Category: Subject Index

Both ancient men and men today have a problem with pride. Sometimes it exhibits itself in Intellectual Arrogance. The sermon covers instances of this sin in scripture, and in our own time.

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A discussion of Jesus’ self-designation as the Bread of Life. It indicates eternal sustenance to those who come to Him. We discuss how to come to Jesus, and the reward we receive.

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I just found and read a speech delivered by John Clark way back in 1979 on the subject of abortion. It is interesting that his discussion of the issue is basically the same as the approach that Christians take today. There is a reason for this. As our society and societal morals change, the word of God remains the same. There is no need to update our views with new scientific discoveries, and different moral discoveries, because God created life, a truth that remains unchanged, and it is our responsibility as Christians to revere and protect life, especially with regard to the most vulnerable among us. The mother of King Lemuel, in giving him Divine instruction which is recorded in Proverbs 31:8-9, said this, “Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

The leaders of our land have done just the opposite.  Interestingly, the history of the 14th amendment is illustrative of this fact. The 14th amendment directly addressed the inequities of the Dred Scott decision, which denied rights to African Americans, and upheld slavery back in 1857. After the Civil War was fought, the government rightly amended the constitution. The amendment reads that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Imagine, our government having to change the constitution to grant personhood to black people. But it was necessary. Continue reading “Consequences of the Pro-Abortion Position” →

The text calls for us to have the same mind (will) as Christ.  The decision He made: to leave heaven, come to earth as a man, and humble Himself to the point of death on the cross shows clearly our Lord’s mind regarding others. He was motivated by love and selflessness. Jesus once said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13). We can’t do for Him what He did for us, so in His next breath he said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Unfortunately too many are too selfish or indifferent to do even this for their Lord.

God celebrated and rewarded the sacrifice of Jesus through His resurrection and exaltation. It is as a result of this exaltation that Jesus has become the appointed judge for all mankind. In the day of judgment, every knee will bow and confess Him as Lord.

So, yes, we need the same mind which was in Christ Jesus!

“Then He said to the disciples, ‘It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, “I repent,” you shall forgive him’” (Luke 17:1-4).

Jesus’ warning to His disciples here are words that are applicable to us today. He speaks of offenses as inevitable things. By offenses, Jesus was referring to “sin traps”, things a man or woman might to do cause another to stumble and sin.  Colly Caldwell had an interesting thought about this, “The forms these spiritual sin-traps may take will vary with each person but the effect can be devastating. It may come as a result of immoral influence, pleasurable seduction, false doctrinal teaching, or material gain.” (Truth Commentary). Continue reading “Take Heed to Yourself” →

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:27-28).

Mankind experienced the first advent of the Christ.  As Paul wrote, He came to earth, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). This sacrificial death is how He bore those sins, and served as a propitiation or appeasing sacrifice to the justice of the Father. We read in the New Testament the sacrifice, and the Father’s acceptance of that sacrifice. The Hebrew writer, “By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).

What we haven’t experienced in the second advent of Christ. When He comes again, it will be apart from sin.  The work of redemption has been accomplished in His sacrifice on the cross. In contrast His second coming will be as a conquering King! He will gloriously appear in the sky. He will bring all of His chosen ones to His bosom, and will deliver them to an eternity in His presence (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. “Therefore comfort one another with these words” (4:18).

A discussion of 1 Corinthians 15, showing both what would be the case if Christ had not been raised from the dead, and the ramifications of the truth that He has!

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A Discussion of the Joy that ultimately comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ

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“Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:159-160).

A love for God’s word is characteristic of the true Christian. It is what animates him. What guides him in his every step on the earth. Why? As the Psalmist stated, “The entirety of your word is truth…”

In the New Testament, the word of God is referred to as the sword of the Spirit. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). As Paul states in this context, it is a part of the Christian’s armor, the purpose of which is to enable the Christian “to stand against the wiles of the devil” (6:11). Together with truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith and the helmet of salvation, we are equipped as a soldier of the Lord. “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (6:13). Continue reading “The Sword of the Spirit” →

Our verses continue to explain God’s show of mercy and grace, revealed in Paul’s statement in (2:1), “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

First is the affirmation of God’s rich mercy. This is a mercy that has been shown to many over the ages, which at its apex allows man to continue to exist despite our rebellion against Him.

This mercy comes because of God’s love for His creation, especially man, and despite our sin. As Paul relates our existence, “we all conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath” it becomes obvious that our continued existence can be explained ONLY by our Creator’s love and mercy.

