Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
The Good and Bad of Wisdom
In reading on the topic of wisdom, as the concept is treated in scripture, it is interesting to note that it is a rather mixed bag. So, a principle has to be understood from the start. When you read of wisdom in scripture, is the reference to divine wisdom? That is, wisdom that comes from God? Or does it refer to those things that are regarded as wise which come from men? It seems like this is the line of demarcation in determining whether wisdom is “good” or “bad.” Consider the following:
First, being wise doesn’t do you any good if there is no God. This is established by the wise man of Ecclesiastes in chapter 2:12-16. Yes, the wisdom is better than foolishness while you live on the earth. “The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness” (14). But wisdom doesn’t spare you from death. “So I said in my heart, ‘As it happens to the fool, it also happens to me, and why was I then more wise?’ Then I said in my heart, ‘This also is vanity’” (15). Both the wise and the foolish die. And, eventually the wisdom of the wise man fades into the past, and is no longer remembered, “all that now is will forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!” (16).
The Patternists: This Thing is from Me
Many are familiar with the rebellion of Jeroboam, leading to the division of Israel shortly after Rehoboam, son of Solomon took the throne. The events leading to the division of God’s people is recorded in 2 Chronicles 10. But, God alluded to these events in a conversation with Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:31, when the prophet Ahijah delivered God’s message, “And he said to Jeroboam, ‘Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you.”’”
Though Rehoboam played his own part in losing the northern tribes to Jeroboam, he reacted in a predictable manner to the rebellion. 2 Chronicles 11 relates Rehoboam’s assembly of an army of 180,000 chosen warriors to go and fight against Jeroboam and the rebellious tribes, “that he might restore the kingdom to Rehoboam” (2 Chronicles 11:1).
Self-Controlled
The Greek word translated self-controlled in Titus 1:8, is egkrates. This adjective only occurs here in the New Testament, though the noun form enkrateia is found numerous times (ex: Acts 24:25, Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:6).
Thayer defines the term: having power over, possessed of (a thing). Mastering, controlling, curbing, restraining. Strong defines the term: strong in a thing (masterful); self-controlled (in appetite, etc.) temperate.
An elder needs to have mastery over his desires and inclinations. When God created us with desires, He intended us to interact in accord with His will. We are told to “be angry, and do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26). That the marriage bed is honorable and “undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). That we are not to walk as the Gentiles walk, “in the same flood of dissipation” (1 Peter 4:4). An intemperate man is not worthy of the eldership.
In the New King James translation, the Greek term is translated “self-controlled” primarily because in modern English the term “temperate” (as found in the KJV) is used primarily regarding the use of alcohol. It is important to note that control over ourselves and our inclinations should be present in everything. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28). It is a fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:23), to be added to our faith (cf. 2 Peter 1:6). It will be present in every Christian who is pleasing God.
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Sermon: God Can Revive Us!
All of us can use refreshing, rejuvinating, revival. God is the source of our renewal, if we come to Him with a humble and contrite heart. (Text discussed in this lesson, Psalm 119:153-160.
Sermon: In My Father’s House are Many Mansions
In lesson 35 of the series, the discussion centers on the first 6 verses of Jesus’ address to His disciples on the night of His betrayal. (John 14:1-6).
A Survey of Conversions
The book of Acts supplies numerous examples of conversions to Christ. In that Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6), the importance of these examples can not be overstated. The only way to have fellowship with God is to be converted to Christ.
In Acts 2, we read the first example of the gospel preached (14-36). Peter affirmed His sacrifice and His resurrection from the dead. A great number from the audience that day believed what Peter proclaimed about Jesus, and asked the question “what shall we do?” (37). Peter told them to repent and be baptized “for the remission of sins” (38). Summary: The gospel was preached. Believers in Christ were called to repent and be baptized to have their sins remitted. Three thousand souls did as Peter commanded, and were added to the church as they were saved (41).
Holy
The Greek term hosios is found in Titus 1:8, as one of the qualifications for elders, and is translated holy. This is one of 8 times the term appears in the New Testament manuscripts (Acts 2:27; 13:34,35; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 7:26; and Revelation 15:4; 16:5). As Vine notes in his definition of the term, it is used to refer to God, Jesus, certain Messianic promises to David, and to the character of Christians. It is found 41 times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (Septuagint).
