Sound Teaching

In Jeremiah 3, Jehovah God spoke to the prophet, in the days of Josiah the king, describing the northern kingdom of Israel as “backsliding Israel” because of her idolatry (vs. 6). God called Israel back, but “she did not return” (vs. 7). It is because of this rebelliousness that the ten northern tribes were taken into captivity, and lost their identity.

Now, Judah was in danger of the same end. Consider first that Judah had learned from the idolatry of Israel, “And her treacherous sister Judah saw it.” Ungodly activity of any type can have a corrupting influence upon those who witness it. As Paul told the Corinthians, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6-7). This is an important principle to remember as we do our deeds before men, “Whoever causes on of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).

Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Backsliding Israel” →

The apostle here expresses his desire to overcome any obstacles, and visit the Romans, that he might, “have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles” (13). Remember, Paul was appointed by God to be an apostle to the Gentiles (cf. Acts 9:15).

His admission of indebteness to them is an interesting one. Why did he owe them? He owed them because of what God had done for him! Paul recognized that both the gift of salvation (cf. Romans 7:24-25) and the ministry to which he had been appointed (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:9-10) were not his because of any merit on his part. If such a gift had been given to him, it seemed to him that he was obligated to do his very best, for the remainder of his time on earth, to avail others of that same gift.

Emphasis will be placed upon preaching as a means of servicing that debt in our comments on verses 16 and 17. For now, note his complete dedication to the task. “For as much as is in me, I am ready…” (15). These words give us some understanding of the value of our gift from God. Grace brings salvation. Rather than thinking of grace as freedom from sin’s consequences (cf. Romans 6:1-2), we should see it as obligating us to righteous living! (cf. Titus 2:11-14).

I mentioned last Wednesday night a phrase coined by C.S. Lewis, as he considered his prejudice against the Christian faith early in his life. He called it his “chronological snobbery.” He defined the concept as, “the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our own age, and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.”

Such chronological snobbery is certainly characteristic of American culture today. The acceptance of homosexuality, and the willingness to redefine marriage; the toleration of all types of sexual promiscuity; the characterization of abortion as a moral and ethical practice, and the villainizing of those who oppose it; the promotion of the “big bang” theory as an explanation of origins of the universe. All of these, and a multitude of others are promoted as the enlightened product of our age, with proponents looking down their noses at the “superstitions” and “outmoded thinking” of the past.

Of course, every generation perceives itself as enlightened and superior. And, every generation has its own illusions and wrong thinking. In contrast to this, we have God’s will, revealed and accessible through the Holy Scriptures. It stands in stark contrast to the failed philosophies and ideas of men. It is as relevant today as when it was first written. As the Psalmist wrote, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). Paul wrote, “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25).

C.S. Lewis put it this way, “Whatever is not eternal, is eternally out of date.” To that we say, AMEN.

Men seldom fail to recognize the rightness or wrongness of an issue when God has revealed Himself. If God has explicitly condemned an action, they know it to be wrong. They may do it anyway, but they know it is wrong. If God has given a positive commandment, it is understood that man has permission (and is even obligated) to do what has been commanded.

But what if God is silent? Some suggest (for example) that it is acceptable to use mechanical instruments of music in worship because God “didn’t say we couldn’t.” They contend that where God has not spoken, we are free to follow our own opinions. They believe God’s silence is permissive, not restrictive.

Problem is, the Bible says otherwise. First, consider Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Man’s perceptions and opinions are not dependable. We can’t KNOW God is pleased with our actions unless He says so!

Second, Jesus clearly states that when we go beyond His expressed will, what we do is iniquitous (cf. Matthew 7:21-23). The one who does “the will of” God is acceptable. As for the other, “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness’” (vs. 23).

There is a slogan that has been associated with God’s people in the last 200 years. “Speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent.” It is a good slogan because it expresses a scriptural principle. A proper respect for God and His will precludes our acting on our own authority. God’s silence restricts!

