Sermons from 2018

1. The purpose of this study is to refresh us all on the responsibilities and methods of parenting as God has established and communicated them in the Bible. We’ll look at the following facts from scripture. a. Children are a blessing from God. b. The responsibility for training children falls upon the parents. c. Foolishness is bound in your child’s heart. d. The biblical method of disciplining your children is with the rod of reproof. e. The biblical method of instructing your children is with the ho...

Justice and Judgment I. Sometimes we are called upon to render judgment in the court of the church and we may be called upon to sit on a jury in a civil court. A. As a church we have judicial authority over our individual members. 1CO 5:12; 6:1-5. 1. 2. 3. B. In 1. 2. 3. Our power only extends to separating company from an offender. Church membership is voluntary and apostates are free to leave. JOH 6:66-68. This is a power of free association that can only be harmed by church incorporation, not hel...

On Becoming an Independent, Responsible, Successful Adult I. If God gives grace, there comes a time for all to transition from childhood to adulthood. A. The adult puts away childish ways. 1CO 13:11. B. This doesn’t happen overnight nor is it pegged to a birthday. An 18-year old may or may not be ready for independence: it depends upon the level of maturity. C. Youth needs to gradually develop mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually to prepare for being an independent, responsible, successfu...

The First Christians (Acts 11:25) Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: (Acts 11:26) And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. This is the first of only three occurrences in Scripture of the word “Christian(s).” The other two are in 1PE 4:16 and ACT 26:28. From 1PE 4:16, we see that one should not be ashamed for su...

1 Corinthians 15 The Gospel Declared 1. declare: To make clear or plain (anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood); to clear up, explain, expound, interpret, elucidate. 2. This is the same gospel that Paul had preached to the Corinthians and that they had also received. v. 1 c/w ACT 18:1-11. A. It was Paul’s gospel that converted them. He was the father of their conversion. 1CO 4:15; 2CO 11:1-2. B. In his absence, they had strayed from Paul’s gospel to the point that they might accept any go...

1 Corinthians 15 The Gospel Declared 1. declare: To make clear or plain (anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood); to clear up, explain, expound, interpret, elucidate. 2. This is the same gospel that Paul had preached to the Corinthians and that they had also received. v. 1 c/w ACT 18:1-11. A. It was Paul’s gospel that converted them. He was the father of their conversion. 1CO 4:15; 2CO 11:1-2. B. In his absence, they had strayed from Paul’s gospel to the point that they might accept any go...

Justice and Judgment I. Sometimes we are called upon to render judgment in the court of the church and we may be called upon to sit on a jury in a civil court. A. As a church we have judicial authority over our individual members. 1CO 5:12; 6:1-5. 1. 2. 3. B. In 1. 2. 3. Our power only extends to separating company from an offender. Church membership is voluntary and apostates are free to leave. JOH 6:66-68. This is a power of free association that can only be harmed by church incorporation, not hel...

1 Corinthians 15 The Gospel Declared 1. declare: To make clear or plain (anything that is obscure or imperfectly understood); to clear up, explain, expound, interpret, elucidate. 2. This is the same gospel that Paul had preached to the Corinthians and that they had also received. v. 1 c/w ACT 18:1-11. A. It was Paul’s gospel that converted them. He was the father of their conversion. 1CO 4:15; 2CO 11:1-2. B. In his absence, they had strayed from Paul’s gospel to the point that they might accept any go...

Proving From Scripture That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God I. The Premise: Imagine that you are a Jew living in the mid-first century in or around Jerusalem. Your country seems to be heading towards an increasing political turmoil. The sentiments for independence from Rome are growing stronger. A. You are an informed individual and consider yourself a good citizen. B. Like most of your countrymen, you have looked forward to a restoration of the liberty and prosperity which the rabbis have taught is ...

Proving From Scripture That Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God I. The Premise: Imagine that you are a Jew living in the mid-first century in or around Jerusalem. Your country seems to be heading towards an increasing political turmoil. The sentiments for independence from Rome are growing stronger. A. You are an informed individual and consider yourself a good citizen. B. Like most of your countrymen, you have looked forward to a restoration of the liberty and prosperity which the rabbis have taught is ...

