Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
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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Sermon: For God So Loved the World (3:9-21)
Lesson 6 in series (John 3:9-21)
The conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus continues, and Jesus talks of death by crucifixion, God’s grace, and the necessity of faith and repentance.
Walk Worthy of the Calling
“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Since familiarizing myself with the verse above, it has been my common practice to pray to God that my walk be worthy of that calling to which God has called me. In this, I acknowledge that such a walk is my responsibility. In other words, by prayer I can not petition God to overlook my sins, and find me acceptable despite any ongoing rebellion on my part. Rather, my prayer is that I am living in such a way as to satisfy the standard God has established.
That is not to say that I can’t and don’t pray that God forgive me of my sins and failures. I can and do. It is simply an acknowledgment that God requires an obedient faithfulness on the part of His children. Paul recognized this, and begged the Ephesians that they would act as God had called them to act.
His description of that behavior is not exhaustive, but certainly representative. Lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, love and a peaceful disposition should characterize the actions of every child of God.
Are you walking worthy of this calling to which God has called you?
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Sermon: The Danger of Clericalism
The historical distinction between the Clergy and Laity is not authorized by scripture, and consistently leads to apathy and a lack of involvement in spiritual matters on the part of the laity. This problem has even influenced some in the Lord’s church.
Sermon: Fall 2019 Meeting with Kevin Kay
Our Fall 2019 Meeting with Kevin Kay too place on November 2-7. Sermon audio, Powerpoints and Video of each sermon can be found below:
The Faith of Abraham
Judas: The Man Who Betrayed Jesus
Pilate: The Coward Who Condemned Jesus
Barabbas: The Criminal Set Free
A Centurion’s Rare Faith
Moses Had Problems Too!
Lessons from Manasseh
And He Appointed Twelve
Sermon: The Christian and Charitable Giving
Speaker: Joshua Jackson
Joshua examines whether it is scriptural for a Christian to give charitably to religious organizations like the Shriners (Masonic Lodge) or the Salvation Army.
