The religion of Jesus Christ is NOT irrational. In fact, when Paul went to preach the gospel to others, the scriptures say that he "reasoned" with them (Acts 17:2; 18:4; 18:19; 24:25). We are admonished to "prove all things" (1 Thess.5:19). John tells us to "try the spirits" (John 4:1). In dealing with matters of religion, we are to "speak as the oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:11).
How many times have you heard this one, "It doesn't matter what you believe." Don’t take that one to driving school. It will not pass. "The sign says 'STOP' but it just doesn't matter what you believe." Would you tell a police officer this? Imagine the conversation: "Officer, I know I was doing 80 in a 35, but, it doesn't matter what you believe."
When we think on things that are of good report we think about things that are: 1) Friendly, 2) Gracious, 3) Well Intentioned, and 4) Holy. Each person should be able to order their thoughts so as to think on things that are of good report to help each person control their thoughts so that they can control their life.
How many times did Jesus say to reasoning adults, “Go ask your parents whether or not I am the Messiah?” He never did. What did He say? “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me” (John 5:39). It wasn’t “go ask your parents,” but “the scriptures teach.”
We rescue the sheep because 1) Our Desires are Spiritual, 2) We Want to Fulfill the Law of Christ, 3) To Keep Us Humble. In this lesson we want to encourage the faithful to help the unfaithful to be faithful.
Take a few salesmen and set them before potential clients and tell them to say, "You need to buy my product because I feel in my heart that it is right for you." The clients will leave. They want competence, not sentimentalism. They want good reasons to buy your product, not sappiness.
In this lesson, we will look at Matthew 25:35, 36 as a guide for caring for others. This passage indicates that we should care for others by providing for their 1) Nourishment, 2) Shelter, 3) Clothing, 4) Comfort, and 5) Companionship. We must understand what it means to care about other people. Jesus said that this was key to eternal life.
The decision of what religion to practice is of utmost importance! Man’s soul is more valuable than any automobile, house, or job. So, why would one put the decision of what to do with his soul in the hands of a child—and not only that, but merely based upon a child's likes and dislikes?!
In this lesson we will study John 8:1-11 and learn about the wisdom of Jesus: 1) Undergoing a Dilemma, 2) Uncompromising Deliberation, 3) Upholding Dignity. To study the passage and learn lessons from the text. That each understand the appropriate lessons to be learned from this text.
God doesn't want us to persist in the sickness of sin. God wants us to be cured from the sickness of sin. We can be cured if we trust in God's word and stop practicing sin. God expects us to repent of our sins; that means we must change our life and stop sinning. That doesn't mean that we will be perfect; but we don't have to be perfect to stop making sin a deliberate and purposeful habit. We must cease doing evil and do good!
In this lesson, we will study what it means to be free in Christ: 1) We are free in Christ, 2) Freedom is not to be used to fulfill carnal desires; 3) Freedom is to be used to serve one another with love. The listener should understand that freedom is not lawlessness, but that there are certain things against which there is no law, and that freedom is governed by the distinction between the carnal and the spiritual.
Some operate under the delusion of the once-saved-always-saved doctrine. They think they have a license to sin because they can't lose their salvation. Such false doctrines are contrary to the plain teaching of scripture. Hebrews 10:26 27 says, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."
The forgiven are blessed because: 1) God Covers Their Sins, 2) They Confess Their Sins, 3) God Carries Them, 4) They Accept Criticism, 5) They are Cheerful. Each hearer will understand the blessing of forgiveness taught in Psalm 32.
Do you want to be sick? I have been sick many times with some kind of virus. Sometimes it was the flu; sometimes is was something else. Being sick, however, there was one thing I knew; I didn't want to be sick! People who have Munchausen's Syndrome, however, not only want to be sick, but, and as odd as it sounds, they like being sick.
One of the blessings of knowing the battle is the LORD is that we can have assurance in knowing the end will turn out according to His blessed will. As James said about Job, “you have heard of the patience of Job, and seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (5:11). Jehovah can be trusted, and we must lean upon Him and not our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Leading our children means 1) Being the Parent, 2) Regulating a Child's Emotions, 3) Spiritual Training. Each listener should understand that Ephesians 6:4 involves three areas of parental responsibility. Each parent should understand the grave responsibility we have to rear godly children.
Paul exhorted or encouraged Timothy to encourage the congregation in Ephesus to do something for all men. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the church is to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all men. What a great blessing to be given such purposes and truly we can say as the people of God, we have something to do daily (Philippians 2:12).
For us to think on things that are lovely, we must 1) Focus on the Positive, 2) Change Our Thinking, 3) Model Exemplary Behavior. Each listener should understand that God wants us to dwell on lovely things. I want this sermon to move our minds in the direction of good and stay there.
What type of man was David? Did David love the Lord? Was David perfect? Was David willing to make things right after his failures? David was known as the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Samuel 23:1). Being from the tribe of Judah, he was from the kingly tribe of which Jesus also came. He was obedient to the will of God in that he understood roles and authority.
The apostle Paul teaches that a Christian can fall from grace by 1) Being Entangled with a Yoke of Bondage, 2) Being Estranged from Christ, and 3) By Faith Not Working through Love. Each hearer should understand that a Christian can lose salvation if he/she is not faithful.