Sound Teaching

The Questions:  Why does God allow suffering?  Why do evil people prosper? And, Why does God not intervene? Are all answered in this lesson taken from Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.

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Judges 7 (Gideon’s Army and its selection) is used to illustrate the idea of our calling and choosing by God discussed in 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

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The work of God toward man is stated succinctly by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.” The problem of life is sin. God gave men free will, and men determined to sin (from Adam on). As such, God’s grace became necessary so that we might be born again, achieving new life through the Son.

While men have a tendency to minimize the significance of sin and its consequences, we see a very different record in the Bible. Let’s compare the two: men’s views VS God’s view.

The idea that men are born degenerate sinners is not true. We understand that sin is not biological (in our genes) nor an inescapable part of a fleshly nature. This is a view that is espoused by Reformed Theology (Calvinism). Without getting to a detailed treatment of the view, we note that the Bible paints a very different picture. Continue reading “Notable Facts About SIN” →

In Daniel 7 the prophet writes of a vision he received at night. The vision was of four great beasts. It was a dream that was vivid and it troubled and grieved Daniel. Think of a confusing and scary nightmare! The revelation of “One like the Son of Man” coming “with the clouds of heaven” to establish His own kingdom “which shall not pass away” (13-14) ended the vision. Attributes of this vision mirror closely the one that John experienced in Revelation 4 and 5 of the throne room of God. Continue reading “The Four Beasts” →

Peter’s admonition for his readers was to remember and consider what they already knew of their responsibilities toward God. This is an important part of preaching, reminding brethren of what they already know! Doing so helps to guard against regression (cf. Hebrews 5:12).

In this context, the specific problem potentially surrounded their confidence in Christ’s second coming. This second advent was promised to man at Jesus’ ascension following His resurrection. Two angels told His disciples “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
But time had passed and some were doubting that promise. Their claim was wrong, but it is one that carries weight in every generation. “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation” (4).

In the next section, Peter successfully argues against that doubt. Paul did as well, in 1 Corinthians 15. He wrote, “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (52).

It is time to take inventory – a new year has begun. There is nothing about the beginning of the new year that is anything special. New Year’s resolutions are entirely arbitrary. However, God does expect us to self-examine and adjust as needed to ensure that our standing with God is as it should be!

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:50).

This is key. We need to consider what is most important. Resolutions about our physical lives have merit and can lead to important lifestyle improvements. However, they do not compare to resolutions that are spiritual in nature. “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Do you pray enough? Are your prayers the “effective, fervent prayer [-s] of a righteous man”? (cf. James 5:16). How about your fervency of faith? How about your Bible Study and reading? How about your worship and attendance habits? How about your love? Faithfulness? Faith? Virtue? Righteousness? Your relationship with your brethren? Your relationship with your family? Your relationship with the world? Are any changes needed?

The Bible makes a very clear contrast between wise behavior, and the characteristics of foolish action.  Don’t be a fool!

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Having established that “the Lord is gracious” (3), Peter additionally refers to Him as “a living stone.”  This refers to Jesus as a foundation stone promised by God, a Messianic prophecy (cf. Isaiah 28:16). Christ is the foundation upon which God’s redemptive promise is founded, though He was rejected by men.

The key here is to determine our responsibility to the One responsible for our reconciliation with the Father.  We have been told to  put off evil and desire His will (1-2), now Peter tells us to approach Jesus (the foundation stone) as living stones! We are called to action. It is our responsibility as Christians to live moral lives in service to God. The words Peter uses here “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” mirror the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-2 calling us to be transformed in the lives we live.  No longer are we to live our lives for ourselves. We are to sacrificial, offering up ourselves in service to the Lord. God saved us through Jesus. Our response to Him should reflect that.

LAGNIAPPE. Don’t try to pronounce the word phonetically.  The correct pronunciation is: (LAN-yap).  It is  defined as “a little something extra,” and is originally taken from the Spanish (la ñapa) “the gift.” Long ago it became a common word in the French/Creole culture in Louisiana. If you have been to New Orleans during their celebrations, you may have heard the term.

Consider what Jesus said in Luke 18 in response to Peter’s declaration that they had left all to follow Him.  “So He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life’” (Luke 18:29-30). Continue reading “Lagniappe” →

The triumphal entry of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem is so called because of the response of the people to Him.  This response is written by Mark in 11:9-10.

“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!
Hosanna in the highest!”

The event is chronicled in all four gospels—Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12. The word Hosanna in the text above is a transliteration from the Hebrew into the  English translations, and is an expression of adoration with which the Jews were familiar.  The basic sentiment was an expression seeking to bring well being and victory to Jesus as the Messiah of the Jews.  A literal definition from the Hebrew would be something like — oh save! Continue reading “Hosanna!” →

James, after establishing the sinfulness of showing partiality, points out a sin in this area is sufficient to condemn a man. This is a truth with which Jews were especially familiar. He who willfully breaks one command is a law breaker and is guilty before the law. You can’t treat God’s law as a buffet, taking what you want and ignoring the rest.

So, in this regard we are to love all men and treat them well. As James wrote, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (12). To dishonor the poor man is to act in a way that is inconsistent with the law of Christ. He taught clearly the responsibility to love all men.

God will not forgive our sins, if we don’t forgive the sins of others. (cf. Matthew 6:12). He will not treat us with mercy if we are not willing to treat others mercifully. (Matthew 18:21-35). This mercy and compassion for one another is what sets apart the disciples of Christ from the world. 

In Jeremiah 25, God is revealed to have sent His prophets to Judah. He sent them to warn Judah to repent to avoid harm. Consider His warning and their response:

“‘Do not go after other gods to serve them and worship them, and do not provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands; and I will not harm you. Yet you have not listened to Me,’ says the LORD, ‘that you might provoke Me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt’” (Jeremiah 25:6-7).

Because of their rebellion, God sent Nebuchadnezzar to judge the nation, leading to destruction, oppression, and captivity for a period of 70 years.

An interesting phrase is used here, “to your own hurt” (7). Consider that God’s sincere desire is that every man receive His eternal blessings. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The proof of His love and motivation toward man is seen in the sending of His son to the earth (cf. John 3:16).

When condemnation comes, it is not God’s doing.  Men often do not act in their own interest. Peculiar, but very prevalent.  This is why addiction, crime, etc. is rampant.  When condemnation is present, it is because we act to  our “own hurt.” Think about it!

A discussion of Psalm 15.  Who is it that may dwell in the Presence of the Almighty?

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“Does God exist?  Who Cares? I’m not interested.”  How does this disinterest come to be, and what can we do to combat it!

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The earliest manuscripts head the writing “the Hebrews”, which later was expanded to “The Epistle to the Hebrews.” It’s exact date of writing is not known, but there is strong internal and external evidence that it was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. AD 68 or AD 69 are dates commonly posited. We know from Clement of Rome in his writing that by the end of the first century he was in possession of the manuscript.

The exact audience is likewise unknown, but the title and content show that the audience was Jewish Christians. The book deals with a common problem early in the church, the Jewish struggle to know how exactly to place Jesus and His sacrifice in the context of God’s will for man. Continue reading “A Short Introduction to Hebrews” →