Category: Worldliness
Subject: Wordliness
Giants in the Land
The children of Israel failed to believe in the power of God to bring them victory against the giants who inhabited the land they had been promised.
We need to trust in God to give us the victory against the spiritual “giants” that oppose us.
Sermon: In the World, But not OF the World
What should the Christian’s response to worldliness be? This lesson discusses the question.
FB: Actions and Consequences
In Jude’s epistle, he wrote of God’s interaction with Israel. “But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe” (5). He also noted the rebellion of some angels, “the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” (6).
A “cause and effect” relationship is evident in these words. God’s pleasure and acceptance (the effect) are predicated upon the obedience of His created beings (the cause). Conversely, the rejection of His subjects (the effect) comes about because of their rebellion (the cause).
Put simply, our actions have consequences. Good actions (as defined by Him) result in good consequences. Disobedience brings ruin.
“But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die” (Ezekiel 18:21).
“But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die” (Ezekiel 18:24).
Something to think about…
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Spiritually Minded
Lesson 3 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.
The lesson is an exegesis of Romans 7 & 8, with applications. The child of God is no longer to practice sin. Our bodies are to be used for righteousness, not sin leading to death.
Our Caged Canary
This past week I posted a short video about the use of profanity that came as close to going “viral” as probably anything I will ever submit to Facebook. Since Tuesday the video has been viewed about 2,200 times, shared by over 50 people, and liked and commented upon in much greater numbers than typical. It seems the article touched a nerve. I thought I would reprise the general message in this article, and offer a few more thoughts.
First, note that profanity is defined by Webster as “an offensive word” or “offensive language.” Cussing has become much more common in our society. This is a symptom of the coarsening of our culture, and does not excuse the use of such words. Any individual who considers himself polite and respectful should refrain from using profanity. When speaking in “mixed company” or in the presence of those you do not know well, it is very possible that profane words will offend.
Sermon: Reactions to Religion
The sermon is a discussion of the responses received to a Facebook video we created, called “The Christian Faith is Under Attack.” There were several comments critical of religion that were made in reponse to the video. The sermon explains the proper response to such objections to religion.
Video Transcript: The Christian Faith is Under Attack!
The national elections are less than two months away. While it is not my place as a preacher to tell anyone who to vote for, it is my place to defend the Christian faith against attack. In fact, all Christians have that same imperative!
Remember the words of Jude. He wrote to his brethren, “…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).
Continue reading “Video Transcript: The Christian Faith is Under Attack!”
Invitation: Why Do You Boast in Evil?
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The disobedient, no matter their might, will be judged by the Almighty God.
“We are … the thought leaders”
It is a bit disconcerting how far our world has strayed from the paths of righteousness. The wise man once wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). These words are true wisdom, and the sinfulness of our society certainly is a reproach to our nation.
It is hard for the Christian to understand how the world has reached the state it is presently in. We are truly living in a time similar to that which existed during Isaiah’s tenure on earth, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21). How did we get here? Consider the following anecdote.
FB: True Wisdom
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psalm 111:10).
The world equates wisdom with the accumulation of technological insight, and the continual progression of moral change. People today are smarter, and less encumbered by outmoded superstitions and prejudices – so they say.
Oh really? Are we to equate political corruption, amoral lifestyle, extreme self-indulgence and a rejection of absolute values to some modern version of deep thought? If so, I choose to remain out of style and out of step.
As Paul wrote, “…the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).
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Sojourners & Pilgrims
“Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
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Sojourners (a foreigner or stranger), and pilgrims (a resident foreigner) describe the Christian’s presence on earth. Your citizenship is elsewhere, though you labor on this earth for a short while before going to the eternal kingdom to which you rightly belong.
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This world is characterized by ungodliness. This ungodliness is destructive to the eternal soul, and should be avoided. As a Christian, you are in the world, but you are not to be of the world.
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By living righteously, you serve as a wonderful influence to those who are not Christians. While enemies of the cross will speak evil of you and your faith, a righteous life will win many converts to God’s way. Jesus said you are to be “the light of the world.” “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14,16).
Like Timothy, you are to take heed to God’s will for you. As you live righteously before Him, you will be able to “save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Invitation: Only a Form of Godliness
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
2 Timothy 3:1-5 reveals that some in the last days will have a form of godliness, but are in reality ungodly. May it be that we are not this way!
The Patternists: Unreasonable Men
There is an interesting passage in 2 Thessalonians 3 where Paul describes the unbeliever. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (1-2).
He is unreasonable. Faith in God (cf. Romans 1:20-23) is the reasonable response to the testimony of nature. His “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Too, faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God is firmly established by the eyewitness testimony of His resurrection.
He is wicked. The end of those who do not believe is wickedness. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind…” (Romans 1:28). Without God there is no divine standard of right and wrong. Men are free to determine for themselves what they accept and reject, and most revert to their base instincts.
He oppresses the righteous. We are told that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:13). This at the hands of “evil men.”
The reasonable, righteous man believes in God and His Son Jesus Christ. From him the “word of the Lord” runs swiftly and is glorified. You aren’t reasonable and righteous unless you respect and obey God’s word!
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