Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: Are You Prejudiced?
Individuals who practice prejudice violate the law of love, and sin in the eyes of God. However, it must be understood that God’s view of what constitutes prejudice, and what man believes it to be, are not always the same thing!
Sermon: The “Plan” of Salvation?
The idea that there are things a man must do to be saved, some people contend to be a product of the legalistic theology of the 19th century. This lesson is a defense of the what the scriptures teach regarding the salvation of man.
FB: Blessed is the nation who God is the Lord
“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psalm 33:11-12).
In the verses previous to our text, the Psalmist notes, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing…” (10). Men (and nations) have long sought to establish their will without regarding the will of the God of heaven. Such efforts are foolish. Regarding the nations, Paul said that God, “has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” He does so, “that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:26-27).
The Psalmist notes that if God has chosen a people, they are blessed. That was certainly the case with Israel, who obtained and gloried in God’s protection, so long as they were obedient to His will.
In these last days, Christians are the people of God. As such we are blessed and protected by our God. This is important to know and to meditate upon, as we face opposition from the world around us. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).
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The Patternists: That Little Silk Ribbon
I came across an item of interest recently, stating that very few hymnals used by the religious denominations have a silk marker attached to the book.
Of course, every song book I have come across in the various places where I have worshiped has one. And yet, in the religious world at large it is rare.
Why do we have the silk ribbon? As far as I can tell, solely to mark our books for the invitation song. Consider the progression. Before the ribbon came the book, before the book came the concept of an invitation song, before the invitation song came the offering of an invitation.
Sermon: The Word of God is Not Chained!
God’s Word, His will for man remains relevant, powerful, sufficient and suitable as a standard of judgment for men. If we receive that word, and believe it, we will be blessed beyond comprehension.
Sermon: Are You a Hypocrite?
The accusation of Hypocrite is commonly made to just about anyone who is religious. Often it is not legitimate, but it is certainly possible that a child of God can be guilty of Hypocrisy. For this reason, we need to examine our heart and practice to ensure we are not guilty of that sin.
Sermon: Revive Me O Lord!
The Psalm indicates for us that God is able to revive us through His word, His judgments, and His lovingkindness.
Sermon: Resolutions
With regard to any resolution made, the intent is useless without strategies and effort which bring it to pass. The same is true with the expressed revolve to serve God well and zealously.
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:15-18
Here Paul gives us an accurate and fully developed picture of the Messiah. He is the very image of God. God’s perfect character, wisdom and glory are seen in the Christ. His is a place of preeminence as the firstborn of God. All that is exists by His word, and persists through His power. (It is important to note here that the term “firstborn” has reference to His place, not His origin. The Creator of all things was not Himself created, cf. John 1:1).
His creative work covers not only what can be seen, but also what cannot be perceived by man. It is arrogant to assume that what exists is only that which can be measured or observed. The materialist is short-sighted, and ignorant of the Lord’s power and the extent of His reign.
His preeminence extends to His church. His victory over death affirms His Person and place as our Redeemer.
Challenges Confronting the Church
This class consisted of four lessons, taken from Mark Copeland’s topical sermon series. I chose four lessons from that series:
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Introduction
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Denominationalism
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Secularism
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Traditionalism
The class took place on each Wednesday evening in December, 2016. The material consists of:
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The four lessons (the material is the same as it appears on brother Copeland’s site, except for reformatting.
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The teacher’s notes (some highlighting, and the addition of scriptures)
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Audio of the four classes
Materials
Audio
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Lesson 1Challenges-Intro
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Lesson 2Challenges-Denominationalism
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Lesson 3Challenges-Secularism
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Lesson 4 Challenges-Traditionalism
Man Can’t Do It…But God Can!
Early in Nebuchadnezzar’s reign he had a dream. The dream made him anxious, and he sought it’s meaning. His astrologers, sorcerers and magicians were more than willing to provide an interpretation, but Nebuchadnezzar obviously did not trust their powers of divination. So, he created a test. Before giving him the interpretation, they had to describe the dream itself. They replied, “There is not a man on earth who can tell the king’s matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean” (Daniel 2:10). Their explanation did not impress Nebuchadnezzar. He became angry, and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be killed!
Nebuchadnezzar’s disgust was understandable, even if his murderous response was not. These dream interpreters were not claiming psychological insight. They claimed to be able to “divine” the interpretation. That is, they claimed a supernatural ability to determine a dream’s meaning. Logically, if one possessed such supernatural powers, “divining” the dream itself would be as simple as the interpretation. By their inability, they showed themselves to be charlatans.
“He who receives you receives Me”
In Matthew 10, Jesus sent His disciples to preach to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. In verse 40, He said to them, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent me.”
This is an interesting truth as it relates to hospitality. By being hospitable to those who belong to Christ, it is as if we are receiving the Lord Himself (and by extension, His Father). Our Lord will appreciate and deal kindly with those who care for His own.
Going further, Jesus then said, “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward” (vs. 41). In order to understand this sentence, the phrase “in the name of” must be explained. Albert Barnes wrote,
“To receive in the “name” of a prophet is to receive “as” a prophet; to do proper honour to his character, and to evince attachment to the cause in which he was engaged.”
So, both with a righteous man, and with a prophet (or preacher), when you receive them because they are righteous or because they preach the truth, you please God just as they do!
Hospitality is important. Hospitality expressed because of our common faith and love for our brethren is a selfless act that pleases God, and elicits His favor!
Sermon: “And if the blind lead the blind…”
Sermon by Dennis Scroggins
Truth can be understood, and must be defended, heeded, and obeyed. Too often men look to the unrighteous or ignorant for advice, rather than those who are familiar with and wise in the ways of God.
Sermon: Our Redeemer
Galatians 4:4-5 shows God’s purpose in sending His Son to earth. To redeem man! The shedding of His blood on the cross accomplished that purpose. Because of Jesus, we have the hope of redemption!
