Sermons from 2012

The Church and its Minister I. All sinners have a problem with submitting to authority. A. “...sin is the transgression of the law” (1JO 3:4). B. law: A rule of conduct imposed by authority. C. For someone to say that he has no problem with authority is to say that he has no sin, which is self-deception and in effect charges God with lying. 1JO 1:8, 10. D. Honesty and sincerity demand that we admit that we have a natural reluctance to submit to godly authority because it gets in the way of our si...

Fighting Satan and Sin I. We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices lest he take advantage of us. 2CO 2:11. A. Satan brings us into bondage by exploiting the strengths of his ally which is our flesh and blinding us to the ugliness and sinfulness of sin. EPH 2:3; TIT 3:3; ROM 6:19-21. B. Satan holds us in bondage by blinding us to the truth about deliverance and liberty. C. Satan's entire operation is based upon one concept: the lie. He is the father of lies. JOH 8:44. 1. His power is in the...

Fighting Satan and Sin I. We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices lest he take advantage of us. 2CO 2:11. A. Satan brings us into bondage by exploiting the strengths of his ally which is our flesh and blinding us to the ugliness and sinfulness of sin. EPH 2:3; TIT 3:3; ROM 6:19-21. B. Satan holds us in bondage by blinding us to the truth about deliverance and liberty. C. Satan's entire operation is based upon one concept: the lie. He is the father of lies. JOH 8:44. 1. His power is in the...

Fighting Satan and Sin I. We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices lest he take advantage of us. 2CO 2:11. A. Satan brings us into bondage by exploiting the strengths of his ally which is our flesh and blinding us to the ugliness and sinfulness of sin. EPH 2:3; TIT 3:3; ROM 6:19-21. B. Satan holds us in bondage by blinding us to the truth about deliverance and liberty. C. Satan's entire operation is based upon one concept: the lie. He is the father of lies. JOH 8:44. 1. His power is in the lie: the te...

Alive Without the Law (Rom 7:9) I. The purpose of this study is to provide a proper Biblical understanding of Rom 7:7-13 and to answer the following questions: 1. Was Paul referring to being spiritually alive (in possession of eternal life) when he said that he was "alive without the law once"? 2. Was Paul referring to living in sinless innocence prior to the law coming to him when he wrote "without the law sin was dead"? 3. Did Paul die spiritually when the commandment came and sin revived and slew h...

Alive Without the Law (Rom 7:9) I. The purpose of this study is to provide a proper Biblical understanding of Rom 7:7-13 and to answer the following questions: 1. Was Paul referring to being spiritually alive (in possession of eternal life) when he said that he was "alive without the law once"? 2. Was Paul referring to living in sinless innocence prior to the law coming to him when he wrote "without the law sin was dead"? 3. Did Paul die spiritually when the commandment came and sin revived and slew h...

Fighting Satan and Sin I. We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices lest he take advantage of us. 2CO 2:11. A. Satan brings us into bondage by exploiting the strengths of his ally which is our flesh and blinding us to the ugliness and sinfulness of sin. EPH 2:3; TIT 3:3; ROM 6:19-21. B. Satan holds us in bondage by blinding us to the truth about deliverance and liberty. C. Satan's entire operation is based upon one concept: the lie. He is the father of lies. JOH 8:44. 1. His power is in the...

Fighting Satan and Sin I. We must not be ignorant of Satan's devices lest he take advantage of us. 2CO 2:11. A. Satan brings us into bondage by exploiting the strengths of his ally which is our flesh and blinding us to the ugliness and sinfulness of sin. EPH 2:3; TIT 3:3; ROM 6:19-21. B. Satan holds us in bondage by blinding us to the truth about deliverance and liberty. C. Satan's entire operation is based upon one concept: the lie. He is the father of lies. JOH 8:44. 1. His power is in the...

Believe Me Not! I. Men are to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. ACT 16:31. A. There are “...lords many...” (1CO 8:5). B. There is “...another Jesus...” (2CO 11:4). C. There are “...false Christs...” (MAT 24:24). D. It is therefore necessary to qualify which lord, which Jesus, which Christ is to be the object of true faith and worship. II. The Lord Jesus Christ of the Scriptures is the One Who does the work of His Father. JOH 10:37. A. Everything He ever did was a work of His Father. JOH ...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple I. The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. II. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets forth...

