Sound Teaching

Because of Christ’s authority and position, the wind and waves, the unclean spirits, disease, and even death obey His commands. If all of these things obey Christ because of who He is, and the authority He has been given (Matthew 28:18), should not we quickly, completely and unquestioningly submit to His authority?

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2 Corinthians 1:3-6

In the beginning of his second epistle to the church in Corinth, Paul begins by praising God the Father. Specifically, he praises God for the comfort He supplies, calling Him the Father of mercies.

Paul was comforted by God throughout all the trials of his life. He gives a list of these in chapter 11 of the letter. It must be noted that the consolation is supplied “through Christ” (vs. 5).

This is the wonderful promise we receive, if we suffer with Christ, we will also receive comfort through Him. As always, our standing with God and the privileges therein enjoyed are tied to our relationship with His Son, and the Grace that God delivered through Him.

It is equally wonderful that our consolation in Christ equips us to comfort each other during tribulation or difficulty. We can raise the focus of the downtrodden above the present distress to the eternal hope that we together enjoy as brethren and children of God.

In Israel’s covenant with God, cities of refuge were established, that allowed one who had taken a life accidentally to flee and escape the wrath of any avenger until such time as the congregation could rule on his fate. Hebrews 6:13-ff reveals that Christ is our refuge, and those who flee to Him reside in hope.

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Israel disregarded the chastisement of God, causing the prophet by inspiration to proclaim in Amos 4:12, “Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” We too must recognize the inevitability of judgment, and prepare that our meeting with God will lead to life rather than destruction.

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Romans 12:1-2

The earnest exhortation of the apostle was for his readers to give themselves as sacrifices to God. Rather than the presentation of slain animals, the Christian is enjoined to present his body as a “living sacrifice.”

Paul means for us to live holy lives, in service to God. He indicates that such is a reasonable response. In other words, because of what God has done for us in the giving of His Son, it is reasonable for Him to expect a life of dedicated service in return.

He further explains in both the positive and negative. “Do not be conformed to this world.” The world is at war with God. To love the world is to show allegiance to the wrong master (cf. 1 John 2:15). “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The new birth is not just an initial obedience to certain commands. It puts to death the old man, and brings to life a new one. Such a new birth must be seen in our daily lives.

I recently came across an article entitled, Redefinition Revolution—Gay Marriage is about more than Adam and Steve. It was written by Maggie Gallagher, the President of an organization called the National Organization for Marriage. Her organization helped to put a marriage amendment on the ballot in California this November, in an attempt to reverse the California Supreme Court’s decision to allow homosexuals to marry.

Her assertions in the article are illuminating and disturbing. She posits that allowing homosexuals to marry is the progression of an agenda that will have far reaching and severe ramifications for Christians.

It is obvious to anyone who has even a passing familiarity with our society that practicing homosexuals have an active agenda to promote their lifestyle. As society becomes more accepting of the perversion, it gains credibility in the minds of the average American.

Continue reading “The Obvious Homosexual Agenda” →

The sermon discusses the text: Hebrews 11:6. To come to God, one must come humbly, in faith, and willingly. God determines the parameters of reconciliation, not man.

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The scriptural concept of congregational autonomy protects God’s people from abuses of power, and doctrinal apostasy. It does not, however, allow any congregation to determine to disobey God. The sermon discusses the parameters and limits of autonomy as revealed in the New Testament.

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Scientists at Imperial College in London have flies on their minds. “Anyone who has watched one fly chasing another at incredibly high speed, without crashing or bumping into anything, can appreciate the high-end flight performance of these animals,” Dr. Holger Krapp of the Department of Bioengineering said in an Imperial College news release…

…Both the neurons that gather visual data from the eyes and the neurons triggering neck muscles to contract are “tuned” or predisposed to selecting and processing the same kind of information. The study is an important step in understanding how nerves communicate information. Similar technology could be used to develop flying robots that can independently stay steady without crashing.

A theoretical proto-fly that had not yet evolved this neuronal coordination would have been easy prey. The presence of such a marvel of engineering in the natural realm elicits consideration of the possibility that it was engineered by a Creator, as well as awe at the engineering savvy of that Creator.

Brian Thomas
Institute for Creation Research (icr.org)

Analysis:

Two things to note from this short piece on the visual capabilities of the fly. First, the fly’s abilities are so advanced that engineers are studying it for the purpose of copying the design.

Continue reading “In The News: The Steady Gaze of Flies” →

Acts 13:14-41

It has been said that the theme of Redemption runs as a scarlet thread throughout the Bible.

Paul, in his sermon to the Jews in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia, takes up that thread with the Jews’ sojourn in Egypt. Following the thread through the wilderness into Canaan, he mentions the period of the judges, and the Kings, including Saul and David. He indicated that the Christ of God would come through David’s seed, mentioned John the Baptist as the Christ’s forerunner, and proclaimed Jesus of Nazareth to be that Messiah.

He established the proof of that annointing by saying, “But God raised Him from the dead” (vs. 30). In that resurrection we have hope. As Paul said, “…by Him everyone who believes is justified…” (vs. 39).

Finally, Paul called them to repentance, the first work of preaching. He said, “Beware…” We too must beware sin, and embrace Christ.

Guest speaker Joshua Cox establishes from scripture that as Christians we are to live lives of contentment. The pursuit and love of money is problematic in the Christian life.

One exception to note: A Christian must not be content with regard to his knowledge of God’s word. He must press on, and strive for perfection.

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In Romans 12:1-8, the apostle Paul reveals four marks of the truly devoted disciple of Christ.

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Acts 9:31 reveals that the early church prospered as Christians walked in the “fear of the Lord.” What does it mean to fear the Lord? What are the blessings of this walk? And how do we as Christians walk in the “fear of the Lord?”

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Guest speaker John Robertson does a fine job of expressing the importance of complete obedience to God. The title is taken from Joshua 11:15.

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In Matthew 16 the inspired historian revealed a promise made by Jesus to Peter and his other disciples. The promise concerned a significant aspect of God’s plan of redemption for mankind. In verse 18 Jesus said, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The church of Christ is a divine institution, formed by Christ, and governed by principles established by Him and His ambassadors, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

Unfortunately men have continually shown themselves unwilling to acquiesce to Christ’s will regarding His church, and have altered the divine plan. Departures have been seen with regard to the worship of the church. Men have promoted innovations such as instruments of music to accompany the singing which is commanded in scripture, and have altered acts of worship such as the Lord’s Supper to the point where they are almost unrecognizable distortions of the divine plan. Men have distorted the work of the church as well, a common example of this is the present emphasis on the church as an agent of social change. This social emphasis is a far cry from the work of evangelism and edification indicated by Paul when he declared the church to be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (cf. 1 Timothy 3:15). Men have changed at their whim the organization of the church. There has been the activation of the “universal” church, the centralization and consolidation of authority; and the alliance of the church with human institutions, councils and societies. Among the distortions of God’s blueprint for the church, and the focus of this article, is an assault on the concept of church autonomy as revealed in scripture.

Continue reading “Church Autonomy” →