A Bible book that is most likely neglected in our studies is Psalms. Many people read Psalms yet fail to notice marvelous lessons that cannot be found by surface or casual reading. To begin a study of Psalms is a daunting task. Psalms has 150 chapters. Once one does decide to not only read the Psalms but to dissect each chapter they will be a better and more enlightened man or woman. This study is intended to get all Christians excited about the Psalms. Psalms chapter 7 may not excite you much until you really dig in and see the grand lessons for us today.
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Gospel preachers are in the public spotlight and that is exactly where God wants his faithful ministers. Sermons are delivered in the most public manner. Articles they write are read throughout the world. Their daily activities are watched and put to the test of hypocrisy due to the public nature of their work. Lives can be changed for the better or worse depending upon the content of the message proclaimed. The command of God is to “preach the word” not our personal convictions and opinions (2 Timothy 4:1-2). A preacher is disqualified from the work of an evangelist when he preaches or writes about his personal opinions and convictions as though they represent truth. Continue reading » Qualified and Disqualified Preachers The author of Hebrews writes, “Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto him; for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him” (Hebrews 11:6). What causes people to believe in God? Parents play a great role in many people’s lives that come to believe in God (see Ephesians 6:1-2). Sometimes preachers, friends, family members, or a spouse help us come to faith (2 Timothy 2:2). What caused you to believe that God is? Our Bibles reveal that creation is the central cause of man’s faith. Creation establishes faith, the authority of God, revelation, and our responsibility to be obedient. Creation ought to be the beginning point of study with unbelievers. Continue reading » Creation, Faith, and the Authority of God The book of Proverbs paints pictures of various topics that wisdom affects. A primary focus in the book is the consequences of choices people make. Proverbs reveals the grave consequences for rejecting wisdom. Solomon writes, “Good understanding giveth favor; But the way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). The life of the fool is likened unto making your way through a “hedge of thorns” (Proverbs 15:19). When a person rejects wisdom for foolishness they bring trouble (Proverbs 15:6; 21:23), destruction (Proverbs 13:13), mischief (Proverbs 28:14), and calamity (Proverbs 22:) to their lives and the lives of those they touch. The foolish experience trouble, destruction, mischief, and calamity in life because of the poor decisions they make. The fool will have evil companions (Proverbs 1:10-14; 4:14-19; 13:20; 20:19; 24:1-2; 28:9), participate in sexual immorality (Proverbs 5:7-9; 9:14-15; etc.), be too lazy to work (Proverbs 6:6-11; etc.), use filthy language (Proverbs 4:24-27; 8:7-9), hunger and thirst for riches (Proverbs 11:4-6, 27-28; 13:7-8, 11; 18:11, 23; 23:4-5; etc.), have an angry disposition (Proverbs 19:19; 29:11), bear false witness (Proverbs 19:5, 28; 25:18), seek revenge (Proverbs 20:22), scoff at others (Proverbs 21:24; 22:10; 24:9; 29:8), and harden their hearts against God’s laws (Proverbs 29:1). All such foolishness brings regret, troubles, and sorrows now and forevermore. Most of us have heard the accusation hurled our way or at someone else. The accuser says, “You have a holier than thou attitude.” Could this accusation ever apply to a member of the body of Christ?  Comments are closed  Attitudes, Christian Living, Ignorance, Meekness, Self-Justification, Subject Index Studying the Bible is a great joy. The truths that are found within the pages of God’s word have value that the world cannot measure with earthly things. The excitement of unearthing these treasures is accelerated as each student detects the urgency in grasping its teachings. Eternity is at stake. Time does not stop so that I can perceive truths. We are given one life and with that one life we must gain knowledge and wisely practice what we learn. We must open God’s word, look to the context, consider associate passages, and reflect on what I call, “The Law of Equivalences.” Comments are closed Authority, Bible, Defense of Truth, Doctrine, Interpretation, Study, Subject Index A good way to begin our study would be to define the word grace. Grace is defined as, “Favor, goodwill for or toward another… to confer a favor on one” (Liddell & Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon page 882). Moulton’s Greek English Lexicon defines grace as “a beneficial opportunity, generous gift, an act of favor, gracious provision” (Page 433). Thayer’s Greek English Lexicon defines grace as “kindness or favor which bestows upon one what he has not deserved” (page 666). The word “favor” is the common denominator in understanding the word grace. God has done a great favor for man. What is this favor all about? Continue reading » The Grace of God The Bible (Greek; biblia) is a collection of sixty-six books of divine inspiration. The Bible is a timeless masterpiece that has been printed in 2,454 different