Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: The Controversy Over Fellowship
Lesson 4 of 5 in Lecturship Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Armando Vera
This lesson examines the Biblical teaching regarding the nature and limits of Christian fellowship, and the proper attitudes and actions toward disciplining the erring child of God.
Sermon: The Controversy Over Institutionalism
Lesson 3 of 5 in Lecturshipe Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
This lesson examines the Institutional issues that divided the Lord’s church in the middle of the 20th century. Such division remains today.
Sermon: 150 Years of Controversy
Lesson 2 of 5 in Lectureship Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Stan Cox
This lesson examines controversies that have troubled God’s people in the last 150 years. This is especially an examination of the Lord’s church in recent history, here in America. Issues discussed include the Missionary Society, Instrumental Music, Premillennialism & the Grace/Unity movement.
Sermon: Controversy Among the People of God
Lesson 1 of 5 in Lectureship Series.
Speaker: Stan Cox
This lesson introduces the theme, establishing the reality of controversy (as Satan does his work), and correct response of the Christian. It examines how God’s people in the first century handled the controversies that erupted.
Are You a Friend to Jesus?
Invitation by: Josh Jackson
The text of John 15 is discussed to indicate the necessity of expressing our love for Jesus, by being obedient to Him.
Sermon: Church of Christ FAQ Sheet
A number of Frequently Asked Questions about the Lord’s church, answered in this sermon.
A Militant Faith
A peculiar aspect of our culture is a tendency to shy away from any reference to militancy as a positive characteristic. I suppose that there has been so much violence that people are uncomfortable even entertaining the concept of a legitimate use of force — i.e., a defensive application.
And yet, scripture commonly makes use of the concept. For example, Paul told Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith…” In another place, Paul described the characteristics of the mature Christian in militaristic terms, exhorting the Ephesians: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:10-13). Continue reading “A Militant Faith”
FB: “You, Yourself, are to be feared”
In Psalm 76, the poet proclaimed of Jehovah, “You, Yourself, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when once you are angry? You caused judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to judgment, to deliver all the oppressed of the earth” (7-9).
An angry God is a truly awful sight. When you consider His power, and that it is “a righteous thing with God” to take vengeance on those who do not obey Him (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9), it makes clear that we should seek rather to please Him.
Lest any take from this the idea that God is hateful or capricious, we emphasize that the Lord is “longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He loves us, and desires the salvation of all. Alas, not all will come to Him. Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).
In short, God is always ready to bless those who serve Him. But, there is reason to dread the awesomeness of our God if we choose rather to disobey. Fear Him!
Paul’s View of Death – Invitation
Invitation by Stan Cox
The Apostle Paul expresses a mature and spiritual perspective toward’s death in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8. One we would do well to emulate.
Spiritual Navalwatching
I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.
“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”
John Warwick Montgomery
So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.
Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).
Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:
- Truth is objective, not subjective.
- Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
- The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
- Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).
Sermon: The Beatitudes
Third in a series on the life of Jesus. A discussion of the Beatitudes, which begin Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:1-12.
Sermon: Making Wise Decisions
The lesson consists of a series of 7 questions all Christians should ask themselves before making any decision that could impact their spiritual lives and standing with God.
FB: The Promise of God
In Peter’s first gospel sermon (Acts 2:14-39) he identified Jesus Christ as the anointed of God. One argument he used is a prophetic promise God made to King David. Peter affirmed that David, as a prophet of God, has received a sworn oath from Jehovah that “of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne” (30). Peter’s argument consisted of a mix of prophetic scripture, and Divine logic
- David was not referring to his own resurrection. Peter’s readers were aware of the fact that to that day David’s tomb remained with them (29).
- However, the prophecy indicated One who would be resurrected, and exalted to God’s right hand “The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” (34-35, cf. Psalm 110:1).
- Peter and the other apostles who spoke on that day were all eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus! He was the one of which David wrote (32).
Conclusion — Jesus is God’s anointed!
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (36).
Invitation: The Exalted Christ
Invitation by Stan Cox
Scriptures such as 1 Peter 3:22, Philippians 2:5-10, Acts 2:32-33 and Hebrews 1:1-3 all teach that God has exalted Jesus to His right hand. He is both Savior and Lord!
Sermon: Some Identifying Marks of the Lord’s Church
The description given of the Lord’s church in the New Testament differs markedly from the denominations today. His church, however, exists and is identifiable in our time.