Profiting From Your Bible (1TI 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I. This series assumes Scripture to be God’s inspired revelation in written form. 2TI 3:16-17. A. This also assumes that Scripture is preserved. PSA 12:6-7. B. This also assumes that Scripture is pure. PRO 30:5. II. Profiting from Scripture depends upon: A. having the true Scripture. 2CO 2:17. B. believing it is the true Scripture. 1TH 2:13. C. having necessary spiritua...

Justice and Judgment I. Sometimes we are called upon to render judgment in the court of the church and we may be called upon to sit on a jury in a civil court. A. As a church we have judicial authority over our individual members. 1CO 5:12; 6:1-5. 1. 2. 3. B. In 1. 2. 3. Our power only extends to separating company from an offender. Church membership is voluntary and apostates are free to leave. JOH 6:66-68. This is a power of free association that can only be harmed by church incorporation, not hel...

Profiting From Your Bible (1TI 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I. This series assumes Scripture to be God’s inspired revelation in written form. 2TI 3:16-17. A. This also assumes that Scripture is preserved. PSA 12:6-7. B. This also assumes that Scripture is pure. PRO 30:5. II. Profiting from Scripture depends upon: A. having the true Scripture. 2CO 2:17. B. believing it is the true Scripture. 1TH 2:13. C. having necessary spiritua...

Profiting From Your Bible (1TI 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I. This series assumes Scripture to be God’s inspired revelation in written form. 2TI 3:16-17. A. This also assumes that Scripture is preserved. PSA 12:6-7. B. This also assumes that Scripture is pure. PRO 30:5. II. Profiting from Scripture depends upon: A. having the true Scripture. 2CO 2:17. B. believing it is the true Scripture. 1TH 2:13. C. having necessary spiritua...

Profiting From Your Bible (1TI 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I. This series assumes Scripture to be God’s inspired revelation in written form. 2TI 3:16-17. A. This also assumes that Scripture is preserved. PSA 12:6-7. B. This also assumes that Scripture is pure. PRO 30:5. II. Profiting from Scripture depends upon: A. having the true Scripture. 2CO 2:17. B. believing it is the true Scripture. 1TH 2:13. C. having necessary spiritua...

Profiting From Your Bible (1TI 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. I. This series assumes Scripture to be God’s inspired revelation in written form. 2TI 3:16-17. A. This also assumes that Scripture is preserved. PSA 12:6-7. B. This also assumes that Scripture is pure. PRO 30:5. II. Profiting from Scripture depends upon: A. having the true Scripture. 2CO 2:17. B. believing it is the true Scripture. 1TH 2:13. C. having necessary spiritua...

The Power in Salvation (ROM 5:6) For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. I. Consider the scheme of the eternal salvation of sinners generally proffered by gospel preachers. A. Jesus Christ died for all sinners without exception. B. His atonement did not eternally save anyone but only made this salvation a possibility. C. The acquisition of this salvation is conditioned upon the sinner's belief of the gospel. D. Only the accepters end up in heaven. Others end up ...

The Dry Valley Filled With Water (2 Kings 3) 1. This event takes place during the days of the prophet Elisha. A. Elisha's name means, “God is my salvation.” B. As a prophet, he was indwelt by the spirit of Christ. 1PE 1:10-11. C. Thus we can see Christ in his life, ministry and miracles. JOH 5:39. 2. This narrative begins by introducing the reign of Jehoram the son of Ahab, over Israel. vs. 1-3. A. Although his wickedness was not to the degree of his parents, he still wrought evil in God's sight. B....

Coping With Dying I. Until Christ returns, we must come to terms with death. 1CO 15:54. A. The grave is man’s long home. ECC 12:5; JOB 17:13. B. We have no guarantee of tomorrow. PRO 27:1. C. Fools assume too much about their prosperity and longevity. LUK 12:19-21; JAM 4:13-14. D. Some in history have had a prescribed window of time to prepare for death (according to estimates of physicians, etc.) but only a few have had a prophetic word from God about their impending death, as Hezekiah. ISA 38:1. 1....

