Sound Teaching

I recently came across the following quote from an unknown source:

The Bohemian reformer John Hus was a man who believed the Scriptures to be the infallible and supreme authority in all matters. He died at the stake for that belief in Constance, Germany, on his forty-second birthday. As he refused a final plea to renounce his faith, Hus’s last words were, “What I taught with my lips, I seal with my blood.”

Hus’ attempts to reform Catholicism predated those of Martin Luther by 100 years. Though he never came close to an understanding of truth, the quote above shows that he had a proper attitude toward its defense. This willingness to die for the faith is laudable, and should be emulated by Christians today. “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, 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).

That’s not to say we will have to die for our faith. We are fortunate in our day to receive the protection of the state as we practice our faith. However, too often Christians in our time lack the virtue to stand for God’s word, without compromise, no matter the cost. This is what God requires, and each of us must count that cost as we live for Christ.

This sermon discusses the principle of Necessary implication, as it impacts how we establish Biblical authority for our teaching and practice.

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The Lord’s church is unique. The sermon discusses its nature. Both universal and local, showing Christ’s lordship, the pattern established by Christ, and the concept of local autonomy.

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I can’t count the number of times I have come across someone who freely used profanity in my presence, only to apologize upon learning that I am a preacher. While the apology is appreciated, it is also somewhat curious. First, why make an exception for a preacher? Is the denominational clergy/laity distinction really so strong in our society today that people feel a different set of rules apply when in the presence of a preacher? No such distinction exists in scripture, and it is interesting that it affects even the most profane of individuals in our culture. Second, as the offender obviously realizes that such language is inappropriate, why is he so quick to use profanity even around people he does not know? Does he think it acceptable to offend people, as long as they are not clergy? When did it become O.K. to act so offensively in public?

Continue reading “You Offend Me!” →

This sermon shows that the Jewish concept of a military savior was unscriptural. The savior, of necessity, came to suffer and die as a sacrifice for mankind.

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While reading a golf magazine, of all things, I came across this gem of a quote.

“The only thing more infuriating than a complete idiot is a complete idiot that you agree with.”

How true! I recently received one of those email forwards (from a gospel preacher), in support of the controversial Arizona immigration legislation recently passed. Trouble is, the email was blatantly racist!

As Christians we believe that husbands are the head of the family (cf. Ephesians 5 & 6). Unfortunately, misogynists feel the same way. As Christians we believe the sense of entitlement that so often accompanies our welfare state to be ungodly (cf. 2 Thessalonians 3:10). Unfortunately, that is a common refrain of the racist. As Christians we believe homosexuality to be a sin (cf. Romans 1:24-32). The same sentiment is used by some to express hatred for the sinner, rather than a desire to bring them to repentance. As Christians we champion the view that truth is objective and singular (cf. John 14:6). Unfortunately, this has been the excuse for centuries of wars, genocide and intolerance.

In other words, some idiots agree with us. We can’t help that, but we must be sure that we are not one of them! Truth sets man free (cf. John 8:32). It uplifts and ultimately saves mankind. It is also commonly wrested by men “to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). The moral is… Don’t be a complete idiot!

A practical lesson from Dennis Scroggins, teaching the importance of purity in speech.

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An examination of sin.

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A few days ago I ran across the following illustration, penned by an anonymous author:

Several years ago a book was published entitled “Looking Out for Number One.” On the dedication page the author wrote, “Dedicated to the hope that somewhere in our universe there exists a civilization where the inhabitants possess sole dominion over their own lives.” There is such a place. It’s called Hell.

It is an interesting quote, and accurate to a certain extent. Men who seek to do their own will rather than the will of God most certainly will end up in Hell. We are not free to flout God’s will. To do so has consequences.

However, it is inaccurate to say that they possess sole dominion over their own lives. They may not be aware of it, but such men are slaves. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

So the question isn’t whether you want to be free to do your own will. The question is what do you want to be a slave of — a slave of “sin, leading to death”; or a slave of “obedience, leading to righteousness.”

The freedom to flout God’s will, thus “self-dominion” is an illusion — one that will be shattered at the judgment day.

This short lesson was preached by Brantley Gallman during our fifth Sunday night singing. Using the text of Hebrews 11, Brantley shares some lessons from the life of Rahab.

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The sermon uses the text of Galatians to establish that the gospel is singular, divine, united and life-regulating.

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Using Bible examples, the sermon shows the importance of personal humililty, integrity, involvement, concern and risk.

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This sermon examines the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins.

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In the beginning, God created man. As recorded in the Genesis account, there was not a single animal in creation that would serve as an acceptable companion for man. So, God created woman. The text reads, “And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:21-24).

There is a great significance to the phrase, “they shall become one flesh.” When a man and woman wed, they establish a lasting and intimate relationship. It is this relationship alone that God intends the sexual appetite to be satiated, and it serves the purpose of birthing and raising children. “Then God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28). “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).

Continue reading “The Importance of Family” →

(Note: The following article is written by one of the members at West Side, Justin Carrell. I commend it to you. SC)

Matthew 19:3-9

“And the Pharisees came near to him, tempting him, and saying to him, ‘Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?’ And he answering said to them, ‘Did ye not read, that He who made them, from the beginning a male and a female made them, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and cleave to his wife, and they shall be–the two–for one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh; what therefore God did join together, let no man put asunder.’ They said to him, ‘Why then did Moses command to give a roll of divorce, and to put her away?’ He said to them–‘Moses for your stiffness of heart did suffer you to put away your wives, but from the beginning it hath not been so. ‘And I say to you, that, whoever may put away his wife, if not for fornication, and may marry another, doth commit adultery; and he who did marry her that hath been put away, doth commit adultery.’” (Young’s Literal Translation)

I’ve heard this scripture debated more than any other. We debate baptism with those outside the body, but this we debate without and within. Below are two arguments recently put forward to me, and my response.

Continue reading “Separating What God Has Joined” →