Category: Subject Index

Philippians 2:1-4

In Philippians 4:2, the apostle admonished two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche, to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” The admonition is the only indication given in the epistle of possible problems in the church in Philippi. The church was strong, but not perfect, and the admonition to unity was timely. Such is certainly needed in our time as well.

In Philippians 2:1-4, the means of obtaining such unity is found. Paul here again exhorts the brethren to be “like-minded”, and indicates that his can be done when each esteems “others better than himself” (vs. 3). In effect, humility is the source of unity.

When people are self-willed, division results. If I want what I want, and am unable to compromise, and you are the same; then our goals will often conflict. Thus, division results.

As Christians, we should look out for the interests of our brethren — it is only then that we will all have the mind of Christ.

Mark 9:1

The chapter break here is unfortunate, as this verse belongs with the Lord’s discourse that started in 8:34.

The promise here made was two fold: 1) The kingdom would come with power; and, 2) Some of those with him as he spoke would still be alive when it came.

This simple text deals a death blow to those who claim the kingdom of Christ is yet to be established. If it hasn’t been established yet, one of two things must be true:

1. Jesus did not keep his promise to his disciples.
2. Some of Jesus disciples are alive at over 2,000 years of age.

Both assertions are untenable and obviously untrue.

While the errorist can’t reconcile this passage with his doctrine, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise is evident.

On the day of Pentecost following Jesus’ resurrection, as He promised here and in Acts 1:4-8, the kingdom arrived with power upon the immersion of the disciples in the Holy Spirit. The kingdom exists, and we who are His are citizens of it, (cf. Colossians 1:13).

The film, The Golden Compass, is scheduled for a Christmas release, and New Line Cinema is hoping that it will be as big a blockbuster as Disney pictures The Chronicles of Narnia, released last year.

The films are both fantasies, both based upon books that were written to appeal to children. The difference is that one was written by C.S. Lewis, a member of the Anglican church and a well known Christian apologist. The other was written by atheist activist Philip Pullman, whose desire is to portray religion as evil and God as a fraud.

Continue reading “In The News: The Golden Compass” →

Since we have waited until the meeting was over to upload the sermon files, I am going to include all five sermons by brother Scott Gilmore in a single post. Note: At this time the powerpoint files are not available, but will be uploaded in a few days.

Saturday Night: 11/3
Reason and Reading: Brother Gilmore emphasized the necessity of Bible study and the use of reason to establish authority for our religious practices. This is a fine lesson on the subject of authority.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday Morning Class: 11/4
Miracles: The Bible class was an interesting discussion of Bible miracles. The miracles and their purpose were examined.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday Morning Worship: 11/4
Does Faith Move?: In this lesson brother Gilmore contrasts the false doctrine of “Faith Only” with the Bible teaching of an active faith leading to obedience to God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday Evening Worship: 11/4
Repentance: Brother Gilmore turns to the scriptures for a discussion of repentance, as required by God for salvation.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Tuesday Evening Worship: 11/6
Dangers Facing the Church: Brother Gilmore shows from the scriptures the dangers facing God’s people today due to improper attitudes toward the preaching and teaching of God’s word.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Hebrews 11:4 mentions Abel as one of the patriarchs, who through his good example, though he is dead, still speaks to us. His example of faith as well as that of others (Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Rahab), teach us the need for obedient faith.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Atheists and Secularists decry religion as being irrelevant, and claim that those who believe in God and the Bible are unreasonable, and exercising blind faith. This sermon strives to show that faith in God and his word is both reasonable and relevant.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Now she tells us? When I first heard that J.K. Rowling had revealed the homosexuality of Professor Albus Dumbledore, esteemed headmaster of Hogwarts, before a packed congregation of children and adults at Carnegie Hall on Oct. 19, my reaction was half appreciation, half annoyance. Ten years, seven books, 4,000 pages, and it never occurred to her to mention this before? At least she didn’t make the gay character a fairy (or a troll), so we’ll be spared those jokes, I thought. Rowling’s announcement felt almost too strategic, a gotcha! she conveniently withheld until the multibillion-dollar revenue stream had had years to flow. And why bother? The outing of Dumbledore doesn’t seriously reshape any plotline in the Harry Potter novels, nor do the books ever drop the kind of hints that would inspire questions from readers. Also, the saga is over, and Dumbledore’s, you know, dead, so, like that infamous moment on Law & Order when viewers suddenly learned that one of the show’s main characters was a lesbian literally 10 seconds before she left the series, it all seemed a bit easy.

