INTRODUCTION:
A. In Solomon’s effort to understand the “true meaning to life,” he sees that good times and bad times come to all, and this repeats itself in each coming generation.
1. This process repeats itself with such certainty that Solomon concludes – Ecclesiastes 3:15
2. The wise man will understand this, and prepare himself for the ups and downs in life
INTRODUCTION:
A. Romans 2:11-16
B. Now and then we hear of someone falling heir to some priceless treasure without having any concept of the importance or value of what he has, and then proceeding to be irresponsible in his custodianship of the thing.
C. Or, we may be in someone’s home who beams with pride as he shows off his expensive library of books — all of which are evidently unused! Acts 19:35
D. The people of Ephesus apparently were proud of their custodianship of the temple and the image of Diana.
E. The Jews were proud of their “custodianship” of the oracles of God.
1. Romans 3:1-2
2. Deuteronomy 4:5-8
3. Romans 9:4-5
4. The Jews did not do with the word of God what they should have … Romans 2:17-24
F. Do we have this same problem of seeing ourselves as “the custodians of the truth” without acceptance of the attendant responsibilities?
INTRODUCTION:
A. We are keenly aware of the reality of death
1. I am sure that we have had friends and loved ones who have ceased to have life in the body.
2. Hebrews 9:27
B. The body is said to be “mortal” (Rom. 8:11)
1. The word “mortal” means that it is subject to death, or dying is in its nature.
2. However, such is not said concerning the soul … 2 Corinthians 4:16
3. Thus man has a dual nature — of body and soul
Philippians 3:1-3
INTRODUCTION
A. Have you ever heard a preacher in his sermon say, “Now in conclusion”
1. So you reach for the song book … but he continues on and on and on
2. Paul begins this chapter with the words “Finally, my brethren” – and continues on for two more chapters
B. Greek scholars suggest that the word “finally” (loipon) can be a transition word, a word that introduces a new thought
C. This section of scripture has a very important message: “Rejoice in the Lord, always…”
The Eldership: A Manifestation of Divine Wisdom INTRODUCTION: A. The book of Ephesians has been called the “great church epistle” 1. It is a tremendous treatise relative to the church of Christ, and Paul affirms that the church is a manifestation of God’s wisdom. 2. Ephesians 3:10-11 3. Since the church is a manifestation of […]
INTRODUCTION
A. The spiritual heart is widely misunderstood in our day, and of our major problem with regard to being sound and faithful has to do with heart problems.
1. Many are dying spiritually each day because of moral heart disease.
2. Great process, though, has been made in understanding the disorders of the physical heart
3. Yet while great leaps and bounds have brought us to a point to where bypass surgery has about the same risk as an appendectomy, the moral center of man’s being has been shrouded in myth and fiction.
INTRODUCTION: A. Solomon has been explaining why he reached his conclusion that life “under the sun” is vanity: 1. Based upon his personal experience (1:1-2:26) 2. Based upon his personal observations (3:1-6:12) B. In chapters 3 and 4, we saw where he discussed: 1. The inexplicable purpose of God 2. The injustice and oppression of […]
INTRODUCTION:
1. Having considered the manifold works of the flesh, we now focus our attention to “the fruit of the Spirit”
1) Have you noticed that the word fruit is singular, while works is plural?
2) This suggests that the individual works of the flesh are varied and not necessarily related
3) But the fruit of the Spirit, though possessing various characteristics, is, in reality, one, made possible by the combination of all nine characteristics in these verses
4) A person may be guilty of the works of the flesh when only committing one of the works
THE FEMALE FACTOR
1 Timothy 2:8-15
INTRODUCTION:
A. There is an important need in our day and time to discuss the role of women in the church.
1. The denominational world has thrown off the limitation of biblical authority and have gone head-long into error concerning the proper role of women.
2. I have been in the Lord’s church long enough to know that whatever the denominationalists do will sooner or later appeal to some of our brethren.
3. I know of several “Churches of Christ” who have allowed women to occupy positions of authority over men in the church…
INTRODUCTION: A. In our series of studies on church leadership, there is a very critical item that needs to be discussed and understood, and that is “How is the church to be governed?” 1. What role do the elders, deacons, and other leaders in the church play with regard to church government? 2. What are […]
The Golden Rule
Bible Verse: Matthew 7:12
INTRODUCTION:
A. Have you ever found yourself in a situation…
1. Faced with the need to make a decision on the spur of the moment?
2. Wondering what is the right way to act?
3. Unable to recall whether the Bible specifically addresses the moral dilemma in which you find yourself?
INTRODUCTION: A. It was mentioned last week that there are two things we can count on for sure in this life ““ and that is death and taxes. 1. In our last lesson we discussed the government and it is God ordained, and how that giving honor to government is giving honor to God 2. […]
INTRODUCTION: Matthew 5:6
A. People will do some strange things if they are hungry enough
1. It is not uncommon one to steal in order to eat
2. In a military survival course you are taught to eat bugs, worms, all kinds of plants, things that you would never eat if well fed
3. Stranded, starving survivors have even been known to eat each other in order to live
4. I once read of an elderly woman who choked to death trying to eat a piece of cardboard, since it was the only thing she had
5. 2 Kings 6:24-29
INTRODUCTION: 1. Worship is a topic that we all should be vitally interested in. 1) In the beginning, on the sixth day of creation, God reached down and made man from the dust of the earth. 2) Ever since then man has been reaching upward to God in worship. 3) The Greeks had a name […]
INTRODUCTION: A. Many different things have been invented by man to harness great destructive power. 1. TNT is one of the most powerful man-made explosives. 2. It has been a great labor saving device, enabling men to literally move the mountains aside for railways and roads. 3. Regretfully, man has also used his knowledge of […]
INTRODUCTION: Matthew 5:4
A. We are studying the Sermon on the Mount
1. The greatest single collection of the thoughts and teachings of Jesus
2. Our Lord begins with what we know as the beatitudes, which shows us some important things about faith:
a. The beginning of faith
b. The growth or development of faith
c. The maturing of faith
d. The proving or testing of faith
Bible Text: Matthew 7:7-11
INTRODUCTION:
A. Why do some people…
1. Succeed in having their prayers answered?
2. Have a greater understanding of the Bible?
3. Reach more souls for Christ?
4. Is it skill, genius, or luck?
Sermon on Spiritual Growth – Sermon outline by Tom Moore on achieving spiritual prosperity.
INTRODUCTION:
1. “O Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 96:9)
1) This ability is what we are endeavoring to produce in each one of us in this series of studies.
2) We want to develop in every one of us a deeper appreciation for worship – for true worship.
2. In our last lesson we set out to define and describe true worship. True worship:
1) Ascribes worth to God – “worship” = worthship.
2) Is to be done in reverence.
3) Arises from the heart overflowing with gratitude.
4) Is reinforced with godly living.
5) Involves the entire person.
3. True worship, as seen in the fragrance prepared for the worship of God in Old Testament times and noted in our last lesson (Exodus 30:34-38), is reserved for God alone – thus, true worship is to be unique.
INTRODUCTION:
A. Most of us are familiar with the principle of bookkeeping.
1. We have assets and liabilities.
2. When liabilities outweigh assets, we have a problem.
3. Assets and liabilities have a much wider application in our world.
B. People in a company, or in a church, may be an asset, or a liability.
1. Too many liabilities make it impossible for either to succeed.
2. “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting” (Daniel 5:27) … Nebuchadnezzar was a liability