February 1, 2008

Living in View of Christ’s Return

Sun and Clouds over the Ocean

The Second Coming of Christ is a recurrent theme in both of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians. It is discussed in some detail in both letters (1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) and is at least mentioned in every chapter but one (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2:1, 8). The Holy Spirit wanted these brethren to keep this event in their minds as they walked here on earth. These writings have been preserved for us today for the same reason. Remembering the reality of Christ’s return, what were the brethren in Thessalonica told to do? What they were told to do will apply to us as well. We are waiting for the Lord to return just as they were. Let us consider what we are to do as we wait.
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January 24, 2008

Some Thoughts from 2 Timothy

In February we’re going to start studying 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus in the Sunday morning Bible class I teach. Tonight I’ve been working on the study guides. When I write a study guide, I divide them up a lesson per chapter. At the top of the page in each lesson I list a key verse in the chapter that states one of the main points.

After I finished 2 Timothy, I noticed a pattern in the verses I had chosen. 2 Timothy 1:13, 2:15, 3:16, and 4:2.
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January 17, 2008

New Website

About a month ago I started working on a new website to post sermon outlines and ideas. I went back and posted most of my sermon outlines from the last few years. Eventually I’m going to make my own template for it, but I’m using a free template for now. The content is there though, so you can check it out.

DIY Sermon Outlines

I will not be posting full outlines, only the main points and passages. You are free to use any of the outlines, but you will have to fill them out yourself and make them your own. (Hence the reason for the name.)

I hope you might find this new site helpful in some way.

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January 8, 2008

His Name is John

Luke records that an angel appeared to Zacharias, a priest serving in the temple. The angel told Zacharias, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John” (Luke 1:13). The angel went on to tell Zacharias that this child would grow up and be the forerunner of the Messiah as prophesied by Malachi (Luke 1:17; Malachi 4:5-6). Zacharias did not immediately believe the angel so he was struck with silence until the time the child was born (Luke 1:20).
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January 1, 2008

Non-Denominationalism

Last month I posted an article about the problem of denominationalism. Yet there seems to be a shift occurring in the religious world. We are seeing a gradual move from denominationalism to non-denominationalism. It is becoming more common to pass a church building and see that the name on the sign does not include a denominational distinction. That is one sign of this shift.

Denominational distinctions are becoming less important. It used to be that people would generally identify themselves by their denomination. They would think it strange when you said you were “just a Christian.” Now they tend to simply call themselves Christians, too. This may be a step in the right direction (Acts 11:26; 1 Corinthians 1:12-13), but there is still more that needs to be done. There are two things that have come from this decreased emphasis on denominational distinctions.
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January 1, 2008

Measures of a Sound Church

Church building

How can we know if a local church is a sound church? First, what do we mean by a sound church? This particular phrase is not used in the New Testament. But the word “sound” is used to describe teaching, doctrine, and words (1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3). The Greek word which is translated “sound” means to have good health, to be well, and to be uncorrupted. This word can certainly be used in reference to a local church. So how do we know if a church is “sound”?
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January 1, 2008

Put On the Full Armor of God

We are engaged in a war for the cause of Christ. This is not a physical war; instead, it is spiritual (2 Corinthians 10:4). It is a battle for the souls of men. In order to help us in this fight, God has given us the armor that we must put on so that we will be able to “stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Let us notice the armor with which the Lord has equipped us.
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