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...
Purpose
Introduction A. When Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz, he ordered his servants to drop some barley on purpose for her to gather (Ruth 2:14-17). B. When Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, he intentionally bestowed the greater blessing on the younger (Genesis 48:8-20). C. We need to live our lives with a sense of purpose. I. We need to worship with a sense of purpose. A. We should sing as if we want to (Ephesians 5:18-20). B. When...
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...
Vanity of Vanities
Introduction A. Why do we do the things we do? What is it that makes the monotony of everyday life meaningful? Is there meaning to life at all? B. If one of the most prosperous, powerful, and prodigious men of all time would say that all his work was vanity, what chance do we have of faring better? Why bother at all? I. Solomon had an identifiable problem. A. Solomon reached a point at which it seemed that nothing in life ever really...
Have You Done What You Could?
Introduction A. When Jesus’ death drew near, there was little anyone could do, but the Gospel speaks of a certain woman who did what she could. B. Have you done what you could? I. The Scriptures offer examples of people who did what they could. A. Rahab did what she could (Joshua 2, Hebrews 11:30). B. Ruth did what she could (Ruth 2:23). C. A certain poor widow did what she could (Luke 21:1-4). D. Paul did what he could...
Strength in Weakness
Introduction A. Many have guessed at what Paul’s thorn in the flesh might have been, but nobody knows for certain. B. Whatever it was, it still teaches a valuable lesson—that God’s strength is most evident in our times of weakness. I. Paul’s attitude toward his infirmity should be ours. A. He calls his affliction a “messenger of Satan” (vs. 7). B. When Paul’s request was denied, he responded, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in...
Ready for Service
Introduction A. As Christians, we recognize that the primary goal in our lives ought to be to serve God and to serve others. B. Although we could all compose a long list of things we can’t do, let’s take some time to think of some things we can do. I. There are ways we can serve in the church. A. We ought to work in the church where our abilities lie (2 Corinthians 8:12; Romans 12:3-8). B. We can try to be helpful to those leading the way...
Why We Persuade Men
Introduction A. Why would a man repeatedly jeopardize his own life in order to take this message to people who apparently did not want it? B. People still do not understand what compels us to preach the Gospel to a world that thinks it has no need for it. I. We persuade men because of the “terror of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:11). A. If we refuse to persuade men, they have no hope (Romans 10:14). B. If we refuse to persuade men, we have no hope...
Slaves of God
Introduction A. A slave is one who renders service not as a matter of choice, but because he is subject to a will other than his own. B. If the thought of slavery is despised in modern America, it was utterly detested by the people of Greece and Rome. C. To men who cherish freedom, Paul says we must be slaves (Romans 6). I. Whether we like it or not, we are all slaves. A. At some point in our lives we all become slaves to sin (John 8:31-34...
Repentance
Introduction A. There seem to be a lot of mistaken ideas about repentance. B. If it is necessary for each of us to repent in order to be saved (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 17:30), isn’t it important for us to have a sound understanding of what repentance is and how it is done? I. Repentance leads us to salvation. A. We cannot be saved without it (Luke 13:3). B. There are, however, other requirements for salvation that must not be overlooked (Romans...