Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: For Conscience’ Sake
Paul expresses the type of attitude we should have toward Jews, Gentiles and God’s people, always expressing and showing concern for how our actions may impact our reputation, and the spiritual welfare of others.
Sermon: A Hard Heart
Hebrews 3 uses the Israelites in the wilderness as an object lesson about hardening our hearts against God. How does it happen, and can it happen to us? These are important questions to answer.
The Wise and the Foolish
Listening to the radio last week, the sports commentator was discussing a coach’s evaluation of one of his rookie players. He noted that the young man was very smart and teachable. He mentioned that this player seldom made the same mistake twice, and he never had to correct him more than once. Because of this aspect of his character, the coach was confident that the player would have a successful career as a professional.
The conversation brought to my mind the words of Proverbs 17:10, “Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.” With each of us there is the potential for mistakes. These may come from ignorance, or perhaps because we have been taught wrongly in the past. What distinguishes the wise man from the fool is whether correction is accepted.
As the Deer
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2).
What a beautiful sentiment expressed here by the Psalmist. A famished deer, longing for the water that gives relief and refreshment — is used to express the desire the man of God has for His maker.
Did you know that in the midst of a secular world, where evolutionary theory and humanistic influences are used to attack faith in the Almighty, fully 89% of Americans still believe in God. Only 11% deny His existence, and only 9% total express their denial in sure terms (2014 Pew Research Study).
It is hard to destroy faith in God’s existence, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). Unfortunately, it is much easier to undermine the effects of that belief.
The Psalmist wrote, “When shall I come and appear before God?” He desired to return to the sanctuary to worship the Creator. His faith was strong, and His desire for the Almighty stirred His spirit. Think of that next time you are deciding whether you wish to come to the sanctuary yourself. Do you long to come and worship your God?
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The Bible
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Bible is a familiar book to many. It is actually a library of 66 different books, 39 of them in what has been designated the Old Testament, 27 of them in the New Testament. There are books of history, law, poetry and prophecy, as well as gospels (volumes of “good news”) about Jesus Christ, and letters, both private, and public in nature. The Old Testament is a foundational text of the religion of Judaism. The entirety of the Bible is respected by those who call themselves Christians.
Sermon: The Judgment of Stewardship
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 give us some interesting and important insight into the importance of stewardship, and the reality that judgment comes from God, not man.
Sermon: The Establishment of False Religion
Judges chapters 17 and 18 record a man of Ephraim called Micah, who established his own religion by fashioning and idol, and hiring a Levite to be his priest. The record of Micah supplies some surprising parallels to the establishment of false religion in every age, including our own.
Spiritual Surgery
Recently I came across a sermon outline by Joe Price titled Spiritual Surgery. (He preached it a couple of months ago). This article is basically a fleshing out of the three main points in his outline.
The apostle Paul, in Colossians 2, refers to a spiritual circumcision, using the token of the covenant between God and Israel to make an important point. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:11-12).
As physical circumcision was surgical removal (a cutting off, cf. Genesis 17:10-11; Galatians 5:12). Paul uses the same language to indicate they were to remove or put off the body of the sins of the flesh. This was not an unfamiliar concept to the Jews. In fact, Moses said something similar as he called upon the Israelites to repent of their transgressions against God in Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”
The Patternists: Defining “My” God
I came across a survey taken last December by the Pew Research Center. The title of the survey, “When Americans say they believe in God, what do they mean?”
The survey sampling revealed that 80% of people believe in God, and another 9% believe in some kind of higher power/spiritual force. That’s 9 in 10 Americans.
However, of the 80% that believe in God, only 56% percent of them believe in God as described in the Bible. More and more individuals feel free to describe God in their own terms rather than the terms He used to describe Himself!
An Excellent Wife (Or Husband)
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones” (Proverbs 12:4).
The book of Proverbs was written by a father desiring to share wisdom with his son. In this case, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. We can as easily state that an excellent husband is a true blessing, but a husband that causes shame is like a cancer to his wife.
This truth is why it is so important to choose carefully the one who will be your companion for life. Jesus said, “So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6).
Marriage is a lifetime commitment. No man or woman has the right to renege on that commitment. The decision to marry has an impact not only on the rest of your life, but on your eternal destiny. When choosing, it is important to marry one who will help you to reach heaven. Be sure that no other person in your life will have a greater impact upon your standing with God.
It is possible to overcome a bad choice. However, it is not easy. There will always be regret and difficulty if your life companion is an obstacle rather than a blessing.
Choose wisely and well!
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Sermon: The Preacher and the Penitent
Luke’s narrative of the conversion of Cornelius and his household is unique in its use of two viewpoints to relate the facts. Both the preacher and the penitent are followed, with the two meeting as the gospel is preached and souls are saved.
Sermon: Boasting Against the Lord
There are many who seek to elevate themselves against God. They quickly learn that God is sovereign, and humbles the proud. Victory is found in humble service to the Lord.
Sermon: The Promises of God
The lesson shows that some of God’s promises are unconditional in nature, while others are conditional. God’s most wonderful promises are available through His Son Jesus, showing God’s mercy and grace.
The Patternists: “Saul died for his unfaithfulness”
1 Chronicles, chapter 10 describes the death of Saul at the hands of the Philistines. As the battle turned against Israel, the King and his three sons all retreated with the Philistines hard on their heals. All three sons were killed, and Saul was wounded by the archers in the Philistine army. Saul requested his armorbearer kill him, “lest these uncircumcised men come and abuse me” (vs. 4). When his servant would not, Saul fell upon his sword and died. The Philistines the next day came upon Saul, they beheaded him, and “fastened his head in the temple of Dagon” (vs. 10).
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Entrusted with the Gospel
God gave the apostles the work of presenting the gospel to the world. Paul wrote, “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
By extension, any time any Christian shares the gospel of the Lord, he is acting as a steward. As Paul wrote, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).
It is logical, and also scriptural to assert that our speech when proclaiming the gospel is to conform to God’s expectations rather than men. Paul warned Timothy of a time when men would not want to hear the truth, and would instead “heap up for themselves” teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear rather than what they needed to hear (cf. 2 Timothy 4:2-4).
Two questions we need to ask ourselves:
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Are we the type of stewards who feel compelled to speak God’s word, as God desires?
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Are we the type of listeners who are willing to listen to and heed truth, no matter how much it hurts?
Being entrusted with the gospel is special. It requires faithfulness and dedication on our part. May we all, like Paul, take this honor given us by God, and act in a worthy manner.
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