The plea of churches of Christ today is to restore New Testament Christianity into the lives of as many as will receive the gospel. It is not sufficient to preach the gospel without expecting those who believe it to change their lives. To this end, the churches of Christ preach, and the Bible teaches, that the gospel contains all the information that we need to do this (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:17).
At the time of Paul’s writings, I believe the NT was not yet written, incomplete. The “imperfect” I believe is the miraculous spiritual gifts which ceased. What do you think the “perfect” is in 1 Corinthians 13:10? “The perfect” in this passage is the coming completion of the revelation of God to man in what […]
Where does our heart stand? Are we at absolute zero because we are covetous, stubborn, or selfish? I hope not. Instead, we need to be pliable and plastic so that the Lord may mold and shape us to His will. You can’t bend something that is at absolute zero, only break it.
Jesus is precious because His blood is precious.1 Peter 1:19 says that we were not redeemed with corruptible things “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” This blood paid the price for my sins and bought me back from perdition (1 Cor.6:20). This blood purchased the church (Acts 20:28). This blood speaks greater things than that of Abel (Heb.12:24). The blood of Jesus is precious.
SUBJECT: Biography
TITLE: Lessons from the Life of Esther
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will note several lessons from the book of Esther.
OBJECTIVES: Each listener should be able to tell the story of Esther and explain how God cares for His people.
AIM: To help all understand that God cares for His people and provides for them in His own way.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Esther 2:5-9
The Bible says that Jesus is precious to us who are born again to righteousness, edification, and sanctification. In 1 Peter 2:7 we have this statement, “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious.” Is Jesus precious to you? Do you value Him like you would value your most prized possession?
Date written: October 12th, 2007 Scripture ref: Exodus 20:1-17 SUBJECT: Morality, Ten Commandments TITLE: The Sixth Commandment – Thou Shalt Not Murder PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study the sixth commandment, namely, 1) The verb in the commandment, 2) The vindication consequent to that verb, 3) the vitality of the command today, and 4) […]
I Am The Way The Truth And The Life – This sermon explores the meaning of Jesus’ statement, “I am the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
PROPOSITION: In this sermon we see an 1) unrealized cure, 2) unabashed command, 3) unjustified criticism, 4) unapologetic confirmation.
Objectives: That each would understand the events that occurred at the pool of Bethesda and learn the lessons of appropriate compassion and sinful apathy.
Aim: That each would have a better understanding of this event in the life of Christ.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: John 5:1-17
SUBJECT: Church, Conflicts, Peace, Unity
TITLE: Principles for Resolving Church Conflicts
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will look at six principles for resolving church conflicts as illustrated by a recent mission trip.
Objectives: That each member be informed regarding the mission trip and understand what was done to resolve conflicts and what lessons were learned.
Aim: To teach six fundamental principles for resolving church conflicts.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Romans 12:8 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
SUBJECT: Salvation
TITLE: Reconciliation (3)–“Be Ye Reconciled!”
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will study God’s plan for man’s reconciliation– What God has done, what man must do, and what man must continue to do to be reconciled to God.
OBJECTIVE: That all who are not reconciled to God in the hearing of this sermon will become reconciled to him.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Cor. 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
Date written: January 14th, 2005 Scripture ref: Acts 2:14-24 SUBJECT: Church TITLE: The Beginning of the Church of Christ PROPOSITION: In this study we will look at Acts 2 in relationship to the beginning of the church of Christ. Objectives: To teach what happened when the church of Christ began. INTRODUCTION: 1. Read: Acts 2:14-24 […]
The gospel provides salvation from a lawless world. How? First, by providing forgiveness of man’s lawless deeds through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. And second, by providing a law of love (Romans 13:10, Galatians 5:14) by which we can live lawful lives in service to God. The gospel is, therefore, God’s perfect law of liberty (James 1:25), the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that frees us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).
In 1 John 3:4, the ASV reads, “Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.” That one verse tells us why we live in a lawless world today, because we live in a sinful world today. The world doesn’t have to have cattle rustlers, corrupt sheriffs, or saloon bosses to be lawless (though it often does). Sin, in and of itself, does the job. Truth be told, we probably don’t think of people’s sins as being lawlessness, but they are.
Date written: March 27th, 2005 Scripture ref: Psalm 100 SUBJECT: Worship TITLE: The Joy of Worship PROPOSITION: Worship should be joyful because 1) The Christian has every reason to rejoice, 2) Worship itself is designed to be joyful, 3) I can do something about being more joyful in worship! Objectives: Each should understand why we […]
Date written: October 23rd, 2004
Scripture ref: Hebrews 8:13
SUBJECT: Covenants
TITLE: Differences Between The Old Covenant and The New
PROPOSITION: Between the Old Covenant and the New, there is a difference of 1) Scope of People, 2) Their Relationship to the Cross, 3) Purpose
OBJECTIVES: Each person should be able discuss the differences between the Old and New Covenants and give scriptures that illustrate the differences.
AIM: To highlight and emphasize the differences between the Old Covenant and the New.
The scriptures give us a somewhat different picture than the Old West. In Matthew 7:23, Jesus says, “And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness'” (ESV). Both the King James Version and the American Standard Version of 1901 translate this word “iniquity.” But it is best translated “lawlessness” as the ESV does.
SUBJECT: End Times/Preparation
TITLE: “Will Jesus Find Us Watching?”
PROPOSITION: Are we prepared for Jesus to come? We must 1) Be prepared. 2) Be patient. 3) Expect the consequences of proper and improper preparation. Will Jesus find us watching?
Objectives: Each should know what the scriptures say about being prepared, patient, and expecting the consequences of Jesus return.
Aim: To encourage all to prepare so that Jesus will find us watching.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Matthew 25:1-13
Helpful confrontation is as natural as the confrontation between darkness and light. Do you find it uncomfortable to turn on the light switch? We do it every day so that we can see and not be hindered by darkness. Light confronts darkness (John 1:5). So, also, we should be comfortable in presenting the light of the gospel to others. Are we?
Paul writes in Romans 12:2,3 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Many Christians want to transform the gospel to satisfy the culture, but that is not what Paul teaches. Radical transformation in action focuses upon moving Christians away from non-Christian culture and the sin within it.