Sermons from 2008

1. This study is primarily for the benefit of single, available adult Christians. 2. Have questions or issues like this crossed your mind?: A. Am I doomed to life-long single-living and celibacy? B. Is there a God-ordained special someone for everyone? C. How do I go about getting a mate? D. How do I attract a mate? E. What constitutes godly decorum in pre-marital relationships? F. Should I have to sacrifice any of my ideals in order to be married? G. Is marriage even for me? H. The "pick...

1. This study is primarily for the benefit of single, available adult Christians. 2. Have questions or issues like this crossed your mind?: A. Am I doomed to life-long single-living and celibacy? B. Is there a God-ordained special someone for everyone? C. How do I go about getting a mate? D. How do I attract a mate? E. What constitutes godly decorum in pre-marital relationships? F. Should I have to sacrifice any of my ideals in order to be married? G. Is marriage even for me? H. The "pick...

THE CITIES OF REFUGE 1. Under the law of Moses, cities of refuge were established in Israel. A. Refuge: “Shelter or protection from danger or trouble; succour sought by, or rendered to, a person.” B. Detailed information about these cities of refuge are found in EXO 21:12-14; NUM 35:9-34; DEU 4:41-43; 19:1-13; JOS 20:1-9. 2. Note the fact of progressive revelation in the accounts of these cities. A. In EXO 21:12-14 a place is appointed but not named. B. In NUM 35:9-34 six cities are to be appointed ...

Christ's Second Coming and the End of the World (2 Peter 3) I. This study is a short refutation of the preterist. A. Preterist: Theol. One who holds that the prophecies of the Apocalypse have been already (wholly or in great part) fulfilled. B. The preterist holds that the prophecies of the second coming of Christ, the resurrection and the final judgment were fulfilled in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. 1. “Does any one expect Tacitus, or Suetonius, or Josephus, or an...

VIRTUE I. Here is every text that uses the word virtue or virtuous(ly): RUTH 3:11; PRO 12:4; 31:10, 29; MAR 5:30; LUK 6:19; 8:46; PHI 4:8; 2PE 1:3, 5. II. Consider the definitions relevant to this study. A. Virtue: (ad. L. virtus manliness, valour, worth, etc. f. vir man) - 1. The power or operative influence inherent in a supernatural or divine being. 2. Conformity of life and conduct with the principles of morality; voluntary observance of the recognized moral laws or standards of right c...

This is the last message in the series on Seeking A Mate. It contains Biblical teaching on important issues affecting everyone, especially young adults, that is seldom found but often needed. Walking Purely and Chastely 1. A study like this would be incomplete without addressing the sexual aspect. A. Next to the instinct for survival, the sex drive is the most powerful force of human nature. It is part of life with which Christians must deal and it is best that they do so from a Biblical persp...

v.13. 1. Paul commands Timothy to hold fast (firmly) the sound words that he had heard. A. Here a second-generation minister is being charged to stick to the apostolic doctrine. (1) This hardly supports the idea of continuing and novel prophecy. (2) This opposes the introduction of extra-biblical knowledge, ex cathedra utterances, philosophies or “...oppositions of science falsely so called” (1TI 6:20). (3) “...the SAME commit thou to faithful men” (2TI 2:2). (4) Embellishments, ...

vs.15-18. 1. The close of this first chapter is a call to faithfulness in relationships. A. As a good minister, Paul deserved better treatment than abandonment in a time of tribulation by those to whom he had ministered. B. Onesiphorus stood apart from others and set a good example of fidelity. C. What applied here in a relation to a minister would also apply in a general sense in everyday relationships. 2. All those in Asia who had once identified with Paul had turned away from him. A. Pa...

