“Having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed” (Colossians 2:7).
April 4, 2016
The Importance of Faith (Part 7): Stability
March 16, 2016
Three Thousand Souls
The Lord’s church was established on the day of Pentecost following the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ (Acts 2). The Scriptures indicate that three thousand individuals responded to the preaching of the apostles on that day by obeying the gospel (Acts 2:41). As a result, God added them to the church (Acts 2:47).
There were many others in Jerusalem on this day than just the three thousand who obeyed the gospel – including many who would have heard but did not respond to the preaching done by Peter and the other apostles. What can we know about these “three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41) that contributed to their reception of the gospel? Let us consider six things we know about these individuals from the text:
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February 22, 2016
The Importance of Faith (Part 1): Pleasing God
“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).
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February 2, 2016
This World Is Not My Home
“For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
As Paul wrote to the brethren in Corinth, he described the fact that our lives on earth are temporary, yet we have an eternal home in heaven. It is important that we understand this – this world is not our home. Our real home is in heaven. In this article, we are going to contrast these two homes and consider how an understanding of the difference between them should cause us to live here.
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December 15, 2015
Called As Saints
“To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).
One of the terms used in the New Testament to refer to the people of God is saints. This was the term Paul used to address the Christians in Rome (Romans 1:7). It is important that we understand this term and why it was used.
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December 14, 2015
The Psalm of the Word (Part 22): Praise
Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word.Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.Let my lips utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.Let my tongue sing of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.Let Your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Your precepts.I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.Let my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.(Psalm 119:169-176)
This final stanza focuses on the need to praise God because of His word. We noticed this point a little bit in the previous lesson. The thoughts expressed in these verses are a fitting conclusion to the psalm and our study of it. Given all that we have learned about God’s word, we should praise Him.
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December 7, 2015
The Psalm of the Word (Part 21): Reverence
Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your words.I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great spoil.I hate and despise falsehood,
But I love Your law.Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.Those who love Your law have great peace,
And nothing causes them to stumble.I hope for Your salvation, O Lord,
And do Your commandments.My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.(Psalm 119:161-168)
In this lesson, we will focus on the idea of reverence. If we fear God, we should hold His word in the highest regard. This will necessarily lead us to respond in a certain way toward His word.
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