Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
The Patternists: The Cost of Obedience
King Nebuchadnezzar had an image of gold made, proclaiming that all nations fall down and worship the image. Refusal to do so would result in death by fire.
At the signal given, “all the people, nations and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Daniel 3:7).
Three Jews did not obey King Nebuchadnezzar. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego would not serve the gods of Babylon or worship the image Nebuchadnezzar had commissioned.
Their refusal came with great consequence. The text reveals that the king, “in rage and fury, gave the command to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego” (3:13). He demanded obedience from the three.
Draw Back to Perdition
In Hebrews 10 a hypothetical circumstance is expressed by the writer concerning willful sin. For the Christian who sins willfully there is great consequence. A willful disregard for truth (26-28), for the Son of God, (29) and the Holy Spirit (29) leads to condemnation.
God supplied only the gospel of Jesus Christ as the power to salvation (cf. Romans 1:16). He supplied only Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for sin. He supplied only His Spirit as the agent of inspiration. A rejection of these leaves one with only a “fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries” (27).
It is hard to imagine any Christian who would turn away from what God has offered, and he has tasted. However, some do. Peter described such as like a dog returning to his own vomit, and “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:22).
Some Christians to whom Hebrews was written were like this. They were not progressing (cf. 5:12-6:6). Some were not attending worship, and were in need of edification (10:25-26). But, the writer expresses confidence in 10:39, “But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”
Perdition means utter destruction. Read the verse again. What kind of Christian are you? One who draws back to perdition? Or one whose faith persists to the reward?
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Sermon: Walking in Truth
A discussion about the emphasis that John places upon obedience to the truth that abides in us, using the text of 2 John. Truth, commandments, doctrine, they all mean the same thing in the context of the epistle. This is necessary for fellowship with God.
Included in the lesson is this wonderful poem about God’s word, attributed to John Clifford.
The Anvil of God’s Word
“Last eve I paused beside the blacksmith’s door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.
“‘How many anvils have you had,’ said I,
‘To wear and batter all these hammers so?’
‘Just one,’ said he, and then with twinkling eye,
‘The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.’
“And so, I thought, the Anvil of God’s Word
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
|The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone.”
Sermon: What is Conversion?
Speaker: Josh Jackson
In this lesson, Josh defines what true conversion is as found in scripture, and explains how one can make such a complete change to serve God.
The Problem with Dancing
For the entire time I have been preaching the gospel of our Lord, I have been asked this question, “What is wrong with dancing?” The answer to that question is not difficult, but it is a question that takes a few paragraphs to explain. So please bear with me as I describe the problem.
First, understand that there is nothing inherently wrong with movement accompanied by music. If that were so we would all have to be absolutely motionless when any music is heard. That is absurd. There is no prohibition in scripture regarding movement accompanied by music, either instrumental or vocal.
The Patternists: So Walk in Him
In the book of Colossians, Paul warns his brethren about turning away from Christ, to embrace something else. He wrote, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).
Paul’s exhortation to “walk in Him” is not without explanation. He clearly emphasizes that walking in Jesus is being established and abounding in the faith that they have been taught. Truly, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Open Your Hearts to Us
We live in cynical times. The dishonesty and fickleness of the world makes it difficult for us to trust our fellow man. We see everywhere politicians breaking campaign promises, marital infidelities and corrupt businesses acting in unethical ways. Each of us from time to time may have experienced betrayal even from family and friends. Perhaps we even have been guilty of failing others in this regard.
However, there are many faithful Christians that we can trust. They love God, and love us, and we can be confident that they are always looking out for what is best for us. It is a wonderful thing to find a faithful brother or sister, especially if we take advantage of their goodness by letting ourselves trust them.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to died together and to live together” (2 Corinthians 7:2-3).
There is no doubt that Paul was true to his word. He was a wonderful man, who even while admonishing the Corinthian Christians, only wanted what was best for them. If they opened their hearts to Paul, they could be sure he would do anything to help them, even to die for them.
You know Christians like that! Open your hearts to them! And look at your own heart, are you such a person?
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Sermon: The True Bread of Life (6:22-40)
Lesson 13 in series (6:22-40)
Jesus admonished the people for seeking carnal bread, rather than seeking Him, the true bread of life.
The Patternists: Why Will God Condemn Men to Hell?
Time and again we hear objections raised to the concept of hell, based on God’s supposed love for man. “If God loves man so much”, some say, “there is no way He would ever send them to eternal torment!” In this, they misunderstand God’s motivation and capabilities.
First, God does love men, and desires everyone to be saved. God desires every single person (who has ever lived, is living now, and ever will live), to go live with Him in heaven for eternity. This truth is evident in scripture. For example, Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for conditions to allow men to live “quiet and peaceable” lives in “all godliness and reverence.” This exhortation is explained, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Why Will God Condemn Men to Hell?”
The Danger of Idleness
There is an interesting correlation between idleness and sin. Most are familiar with the saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Though the origin of the saying is unknown, it’s use dates back to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and probably had it’s inspiration from principles that are found in scripture.
Proverbs 16:27 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.” The Living Bible paraphrase rather inaccurately rendered this scripture, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” But, that is not really what the passage is saying.
Paul did have something to say about idleness, however. In his second letter to the Thessalonians he wrote, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (3:10-12).
Work serves two purposes. It allows for self-sufficiency. It shows a lack of character when you can support your and yours, and you allow others to do it instead. And, it keeps you busy, so that you do not concern yourself with inappropriate things. Truly, “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop!”
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Sermon: Cannot See Afar Off
Some people are spiritually nearsighted. They cannot see far behind, remembering their former life of sin. They cannot see far ahead, being mindful of their heavenly hope. They cannot see far within, to examine themselves as to whether they are in the faith.
Sermon: The Witnesses for Jesus (5:31-47)
Lesson 12 in series (5:31-47)
John the Baptist, God Himself, and Moses all bear witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Sermon: Is There Anything I Have to Do?
More and more religious people are insistent that man has to do nothing to be saved, save to trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Is this a scriptural concept? No, it is not!
Sermon: What’s Standing Between You and Your Blessing?
Speaker: Justin Carrell
God wants us to receive great and wonderful blessings from Him. If we are not receiving them, then there is obviously something wrong on our end, which needs remedying.
Sermon: Competing for a Crown
Based on 1 Corinthians 9:25, the sermon establishes the importance of self-control, rule following and endurance for the Christian. Using the metaphor of athletic endeavor, which the apostle Paul used as illustration.