Mark Davis
EW.com (Entertainment Weekly)

Analysis:

First, there is no such person as Dumbledore. So, he can’t be a homosexual. He is not a person, he is a fictional character in the Harry Potter books.

Continue reading “In The News: Dumbledore is a Homosexual” →

In Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer attempts to reconcile the seemingly contradictory beliefs of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will:

“An ocean liner leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Its destination has been determined by proper authorities. Nothing can change it. This is at least a faint picture of sovereignty.

“On board the liner are scores of passengers. These are not in chains, neither are their activities determined for them by decree. They are completely free to move about as they will. They eat, sleep, play, lounge about on the deck, read, talk, altogether as they please; but all the while the great liner is carrying them steadily onward toward a predetermined port.

“Both freedom and sovereignty are present here, and they do not contradict. So it is, I believe, with man’s freedom and the sovereignty of God. The mighty liner of God’s sovereign design keeps its steady course over the sea of history.”

Douglas G. Gerrard

The illustration above is relatively accurate, though limited as illustrations always are. It is true that God’s sovereignty has predetermined the victory of righteousness over evil.

It is equally true that God has granted each man free will in his life. However, there is one thing that is not noted in the story. It is possible, first, for a man to choose not to board the ship, and then for a man to jump off the ship, of his own free will, thus not reaching the destination! (cf. Mark 16:16; 2 Peter 2:21-22).

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Paul here admonishes the Corinthians for being “carnal.” The word is the greek sarkikos, and means: pertaining to the flesh… by implication, unregenerate (from Strong’s).

This designation is the opposite of “spiritual”, and indicates that the flesh was winning in its conflict with the Spirit in their lives (cf. Galatians 5:17).

What was their sin? They were divided. Rather than expressing love for one another, and “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), they were “behaving like mere men.”

It is not godly to be a strife bearer and envious. To be so is antithetic to Christ’s cause. Those who are His must show their love to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (1 Peter 2:22). One way this is done is to “all speak the same thing” and to be “perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (cf. 1:10).

AOTS Number 80

Our society is tolerant of everything except for intolerance. The attitude? Don’t Judge Me! This can not be the attitude of the child of God.

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AOTS Number 79

This Old Book, the Bible is God’s Word. It is given to us through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. It contains all that is needful to make a man completely furnished to a righteous and fulfilling life.

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AOTS Number 78

In defense of the faithful preacher of God’s word… He is simply the messenger. It is God’s message, not his, and he must preach it without compromise or apology.

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AOTS Number 77

It is important to many parents to supply for their children all the toys and comforts of life as possible. We supply for them a house, but too often parents do not ensure that a child has a caring and Christian home.

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Jude 3-4

The concept of contending for the faith, while well documented scripturally as a requirement of God, is not practiced with regularity in our time. Rather, the call today is for compromise and tolerance.

It is interesting that Jude indicates in this text his desire to write “concerning our common salvation.” It is certainly a pleasant thing to relate the privileges and rewards that are ours if we are found faithful in Christ. However, Jude “found it necessary” to write instead about false teachers and their influence, to warn his readers.

Why did Jude feel compelled to do this? Because of the dangers such men present! They are deceitful in their practices, and Jude reveals that they will stand condemned for their message (cf. vs. 14-15).

Jude warns his readers to “keep yourselves” (vss. 20-21). False teachers are dangerous, and we must contend with them!

Jesus Christ is our example in obedience, sacrifice and love. We are to obey, live lives of sacrifice, and love one another as we emulate Him.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .