Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: The Church as Family
Speaker: Ian Tilley
Ian Tilley describes and shows by the scripture what it is like to be a member of a faithful congregation of God’s people. As Christians, we are a family!
Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger
JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:
Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)
- A discussion of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. A religious terrorist who became a wonderful example of the saving power of God’s grace.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World
- In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday Class: Successful Marriages
- Foundational teaching on the subject of marriage. Principles which, if followed, will guarantee strong marriages existing in accord with God’s desire.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians
- The world hated Jesus Christ because of His mission and righteousness. He promised that the world would hate his followers as well. In our day such hate is prominent.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race
- A runner himself, brother Bronger uses the Hebrew writer’s imagery in Hebrews 12:1-2 to establish a few important truths regarding the race the Christian runs.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns
- A powerful lesson on rebellion and redemption, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Young people need to hear this message!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?
- If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
- There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
There is No Wisdom
How often the righteous are derided as ignorant and superstitious. We are told that a belief in God is a belief in fairy tales. The truly educated, it is contended, have no use for such a crutch.
The dependence upon scripture as a standard of morality is condemned. As the enlightenment of man continues, our moral standards must evolve and improve. No longer should we judge others with dogmatic contentions about the rightness and wrongness of moral choices others make. Social warriors rail against those with the temerity to speak out against sin.
Even religious people today often follow their own counsel rather than the counsel of God. Doctrinal views are established by the opinions and speculations of men rather than an appeal to the Bible.
The wise man had something to say about these attacks on faith that are present in every generation, but seemingly pervasive in our own:
“There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30).
Such human wisdom is not wisdom at all. It is simply the presumptuous railing of the ignorant, who refuse to hear the words of the Lord.
No man is wise who rejects the wisdom that descends from above (cf. James 3:13-18). Don’t be intimidated by the claims of the unrighteous…they lack understanding.
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Sermon: The Burning Bush
In Exodus 3, Jehovah spoke to Moses from the midst of a bush that burned, but was not consumed. A number of important lessons can be learned from that occasion.
Things to Learn from the Wise Man
The book of Proverbs teaches us a myriad of important lessons we need to heed. In doing so, we will both please God, and will enrich our lives and relationships. Here are a few things I have learned by reading the book of Proverbs. (Note: In order, from chapter 1 on, until I run out of space in this article).
True knowledge comes when we begin to fear God (1:7). It is important to listen to parental wisdom (1:8). Ignore evil people (1:11-19). Exercise discretion to avoid the pitfalls of evil (2:11-17). Sexual immorality leads to destruction (2:18-22).
Obeying righteousness leads to a long and peaceful life (3:1-8). Be receptive to God’s chastening, as it brings understanding (3:11-14). When you can help others, do so right then, don’t put it off (3:27-28). Don’t pick fights (3:30). God punishes wickedness and rewards righteousness (3:32-33). Don’t lie (4:24).
How Does It Look to You?
How the world views it:
“Yes, they had an affair. But, people fall in and out of love. It’s nobody’s fault, really. God wants His children to be happy. You shouldn’t judge them.”
“The most important thing in George’s life is making money. He works his fingers to the bone, and is always thinking about, and trying to get rich. That’s not for me, but to each their own. You do you, and I’ll do me.”
“Old Billy is the consummate gambler. And he is good at it! Be careful around him, or he will fleece you, and take all you’ve got. He’s a good old boy, and a lot of fun to be around. Just keep your hand on your wallet!”
Tender Mercies
In Colossians 3:12, one of the characteristics that Paul indicated the elect should “put on” is “tender mercies.” The KJV and Young’s literal translation put it most literally, “bowels of mercy.” The ASV and ESV have it “a heart of compassion” and “compassionate hearts”, respectively.
It is not surprising Paul would use such biological terms to indicate the seat of empathy. We do the same, which is why the newer translations use the word heart to translate the phrase. We talk about broken hearts, tender hearts and smitten hearts. Here, the apostle is talking about the need for the child of God to be compassionate, and to express that compassion to others.
Paul used the same words in Philippians 2:1, indicating that such compassion is the appropriate response of a child of God who has experienced consolation in Christ.
