Abel had a pattern from God and he followed it. Cain did not. Cain offered worship that he invented. It was an offering of his own righteousness. It was not what God wanted. It was not pleasing to God. Mankind needs a pattern to avoid presenting his own righteousness to God. However, when we follow God’s pattern, God counts it as righteousness (Romans 4:3, James 2:23).
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.
INTRODUCTION:
1. The Background of the Parable
a. This parable finds its setting during the week leading up to the death of Jesus on the cross.
b. Matthew 23:37-39 … Jesus leaves the temple for the last time
c. As Jesus leaves this impressive structure and looks back, notice what is said … Matthew 24:2
d. Jesus and His disciples then go up to the mount of Olives, which had an impressive view of the temple, and the Lord’s disciples ask two questions:
INTRODUCTION: A. In previous lessons we have that noticed that I am a member of the church of Christ because: 1. It was founded by the scriptural builder – Christ 2. It was founded on THE scriptural foundation 3. It was founded at the scriptural place – Jerusalem 4. Christ is the founder of only […]
THESIS: To teach the wonderful characteristics of the Messiah as described in Isaiah 9:6-7.
TEXT: Isa. 9:6-7
INTRODUCTION: Read Isa. 9:6-7
1. Queen Elizabeth II holds the following titles, “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith”
2. In similar style Isaiah gives the wonder characteristics of a king to be born far in the future. He sees a king born.
1) He is a child born, an heir. “For unto us a child is born.”
2) He will be a male heir, a son. “Unto us a son is given.”
3) He is born heir apparent. “The government shall be upon his shoulder.”
3. Much as we have spoken of the current monarch of Great Britain His expanded name will include these attributes: Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Putting on Christ means we adopt His 1) Character, 2) Words, 3) Life. Each person will understand that to put on Christ means changing to be like Christ. To help everyone understand that putting on Christ is a full-time endeavor that encompasses everything the Christian does.
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
INTRODUCTION: 2 Cor. 7:9-10
1. Sometimes our translations are not helpful enough.
2. We read a word like “repentance” and wonder if we have a clear conception of the meaning.
1) We don’t use it much in conversation.
2) We are acutely aware that the modern meaning of a word may not convey the meaning of the original.
3. This is a word that is essential to understand. Paul associates it with salvation in our text.
SUBJECT: Growth
TITLE: GROWING AND ABOUNDING SPIRITUALLY
PROPOSITION: To set forth the aspect of the Christian life which God describes as growing and abounding.
OBJECTIVE:That we grow and abound in spiritual matters.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 2 Peter 1:8-9; 3:18.
SUBJECT: Unity in the Church
PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will look at Ephesians 4:1-4 as this passage teaches the following: 1) The Prerequisites of unity. 2) The Principles of Unity 3) The Plan of Unity 4) The Purpose of Unity.
OBJECTIVES: Each hearer should be able to state what the basics of unity are from these verses.
AIM: To help each individual understand the importance of maintaining unity in the church.
SUBJECT: Prayer
TITLE: Why does the Psalmist cry?
PROPOSITION: The Psalmist cries because of 1) Sickness and Suffering, 2) The Persecution of Evil Men, 3) His Sins and For His Forgiveness, 4) His Desire to Worship God.
OBJECTIVE: That we would each be like the Psalmist in deeply desiring God to hear our requests and answer them.
The Holy Spirit has a unique role in the godhead. Each listener should be able to describe the role of the Holy Spirit in scripture.
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?
INTRODUCTION: Read John 4:24
A. The worship of God in Spirit and in truth is a matter of great importance and great significance, as is clearly seen in God’s word.
1. Jesus taught on worship (John 4:19-26)
2. Paul, on Mars Hill, preached on worship (Acts 17:22-31)
3. The second recorded controversy between God and man was over worship (Gen. 4)
4. The word “worship” is found 119 times in the Bible
SUBJECT: Jesus
TITLE: “I am the Good Shepherd”
PROPOSITION: The Good Shepherd cares for the sheep by 1) Warning them concerning dangers to the flock, 2) Guarding the entrance and exit to the fold, and 3) Laying down His life for the sheep.
OBJECTIVES: Each listener should be able to state how the Good Shepherd warns concerning dangers to the flock, guards the entrance and exit to the fold, and lays down His life for the sheep.
AIM: To emphasize our constant need to be vigilant against the enemy by following the Good Shepherd.
TITLE: The Christian Soldier
INTRODUCTION: Ephesians 6:10-20
A. A Christian’s efforts to live faithfully in this life is described in various terms throughout the New Testament:
1. As a walk and as running a race
2. But the one use most often is that of “warfare.”
B. One of the greatest texts on Spiritual warfare is found in Ephesians 6:10-20.
DISCUSSION:
INTRODUCTION: John 18:1-11
A. Think how it would hurt to be betrayed by a friend and arrested on false charges.
1. I’ve never been arrested, but I’ve been betrayed by people I care about.
2. It is painful and discouraging.
3. It has been said that those who hurt us the most are those closest to us.
B. My experience doesn’t even compare, however, to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus.
1. We often concentrate on His death, burial, and resurrection – and rightly so
2. But from His betrayal and arrest there is a wealth of information about the knowledge and wisdom of God, the utter sinfulness of man, and the sacrificial love of Jesus.