We have all watched shows from time to time purporting to explain certain “mysteries” within the Bible. Usually in these programs, the writers set forth an allegedly “unexplained” phenomenon discussed in the scriptures and then seek the professional opinions of scholars and educators from different institutions of higher learning. The result of these programs is […]
Why does God refer to Jerusalem as his daughter? The first reference to Jerusalem as a daughter occurs in the Psalms. Psalm 9:13, 14 says, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may […]
SUBJECT: False Doctrine
TITLE: The Doctrines of Gnosticism
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will examine the doctrines of Gnosticism as newly touted by the popular media in “The Da Vinci Code,” “The Gospel of Judas,” and others.
OBJECTIVE: That each would understand what Gnosticism was, how the New Testament deals with those doctrines and why popular culture gets it wrong.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Jude 1:3-5
I heard a TV minister say that if you could not learn to love your spouse then you could not learn to love Jesus. Is this true? This is absolutely true 100%. Notice what John says in 1 John 4:21, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: […]
SUBJECT: God’s Family, Blessings
TITLE: The Blessings of Being a Child of God
PROPOSITION: To be a child of God is to have the blessing of: 1) Forgiveness, 2) Family 3) A Father 4) Felicity.
OBJECTIVE: That each would be encouraged in knowing that they are children of God.
Aim: To use fatherhood as an illustration of what it means to be a child of God.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 John 3:1-3
Every week is an adventure of the mind here in Berryville. Just when you think that you have “seen it all” something happens to make you realize that there are no bounds to which people will go in their minds to justify their own preconceived notions about how they think God works in their lives. […]
At the end of Acts 18 and the beginning of Acts 19, we have a very interesting account of salvation. The account is one in which those who were candidates of salvation submitted to two different baptisms, the baptism of John, and then, the baptism of Jesus. This account is an interesting one, because it […]
I got to see sin up close and personal this week. I saw its intention. I saw its form. I saw its effects. It was ugly. You may wonder what particular sin that it is I saw. And while that would be a discussion that has merit and would be productive on another occasion, it […]
In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, Abraham and Lazarus could see across the gulf into Hades. Is that how its going to be when we get to heaven? Are we going to be able to see the pain those in Hell are going through or was this just part of the parable […]
The verse that immediately came to my mind when thinking about Memorial Day was John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This verse is often quoted on Memorial Day and frequently applied (in most cases, correctly) to the men and women who have […]
Uzziah was a very powerful king of Judah; he reigned fifty-two years, the longest reign of any king in Israel. He was raised under the tutelage of Zechariah the prophet. He conquered the Philistines and the Arabians; the Ammonites brought him gifts. He built towers and dug wells and constructed vineyards. He commanded an elite […]
Where did Jesus’ soul go while he was in the tomb? Where does the soul and spirit go after death? According to Jesus words to the thief on the cross, Jesus said that he would be with Him in “paradise” (Luke 23:43). So this is where Jesus’ soul went after His death. Jesus described this […]
What does Revelation 20:4, 6 mean? These verses indicate the relationship of salvation that these faithful had with Christ. Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). Jesus reigns upon his throne today (Acts 2:30, 31)! Christians are in his kingdom today (Col. 1:13). Spiritually, Christians reign with Christ today (Revelation […]
Who and what is a high priest? The Bible speaks of many different kinds of priests. In Genesis 14:18 we read of the first high priest that the Bible introduces to us. “And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.” In the context […]
Several weeks ago there was a storm that went through the upper Midwest. The news reported that a tornado passed through a residential area and a baby was swept away. There’s no doubt that was an emotionally tumultuous evening for the family. However, after the storm was over, thankfully, the baby was found alive. There […]
As Christians, we praise God. We do so in spoken word, in song, and in other worship. Do we understand what it means to praise God? Do we know what we are doing when we offer “the sacrifice of praise”? In the Old Testament, there are different Hebrew words for “praise.” These different words indicate […]
What is the sin of usury? Please discuss this. Several weeks ago in our Wednesday evening Bible class, the subject of the sin of usury came up. I have to confess that I was not adequately prepared to discuss the subject in detail that evening and as a result could not answer everyone’s question on […]
SUBJECT: Worship
TITLE: Before the Throne
PROPOSITION: When we come before the throne we see that 1) Beauty is Defined, 2) God is Exalted, 3) Holiness is Honored, 4) Praise is Lifted, 5) Man is Humbled, 6) Authority is Respected, 7) Worship is Consummated.
OBJECTIVE: The listener should be keenly aware of the throne room of God and what happens when we enter that throne room.
Aim: To fix within our hearts the proper attitude that we ought to have when we come before the Father’s throne to worship.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: Revelation 4:1-11
The Bible is the greatest book ever written for man and the words of the Bible prove this fact over and over again. It has been said that it is the “owner’s” manual for life. Certainly it was written by the one who knows man best-his Creator. Just as we would look to the owner’s […]
On the outside of an old fruit crate sitting in my office is a label: “Liberty Brand / Grown and Packed by Escondido Lemon Assn. / Escondido – Calif. / Sunkist.” I understand that these fruit crate labels today are collectors’ items, though this one has been damaged to the degree that it wouldn’t be […]