Category: Subject Index

The book of Ecclesiastes contains several miscellaneous words of wisdom in its pages that have beneficial applications to the Christian’s life.

Audio

The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian’s relationship to Christ. Several important lessons can be derives from the word picture he draws.

Audio

This lesson was given at the Woodmont church of Christ, quarterly study on September 20, 2014. The subject is ethics, with a contrast between the humanly devised philosophies, and the objective Bible standard of right and wrong. Four examples are discussed in application of the principles: 1) Abortive types of contraception; 2) Extramarital Sexual relationships; Corporal Punishment; 4) Slavery.

The materials consist of an 80 minute lecture, a 30 minute Question and Answer period, and the Powerpoint presentation utilized in the initial presentation.

Audio (The Christian & Ethics – 80 minute lecture)

Audio (The Christian & Ethics – 30 minutes Question & Answer)

Powerpoint Slides

Article (DOCX) (The Christian and Ethics)
Same article in PDF Format (The Christian and Ethics)

Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox

The text of 2 Corinthians 7 is used to describe the type of sorrow which leads to repentance and the forgiveness of sins.

Audio

People deny, redefine, hide and explain away their sin in an attempt to avoid the consequence of disobedience to God. Instead, they need to confess and repent of their sin.

Audio

In Daniel 1:8, the text reveals that Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the King’s delicacies. This text introduces the importance of having a heart with purpose to please God.

Audio

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Ultimately it does not matter whether we are approved by others, or even by ourselves. All that matters is that we meet with God’s approval.

Audio

Peter here affirms (beginning with verse 16) that the gospel concerning the Christ was confirmed by God Himself. Though such confirmations came on multiple occasions, Peter here directly refers to the transfiguration of Jesus, as recorded in Matthew 17:1-9. Peter was an eyewitness of that event, and affirms that it is a confirmation of the fact that the messianic prophecies of the Old Testament are realized in Jesus of Nazareth.

At this point he makes a greater application. All scripture is derived from God. The Bible does not have its origin with men. It is not a product of any man’s will, but has its genesis with God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). As such, no man has the right to ignore it, nor can he alter it with impunity. Instead, “you do well to heed” (vs. 19). It is described as our illumination in darkness. As the great prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Children have far fewer “rights” than adults in most societies, including our own. They don’t have the right to vote, to buy alcohol, to live on their own, or to drive a car. While children are considered a precious commodity, it is understood by all that it will take time for them to reach a state where they can enjoy, appreciate and profit from independence. In the meantime it is the responsibility of parents to care for, protect and educate them in preparation for the time they will take their place as adults in society.

Continue reading “A Child’s Rights” →

I came across a quote from George Whitefield the other day. Whitefield was an Anglican preacher who lived in the mid 1700’s. Here is the quote:

“It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.”

These words encapsulate the purpose of gospel preaching. It is designed to convict. Now, not all sermons have the intent of causing such displeasure, but many do. So, the next time you are irritated at the preacher for what he said, consider the fact that he is supposed to rile you up, supposed to make you unhappy, supposed to convict you of sin. That’s his job. If he does it well, you are going to be unsettled by his words from time to time. The question is, will you be unhappy with him (the wrong reaction) or with yourself (the correct reaction)? Think about it…

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

(2 Timothy 4:1-5)

The 119th Psalm describes some of the benefits that come from immersing oneself in the word of God. His law, precepts, statutes, commandments, are good for man, helping him in this world, and preparing him for the life to come.

Audio

If a Christian is on friendly terms with the world, he is making himself the enemy of God. You can’t please God and embrace worldliness. This lesson seeks to establish the proper relationship a Christian has to the world.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Peter’s first epistle was addressed to “the pilgrims of the Dispersion” in the region of Asia Minor. The term “Dispersion” (diaspora) means “a scattering.” It is used three times in the New Testament. In John 7:35 and James 1:1, it seems to be used to refer to Jews (in James, Jewish believers). However, there is little indication of this in 1 Peter, where it seems that Peter’s primary audience is Gentile (cf. 1 Peter 4:3-4).

The second verse refers to them as “the elect.” This choosing was accomplished by God’s foreknowledge and grace, resulting in their sanctification and salvation. So, in this instance, Peter seems to be referring to Christians who were scattered among the gentiles in the region of Asia Minor.

It was important for those Christians to consider themselves in, but not of the world around them. They were “pilgrims” (strangers, sojourners). The same is true of us today. We may live in the world, but we are to be and act differently from it! (cf. 1 Peter 2:9-10).
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I just watched a lengthy video featuring a number of Calvinists who were taking issue with what music in worship has become in American churches. They were concerned with too great an emphasis upon the musical style (with the most important thing being how it “makes me feel”); a willingness to put up with a church teaching error, as long as “the music is good”; and an unfortunate imbalance as music is overemphasized as a part of Christian worship.

The video was interesting, as I think it addressed problems we see in the Lord’s church as well. I personally have encountered Christians who prefer songs based upon musical style rather than the sentiment expressed; who are more interested in whether a congregation has “good singing” than whether it stands for truth; and who would travel 250 miles for an “annual” singing, but can’t be bothered to attend a neighboring congregation’s gospel meeting!

In the conclusion of the video, the narrator asked 8 questions that I think make valid points about what music should be:

Continue reading “8 Questions about Music” →

In Matthew chapters 5 through 7 we have the most extensive example of our Lord’s teaching in His ministry. The sermon was preached early in His efforts, shortly after His temptation in the wilderness. It was preached in Galilee, on a mountainside near the north shore of Lake Tiberias. While there are many important truths found in Matthew’s record of that sermon, we will limit our comments to its beginning, known as the Beatitudes.

Continue reading “The Beatitudes” →