Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Spring 2025 Meeting with Reagan McClenny
Our Spring 2025 meeting with Reagan McClenny took place May 10-15, 2025. All lessons were audio recorded and livestreamed.
To see other sermons visit our YouTube channel: youtube.com/@WSchurchofChrist
Saturday: Underestimating God’s Grace
Sunday 1: Grace for Grace: The Reciprocal Nature of Grace in the New Testament
Sunday 2: When My Love to Christ Grows Weak
Sunday 3: An Axe-Head Worth of Grace
Monday: What God’s Grace Teaches Us About Marriage
Tuesday: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?” God’s Grace and the Laborers in the Vineyard
Wednesday: Tune My Heart to Sing Thy Grace
Thursday: Salvation: By the Numbers
Ordinances of Divine Service
The Hebrew writer, in the first part of chapter 9, describes the implements of sacrifice and worship under the old covenant. He included in his description things like the tabernacle itself, as well as lampstand, the table, the showbread the ark of the covenant and its contents. He called them “ordinances of divine service” (1).
The point of his book is to describe the difference between the old and new, showing the superiority of Jesus and His new covenant of grace for men. That is why this chapter begins with the phrase, “Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service.”
Consider the intent of the writing. If even the old covenant had these things, and they were holy, designating worship and service to God. How much more important are the “ordinances of divine service” under the New Covenant! What are those ordinances? Consider the singing of psalms. The praying of prayers. The observance of Jesus’ sacrifice on each first day of the week when we serve His supper. Our free will offerings each Lord’s day. Consider also calls to evangelize, edify and help the poor. To care for Christian widows and the indigent. Finally consider the calls to love, to obey, to “Be holy, for I [God] am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).
We dare not neglect ordinances of divine service under the new covenant! (cf. 2:3).
Diotrephes the Prater
John’s third epistle is a personal letter to his beloved brother Gaius. There is a reason why John is known as the apostle of love. His greeting of Gaius is a wonderful example of John’s true devotion to others. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers … I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (2,4).
Further, a good portion of his letter is a commendation of the hospitality Gaius showed to other Christians, notably those who were traveling as ministers of the gospel of our Lord. John wrote, “We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth” (8). Continue reading “Diotrephes the Prater”
Mining the Scriptures: 2 Thessalonians 3:10-15
Paul had a special admonition for those Thessalonians who had adopted an idle lifestyle, possibly because they thought their time on earth was to be ending soon. His teaching, both by example and inspiration, is that Christians have a social and familial responsibility until the Lord comes. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (10).
So, he commanded it again here (12), as he had heard of some in the congregation who were not only idle, but their idleness was leading to sin. He called them “busybodies.”
The preparation of a Christian for eternity is seen in his obedience and positive efforts to life righteously. He is an example to the unbeliever and believer alike. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to steadfastness, “But as for you brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (13). This command is serious, a matter of Christian fellowship and eternal standing with God. Those who will not work are to be rejected, though our love for them is retained (15).
Sermon: The Disciple and the World
The text of 1 Peter 2:9-10 reveals that we as disciples of Christ are at odds will the world, antagonized by the flesh, and should consider ourselves as sojourners and pilgrims, as our citizenship is heavenly.
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Sermon: Proper Alliances
Our friendships and associations can be helpful or destructive, depending upon who it is that we fellowship. This is especially true spiritually.
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Cheerful Giver
In Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthians, he commanded them to give of their means to fund a benevolent need in Judah. Such giving is an important aspect of our service to the Master. He has given us so much, it is only right and proper we respond by giving back to Him and the work He would have us to do.
In 2 Corinthians 9, Paul revisited the command, giving some extra thoughts for us to consider. He wrote, “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation” (2 Corinthians 9:5). You might consider it surprising that anyone would begrudge an offering made to the Lord, but it is in fact quite common. There could be many reasons, but consider first of all that it is giving up your money to fund something for someone else. It is easy to think of the someone else as being anyone other than God. Continue reading “Cheerful Giver”
By This…
A favorite turn of phrase by John in his first epistle is “by this”, the NKJ version’s interpretation of the Greek preposition “en”. For example:
“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3). The Greek word is translated “hereby”, “in this”, “this is how” in other translations. The Christian Standard Bible makes the meaning plain, though the construction is awkward, “This is how we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments.” The amplified Bible (more of a commentary) explains it well. “And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). So, the idea is that the Greek preposition “en” is the means by which something is accomplished (in this case knowing). If we keep God’s commandments, we can know that we have a personal relationship with God. Continue reading “By This…”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20
Paul establishes 3 simple points in this short text:
- He greatly desired to be with the Thessalonians. This was Paul’s motivation in his work. He established churches in many places, and desired to revisit the locations to encourage and strengthen the brethren. Everything that Paul did was for others, whether the lost, or his precious brethren. His own life and comfort was always secondary to his ministry.
- Satan was real to Paul (and should be to us). Through the Spirit’s inspiration he attributed his absence to the work of the Adversary. Not surprising as Paul’s effectiveness was a great force against the Devil’s work. Remember the wiles and efforts of the devil to condemn us! (cf. 1 Peter 5:8).
- The value of the Thessalonians was inestimable to Paul. How about you and I? We too must love one another! “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).
Full Redemption
Titus 2 tells us that Jesus appeared on earth over 2,000 years ago, giving Himself for us by dying a sacrificial death on the cross, “that He might redeem us from every lawless deed.” (14).
Our appreciation for what Jesus did is without limitation. Paul reveals here that no matter how heinous our sins have been, redemption is available to all. Think of the very worst atrocity of any man. No matter the degree of degradation and sin, redemption is available. Paul called himself the “chief” among sinners, because of His persecution of Jesus and His disciples. And yet he was redeemed and purified as one of God’s elect.
Is that fair? Wrong question! “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The fact is that you and I are every bit as guilty of sin and worthy of condemnation as the rankest and most vile. We all are unacceptable to God as our Creator. But God loves us, and so sent His only begotten son to be the sacrifice, redeemer, propitiation for our sin. (Propitiation — the act which regains the favor or goodwill of our just God). In effect, Jesus paid the price for sin so that we do not have to.
So, as it impacts us this is about mercy and grace, not fairness. And we are so glad this is true. How about you? Do you think about God’s love and mercy given to you?
Sermon: A Single Step
A discussion of what God requires of man as a part of His covenant with man to be their God. In other words, man’s obligations in God’s scheme of Redemption.
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Forgiveness
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”
Simple Truths re: Marriage & Divorce
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”
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 2:11-23
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.
A Wise Saying
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!
