Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Lessons Learned from Job
As the book of Job begins, we find the man to be extremely blessed by God. He had ten children, and was very rich by the standards of the day. It is said that he was “the greatest of all the people of the East” (1:3). More importantly, he was a man of good character: “that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1).
But, all of this was taken away by the devil. It is interesting that so many have a problem with what happened to Job. They do not have a particular problem with Satan’s work, as they expect such from the adversary. Their problem is with the fact that God allowed it! “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person” (1:12). “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life” (2:6). Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Job”
Mining the Scriptures: Mark 1:21-28
Jesus taught as “one having authority” in contrast to the teaching of the scribes. The scribes taught the people from the law, making their appeal based upon Moses or the prophets. However, Jesus’ teaching was different. Consider His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7). Again and again He made clear, “You have heard… but I say unto you…” Such authoritative statements amazed His audience.
The demons recognized the authority of Jesus. “I know who You are—the Holy One of God” (24). It is amazing how Jesus was rejected by so many in His day. While the demons recognized Him as God’s Son, often men did not.
However, early in His ministry He certainly had an impact upon those who heard Him. When Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, the authority with which He spoke led to the exorcism of the demon. This was new, and made clear the authoritative way in which Jesus spoke was legitimate. As such, “they were all amazed” (27).
It also gave Jesus notoriety. His words, together with His works made Him famous in the area. Such fame was a two edged sword. The people eagerly came to Him. The leaders felt threatened by Him.
A Brave Man
In a recent Bible study our group was discussing Acts 14. The chapter covers the efforts of Paul and Barnabas on Paul’s first missionary journey. It relates the experiences of the men in Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe.
In Iconium, certain Jews and Gentiles in the city joined together, and threatened to stone them (5). So, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra. The problem is, the Jews who opposed Paul’s preaching in both Antioch of Pisidia, and Iconium followed Paul and Barnabas to Lystra. They incited a multitude, and managed on this occasion to stone Paul (they thought to his death!) (19). But, Paul rose up and again left, this time to Derbe. Their preaching was successful there, as they “made many disciples” (21).
Finally, they went back to the places where they were persecuted… Lystra, Iconium and Antioch. Why would Paul do such a thing? First, to strengthen “the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith” (22). Second, to appoint “elders in every church” (23). It was important to Paul to minister to his brethren, no matter the danger.
At the end of the study, one man remarked, “Paul was a very brave man!” Yes, he was. Paul’s recognition of the importance of the work emboldened him in the work he did. (And, of course, we can say the same of Barnabas, and Philip, and Stephen, and all of the apostles). Too, Paul knew the promise of His Lord. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer… Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
Sermon: Jesus, Satan, and Peter
Tyler uses the account of Satan’s successful temptation of Peter, and then Peter’s restoration to make some salient applications for us today.
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Sermon: Paul’s Message to the Gentiles
In this short lesson, Stan turns to Acts 14 and Acts 17 to express the truth that the Gentiles must repent by turning away from the worship of idols, and begin to serve the one true and living God.
Why Can’t We Understand the Bible?
People often ask the question above, as they struggle with the conflicting doctrines and practices that are found among religious people. The question is valid, though present day attitudes toward such diverse thoughts and practices are not.
Many in positions of authority talk as if such diversity is to be expected, and even inevitable. They contend that it is not possible to have unity in doctrine and practice. Some may contend that truth itself is relative. Your truth may not be the same as mine. Others claim that men are not capable of understanding God’s revelation. And some say that God’s revelation is not sufficiently clear in all areas to be understood. Continue reading “Why Can’t We Understand the Bible?”
The Foolishness of Intoxicants
Another sign that society is deteriorating is the continuing legalization of marijuana use in various states. One big indication that you have crossed the border from Texas into Oklahoma is the proliferation of “head shops” where the drug can be purchased in various forms.
In Proverbs 20:1, the wise man wrote, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray is not wise.”
Whether alcohol or marijuana, or any other drug which alters the mind and looses the natural inhibitions that govern sober decisions, it is foolish to imbibe.
It is disheartening for Christians to defend intoxicants as relatively innocuous. The reality is far different. They destroy families, scar society, and have ruined the lives and health of untold millions. No one denies this is true, but many foolishly think they are immune to the dangers, and that such warnings as Proverbs 20:1 is not needed for them. I wonder the percentage of those who social drink, but who have never gotten drunk? I imagine it is very small.