God sent His Son, and that grace is how we are made alive!  It is why we have the hope of eternity in heaven, sitting together. God is so very kind and gracious. That love is seen in, and only in, the gift of His Son to the world. (cf. John 3:16).

Who is it that our world celebrates most?  The entertainer, the athlete, the artist. The ones who make a name for themselves. The ones who blaze a path. The ones who standout or amaze. Sometimes these things can be for very scandalous reasons — they may be villainous, outlandish, immoral, seekers of attention, ready to do anything to be famous, to be a figure that the world simply can’t ignore. This indicates values that do not really accord with God and His will. For both the celebrated and those who adore them.

Consider the words of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, “…that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” Continue reading “Aspire to Live a Quiet Life” →

In Zechariah 3:1-5 we see a vision delivered from God via Zechariah to the remnant of Israel. In it the present High Priest, Joshua, received cleansing as Satan, the adversary and accuser of mankind, stood by. The vision is not easy to fully interpret, but there are certain helpful truths that clearly present themselves.

First, understand that Satan is our personal opponent and seeks our eternal destruction (cf. Job 1:7-12). We are always to resist him through righteousness. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Second, understand that Satan has no power over God. God alone is sovereign and supreme. Like any other created being, Satan is subject to God and His judgment.  As the text here shows, God rebuked Satan, and promised the redemption and restoration of His people despite Satan’s efforts. (cf. Amos 4:11).

Third and finally, consider the wonderful nature and extent of God’s cleansing. Without God’s mercy in sending his Son, our sins defile us. “And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The High Priest’s filthy garments were replaced with rich robes, and a clean turban was put on his head.

When we through faith in Christ respond to God, all of our filthiness is taken away!

It happened again.  I saw on my Facebook feed a religious individual (a bit frustrated by the rancor and partisanship shown in political discourse) who noted that when a Christian argues politics on Facebook they immediately alienate potentially half of all who read the post.

This is not entirely true, as Facebook and other social media sites tend to polarize audiences. In other words, most of the time your views are shared by those who read them. The other side has their own “confirmation bias,” being affirmed by their own readers. That’s why you typically receive more likes and attaboys for your post than people who disagree.

But this is not always the case. What disturbs me is when I see Christians confidently affirming their political views thus causing rancor when others actually do disagree. It may be claimed that the Christian behaves him or herself with love and deference, but arguments are still spawned. And while the example of good humor is laudable, the fact that you are the one who started the discussion in the first place is hardly defensible. Continue reading “The Christian and Political Bias” →

The foolishness of the Galatians can be seen in their willingness to turn away from the fundamental principle of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Because of false teachers, the Galatians had turned away from the truth Paul had proclaimed to them, and had begun to depend upon their standing upon the law of Moses to justify themselves before God.

Paul argues against this throughout his epistle to the Galatians, but here he is simply stating his incredulity regarding such a backward move. He states, “Are you so foolish?” (3). Paul had taught them their standing with God was dependent upon their faith in Christ. They had started off so well. But their conversion, (which causes conflict and suffering with an ungodly world), seemed to be in vain because they were now rejecting what they once accepted.

The law of Moses can’t and never could bring the perfection that comes in Christ. This can only come through faith in Him.

Certain unique characteristics of Christ make Him the great and sufficient High Priest for us today. Note the points made by the Hebrew writer in chapters 4 & 5.

Jesus passed through the heavens (4:14). This makes Him great.  His ascension and exaltation (cf. “the firstfruits”, 1 Corinthians 15:23) indicate that His position emanates from the Father in heaven.

Jesus can sympathize with the weakness of men (4:15).  All have been tempted and sin (cf. Romans 3:23). Jesus is uniquely qualified to offer a sacrifice for sin because of His Deity, as seen in the preceding point. But also as One who has been tempted like we have, “yet without sin” (5:15).

He was appointed by God. (5:1-4).  No high priest can simply appoint Himself to the position. In the Old Testament, God appointed the tribe of Levi and the house of Aaron for this important work. The High Priest was the one to offer the sacrifice for the sin of the people. Under the New Covenant the Father appointed Jesus, after the priesthood of Melchizedek as uniquely the High Priest for all of humanity (5:5-6).

Jesus is uniquely qualified and has been perfected by His death, resurrection and ascension. He has become the “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest…” (5:9-10).