Category: Righteousness

Subject: Righteousness

The Mob Mentality

Caronavirus

We live in harrowing times. The present pandemic is becoming more and more intrusive in the world. Not only have many died from the COVID-19 virus, but there is a growing panic in America and throughout the world.

It is hard to know whether things are as bad as they seem to be. The virus is actually fairly mild compared to others, but it is new, and seems to be easily spread. Regardless, it is being covered by the media 24/7, and is resulting in major lifestyle changes in America.

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Spiritual Surgery

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.”

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Sermon: The Christian’s Role in Politics

Speaker: Josh Cox

Josh explains some scriptural principles that should guide every Christian as we seek to navigate voting and political involvement in a divisive culture.

Sermon: “Who may abide in Your tabernacle?”

Who may dwell in Your tabernacle

According to Psalm 15, only the upright, righteous, truthful, lover of good, obedient individual is welcomed by God into His presence. Those who backbite, do evil, gossip, mistreat and harm others are not welcome.

Sermon: Sin VS Righteousness

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: What Can the Righteous Do?

What Can the Righteous Do2

David affirmed in Psalm 11 that in the midst of trial or persecution, the righteous can depend upon God as they place their trust in Him.

Sermon: Felix Trembled

Felix Trembled

When Paul spoke to the Roman governor concerning “the faith in Christ” it caused Felix to tremble with fear. Why? He spoke of righteousness to the sinner, self-control to the intemperate, and judgment to one unprepared. Felix’s fear was well founded.

“There is none who does good”

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“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good” (Psalm 53:1).

The infidel is a fool. He is wicked, living his life without the one thing that can bring good action — faith in God.

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:24-25).

There is a philosophical question that is often asked. Can atheism account for morality? In other words, without God, can there be true right and wrong, good and evil?

Accepting the reality of God, the point is moot. If God exists, and created us for His purpose, then one can’t be “good” unless one is doing God’s will. This is what the Bible affirms. Left to our own devices, we are incapable of serving God acceptably. “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). And, it is required of us, if we are to be good, to obey Him. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Don’t be a fool! Believe in God, and do His will!

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Sermon: A Living Sacrifice

A Living Sacrifice

Romans 12 well describes the life of one who presents himself to God as a living Sacrifice. Such a life includes: Thinking Soberly, Functioning Faithfully, Loving Sincerely, Serving Fervently and Living Peaceably.

Sermon: Lessons Learned from King Abijah

King Abijah

The text of 2 Chronicles teaches us that the battle is not won by superior forces or brlliant tactics. It is won when righteous men trust in their God.

Sermon: Are you a “SPIRITUAL” person?

Are You a Spiritual Person

The world defines “spiritual” in a very different way than does God’s word. The lesson identifies present attitudes, and compares them to God’s truth.

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Powerpoint Slides

Sermon: The Law of Sowing and Reaping

The Law of Sowing

The law of sowing and reaping is inviolate, both physically and spiritually. The text of Galatians 6 clearly shows that we will reap what we so. If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption. If we sow to the Spirit, we will reap everlasting life.

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Sermon: “Put your trust in the Lord”

Put your trust in the Lord

Psalm 4 is a wonderful psalm of praise to God. The text reveals that He is worthy of that praise because He is righteous, merciful, gracious, trustworthy and helpful.

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Powerpoint PPTX File

Partisanship and Morality

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President Trump is a lightning rod for controversy. His pugnacious personality, outsider status and vulgarity is shocking to the sensibilities of both media and political opponents.

The criticisms of the President are well deserved on his part, as he is not a pleasant person. What is obvious to the unbiased, however, is that partisanship plays a large role in the criticism.

It is striking how often there is a willingness to overlook the failings of one’s own champion, while excoriating any perceived imperfection in the opponent’s man or woman.

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Sojourners and Pilgrims

sojourners

The apostle Peter made an impassioned petition to the Christians to whom he wrote in 1 Peter 2:11-12, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles…” What are these fleshly lusts?

First, the terms defined. 1) “fleshly” (sarkikos) under the control of the animal appetites; 2) “lusts” (epithumia) craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden. (Thayer). So, in our context, fleshly lusts are those desires that come from the basest parts of man — desires that are forbidden by God.

The Bible explicitly names many of these. A partial list includes: premarital and extramarital sex, including homosexuality; covetousness; murder; strife; deceit; violence; pride; gossip; anger; willfulness; rebellion; envy; idolatry; lewdness; hatred; jealousy; drunkenness; partying (revelries); extortion; stealing (cf. Romans 1:28-32; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Peter 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

When we become Christians, we become new creatures. This world is no longer our home, and our lives should mirror that reality. When we live righteous lives, we will be thought strange by those who act on those fleshly lusts. No matter, for our desire is for our Lord. We are pilgrims in a strange land — heaven is our home!

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