Category: Subject Index

The repentance of the Magicians in Ephesus teach us that true repentance is open, thorough and conclusive.

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Jesus intended for his listeners to be discerning and disciplined in their hearing. The lesson emphasizes how essential it is for us to be good listeners.

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Relationships are hard. Lots of women are looking for love. Hopefully, Christian women are searching for a man who is worthy of a possible lifetime commitment.

While some care about whether a man is athletic, good looking, funny or educated, hopefully a Christian woman is more interested in finding a man who will represent, (as closely as possible), the ideal for a potential future husband and father.

Continue reading “Video Transcript: 6 Traits of a “Dateworthy” Man” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 Paul equates an embracing of religious error with seduction and infidelity to God. We are to be chaste. That means not only morally, but doctrinally.

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In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

The “message of the cross.” What is that message? It is the unique message of redemption for mankind. “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Victory in death is a message the world certainly does not understand. It is a “stumbling block” and “foolishness” to the unbeliever (1 Corinthians 1:23).

Regardless, it is true! “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9).

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In Hebrews 11:4 the writer notes, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.”

A simple question, answered in the text: Why did God accept Abel’s sacrifice, but did not respect the one offered by Cain? There is no inherent significance in the fact that Abel’s sacrifice was an animal sacrifice, where Cain’s was a vegetable sacrifice, as both types have pleased God (cf. Leviticus 22:7; 23:10-11). The simple answer? Abel’s sacrifice was offered “by faith.” This means that Abel’s sacrifice followed the instructions given by God, where Cain’s did not.

God does not arbitrarily decide which sacrifices He will “respect” (Genesis 4:3-5). “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Service of any type can be successfully offered to God only if it is service that He has authorized.

The next time someone tells you that “I know God is pleased with my service/worship/sacrifice”, consider Abel. And then ask him for the scripture that proves his service/worship/sacrifice is authorized by God.

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The apostle Paul asserts the greatness of God’s Scheme of Redemption, accomplished in Jesus Christ. However, some who have embraced Him as Lord, inexplicably turn away. This apostasy is a most terrible thing.

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In Hebrews 6:9-12, the writer calls us to fervency. We must be fervent in spirit, love and prayer, among other things. We need to be on fire for the Lord!

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The American Standard version uses an interesting and appropriate word to translate the Greek term kenodoxos in Galatians 5:26. It is a term that is rarely used in our day, vainglorious.

“Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.”

The King James translation is similar though it translates the word with a phrase “desirous of vain glory.” More modern translations such as the ESV, NKJV and NIV use the term “conceited.” While the word conceited is certainly an accurate translation, it is not nearly as evocative as the more antiquated vainglorious.

Continue reading “Vainglorious” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Psalm 61:1-4 reveals in poetic terms the protection afforded us by the Almighty.

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“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight” (Proverbs 11:1).

Dishonesty and theft are unacceptable to Jehovah. In the same context, the wise man wrote, “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (11:3). It is telling that honesty in a person is indicative of personal integrity, and that dishonesty indicates perversity and unfaithfulness.

The characteristics of honesty and integrity would go a long way to fixing the moral problems of our day. While all will claim that personal integrity is very important, our culture is rife with liars, thieves and politicians (sorry, couldn’t resist).

God demands honesty from His children. Jesus said, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (Luke 16:10-12).

Little is known about the man Epaphras. He was a Christian in Colosse describe by Paul as “a faithful minister of Christ” (Colossians 1:7). He also is mentioned in chapter 4, and Philemon 23. Colossians 4:12-13 states:

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis” (4:12-13).

The terms “servant”, “minister”, “bondservant”, and “fellow prisoner” are used to describe the man. Also, words such as “dear”, “faithful”, “laboring”, “fervently”, and “great zeal” indicate his desire to serve the Lord.

Finally, the phrases “on your behalf” and “for you”, “one of you”, indicate that his labors in the Lord were personally beneficial to his brethren.

One of the most important benefits of serving Jesus is the blessings such labor brings to our brethren and others. May we all be so giving, humble, and concerned about the welfare of all men. This is a true indication of a diligent servant of Jesus Christ.

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This past week I was handed a small card being used by a local Baptist church in door knocking. The title above was used.

The card points out “The Bible says:”, and makes four legitimate points, citing the relevant scripture

1. “You must understand you are a sinner” (Rom. 3:23).
2. “You must understand there is a penalty for sin” (Rom. 6:23).
3. “We must believe that Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the death to give you eternal life” (John 3:16).
4. “You can have eternal life and go to Heaven when you die” (Rom. 6:23, 10:13).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Are you 100% sure you will go to heaven when you die?” →

In 1631, an edition of the KJV was published with an error in Exodus 20:14, reading, “Thou shalt commit adultery.” This edition is known as the “Wicked Bible.” In our time, the “Wicked Bible” has returned as men disregard what the Bible actually says.

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