Category: Subject Index

The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15, not only affirms the fact of Christ’s resurrection, but notes that the lives of those who reject that fact are futile and dissolute.

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Some Christians seem to be embarrassed about the distinct nature of the church, its work, and the preaching of the gospel of our Lord. This should not be so.

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Luke 3:1-6

This text of scripture reveals both the announcement of John the Baptist’s ministry, and an explanation of the prophecies concerning him.

The date is explicitly stated—the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius.

The location is clearly given—John was in the Judean wilderness, a hostile and desolate land.

The divine nature of the calling is proclaimed—“the word of God came to John.”

The message was revealed—John preached a “baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

The purpose of John’s ministry is given—to “prepare the way of the Lord.”

The coming of Elijah’s spirit once again, in preparation for the fulfillment of all things; John’s ministry signified that the most important events in man’s history were imminent. The significance of his ministry is seen in the final words of the text, “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

The primary question that one must ask when considering the morality of abortion is, “When does life begin?” It is the question that will determine whether one believes abortion to be merely the removal of tissue, or the murder of a child.

Though many reject it, science supplies only one answer to the question. From the time the sperm fertilizes the egg, a unique organism, with a unique DNA signature, exists. If the DNA were to be examined by an expert to determine its origin, it would not be identified as the DNA of the mother, or the father. It would not be identified as the DNA of some animal. It would be identified as unique human DNA, related as a child to the mother and the father.

Continue reading “A Philosophical Discussion of Abortion” →

As Christians we have duties and obligations with regard to membership in a local congregation. Our attitude in carrying out those duties is important. We should be enthusiastic, industrious, positive and persistent.

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God’s existence and voice are sounded out in various ways. As discussed in this lesson, through His creation, His Word, His Son and His People.

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There are few that will find the narrow way that leads to Life (cf. Matthew 7:13-14). There are many impediments. It is a strict and difficult way, many are prejudiced or deceived. Others are led astray by peer pressure. Some are untaught. Concerning the latter, Christians have the responsiblity to preach the gospel.

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The sermon discusses various events surrounding the ministry of Paul in Ephesus, as recorded in Acts 19.

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This Sermon is an examination of Jesus’ commission to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 where He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

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The world hated Jesus, and put him to death. It should not surprise us that the world will hate us as His disciples. We must endure persecution as we spread the word and live righteously before Him.

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The Chastening of the Lord does not seem pleasant, but secures for us the same standing with God as that enjoyed by such patriarchs as Abraham, Joseph and Moses (cf. Hebrews 11).

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Men show themselves to be fools when the deny God’s existence, disobey His commands, prate, meddle and show carelessness in their lives.

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Below is the material used in our recently completed Vacation Bible School.  Any who would like to use this material for their own school or studies are more than welcome.  The materials were created by members of the West Side congregation.  (Please note the acknowledgments at the end of this post).
This class consists of five lessons taught at West Side from June 23-27, 2008.  Stan Cox taught the adult class of the 2008 Vacation Bible School.

The VBS followed the theme:  “Growing in Grace.”

Right click on each item to save it to your hard drive. Resources in this course of study include Powerpoint presentations and Audio files in the mp3 format of the adult class, and classbooks used in the childrens’ classes.
Lesson 1 – Growing in Grace Through Jesus

* A Loving Relationship With God
* Cultivating a Relationship With God
* Relationship Myths
* How the Relationship is “Entered”
* Conclusion: Press On!

Lesson 1 – Growing in Grace Through Jesus (PPT)

Lesson 1 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 2 – Growing in Grace Through The Knowledge of God’s Word

* What We Get from God’s Word
* Facts About the Bible
* Get A Plan (Just Do It!)
* Our Desire to Know God and His Word
* Conclusion: Live the Word!

Lesson 2 – Growing in Grace Through a Knowledge of God’s Word (PPT)

Lesson 2 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 3 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Disciplines

* Prayer
* A Formula for Prayer – A.C.T.S.
* Keep a Journal
* Memorize Scripture
* What Is Your Focus?
* Conclusion: Discipline Yourself!

Lesson 3 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Disciplines (PPT)

Lesson 3 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 4 – Growing in Grace Through Obedience

* Examples of Authority
* The Authority of Christ
* Obedience
* Conclusion: Obey God!

Lesson 4 – Growing in Grace Through Obedience (PPT)

Lesson 4 – Audio (mp3)

Lesson 5 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Maturity

* The Example of Jesus
* Growing as a Christian
* Exemplify Christ in…
* Conclusion: Live a Life of Sobriety and Purity!

Lesson 5 – Growing in Grace Through Spiritual Maturity (PPT)

Lesson 5 – Audio (mp3)

Note:  In addition to the Powerpoint and Audio of the Adult class, other materials were prepared for the VBS.  Primary among these was a curriculum written by one of the members of the West Side congregation, Tracy Gallman.  Sister Gallman did a wonderful job with the lessons, and they were published in booklet form using the Microsoft Publisher program.  The adult class powerpoints were developed using this curriculum as the base.  Links to the booklet, as used by students from 3 grade through high school, another version for 1-2 graders, and other materials are listed below.  Feel free to use, and feel free to modify the materials to personalize for your congregation if you desire to utilize the material.  However, please do not alter the content, and please give proper credit to sister Gallman for the material, and sister Jade Calvert for the art work.

* VBS Student Book (Grades 3 through 12) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Student Book (Grades 1 through 2) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Circular (Advertisement) (Microsoft Publisher)
* VBS Bookmarks (Microsoft Publisher)

I was recently given a bulletin from a west Texas congregation. The front page of the bulletin had the order of service, including the preacher’s sermon topic for both Sunday services. The morning sermon was titled, “The Lord’s Church is Distinctive.”

The title is certainly true. The Lord’s church is distinctive, different, unique. It is seen in the worship we offer to God, the work that local congregations do in God’s service, and in the emphasis placed on the spiritual above the physical and social.

Continue reading “In The News: The Lord’s Church is Distinctive” →

Mark 1:9-13

Mark’s gospel is characterized by a concise telling of the events in Christ’s life. While not as verbose as the other gospels, Mark managed to encapsulate the grandeur of His ministry on earth.

These verses are a wonderful example. Here Mark recounts both the baptism of Jesus, and his temptation in the wilderness in just five verses.

The baptism of Jesus contains God’s witness that this was His Son. “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (vs. 11).

The temptation of Jesus expresses His perfect example. “Tempted by Satan,” yet, as Peter later stated, a man “who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:22-23).

As such, He left us “an example, that [we] should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).