In Titus 1:8, the reference is to a character trait that must be present in those who would serve as elders. Strong defines it as proper, right, pious, hallowed. Thayer says it refers to those pious toward God, with a special and preeminent sense in which it refers to the Messiah Himself. Vine states that it refers to being religiously right, holy (as opposed to that which is unrighteous or polluted).
All Christians should have this character trait. When we consider that Jesus is perfectly holy, as His disciples we seek to be as He is. This requires us to acknowledge His authority, and to seek to submit to His definition of rightness and piety.
It is not enough to be religious. We must be religiously right. It is not enough to be pious, our piety must be toward God and His will. It is not enough to act as others see to be proper. We must act as God determines is proper. Then, and only then, are we holy. “Because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I [the Lord] am holy’” (1 Peter 1:16).
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The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear
The apostle Peter, in his first epistle, emphasized the importance of living holy lives. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The text continues with a discourse on the redemption of his readers. They were redeemed with “the precious blood of Christ” (19). Christ was raised from the dead, “so that your faith and hope are in God” (21).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear”
Sermon: Thanksgiving
The expression of Thanksgiving for blessings changes our perceptions about ourselves, our possessions, and our God.
Sermon: Ingratitude
Speaker: Aaron Collier
In this 15 minute lesson, Aaron emphasizes the importance of not only being grateful, but also expressing that gratitude to God and men.
Sermon: Night and Darkness
Day and Light are contrasted with Night and Darkness in scripture. The lesson discusses the realm of spiritual Night and Darkness, and the Holy Spirit’s call to Wake Up!
Sermon: Three Attitudes Toward Truth
Acts 17 shows a remarkable spectrum of responses to Paul’s teaching, ranging from open animosity, to dismissiveness, to belief and acceptance. What was behind such responses? How do men’s hearts differ?
Just
The word “just”, translated from the Greek term dikaios, is a common word in the New Testament. It occurs 81 times in 76 different verses. The primary definition of the term is, according to Thayer: righteous, observing divine and human laws, one who is such as he ought to be.
This term, dikaios, is translated “righteous” a total of 41 times in the KJV of the New Testament. It is this wide sense of the term that is most common. A righteous (dikaios) person is upright, virtuous, and keeps the commands of God.
For example, in Luke 6:1, the term is used to describe the parents of John the Baptist, Zacharias and Elizabeth, “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.”
In Titus 1:8, the term is found as one of the qualifications for elder. The term is translated “just” here, and seems to have a narrower definition than that found in the verse above.
Thayer states of the term dikaios: In a narrower sense, rendering to each his due; and that in a judicial sense, passing judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them.
So an elder should be a just “judge” in his dealings with the flock. Here there is found the need for compassion and fairness in the exercise of oversight. Consider the destructive nature of a man in that position that does not deal fairly with brethren. His actions must instead be right, or just.
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A Lover of Good
The NKJV phrase, “a lover of good” appears only in Titus 1:8, as one of the qualifications of an elder. It is translated from the Greek word philágatho ).
This Greek term is from the root philos (fond of) and agathos (that which is good). Though the KJV translates the term, “a lover of good men”, it is important to note that there is nothing in the definition of the word or the context that limits it only to men. An elder is to be fond of all that is good. Here, the RSV, NKJV, ESV, and numerous other translations rightly leave off “man.”
The lexicographers all offer simple definitions of the term. Strong — fond of good; Thayer — loving goodness; Vine — loving that which is good. The term is plain, and easily understood.
Interestingly, the negative aphilágathos is found in 2 Timothy 3:3, when referring to ungodly people of the last days. Here the translation reads, “not loving good.”
The elder should have this as a part of his character because every Christian should have it as a part of his character! One of the identifying characteristics of the child of God is that he hates darkness, and loves the light. As Paul wrote in his treatise on love, that “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
We are children of the light. Each of us are to love righteousness, and reject sin.
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Sermon: Philip and the Eunuch (Acts 8)
A discussion of Philip’s evangelistic efforts, and the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch, as found in Acts 8.
