ISSUES FACING THE CHURCH TODAY

[Acts 18:24-28]

INTRODUCTION

A. As we saw in the initial lesson on Issues Facing the Church Today, we can never assume that many [or any] of the things that we are going to talk about in this series of lessons will never “happen here” or affect us as members of this church. As has been said already, some of the… Continue reading

Issues Facing The Church Today

INTRODUCTION

This morning we conclude our series of lessons looking at Issues Facing the Church Today by again noting that we should never assume these things will never “happen here.”  All of the topics we have looked at over the past few months have been relevant for today and things that hopefully we will not have to… Continue reading

After exhorting and admonishing the Jewish Christians of the first century to hold fast to their faith and not surrender and go back to the Old Law, the writer of Hebrews pointed to many examples of faith from Old Testament characters and then further exhorted them to join with him and “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance… Continue reading

[2nd Corinthians 2:3-11]

INTRODUCTION

A. As Paul continues his to address the brethren at Corinth, he now turns to the matter of the sinning brother who had been accepted among them and whom he had addressed in the first letter. If we recall, Paul wrote that they had tolerated among them what was reported to Paul as “sexual immorality as is not even named among… Continue reading

[1st Peter 5:8, 9]

INTRODUCTION

A. One of the most famous war strategy writings of all time is the book entitled “The Art of War,” by Sun Tzu. Tzu lived somewhere in the time of early China [722-481 BC] and was a legendary general whose tactics and writings influenced Asian culture and many others since then. One of the quotes for which he is most… Continue reading

“Blest be the ‘tie that binds’ our hearts in Christian love, the fellowship of kindred minds…”

These are familiar words from a well loved, familiar song, often sang at funerals as a final good-by before the casket is closed, or at times when brethren will soon be parting because of the dismissal of worship or relocation to another part of the country. What a wonderful thought that we… Continue reading

INTRODUCTION

A. Isn’t God great? Surely, those of you who are believers would agree. If we stopped to think about the great things God has done, surely we would conclude that the Lord is great. If we were to pray a prayer in which we only thanked the Lord for what he has done and for what he has given us, how long would that… Continue reading

INTRODUCTION

A. The wise writer said, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11) He also wrote, “Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad.” (Prov. 12:25) And, “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Prov. 15:23)… Continue reading

I guess it is one of those things I will never understand. Or maybe it’s that I do really understand. You might be wondering right about now, “What are you talking about?” Well, be patient because I have a couple of things.

Survival of the Fittest. One of the basic arguments of the theory of evolution is that some creatures, through evolution, added helpful abilities, limbs, defenses, instincts… Continue reading

[Job 1:22]

INTRODUCTION

A. When Job was afflicted, it was because God allowed Satan to do such - not because He acted against Him. Satan even used his own wife and friends to try to influence him to sin, but to no avail. In all things, Job did not charge God foolishly (Job 1:22) nor sinned with his lips (Job 2:10).

B. From time to time… Continue reading

[2nd Peter 3:1, 2]

INTRODUCTION

A. When it comes to spiritual matters, we learn about God, Jesus Christ, and salvation through study of the Bible. If we are convicted by those words, we confess our belief and it is then that we obey the gospel and become children of God in baptism when we are buried with Christ and raised up in Him by the… Continue reading

Almost every week, I read some message from a fellow believer who is lamenting the economy, the perceived intrusion of the federal government into areas they do not desire, terrorist threats [real or imagined], illegal immigration, pollution, global warming, or some other “hot topic” that is making the rounds in the news, talk shows, and the Internet. Some of the messages and articles I read are genuine… Continue reading