Sound Teaching

Our text here consists of a single, convoluted sentence by the apostle. There is much to unpack, but consider these highlights.  First, Paul was encouraged by the reputation of the brethren there at Ephesus. Their faith, and love toward the brethren were strong (15). So, he prayed to God for them. He gave thanks, and he made petitions for them to receive wisdom and understanding. In this they would know of hope (in eternal life), the glory of their eternal inheritance (that eternal abode), and power (of God, who raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand) (16-20).

As a part of his description of the Christ, Paul affirmed His preeminence in verse 21. The Lord has authority and dominion over all, “every name that is named.” His dominion has existed from the time that God sat Him upon the throne at His right hand. He is today King in His kingdom, a truth that some do not grasp. And, His dominion will continue, “not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” 

The first 8 verses of the  12th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes contains an admonition to “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”

Youth is a time of joy, vitality and physical prosperity. The days of the young are the halcyon (idyllically happy and peaceful) days of our lives. They are also the days where decisions can be made and actions can be taken that can make one’s older years a time of unhappiness and loss. Now is the time to turn to God.

As a part of the chapter, a description is given of old age. Those who have lived for decades will be able to relate. For example, verses 1 and 2 speak of evil and dark days without pleasure. With age comes wisdom, but also with a realization of the flawed nature of our earthly existence. We are weighed down by the burdens of life, our lives include the drudgery of heavy responsibilities and the cares of life. These are things of which the young are blissfully unaware. Continue reading “Remember Your Creator While Young” →

The book of Proverbs has many pithy gems of wisdom, including this one, found in 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” These words well illustrate the concept of love that should be the foundation of our interactions with one another.

Jesus words, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), are the basis of this bit of wisdom.

A friend will seek your welfare, even if it requires him to correct you.  An admonition or criticism, if needed, will still hurt (wound). But, as it comes from a friend the intent is recognized, and the wound can bring change and improvement.  So, the wounds of a friend are “faithful.”

Interestingly, one of the most effective tools that Satan and his minions have is flattery. Any praise of our intelligence, our accomplishments, our attractiveness can be used to manipulate and deceive.  We are all vulnerable to these tactics. It is best to be on guard!

Jude talked about false teachers in this way.  “These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage” (Jude 16). The apostles warned of this type, and Jude notes, “These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit” (19).

When receiving criticism OR flattery, the wise man’s words are worthy of consideration.

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God has explicitly revealed both requirements and prohibitions for us to heed in our lives to please Him. What God says DO, we must DO. What God says DO NOT, we must DO NOT.

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Lupe Florez shares a message of personal integrity and effort as Christians, as we respond to the gospel, and God’s gift of salvation.

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Love is foundational to our faith as Christians.  It is the basis of all we are and all we do. This is so, because “God is love.” “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).

In this we differ from the world.  John develops this truth fully in his first epistle. “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:10-15). Continue reading ““Behold what manner of love”” →

As Paul continues here his reference to the meeting in Jerusalem recorded in Acts 15, some might think that he writes disparagingly about the apostles and elders in Jerusalem.  Those who “seemed to be something”, “it makes no difference to me”, “who seemed to be pillars.”  This is absolutely untrue, as Paul was simply using this occasion to again argue for his independent, God given position as an apostle.  His standing did not depend upon James, Peter and John and they had nothing to add to the gospel he preached. Despite the efforts of the Judaizers to diminish Paul, he was acknowledged by the other apostles to be an ambassador “toward the Gentiles.”

As such, Paul receive from them the “right hand of fellowship.” Such a shaking of hands was and is now an expression of Christians of our joint participation in the faith of Jesus Christ. Paul was not a usurper, he was an equal partner in God’s work.

Paul was also eager to help the poor, a truth clearly established in the record of scripture, (1 Cor. 16:1-2; 2 Cor. 8-9; Rom. 15:26).

“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor” (Ecclesiastes 10:1).

No, this article is not about perfume.  But, the writer of Ecclesiastes refers to perfume that stinks to make a point. Why does the perfumer’s ointment stink?  Because it has been corrupted by dead flies. Not a pretty picture, is it?

The lesson is about leadership.  Consider the reference to “one respected for wisdom and honor.” We want our leaders to be respectable. We desire them to show integrity, honor, and honesty in their personal lives and character. A lack of such integrity leaves a stench in our nostrils. Continue reading “Stinking Perfume” →

In the apostle Paul’s previous life he was a successful man. A Pharisee of the Pharisees, his zeal for the law commended him to the Jewish leadership. He was a Roman citizen, a student of the respected rabbi Gamaliel, and of the tribe of Benjamin. Among the Jews, these attributes  brought him a great deal of respect.

And then, everything changed. The Lord appeared to him while traveling to Damascus (Acts 9), and Saul was confronted by a new reality. The Christians he actively persecuted turned out to be right! Their claim that Jesus was the Christ from God was absolutely true.  Saul of Tarsus was actively persecuting the Messiah and his followers.

So Saul changed. This was an indication of his personal integrity. His willingness to acknowledge fault and change direction is perhaps the most laudable thing about the man.  As he put it in Philippians 3:7-9, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him…”

From Saul the Persecutor to Paul the apostle, he showed himself an honest man, acting with integrity. As such, he earns our respect, and we should seek to emulate him. As Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

A discussion defining the concept of repentance, teaching what it encompasses, and establishing its necessity for receiving forgiveness from God.

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The 43rd lesson in our series of Jesus’ Words in John’s Gospel. This lesson examines Jesus’ promise (in John 15:26-16:4) to send the Holy Spirit to the apostles to enable them in their witness.

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There are many ideas of what it means to be a “real man.” They conflict with one another, and are heavily dependent upon culture, peers and self-identity.

Does being a man indicate a willingness to fight, an abundance of testosterone, aggressiveness, physicality? Some say so. Does being a man require feelings of superiority, dominance, and misogyny? This seems common as well. Continue reading “What Does it Mean to be a Man?” →

“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ ³⁴ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).

In our text, the apostle Paul is talking with the Corinthians about a false idea some had espoused, that there was no resurrection from the dead (15:12). It was apparent that their views had some traction, as an entire chapter of the epistle is taken up in the refutation of the error, and the glory of the truth on the subject. In the midst of the discussion, our passage expresses Paul’s desire that the Corinthians stay away from those who would espouse the error. Continue reading “Evil Company Corrupts” →