Sound Teaching

We examine a series of “test” questions to determine what constitutes effective and acceptable discipleship, as we make a claim to be God’s children.

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A discussion of discipleship, taken from Matthew 12:33-37, with a special emphasis on the control of the tongue as we contemplate God’s judgment.

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I recently came across a sermon outline by Joe Price which stated four danger signs to recognize regarding a failure of faith. There are two basic components to fighting our adversary the devil. Our diligence as we seek to grow and mature as God’s children, and the protection and strength He supplies to us. Paul wrote of God’s protection 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). He has given us the armor we need to be fully protected against the devil and his wiles if we but implement it in our lives. Continue reading “Signs of Danger” →

In Daniel 8 the prophet received a vision. It is interesting in its specificity, and in the secular corroboration of the vision. We will not go into details regarding the vision itself, but want to spend a few moments analyzing the interpretation of it.

After Daniel saw the vision we are told that Daniel sought the meaning, then heard a man’s voice saying, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” This is when the angel Gabriel approached Daniel who was prostrate but at Gabriel’s touch stood upright.

Daniel’s vision was about the future, and Gabriel named by name both the Medo-Persian empire (which Daniel lived to experience in part) and the Grecian empire (which came after Daniel’s death). Continue reading “The Vision of the Ram and the Goat” →

Paul uses Christ’s position as the Christian’s High Priest to encourage faithfulness to God. The points are these:

Jesus has passed through the heavens. This references His leaving the earth to return to God’s right hand, receiving His exaltation. He is the Son of God. (This declaration is another indicating His divine nature, as it makes Him equal to His Father). See John 5:18.

His efficacy as High Priest comes not only because of His deity, but also because of His humanity. As a man he was tempted as we are, so He can sympathize with us as we pray. We note that Jesus did not sin, but that does not indicate anything other than his strength and righteousness. He was a man with the same physical frailties and desires as our own. Temptations were suffered by Him, (cf. Matthew 4:1-11) and yet He did not sin.

These truths are why we may be confident of Jesus as our mediator. This is why the Hebrew writer called upon his readers to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace in time of need” (16). Praise God for sending His Son to earth for us!

In Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, he referenced his brother in a very favorable light. Let’s look at some of the words he used.

In verse 1 he called Philemon a “beloved friend and fellow laborer.” He noted the faithfulness of Philemon as a child of God in verses 5 and 6, and let Philemon know he prayed for him continually (4). He talked of the great joy and consolation he received from Philemon’s love (7), and noted his positive influence toward other Christians (7).

As he made his request to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, his positive expressions continued. He said he had “confidence” saying that he knew “you will do even more than I say” (21).

From these words we can see that Philemon was a righteous and good man, who was quick to express love to his brethren. While Onesimus had wronged him by running away, Paul was confident because he knew Philemon’s character that Philemon would receive him back with love rather than censure.

It also says something about Paul. He was not a flatterer, he was an encourager who was always willing to show what God desires His children to be. May we emulate the love these men had for each other in our relationships.

Both the word Flee and the word Pursue are used in 2 Timothy 2:22-23. We discuss the significance of these words, and show certain things that should either be pursued, or run away from!

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A Discussion of 2 Peter 1, showing the importance of prophecy to establish proof regarding the Messiah, and to guide Christians through their sojourn on earth.

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Through examples and commands, the Lord supplies a pattern for the family. The roles, dynamics and structure of the family are given. Consider the following:

God established the institution of marriage from the beginning. In introducing Eve as a companion to Adam, the text records, “Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man” (Genesis 3:22). Note God’s intent, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). We then consider our Lord’s divine commentary on the text in Genesis when He said in Matthew 19:4-6, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female,’ and said, For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” Continue reading “The Family: God’s Plan” →

On one of the occasions of Israel’s rebellions against God during the time of the judges, God chastised them. We are told that because of God’s anger for their idolatries, “He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the people of Ammon” (Judges 10:7). After eighteen years of harassment and oppression, “the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, ‘We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals!’” Continue reading ““The gods which you have chosen”” →

Having established a remaining rest (indicating eternity in the presence of God), here the Hebrew writer encourages his readers to act in a way that secures that rest.

Notice the way (diligence) is regarding obedience to God’s commands. Put negatively, the Israelites failed to enter Canaan because of their disobedience (cf. 11).
Here is stated a preeminent principle in scripture. Our salvation is tied inextricably to our obedience to God’s revealed will. This does not mean we earn our salvation, only that the gift of redemption is reserved by Him for those who obey Him. God’s word is the key. He has revealed His will for us.

God’s word is powerful, sharp, piercing. As the Hebrew writer states, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (13).

Carefully consider the part that the Bible has as God judges us to be worthy or not. He has told us what to do. We will be judged by whether we are willing to do it. Nothing could be more plainly revealed!

Consider Peter’s instruction in 1 Peter 3:8-9a, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling…” Peter’s words are typical of instructions given to God’s people in the New Testament. We are to be loving toward one another. We are to seek peace as we can. We are to treat each other like precious family.

One of the words used here by Peter is “tenderhearted.” It is the Greek word eúsplanchnos. It is translated in the King James version as pitiful. Other translations use tenderhearted or compassionate (though this word is different from the one earlier in the verse “having compassion” which comes from a familiar Greek word sympath?s, from which we get our word sympathetic).

eúsplanchnos has an interesting etymology. It’s primary and original meaning was: having strong bowels. Like our present practice of using the word heart (a muscle) to reference deep emotions and compassion, the Greeks attributed the same to the intestinal tract. It would be similar to us having a “gut feeling”, but primarily referencing strong emotions and sympathies.

So, being pitiful or tenderhearted has reference to the deeply held emotions that Christians should have toward one another. How do you feel toward your brethren?

A discussion of the book of Zephaniah reveals much about the behavior that disappoints God, and the judgment He visits upon those unwilling to submit to Him.

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A discussion of the night Paul addressed his brethren in Troas, where we learn more about the Lord’s Supper, and the legitimacy of Paul’s apostleship by the miracle performed. Acts 20:7-12.

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There are some important truths we must consider on the matter of judgment. This has been illustrated through the egregious false statements typically seen on the news following any issue of consequence. The truth does not matter, all that matters is how it can be spun to benefit “our party” or “our interests”.

Our Lord said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment” (John 7:24). It is important to adjudicate facts, not what we wish to be so. It is important that we be fair. Later in the same chapter, Nicodemus counseled the same basic thing with regard to the judgment they sought against Jesus Himself, “Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” (51).

Let’s do that now. Was Jesus what men claimed about Him? Concerning those who witnessed Jesus, we are told that some said, “He is good”, while others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people” (John 7:12). After Jesus protested His innocence among them some said, “You have a demon” (7:20). Some who were more impressed with Jesus said, “Truly this is the Prophet” (7:40). Continue reading “What About This Jesus?” →