languages. Skeptics, humanists and modernists dismiss the Bible’s contents as contributing to a “God intoxicated society” that “shackles the mind and enslaves the spirit.” The Bible; however, reveals a reward of eternal existence where no pain, hunger, or sorrows will be experienced (see Revelation 21:1-7). Let us examine the origins of this inspirational work so that you may conclude that it is indeed a authentic book. Continue reading » The Bible Solomon wrote, “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers” (Proverbs 17:6). Most young people look forward to a day when they have a child of their own. Thoughts of children in the home are exciting and joyous. David wrote, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them” (Psalms 127:4-5 / NKJVB). The happiness of having a child is difficult to put in words. The excitement of watching the child grow and develop various abilities is fascinating. Christians must always remember; however, that there are great responsibilities that come with having children. Continue reading » Proverbs on Parenting The Bible has much to say about the Christian’s victory in this life. The apostle John writes, “For whatsoever is begotten of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Through “faith” the Christian will be victorious. The word “victory” (Greek – nike) is defined by Liddell and Scott’s Greek English Lexicon as “victory in battle; in the games… victory over opponents… generally, the upper hand, ascendancy… to keep the fruits of victory… Nike, the goddess of victory” (LS 533). What generally comes to mind when one hears the Greek word nike is the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. The manufacturer of sports equipment led the industry in 2008 with $ 18.6 billion in sales and employed more than 30,000 people worldwide. The company is named after the Greek goddess of victory; i.e., Nike. Grand words of success and triumph are used to define nike. Paul tell us that such triumph in life belongs to the faithful. The apostle writes, “But thanks be unto God, who always leadeth us in triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest through us the savor of his knowledge in every place” (2 Corinthians 2:14) (see also John 16:25-33; 1 Corinthians 15:56-57; Revelation 2:7, 10). Continue reading » Victory in Jesus 2 Corinthians 1:12; 4:2 The apostle Paul was accused of “commending” himself to the Corinthians at 2 Corinthians 3:1. Paul answers the accusation in the first 5 chapters of 2 Corinthians by explaining that his preaching was not about gaining a following through teaching his personal opinions, convictions, or reason. The gospel is a divine message with divine origins. To preach any other message would be to pervert the gospel. Unfortunately the factious of every generation seek to bring down preachers of truth. Let us examine 2 Corinthians 1:12 and 4:2 that we may see what real preaching is. Continue reading » Preaching is Not about Me A Study of Proverbs 31:10-31 Proverbs 31:10-31 sets the tone for God’s expectation of women for all time. While there is much to be said about a man and his duties in the home this study examines the wife and mother. Proverbs 31:10-31 serves as a commentary explaining Paul’s admonition for women to “rule the household” (1 Timothy 5:14) and be “workers at home” (Titus 2:5). The chapter expands upon and removes the cloud of uncertainty as to what being a “help meet” is all about (Genesis 2:18). Keil and Delitzsch remark that “The housewife is depicted here as she ought to be; the poet shows how she governs and increases the wealth of the house, and thereby also advances the position of her husband in the common estimation, and he refers all these, her virtues and her prudence, to the fear of God as their root” (Keil and Delitzsch volume 6, page 480). The worthy woman is a rare person among humanity because she aids the man in every aspect of the home. Not many women have the desire, grit, health, physical strength, and stamina to do what this woman does. To examine the worthy woman of God in the scriptures is to embark upon a journey that leaves a man at awe in relationship to this person’s faith, work ethic, love, devotion, and trustworthiness. This article shall serve to identify the worthy woman as revealed in God’s divine revelation. Continue reading » The Worthy Woman of 2011 The Spiritual Rise and Fall of Solomon the King of Israel David had purposed to build the Lord a house; however, he would not be permitted to do so due to all the blood that he had shed in war (1 Chronicles 17:1; 2 Chronicles 22:8). The Lord explains the matter to David saying, “Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever” (2 Chronicles 22:9-10). Solomon was the son of David and Bathsheba and beloved of Jehovah God (2 Samuel 12:24). The life of Solomon may best be studied by dividing it into three sections according to the three times Jehovah appeared to the king. Continue reading » Solomon This is the second of two articles dealing with the subject of establishing Bible authority for all that we say and practice. While the first article examines authority in the Old Testament this article shall look to the New Testament. The importance of such a study cannot be overstated. Many brethren have questions that demand answers. One brother wants to know if his