Category: Judgment

Invitation delivered by: Joshua Scroggins

Josh uses the text of Acts 26:28 and the lyrics of the song “Almost Persuaded” to exhort the audience to make the decision to serve Christ acceptably while time and opportunity remains.

Audio

To illustrate the condemnation reserved for false teachers, Jude used three examples in this text. First, those of the Exodus who exhibited unbelief despite the miraculous intervention of God. He “destroyed those who did not believe.” Second, the rebellious angels. Though little is revealed about this rebellion of higher beings, we know that God placed them under “everlasting chains.” Third, the immoral cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that suffered by His hand, “the vengeance of eternal fire.”

These serve as an object lesson to the current false teachers that Jude warns his readers about. These evil men are sensuous and rebellious. Because of their evil ways, they are worthy of condemnation.

In verse 9 of the text, a reference is made to a conflict between Michael, the archangel, and the devil, about the body of Moses. We have no knowledge of the nature of the dispute, and it is worthless to speculate. However, the occasion is used to point out the audacity of the false teachers Jude condemns. Their brashness leads them to do things even Michael himself would not.

Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Sometimes we can procrastinate when we know what the deadline is. However, we do not have that luxury when we are preparing for the day of the Lord. (cf. 2 Peter 3:10).

Audio: Click Here .

Using Matthew 10:16-26, this short talk points out that the cost of discipleship is persecution, and even (possibly) death. But, we have the promise of eternal life if we endure.

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“Life is but a vapor.” The lesson examines James 4:13-17, and makes 3 points: 1) It is arrogant to a assume control of your life; 2) The proper thing to do is place your trust in God. And, 3), It is wrong to waste opportunities to do good.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Everyone noticed, I presume, the extreme weather we had last week? Temperatures in the teens, below zero wind chill, and ice and snow all led to a very uncomfortable experience for those forced to go outside to work or shop.

Some may prefer extreme cold to extreme hot, or vice versa, but no one really likes such difficult conditions. The week previous, temperatures in the 70’s made an afternoon stroll along the Trinity River a wonderful treat. Spring is delightful, and Fall is too, but there is a reason why the hot days of August and the frigid days of January are contemplated with such dread.

With this in mind, consider the eternal abode of the wicked. “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).

May we all escape the extreme of eternal condemnation. This alone is sufficient reason to serve God!

This lesson combines a scripturally based dramatic enactment of the day of judgment (seen from the viewpoint of a Christian) interspersed with numerous scriptures describing that event. The sermon was preached by Dennis Craig.

Sermon Outline (Microsoft Word): Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Jesus was plain in His preaching (cf. John 10:22-28), as were the apostles (cf. 2 Cor. 3:12). We should strive to be as well. The sermon describes 5 areas where plain speech is needed in teaching others:

• How to be saved from sins
• The Nature of the Church of Christ
• Assembled worship is required of Christians
• Christians are called to godly living
• A Judgment is coming!

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me” (Ezekiel 3:17).

“Ezekiel … was appointed a watcher over the exiled nation of Israel, and was in this capacity to continue the work of the earlier prophets, especially that of Jeremiah, with whom he in several ways associates himself in his prophecies; to preach to his contemporaries the judgment and salvation of God, in order to convert them to the Lord their God.”

Keil & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament
Volume 9 (Ezekiel & Daniel), page 2

Ezekiel, as a prophet of God and preacher of righteousness, lived and served his God in the darkest of days of the kingdom of Israel. The people were in exile, chafing under Babylonian rule, and looking for relief. There were false prophets in the land who were willing to tickle the ears of a desperate people. Jeremiah recorded the people’s unwillingness to listen to the message of God’s prophets in Jeremiah 29:19, “because they have not heeded My words, says the LORD, which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; neither would you heed, says the LORD.” He then pronounced God’s judgment against the false prophets in verses 20-23, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD, all you of the captivity, whom I have sent from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in My name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall slay them before your eyes. And because of them a curse shall be taken up by all the captivity of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, ‘The LORD make you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire’; because they have done disgraceful things in Israel, have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken lying words in My name, which I have not commanded them. Indeed I know, and am a witness, says the LORD.”

Continue reading “Watchmen for God” →

In his second epistle, Peter said the purpose of his writing was to “stir up your pure minds by way of reminder.”

I often have emphasized the need of repetition in teaching. It is important to be reminded even of what you know, that your mind may be stirred.
There is another emphasis in this text. Our minds need to be “pure.” The term “pure” is defined in Strong’s as: genuine or sincere. It’s literal rendering is “judged by sunlight.”

Isn’t that an interesting thought? Our minds judged by sunlight? If your innermost thoughts, convictions and emotions were brought “to light”, what would be revealed? Would you be seen as a hypocrite, or would your inner thoughts match your outward profession to be a faithful child of God?

May we all have “pure minds.”

Stan

The walk that pleases God, according to 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8, is a walk that is fruitful, pure and holy. The purpose of the walk is to please God, not man. With that in Mind, we must walk:

• With God (companionship)
• Before God (inspection)
• After God (discipleship)

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Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Last Monday President Obama delivered a speech on the economy at Georgetown University. In the speech, he was asking the American people to be patient as his administration seeks to deal with a sluggish economy, and to change the “foundation” upon which the economy rests. Notice the following quote, as reported by the Associated Press:

“We cannot rebuild this economy on the same pile of sand,” he said, invoking a Biblical reference to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. “We must build our house upon a rock. We must lay a new foundation for growth and prosperity a foundation that will move us from an era of borrow and spend to one where we save and invest, where we consume less at home and send more exports abroad.”

While some may have doubts as to whether his actions mirror his rhetoric, we will leave such discussions for a more appropriate forum. It is the purpose of this article to note the President’s reference to Jesus’ words.

Continue reading “In The News: Founded on the Rock” →

Israel disregarded the chastisement of God, causing the prophet by inspiration to proclaim in Amos 4:12, “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” We too must recognize the inevitability of judgment, and prepare that our meeting with God will lead to life rather than destruction.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Numerous times in the Old Testament the term “woe” is used with respect (most often) to sinful practices. Physical consequences, as well as the judgment of God upon the wicked makes the term appropriate. A list of 8 “Old Testament Woes” are discussed in the sermon.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

AOTS Number 80

Our society is tolerant of everything except for intolerance. The attitude? Don’t Judge Me! This can not be the attitude of the child of God.

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