Category: Bible
Subject: Bible
The Patternists: How Can a “Christian” Do It?
Last week I wrote a lengthy article titled “An illogical attitude toward the Bible.“
The article was in response to another article titled “Evangelicals are Losing the Battle for the Bible. And They’re Just Fine With That.”
Consider the ramifications of that title. Evangelicals as a group have always contended that the Bible is inspired of God and inerrant. A new generation of Evanglicals are disavowing that position. The article states that the issues leading to this change in thinking revolve mainly around social issues. The Bible condemns homosexuality, contends for specific and different gender roles for men and women, and contends that the Bible was created by the fiat of God in seven days. These positions are rejected by society today. Young evangelicals, swayed by current mores, are accepting the wisdom of men, and rejecting what they perceive to be foolishness contained in God’s word.
In so doing, they deny the words of Paul, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ Therefore let no one boast in men“ (1 Corinthians 3:19-21).
Those who reject the Lord’s words are rejecting the Lord Himself! Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him — the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
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An illogical attitude toward the Bible
This past week I read an extended article from the Los Angeles Review of Books website, titled “Evangelicals Are Losing the Battle for the Bible. And They’re Just Fine With That”, by Jim Finch. The article is rather lengthy, and notes a trend among evangelicals, (a group which has historically contended for the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible), toward a more modernistic view of scripture. Today, many who consider themselves evangelicals no longer regard the Bible as “inerrant, dictated by God, historically accurate in all of its claims or even internally consistent with itself.”
It is not surprising to note that many reject the inspiration of scripture. Modernists, secularists, and proponents of other religions have always done so. However, it is a far different matter when individuals who claim to be respectful of the Bible reject the same. This is a highly illogical and intellectually unsustainable position.
Sermon: A Self-Imposed Famine
God imposed upon Israel a peculiar famine in His judgment against them. They would not have access to “hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11). Today, some voluntarily refrain from the nourishment God’s word supplies.
Sermon: Anatomy of Institutional Apostasy
Many denominations have departed from any semblance of Biblical faithfulness. From Heresy to Sectarianism to Denominationalism to full blown Humanism, the process of the institutional apostsy is explained.
Those who are faithful must learn from history, and heed the warnings to remain faithful to the standard, God’s word.
Sermon: How Would Your Life Differ?
How would your life differ, if you:
* Could no longer read your Bible?
* Could no longer sing in worship?
* Could no longer pray?
* Could no longer assemble for worship?
* Could no longer tell others about Christ?
Hopefully, our lives would be much different. If not, changes are in order!
Invitation: The Word of God
Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson
An examination of various texts indicates the central part God’s word plays in our faith and standing before Him.
Invitation: Why the Bible Was Written
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
If one accepts what the Bible says about itself, he must recognize it was written to bring faith, and therefore, salvation to mankind. Accepting the Bible demands obedience to its call.
Invitation: The faith once for all delivered
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Jude 3, Jude indicates that the faith was once for all delivered. The Bible was authored by the Holy Spirit, and through Divine providence has been protected in its integrity until today.
Sermon: The Importance of God’s Word
Sermon by Josh Cox.
God’s word is the most important possession we have on this earth. It is the means of gaining access to eternal rest and reward.
Invitation: Eternally Relevant
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Colossians 4:16 Paul encouraged the Colossians to share the epistle he had written with the Christians in Laodicea. The words inspired by the Holy Spirit are relevant for all people, for all time.
Sermon: Six Things Christians Should Just Stop Saying
Spring Meeting 2014
The lesson is a review of the contention of a religious writer for the Huffington Post, who claimed that Christians should just stop saying:
- The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God
- We just believe the Bible
- Jesus is the only way to heaven
- The rapture of Jesus is imminent
- Homosexuality is a sin against God
- The earth is less than 10,000 years old
In the News: Desire the Word!
From time to time it is difficult for me to decide what to write for my frequent “In the News” articles. Sometimes there is so much to choose from in current events, that it is hard to decide what to write about. Other times I struggle to find anything that I feel would help those who read my articles.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)
The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.
Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)
- A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.
The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)
- The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.
Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.
Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?
Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)
- In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.
Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)
- Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.
Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)
- An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.
A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)
- How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.
Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)
- When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.
Sermon: Being Ready to Receive the Word
Sermon by Josh Cox.
In this lesson, Josh indicates the responsibility we have to be receptive to the word of God. Also discussed are certain suggestions on readying ourselves, and concerns that arise regarding inappropriate attitudes and practices concerning God’s word.
