despite to Christ. Tramples the Son of God underfoot. Counts what is holy to be common. Insults the Holy Spirit. This is something God will not abide.

God’s vengeance is reserved for His enemies. He is inexorably powerful, and is to be feared, not despised! He is God!

In Luke 12:1-7, Jesus talks about two subjects.  The intimidating and hypocritical Pharisees, and the need to fear God, not men.

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