Posts from June 2021

Lesson 8 – Place of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is a book of history, law, poetry, wisdom, and prophecy. Each of these categories lends instruction to the Christian today and yet it must be remembered that the law under which we live is found exclusively on the pages of the New Testament. What Moses said about divorce and remarriage and the Sabbath are not binding upon those who exist under the law of Christ. David’s dance and stringed instruments in worship are not authoritative examples for…

Comfort One Another

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 COMFORT IS INDISPENSABLE 2 Corinthians 1:4-5 COMFORT IS AVAILABLE 2 Corinthians 1:3 COMFORT IS TRANSFERABLE 2 Corinthians 1:8

Lesson 11 – The Main Story, Part 3 of 4

A continuation of the decoding of symbolic language to tell the story of the church’s persecution by Rome in the first century and her eventual victory. 11-daniel-revelation-notes In studying the book of Revelation we must not lose sight of the fundamental story: the rise of the church, the attempt by Satan in the person of the Roman Empire to destroy her, the survival of the church, and the eventual judgment and destruction of Rome and Satan as well as the exaltation…

Lesson 10 – The Main Story, Part 2 of 4

A continuation of the explanation of the symbolic language used to tell the main story in Revelation. 10-daniel-revelation-notes The book of Revelation has 22 chapters, but by the end of chapter 14, we have seen the major part of the action in the story that it is telling. Through a series of visions, God reveals to John through Jesus what will be the outcome of the struggle between Rome and the church. In his visions, John sees: Jesus speaking to the…

Pornography and Behavior

Pornography has gone mainstream and is easily available for free, at first, for the naïve. This lesson explores internet porn, the most prevalent form of this highly addictive substance, and some ways to avoid or break this poisonous habit. (N.B. – No graphic images will be shown in this lesson). 08-forbidden-topics-notes

Dirge For An Atheist

Go, brave thinker Into the night Holding forth In faulty might. Pride’s parade You valiantly led A final rejection Of the dread To reconcile Your own life’s course To one Whose presence You wouldn’t endorse. Seduced by ancient Lure to see Yourself sufficient Only to be Reduced to just A whimper, a plight Extinguished by The one who might Have opened your heart To see the light. Comment on the death of Atheist, Christopher Hitchens, who stated that only the…

Lesson 7 – Worship by the Church of Christ

Religious worship in the late twentieth century reflects the whims and desires of the masses, especially appealing to youth. There is very little attention to the worship pattern of the New Testament; instead, the intent is to please man rather than God with collective worship. Hence, we see dramatic presentations instead of gospel preaching, raps and orchestral performances instead of congregational a Capella singing, and personal testimonials given in the place of objective proofs. Christ demanded that worship is according…

Forgiveness Part 2

Follow Thread of Forgiveness Consider three important passages The Lord’s i.e., Model Prayer Matthew 6:9-13! The Parable Of Unforgiving Servant Matthew 18:21-35

Lesson 9 – The Main Story, Part 1 of 4

This lesson decodes the symbolic language used in John’s visions to tell his story. 09-daniel-revelation-notes Revelation is the vision that John the Apostle has concerning the church’s struggle with Rome in the 1st century. The theme of the book is the revelation of Christ, a more perfect vision of the Lord in His glorified state. So far we have: Seen the glorious vision of Christ as He speaks to John, 1:1-8. Heard Christ’s instructions to the church to be faithful and to…

Pro-Life or Pro Death – Part 2

In this concluding lesson, Mike finishes examining the main arguments Pro-Choice groups use to defend abortion and brings forth key Scriptures that address this issue. (N.B. No graphic pictures or photos of abortion procedures will be used in this presentation). 07-forbidden-topics-notes

Humble Beginning

It is interesting to note that Judah, the man from whose human lineage Jesus would eventually come, was born under questionable circumstances. His mother, Leah, was given by trickery in marriage as a substitute for her sister, Rachel. She conceived, but not in love, and struggled with her sister for the affections of their common husband. Aside from the issue of polygamy which was allowed in those days. Judah was not born into the greatest of circumstances. However, in God’s…

Lesson 6 – Concerning Salvation

Most of Protestantism is centered around the ideals of Calvinism, the theology of John Calvin, a Presbyterian who formulated the concept of salvation by faith alone. His doctrine, like the reformation effort of contemporary Martin Luther, was an extreme reaction to the excesses of the Roman Catholic Church, in which salvation is attained through meritorious works. Calvinism went to the opposite extreme and said that man had no responsibility for his salvation. Catholicism and Calvinism are opposite swings of the…

Forgive One Another

Scripture for today’s sermon:  Investigate the Theology of Forgiveness Ephesians 4:32, 1:7 1 John 1:9; Follow the Thread of Forgiveness! Matthew 6:9-13 1 John 1:8, 10 Romans. 3:23; 6:23; 7:14-25 Benefit from the Examples of Forgiveness John 13:15 1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Peter 2:21! Psalm 103:12

Lesson 8 – John’s Visions

We continue the review of the Apostle’s visions which tell the basic story contained in Revelation. 08-daniel-revelation-notes So far we have been able to put Revelation into context despite its symbolism and style: written by John the Apostle to early churches with the goal of encouraging them to persevere under Roman persecution, provide ongoing encouragement to every generation concerning the ever-present power of evil and Christ’s ultimate victory. We began with John’s vision of Jesus and His warning to the church…

Pro-Life or Pro Death – Part 1

In this two-part lesson, Mike will describe the various methods used to abort babies, and compare the main arguments used by both Pro-Choice and Pro-Life groups to support their positions on this highly controversial issue. (N.B. No graphic pictures or photos of aborted children will be shown). 06-forbidden-topics-notes

Roadside Shrines

The cross and the plastic flowers along the side of the highway usually appear unexpectedly. You’re rounding a curve or cruising along and suddenly someone’s marked a spot where a life tragically ended in some terrible crash that is all but forgotten save for this roadside shrine. I’ve been to many cemeteries but am never so aware of death as when I see these homemade memorials. I suppose it’s because of the proximity of this unfortunate person’s death as I…

Serve One Another

Scripture for today’s sermon:  WORD STUDY Matthew 20:25-28 John 12:23-26 Galatians 5:1, 13 ULTIMATE FREEDOM IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 Hebrews 10:4 John 8:32-36 SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 1 Peter 2:1-2 THE UNIVERSAL EXPRESSION SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 1 John 3:16-18 1 Peter 3:15

Lesson 5 – Work of the Church of Christ

It is easy to see that the work of most denominations is infected with the social gospel ideals of serving the felt needs of the whole man, rather than focusing upon the true needs of his spirit. The New Testament epistles and the book of the Acts of the Apostles gives modern man a pattern for the scope and limitations of the church’s work, showing us those that things that are authorized and those that are human innovations. The work…

Lesson 7 – Interpretations of Revelation

This lesson reviews the 4 major interpretations given by scholars as to the meaning of the book of Revelation. 07-daniel-revelation-notes In the last chapter we reviewed the introductory material concerning the book of Revelation: Written by John the Apostle Used apocalyptic style to disguise meaning Addressed to 7 churches in Asia Minor Describes the struggle in the 1st century between Rome and the church Encourages church to persevere in suffering because Rome will be defeated Also describes the ongoing cycle of…
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