Category: Faith

This one is hitting close to home. The San Antonio city council is considering adopting an ordinance that will update their non-discrimination policy. This new ordinance will, if enacted, effectively ban anyone who expresses their faith from involvement in city business. Following is the text of the proposed ordinance:

“No person shall be appointed to a position if the city council finds that such person has, prior to such proposed appointment, engaged in discrimination or demonstrated a bias, by word or deed, against any person, group or organization on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, age, or disability.”

The ordinance adds two new categories to protected status — sexual orientation and gender identity. It also uses the words “demonstrated a bias”, without defining what rises to the level of bias. It is open ended, showing that such “demonstrations” have no expiration date.

Continue reading “In the News: Demonstrating a Bias” →

The question is as old as the Kingdom itself, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (cf. Acts 2:37). When confronted with the reality of sin, those convicted of their guilt desire to know what they must do to be saved from condemnation.

An examination of God’s word reveals five things to be done for a person to be saved. So, Christians have often referred to the five steps to salvation. This phrase has been ridiculed as simplistic, legalistic, PATTERNISTIC. What it is, is scriptural.

1. HEAR. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
2. BELIEVE. “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness…” (Romans 10:10).
3. REPENT. “Repent…for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).
4. CONFESS. (That “Jesus Christ is the Son of God” Acts 8:37) “…with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
5. BE BAPTIZED. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).

The process of passing from death to life begins when an alien sinner hears the good news of Jesus Christ, and is completed when he arises from the waters of baptism to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

For those who object to such a listing of steps to salvation, we ask two simple questions. Are any of the listed steps unnecessary? Did we leave any steps out? In reality, this teaching approach has led to the salvation of multitudes. The gospel is sublime, but simple.

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In Luke 17:5-10, the apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith. In response, Jesus challenged them with suggestions to follow that their faith might increase. The lesson discusses those suggestions.

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Powerpoint Slides

In Exodus 14:13, Moses told the people of God to, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” We must be discerning to know when to press forward, and when to stand still. The phrase is used several times in scripture.

No audio was recorded of this lesson.

Powerpoint Slides

The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4, explains how, though the outward man is perishing, the inward man is renewed each day.

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The lesson is a textual sermon on Acts 17, showing the different responses shown to Paul’s preaching in Thessalonica, Berea and Athens.

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Jeremiah Cox asks “On what are you building your life?” He then shows through the scriptures the proper foundation for a life that is acceptable to God.

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Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

It is important to have faith that is based upon the word of God. You must have your own conviction. Your faith must be your own, rather than based upon feelings or personal views.

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I find myself irritated from time to time by famous people who claim to be Christians, but show themselves to be fickle in their “faith” when their convictions are tested by circumstance or criticism. Two examples of this recently came to my attention.

The first was a quote from Josh Hamilton, who was the center fielder for the Texas Rangers last season. In an important game last year, late in the season, Hamilton made an egregious and costly error. When his manager asked him what happened, he responded by uttering a profanity. Now, it is obvious that Hamilton has problems. His drug abuse, tattoo covered body, and continued struggles with addiction are well documented. But, he claims to have given his heart to the Lord, and that God leads him in the decisions he makes in his life. His behavior in light of his claims give cause for the world to ridicule the very concept of Christian faith.

Continue reading “In the News: The World’s Hatred” →

The apostle Peter here establishes the legitimacy of his desire to share with them the gospel message, by pointing out the veracity of the message itself. This was not mere hearsay he was repeating, not myth, but eyewitness testimony! Peter had himself witnessed the things of which he wrote.

How did Peter know that his Master was “our Lord Jesus Christ”? Among other events, he was present on the mountain when Jesus was transfigured before their very eyes (cf. Matthew 17:1-9). Peter heard with his own voice the words of the Father in heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (vs. 5).

Peter was a witness of other events affirming the Lordship of Jesus. He was an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:5). In fact, he proclaimed to the Jews on Pentecost this very proof, “This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:32).

It doesn’t matter that much of Peter’s epistle is taken up in an exposé of false teachers and scoffers rather than a retelling of the simple gospel of our Lord. He was defending the faith, and equipping his readers to make their “call and election sure” (1:10).

Invitation delivered by: Jonathan Hinds

Jonathan uses the parable of the marriage feast in Matthew 22 to indicate the proper response to the invitation of God.

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Primarily using Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle indicates that spiritual soundness must include being sound in the faith, in personal faith, in speech, and in moral conduct.

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It is an unfortunate truth that many are deceived in their belief that they are saved. While they may sincerely believe such to be true, their view is based upon their own subjective feelings in the matter, rather than the objective reality that they have satisfied the requirements given by the Holy Spirit in scripture.

Others may be unsure of their standing before God. This can be beneficial if it brings a careful examination of their faith before Him. However, constant questioning can undermine the faith, bring anxiety and unhappiness, and have a negative affect on the spiritual growth of the Christian. With this in mind, we ask the following questions as a means to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Continue reading “Examine Yourselves – Are You Saved?” →

In the past couple of weeks some have watched with interest the two political conventions that officially kick off what has already been a long and sometimes contentious campaign for the Presidency. In many ways it is the same old same old — with dire warnings of impending doom, fear mongering, and “pie in the sky” promises by both parties.
There is nothing wrong and many things right with Christians participating in the political process. Voting has long been held as a civic duty in our republic, and allows Christians to support candidates who will, at the very least, allow us to continue the free expression of our faith.

Continue reading “In the News: Politics and Faith” →

Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Ephesians 2:8-10 expresses the correct relationship sustained between faith and obedience in the salvation of man.

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