Introduction A. If we didn’t have the Bible, think of all we wouldn’t know. B. Paul tells us of four things essential to our spiritual wellbeing for which the inspired Scriptures are profitable (2 Timothy 3:16). C. The first of these is doctrine, that is, what we are to teach. I. We cannot base doctrine on human traditions or commands. A. This was the problem that Jesus had with the Pharisees (Matthew 15:1-6). B. This was also the problem with gener...
Born Again
Introduction A. There is no way to know exactly what Nicodemus expected from this interview with Jesus, but one could safely deduce that he was shocked to learn that he himself needed to be born again! B. There are many to whom this news still comes as a shock today, and there are precious few who are willing to submit to it. I. Nicodemus didn’t realize that the need for rebirth is universal.A. The fact that the Gentiles needed to be...
Do You Understand?
Introduction A. Misunderstandings can sometimes be comical, but at other times they can have devastating effects in our jobs, relationships, etc. B. The consequences of misunderstandings could never be more serious than they are when they pertain to our faith. I. Jesus was often misunderstood. A. People misunderstood His words (John 2:19-21; 3:3-4; 4:10-15; 7:35; 8:26-27). B. Often even His own disciples did not understand...
The Spirit of Worship
Introduction A. We know that it is vital that we worship God “in truth,” but we must also understand the importance of worshiping “in spirit.” B. Failing to worship God in the proper frame of mind is just as fruitless as failing to worship Him according to His pattern. I. God expects our hearts to be fixed on Him when we worship. A. We need to realize that God doesn’t need the gifts we bring (Isaiah 1:11-15; Amos 5:21-23; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Hebrews...
Vain Worship
Introduction A. When Cain and Abel brought their offerings to God, Cain’s was rejected because it was not offered “by faith” (cf. Hebrews 11:4). B. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day were likewise offering their worship to God in vain (Matthew 15:8-9). I. When one departs from God’s pattern, his worship becomes vain. A. Korah and his cohort departed from God’s pattern and paid a heavy price (Numbers 16:1-33; cf. 2 Chronicles 26:18-23)...
The Pattern of Worship
Introduction A. It is impossible for mortal man to improve upon the pattern that God has given us for worshiping Him. B. If we wish to be pleasing to Him, we must seek to conform to the pattern that He in His wisdom has established. I. God established a pattern for worship in the Old Testament. A. God specified the place where Israel was to worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:1-6,13-14; Jeremiah 7:12; 1 Kings 9:3). B. God specified the time for the various...
The Cost of Liberty
Introduction A. We should be grateful for the liberties we enjoy as citizens of the United States, because were gained at great cost. B. In spite of the costly sacrifices that others “have laid upon the altar of freedom,” freedom still comes at a cost to each of us. C. It is good for us to set aside time to celebrate our civil liberties, but it is far more important that we remember the cost of our liberties as citizens of that heavenly kingdom. I. Heaven has...
Counterfeit Liberty
Introduction A. Adolf Hitler promised Germany “work, freedom, and bread,” but what he gave them was something radically different. B. There are some who peddle freedom today which is really just despotism in disguise (2 Peter 2:17-22). I. The devil will promise you freedom from all restraint. A. We first need to understand that not all restraint is necessarily bad (Jeremiah 5:22). B. The devil will promise you the freedom to live however you...
Give Me Liberty!
Introduction A. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry called Virginians to arms with these words: “Give me liberty or give me death!” B. Freedom is a marvelous thing that we often take for granted and yet is unknown to many people around the world. I. Heaven’s citizens are free from many ills that plague humanity. A. They are free from sin (Romans 8:1-4; 6:12-23). B. They are free from guilt (Acts 23:1; cf. 1 Timothy 1:15). C. They are free from the...
A Tale of Two Slaves
Introduction A. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, we read about the conversion of a slave named Onesimus, whom Paul returned to his earthly master along with some letters he had written (Philemon 10-12; Colossians 4:7-9). B. Although many slaveholders used this letter to endorse slavery as it existed in the old south, nothing could be further from the truth. I. Consider with me the story of a man named Zoilos. A. Zoilos lived...