Category: Preaching
Subject: Preaching
Sermon: Live from the Gospel (1 Corinthians 9:14)
In 1 Corinthians 9:14 the apostle indicated God’s intent that the preacher of the gospel should be materially supported while doing his work. The principle is examined here.
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Sermon: The Great Commission
A study of Matthew 28, detailing Jesus’ instructions to his disciples to go into the world and MAKE disciples.
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Not Tedious, But Safe
How do you feel about gospel preaching? Admonition? Chastisement? The Bible is replete with passages condemning sin, warning about sin, detailing what sin is, and discussing ad naseum the consequences of sin. Do you get tired of it? Do you wish the emphasis was different than it seems to be? Continue reading “Not Tedious, But Safe” →
Sermon: Hearing the Word
A description given by James in James 1:21-22 as to the correct way to approach the preaching of the gospel.
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Sermon: How to Handle the Gospel
Neither the religious world, not our secular society have any real idea how to correctly handle the word of God. This lesson establishes 7 truths on the matter.
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Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:24-29
Our text here refers to Paul’s ministry as an apostle of Jesus Christ. Said ministry impacted the Colossians, but was for all of the body of Christ, which is the church.
He was happy to do this, as this was a privilege (and duty) granted to him by God. He was a steward (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:2), to preach the mystery of Christ, and such fulfill the word of God.
The saints, the chosen of God, are called by the gospel of Christ (cf. Romans 1:16). It was at this time in history (the last days) that God “willed to make known” the benefits of believing and accepting Jesus Christ, “the hope of Glory.”
And so, Paul preached. His message consisted of warning those who were not obedient to God, and to teach Christians, that “we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
He was fully devoted (cf. Romans 1:15). It was “to this end I also labor.” He did not consider himself to do anything of his own accord (cf. Galatians 2:20). What Paul did as an apostle were works God had given him to do! (cf. Ephesians 2:10).
Rebuke With All Authority
In Titus 2:15, after revealing things that Titus should concern himself with at Crete, he wrote, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
Who was Titus? Well, he was a Greek man that Paul had converted. It seems that he was younger than Paul, because he is often put into the same category by the apostle and others as the young man Timothy. Paul’s words here seem to echo his admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, and he calls himself a spiritual father to both men because of his influence in having them converted. (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). Regardless, Paul had confidence in Titus as he did the work of an evangelist on the isle of Crete.
The phrase “rebuke with all authority” brings the question, who is Titus to speak to others in this way, and why should he not be despised for doing so? Well, the authority of Titus did not exist in his person or age, but in his work. The rebukes ultimately came from the Holy Spirit! In effect, Titus was merely the mouthpiece, a servant doing the Master’s bidding. His words had authority because what he was repeating in his exhortations and rebuke had their genesis with the Lord.
The phrase, “Let no one despise you” seems to be within the power of Titus. And so it is less about the unfair scorn of others, and more about Titus conducting himself so as to not be taken advantage of by evil men. He had to be diligent to refute error and deal with sophistry.
Sermon: Warnings From Hebrews
A number of warnings concerning improper attitudes toward the word of God, given by the writer of Hebrews.
The Pain of Admonition
Paul the apostle experienced great pain when it was necessary to admonish, as we all should. And yet, he always did what was right for his brethren, no matter the personal discomfort that came to him individually.
Sermon: Positive VS Negative
Stan Cox preaches on the importance of declaring the whole counsel of God (cf. Acts 20), without straying to solely positive preaching or solely negative preaching. Jesus, Stephen and Paul are all used as examples to follow.
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Meeting Week
The week of a gospel meeting can be challenging as we set aside time throughout the week to come hear the Bible taught by qualified men.
The week reminds me of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4. He made the point that our physical existence prepares us for our eternal reward with God. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (7). As such Paul characterized his teaching in this way, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
This is true both for the teacher and the student. Paul was very aware of his mortality, and yet endured even through suffering to prepare himself and his hearers for eternity. Our treasure in heaven is most important, and we have an opportunity this week to allow the “inward man” to gain great advantage through our worship and the teaching we will receive.
It is a question of importance and priority. Other things press upon us each day, but occasionally we set things aside to attend and luxuriate in a spiritual feast. “Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psalm 119:12-16).
Accommodation and Principle
Acts 16 details the decision Paul made to take a young man named Timothy with him on his preaching journey. Timothy was the “son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek” (1).
The scripture says that since Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, he had this 50% Jewish man circumcised. The reason given in the passage, “because of the Jews there in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek” (3). Continue reading “Accommodation and Principle” →
Extreme Responses to Preaching
In Acts 13 & 14, the Holy Spirit records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. The men traveled to Cyprus, and the established churches in Galatia before returning to Antioch in Syria to give a report of their efforts.
The journey was momentous. The response to the preaching of the gospel was interesting to say the least. Paul and Barnabas were very successful in converting souls, both Jew and Gentile, to the Lord. For example, on the isle of Cyprus even the proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted (13:12). In Antioch of Pisidia (13:48), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (14:21-22), and Derbe (21), many souls were saved.
However, the journey was characterized by extreme and inappropriate responses to their efforts as well. Consider the following: Elymas the sorcerer interfered in their efforts to share the gospel with Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (13:8). Some Jews in Antioch of Pisidia spoke blasphemies against them, and persecuted them (13:45,50). An attempt was made to stone them in Iconium (14:5), and they actually did stone Paul in Lystra (14:19).
At the other extreme, in Lystra the city began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This seemed to upset the men even more than the persecutions. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes… saying, ‘Men and brethren why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (14:14-15).
The only appropriate response to the gospel is to believe! Any other response is extreme and wrong.
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Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell
Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.
The theme: “Can you show”
Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)
Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)
Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)
Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)
Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)
Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)
Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)
Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)
Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)
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The Faith of Ananias
Ananias, the preacher whose message brought Saul to obedience exhibited great faith to go to Damascus to share the gospel with him.
Saul of Tarsus quickly established his name as a chief persecutor of Christians. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. We are told that he “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). In Acts 9, shortly before Ananias met him, we are told that Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) as he came to the city of Damascus.
And now, a disciple in Damascus was told to go to where Saul was staying to preach to him.
We might think, well of course he would go, this was a vision from the Lord. However, there are examples in the past where men either questioned and equivocated (Moses) or even disobeyed (Jonah) such a message from God.
Not Ananias. He told the Lord that he was aware of Saul’s reputation, and even his purpose in Damascus (Acts 9:13-14). But, at the Lord’s insistence, “Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ’Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you cam, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:17).
We rightly champion Saul who became a great apostle. But, Ananias deserves our praise and thanksgiving as well.
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