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Sermon by Jeremiah Cox.

John 12:27. Jesus knew exactly who He was, and what He would have to endure. He was an obedient Son.

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In John 14:1-6, Jesus proclaimed Himself to be the way. Do you want to be where Jesus is? Then you must be in, “the way, the truth, and the life” with Him.

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Immediately following Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples following His resurrection, He ascended into heaven. With His ascension came the angel’s promise that Jesus would return, “in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (11).

There are several truths to note regarding Jesus’ promised second advent. First, note that his coming (as with his ascension) would be a visible event. The apostle Paul affirmed this as true in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Second, this second coming of Jesus will be a coming in judgment upon the world. In 2 Thessalonians 1:3-10, Paul writes that when Jesus comes, it will be to take vengeance upon the disobedient, and to give eternal rest to the faithful.

Third, when Jesus comes a second time, it will mark the end of the physical universe. Peter weighs in on this truth, affirming it in 2 Peter 3:8-13. The immolation of the universe is cause for us to live lives of “holy conduct and godliness.”

The promise of Jesus’ coming is sure. The angel’s words must be heeded. We must prepare for that day, lest we, as the foolish virgins, be shut out when the bridegroom comes! (cf. Matthew 25:1-13).

A recent online article from The Telegraph reported that the recently elevated Pope of the Catholic church has made efforts to reach out to agnostics and atheists. (for Telegraph article, click here .)

His words were given in response to some editorials that had appeared in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica. The paper’s founder, Eugenio Scalfari (an agnostic), had asked whether, “the Christian God forgives those who do not believe and do not seek faith.”

Continue reading “In the News: Pope Francis and Atheists” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The apostle Paul, in Galatians 5 talks about the conflict that exists in every man, between the lust of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. He also explain how to win the war against the flesh.

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“Expedient” is defined as: a means of attaining an end. When choice is granted us by God, we often use the term “expedient” to designate that choice.

Using Ephesians 5:19 for an example, the Holy Spirit authorizes us to speak “to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” The authorization to sing comes with choices, or expediencies. We can utilize song books, or project the notes and lyrics on a screen. We can get the proper pitch, using a pitch pipe. We can appoint a man to start the song, and maintain the proper tempo. All of these things are choices that expedite, help carry out, the command to sing.

Paul wrote, “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12). Not everything that is allowed (lawful) helps in carrying out God’s commands. However, in order for something to expedite the carrying out of such commands it must FIRST be LAWFUL!

Expedients are choices allowed within a thing authorized by God. In contrast to the choices mentioned above, a mechanical instrument of music is not an expedient to singing. It is not a choice made to aid in carrying out God’s command to sing. Instead, it is an ADDITION to God’s command, something different.

If song books or four part harmony are used in carrying out the command, all we do is sing. However, when an instrument is used, we sing AND PLAY.

The difference is stark and easily comprehended. For a thing to be EXPEDIENT it must first be LAWFUL.

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Colossians 3:1. “If then you were raised with Christ…” There is a consequence to our being raised with Christ. Things that are expected of us as a result of the blessing we have received from our Lord. We are to seek the things above, that are of Christ.

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Deuteronomy 8:11-18. The text introduces the question, Is there room for God in your life? A comfortable life can be dangerous, as we forget God. Truly, we are sufficient only in God, because only God is sufficient!

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The invitation was based upon Proverbs 12:2-3. Men are not established by sin. Rather, the foundation is to be found with God.

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The sermon begins in Daniel 3, and demonstrates that Our God is able to:

• Give and sustain life
• Save our souls
• Deliver us
• Reward us
• Punish the disobedient

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Speaker: Jonathan Hinds

The lesson uses the text of Malachi to admonish us as the priests of God (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). It is possible to despise the name of God, to weary him by our apathetic response of faith. We must take care to worship him with reverence and zeal.

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Powerpoint Slides (will be uploaded soon)