The Sovereign Dominion of God I. This study sets forth what Scripture teaches about the government of the most high God. The manner in which God's will is accomplished will be considered. Certain questions need to be addressed, some of which are: A. Is God active in the events of history, or has He simply created all things and left the creation to plot its own course? B. Does the universe function completely passively, as a glove on the hand of God? C. Is God's will ever not done? D. Is Go...

The Sovereign Dominion of God I. This study sets forth what Scripture teaches about the government of the most high God. The manner in which God's will is accomplished will be considered. Certain questions need to be addressed, some of which are: A. Is God active in the events of history, or has He simply created all things and left the creation to plot its own course? B. Does the universe function completely passively, as a glove on the hand of God? C. Is God's will ever not done? D. Is Go...

The Sovereign Dominion of God I. This study sets forth what Scripture teaches about the government of the most high God. The manner in which God's will is accomplished will be considered. Certain questions need to be addressed, some of which are: A. Is God active in the events of history, or has He simply created all things and left the creation to plot its own course? B. Does the universe function completely passively, as a glove on the hand of God? C. Is God's will ever not done? D. Is Go...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple I. The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. II. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets forth...

Cryin,' Lyin,' Lion, Dyin' (1 Kings 13) The Background A. The kingdom had recently divided over the reckless attitude of Solomon's son, Rehoboam. 1KI 12:12-19. B. The split was actually due to Solomon's idolatry. 1KI 11:9-13. C. By the order of God, Jeroboam was made king over the ten tribes. 1KI 11:31; 12:20. D. Jeroboam promptly turned Israel to idolatry. 1KI 12:28-30. 1. Jeroboam gained an ongoing notoriety for this wickedness. 2. No less than 20 times are forms of the phrase, “...wh...

Good Thoughts, God's Peace, God's Presence (Philippians 4:8-9) A. These verses are actually a continuation of Paul's prescription for peace (vs. 6-7), introduced by the adverb, “Finally.” 1. finally: In the end, lastly, at last, ultimately. b. Indicating the last point or conclusion of a discourse, treatise, etc. 2. These are Paul's closing arguments on attaining the “...peace of God which passeth all understanding...” (PHIL 4:7). B. He starts by addressing the believer's thought life. Re...

Faith and Facts I. Scripture calls on men to believe truth and NOT believe error. 1JO 4:1-6. A. Belief of a lie is an unsound faith whereas rejection of a lie is a healthy unbelief. 2TH 2:11-13. B. Therefore, Biblical faith requires the usage of one’s reason and critical faculties to discern the truth that one is to believe. C. Reason is compatible with faith. 1. Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures in an effort to persuade men to believe that Jesus is the Christ. ACT 17:2-4; 18:4. 2. ...

Faith and Facts I. Scripture calls on men to believe truth and NOT believe error. 1JO 4:1-6. A. Belief of a lie is an unsound faith whereas rejection of a lie is a healthy unbelief. 2TH 2:11-13. B. Therefore, Biblical faith requires the usage of one’s reason and critical faculties to discern the truth that one is to believe. C. Reason is compatible with faith. 1. Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures in an effort to persuade men to believe that Jesus is the Christ. ACT 17:2-4; 18:4. 2. ...

Faith and Facts I. Scripture calls on men to believe truth and NOT believe error. 1JO 4:1-6. A. Belief of a lie is an unsound faith whereas rejection of a lie is a healthy unbelief. 2TH 2:11-13. B. Therefore, Biblical faith requires the usage of one’s reason and critical faculties to discern the truth that one is to believe. C. Reason is compatible with faith. 1. Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures in an effort to persuade men to believe that Jesus is the Christ. ACT 17:2-4; 18:4. 2. ...

The Gifts of the Spirit The gifts of the Spirit are listed in 1CO 12:8-10, 28; EPH 4:11; ROM 12:6-8 and may be categorized as follows: A. The Revelatory Gifts. 1. Both the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge came by way of revelation to the possessor of the gift. 1CO 2:6-13. 2. Prophecy involves the revelation of truth from God. AMO 3:7; 1CO 14:29-30; EPH 3:5. 3. The discerning of spirits enabled one to discern false prophets or lying wonders. ACT 13:6-10; 16:16-18. 4. Th...

