Category: Subject Index

Consider the following words by Paul, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men” (Titus 3:8).

We will leave aside for a moment whether a failure to “maintain good works” will have an impact upon the salvation of the negligent Christian.  My question is this… If Paul wanted Titus to “affirm constantly that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works” why do men today speak evil of those who do just that?

Men trumpet the joy and release they feel when they stop worrying about obedience, and just trust in the “finished work of Jesus.” They disparage their “destructive” upbringing, among a group of legalists who constantly emphasized, “OBEY, OBEY, OBEY!”  They call such “patternists” destructive and evil.

It seems the American version of “Christianity” will not put up with men like Titus, especially as they diligently follow Paul’s instructions.

Nevertheless, Paul contends that such constant calls to faithfully obey God are “good and profitable to men.”  As such, the diligent evangelist will endeavor to remind men “to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called” (Ephesians 4:1).

Remember Paul’s words, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

“And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation” (Psalms 35:9).

The Psalmist rejoiced in the protection Jehovah afforded him from his enemies.  “All my bones shall say, ‘Lord, who is like You, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who plunders him?’” (vs. 10).  While this protection certainly shows both the strength and mercy of God, it pales when compared to the spiritual protection He offers to all who name His name.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

We are so blessed to have God on our side.  In this uncertain and ungodly time – where the faith of Christian is demeaned, and the degradation of morals has led to an epidemic of selfishness, anarchy and violence – we place our confidence in the Almighty.  “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).  Fear God and serve Him.  Rejoice in His salvation!

A number of important applications regarding how to establish authority can be gleaned from David’s desire to build a temple to God, recorded in 1 Chronicles 17.

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What are some things we can do to help us remember the joy of serving the Lord in a world full of darkness and sin?

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It is right to emphasize the importance of gaining knowledge of God’s word.  The Psalmist expressed the proper attitude toward seeking such knowledge when he wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).  However, it must be recognized that gaining knowledge is the means to an end in its impact on the Christian’s faith.  It is not an end in itself.  Our standing with God is not dependent upon of our knowledge of truth per se, but upon our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord.

One might object that knowledge of Christ is necessary for that acceptance, and that is entirely true.  Jesus affirmed this very thing when he said to a group of Jews who expressed their faith in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).  We are to be disciples of Christ.  To be His disciples, we must know and adopt His teachings.  However, it is important to remember that the newborn babe in Christ is as accepted of God as the most mature Christian.  Immediately upon being washed in the blood of the Lamb, we receive the forgiveness of our sins, and can claim the right to an eternal inheritance.  The Ethiopian Eunuch who “went on his way rejoicing” (cf. Acts 8:39) immediately following his baptism, had equal claim to the heavenly Father as the aged Paul, who had “fought the good fight” (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7) as a learned and mature apostle of the Lord. Continue reading “Proper Attitudes Toward Knowledge” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

1 Peter 3:10 Peter explains how to live a good life here, and receive God’s approval for eternity.  Refrain from evil, and do good!

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Second in a series on the life of Jesus. Jesus’ obeyed His Father, and accomplished His will in redeeming man. We too have a stewardship from God, and we too must be faithful.

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A discussion of the Serpent’s temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden. The consequence and destructive nature of sin, and the importance of knowing God’s will for man.

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Many today believe that in order to be a person of faith, you have to leave reason behind. In contrast, Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-ff states that the unreasonable (and wicked) ones are those who do NOT have faith!

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The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Contextually, these words were a reference to his surety about life after death. “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (vs. 6). Men wonder, “What happens after we die?” Paul was a Christian. He knew. God told him. He was confident that after death he would be rewarded with eternal life (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).

Since judgment was certain, and an eternal existence after death was his lot, how did Paul react? “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (vs. 9).

It is unwise to live your life to please yourself. If you make it your aim to please Him, then you too can look forward to an existence in the presence of God!

God has revealed to us what pleases and displeases Him. It is foolish to take chances, presuming to know what pleases God. Instead, make it your aim to learn God’s will, and do what is “pleasing to Him.”

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The first in a series of sermons following our Bible Class cirriculum.

What does the birth of Jesus mean to us?

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There is a sense in which Christians not only can “hate”, but must. However, this hatred must be in accord with God’s word and will. A proper understanding of the principles will assist the Christian in pleasing God.

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Regardless of my talent, I have value to the Lord. I am to be a good steward, and I am promised a wonderful reward!

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The Psalmist (Psalm 89:7) calls for fear and reverence in the assemblies of the Saints. The lesson emphasizes the benefits of joy, gladness, quietness and orderliness in attaining this ideal.

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We are praying for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The power of nature has been amply demonstrated. It is alarming how impotent man is when the elements unleash with fury.

The response to this tragedy is appropriate. Men have been talking about God. Prayers are solicited and offered, and the expressions of love that should be the default practice of all men has come to the forefront. For this we are thankful.

We have a Savior who showed power to still the wind and waves, “Peace, be still!” (Mark 4:39). This power is not surprising, as He is the Creator of all things! “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:3).

While we thank God for all the petitions made in His Son’s name, for protection and healing in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, we are mindful of a multitude of souls floundering in the morass of sin. Let us never forget the tragedy that is greater than a loss of property or life — the loss of the soul. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).

You are praying for your fellow man, and offering help in time of need. Have you considered the urgent need of spiritual healing for those same souls? Are you as willing to share the gospel of our Lord? Something to think about!

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