Chapter 2 v.1. 1. Timothy is here commanded to be strong in a particular manner, “...in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” A. This is not an order for a rigid physical discipline so as to enable Timothy to be a better Christian and minister. 1TI 4:7-8. (1) Physical strength without God's blessing avails little. JDG 16:20. (2) Physical strength does not impress God (PSA 147:10) but neither does foolish or wilful neglect of the body, albeit under pretext of a higher spiritual purpose. 1...

vs.3-6. 1. In these verses Paul likens the ministry to soldiering, athletic competition and husbandry (care, cultivation and breeding of crops and animals). A. These three comparisons underscore three facts about ministry and Christian life in general: (1) There are fights to be fought. (2) There are rules that must be kept. (3) There is labour that must be done. B. As much as our flesh would like to avoid these, they are part and parcel of genuine Christianity. MAT 7:13-14; ACT 14:22. ...

METICULOSITY, SCRUPULOSITY AND PERFECTIONISM I. Definitions. A. Meticulous: “1. Fearful, timid. Obs. 2. Over-careful about minute details, over- scrupulous.” B. Scrupulous: “Troubled with doubts or scruples of conscience: over-nice or meticulous in matters of right and wrong. Also (of things, actions, etc.), characterized by such scruples. b. Prone to hesitate or doubt; distrustful; cautious or meticulous in acting, deciding, etc..... 4. Of actions, etc.: Rigidly directed by the dicta...

8. The ministry is likened to an athletic contest. v.5. A. Mastery: “The state or condition of being master, controller or ruler; authority, sway, dominion; an instance of this. 2. Superiority or ascendancy in competition or strife; 'upper-hand'; victory...” B. God has ordained the minister as the ruler (under Christ) of the church. HEB 13:7, 17; 1TH 5:12-13. (1) This is a crown which must be achieved lawfully. (2) Achieving such preeminence by carnal means invites judgment. ACT 8:18-20....

NEGATIVE PREACHING I. If one preaches the Bible, he will preach a lot of negatives. His ministry will be characterized by liberal doses of Vitamin "N." A. Note the negatives in the Ten Commandments. EXO 20:3-17. B. Note the negatives in Christ's preaching. MAT 6:1-2, 5, 7-8. C. Note the negatives in Paul's preaching. EPH 4:17, 25-30; 5:3-7. II. Christianity is a religion of controversy. A. Jesus did not come to send peace on earth, but a divisive sword. MAT 10:34-37; LUK 12:51. B...

v.14. 1. Timothy had been instructed to commit the things heard from Paul to faithful men who would be able to instruct others. 2TI 2:2. A. Paul here instructs Timothy to remind them about these things. B. This shows that they had previously been taught these things. C. It is negligence to NOT remind saints of things which they have previously heard. 2PE 1:12. D. Bringing former lessons to remembrance is a profitable method of stirring up the minds of the saints. 2PE 1:13; 3:1-2. (1) Sain...

Psalm 28 Intro: This prayer psalm sees David transition from distress to praise, from the militant saint to the triumphant saint. A. He speaks to God, pleads for God to reply in kind, and trusts that since God has claimed him as His own peculiar treasure that He will answer with salvation. c/w PSA 119:94. B. No appeal is here made on the basis of David's goodness but only God's. It is a bold approach to the throne of grace for mercy and grace to help in time of need. HEB 4:16. C. This is an...

v.15. 1. A chief priority and attribute of an effective gospel minister is that he should be a man of study so as to avoid being ashamed. A. Study: “To apply the mind to the acquisition of learning...” (1) The studying in context is that of the word of truth, the Scripture. (2) Not all studying is profitable for godliness and godly wisdom. PRO 24:2; COL 2:8, 18; PRO 19:27; ROM 16:19. (3) Christian faith need not fear rational inquiry and investigation of non-Scriptural disciplines but of n...

vs.16-18. 1. In contrast with a shameless right dividing of the word of truth, Paul here warns against cancerous words which spring from wrongly dividing the word of truth. 2. Hymenaeus and Philetus acknowledged the biblical doctrine of the resurrection but they had erred from the truth and wrongly divided it. A. The doctrine of the resurrection includes the resurrection of Jesus Christ (a past event, v.8), the similar future resurrection of His seed (ROM 8:11) and the simultaneous resurrecti...

I. Burnout is the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength brought on by continued stress; it is a loss of enthusiasm, energy, idealism, perspective, and purpose. A. Scripture calls it despair which is the loss of hope. 1SAM 27:1. 1. Without hope we are lost . ROM 8:24. 2. Without hope we are adrift without an anchor. HEB 6:18-20. 3. Without hope we are defenseless, without a helmet. 1TH 5:8. 4. Without hope we are insecure. JOB 11:18-19. 5. Without anticipation we have nothing to liv...

BURNOUT I. Burnout is the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength brought on by continued stress; it is a loss of enthusiasm, energy, idealism, perspective, and purpose. A. Scripture calls it despair which is the loss of hope. 1SAM 27:1. 1. Without hope we are lost . ROM 8:24. 2. Without hope we are adrift without an anchor. HEB 6:18-20. 3. Without hope we are defenseless, without a helmet. 1TH 5:8. 4. Without hope we are insecure. JOB 11:18-19. 5. Without anticipation we have noth...

VII. Consider Scriptural preventatives against burnout. A. Implementing these steps can prevent burnout and also help the burnout victim to recover. B. Faith in Jesus Christ is a great antidote to burnout. JOH 14:1-3. 1. To relieve him of the burden of guilt, the believer is assured of justification. a. There is mercy to cover the inevitable imperfections of our performance. 1JO 2:1-2; HEB 8:12. b. To avoid burnout, this mercy must be the ground of our hope. PSA 130. 2. Countering the fear of death ...

VII. Consider Scriptural preventatives against burnout. A. Implementing these steps can prevent burnout and also help the burnout victim to recover. B. Faith in Jesus Christ is a great antidote to burnout. JOH 14:1-3. 1. To relieve him of the burden of guilt, the believer is assured of justification. a. There is mercy to cover the inevitable imperfections of our performance. 1JO 2:1-2; HEB 8:12. b. To avoid burnout, this mercy must be the ground of our hope. PSA 130. 2. Countering the fear o...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: A Rebuttal A. Other names: Mormons, LDS. B. Spin-offs: About 100 splinter groups, the largest of which is the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. C. Principal players: Joseph Smith Jr., Samuel & Hyrum Smith (brothers), Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, David & Peter Whitmer, Brigham Young. D. Official Publications: Church News (weekly newsletter); Ensign (monthly magazine). E. Scriptures: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of ...

vs.20-21. 1. These verses draw from the illustration of a great house to demonstrate a need in Christianity to identify undesirable elements and separate from them. A. The gold and silver are vessels unto honor; the wood and earth are vessels unto dishonor. LAM 4:2; 1CO 3:11-15. B. Note that even in a great house not everything is gold, silver or honorable. There is bound to be some wood and dirt also. C. There is some comfort in this on an individual basis. The best of men are men at bes...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: A Rebuttal A. Other names: Mormons, LDS. B. Spin-offs: About 100 splinter groups, the largest of which is the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints. C. Principal players: Joseph Smith Jr., Samuel & Hyrum Smith (brothers), Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, David & Peter Whitmer, Brigham Young. D. Official Publications: Church News (weekly newsletter); Ensign (monthly magazine). E. Scriptures: Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of ...

The Believer's Sabbath Day I. Believers are now under a faultless new covenant/testament which made the first one old. 1CO 11:25 c/w HEB 8:6-13. A. The old covenant is annulled and abolished by the new. HEB 7:18; 2CO 3:13; EPH 2:15. B. The season of ordained holy days, including sabbaths, died with Christ on the cross. COL 2:14-16 c/w GAL 4:9-10. 1. The sabbath law was peculiar to Israel. EXO 31:15-17. 2. The sabbath was part of the Sinaitic covenant not made with the nations. PSA 147:19-...

Chapter 3 v.1 1. Paul here warns Timothy of perilous times that shall come in the last days. A. Perilous: “Fraught with peril; causing or occasioning great danger; full of risk; dangerous; hazardous.” B. The last days are the days since the first advent of Jesus Christ. HEB 1:2; 1PE 1:20; ACT 2:16-17; 1CO 10:11; 1JO 2:18. C. What would be the point of Paul here teaching Timothy how to cope with the perilous times of the last days if there was no chance of Timothy living in them? D. Time...

vs.6-9. 1. Paul here warns of sham ministers that victimize silly women. 2. From the type of men guilty of Paul's description in vs.2-5 would arise teachers to support it. Ministers of a very base nature would arise. c/w 2KI 17:32-33. A. “For of this sort...” refers to the kind characterized previously from which Timothy was to turn away. B. Therefore, Timothy is also to turn away from these teachers/ministers. (1) They promote a non-committal, non-judgmental, free-living religion where p...

vs.16-17. 1. These verses set forth the authorship, transmission, utility and sufficiency of the holy scriptures. 2. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God...” A. If something is scripture, it was given by inspiration of God. If something was not given by inspiration of God, it could not be scripture. B. Some modern versions alter this text. (1) The A.S.V. and the R.V. render this phrase, “Every scripture inspired of God...” (2) This wording implies that some scriptures may not be inspired o...

vs.14-15. 1. Against the corruption and deception that would define the perilous times, Paul commands Timothy to hold fast to doctrine and Scripture. A. He does not tell Timothy to ignore the potential threat of wicked influences and simply trust that God would not let His people be affected. B. He does not tell Timothy to look for state support to counter these things. C. He does not tell Timothy to educate himself in the wisdom of this world so as to better deal with worldly people. D. He ...

Bitterness 1. Believers are warned to be on guard against any root of bitterness. HEB 12:15; EPH 4:31-32. A. Bitterness: “The quality or state of being bitter: a. to taste; b. to the mind or feelings; c. deep sorrow or anguish of heart; d. animosity, acrimony of temper, action, or words; e. intensity of frost or cold wind.” (1) Of particular concern is bitterness as regarding animosity, acrimony of temper, action or words. (2) Acrimony: “Biting sharpness to the taste or other bodily se...

VI. ISA 14:14 shows that Lucifer (Satan) desires to be “like the most High.” A survey of some of the attributes of God sheds light on that to which Satan aspires. A. God owns and distributes all wealth at His pleasure. 1CH 29:11-12. B. God is the only Potentate (a person endowed with independent power) and Distributer of power. 1TI 6:14-15; 1CH 29:12. C. God's will is always done in heaven and earth. DAN 4:35; 2CH 20:6. D. God requires unique and universal worship. MAT 4:10; ISA 45:22-...

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT I. Under the law, God gave Israel numerous religious ceremonies which spoke of the sinfulness of sin, the need for atonement and the price of deliverance (death & bloodshed). A. However, these things never actually took away sins. HEB 10:1-4, 11. B. The tabernacle system of worship set forth only an outward purification of the flesh in time designed to be a pattern of the perfect inward purification in eternity wrought in Christ. HEB 8:4-5; 9:13-15, 22-23. C. The law...

Chapter 4 vs.1-5. 1. Paul here gives Timothy his final formal charge recorded in Scripture. A. He had once charged him to fight with faith and a good conscience. 1TI 1:18-19. B. He also had charged him to govern the church impartially. 1TI 5:21. C. He charged him to continue the fight until Christ's appearing. 1TI 6:12-14. D. This charge burdens Timothy with the single most defining and important work of ministry: “Preach the word...” (1) It is by preaching that unbelievers h...

