February 1, 2017

Christ’s Plan for His Church

Pews

In writing to the brethren in Ephesus, Paul explained that “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church” (Ephesians 3:10). But when did the Lord decide that He would do this?

Some believe that Jesus “failed” to establish His kingdom when He came to earth so He established the church in its place until He returns a second time and will then set up His kingdom. However, the church was not established as an afterthought. It was not a backup plan. In fact, Jesus indicated that the church and the kingdom were the same, as He used the terms interchangeably (Matthew 16:18-19). Paul said that the Lord’s plan to make known God’s wisdom through the church was “in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ephesians 3:11).

Elsewhere in this letter, Paul described the church as the body and the bride of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23-24). This means that the church belongs to Him and is directed by Him. So what is Christ’s plan for His church? Let us consider a few points.
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January 18, 2017

Progressivism

Pointing - shadow

“My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those who are given to change” (Proverbs 24:21).

The wise man warned about those who are “given to change.” These are ones who want change for the sake of change. Sometimes change is good and necessary, but other times it is not. However, change is inherently part of progressivism – the idea that we must continue to move forward and not remain as or where we were. In this article, we are going to discuss progressivism in religion – what it is and why it is dangerous.
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January 11, 2017

Always Learning, But Never Coming to Know the Truth

Bible study with coffee

Paul warned Timothy of those who were “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). How is it possible for one to continue to progress in his learning but never come to know the truth of God’s word? There are three ways this can happen. Any one of these, or a combination of the three, will prevent someone from coming to know the truth.
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January 4, 2017

Diligently Seeking God

Man on a mountain

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

The Hebrew writer said that God will reward those who “diligently seek Him” (NKJV). Jesus promised that if we “seek,” we “will find” (Matthew 7:7). Is this a guarantee? Does the Bible teach that if we seek for God we can be assured of finding Him? Yes – provided we are seeking with the right attitude.

Paul told the ones gathered on Mars Hill that we can “seek God” and “find Him” because “He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). But how can He be found by those who are seeking for Him? In this article, we are going to consider how God made it so that He can be found by those who seek for Him.
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December 21, 2016

The Grace of God Has Appeared

Titus 2:11

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds” (Titus 2:11-14).

In the passage above, Paul reminded Titus of the grace of God – what it does for us and also what it requires of us. Many like to think of grace in terms of what we receive, but not what we must do. Yet we must accept all that the Bible teaches about it. Let us examine this passage and see what it teaches about the grace of God.
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December 14, 2016

Why We Do What We Do in Worship

Communion Trays

As Christians, we have an obligation to “do all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17). This means to do things by His authority (cf. Matthew 7:21-23). When it comes to the worship of the church, abiding by what has been authorized in God’s word means we will do those things that we can read about in the New Testament.

So what did the churches in the first century do when they assembled together to worship the Lord? There are five “acts” we can read about in the New Testament:
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December 7, 2016

Jesus Destroyed Satan’s Power Over Death

Jesus Crushing the Serpent Under Foot

The first prophecy in the Bible regarding the coming of Jesus was given after sin was introduced into the world in the Garden of Eden. In His curse to the serpent, God said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Genesis 3:15).

God was describing an event in which the seed of woman – Jesus – would be injured (His “heel” would be bruised) and Satan would be defeated (his “head” would be bruised or crushed). Remember that Satan came in the form of a serpent. We can imagine what would happen if someone were to kill a snake – one’s foot might be injured in crushing the head of the snake, but the snake would be killed. This prophecy was looking forward to the death of Christ.
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