Category: Subject Index

One of the qualifications for a bishop, listed in 1 Timothy 3:7, is an attribute that all of us should strive to have, “Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside.”

The text refers to a person’s reputation. We all have one, and it is either a good one or a bad one. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14a,16). His words show the purpose of a good influence on our part, that God may be glorified.

The righteous God of heaven deserves to be glorified by His adopted children. Everything we do should be a reflection of Him. In this way those who are not Christians will get a good idea of who God is, and will desire to know Him better. For this reason, it is important that we have a good name. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

This influence sometimes extends well beyond our own awareness. Remember the child’s song:

Oh, be careful little ears, what you hear (repeat)
For the Father Up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little ears what you hear.

Oh, be careful little eyes, what you see, (repeat)
For the Father up above, is looking down in love,
So be careful little eyes what you hear.

Oh, be careful little mouth, what you say, (repeat),
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mouth what you say.

Oh, be careful little hands, what you do (repeat),
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little hands what you do

Oh, be careful little feet where you go (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little feet where you go.

Oh, be careful little mind what you think (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little mind what you think.

Oh, be careful little heart what you love (repeat)
For the Father up above, Is looking down in love,
So be careful little heart what you love.

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Philippians 2:25-30 Paul refers to Epaphroditus as a fellow worker, and instructs the church in Philippi to hold him in high esteem.

Audio

Hebrews 13:1-17 gives a number of miscellaneous moreal and religious exhortations to the Hebrew Christians.

Audio

A simple lesson of exhortation to Christian living. we are to “let brotherly love continue” (cf. Hebrews 13:1) during:

* times of joy
* times of sorrow
* struggles with sin
* moments of disagreement

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The preceding text is often used to emphasize the importance of being present at the worship assemblies. While such a use is legitimate, the 24th verse best expresses the writer’s intent in the exhortation — “let us consider one another.”

Continue reading “Attending to Exhortation” →

Paul was extremely dedicated in the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ (15). The reason for this is stated clearly in our text. God chose to save mankind through the preaching of the gospel message! (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:21-25).

The power of the gospel is found in the fact that it is true! The gospel is the message of Christ’s life, death and resurrection from the dead. The fact that His life was sinless, His death was vicarious, and His resurrection is certain means that belief in Him brings salvation to mankind. The reference to both Jew and Greek indicates that salvation is available to all men, no matter their nationality!

The phrase “from faith to faith” is difficult. Consider the fact that our faith emanates from the revelation of God’s will, referred to as “faith” in scripture (see Acts 6:7; Romans 10:17). The righteous man lives by the dictates of God’s will for him.

From 1920 until 1933 it was against the law in the United States to manufacture, sell or transport alcohol. This time was known as Prohibition , and it was a wildly unsuccessful experiment, as laws were continually broken, especially in urban areas. People wanted to drink alcohol, and rather than making a large segment of the population criminals, Prohibition was repealed.

Today, not only is the manufacture, sale and transportation of alcohol legal, it is big business. Only the most radical of religious conservatives hold to abstinence as a moral conviction. In fact, the manufacture and consumption of marijuana is also legal in Colorado, and nationally 53% of all Americans support its legalization. Among 18-34 year olds that number rises to 68%.

Continue reading “Immorality Rages” →

Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson

An examination of various texts indicates the central part God’s word plays in our faith and standing before Him.

Audio

A two part lesson, preached AM and PM on Galatians 5. The first lesson audio gives a short explanation of the Fruit of the Spirit, as listed by Paul in the text. The second lesson is a discussion of the attribute, “Peace.”

Audio 1 AM Lesson

Audio 2 PM Lesson

Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

A short discussion of 1 Timothy 4:6-9. The importance of exercising yourself to godliness.

Audio

Last month, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) held its annual Robotics challenge. The main competition was a testing of android like robots in skills such as walking across uneven surfaces, opening doors, turning knobs, and flipping switches.
There is a youtube video that is making the rounds, showing the robots failing miserably at the assigned tasks. Type in this URL: http://tinyurl.com/p563vz6 to see the video.

Now, to be fair, some of the robots probably did a good job, but it is interesting to note just how difficult it is to get these kinds of robots to perform successfully the simplest of tasks. This, despite amazing technological advances that have been made.

Continue reading “In the News: Drunken Robots” →

The apostle Paul wrote to Titus, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). In these words are found the response of every Christian to the gift of grace. We have the hope of salvation because of what God has granted to us. Our response is an ordering of our lives: “we should live soberly, righteously and godly.”

The definition of the word godly is minimally helpful. The term refers to piety, devotion and reverence. More helpful are the verses that describe the kind of life that characterizes the Christian profession. For example, when considering the proper role model for a godly life, we consider Jesus Himself. Peter wrote, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Jesus was guileless (cf. 1 Peter 2:21-24), and pure (cf. 1 John 3:1-3). In His life, and in His death, He always sought to do the will of His Father in heaven (cf. John 15:10).

Continue reading “Living Godly Lives” →

These verses immediately follow Jesus’ command to His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem, and wait for the “promise of the Father” (4). He ascended to Heaven, and the disciples returned to the city to wait as instructed.
Consider the difference in their outlook. After Christ’s crucifixion, the disciples were despondent. Their understanding was flawed, and they despaired that their Lord had been killed.

But, after His resurrection from the dead they had a much better idea of what the future held for them. The text names each of the remaining eleven apostles by name, and describes their anticipation as they waited with “the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

We are told they continued in prayer and supplication. In only a few days, events would unfold on Pentecost that changed forever every man’s relationship with His God.

A man’s perspective makes it difficult for him to understand the concept of eternity. We think in terms of seconds, minutes, hours, days, years and decades. The longer the time span, as it expands beyond our own lifetime, the more difficult it is to comprehend. Job had it right, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).

There is another word that is used when defining terms like eternal and eternity. It is perpetuity. The word perpetuity is defined by Webster, “a state or quality of lasting forever.” The British government has in the past issued bonds called “consols.” The person who bought these bonds is entitled to receive annual interest payments “in perpetuity” or forever. Actually, the bonds will only be good so long as the British government and economy continue to exist.

When Burt Reynolds starred in his movie, Smoky and the Bandit, he popularized Trans Ams to the extent that the Pontiac company promised him a new Trans Am each year in perpetuity. In reality, the promise was only kept for five years.

God has promised, to the faithful, life in perpetuity. Fortunately, He is the one who can and will make good on His promise. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). It may be hard for us to grasp, but we don’t have to fully understand to appreciate and strive for that reward!

Hebrews 3:12 is one of many exhortations to faithfulness. It is possible for a Christian to depart from God. When one does, several things happen:

* You depart from your duty to worship Him

* You depart from your duty toward your brethren.

* You depart from the words of life.

* You depart from the living hope

Audio

Powerpoint Slides