Gideon 1. Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith for the encouragement of our faith. HEB 11:32-34. 2. His account is in JDG 6-8. 3. The judges were called saviours. NEH 9:27. 4. Gideon was a judge and saviour by an imperfect faith compared to Christ, the Judge and Saviour of perfect faith. JOH 8:29 c/w HEB 11:6; HEB 2:13; LUK 23:46. 5. Gideon is a study of how even a little faith may be used of God and blessed with increase. MAT 8:26; 14:31 c/w LUK 17:5. 6. The story of Gideon shows God's ...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple I. The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. II. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets forth...

Gideon 1. Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith for the encouragement of our faith. HEB 11:32-34. 2. His account is in JDG 6-8. 3. The judges were called saviours. NEH 9:27. 4. Gideon was a judge and saviour by an imperfect faith compared to Christ, the Judge and Saviour of perfect faith. JOH 8:29 c/w HEB 11:6; HEB 2:13; LUK 23:46. 5. Gideon is a study of how even a little faith may be used of God and blessed with increase. MAT 8:26; 14:31 c/w LUK 17:5. 6. The story of Gideon shows God's ...

Gideon 1. Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith for the encouragement of our faith. HEB 11:32-34. 2. His account is in JDG 6-8. 3. The judges were called saviours. NEH 9:27. 4. Gideon was a judge and saviour by an imperfect faith compared to Christ, the Judge and Saviour of perfect faith. JOH 8:29 c/w HEB 11:6; HEB 2:13; LUK 23:46. 5. Gideon is a study of how even a little faith may be used of God and blessed with increase. MAT 8:26; 14:31 c/w LUK 17:5. 6. The story of Gideon shows God's ...

Gideon 1. Gideon is listed among the heroes of faith for the encouragement of our faith. HEB 11:32-34. 2. His account is in JDG 6-8. 3. The judges were called saviours. NEH 9:27. 4. Gideon was a judge and saviour by an imperfect faith compared to Christ, the Judge and Saviour of perfect faith. JOH 8:29 c/w HEB 11:6; HEB 2:13; LUK 23:46. 5. Gideon is a study of how even a little faith may be used of God and blessed with increase. MAT 8:26; 14:31 c/w LUK 17:5. 6. The story of Gideon shows God's ...

On Healthy Relationships I. Scripture has much to say about human relationships (the state of being related; a condition or character based upon this; kinship). A. In sinless innocency, God declared it not good that man should be alone. GEN 2:18. B. There are great benefits in the healthy companionship of others. PRO 15:22; 27:17; ECC 4:9-10. C. There are also potential pitfalls in all relationships except one. (1) The supreme relationship that any human can have is with God, and He has rightly...

On Healthy Relationships I. Scripture has much to say about human relationships (the state of being related; a condition or character based upon this; kinship). A. In sinless innocency, God declared it not good that man should be alone. GEN 2:18. B. There are great benefits in the healthy companionship of others. PRO 15:22; 27:17; ECC 4:9-10. C. There are also potential pitfalls in all relationships except one. 1. The supreme relationship that any human can have is with God, and He has rightly ...

On Healthy Relationships I. Scripture has much to say about human relationships (the state of being related; a condition or character based upon this; kinship). A. In sinless innocency, God declared it not good that man should be alone. GEN 2:18. B. There are great benefits in the healthy companionship of others. PRO 15:22; 27:17; ECC 4:9-10. C. There are also potential pitfalls in all relationships except one. 1. The supreme relationship that any human can have is with God, and He has rightly ...

Adultery and Church Membership I. The covenant of marriage. 1. Marriage is a covenant (Mal 2:14). 2. Covenant - 1. A mutual agreement between two or more persons to do or refrain from doing certain acts; a compact, contract, bargain; sometimes, the undertaking, pledge, or promise of one of the parties. 3. The covenant of marriage is different from any other covenant that men can establish. a. It is life-long (Rom 7:2). b. It is made between husband and wife, but it is enforced by God and His law (Ro...

The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) A. Like the letter to Smyrna (and no other), there is no censure---only commendation, encouragement and promise. B. Like the church at Smyrna, Philadelphia was troubled by unbelieving Jews (the synagogue of Satan), to wit, pseudo-Jews by the measure of God. v. 9. 1. Philadelphia was evidently not of the mind that subsidizing, capitulating to, or showing partiality to Scripture-rejecting, Christ-denying Jews was the means to curr...