Noah, the Faithful Preacher A. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. 2PE 2:5. 1. He preached unto his wicked generation by the Spirit of God. 2PE 1:21 c/w 1PE 3:18-20. a. NOTE: heaven is a place of the spirits of just men made perfect (HEB 12:23), but hell is a place of the spirits of unjust men made prisoners. b. There they must wait with chained fallen angels “...unto the judgment of the great day” (JUDE 1:6 c/w REV 20:13). c. Noah ministered while on an ark-building project. Vital family or busin...

Justice and Judgment I. Sometimes we are called upon to render judgment in the court of the church and we may be called upon to sit on a jury in a civil court. A. As a church we have judicial authority over our individual members. 1CO 5:12; 6:1-5. 1. 2. 3. B. In 1. 2. 3. Our power only extends to separating company from an offender. Church membership is voluntary and apostates are free to leave. JOH 6:66-68. This is a power of free association that can only be harmed by church incorporation, not hel...

Why the Flood? A. (GEN 6:11) The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 1. corrupt: as pa. pple. Corrupted, depraved, spoiled. a. The total depravity of man was on full display. ROM 3:9, 15-18. b. True religion was, except for Noah, gone. Corrupt religion lends itself to violence. GEN 4:8; PSA 106:35-38. c. The condition was universal: “...all flesh had corrupted his way...” (GEN 6:12). 2. Prior to the Flood, there had been no law given for capital punishment. GEN...

Before the Flood: Another Factor? (Genesis 6:1-4) I. Some affirm that GEN 6:1-4 describes “unequal yoke” marriages of godly Sethite men to unbelieving women, and that such unions corrupted true religion along the lines of DEU 7:3-4. A. It is not to be denied that a believer may be adversely affected by an unbelieving spouse, and that a believer who selects a spouse based upon looks rather than character is particularly susceptible since they are lacking discretion even before marriage. B. This issue i...

Before the Flood, the Other Factor (GEN 6:1) And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, (GEN 6:2) That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. (GEN 6:3) And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. (GEN 6:4) There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that,...

Dealing With the Death of a Loved One I. Saying goodbye is hard. A. The disciples were sad when Jesus told them that He would be leaving them. JOH 16:5-6. B. The brethren wept when Paul left and would see them no more. ACT 20:36-38. C. Mary and Martha were filled with grief when their brother died. JOH 11:32-33. 1. They were deeply saddened even though they knew that he was in heaven and that they would see him again. JOH 11:23-27. 2. Jesus Himself wept when Lazarus died. JOH 11:33-35. D. When you l...

Justice and Judgment I. Sometimes we are called upon to render judgment in the court of the church and we may be called upon to sit on a jury in a civil court. A. As a church we have judicial authority over our individual members. 1CO 5:12; 6:1-5. 1. 2. 3. B. In 1. 2. 3. Our power only extends to separating company from an offender. Church membership is voluntary and apostates are free to leave. JOH 6:66-68. This is a power of free association that can only be harmed by church incorporation, not hel...

Noah's Flood: Global or Local? A. Various people who study Scripture conclude that the Flood of Noah was not a global deluge. B. Gap Theorists and Christian Identity types (Two-Seeders) are examples of Bible-readers who may believe that Noah's flood was a local event. 1. Gap Theorists such as C.I. Scofield tend to believe in life and death before Adam in a world which was destroyed by a catastrophic judgmental flood. a. A local Noahic Flood better supports their accommodationist theological framework...

The Message of Genesis 6-9 I. We do well to remember that Jesus Christ is the central Person of scripture, and all scripture speaks of Him. JOH 5:39. A. The account of Noah, the flood and the ark is a figure of Christ’s salvation. 1PE 3:20-21. B. Jesus Christ deemed the account to be historical fact. MAT 24:37-39. C. If GEN 6-9 is not historical fact, then Christ was wrong, was little more than a heathen philosopher advancing moral lessons from a fable, and He has not provided a sure word of prophe...

The Ark and Its Preparation A. By the ark, salvation was prepared for the righteous before the judgment. 1. This is the essence of Christ’s work in putting away our sin and ascending to heaven on our behalf before final judgment. HEB 9:25-28. 2. Remember that God’s saving grace to all the children of promise is likened to Noah and the ark. ISA 54:1, 7-10 c/w GAL 4:26-28. B. God gave Noah specific instructions for the building of the ark. GEN 6:14-16. 1. “Make thee an ARK...” (v. 14). a. ark: A chest...

