When one worships according to the God-given pattern, God will count him as righteous. When one steps outside that pattern and acts on his own, he creates his own righteousness and cannot please God (Romans 10:3). Without revelation, man can never restore God’s order. However, if one humbles himself and returns to God’s pattern beautiful restoration occurs.
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: 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 […]
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
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.
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
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:
TITLE: GOVERNMENT PROPOSITION: To set forth “government” in God’s design. OBJECTIVE:That we have the proper attitude toward and proper behavior regarding “government.” INTRODUCTION: 1. Read: Romans 13:1-7. 2. Regarding the text: 1) There are, as far as this earth is concerned, “higher powers.” 2) There are, in fact, three great organizations created by God: a. […]
God calls lawlessness and unrighteousness sin (1 John 3:4; 5:17). He doesn’t distinguish right from wrong and righteousness from sin arbitrarily. Because God sees and knows all, He sees how sin ruins and hurts us. He calls wickedness and lawlessness sin, because He loves us and doesn’t want sin to deceive, enslave, and cause us to die spiritually.
Sermon on Ascension of Jesus– Sermon outline by Tom Moore on the purpose and meaning of the ascension of Christ.
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
The book of Hebrews tells of Christians who are slowing growing dull and falling away from the faith. Some were drifting (Hebrews 2:1-3), some were dull of hearing (5:11), and some had fallen away (6:4-6). They had fallen into the habit of forsaking the assembling. It was not that they missed an “assembly” or part of an assembly; they had abandoned meeting with the saints altogether! They quit going to worship and bible classes.
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.”