Consider carefully the words of Peter, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).
The Christian walk is one of sobriety and holiness. When we stoop to the moral practices of the ungodly, we compromise our ability to walk the path of righteousness as God requires.
Mining the Scriptures: Matthew 2:7-12
King Herod desired the destruction of his perceived rival, the prophesied Son of David. His instructions in our text were a ruse to enable him to assassinate the child. This is evident from verses 16-18.
We see the inability of men to accomplish any intent that God determines will not happen. The wise men departed in accord with Herod’s instructions, and did indeed find the child. They rejoiced, and worshiped Jesus, knowing He was the prophesied Savior. They shared gifts with the child. (Note: The fact that there are three gifts mentioned does not necessarily indicate three wise men. The traditions concerning the number and names of the wise men are merely speculation, not from scripture).
God defeated Herod’s plan by warning the wise men not to return to Herod. And so they returned to their own country rather than returning to Herod with the location of the child. No man, no matter how powerful, is able to thwart God’s scheme for redeeming man!
“Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You’” (Job 42:1-2).
An Example of the Social Gospel
An example of the social gospel being implemented among institutional churches of Christ appeared in my email inbox the other day. It is from India, and is being bankrolled by numerous sponsoring churches in America.
The author of the email is Mani Padigipalli, an Indian preacher and doctor. He reports the following: “After four years of hard work and difficult inspections from the federal government, we are all set to send bi-vocational workers into different countries in the world. Yes, you read it right—we are all set to send workers into the world from India.” (Note: their initial efforts will be in several Arab countries. They have targeted workers that speak Hindi and Urdu, and are familiar with Islamic culture. Continue reading “An Example of the Social Gospel”
Sermon: Wise Parents
The book of Proverbs, a book of wisdom, is appealed to in showing principles of parenting that will help moms and dads raise children faithful to the Lord.
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Sermon: Better Than the Angels
An appeal is made to the contrast the Hebrew writer makes in the first chapter of his letter. He clearly shows the superiority of Jesus to the angels of God.
Five Questions About Christmas
On Thursday I was given the honor of participating in a video program that is being produced and hosted by Samuel Omaka, a preacher in Nigeria and friend of Kyle Campbell. Samuel sent me five questions, which I share below. I hope the material answers some questions you may have.
What is Christmas?
The simple definition is that it is a festival, observed each year on December 25th, intended to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed by billions of people the world over, many religiously. However, many secular people and even some who claim to know Christ, do not celebrate it religiously. They may, however, use it as a time to be with family, eat together and exchange gifts.
Was Barnabas an Apostle?
The question is an interesting one, as Luke uses the Greek term apostolos in Acts 14:4,14 to describe both Paul and Barnabas. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out” (14:14).
However, it must be noted that the Greek term is a general term, defined by Thayer: “a delegate, messenger, one sent forth with orders.” As a general term, it is necessary to go to the context of any passage to determine the way in which the term is used.
For example, there is a specific way the word apostle is used to establish the office of apostle in Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” In this sense, there is a distinction between the office held by some, and the description given to Barnabas in Acts 14.
Extreme Responses to Preaching
In Acts 13 & 14, the Holy Spirit records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. The men traveled to Cyprus, and the established churches in Galatia before returning to Antioch in Syria to give a report of their efforts.
The journey was momentous. The response to the preaching of the gospel was interesting to say the least. Paul and Barnabas were very successful in converting souls, both Jew and Gentile, to the Lord. For example, on the isle of Cyprus even the proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted (13:12). In Antioch of Pisidia (13:48), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (14:21-22), and Derbe (21), many souls were saved.
However, the journey was characterized by extreme and inappropriate responses to their efforts as well. Consider the following: Elymas the sorcerer interfered in their efforts to share the gospel with Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (13:8). Some Jews in Antioch of Pisidia spoke blasphemies against them, and persecuted them (13:45,50). An attempt was made to stone them in Iconium (14:5), and they actually did stone Paul in Lystra (14:19).
At the other extreme, in Lystra the city began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This seemed to upset the men even more than the persecutions. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes… saying, ‘Men and brethren why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (14:14-15).
The only appropriate response to the gospel is to believe! Any other response is extreme and wrong.
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Sermon: Build and Grow
Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.