(Exodus 20:12) I. honour: High respect, esteem, or reverence, accorded to exalted worth or rank; deferential admiration or approbation. A. deference: Courteous regard such as is rendered to a superior, or to one to whom respect is due; the manifestation of a disposition to yield to the claims or wishes of another. B. due: That is owing or payable, as an enforceable obligation or debt. C. Children OWE their parents honour and parents have a right under God to demand payment (and err greatly to not demand...

Defining the Words of the Kingdom I. By defining the word “kingdom” and related words, it can be determined that the local N.T. church is the kingdom of heaven, a spiritual nation-state with a unique constitution and governmental system (boldface added below for emphasis). A. kingdom: Kingly function, authority, or power; sovereignty, supreme rule; the position or rank of a king, kingship. An organized community having a king as its head; a monarchical state or government. B. king: The usual title of t...

Honouring Parents (Exodus 20:12) I. honour: High respect, esteem, or reverence, accorded to exalted worth or rank; deferential admiration or approbation. A. deference: Courteous regard such as is rendered to a superior, or to one to whom respect is due; the manifestation of a disposition to yield to the claims or wishes of another. B. due: That is owing or payable, as an enforceable obligation or debt. C. Children OWE their parents honour and parents have a right under God to demand payment (and err g...

Solemn Assembly (Joel 1:14) Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, (Joel 2:15-18) Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: (16) Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. (17) Let the priests, the ministers of...

Take Advantage of Your Pastor I. Your pastor is a gift from God to your church (Eph 4:8,11). 1. God gave you a pastor after His own heart to feed you (Jer 3:15). 2. Your pastor is God's ambassador that He sent to you with a message (2Co 5:20). A. In Biblical times God delivered His word through His prophets (Heb 1:1; 2Pe 1:21). B. Today God manifests His word through preaching (Tit 1:3). 3. You should receive your pastor as an angel of God (a messenger from God) (Gal 4:14). 4. Your pastor is a "man...

The Flood Comes (Genesis 7) A. Heretofore the ark was “...a preparing...” according to God’s longsuffering. 1PE 3:20. 1. It was not a matter of the world not yet being worthy of judgment: the judgment had already been decreed (GEN 6:6-7) but sentence delayed until salvation was prepared. 2. So also mankind that fell under sin was preserved until Christ was prepared. HEB 10:5. 3. NOTE: God-fearing men view His longsuffering as a window of mercy but fools despise and exploit it. MAT 24:48-51; ROM 2:3-6...

The Flood Ends (Genesis 8) A. The Flood shows that unchecked sin will not go forever unjudged; it rathers builds up a treasure of wrath. ROM 2:5. 1. When men provoke God far enough, it may well be too far for a stay of judgment. c/w 2CH 36:16; PRO 29:1. 2. God says of such times, “I will ease me of mine adversaries...” (ISA 1:24). 3. Sin having been judged, God's wrath was now appeased and it gave way to mercy. c/w HAB 3:2. 4. When God's wrath against His elect's sin was satisfied by Christ, the Old ...

24 Reasons Refuted The following 24 Reasons have been used as justification for a N.T. bishop (Jonathan R. Crosby) to retain or return to ministry after being biblically put out of the church for sin (adultery). But 1TI 3:2; TIT 1:6-7 say that a bishop must be blameless. The O.E.D. defines blame as “The action of censuring... censure...” and censure is “A judicial sentence...” (the judges in this case being the church members, per 1CO 5:11-13). Refutations follow each Reason. Be it understood that restorat...

Leaving the Ark (Genesis 8:13-22) A. A little over a year from the start of the Flood, Noah and all left the ark. GEN 7:11 c/w GEN 8:13-19. 1. All that went alive into the ark came off the ark alive according to the commandment. GEN 6:18-20. 2. All that were given to the righteous man were preserved unto a new world. c/w 1TH 5:23-24. 3. There is no better nor safer place than the place where Christ is. B. Noah did not leave until God gave him leave. So Christ remained in the tomb until God’s order o...

The Post-Flood Covenant (GEN 8:20-9:17) A. The earth and humanity were experiencing a true Reformation. 1. This Reformation (as others) did not actually change the nature of sinful man. GEN 6:5 c/w GEN 8:21; PSA 58:3; PRO 22:15. 2. Outward judgments may terrify and restrain men, but cannot renew their nature. 3. The change of man’s nature requires creation or resurrection power, not reformation. 2CO 5:17 c/w EPH 1:19-20; 2:1, 4-5, 10; 1CO 15:52. B. By the Flood, God showed that He can destroy and st...

Noah in the New World I. Everything prior to the Flood is described as “...the world that then was...” (2PE 3:6). A. This is set in contrast to “...the heavens and the earth, which are now...” (2PE 3:7), a “new world” in which there are many things different but constructed of the same basic materials and conditions of the “old world,” including unrighteousness. B. There is a “...world to come...” (HEB 2:5) in which all things will be new (REV 21:5) and unrighteousness gone. 2PE 3:13. II. Consider li...

Joy I. Definitions. A. joy: 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. B. rejoice: trans. To enjoy by possessing; to have full possession and use of (a thing). Obs. 2. To gladden, make joyful, exhilarate (a person, his spirits, etc.). II. Rejoicing is not optional. It is a command of God. PHIL 3:1. A. B. C. D. III. Not all A. B. C. D. It is not a momentary req...

24 Reasons Refuted The following 24 Reasons have been used as justification for a N.T. bishop (Jonathan R. Crosby) to retain or return to ministry after being biblically put out of the church for sin (adultery). But 1TI 3:2; TIT 1:6-7 say that a bishop must be blameless. The O.E.D. defines blame as “The action of censuring... censure...” and censure is “A judicial sentence...” (the judges in this case being the church members, per 1CO 5:11-13). Refutations follow each Reason. Be it understood that restorat...

Responsibility to Others I. This study addresses our duties according to the second table of the Law (Ten Commandments). A. There is general instruction for dealings with all men. B. There is particular instruction for brethren in the church. II. Introductory thoughts. A. No man is an island. B. Love of self must yield to love of others. C. There is a positive manner of covering sin. D. There is a negative manner of covering sin. E. There is a need for positive encouragement of others. F. There is...

Better Promises (Hebrews 8:6) I. The new covenant is here declared to be superior to the old covenant by virtue of its establishment upon better promises. HEB 8:6. II. Some promises of God are conditioned upon the performance of the people to whom He makes them. If the condition be not met, God may break His promise. A. The old covenant was based on this type of promise: one which required the faith and obedience of its heirs. A promised land was theirs IF they fulfilled a condition of continual faith...

Responsibility to Others I. This study addresses our duties according to the second table of the Law (Ten Commandments). A. There is general instruction for dealings with all men. B. There is particular instruction for brethren in the church. II. Introductory thoughts. A. No man is an island. B. Love of self must yield to love of others. C. There is a positive manner of covering sin. D. There is a negative manner of covering sin. E. There is a need for positive encouragement of others. F. There is...

Responsibility to Others I. This study addresses our duties according to the second table of the Law (Ten Commandments). A. There is general instruction for dealings with all men. B. There is particular instruction for brethren in the church. II. Introductory thoughts. A. No man is an island. B. Love of self must yield to love of others. C. There is a positive manner of covering sin. D. There is a negative manner of covering sin. E. There is a need for positive encouragement of others. F. There is...

Church Discipline I. Churches are held accountable before God for whom they retain in their membership. A church must decide whose companionship they prefer: a disorderly member’s or the Lord's. JOS 7:11-13; REV 2:14-15. II. When a church member stands in violation of N.T. commandments which require exclusion from the body, and such transgression is commonly reported, only then must a severance result, lest it be “named among” the saints. 1CO 5:1-2; EPH 5:3. A. commonly: After a fashion or in a way com...

Usury I. usury: The fact or practice of lending money at interest; esp. in later use, the practice of charging, taking, or contracting to receive, excessive or illegal rates of interest for money on loan. II. There are three basic reasons for usury: A. The Reason of Time-Preference. 1. A man forfeits the use of his money for a period of time during which it is unavailable for expenditure or investment for profit. 2. Since present goods are more valuable to men than future goods, men discount future goo...

