Category: Subject Index

In 1967, Fanning Yater Tant wrote an editorial in The Gospel Guardian titled, On the Banks of the Rubicon. The title was taken from the common phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” referring to a small river crossed by Julius Caesar in defiance of the Roman senate. His treasonous action could have no result other than victory or death. The phrase is used to refer to an irrevocable action or an event from which there could be no turning back.

The editorial appeared in a special issue of the magazine dealing with institutional issues, specifically the sponsoring church arrangement. As Tant wrote, the issue was intended to exhort brethren to “turn their backs once and forever on the enticing, exciting, and deadly! country that lies across the Rubicon, the country of ‘denominational Christianity.’”

Continue reading ““Crossing the Rubicon”” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In, 2 Corinthians 5, Paul expressed his hope and aim to live for God to be further clothed in immortality.

Audio

The apostle Paul affirmed to the Ephesians that God’s plan of salvation for man was devised long before he walked on the earth. Paul wrote, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5).

Since this is so, it is not surprising that there are indications given of that plan early in man’s history. Shortly after the fall of man, as God related the consequence of the sin committed, he said to the tempter (in serpent form), “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:14-15). While the animosity between man and snake is evident, as is the reality of their legless existence, Bible students understand the greatest significance is spiritual, derived from the words found in verse 15. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise heel.” Notice that the references to the Seed of woman, both in the designation and the pronouns that accompany it, are all capitalized. That is because the translators (NKJ) recognize this to be a Messianic prophecy, shadowing the, at that time, future battle between Satan and Jesus Christ.

Continue reading “The Seed of Woman” →

A quick word study of the qualifications of elders and deacons, given for the purpose of presenting two men (one for the office of elder, and one for the office of deacon) to the congregation.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The Christian attributes listed in such places as Galatians 5, 2 Peter 1 and Ephesians 6 equip us to handle Satan’s onslaughts, and prepare us for an eternity in heaven with God.

Audio

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Hebrews 7 describes the superiority of Christ as our High Priest. He is perfect, both as sacrifice and priest. Therefore, He is able to save us to the uttermost.

Audio

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The text of 2 Peter 1 shows that we can impact (either by diligence or neglect) our standing with God.

Audio

There is a simple, natural principle that has been used numerous times by the Holy Spirit to illustrate truth. We may call it the seed principle, and it was used (for example) by Paul when he wrote to the Galatians, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7-8). You reap what you sow — a sublime idea that has awesome implications regarding spiritual truths.

The idea holds with regard to amount, kind and the nature of the soil upon which the seed is sown. For example, Paul used the principle in exhorting the Corinthians to liberality in their giving. “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). Jesus, in His parable of the sower, indicated the importance of planting the seed (the word) upon good soil (the honest heart), referring to the honest man as one “who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Matthew 13:23). The seed principle even can be used to show God’s glory in the redemption of man. Paul deflected any personal glory in his work in preaching, saying to the Corinthians, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase” (1 Corinthians 6:7-8). All of these points can be illustrated equally by this simple, agronomic analogy.

Continue reading “The Seed Principle” →

Four different examples of individuals hiding their faith drive home the truth that if you desire to be saved, you must be willing to confess Jesus! (cf. Matthew 10:32-33).

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

In verses 5-9, Paul gives Titus a list of qualifications to ensure that qualified men serve as elders. The reason such qualified men are needed for oversight is given in verses 10-14 — the multitude of ungodly individuals who teach error and subvert the faith of the vulnerable. As Paul said, “whose mouths must be stopped.” It seems that Titus too, as an evangelist, was to be occupied in this defense of truth.

In every culture, time and community there will be men whose influence will destroy the faith of others. The particular brand of error of which Paul warned Titus, that of libertinism (“evil beasts, lazy gluttons”), is as prevalent today as it was then and there.

Doctrinal error and sinful practices must be rebuked. And as indicated by Paul, at times that rebuke must be sharp. Men are needed, especially in the eldership, who can discern truth from the commandments of men — and “by sound doctrine” (vs. 9) both rebuke the false teacher, and warn God’s people who would be led astray.
.

God formed man as the pinnacle of His creative work. He put him in the beautiful garden in Eden, and rested. “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31).

The wise man of Ecclesiastes gave an insightful description of the creation of man, and the problem of sin that followed his making. “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (Ecclesiastes 7:29). In the phrase “sought out,” there is an indication of man’s will. When he created man, God gave him free will. Free will is what separates man from the animals, and makes it accurate to describe him as being made in God’s image (cf. Genesis 1:27).

Continue reading “The Fall of Man” →

Seek the Lord! That is the cry of faith. It is the need for every man and woman who lives upon the earth. This sobering sentiment is expressed clearly by the prophet Isaiah in his instructions to Judah.

Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:6-9).

The most sobering aspect of these words is the realization that our success in seeking the Lord is contingent upon our knowing His thoughts. We can’t find Him is we don’t know where He is. We can’t know where He is unless He tells us. The most amazing thing is that He has, and yet people persist in following their own directions rather than His.

Consider the contrast of the text. In the same way that “the heavens are higher than the earth” so are God’s ways than our own. In other words, it is impossible for us to please God by our own devices. If you want to please God, you must seek Him. If in seeking you find Him, it will be because you followed His directions!

Invitation delivered by: Jonathan Hinds

Jonathan uses Romans 11:22 to introduce the thought that we should consider all aspects of God’s nature. To emphasize either His goodness or His severity to the dtriment of the opposite is to develop an incorrect view of Him.

Audio

The text uses Paul’s epistle to Philemon to show how brotherly love can work wonders even during difficult times of potential conflict and trouble.

Audio

Too many are quick to embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior, but have no real understanding of what it means to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord. This lesson seeks to explain the importance of such an action.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides