Month: April 2008

Numerous times in the Old Testament the term “woe” is used with respect (most often) to sinful practices. Physical consequences, as well as the judgment of God upon the wicked makes the term appropriate. A list of 8 “Old Testament Woes” are discussed in the sermon.

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The Sermon reveals and explains 5 Bible based techniques a child of God can use to help him resist the temptations common to all men.

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Jesus, in John 3, had a conversation with a ruler of the Jews named Nicodemus. While it is obvious by Nicodemus’ words he was impressed with Jesus, it must be noted that he was ignorant of who Jesus truly was, and was a bit cautious in his approach.

Nicodemus referred to the Lord as a “rabbi” (teacher), and acknowledged that the miracles Jesus performed marked Him as a man from God. However, the fact that John revealed the ruler’s approach to be “by night” indicates that Nicodemus may have desired not to be seen talking with such a controversial man.

Continue reading “Born Again” →

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

In this text, the apostle commended the Thessalonians for the love they exhibited in their lives, especially toward all the brethren in Macedonia.

It is interesting that their expressions of brotherly love extended beyond congregational boundaries. While our work is centered within the congregational construct, we have a brothers or sisters wherever God has children.

Though Paul was impressed with their expressions of brotherly love, he exhorted them to more lofty heights; both in the expression of that love, and in their execution of the Christian life.

They were to avoid conflict and gossip. They were to be industrious. They were to develop a good reputation, even toward those who were not Christians.

Such admonitions are important as we consider that our faith impacts every part of our lives. Only when we give each area sufficient attention can it be said that we “lack nothing” (vs. 12).

Last week a letter came in the mail, addressed to our congregation, from a group called “New Testament Church … Today.” The writer of the letter, Howard W. Norton, identified himself as the Chairman of the “Planning Committee.”

This organization describes itself in the letter as “a group of concerned Christians” meeting to “plan a Biblically-based search for the truth of God’s plan.” They call their efforts a “desire to educate congregations and Christians”, and the “touchstone” of their emphasis is the present “softening of a cappella singing in worship” that is happening in some of the more liberal churches of Christ. Notice the following paragraph:

Continue reading “In The News: Does the End Justifiy the Means?” →

Passages such as 2 John 9-11, and Romans 14 help to establish the bounds of Christian fellowship. We must limmit our fellowship to those who are in fellowship with God. Conversely, we have no right to fellowship those who have severed their fellowship with Christ.

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Ephesians 4:1-16. The text indicates that there are certain attitudes necessary for Christian Unity (lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, and love); and certain doctrinal truths upon which the unity of the Spirit is based (cf. 4:4-5)

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Four little creatures, listed in Proverbs 30:24-26 (The ant, rock badger, locust and spider) teach us wise lessons about industry, God’s protection, unity and boldness in serving God.

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Using Paul’s life as a persecutor, then faithful Christian and apostle, this sermon establishes that a person’s spiritual standing in life changes. The unredeemed need to become obedient to the gospel to have a future in heaven.

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In John 2:12-25 we have recorded two statements of Jesus that involved the temple in Jerusalem. The two sentences are very different, but both teach important lessons to us, His disciples.

“DO NOT MAKE MY FATHER’S HOUSE A HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE!” (VS. 16).

It is believed that secular pursuits were commonly seen in the court of the Gentiles, the outermost part of the temple complex. The part of that court located south of the temple proper was a very large area. There, Jesus found some selling livestock, and others changing money.

Both of these seemed to be logical. When Jews traveled to Jerusalem there would be a need to change their currency to that used locally at Jerusalem, and many would have need of livestock to offer as sacrifices during their worship to God. It is reasonable to assume that these business men appealed to such practicality as “authority” for their practices; and the merchandising seems to have become so ubiquitous as to have been generally accepted by the Jews.

Continue reading “Jesus and the Temple” →

Sen. Barack Obama on Saturday expressed regret about the way he phrased a remark describing the plight of Americans who live in small towns, as Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s campaign continued its efforts to portray the comments as evidence that Obama is “elitist” and “out of touch.”

“I didn’t say it as well as I could have,” Obama told a crowd in Muncie. Later, in an interview with a North Carolina newspaper, he said, “Obviously, if I worded things in a way that made people offended, I deeply regret that.”

The controversy stemmed from remarks Obama made at a private fundraiser in San Francisco on April 6 when he explained his struggles appealing to working-class voters by saying they were frustrated with the loss of jobs under both Republican and Democratic administrations over the last decade, adding: “It’s not surprising that they get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment.”

Perry Bacon Jr.
Washington Post

Analysis:

It is interesting to see political candidates say things they truly mean, and then when it gets them into trouble, try to placate their critics while never admitting they did anything wrong.

Continue reading “In The News: “Bitter” is a Hard Pill to Swallow” →

Ephesians 1:22-23

Our text is often used as a proof text showing that God does not approve of denominations and the creeds of men. The church is the body of Christ. There is only one body, and therefore the concept of denominationalism is without scriptural precedent. Jesus is head over one body, not many. Too, Christ is head, and is given all authority. As such, man made creeds are inappropriate, usurping a dominion reserved only for the Lord.

Though this application is valid, these final two verses, in context, serve as the end of a paragraph that has as its theme the exaltation of God and Christ (starting with verse 15). The power of God for our redemption works in Jesus Christ, a fact proven through our Lord’s resurrection. When God exalted His Son, He sat Him on the throne in Heaven, a place of dominion over the church and all things. In this God’s great scheme is fully accomplished.

One of the ways God’s people are referred to in the New Testament is as the Family of God. The concept of family does a wonderful job of describing the relationship we share with God and one another.

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Becoming angry is not sinful. However it sometimes may be, and often does lead to grevious sin. In this lesson, we learn what are the appropriate responses to provocation, and how to control anger.

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