Church Discipline I. Churches are held accountable before God for whom they retain in their membership. A church must decide whose companionship they prefer: a disorderly member’s or the Lord's. JOS 7:11-13; REV 2:14-15. II. When a church member stands in violation of N.T. commandments which require exclusion from the body, and such transgression is commonly reported, only then must a severance result, lest it be “named among” the saints. 1CO 5:1-2; EPH 5:3. A. commonly: After a fashion or in a way com...

Church Discipline I. Churches are held accountable before God for whom they retain in their membership. A church must decide whose companionship they prefer: a disorderly member’s or the Lord's. JOS 7:11-13; REV 2:14-15. II. When a church member stands in violation of N.T. commandments which require exclusion from the body, and such transgression is commonly reported, only then must a severance result, lest it be “named among” the saints. 1CO 5:1-2; EPH 5:3. A. commonly: After a fashion or in a way com...

The Christian and Moses’ Law (An Overview) I. Of what value is the O.T. to a N.T. Christian? A. It is Scripture and therefore profitable. 2TI 3:16. B. It is for our learning, patience and comfort. ROM 15:4. C. It testifies of Christ. JOH 5:39, 46. II. This study is an overview of what parts of the O.T. are still relevant and binding upon us. A. Are we still obliged to pay tithes, observe dietary law and feast days, and do no work on the seventh day? B. What about O.T. laws about idolatry, morality,...

Usury I. usury: The fact or practice of lending money at interest; esp. in later use, the practice of charging, taking, or contracting to receive, excessive or illegal rates of interest for money on loan. II. There are three basic reasons for usury: A. The Reason of Time-Preference. 1. A man forfeits the use of his money for a period of time during which it is unavailable for expenditure or investment for profit. 2. Since present goods are more valuable to men than future goods, men discount future goo...

Modest Apparel (1TI 2:9-10) I. A Biblical ministry is characterized by a balanced emphasis on grace and practical holiness. 2TI 2:19. A. “All holiness” leaves the soul overburdened and without relief or hope. B. “All grace” leaves the soul without conviction or defined direction. It opens the door to a false liberty. ROM 6:1-2 c/w JUDE 1:4. II. It should be obvious to any reasonable person that we are living in a society that is in an increasing state of undress. A. A beach party one hundred years ag...

The Identity of True Faith and Practice I. Error begins with accepting some other standard for faith and practice than the word of God. GEN 3:1-6; 2CO 11:3. II. Personal feelings and thoughts do not determine truth. PRO 28:26; 14:12. A. It is possible to be completely convinced that one is doing right though in error. JOH 16:2; ACT 26:9-10. 1. Dedication to an error does not justify the error. 2. Zeal is not necessarily a good thing. GAL 4:17-18. B. It is possible to be in ignorance about wrongdoing...

Cults and Their Appeal “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14) I. cult: A particular form or system of religious worship; esp. in reference to its external rites and ceremonies. Now commonly, a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. A. The term “cult” has such a ne...

Reasoning Out of the Scriptures I. This study sets forth the Biblical method for arriving at truth, our chief pursuit. PRO 23:23; 4:7. A. It sets forth the importance of linear, connected thought that produces sound conclusions as opposed to scattered, disconnected thought that produces invalid or indeterminate conclusions. This may be expressed: 1. Valid premise + valid reasoning = valid conclusion. 2. Valid premise + invalid reasoning = invalid conclusion. 3. Invalid premise + valid reasoning = inva...

By Grace Through Faith to Faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) I. Errors and lies about eternal life and God’s favor are both old and common. GEN 3:4-5; MAT 3:9; 1PE 1:18-19; JOH 5:39. II. EPH 2:8-9 is one of the best known texts of Scripture but one of the most misunderstood. Observe what can be concluded from this text: A. There is a current salvation that the Ephesian saints have by grace. B. This grace is channelled to them through faith. C. This salvation is not of works. D. This salvation excludes human bo...

Cults and Their Appeal “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14) I. cult: A particular form or system of religious worship; esp. in reference to its external rites and ceremonies. Now commonly, a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. A. The term “cult” has such a ne...

Cults and Their Appeal “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” (Ephesians 4:14) I. cult: A particular form or system of religious worship; esp. in reference to its external rites and ceremonies. Now commonly, a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister. A. The term “cult” has such a ne...