Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: Promises to the Lord
In the 101st Psalm, the singer makes five promises to the Lord that we would do well to emulate ourselves.
* Sing praises
* Behave wisely
* Set nothing wicked before my eyes
* Not endure slander and pride
* Bless the faithful
FB: What is Doctrine?
Some are critical of preachers spending too much time preaching doctrine, and not enough time on more practical matters.
Paul told Titus in Titus 2:1, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine…” But, the “doctrine” of which of Paul speaks consisted of practical matters regarding the behavior of younger women, older women, younger men, older men and bondservants.
The fact is, all Biblical teaching is doctrine. And, who is to say which aspect of that doctrine is most important? Rather than looking for someone who will tell you what you want to hear, find a preacher who has determined to “declare to you the whole counsel of God”! (cf. Acts 20:27)
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The Patternists: Cultural Arrogance
Our culture can color our view of what God does and does not allow for mankind. The culture of the first century differed greatly from our own. In fact, there were numerous different cultures in the first century, and cultural views caused problems in the early church. It shouldn’t surprise us that those same influences would cause problems today.
The scriptures stand in stark contrast with changing cultural mores. Here is an example. American culture in the 21st century demands that women be given the exact same consideration regarding positions of leadership in the local church. In contrast, the scriptures teach that leadership positions such as elder and deacon are limited to men (cf. 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9) and that women are to be in submission (cf. 1 Timothy 2:11-14).
The thing to remember is that the words of Paul in these verses are the product of the Holy Spirit inspiration (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). They are not, as commonly claimed, a function of Paul’s cultural biases.
In fact, the Holy Spirit reveals that the limitation on women is a function of creation, not culture. “For Adam was formed first, then Eve” (1 Timothy 2:13).
Let us not be so arrogant to assume that our culture knows best. While men may trumpet present day sophistication and evolved morals, we place our trust in the words of God.
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Sermon: Mary Chose the Good Part
In Luke 10:38-42, Luke narrates an occasion in Jesus’ ministry when he went to the house of Martha. At that time, Mary was commended for sitting at Jesus’ feet to hear His teaching.
A Criticism of Our Worship
Yesterday evening I had an opportunity to join in worship with the saints at the Elm Street congregation in El Reno, Oklahoma. This fine congregation met in the final night of our gospel meeting, singing beautiful songs of praise to God, offering up sincere petitions in prayer, and kindly listening to my final effort to share a message from God’s word as our week together concluded.
My final plea was based on the text of Philippians 2:
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vs. 9-11).
I noted that God has given all authority to Jesus Christ, and that at the judgment all will bow down before Him. I further pled with those present to ensure that they acknowledge His Lordship now, before it is too late.
Invitation: We are Debtors
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
In Romans 5:12 the apostle Paul affirms that death has spread to all men. The only way to escape death is through God’s gift to man (cf. Romans 6:23). As such, we are Debtors (Romans 8:12).
FB: Growing Faith & Abundant Love
In 2 Thessalonians 1:3, the apostle Paul expressed thanks to God for the Christians there, “because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other.”
Faith and love are two of the identifying characteristics of the child of God. The love of God abounds toward man, as is evident from His scheme for our redemption. The faithful Christian’s love should be the same, especially toward their brethren.
The faith of the diligent Christian is a faith that grows daily. As the Hebrew writer noted, (Hebrews 5:12 – 6:6), if you are not progressing in your faith, you will regress, potentially to the point of apostasy.
Do you have a growing faith and abundant love?
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The Patternists: What Kind of Servant are You?
There is no more important question for each of us to ask ourselves. We acknowledge the existence of God, and our own subservient relationship to Him. So, each must ask, “What kind of servant am I?”
In the text of Matthew 24 Jesus describes the two answers possible. One may be a “faithful and wise servant” (vs. 45), or an “evil servant” (vs. 48). What is the difference between the two? The faithful and wise servant is the one, when the Master comes, who is doing the Master’s will (vs. 46).
The point is simple. God is our Master, and if we want to please Him, we must do His bidding. That is why it is so important for us to know the pattern of obedience required by God in His word. If we do so, we are “blessed” (vs. 46), and will be rewarded (vs. 47). If not, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (vs. 51).
A sobering truth, to be considered in opposition to the common claim that sincerity in religion is the sole matter of importance. Jesus tells us the important thing is to do the Master’s will!
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Sermon: The Joy of the Lord
Speaker: Armando Vera.
The lesson discusses four different perspectives about experiencing the joy of the Lord.
Sermon: Worshipping God in Spirit
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
John 4:24 tells us that worship must be done in spirit and in truth. Brantley supplies 5 practical suggestions to enable us to worship God properly “in spirit.”
The Patternists: God’s Authority Over Nations
Articles on The Patternists Facebook page constantly emphasize the authority of God, and His word. Most articles are concerned with worship, doctrine and the church established by Jesus Christ.
We also note that God’s authority extends to the nations of men. This will be so until Jesus comes again. Paul spoke of this in his sermon to the Athenians in Acts 17:
“And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 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” (vs. 26-27).
God determines the rise and fall of nations, and the extent of their rule. The nations of the world exist to facilitate a search for God and His will for men. When nations impede that search, God’s patience is tested. If repentance does not occur, that patience runs out, bringing God’s judgement on that nation.
God is both aware of and concerned about the state of our nation. How long will he forbear judgment upon us? No one knows, but each day of rebellion is one day nearer to God’s wrath. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
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Invitation: The Mighty Word of God
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Acts 19:20, “So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.” The preaching of the word brings opposition, but ultimately God gains the victory!
Sermon: Have a Blessed Day
In the last day, the only way to have a good day is if you are an obedient believer of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Social Drinking
The sermon examines the use of alcohol, seeking to answer from the scriptures whether it is sinful to drink what is commonly claimed to be moderate amounts of alcohol in a social setting.
A “Leap” into Temporal Rumination
The title is a fancy way of saying that tomorrow’s addition of an extra date to the calendar (this is a leap year) got me thinking about time.
The insertion of an extra day into the calendar for corrective purposes was an innovation of Julius Caesar 2000 years ago. It was modified a bit when the “Gregorian” calendar was adopted in the western world in 1582. But, this article is not about that…
We are creatures bound by time. We mark the day of our birth, each year in turn, and finally, the day of our death. Our physical existence is measured by decades, years, months, days, hours, minutes and seconds. Our written history will add centuries, and perhaps a few millennia, but ultimately the span of our temporal existence is greatly limited.
Perhaps this is why the concept of God is met with such resistance. The skeptic is certainly challenged by the evolutionist’s hypothetical “billions of years”, but is absolutely unable to grasp the idea of a Being without beginning or end.
Even Christians struggle with the scope of eternity. The goal of eternity in God’s presence, while desired, is too often a remote concept. We live in the here and now, and sometimes our focus strays (to our detriment) to what this life has to offer. Let us never forget the only question of importance, as asked of Jesus by the young ruler, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).