Jesus Christ in Hebrews 11 Faith- I. Belief, trust, confidence 1.Confidence, reliance, trust (in the ability, goodness, etc, of a person; in the efficacy or worth of a thing; or in the truth of a statement or doctrine). I. Jesus was a man of faith (Heb 11:6 c/w Joh 8:29 c/w Mat 3:17). A. Jesus was both man (1Ti 2:5) and God (Joh 1:1, 14). B. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). 1. As God, Jesus did not exercise this kind of faith, i...

C. REV 20 is describing a time when the devil would be bound for a period referred to as a “thousand years.” 1. This binding would put a stop to his on-going deceptive tactics with the nations for the duration of the thousand years. 2. After the thousand years expires, the devil would be loosed to revive his game plan, deceiving the nations once more to ultimately destroy all opposition to his government. 3. NOTE: If the devil were able to eradicate the churches of God (of which the m...

On Forgiving Others A. Definitions. 1. Forgive: “trans. To give, grant. Obs.” 2. Forgiveness: “The action of forgiving; pardon of a fault, remission of a debt, etc. †In OE. also: Indulgent permission.” B. A popular position on forgiveness says that we should automatically forgive unconditionally those who have committed offenses against our persons or our society. 1. This has led some to conclude that we should not hold it against the killers at the schools in Columbine or Paducah, or the...

9. Against the inevitability and the aftermath of apostates, Paul commands Timothy to watch, endure, work, and prove his ministry. v.5. A. Regardless of the waywardness of others, he must stay the course. EXO 23:2. B. Gospel work must go on in spite of desertions and disappointments. (1) There is a tendency in ministry to think one is failing at the work if some abandon the truth. (2) That some saints abandon the truth is not so much a sign that the minister is failing at the work as it is...

Unconditional Election Election: “The action of choosing: in various specific applications. The formal choosing of a person for an office, dignity, or position of any kind; usually by the votes of a constituent body. Theol. The exercise of God's sovereign will in choosing some of His creatures in preference to others for blessings temporal or spiritual, esp. for eternal salvation.” I. Man is presented in three states in Scripture. A. Man in a state of innocency but capable of falling. GEN ...

Gethsemane A. The Gethsemane experience of Jesus Christ is recorded in MAT 26:36-46; MAR 14:32-42 and LUK 22:39-46. B. Prior to His bodily sufferings climaxing in His crucifixion, Jesus entered into a garden (JOH 18:1) called Gethsemane to acquaint His soul with grief. 1. Man consists of body, soul and spirit. 1TH 5:23. 2. The soul belongs to the inward parts. JOB 14:22. 3. The soul of Jesus Christ was included in His ordained sufferings. ISA 53:10-12. 4. Death's entrance into the world...

vs.6-8. 1. In these verses Paul anticipates his death (which was apparently imminent), reflects upon the course of his ministry and rests in the hope of the believer: the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. The word “for” suggests that it was in view of his death that Paul was here especially exhorting Timothy to carry on the work of the ministry. c/w DEU 31:14; 1KI 2:1-4. 3. Paul speaks with certainty about his end. A. “...the time of my departure is at hand” (v.6). B. “...I have...

The Kingdom of God Is At Hand (Mark 1:15) Kingdom: “Kingly function, authority or power; sovereignty, supreme rule; the position or rank of a king, kingship.” I. In the words of John the Baptist (MAT 3:2) and the Lord Jesus Christ, the kingdom of heaven/God was “...at hand.” A. The system of eschatology represented by the footnotes of the Scofield Reference Bible affirms that the promised Messianic/Davidic king and kingdom which the Jews awaited were thwarted by the Jewish rejection of the M...

1 JOHN 5:6-11 I . John is here setting forth the witnesses to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, both in heaven and in earth. A. The witness described in these verses is the witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 1JO 5:5, 9-10. B. The faith with which John deals in the first five verses is based on this testimony or witness to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. II. The three that bear record in heaven are the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. A. The doctrine of the Trinity is plainly declare...