Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
The Patternists: When Men Dictate in Religion
Paul’s letter to the Colossians contains his defense of Christ as the basis of our standing with God. He speaks of Christ’s preeminence (1:15-18). He contends that reconciliation comes through Christ’s sacrifice (1:21-22). As such, he warns “every man” to labor and strive as he did, “according to His working which works in me mightily” (1:28-29). Notice, we are to strive according to His working.
In chapters two and three, he contrasts the salvation which is in Christ with false influences which endanger Christians. For example, he notes in (2:1-10) that human philosophy is deceptive. In Christ “are hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (2:3).
He also calls for a rejection of lustful passions in (3:10-11), “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (3:3). Because of this, the Christian is to “put off” (3:8), the sinful inclinations of the flesh.
Our attention is centered in (2:11-23). This section of the text is unfortunately labeled “Not Legalism but Christ” in my NKJV. The label misses the point of what Paul is saying.
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The Gentiles
It is obvious that the Jews during the first century had no love for other nations. The Gentiles were reviled, dismissed, and disrespected by the Jewish nation.
God had separated to Himself the Jewish nation in preparation for the Messiah’s appearance. As Paul wrote, “the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ” (Galatians 3:23).
The Jews, however, typically took an extreme view of Gentiles as unworthy of God’s mercy and salvation. It took divine intervention (the Holy Spirit “fell upon them”, cf. Acts 11:15) for the Jews to come to grips with the truth, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life” (Acts 11:18).
Paul taught differently, making two points. First, both Jew and Gentile were guilty of sin (cf. Romans 2:1-2) and stood condemned by it. Second, nationality has no bearing on an individuals standing with God, “who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’” (Romans 2:6). “For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11).
Regardless, the New Testament does speak disparagingly of the Gentiles. Paul wrote the Ephesians, “that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind” (Ephesians 4:17; cf. 1 Peter 4:1-6). This was not a criticism of their nationality, but of their characteristically sinful life. Not all Gentiles fell into this category (cf. Luke 7:1-10; Acts 10:1-4; Romans 2:26-29).
Racism is wrong. Prejudice against others is inexcusable. However, pointing out sinful works is both good and necessary. We will be judged by what we do! (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:9-11).
(Note: Image of Peter preaching to the household of Cornelius. Artist unknown. Wikipedia Commons).
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Sermon: How to Make a Local church Grow
Speaker: Josh Jackson
Josh discusses scriptural principles to encourage the brethren in growing as a congregation.
Sermon: How Heaven Views Sinners
The Parables of Luke 15 explain the view that Heaven holds regarding lost souls.
Sermon: The Rich Man – A Failure
The rich man of Luke 12, while no doubt considered a success by the world’s standards, is described as a failure because he was not right with God.
Sermon: Sin VS Righteousness
A comparison and contrast made between sin and righteousness. Sin is attractive, but righteousness is beautiful. Sin deceives, righteousness is honest. Sin enslaves, righteousness liberates. Both sin and righteousness spread. Sin defiles, righteousness partakes of the Divine nature.
Sermon: “Speaking to One Another”
A discussion about the type of music authorized by God in Christian worship. (With emphasis on the use and definition of the greek term “psallo” in the New Testament).
When Truth Doesn’t Match Conviction
This past week the Mueller report was submitted, and the Attorney General of the United States revealed that the report exonerates the President from the charge of criminal conspiracy to collude with Russia in the 2016 election. For the last two years many leaders in the opposition party were convinced that the President was guilty. Now that the report has been released, recommending no indictments, many continue to believe in his guilt.
The purpose of this article is not politics. I am aware that many want to see the report before making any final decisions, and that others will not be satisfied until they not only see the report, but the mountain of documents upon which it is based. My point is that many will stubbornly hold to their personal conviction regardless of what is actually so. And this tendency is not limited to a particular political party, or even politics itself.
Strange Things
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Have you ever experienced mistreatment, and asked the question, “Why Me Lord?”
Tempted and tried we’re oft made to wonder
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong
~ Farther Along
The reality is that Christians do not ultimately belong here. The world is antagonistic towards our faith, and it is inevitable that on occasion their opposition will result in the “fiery trial” to which Peter alludes.
Regardless, we have reason to “rejoice to the extent that [we] partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed [we] may also be glad with exceeding joy” (vs. 13). So, our suffering really is not a strange thing at all, and is a cause for rejoicing!
“…And when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (cf. Acts 5:40-42).
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The Patternists: According to All
For those who are seeking to please God, it is instructive to do a concordance search of all the times the phrase “according to all” is used in scripture. The phrase occurs on multiple occasions in the Old Testament (in English translations such as the King James, New King James and American Standard versions). The phrase is inclusive of what the “all” encompasses. Often the “all” concerns the commands of God. Consider the example in Joshua.
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7-9).
True obedience to God requires obedience to all He has commanded. It is not acceptable to pick and choose the commandments we desire to obey, and ignore the rest. Joshua’s admonition came with the promise that if they were faithful in their obedience to all of God’s commands, that they would have “good success.” The Old Testament reveals both the truthfulness of that statement, and the sad end of Israel when God’s commands were not followed.
This object lesson is applicable to men today. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). This is why it is necessary to obey the entire pattern revealed in the scriptures. As Peter said, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
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Entrusted with the Gospel
“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).
What a blessed privilege enjoyed by Paul and the rest of the apostles! These men were not famous or important people. They were tax collectors and fishermen. When the gospel was first sounded forth from Jerusalem, the Jews who heard the apostles speaking in tongues were shocked! “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?…. Whatever could this mean?” (Acts 2:7,12).
What it meant was that these men were chosen by God to bring the “power of God to salvation” – the gospel – to the world. Paul, as one born out of due time, joined that group of men with this important task. He took it seriously. He determined to please God, not men. He determined to rest in the power of the gospel, rather than seeking approval by flattering words (2:5). He determined to never seek glory, though it would have easy for him to abuse his position of authority (2:6). In short, he accepted the gravity and weight of his appointment, and acted in keeping with that responsibility. “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us” (2:8).
It is our work to continue that proclamation of the gospel of Christ. Are we exhibiting that same integrity, determination and zeal present among the apostles? If not, why not?
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Sermon: The Old and New Covenants
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh explains the differences between the covenants, and the purpose the Old Law serves for us today.
Sermon: Working Hard Spiritually
Speaker: Tommy Davis
Just as it is hard work to get in shape physically, it takes great effort to grow and mature spiritually as well.
Sermon: The Older Son
Most lessons from Luke 15 deal primarily with the Prodigal son in the parable. However, this lesson discusses the failings of the older son who remained with his father.
Sermon: Dealing with Sin
Men deal with the sin in their lives in varied ways. Some deny it, some indulge it, some excuse it, some hide it, and the righteous confess and repent of it. What do you do?