marriage is right before God and another sister desires to know if there is any way for a woman to serve as a deacon in the church. A brother from one local congregation hears that another local church sees no authority for serving the Lord’s Supper twice on Sunday. On and on the questions go. Once again this article will not deal with any one issue or question but will rather remind Christians of their responsibility to establish Bible authority for all that they speak and practice. The Bible, in its entirety, depicts God’s expectation of man’s perfection in holiness. His expectation is the highest of standards for the saint. Those who do not meet the Lord’s expectation shall be eternally doomed. Those who achieve holiness in this life will be eternally rewarded. Continue reading » Establishing Authority in the New Testament (2 of 2) This article is the first of two that shall examine the subject of establishing Bible Authority. A study of both the first and second covenants will yield a greater understanding of how authority works. There are members of the body of Christ who continue to be confused about various questions such as whether or not there should be Bible classes or have a water fountain in the church building. Others seem destined to be confused over the marriage, divorce, and remarriage issue. Some have no idea how to answer the question of whether missing a Wednesday service is sinful or not. The two covenants, who is a false teacher, and more recently the A. D. 70 Doctrine are other issues. While confusion runs rampant our Bible tell us that God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). The objective of this study will not be to answer all your Bible questions and solve all the “brotherhood issues.” The objective is rather to remind us all of the initial direction we must take when seeking out answers to Bible questions. As one studies both the first and second covenant laws an interesting fact comes to the surface. Though the laws change God’s founding principles revolving around authority remain the same from Genesis to Revelation. No matter what my approach or attitude is toward those founding principles they remain. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Howbeit the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, the Lord knows them that are his: and, let every one that names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness” (2 Timothy 2:19). The word “false Teacher” is found only one time in the Bible at 2 Peter 2:1. The apostle Peter wrote, “But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers…” Unsuspecting brethren are often amazed that the subject of false teachers is taught from the pulpit with regularity when it is only found this one time in the Bible. The objective of this article will be instructive regarding the actual frequency of this subject in both the Old and New Testament. The very words “false teacher” suggest a standard of teaching that is violated. Let us consider the identity, work, effects and the faithful Christian’s responsibility toward false teachers. Preventative measures are ordained of God that we be not infected with their error (2 Timothy 2:17). Identity of False Teachers The Greek word representing “false teacher” is pseudodidaskaloi which is defined as “a false teacher, one who inculcates (to teach by frequent repetition; to instill…) false doctrines” (Moulton’s Greek English Lexicon pp. 441). One who teaches or instills doctrines that oppose divine revelation is a false teacher. There are few books in our Bibles that do not deal with this subject in some form or fashion. To illustrate this point let us connect some associated words. Peter refers to false teachers as those who “deny the master” (2 Peter 1). The apostle John identifies those who deny the master as liars and antichrist who “hath not God” (2 John 2:22-23). Those who “hath not God” are those who teach doctrines that are opposed to divine revelation (2 John 9ff). Paul warned the Galatians (Galatians 1:6ff) and Timothy (1 Timothy 6:3ff) of those who would teach a different doctrine. Due to the frequent attacks against God’s divine revelation Paul pleaded with Timothy to guard the purity of truth (1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:12-13). These verses are all interconnected and reveal the actual frequency that the subject is dealt with in our Bibles. Introduction The Bible reveals the Lord’s concern of the world’s view of His church and saints. When the church and individual saint walks contrary to God’s revealed standards they pave the way for the world’s blasphemy against the Lord and His doctrine. The Christian ought to be concerned about what people of the world think. God’s people can do one of three things in the public’s eye. First, they may make manifest the true church and individual Christian’s identity in all areas of life as they are guided by nothing but the truth. Secondly, they may make manifest a hypocritical approach to Christianity through unauthorized works. Thirdly, the saint of God may show the world a spirit of indifference due to their fear of appearing different. The church and individual saint will have much to do with where those of the world spend their eternity. Continue reading » The World’s Bible |
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