Category: Truth
Subject: Truth
Sermon: To the elect lady and her children
An examination of the text of 2 John, with applications.
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Sermon: Adamant Stone (Ezekiel 3:7-9)
God provided Ezekiel with His will and protection. He supplied for Ezekiel a forehead that was harder than that of rebellious Israel. A forehead of adamant stone, harder than flint.
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Misconceptions in Lystra
In Acts 14 we read of Paul’s healing of a crippled man. Paul was preaching, but his message was not yet well known to many. So, when the man was healed the superstitious Lycaonians assumed Paul and Barnabas were gods. They thought Barnabas was Zeus, and Paul was Hermes since he was the chief speaker.
This indicates clearly the purpose of miracles. They do not identify truth, but do identify that those who perform those miracles are legitimate. Now, since the inhabitants of Lystra had no true knowledge of God or His Son, they did not know what these powers represented. Their ignorance led to supposition. This is always the case. And, since men do not know the things of God without his revelation, their suppositions were without merit. As Paul said about his own people in Romans 10, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:2-3 ). Continue reading “Misconceptions in Lystra”
An Open Door
There are a number of occasions where the apostle Paul used the metaphor of a door to refer to an opportunity. For example, when Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the church in Antioch, Luke records, “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul himself wrote to the Corinthian church, saying in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed to Macedonia.” Continue reading “An Open Door”
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 2:1-10
In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren. Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).
In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).
This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ. He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!
Soundness
The question, “what is sound?” is an interesting one. It may have to do with doctrine, congregations, minds, individuals, etc. Some may object to the adjective, but it is a biblical concept. In 2 Timothy the apostle Paul exhorted his younger friend to “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” The reason for such an admonition? “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Continue reading “Soundness”
Sermon: Spirit and Truth
Justin Carrell discusses Jesus’ meaning in answering the Samaritan woman’s question regarding the proper place to worship God, recorded in John 4.
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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Sermon: Kernels of Truth
Invitation Talk: Speaker, Aaron Collier
God’s truth is and must be of the utmost importance to His people.
A Hard Saying
In a recent study I had with a number of non-Christians, we were covering the book of Luke, and came across the following passage: “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery” (Luke 16:18).
One person remarked that the passage seemed unduly harsh and unfair. I responded that I understood he would feel that way, but asked others if they thought the same? Several admitted they did.
I must admit I was a bit surprised. I thought the response would be a bit more muted. It just shows how modern day thinking is so opposed to the morals espoused by our Lord.
Of course, Jesus had the same problem when these concepts were first taught by him. In Matthew 19, he said almost the same thing in verse 9. In response, His own disciples said, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” (Matthew 19:10).
It certainly is not easy to live up to the standards God has set for us morally. As Christians we are called to reject the darkness, and cling to the light. “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Not all are willing to heed Jesus’ words. That does not lead our Lord to compromise. Instead, He simply says, “He who is able to accept it, let him accept it” (Matthew 19:12).
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Sermon: Questioning Convention
Jesus came to earth, and was radical in His teaching. He constantly questioned the conventional thinking of His age, and turned society on its head. We will too be countercultural if we follow His teaching.
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Sermon: Three Attitudes Toward Truth
Acts 17 shows a remarkable spectrum of responses to Paul’s teaching, ranging from open animosity, to dismissiveness, to belief and acceptance. What was behind such responses? How do men’s hearts differ?
Sermon: Fall 2021 Gospel Meeting (Dennis Scroggins)
All lessons preached by Dennis Scroggins, October 2-7, 2021
Lesson 1 (Saturday, October 2, 2021)
By Faith Noah Condemned the World
Dennis uses the example of Noah (and the text of Hebrews 11:7) to show that as he condemned the world by his righteous life, we as Christians are to shine as lights in the world as well.
Lesson 2 (Sunday @ 9am, October 3, 2021)
The Sin of Unforgiveness
Too often Christians harbor resentment and anger in their hearts when they have been offended. Such anger is self-destructive and sinful.
Lesson 3 (Sunday @ 10am, October 3, 2021)
Bitterness: The Devil’s Distraction
Bitterness of heart can destroy the spiritual well-being of the child of God. It is one of the Devil’s most successful tools in derailing the Christian walk.
Lesson 4 (Sunday @ 11am, October 3, 2021)
Spiritual Cannibalism
When Christians attack one another, it is a form of spiritual cannibalism. (Galatians 5:15), “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”
Lesson 5 (Monday, October 4, 2021)
Friendship – Fellowship
The basis for Christian fellowship has never been friendship. It revolves around obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. Too often in the world today, Christians forget this truth.
Lesson 6 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)
Why Does the Holy Spirit Speak to You, and Not to Me?
Many religious people believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them. The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth, and now we have it in written form. So many, though sincere, are misguided in their feelings on the matter.
Lesson 7 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)
Who is the Greatest Among You?
Greatness in the kingdom is the product of service. We must humble ourselves before God and man to serve Him as He desires.
Lesson 8 (Wednesday, October 7, 2021)
Progressive Church Movement Found in the Churches of Christ
A progressive attitude is present as a part of an ecumenical movement in many evangelical denominations. Progressive in the sense of a depature from the standard of God’s word. Unfortunately, such attitudes can be found in the Lord’s church as well.
Pieces of Armor
Paul wrote in Ephesians 6, “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” (10-13).
What is the armor of God? Well, it certainly is not any type of physical armor. While Paul uses the metaphor, mentioning shields, swords and helmets, he is of course not talking about physical pieces of a literal suit of armor. This is because of the nature of the conflict waged between the child of God and the forces of evil we fight. We must stand against the wiles (devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants) of the devil. A literal shield or sword is of no use in such a conflict.
