Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
Walk Circumspectly
In Ephesians 5:15-16 the apostle Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” It is an interesting passage, expressing the need to live our lives as God directs, and expressing the motivation for our discipleship. Consider the following: Continue reading “Walk Circumspectly”
Mining the Scriptures: James 1:21-25
Those who hold to the doctrine of salvation by faith only must ignore the admonitions of the Holy Spirit in this text. Remember, the writer was not just James, he was inspired. So, verse 21 tells us that we must stop practicing filthiness and wickedness. In other words, we must repent.
We also must obey, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The idea that God does not require works of obedience to receive us is a lie. To equate the requirement of obedience to “earning” our salvation is a simply not so. God has made clear His insistence upon our obedience. Otherwise we are fickle. Responding to the extended grace of God by seeing it; and then immediately forgetting it as a man who looks into the mirror, but immediately forgets what manner of man he is; shows a blatant disrespect for the Almighty. God directs His blessings upon those who are led to obedience, not on those who only hear, but do not do. We must “look into the perfect law of liberty and [continue] in it.”
The Pleasure of God
What makes God happy? This is an important question, and one that most people do not understand. In fact, such misunderstanding has been used as an argument against either God’s existence, or at the least His goodness. Such arguments are shallow, and do not accord with what we understand and apply to other parts of our society. Regardless, a proper discussion of the matter is important to establish some important truths. Continue reading “The Pleasure of God”
Universal Judgment
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
A concise verse, establishing several important truths:
- Judgment is universal. It says “we must all appear before the judgment seat. The word “all” is inclusive. No one will escape judgment.
- Christ is the judge. We are thankful that the one who “died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34) is the one who judges us.
- We will receive at judgment exactly what we deserve. “whether good or bad.”
- The judgment has a standard by which we will be judged. “The things done in the body.”
Finally, Paul writes of the consequence of these truths found in this verse. Our purpose should be His. We should make it our aim “to be well pleasing to him” (9). It makes no sense to offend the one who is our judge. Our primary purpose in life it to please Him. Because we know the “terror of the Lord” we do as He desires. His desire is that we persuade men, cf. Mark 16:15; Romans 1:15.
Seek to please Him in your life. It matters!
Sermon Minute: Willfulness in Men
Sermon Minute: Our Sole Purpose in Life
Remember Your Creator While Young
The first 8 verses of the 12th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes contains an admonition to “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
Youth is a time of joy, vitality and physical prosperity. The days of the young are the halcyon (idyllically happy and peaceful) days of our lives. They are also the days where decisions can be made and actions can be taken that can make one’s older years a time of unhappiness and loss. Now is the time to turn to God.
As a part of the chapter, a description is given of old age. Those who have lived for decades will be able to relate. For example, verses 1 and 2 speak of evil and dark days without pleasure. With age comes wisdom, but also with a realization of the flawed nature of our earthly existence. We are weighed down by the burdens of life, our lives include the drudgery of heavy responsibilities and the cares of life. These are things of which the young are blissfully unaware. Continue reading “Remember Your Creator While Young”
Sermon Minute: Our Malleable Wills
To view entire sermon on YouTube, click here
Jethro Was A Smart Man
If you were to read the title, and not realize this was an article dealing with a Bible subject, you might think that Jethro had reference to the Jethro of the Beverly Hillbillies. That guy was not smart at all.
But, the Jethro that was Moses’ father-in-law was a smart man. He was a priest of Midian and well respected by Moses. While there is no revelation given as to whether Jethro ever fully rejected idolatry, he certainly came to realize the preeminence of the God of the Hebrews. He was a just man, kind and generous to his son-in-law. Continue reading “Jethro Was A Smart Man”
Sermon: Paul’s Discourse on Grace
Stan discusses the text of Ephesians 2. Using the context of the passage, he explains the concept of salvation by grace through faith.
Sermon: God is Calling
The Bible clearly establishes that God does not compel us to serve Him. Rather He calls us to Him through His gospel, and those who respond to Him are granted salvation.
Sermon: My Will VS Thy Will
Stan discusses the concept of free will. Using the events in the Garden of Eden, and then in the Garden of Gethsemene to show the consequences of the choices we make.
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Sermon: Do We Know How to BLUSH?
God’s people need to be able to blush! Shame is a good thing, as it limits ungodly conduct, speech and appearance.
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Sermon: Legacies of the Faithful
As we contemplate the legacies of those who have gone before, we can make the proper applications to ensure we too will serve God acceptably.
