Category: Christian Living
Subject: Christian Living
Take Heed to Yourself
“Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, “I repent,” you shall forgive him’” (Luke 17:1-4).
Jesus’ warning to His disciples here are words that are applicable to us today. He speaks of offenses as inevitable things. By offenses, Jesus was referring to “sin traps”, things a man or woman might to do cause another to stumble and sin. Colly Caldwell had an interesting thought about this, “The forms these spiritual sin-traps may take will vary with each person but the effect can be devastating. It may come as a result of immoral influence, pleasurable seduction, false doctrinal teaching, or material gain.” (Truth Commentary). Continue reading “Take Heed to Yourself”
Aspire to Live a Quiet Life
Who is it that our world celebrates most? The entertainer, the athlete, the artist. The ones who make a name for themselves. The ones who blaze a path. The ones who standout or amaze. Sometimes these things can be for very scandalous reasons — they may be villainous, outlandish, immoral, seekers of attention, ready to do anything to be famous, to be a figure that the world simply can’t ignore. This indicates values that do not really accord with God and His will. For both the celebrated and those who adore them.
Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Continue reading “Aspire to Live a Quiet Life”
Sermon: The Righteous
The world needs righteous people to improve and protect culture and humanity. It needs to be righteousness as defined by God. The sermon declares how the righteous help.
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Sermon: Do Not Be Ashamed
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. His conviction made him always to be willing to proclaim boldly God’s message. His example is one we seek to emulate (2 Timothy 1:8-12).
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Sermon: Jesus’ Walk on the Water
Some observations we can make and learn from taken from the miraculous walk of Jesus in Matthew 14:22-33
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Sermon: Bad Things Happen
In life, catastrophes and trials happen often. One argument skeptics make: “If God is good, why do these things happen?” We seek to answer this question, and point out what we can do to help.
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Walking in Wisdom
Consider these words from Paul’s pen, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17).
The first consideration in this passage it to determine what is wisdom! Remember the following words, “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). This is not to say that you can’t gain wisdom from men, you can. However, it is easy to be duped into thinking that someone or something is wise when that’s not the case! Any time anyone tells you that wisdom dictates what is a violation of God’s will, they are wrong. They are as the false teachers of Peter’s day, “But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption” (2 Peter 2:12). Continue reading “Walking in Wisdom”
“I Am the True Vine”
A discussion of John 15:1-8, discussing lessons learning about the Vine (Jesus) as well as the blessings and obligations the branches (Christians) have, being part of the Vine.
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Sermon: Dealing with Distractions
In our distraction filled society, the Christian needs to be sure not to be distracted from serving God. Four items are discussed: Morality, Attendance, Worship and Study.
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Sermon: Pendulums
Every Christian needs to carefully examine their own tendencies in the moment, to determine whether they are at one extreme or another in any particular tendency, to ensure they are where God wants them to be. Guest Preacher: Justin Carrell
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Countercultural Chrisitianity
I have been considering the fact that the Christian faith is, by definition, countercultural. Consider the words of Peter, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12 ).
Christianity is not arrived at by birth or heritage. You aren’t Christian because your parents or grandparents are. And you aren’t a Christian if you do not adhere to the teaching of the Master, Jesus Christ. You must put Him on in faith, and remain steadfast in your life to attain the narrow gate and difficult way that leads to life.
That means there are “few” that find the way to heaven. This makes true Christians a subculture (a small group in a larger culture). But it makes true Christians countercultural as well. The term defined: “a culture with values and customs that are very different from and usually opposed to those accepted by most of society” (Brittanica).
Too many Christians identify primarily as Americans, or Texans, or Republicans, or Democrats, or white, black, or brown, etc. All of these MUST take a back seat to our faith in our values and decisions we make!
Our Civil Responsibilities
Christians, unlike other groups, have only a secondary allegiance to our country. Also unlike other groups that does not mean that we are in any way unpatriotic, or lacking gratitude for the nation in which we live. It also does not mean that we condone disobedience to the laws of the land, either civilly or criminally. Continue reading “Our Civil Responsibilities”
Sermon: Effective Sacrifice (Romans 12:3-21)
Our lesson discusses the text of Romans 12. where Paul begs the Romans to be effective, living sacrifices. Verses 3-21 details this can be accomplished.
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Mining the Scriptures: Philippians 1:27-30
Paul appreciated the Philippians greatly. Here in this text is the caveat he expressed. His great appreciation was contingent “only” with their continued “conduct” being “worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
There needed to be unity, standing fast “in one spirit, with one mind.” There needed to be effort, “striving together” for the gospel. There needed to be courage in the face of their opponents, here probably referring to non-Christian Gentiles, as Philippi was a Roman city.
Consider of what these things were proof. First that the Christian’s lack of fear showed their understanding that God was with them. It would indicate to the pagans surrounding them that perdition (ruin) followed those who opposed God, but that salvation from the one true God would be granted to the brethren in Philippi. Great conviction creates doubt in the mind of the enemy!
Yes, we will suffer, but in the end is glory! (cf. Matthew 10:28).
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 2:1-3
Paul here expresses the cause of spiritual death, “trespasses and sins” (1). This is to note our past position, before “you He made alive” (1).
That past position is one what all have experienced, as indicated by Romans 3:23. It is described as a walk here. But, not a walk of righteousness, rather one that is characterized by a following of the devil.
Devil worship is not the point. When we live our lives without obeying God’s will, by default we are in the camp of the enemy. It is for this reason that defenses such as, “They do more good than bad”, or “They are generally a good person” hold no credence to God.
Paul put it clearly in Romans 10. The righteousness invented by men do not properly substitute for the righteousness of God. Living for self is being a child of wrath, just like everyone else.
Instead, as Christians, we are to live according to His will!