The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) I. In the last few chapters of the Book of Daniel, God showed Daniel a number of events that would occur before God finished dealing with natural Israel. DAN 12:7. A. This season is called “...the latter days” (DAN 10:14; HOS 3:4-5; JER 23:20) and includes the historical events of the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. B. These latter days are the post-Babylon era of Israel which culminate in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the desolating of Judea and the sc...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets forth tacti...

The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) In the last few chapters of the Book of Daniel, God showed Daniel a number of events that would occur before God finished dealing with natural Israel. DAN 12:7. A. This season is called “...the latter days” (DAN 10:14; HOS 3:4-5; JER 23:20) and includes the historical events of the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. B. These latter days are the post-Babylon era of Israel which culminate in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the desolating of Judea and the scatt...

The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) In the last few chapters of the Book of Daniel, God showed Daniel a number of events that would occur before God finished dealing with natural Israel. DAN 12:7. A. This season is called “...the latter days” (DAN 10:14; HOS 3:4-5; JER 23:20) and includes the historical events of the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. B. These latter days are the post-Babylon era of Israel which culminate in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the desolating of Judea and the scatt...

The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9:24-27) I. In the last few chapters of the Book of Daniel, God showed Daniel a number of events that would occur before God finished dealing with natural Israel. DAN 12:7. A. This season is called “...the latter days” (DAN 10:14; HOS 3:4-5; JER 23:20) and includes the historical events of the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther. B. These latter days are the post-Babylon era of Israel which culminate in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem, the desolating of Judea and the...

Happiness Happiness - The quality or condition of being happy. Happy - adj. Having a feeling of great pleasure or content of mind, arising from satisfaction with one's circumstances or condition; also in weakened sense: Glad, pleased. Joy - 1. a. A vivid emotion of pleasure arising from a sense of well-being or satisfaction; the feeling or state of being highly pleased or delighted; exultation of spirit; gladness, delight. I. Happiness is a good thing and as Christians it is something we ought t...

The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) This parable is relevant to the Second Coming of Christ. A. This parable teaches us to utilize what Christ has given us in anticipation of His return. B. It is descriptive of the kingdom of heaven, the church under the heavenly Messianic reign of Jesus Christ. 1. In the church there would be found good and faithful servants, and wicked and slothful servants. 2. The lord of the servants represents the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ was as a man travel...

The Argument From Silence I. The argument from silence may basically be stated: Where the Scripture speaks to direct, it also speaks to forbid conclusions other than its direction. II. That the Scripture argues from silence can be seen from HEB 7:12-14. A. Moses said nothing about Judah concerning priesthood. 1. From this, Paul reasoned that no man from that tribe gave attendance at the altar. 2. Mind that the fact that God gave the priesthood to the tribe of Levi without stating that Ju...

The Argument From Silence I. The argument from silence may basically be stated: Where the Scripture speaks to direct, it also speaks to forbid conclusions other than its direction. II. That the Scripture argues from silence can be seen from HEB 7:12-14. A. Moses said nothing about Judah concerning priesthood. 1. From this, Paul reasoned that no man from that tribe gave attendance at the altar. 2. Mind that the fact that God gave the priesthood to the tribe of Levi without stating that Ju...

Lust I. Definitions. A. lust: (noun) Pleasure, delight. 3. spec. in Biblical and Theological use: Sensuous appetite or desire, considered as sinful or leading to sin. B. lust: (intransitive verb) To delight in (something); To desire, choose, wish; To have a strong, excessive, or inordinate desire. C. inordinate: Not 'ordered'; devoid of order or regularity; deviating from right or rule; irregular, disorderly; not regulated, controlled, or restrained. D. concupiscence: Eager or vehement des...

1 Peter 1:1-5 I. Peter's first epistle was meant to be a testimony of the true grace of God. 1PE 5:12. A. There is a popular testimony in the world of a false grace which scorns election or mingles it with works, which thing cannot be. ROM 11:6. B. The apostle's testimony of God's true grace begins with election! C. The epistle is addressed “...to the strangers...” (v. 1). God's election causes one to be a stranger in this world and to this world. JOH 15:19; 1PE 4:4. II. Saints are elect...

Abounding In Love I. Paul prayed that the Thessalonian saints would “...increase and abound in love...” (1TH 3:12). A. Compare this prayer with 1TH 4:9-10. B. Christians are responsible to abound in love, but divine enablement must be sought to do this. EPH 3:16-17. C. God teaches us to love one another; this is a prayer for God to strengthen what He has wrought in us. PSA 68:28. D. Paul commended these Thessalonians for loving indeed, which is loving in actual fact, in reality, in truth. 1...

