Despite the plain teaching of the gospel – “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48) – several standards of judgment exist. Driven by obstinacy and ignorance, men continually refuse the flawless standard of …
Continue reading The Patternists: Suffering – An Ambiguous Standard of Judgment
“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my …
Continue reading Article: Is Christ divided?
Read God’s word – Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The apostles orally revealed God’s will when they went everywhere preaching. However, God’s will was for His word to be written down in completed form (cf. 1 …
Continue reading Article: Read!The appearance of leadership roles being filled by women in various religious bodies is common. This has affected the church, and must be addressed in one way, by appealing to scripture. We must not ask what society says about the role of women, but what God said. Using the inspired word, the role of women …
Continue reading Sermon: Women Preachers – Authorized, or not?
There is a vacancy within every man. A cavernous and frigid darkness once occupied with the Presence essential for life, yet emptied by free-will. A creation seen as good, dwelling with the Good, turned to the antithesis, betrayed by one “more cunning than any” (Genesis 3:1). He boasts liberty and offers pleasure while the reservation …
Continue reading Article: What should I speak?In the month of December, 2015 the Elm Street church of Christ will meet on the 2nd, 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, 20th, 23rd, 27th, and 30th. What about the 25th? The 25th falls on a Friday, a day we do not normally meet, for we gather on Sundays as we have authorized examples (cf. Acts …
Continue reading The Patternists: Violations of the Pattern: Observing Special Religious HolidaysGod demands that we only do and say the things authorized by Him. How do we determine – using scripture – what is authorized and what is unauthorized? This sermon seeks to answer such a question. Ppt: Considering Bible Authority Outline: Considering Bible Authority Audio: mp3
Continue reading Sermon: Considering Bible AuthorityThe Lord’s church has continually been indicted with the “evil” of conservatism by those in the world. “Your church is too traditional” they might say. Conservative, to the world, carries with it mundanity. It is interesting that the antipathy the modern religious world has for traditional values does not see the inherent negativity in their …
Continue reading Article: Inherently Negative LiberalismWhen the Lord appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9, He told Saul it was “hard for [him] to kick against the goads.” This is imagery of a rebellion against lawful, and therefore rightful authority. When Saul resisted the authority of Christ, he hurt himself in doing so. Ppt: It is …
Continue reading Sermon: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads”The “Faith Only” doctrine is very popular. However, it is not scriptural. This lesson speaks about the action of faith using examples from Hebrews 11, and ending with our command to be baptized – “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who …
Continue reading Sermon: Faith in the Working of God