Category: Subject Index

Colossians 1:1-2

Even in Paul’s short greetings much can be learned. Here he succinctly defends his apostleship, saying he obtained his office “by the will of God.” For a more complete defense, see Galatians 1:10-20.

He identifies his fellow worker Timothy, his “son in the faith” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), and then immediately identifies his readers as “saints” and “faithful brethren in Christ.”

The word saint refers to one who has been “set apart”; in this case, from the world by God. The word indicates not only a privileged status with God, but also is a call to holy living. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). The second phrase also indicates their holiness as he specifies that they were faithful brethren.

His greeting is a blessing upon them. Grace and Peace to them from God and His Son. Grace refers to the unmerited act of redemption that God supplied to man in the death of His Son. Peace refers to the well-being that is the result of that gift. The greeting is very concise, but was full of meaning to the Colossians, and is to God’s children today as well!

John 3:6-8

The text of John 3 contains a verse that is commonly misunderstood by religious people. It is the eighth verse, which reads, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” As David Lipscomb wrote, “These verses have been ever of great difficulty because men try to get out of them what is not in them.” (G.A. Commentary, John, pg. 46).

A proper understanding of the passage is not difficult so long as the context is observed and respected. The important thing to remember is that Jesus has described the new birth (a spiritual birth), and that Nicodemus was confused by the description because he was thinking of the physical birth (cf. vs. 4).

Continue reading “The Wind Blows Where It Wishes” →

An article in the January 3 New York Times related the religious convictions of Tom and Claudia Riner of Louisville, KY.

Tom is the pastor of a small Baptist church, and has served as a Democratic representative in the Kentucky state legislature for the past 26 years. He is constantly introducing legislation that is designed to keep faith in God at the center of government and society. As such, he and his wife are constantly opposed by such groups as the ACLU, and have had numerous pieces of legislation overturned by the Supreme Court.

Continue reading “In The News: A “More Diverse Context”” →

Clip these, and stick them on your refrigerator or some other
conspicuous space!

Personal

• Read entire Bible within a year’s time.
• Practice Hospitality.
• Host a Bible Study.
• Increase prayer quality and frequency.
• Meditate often.
• Preach to others.
• Worship elsewhere while on vacation.

At West Side

• Attend the 5:40 pm personal work meeting each Sunday.
• Sign the duty lists in the foyer to volunteer.
• Be diligent in both preparation for and participation in Bible classes.
• Avoid conflicts with our scheduled gospel meetings and singing.
• Increase weekly giving if possible.
• Greet Visitors
• Attend quarterly singings.
• Take notes during preaching.
• Tell others about our web site.
• Request CD’s to hand out to others.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

~ Philippians 3:13-14

The apostle Paul determined to “press toward the goal.” The record of his ministry in the New Testament attests to his success in this determination. Paul was not successful by chance. He was resolute, making it his primary purpose in life to fulfill the ministry given him by God. “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:15).

Continue reading “New Year’s Resolutions” →

Many are aware of the furor that has erupted over Barack Obama’s decision to have Rick Warren deliver the invocation at his inauguration ceremony. Obama promised during his campaign to bring people who differ together so that our nation might come to embrace common ideals despite strong differences. His choice of Warren, who believes what the Bible teaches on the subject of homosexuality and abortion, is an example of Obama keeping this promise.

Interestingly, though this promise among others constitutes one of the reasons he was embraced by the left in this country, it is also the reason why he is being criticised by those same supporters when said promise is put into practice. It seems that homosexuals and abortionists want us to listen to and accept them, but they are unwilling to listen to and accept us! In effect, they are intolerant of those who are intolerant! Put another way, they have long complained of being “marginalized” by society, and now that one of their own is being put into office, they are seeking to do the same to those who disagree with them!

Continue reading “In The News: The Intolerance of the Tolerant” →

(Note: This article was written by one of the members at West Side, Kelly Wilson. I commend it to you. SC)

“…The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people and say, You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them…’” Acts 28:25-27 (ESV)

When the Lord Jesus and His apostles proclaimed the simple gospel the common and uneducated heard him gladly and believed (Mark 12:37; Acts 4:13) but when many of the educated Jewish leaders heard the same message they rejected it (Matthew 21:32).

Continue reading “Their Eyes They Have Closed” →

A topical lesson detailing proper attitudes we should have toward other Christians, including:

• Love
• Cooperation
• Appreciation
• Submissiveness
• Hospitality
• Peaceableness
• Gentleness
• Forgiveness

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Jesus is to be the Lord of our lives. This indicates that he has all authority, and that we will have no other to whom we declare or show obedience and faithfulness.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Too many Christians are apathetic in their Christian walk. Rather than working diligently in our Lord’s service, they are “at ease in Zion” (cf. Amos 6:1)

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Text: 2 Corinthians 4.

A seeming paradox of the Christian faith is seen in the fact that our Lord secured for us victory through his suffering and death on the cross. It is precisely because His enemies killed him that we can call ourselves “more than conquerors.”

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Lord’s church has many enemies, some without, and more damaging, others within. The lesson details 7 “instruments” opposing the church.

• Persecution
• The World
• Mammon
• Discord
• Division
• False Doctrine
• Lukewarmness

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In his gospel, the apostle John uses the term world in various ways. The term world sometimes refers to the physical universe, sometimes humanity, and sometimes those who are hostile to Christ. The gospel reveals Christ’s relationship to each of the three.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Though physically blinded on the road to Damascus, Saul of Tarsus, for the first time in his life, saw some very important truths.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The sermon used the recent rift in the Episcopal church to teach a lesson on the importance of Biblical unity. The scriptures clearly teach that unity is based on the truth of God’s word.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .