Category: Subject Index

Study Material Categorized by Subject

FB: Dry Bones Come to Life!

Dry bones

In Ezekiel 37, the prophet passed by a valley full of dead men’s bones, “and indeed they were very dry.” The Lord directed Ezekiel to that valley to demonstrate two very important points.

First, He instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live'” (5). His stated purpose for bringing the bones of these dead men back to life? “Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Second, He taught Ezekiel that this miracle was a metaphor for His intercession for Israel. “Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.” As Israel was “dead” in captivity to Babylon, Jehovah stated, “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (vs. 11-12).

Consider:

  • God brought a remnant back from captivity (Ezra 1:1-3).
  • God brought Israel to spiritual life through Jesus (Acts 2:36).
  • God has promised life after death to spiritual Israel (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

How true the sentiment, “Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” “Therefore know this day, and consider it in your heart, that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other” (Deuteronomy 4:39)..

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Sermon: A Father’s Duty

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King Hezekiah’s efforts to teach God’s truths to his son Manasseh were not particularly successful. However, fathers can, by diligent effort, instill in their children a proper and fruitful faith in God.

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Sermon: David’s Charge to Solomon

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The lesson is an explanation of 1 Chronicles 28:9, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” With application!

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“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

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Lesson 9 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

A helpful explanation of the Lord’s words on the cross when He died for our sins. The text of Psalm 22 is used to explain the phrase.

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Video: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

The Risen Lord and His Commission

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Lesson 8 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

A passionate appeal to heed the command of the Lord to preach the gospel to every creature. The lesson emphasizes the importance and power of the gospel message.

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Lovingkindness (Hesed)

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Lesson 7 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

The Old Testament Hebrew word “Hesed,” translated in Psalm 36:7 as “Lovingkindness” describes a wonderful concept regarding a righteous man’s interaction, both with God and with his fellow man.

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Instrumental Music – A matter of tradition?

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Lesson 6 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

Why do churches of Christ not use mechanical instruments of music in worship? Is it merely our tradition? No, it is divine tradition, a matter of how God authorizes the church to worship Him.

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Video: The Risen Lord and His Commission

Video: Lovingkindness (Hesed)

FB: Actions and Consequences

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In Jude’s epistle, he wrote of God’s interaction with Israel. “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe” (5). He also noted the rebellion of some angels, “the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (6).

A “cause and effect” relationship is evident in these words. God’s pleasure and acceptance (the effect) are predicated upon the obedience of His created beings (the cause). Conversely, the rejection of His subjects (the effect) comes about because of their rebellion (the cause).

Put simply, our actions have consequences. Good actions (as defined by Him) result in good consequences. Disobedience brings ruin.

“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:21).

“But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die” (Ezekiel 18:24).

Something to think about…

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The Patternists: “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”

Elijah Ahab

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between Ahab, the evil king of Israel, and the prophet Elijah. Elijah was a thorn in Ahab’s side. Elijah told Ahab that a drought would afflict the land beacuse of his sin, and it came to pass. The drought was God’s way of chastising Ahab and the nation for their sins. But, Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought, and sought his life.

Elijah ran for his life, and evaded the king for the three years of the drought. God then instructed Elijah to go to Ahab. When they met, Ahab said, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah’s response is instructive, “And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals'” (vs. 18).

Too often religious people criticize those who stand for truth as being divisive. To contend for a standard, and fidelity to God’s commands brings charges of “judging”, “intolerance” and “sectarianism.” In fact, standing with truth is not the problem. The problem is, as Elijah so eloquently said, with forsaking “the commandments of the Lord.”

Fortunately, Elijah stood tall against the king. His victory over the prophets of Baal led the people of Israel to proclaim, “The Lord, He is God” The Lord, He is God!” (vs. 39).

In the same way, we must stand for truth in the face of those who would lead God’s people astray. Hear and heed the words of Jude, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

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Video: Instrumental Music

Where in this passage is Baptism?

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Lesson 5 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

Those who advocate salvation by Faith alone claim passages such as Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8 and Titus 3:5 speak of salvation, and baptism is not to be found. However, an examination of the contexts show clearly that Baptism is indeed implicit in these passages that deal with man’s redemption.

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Video: Where in this passage is baptism?