Adam Clarke, in his commentary on Philippians, said it well. He notes that bowels of mercy indicate legitimate compassion, not merely outward action:
“Though I know that to put on, and to be clothed with, are figurative expressions, and mean to assume such and such characters and qualities; yet there may be a higher meaning here. The apostle would have them to feel the slightest touch of another’s misery; and, as their clothes are put over their body, so their tenderest feeling should be always within the reach of the miserable. Let your feelings be at hand, and feel and commiserate as soon as touched.”
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Sermon: Philosophy
Paul warned against the deceitful words of philosophy that come from misguided men. Our lesson examines four different philosophers, contrasting them with the truths found in God’s word.
Sermon: The Life of Paul
An examination of the apostle Paul’s life, discussing his persecution of the church, his conversion, his work, and his reward.
The Patternists: The Bearer of Bad News
Jeroboam was rewarded by God with the 10 tribes which made up the northern kingdom of Israel. He became their king, according to the prophet Ahijah, because the reign of Solomon led to Israel forsaking Jehovah, and engaging in idolatry, cf. 1 Kings 11:29-39. His tenure as king was conditioned upon his obedience to God. The prophet Ahijah shared with Jeroboam these words from God, “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in my ways, do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, I will give Israel to you” (38).
Jeroboam responded to Jehovah’s gift of the northern kingdom by rebelling against Him. Just as Solomon led Israel into idolatry, Jeroboam encouraged the northern Kingdom he ruled to worship gold calves he had fashioned for them.
Love in Deed and Truth
A common theme of the apostle John in his letters is the need to love your brothers and sisters in Christ. He states in 1 John 3:10, “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” Love is the characteristic that distinguishes God’s people from the rest of society. “We know that we have passed from death to live, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (3:14).
The concept of love can be nebulous. When someone says, “I love you,” what do they mean? What kind of love is it? Is it philanthropy? (A love of mankind in general)? It is fondness? Is it romantic attachment? Consider the young lady seeking to kindly dissuade the young man who seeks to woo her, “I love you, just not in that way.”
In the call to love your brother, the great apostle clearly establishes what is intended by the words. He writes in 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” This does not mean that it is wrong to proclaim our love for our brother, rather that we are to show that love through action! Anything less is below the standard established by the Holy Spirit.
So, the next time you want to profess your love for your brother in Christ, express it through actions that accord with God’s call to righteousness. It is easy to talk the talk, but God expects us to walk the walk!
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Sermon: Sinful Lusts
Defining it, determining its origin, discussing who is vulnerable, and a discussion of the admonitions against the lust that brings sin and death.
Sermon: Choosing a Good Local Church
Speaker: Josh Cox
A discussion of the scriptural guidelines that should be considered when considering which local congregation of Christians to join.
The Patternists: The Model Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in His sermon recorded in Matthew 5-6. The prayer is found in 6:9-13:
“In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.”
This prayer rather unfortunately has been designated as the Lord’s Prayer. I say unfortunately because it has become the practice of many to recite it as a prayer to God, rather than offering prayers “in this manner.”
Turn to Me with all your heart
“‘Now, therefore,’ says the Lord, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.’ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:12-13).
The date of Joel’s writing is undetermined. Many speculate, but no one knows for sure. All that his known is that his warning to God’s people is for them to repent of their sins, and turn themselves back to Him.
The language used in this passage teaches us the nature of true repentance. “Turn to Me with all your heart…” indicates that repentance requires full submission to the Lord. You can’t have true repentance if you reserve the “right” to do as you will in any matter. “I will repent, but…” has no place in the Christian’s confession.
In order for repentance to be accepted by God it must be fully sincere. The phrase, “So rend your heart, and not your garments” shows this perfectly. Too often men make a show of sorrow, to lead men to think they are truly repentant. The Jews of Jesus day did this, disfiguring their faces while fasting (cf. Matthew 16:6), and praying on the corners of the streets “that they may be seen by men” (Matthew 6:5). When men see actions, God sees the heart.
Repentance must be total and heartfelt. If it is, God is “gracious and merciful” and just to forgive!
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