On Humility I. Definitions. A. humility: The quality of being humble or having a lowly opinion of oneself, meekness, lowliness, humbleness: the opposite of pride or haughtiness. B. humble: (adj.) Having a low estimate of one's importance, worthiness, or merits; marked by the absence of self-assertion or self-exaltation; lowly: the opposite of proud. C. haughty: High in one's own estimation; lofty and disdainful in feeling or demeanour; proud, arrogant, supercilious. D. pride: The quality of...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple I. The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. II. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets...

On Widows I. The following definitions are relevant to this study: A. widow: A woman whose husband is dead (and who has not married again); a wife bereaved of her husband. B. bereaved: Deprived or robbed; taken away by force; spec. deprived by death of a near relative, or of one connected by some endearing tie. C. widowhood: The state or condition of a widow or widower, or (contextually) the time during which one is a widow or widower; the condition of a wife bereaved of her husband, or of a...

The Hope of His Coming I. Consider this sampling of life's deficiencies and troubles for which the Second Coming of Christ is the antidote: A. Limited knowledge of God. 1CO 13:12; 1JO 3:1-2. B. Sin and failure. ROM 7:21-24 c/w PHIL 3:20-21. C. Pain and sorrow. REV 21:4. D. Ostracism and loss of goods. HEB 10:32-37. E. Persecution. 2TH 1:6-7. F. Incomplete and unrighteous judgment. ACT 17:31; JUDE 1:14-15. G. Physical corruption and death. JOB 19:25-27. II. The grief of death is re...

Ezra: Rebuilding God's Temple I. The Book of Ezra deals with the return of a great number of the Jews from Babylon to rebuild the temple of God at Jerusalem. A. The present age of the gospel was prophesied of as a time of rebuilding old wastes. ISA 61:1-4; ACT 15:15-16. B. The gospel church is the reformation of the existing church which had fallen into gross disrepair. HEB 9:10; ROM 11:11-21. II. Like its counterpart book which deals with the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Nehemiah), Ezra sets...

God Only Wise, The Only Wise God I. There is an attribute of God that particularly comforts and encourages me as a Christian and as a pastor and it also has an excellent practical application. It is the wisdom of our God. A. There is much in this life concerning which we don’t understand the whys and the wherefores, yet we are commanded to “...have faith in God” (MAR 11:22). B. We are to trust in God with all our heart rather than lean unto our own understanding. PRO 3:5-6. C. As a pastor, th...

1. Ezekiel beheld the appearance of the glory of the LORD as a bow in the cloud. EZE 1:28. A. Compare this with REV 4:3. B. The bow speaks of great mercy and hope of survival inasmuch as it was a token by which God would remember His everlasting covenant with earth and flesh. GEN 9:16. C. God needed to look no further than Himself to remember His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the land upon Israel's repentance. LEV 26:40-45. (1) The salvation that Israel would realize would not be for th...

The Garden of Hope I. Man was originally placed in a garden. GEN 2:8-10. A. In this garden man could walk with God. GEN 3:8. B. Sin demanded man's expulsion from the garden. GEN 3:23-24. C. The desire for a blissful garden state did not die with man's expulsion. Consider: 1. Consider the many parks and gardens man has cultivated for his pleasure. 2. Consider how many things in a home suggest a garden: floral arrangements, potted plants, pictures, vases, designs on tablecloths, upholstery, curta...

I. This study assumes that the King James Version of the Bible (the Authorized Version of 1611 and its subsequent orthographic updates) is the preserved, perfect word of God the Creator in the English language. A. This is a reasoned assumption; it is not without a preponderance of evidence. B. An overview of this issue will be considered later in this outline. II. This study is designed to plainly and simply set forth the fundamentals of Christian faith (that which is or should be believed). A. This faith ...

Major League Failures (Joshua 9) league: A military, political, or commercial covenant or compact made between parties for their mutual protection and assistance against a common enemy; the prosecution or safeguarding of joint interests, and the like; a body of states or persons associated in such a covenant, a confederacy. Intro. A. Joshua is the same name as Jesus (ACT 7:45); both mean “Jehovah is salvation.” B. Joshua was Moses' successor who brought natural Israel into their earthly inheritance, ...