Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: The Coming of the Lord
The apostle Paul sought to comfort the Thessalonians by explaining what would happen to the righteous dead when the Lord comes again. His words show first, the comfort that comes with our hope; and second, the need to be steadfast in our walk as Christians, that we might be prepared for that day. (1 Thessalonians 4 & 5).
Sermon: Establish and Encourage
The actions of Christians throughout the world, who show themselves examples of purity, faithfulness and zeal, serve to encourage and establish their brethren.
Sermon: Why Do We Praise God?
We praise God because He the Sovereign Creator of all things. And, he deigns to show his mercy and love for us His creation. In short, we praise Him because He is worthy of our adoration!
Sermon: 9 Tools to Handle Challenges
It helps to have a spiritual “toolbox” with all of the tools needed to effectively handle the challenges of life. Fortunately, God has supplied us with those tools.
The Patternists: The Chastisement of the Lord
Hosea prophesied during a very dark period in Israel’s history. To show to Hosea and the people how far they had fallen from Him, He had the prophet take a harlot as a wife. The reason? “For the land has committed great harlotry by departing from the Lord” (Hosea 1:2).
Hosea married the harlot Gomer, and she conceived and bore him children. The name of each child was given by God, as a means of emphasizing the broken relationship between God and His people. Hosea’s first son was named Jezreel, “for in a little while I will avenge the bloodshed of Jezreel on the house of Jehu, and bring an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel” (1:4). His first daughter was named Lo-Ruhamah, “for I will no longer have mercy on Israel, but I will utterly take them away” (1:6). Hosea’s second son was named Lo-Ammi, “for you are not My people, and I will not be your God” (1:9).
Continue reading “The Patternists: The Chastisement of the Lord”
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will drink; nor about your body, what will you put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25).
The world looks at money as the means of escaping the cares of the world. The rich can better handle the difficulties of life, or so it is believed.
In reality, the rich have their own baggage. Anecdotally, you read and hear of the unhappiness and discontent of the rich, powerful and famous every day.
It is not money that brings happiness. Rather, it is a trust in God. When our focus is on serving God, and the hope He has given us, our perspective changes. And, perspective is the key.
The Christian says, “I know that God will take care of me. He is sufficiently powerful and He loves me. I may not be rich, but if I serve Him I will have what I need.” He goes through his life laying up treasures in heaven. That is the focus of his heart (cf. Matthew 6:19-21).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (needful things) will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:33-34).
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Sermon: Raising the Widow’s Son
A discussion of Jesus’ miracle in Luke 7:11-17, where he raised from the dead the son of the widow of Nain. Lessons about compassion, and the Lordship of Jesus are applied.
Sermon: Congregational Autonomy
A discussion and defining of the scriptural concept of congregational autonomy, coupled with an examination of historical abuses.
Sermon: Lessons from Peter
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
Lessons learned from the life of the apostle Peter, with applications to our own lives.
How to Become Wise
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand” (Proverbs 19:20-21).
In these two verses is a concise explanation regarding the origin of wisdom. There are three aspects to gaining wisdom. Young people consider this carefully!
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction”
Wisdom is gained by listening to the wise. The wise have either themselves listened to others, or they have learned from their own mistakes. The problem with learning from your own mistakes is that those errors may have consequences. To avoid sadness and heartache, listen to those who have already obtained wisdom!
“that you may be wise in your latter days”
Wisdom is gained with time. The young person who recognizes his relative inexperience and ignorance is ahead of the game. Rather than embarking on any endeavor with a fool’s confidence, he seeks counsel.
“nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand”
It doesn’t matter a man’s age or experience, if he departs from God’s will, he is a fool. True wisdom has its origin with God, not man. Never depart from it!
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Sermon: The Man with a Withered Hand
19th in a series on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This text of Mark 3:1-6 examines Jesus’ healing of a man with a withered hand in the face of the ungodly opposition of the Pharisees. Hard hearts and deceitful plotting did not keep the Lord from doing what was lawful and good.
Sermon: Thinking like the World
Worldliness troubles every generation of God’s people. The cure is to identify what aspect of our thinking is influenced by ungodly influences, and to transform our mind and will to mirror the mind and will of God.
Sermon: Uriah – Victim of Treachery
Most discussions of 2 Samuel 11 center of the adultery committed by David and Bathsheba. However, a discussion of the impact David’s sin had upon the husband of Bathsheba reveals some important lessons for us.
Sermon: Teachers and Bible Classes
The lesson begins with a discussion of how the use of Bible classes by a local congregation is authorized by God, and ends with an exhortation for members to prepare to teach, and for members to understand the importance of attendance to such efforts.
