Year: 2020
The “I Am” Statements of Jesus
Interestingly, Jehovah revealed Himself with the use of the phrase, “I am” to Israel in Exodus 3. “Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His name?” what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you”’” (3:13-14).
The Patternists: Responding to God’s Chastisement
In the book of Amos, the prophet recorded God’s disappointment with Israel. God had chastised His people in myriad ways, and yet they refused to come to repentance. Consider the ways that God chastised His people.
POVERTY: “‘I gave you cleanness of teeth in all your cities. And lack of bread in all your places; yet you have not returned to Me’, says the Lord” (4:8).
DROUGHT: “‘I also withheld rain from you, when there were still three months to the harvest… Yet you have not returned to Me’, says the Lord” (4:7,8).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Responding to God’s Chastisement”
Wisdom in Living
“The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard” (Proverbs 13:14-15).
So many today chafe against the rule of law. The idea of freedom (a legitimate aspect of our democracy) has been abused by those who seek to be libertines. Where once our society understood that our freedoms require constant restraint and voluntary cooperation, now many believe that freedom equates to a selfish lifestyle. I can do whatever I want, regardless of how it might impact others.
The Christian has always understood that freedom requires personal restraint. In order to be free in Christ, we must accept His Lordship! In other words, become “a bondservant of Christ” (Colossians 4:12).
Our text indicates that law (whether the physical laws of man, or the spiritual law of Christ) “is a fountain of life.” And, “the way of the unfaithful is hard!”
The promise of lawlessness is never fulfilled. “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage” (2 Peter 2:19). Sin entangles, ensnares. Truly the way of the unfaithful is both hard and foolish.
If you want to live a peaceful life, obey the civil authorities (cf. Romans 13:1-7). If you want to go to heaven, obey God! (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10).
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Sermon: My Witness is True
Lesson 21 in series:
Jesus defends His statement, “I am the light of the world” to the Pharisees in John 8:13-20.
fini
If you are a fan of foreign films, you may be aware of the Italian word “fini.” It is the small word at appears at the end of the credits. It means, “finished, done.” It is the Italian equivalent of the English phrase, “The End.”
This Sunday is the last Lord’s day in 2020. Thursday is the last day of the year, and this most challenging of years will be over.
The challenges will not end, however. Unfortunately the turning of a calendar page does not alleviate the trials and tribulations of life. While 2020 was particularly difficult, men have struggled with their physical existence from the beginning, (cf. Genesis 3:17-19).
With the right perspective, we become able to navigate the difficulties of our lives. Paul had that perspective, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
There will be a day where all is finished and done. Jesus will one day return, bringing to an end the physical existence of man on the earth. In that day, all suffering will truly be fini. For the righteous, all that will remain is rest. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Praise be to Him!
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Sermon: Tools for Encouragement
It is important for us to be active in encouraging our brethren and others. God supplies us tools to enable us, such as His powerful word, the imperative of love, and patience.
Sermon: Go and Sin No More
20th in Series. Jesus deals with Pharisees who sought to entrap him when the brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to see what He would say. John 8:1-12
Work Out Your Own Salvation
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Paul’s admonition here is also partly a word of praise for the faithfulness of the Philippian brethren. They had shown themselves to be obedient in the past, he calls upon them to continue. A significant point made in the passage is that continued obedience is necessary to be saved. The idea of working out “your own salvation” is not in any way at odds with the concept of grace. God requires faithfulness unto death to receive the crown of life! (cf. Revelation 2:10). Paul himself told them, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
The Patternists: Was Paul a Patternist?
A careful reading of Paul’s epistles show that he expected careful obedience to the instructions he gave by the Spirit’s inspiration. In other words, Paul was establishing a pattern for his readers to follow. Their standing with God was dependent upon their following that pattern. Notice the following scriptures which bear this out.
“For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:17).
Integrity
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1).
Some things are much more important than money, influence or power. Integrity is one of them.
The primary English definition for integrity is: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. This definition accords well with the Hebrew word in our text: tôm — moral innocence (Strong’s).
Strong also uses the word simplicity to define our term. This is interesting, as simplicity contrasts with the term duplicity (deceitfulness, double dealing).
When it comes to our interactions with others are we simple? Is it true with us that, “What you see is what you get”? Are we forthright, honest, truthful with others? Or do we seek to gain advantage by dishonesty, flattery, deceit?
It is true that for a while, a man who is perverse in his lips can personally benefit from his duplicity. That is why we are warned against such individuals who are guilty of “flattering people to gain advantage” (Jude 16). Jude describes them as “sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.” Ultimately he is foolish. His sin will “find [him] out” (cf. Numbers 32:23).
Be “rich toward God” (cf. Luke 12:19). Walk in integrity!
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Sermon: Giving Thanks to God
Using Ephesians 5:20, We answer the timely questions: Who? What? When? Unto Whom? How? and Why? – regarding our offering of thanks to God.
Sermon: A Lesson About Influence
Speaker: Ian Tilley
The text of 2 Chronicles 33, discussing the life and reign of Manasseh, is used to teach two very important points about influence. 1) The effect of others and their influence upon us. 2) The importance of our good influence upon others.
Pressing Toward the Goal
Paul wrote:
“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. 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” (Philippians 3:12-14).
Paul had the right attitude. His past life as a persecutor of the church was no longer relevant because of his obedience to the gospel of our Lord.
His conversion was not enough in and of itself, because he understood the danger of apostasy. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
Paul understood that the only way to approach his life was to look forward. “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1). What matters is what I am doing now for the Lord. What matters is pressing forward — reaching for the prize — making heaven our goal.
Paul understood … do we? May we never rest upon our previous accomplishments. May we never take our relationship with God for granted. Press toward the goal!
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Sermon: The Sovereignty of God
An explanation of the Bible doctrine of God’s sovereignty, together with a refutation of false teaching regarding the same. (Specifically, the erroneous view espoused by Calvinists).
Sermon: The Father, the Christ and the Spirit
Jesus’ teaching in the temple at the Feast of Tabernacles establishes the three persons of God: The Father, the Christ and the Spirit.
