INTRODUCTION
A.    Submission. Are we still allowed to say that today? It has almost become equated with the word slavery to some! Submission is something no one seems to want to be accused of nowadays. It has become a word of derision and inferiority and something no one wants to be because we are so independent that it is impossible (in their minds) to be an individual thinker… Continue reading

I guess if I wanted to be precise I should have titled this article “Reinvigorated,” but I will leave it as it is. The word, literally translated, means “to put life or energy into,” and this past week, I was spiritually reinvigorated by many brethren with whom I worked and worshipped in a gospel meeting. The lessons were all aimed at giving the brethren portions of God’s… Continue reading

[Matthew 6:19]

I.        Introduction

A.   The 700 Billion Dollar Bailout

B.   The Presidential Election

C.   If you listen to the news, you might find yourself panicking over the state of the economy or the election or even your health.

D.   In these times of uncertainty, let us spend a bit of time talking about the sin of worry (and yes, the Bible… Continue reading

I. Introduction

A. Continuing our series of lessons on Practicing Our Faith, this morning we are going to discuss Modest Apparel.

B. The purpose of this morning’s lesson is to define the standards that God has laid out for a Christian’s dress.

C. Our hope and aim is to examine the attitudes and actions that a Christian should have and how they are reflected in the clothes that we wear. Continue reading

In this current society of ‘instant’ everything, we do not tolerate delays well. Not so long ago, we were amazed at ‘instant’ cameras that produced a picture we could hold in our hands within minutes. For those without the ‘instant’ cameras, we were soon blessed with ‘one-hour photo’ development; it wasn’t ‘instant’ but we tolerated it. Now, we have digital cameras that can show us the picture immediately after… Continue reading

[Scripture: Eph. 4:17-24]

Intro.
1. We are the bondservants of what (whom) conquers us, 2 Pet. 2:19.
2. Christians choose to be slaves of righteousness, Rom. 6:15-18 (11-14).
3. Yet, the world has captured too many Christians! 1 Cor. 15:33-34
4. We must cast off the world and its… Continue reading

[Scripture: 1 Cor. 4:14-21]

Intro.

1. Understanding and properly applying congregational autonomy continues to be an important topic for God’s people.

2. Questions about autonomy are being raised due to concerns over doctrinal and moral purity, fellowship and the unity of believers.

3. Questions about autonomy which the NT answers include:

a. What is congregational autonomy? Continue reading

[Scripture: Psa. 31:21-24]

Intro.

1.  Discouragement may include “deep and sober concern because of  real problems.” (Gene Taylor, “Dealing with Discouragement”)

2.  Apostles were “hard pressed on every side” and “perplexed”, yet not crushed and not despondent (despair), 2 Cor. 4:8-10.

3.  Jesus faced discouragement, Heb. 4:15; 5:7-9.

4.  Jesus always overcame discouragement and never came to the point of… Continue reading

[Scripture: Psa. 119:57-64]

Intro.

1. Without God’s word, man would be lost without a compass and… Continue reading

[Scripture: Psa. 106:1-12]

Intro.

1. Rom. 5:1-2: Two historic errors about God’s grace and our salvation:

a.   Saved by grace only (without personal responsibility): “It is absurd to Continue reading

[Scripture: 2 Cor. 11:12-15]

Intro.

1. Of course, there is nothing good in Satan, Jno. 8:44.

2. But, the deceiver pretends much good, 2 Cor. 11:14-15 (2:11).

3. Satan comes among the sons of God (Job 1:6-7):

a.   He came to Jesus to tempt Him, Matt. 4:3.

b.   He comes to tempt us, Jas. 1:14-16… Continue reading

· THE PROVING OF FAITH - James 1

1. Faith endures trials - 1:1-12.

2. Faith understands temptations - 1:13-16.

3. Faith sees the good - 1:17-18.

4. Faith produces doers - 1:19-27.

· THE PRODUCE OF FAITH - James 2

1. Faith harbors no prejudice - 2:1-13.

2. Faith works (obeys) - 2:14-26.

·… Continue reading

[Scripture: Gen. 19:14-17]

Intro.

1. Have you ever found yourself in a place/situation in which you knew you shouldn’t be? What did you do?

a.   Say: “Too late now;” “Just this once;” or flee like Joseph? (1 Cor. 10:13).

b.   What put you into that position of tempta­tion/sin in the Continue reading

Even as the Israelites were being delivered from Egyptian bondage, they found reason to doubt. Having just seen the power of God demonstrated so thoroughly by the plagues which decimated Egypt, they should have known that God had the power and will to deliver, yet when they stood at the edge of the Red Sea and looked back to see Pharaoh’s approaching army, some complained to Moses, “Is it… Continue reading

[Phlp. 3:12-16]

INTRODUCTION

A.  I grew up in Arkansas, as most of you may know, but I haven’t lived in Arkansas all my life. I moved away back in 1982 and did not come back to until 2000. In between, I lived in Oklahoma [twice], Colorado, Germany, California [twice], and Missouri. In those years, I met a lot of people and we have gotten to know one another… Continue reading

[Matthew 5:14-16]

INTRODUCTION

A.  In this series of lessons, we have been looking at the need to be Practicing Our Faith, as a contrast to being people whose faith is in word only. In these lessons, we have been - and will be - concentrating on the actions that define and demonstrate our faith so we may honestly examine ourselves and see whether or not we are the… Continue reading

When striving to live a godly life, the disciple of Jesus Christ will likely face some sort of accusation of wrongdoing by those who walk in the ways of the world. To one who lives an ungodly life, there is often no stronger condemnation of his life than seeing one who lives godly; knowing that it is possible defeats his excuse for not obeying and he will try to… Continue reading