Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: Sins of Omission
It is not enough to refrain from committing transgressions against God. It is also necessary that we fulfill the responsibilities that God has given us. We need to be careful not to sin by ommitting obedience to God’s requirements.
Sermon: Proper Attitudes toward Spiritual Work
Every faithful Christian has that which he can and should do for God, as a member of a local congregation. To be useful for the Lord, certain attitudes must be present. Things such as eagerness, diligence, positivity and persistence.
A Divine Identity
In his first epistle, the apostle Peter wrote the following words, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (2:9-10). The text affirms that Christians belong to God, and are special. Verse four states that Jesus Christ was rejected by men. Since that is so, it stands to reason that those who belong to Him will be rejected as well (cf. John 15:18-25).
Invitation: Preaching, the Gospel, Faith and Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Romans 1 and Romans 10 show the relationship between the preaching of the gospel, and the formation of the faith that saves men’s souls.
From the Preacher’s Pen: The Last Shall be First!
In Mark 9:35, Jesus taught His disciples an important lesson: “And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.’” The path to primacy in the spiritual realm is humble service.
This is, of course, counterintuitive. Most people think that the way to be first is to dominate, lead, impose, and curry favor. This is the way of the Gentiles (cf. Matthew 20:25), “Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (26).
Consider how this truth should impact our attitude toward this congregation and our brethren. Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, all are to be servants of the church. But, each individual member should consider themselves to be the same. You are not a member at West Side because of what the congregation has to offer. Rather, you are here to offer yourself to God and to His people!
What are you doing for the Lord and His people? Evaluate your responsibilities and the effort you put in from week to week as a member here. Can you be doing more? Can you increase your contribution to the growth and love of this family? Do you have an attitude of “What can others do for me?”, or is it “What can I do for others?” It is a blessed thing to be a servant of all, and it carries with it the most wonderful promise!
Sermon: Blotted Out
The phrase “blotted out” occurs on several occasions in scripture. Interesting lessons can be learned by examining its use. What God blots out remains obliterated for as long as He wills it.
From the Preacher’s Pen: “Thy Kingdom Come”
When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, what did He mean by the words, “Thy kingdom come?” Obviously, he meant for them to pray for the arrival of His kingdom. The Old Testament had prophesied that coming in numerous places, including Daniel 2:44, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
This prophecy was fulfilled in the first century. Remember, Jesus promised the establishment of His kingdom during the lifespan of his contemporaries (cf. Mark 9:1). Those prophecies were fulfilled at His resurrection—this attested to by Peter who wrote in Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. His kingdom is present with power. In fact, Paul wrote that those who became Christians were conveyed into the then existent Kingdom in Colossians 1:13.
Religious people today who continue to pray “Thy kingdom come” are either ignorant of, or refuse to grant that it already HAS! So, while a beautiful sentiment, the request should not be prayed today. Instead, we should praise God for having fulfilled His promise. Glory to God that He has exalted His Son. Today, Jesus is King in His kingdom!
Invitation: Come to the Water’s Source
Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson
In Jesus’ discourse to the Samaritan woman (John 4) he teaches us the importance of coming to Him, the source of Living water!
Sermon: The Obligations of Freedom in Christ
The sermon is an exegetical treatment of Galatians 5 & 6, noting that the liberty we obtain in Christ is liberty from sin, not responsibility.
Sermon: What about the thief?
Some argue that Christ’s declaration to the thief while on the cross argues that we can be saved by faith, apart from water baptism. This sermon answers that argument.
Mining the Scriptures: James 1:17-18
As James indicated in the previous verses, we deceive ourselves if we blame God for the evil that exists among us. Because of who He is, God is capable only of good. He is eminently righteous. He gives us every good and perfect gift. The designation James uses here, the “Father of lights”, is found only here. Light is often contrasted with darkness in scripture, as an illustration of good versus evil. God authors only that which is luminescent — only good. “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
An example of His goodness is His determination in man’s redemption. It was God’s will to bring about reconciliation with man. This is accomplished through the “word of truth.” As Paul wrote, the gospel is the “…power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
The benefits of His grace make Christians “a kind of firstfruits.” As Paul wrote, “that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:12). God is worthy of praise alone!
In the News: Compassion and the Rule of Law
Everyone is aware of the burgeoning crisis that is playing out on the southern borders of the United States. A rapid and large number of illegal immigrant children are entering the U.S. every day.
This large number of Central and South American children (many of them unaccompanied by adults) is overwhelming the resources of border authorities, leading to health concerns both for the children and the communities where they are housed, and fueling a great political debate regarding how to manage the situation.
Continue reading “In the News: Compassion and the Rule of Law”
From the Preacher’s Pen: Old Mattresses and Aching Backs
Debbie and I are in the process of shopping for a new mattress. Our old one is wearing out, and making it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. A few hours in the bed leads to aches and pains.
Of course, I see little children sleeping in such contorted poses, and wonder how they could possibly move when they wake up — positions I can’t even get into, and that if I tried would probably necessitate a month of traction. So, it may be that it is less the mattress wearing out, and more an indication that my body has seen better days!
The scriptures use both realities — that possessions and bodies wear out — to teach a lesson about eternity.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven” (2 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Put simply, this life is all temporary. Possessions and bodies are not designed to last. Eternity is reserved for the transformed spiritual bodies promised to the faithful, (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Praise be to God for the promise of eternal life!
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Sermon: Tolerating Sin
Sermon by Josh Cox:
There is great danger of Christians in our culture and generation becoming tolerant of sin. This lesson discusses the danger, and the importance of Christians embracing the fact that we are pilgrims on this earth.
Sermon: At the Crossroads
We all must make choices in our lives. Ultimately, our eternal destiny depends upon taking the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. The lesson discusses several questions all must ask themselves at one time or another, including:
- Will you obey the gospel?
- Will you live above sin?
- Will you pay the price of discipleship?
- Will you remember God while you are young?
- Will you endure to the end?
