Category: Subject Index

This lesson emphasizes the importance of heeding and obeying God’s word, that you may be blessed, be saved, bear fruit, avoid drifting, and avoid condemnation.

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Brethren, I recently came across a good article written by Rick Holt, an elder for the Mt. Baker church of Christ in Bellingham, Washington. In it, he discusses present day problems with inattentiveness and disruption in worship. I have intended to address this myself, and would like for you to consider the following quote from the article.

My, my, how times have changed, or have they? These days, the schools still deal with the same problems, but a new set of hindrances have been introduced including the use of cell phones, text/pix messaging, playing games, etc. These problems occur not only at schools, colleges, and secular jobs, but during the worship of God on the first day of the week, and specifically, at the Mt. Baker church of Christ. Brethren, I have seen people writing notes then laughing to the point of bending over so as not to be seen (which didn’t work, by the way), games being played, manicures being done, no participation in the singing, the week’s working schedule being written out, and giggling during the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Did I just say that…pretty blunt, wasn’t I? Is this what God purposed before the foundations of the world…worship in this manner? Where is your heart? Why have you come to services? This is not play-time! You are in the presence of God, gathered with the saints (Heb. 13:22-29).

Continue reading “Texting in Worship” →

I came across a recent article indicating that Catholic churches in Germany were upset because an entrepreneur had begun selling chocolate Jesus figures, covered in gold foil. The picture at right is an actual example of the figure.

I went to the web site advertising the item, and was blown away by some of the reasoning behind selling the product. Note the following quotes from the site:

…In our time, Santa Claus has replaced Jesus for most people. Unfortunately!

From today on, however, “Sweetlord ®” and the “Original Chocolate GoldJesus ®” are being made to change this!…

…Eating Jesus?

The idea to eat Jesus may first appear shocking to some people – but is it really? Apparently, the tradition to include representations of Jesus in dessert preparations – apart from flesh and blood (altar bread and wine) – goes back centuries both in the old and new world. Among the most prominent examples are the American King Cake and the German Christstollen….

Continue reading “In The News: Chocolate Jesus?” →

When people arbitrarily redefine terms, it allows for all types of sin. If you can redefine life, you can justify abortion. If you can redefine murder, it allows for assisted suicide. If you can redefine marriage, it allows for homosexual unions. If you can redefine adultery, it allows you to to keep a wife after an unlawful divorce. Men may redefine, but it does not change God’s will!

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Using the examples of Noah and the flood, Israel at the Red Sea, and Naaman dipping in the Jordan, we establish that Salvation and cleansing come “through” the water. Application: Baptism is necessary for salvation.

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This headline seems like it should be on the front page of the National Enquirer, (and it probably was), but it is being reported as legitimate by national news agencies such as ABC News.

Barbara Walters was granted an exclusive interview with Thomas Beatie and “his” wife Nancy on Friday, November 14th, on 20/20 Magazine. It was the first public interview granted since the birth of their daughter Susan. Beatie has since announced that “he” is again pregnant.

You notice the quotations around the words “his” and “he” in the paragraph below. As Matthew Gilbert of the Boston Globe reported:

Of course, it’s a little inflammatory to call Beatie “a pregnant man.” The more accurate description would be “a pregnant female-to-male transgender who identifies as a man but whose female reproductive organs are intact,” but that probably wouldn’t sell as many tabloids or draw as many viewers to “Oprah,” “20/20,” or, tonight at 9, the Discovery Health documentary “Pregnant Man.” When it comes to grabbing eyes, detailed descriptions can be inconvenient.

Continue reading “In The News: Man Pregnant Again!” →

An eyewitness of account of Union General John Sedgwick’s death on May 9, 1864, told by his chief of staff, describes clearly the danger of overconfidence.

It seems that the previous evening, at one place on the battlefield, several officers had been cut down by sniper fire. The general was warned of the danger by his chief of staff, but in the process of instructing his men walked to that place.

Sniper fire broke out from 1,000 yards away, and bullets whizzed by. Others ducked, but the general admonished them, saying, “What! what! men, dodging this way for single bullets! What will you do when they open fire along the whole line? I am ashamed of you. They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” According to his chief of staff, the admonition was repeated a second time upon another fusillade of bullets, then suddenly the general was hit below his left eye, and quickly died.

Overconfidence can often lead to disaster, and this is true with regard to an individual’s spiritual standing as quickly as any other. As the apostle warned:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

1 Peter 3:15 tells us as Christians we are to always be ready to give an answer for our hope. Are you able to tell why you do the things that you do religiously. Well, are you?

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In James 4:1-10, James points out that pride leads to worldliness. Therefore, the cure for worldliness is humility.

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The gospel is God’s power of Salvation, both in the conversion of men, and in the maintaining of their standing before God.

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Recently our church received in the mail an invitation to a beach party for area college students, hosted by the Altamesa Church of Christ, College Ministry. The brochure read:

Activities include: 3 Beach Volleyball courts (bring your own team of 6 people), Tug-of-War, Frisbee Throw, Bocce Ball, and more! Come for fellowship, Devotional, Burgers and Roast Pig! Excellent opportunity to meet new friends for the summer!

The brochure went on to mention that the singing group “The Light” from ACU would be performing, asked for an R.S.V.P. to the Church office, and informed that the church would be charging $8 per person for the event.

Continue reading “A Disturbing Trend” →

The Hebrews epistle describes differences between the Old Covenant, and the New Covenant. Such differences establish clearly the superiority of Christ and his covenant.

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“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psa. 139:14).

In the June 29, 2001 issue of the Daily Texan (The University of Texas’ daily student newspaper), staff writer Devin Griffiths reported on an Austin based company, Cycorp, which is a leading force in the development of AI, (artificial intelligence). Simply put, AI is the capacity of a computer to reason and learn on its own, without any outside help. Readers may be familiar with the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, which had as a lead character a thinking, feeling, lying, and ultimately killing computer named HAL.

Continue reading “AI – Evidence of Design” →

Guest Speaker Dennis Scroggins goes to 2 Chronicles 18, to establish through the story of Jehoshaphat and Ahab, the danger of compromising with evil.

Lesson 9 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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Guest speaker Dennis Scroggins establishes from scripture that God hates divorce, and intends for a marriage to last for a lifetime. One man, one woman, for a lifetime is the teaching of scripture. We need to emphasize this rule in our preaching.

Lesson 8 of 9 in Gospel Meeting Series

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