Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: Give Me A Drink (4:1-26)
Lesson 7 in series (John 4:1-26)
Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, identifying Himself at the “living water”, and the “way, truth and life.”
The Practices of the Wicked
In Deuteronomy 18, Moses warned the children of Israel about taking up the practices of the pagan nations they would displace as they entered the land of promise.
“When you come into the land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord, and because of these abominations the Lord your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the Lord your God has not appointed such for you” (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
The practices enumerated by Moses were characteristic of the pagan societies of the day. There was much superstition and cruelty at that time, and these nations had displeased God.
The Patternists: Great Harlotry
The Hebrew word translated harlotry in the Old Testament (NKJV) is zanah. It is translated whoredom in the KJV of the text. Actually, the entire phrase “has committed great harlotry” is the translation of that single word, as it is found in Hosea 1:2.
The word indicates wantonness. In effect, harlotry is to fornication as gluttony is to eating. Strong, in expressing this, adds to the definition “to commit adultery, usually of the female” words such as continually, great, and go a-whoring.
I Press On
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 1:12). Paul’s words here are often passed over in favor of quoting the two that follow. “Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).
But, verse 12 adds much to the thought Paul is expressing in the text. Primarily, it states the fact that Paul had not yet attained whatever “that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” is. What is it? The glorious prize! The crown of righteousness!
You have two religious attitudes that prevail in our day. The first is the view that because I have been saved, the attaining of the goal is a fait accompli. I may should press on, but I don’t have to press on. I am saved. I am going to heaven. My eternal destiny is set.
The second is that expressed by Paul in our text. He was saved, but he knew that the crown of righteousness had not yet been awarded. As such, he lived with purpose. He sought daily to maintain his relationship with the Lord, pressing forward to attain the goal. He did not want to become a castaway! (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul’s attitude is the correct one. Don’t presume, get to work!
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Sermon: Correction and Pedagogy
God corrects and teaches His people. In the same way, parents are to correct and teach their children, and churches their members.
Sermon: “Judge not that you be not judged”
Speaker: Josh Cox
This lesson discusses Jesus teaching on the subject of judging.
God’s Imperative
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Paul speaks of many wonderful and important things in the first three verses of this wonderful chapter. He refers to the important sign of tongue speaking. He writes of inspired prophecy. He mentions faith and generous acts of benevolence. He refers even to martyrdom, the supreme sacrifice of life for God. Then he says that without love, none of these things have value.
The Patternists: The Restoration Concept
The second book of Chronicles, in chapter 28 describes the reign of King Ahaz in Judah. He became “increasingly unfaithful to the Lord” (vs. 22). He sacrificed to idols and desecrated the temple. In so doing, he “provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers” (vs. 25).
Remembering Without Ceasing
The apostle Paul’s affection for other Christians was always evident in his letters to the churches. For example, he began his letter to the Thessalonians with these words:
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4).
It is obvious that these words were sincerely stated. They serve as a wonderful example to us. They tell us just how mindful we should be of our brethren, and just how much they should mean to us.
Two phrases are especially meaningful. “We give thanks always for you all” and “remembering without ceasing.” Paul was aware of their faith, love and hope in Jesus Christ. He appreciated their labor for the Lord, and was mindful that they were God’s elect. He had an affinity for them that led him to pray for them frequently. He acknowledged that the gospel had changed them, and its power was evident in the fruit that they bore for God. For this, He thanked God for them and their work.
Are we as mindful for, and thankful for our brethren? Do we appreciate them? Do we thank God for them, and intercede on their behalf? It’s something to think about.
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Sermon: Philip’s Preaching in Samaria
A sermon showing the power of the gospel in the conversion of men, illustrated by the preaching Philip did in the region of Samaria.
Sermon: The Purity of Our Motivation
In 2 Corinthians 5:12-21, the apostle discusses his motivation to serve Christ. A lesson we all would do well to heed.
Exhortations to Reading
“Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16).
Paul’s exhortation to the Colossians clearly shows the importance of reading scripture. He intended that his epistle (letter) be read by the Colossians, and then sent to the Laodiceans that they might read it as well. And vice versa. Why? Because the principles found in them have universal application to believers. When combined, all the writings of scripture (God’s revelation) perfect a man, equipping him for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Those principles are equally applicable in our time. We too should read scripture. In this way, as Paul states, we can fully understand God’s revelation to man.
“How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:3-4).
Do you like to read? Maybe not. Some don’t have the love of reading that others do. Here’s another question. Do you love reading God’s word? That’s different. Even if reading in general is “not your thing”, surely an opportunity to know the revelation of God to man is something that piques the curiosity, and overcomes any resistance to the work of reading. The reward is well worth the effort!
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Sermon: Learning from Israel’s Fall
Israel made many mistakes, leading to her punishment and fall. We can learn from her mistakes.
The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?
A question I often ask in Bible class, “What is the ‘therefore’ there for?” When you see the word in the Bible, it typically serves to connect a truth with a proper response. In effect, “This is so, therefore do that.”
Such events in scripture help to flesh out the proper response of a child of God to circumstances, scenarios, provocations and blessings. Let me give you a few examples from scripture.
Continue reading “The Patternists: What is the “therefore” there for?”
Be The Exception
A friend recently lent me a book to read. There is much good material in it. In one chapter, the basic premise is the need to recognize that the world is broken.
It is not something that should shock us. Rather than get surprised and offended when we see evil, we should instead note its commonality, and give thanks to God for His intervention and ultimate cure for sin. Following is a quote from the book:
War is not exceptional; peace is. Worry is not exceptional; trust is. Decay is not exceptional; restoration is. Anger is not exceptional; gratitude is. Selfishness is not exceptional; sacrifice is. Defensiveness is not exceptional; love is. And judgmentalism is not exceptional… But grace is.
(Brant Hansen, Unoffendable, page 40)
It is in this way that Christians are able to be an influence for good in our world (cf. Matthew 5:13-14). In the midst of a broken world, we are to be peacemakers, to trust in God, to edify, to give thanks, to give, to love, and to forgive.
We are to be as God is, who has extended His grace to all mankind. It is easy to “walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” (cf. Ephesians 4:17). Instead, “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24).
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