August 3, 2016

Studying the Bible

Bible Study - Outdoors

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Learning how to accurately handle God’s word is necessary for one to be approved to God. However, this process requires diligence. If we are to learn God’s will, we must be diligent in our efforts to study the word that He has revealed to us.

In this article, we will discuss how to study God’s word in such a way that will lead us to enjoy His approval. This involves preparations to study, developing a habit of studying, and also applying our studies to our daily lives.
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June 14, 2016

Why Do We Meet on Sunday Evening? (Season 2, Episode 8)

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Why Do We Meet on Sunday Evening? (Season 2, Episode 8)

A couple years ago I read an article about the declining number of churches having a second worship service on Sunday evening. The article mentioned several possible reasons for the decline – too demanding for busy families, too difficult for “pastors” to prepare two sermons each week, lack of attendance/interest by the members, etc. Though the article was written from a denominational perspective, the discussion of this trend is also helpful for us in the Lord’s church. Often, God’s people follow the trends of the religious world around them. Even if we ignore current trends of eliminating the Sunday evening service, it is generally true that attendance is lower on Sunday evening than on Sunday morning in the majority of local churches. The reasons why Sunday evening services are in decline among the denominational world are often the same reasons why churches quit meeting on Sunday evening or why Christians simply choose not to attend the evening service. So in this episode, I want to briefly discuss 7 reasons why we assemble on Sunday evenings.

  1. We meet to worship God.
  2. We meet to encourage our brethren.
  3. We meet to be encouraged by our brethren.
  4. We meet to study the Scriptures.
  5. We meet to offer the Lord’s Supper.
  6. We meet because it is logistically feasible to meet.
  7. We meet because the congregation has determined to do so.

Article: Why Do We Meet on Sunday Evening?

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April 13, 2016

The New Ancient Paths

Path

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

The passage above has been rightly used by brethren to emphasize the need to go back to the word of God for our standard rather than following after something “new” that has been invented in the mind of man. We are to “retain the standard of sound words” which has been preached by the apostles (2 Timothy 1:13).

However, we should not confuse “the ancient paths” with what we have always thought, heard, or been taught. They are not always the same thing. In other words, the word of God is true whether we have heard it before or not. The Biblical teaching on any given issue is right, even if we have never previously considered it. God’s word is perfect (Psalm 19:7; James 1:25); man is not (Romans 3:23). Therefore, any conflict between what the Bible says and what man says can be easily resolved – the Bible is always right. Paul wrote, “Let God be found true, though every man be found a liar” (Romans 3:4).
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February 23, 2016

Advice to Young Preachers (Season 1, Episode 5)

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Advice to Young Preachers (Season 1, Episode 5)

This episode discusses several pieces of advice to young preachers. These are not bits of wisdom that I have discovered through decades of experience in preaching the gospel – in fact, I am still a relatively young preacher myself. Rather, they are admonitions that are taken from the word of God that all young (and older) preachers should follow. The following points are discussed in this episode:

  1. Preach the word.
  2. Study your Bible.
  3. Test all things carefully.
  4. Preach plainly and distinctly.
  5. Seek to please God and not man.
  6. Guard against a party spirit.
  7. Know when and when not to compromise.
  8. Do not view preaching as a “job.”
  9. Do not gauge success by numbers.
  10. Put the brethren in remembrance.

Article: Advice to Young Preachers

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February 16, 2016

What Makes One a Preacher? (Season 1, Episode 4)

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What Makes One a Preacher? (Season 1, Episode 4)

This episode discusses the right and wrong reasons for preaching and for one being recognized as a preacher. The reasons discussed are listed below:

Wrong reasons: One is a preacher, NOT because…

  1. He was “called” to preach.
  2. He received an education to preach.
  3. He has been “ordained” to preach.
  4. He is paid to preach.
  5. He wants the praise of men.

Right reasons: One is a preacher because…

  1. He has chosen to preach.
  2. He has made preparations to preach.
  3. He has opportunities to preach.

Article: What Makes One a Preacher?

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July 1, 2015

Sharing the Gospel with Theophilus

Luke

When Luke wrote his gospel account, he addressed it to an individual named Theophilus. If we look at the writer’s introduction to the book, we will see some important lessons that we can apply to our efforts to share the gospel with others today.

“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).

Let us consider some points about Luke sharing the gospel with Theophilus.
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February 4, 2015

Thoughts on the Bible-Minded Cities Report

2015 Bible-Minded Cities

The Barna Group released a report on “Bible-Minded” cities. The report ranked the “Bible-mindedness” of individuals in the 100 largest media markets in the United States. According to the criteria of the Barna Group, an individual is “Bible-minded” based on two qualifications:

  1. They “report reading the Bible in a typical week.”
  2. They “strongly assert the Bible is accurate in the principles it teaches.”

It is interesting to read reports like this one. Regardless of how “Bible-minded” the cities are in which we live, there are some points we should consider.
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