Does Silence Mean Liberty, or Constraint ? There’s a lot of debate concerning the “silence of the scriptures”. Some people say that what the bible is silent about, we have the freedom of choice over. Others say that what the bible is silent about, is forbidden to us. So, what’s the truth? Well, in reality, both beliefs are correct. So how could they both be correct,…
Do You Think Bible Study Should Be Fun? Here’s a question for you; Do you think that bible study should be fun? I do. When we try to teach the bible to little children, it’s pretty much accepted, that you’ve got to find a way to make it fun for them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be interested, right? Bible study would be completely boring for…
Christ Is My Life Would you open your bibles to the book of Galatians, and follow along with me as I read just one verse. I’d like you to be able to actually look at the verse, so that you can really think about what’s being said. The verse is Galatians chapter 2, verse 20. Here’s what the apostle Paul said in that verse; “I…
Thinking about the Resurrection You like to think about nice things don’t you? Well, this morning, I’d like us to think about the resurrection, unto eternal life. It’s a lovely thought, and it’s a pure thought, and it’s a true thought. Those who die in Christ, will indeed be resurrected unto eternal life. 1 Thessalonians 4, verse 14 says; “For if we believe that…
Separated Unto the Gospel of God The apostle Paul wrote, in Romans 1, verse 1; “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” You too, are called by God. Not called to be an apostle, but to be a Christian. And just like Paul, you are “separated unto the gospel”. As a Christian, you are called…
We Are All Appointed For Something 1 Peter 2, verse 8 says that for some people, Jesus Christ has become “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. for they stumble at the word, being disobedient; Wherein also they were appointed.” We are all appointed by God, for something. We’re all “called” for a specific purpose. But I’m not talking about being “called” by God, to…
Separate from the World, Joined to Christ I want to begin by quoting a scripture, and I’d like you to hang onto this quote, and think about it as we go through this study this morning. This is from Psalm 116, verses 9 & 10; “I will walk before Jehovah, in the land of the living. I have believed, therefore I have spoken.” There’s…
Living Stones 1 Peter 2, verse 4, begins with the words; “To whom coming..” And the reference of course is to the Lord. Verse 3, had said; “If you have tasted that the LORD is gracious; To whom coming..” And the meaning is.. “To whom YOU are coming; A living stone, indeed rejected by men, but with God, elect, and precious.” With God, things are…
How Dare Anyone, Contradict the Word of God! Our topic is contradicting the word of God. How dare anyone contradict, what God has said.. What God has ordained! “For the Lord of Hosts has purposed, and who shall disannul it? His hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” (Isaiah 14:27) Is a human being going to change God’s plan of salvation,…
How Dare You Contradict God ! Have you ever heard someone say these words.. “How dare you!” Why would someone say that? Would it be because you questioned their truthfulness? Would it be because you opposed their authority? Would it be because someone openly defied what you had told them? Imagine this; Imagine you have a child, who comes home from school, and asks if they can…
Putting Away Sin, And Longing for the Word Verses 1 & 2; “Putting away therefore, all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk, which is without guile, that you may grow thereby unto salvation..” Those verses remind me of James 1, verse 21. Listen to the similarity. James says; “Wherefore, putting away all filthiness,…
What Prayer, Is Not Last week we talked about prayer, with the main focus being on what prayer is. And of course, to put it very simply, prayer is talking to God. It’s talking to the Almighty God, the creator and sustainer of all things; And it’s talking to our Father in heaven, and it’s talking to the one who should be, our very closest friend. And…
What is Prayer ? This will be at least a two-part lesson, this week and next week. Today I’d like to talk about, What is prayer? Next week I want us to consider what prayer is NOT. But for now, what is prayer? Prayer is simply talking to God. There’s nothing mysterious about prayer, and there’s nothing complicated about it, or hard to understand, it’s simply…
Worthy Art The Lamb Who Was Slain I’d like to read to you a few passages from the book of Revelation. Go ahead and follow along in your own bibles if you’d like. I’m going to start at the very beginning, in Revelation 1, verses 1 thru 3; “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him, to show unto His servants, even the things which…
Exercising Self-Control Today I’d like you to think about self-control. A Christian is expected to exercise self-control, no matter what comes our way in life. In our times of difficulty, and in our times of sadness, and in our times of anger, and even in our times of celebration. Self-control, is one of the “fruits of the Spirit”, listed in Galatians 5, verses 22 & 23. …
A Sanctuary Church I saw an advertisement on the internet last week that made the proclamation that The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has passed a measure declaring their entire denomination to be a “sanctuary church” for migrants, including those who entered the United States illegally. How should we feel about that? Is that a good thing, or is it a sad thing? How should a Christian…
1 Samuel Chapter 17; David and Goliath Read 1 Samuel 17:1 thru 11.. All the people of Israel, including king Saul, were afraid of Goliath the giant of the Philistines. You know, Saul was a big man himself, especially compared to the average Israelite. It’s estimated that the average height of an Israelite was only about five, or five and a half foot tall. One…
Disappointment Have you ever been disappointed by the actions of another? Sure you have, everyone, at some time or another has been disappointed by what someone else has done. Have you ever been the one who has disappointed someone else? I’m sure that I have. I’m not happy with that fact, but I’m sure that it’s happened. In just very casual relationships, I’ve come to…
God’s Math Is Not Our Math In the world we live in, two plus two always equals four, and two divided by two always equals one. But that’s not always true in God’s world. God seems to add and divide differently than we do. Let me give you an example of that.. In Mathew 14, verses 17 thru 20, we have the story of how Jesus feed…
Help Me Choose A Church Here’s a question that someone posted on Facebook last week.. I have a friend, a single older lady, who just moved here from Iowa, and she’s looking for a church to join. She’s used to a not so large church. What church do you go to, and what do you like best about it? Now, the last time I checked, there…