Category: Subject Index

One of the things that stands out for me in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, is the character of the one to which he is writing. He called Philemon his beloved friend. These words were not mere flattery. Rather they were true praise for a man of strong character.

We acknowledge Paul’s purpose in writing. He wanted Philemon to do as he asked. Philemon’s slave, a man called Onesimus, had run away. While on the run, he met Paul and was converted. Rather than receiving punishment, Paul not only wanted Philemon to forgive the slave, but all to relinquish him to Paul, so that he might assist Paul in his work. This was a big ask, but Paul had confidence and his carefully worded letter would be successful. He believed this because he knew Philemon well. Continue reading “An Example of Christian Character” →

Christ as a High Priest is here compared to the service rendered in the tabernacle under the old covenant. Christ serves in the “more perfect tabernacle not made with hands” (11). This is a reference to the throne room of God in heaven itself.

Christ’s work as High Priest was to offer His own blood for our redemption. This was an act that was done only once. Jesus’ blood (unlike the blood of “goats and calves”) could truly redeem man. His blood (the blood of God’s son in the flesh – an unblemished and sinless sacrifice – was sufficient to purchase us from sin’s bondage.

There is a contrast here between the physical sacrifices offered under the Old Covenant. It is said they only sanctify “for the purifying of the flesh” (13). This indicates a physical and symbolic work, that fell short of full and complete redemption from sin. In contrast, the blood of Christ, offered to God in heaven itself, has the power to “cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (14). We are truly cleansed spiritually. Because of this we “may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (15).

Q: What has an outside that you cook and eat, and an inside that you throw away? A: An ear of corn! Maybe kind of lame, but just one of the riddles we read and tried to answer with our grandkids early this week. We had a lot of fun! There was laughter and ribbing, and a good time had by all. I asked my grandson what was his favorite riddle, and he said the one that his sister had challenged us with. Q: What has hair but is not human? A: MY GRANDSON!

I am often reminded of Proverbs 17:6, “Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.” Those of us who have grandchildren, whether one or a dozen, are truly blessed by our God. They bring us so much joy with their vitality, purity and loving nature.

We are also to consider their vulnerability, and the importance of being a godly influence to all who are young. The Psalmist wrote, “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them” (Psalms 103:17-18).

May all who read this be on guard for the spiritual welfare of our children and grandchildren! They are the next generation of soldiers in the army of the Lord!

In this lesson we examine Matthew 11:20-24.  All of us have received so many blessings in Christ.  Our great blessings bring great responsibilities. We must all repent and serve God!

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We just celebrated our 250th birthday as a nation on July 4th. If you are like many, it was probably a enjoyable day of family, patriotism and fireworks. It is also an opportunity for reflection for the child of God. Consider what crossed my mind on that day.

I am amazed at the size of the celebrations. They went all out in Washington D.C. with a speech from the President, the honoring of centenarian veterans of World War II, and what was billed as the biggest fireworks display ever in the history of the world! (President Trump likes big things).

Debbie and I went with six of our grandkids (and their parents) to a bridge near downtown Fort Worth to watch our city’s fireworks display. There were hundreds of people on that bridge watching with us. I wondered what it would be like if I had the opportunity to talk to so many non-Christians at one time about our Lord. Continue reading “Observations About the Fourth” →

In Jesus’ sermon on the mount we read His teaching on the subject of swearing (5:33-37). By this we do not mean profanity, which is condemned elsewhere in scripture (Colossians 3:8).

What is under consideration is the taking of an oath to establish the verity of your words. This was actually a practice that had authority under the Old Covenant. “If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Numbers 30:2).

In Jesus’ time swearing was a common practice among both Jews and Gentiles. Vows were not made solely in God’s name, but by physical things, as alluded to by Jesus in (5:34-36): heaven, earth, Jerusalem, even by your own head. Continue reading “Swear Not At All” →

In verses 1-5 the Hebrew writer described the earthly tabernacle and its furnishings. In verses 6-10, he describes the actions of the priests as they ministered in that holy place under the law of Moses.

The sanctuary, the holy place, was a location of daily worship. The lamp was trimmed, incense was burned, and the shewbread was renewed each Sabbath day.

The holiest of all, behind the veil where the ark of the covenant resided could only be entered by the High Priest. He entered this sacred place once a year to offer blood sacrifices for himself and the people on the Day of Atonement.

This prohibition against entering was symbolic regarding our access to God. It is only under the New Covenant that the Holiest of All can be entered by God’s people. This is the victory of Jesus Christ. Through Him we can come “boldly to the throne of grace” (4:16).

The sacrifices and ministrations of the old covenant, which can not bring perfection, are no longer valid. The time of reformation has come!

In 1 Corinthians 14:36-37, the apostle Paul had an interesting question he asked the Christians there, “Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.”

The Corinthians were altering their worship. The church had begun in Jerusalem, and spread outward. A model of worship had been established. And now they were changing it. And Paul was letting them know it was wrong for them to do so. His pen had a real bite!

In effect, by changing the worship, with the confusion it was causing, and the arrogance they were showing, they were sinning. They were doing something of their own invention. So, Paul asked, Do you really think that you are the originators of God’s word? Or did God only send His messages to you? The answer of course, is no!

So, Paul wanted them to realize their ignorance! They were practicing their own desires rather than acknowledging, as Paul wrote, that his epistles contained, “the commandments of the Lord.” May we all study God’s word, and submit to God’s commandments in scripture. Jesus is our Lord. We have no business changing His will!

The text of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 is examined to show what a convicted child of God should be and is!

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We know that truth (no matter the discipline) is objective. Truth is defined by Webster: “the body of real things, events, and facts; the real facts about something; the state of being the case.”

It can be simple or complex mathematics, scientific discovery, or spiritual truth. In all cases it is real and certain. Let’s give an example. Some people claim the earth is a flat, stationary disk with the North Pole at its center and Antarctica functioning as an ice wall around the edges. The recent scientific achievement of Artemis II (the trip to the moon) was accomplished by knowing the true nature of the earth. Further, photographs clearly show the spherical nature of the earth. It is a fact. (Actually a fact that has been known for hundreds of years, despite the claims of the Flat Earth Society).

When we get into the realm of religion, people deny that objective truth still remains. People began to claim that “your truth is different from my truth.” This type of Postmodern thinking is unacceptable to most, except when it comes to God. But it must be noted that thinking the earth is flat does not make it so. Thinking 2+2=5 does not make it so. And thinking that there is no objective truth about God and His will for man does not make it so! Continue reading “The Objective Truth of God” →

In Mark 10 (as well as Matthew 19 and Luke 18) we read of a rich ruler who asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. It is evident that Jesus knew what was in the man’s heart. He knew that the man’s riches were a problem for him. After a short conversation he answered the man’s question with these words: “One thing you lack: God your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me” (21). This brought sorrow to the man despite his devotion and sincerity, as he was unwilling to put the Lord (and eternal life) ahead of his great possessions. Continue reading “The Problem with Money” →