“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) The profundity of Jesus’ words must be taken into consideration. We often skim over this statement without stopping to ponder its deep spiritual implications. We take it to be one of the simpler statements of inspired truth. Yet, the …
Continue reading the Digest (Issue 2.6): Worship in Spirit and TruthWhen we consider matters of authority, do we understand that our need for authority reaches beyond the work and worship of the church to our individual lives? What standard of morality do we appeal to? Is there a standard of morality? Who, or what is the moral authority? Jesus said He has all authority (cf. …
Continue reading Sermon: Moral AuthorityWe do not know the exact occasion David penned Psalm 11, but we know it was dire. Evil men conspired against him, and the foundations of truth, justice, and righteousness were destroyed. Yet, David had faith in God, took comfort in the truths about Him. We would do well to heed the sentiments of this …
Continue reading Sermon: If the Foundations are Destroyed“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24) True worship, or authorized worship, is worship that acknowledges who God is in mind and practice. It is “worship in spirit and truth.” What does this mean? Ppt: True Worship Outline: True Worship To download, right-click on the title in the …
Continue reading Sermon: True Worship (Parts 1&2)“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) In approaching God’s word, we must have the desire to be approved before Him. In order for that to true, we must give intense effort in the study of …
Continue reading Sermon: Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12; KJV). When God gives a command, or gives authorization for something, whatever is expedient in carrying out the command or authorized action is included in the command. However, the question of what things can be passed as expediencies remains. Some …
Continue reading Sermon: The Law of Expediency (Aid or Addition?)“For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome“ (1 John 5:3). The Holy Spirit said the commandments God has given us to observe are not a burden. Why, then, do so many view them as burdensome? This lesson explores this question, and seeks to explain …
Continue reading Sermon: His Commandments are Not BurdensomeWhatever we do and say must be authorized by the Lord Jesus (cf. Colossians 3:17). What part, if any, does silence have to play in this? We know that what God says is important, but what about the matters He is silent about? Does silence authorize? Does silence prohibit? Ppt: The Silence of the Scriptures Outline: The …
Continue reading Sermon: The Silence of the Scriptures“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17). We need authority, but how do we establish authority when studying the Bible? How did Jesus establish authority? How did the apostles? How did the church in the New Testament? Ppt: Establishing Authority Outline: Establishing Authority To download, …
Continue reading Sermon: Establishing AuthorityIn Luke 20:1-8, the Jewish leaders sought to trap Jesus by questioning His authority. In return, Jesus exposed their disregard for authority by referring to the authority of John the Baptizer. Both Jesus’ words, and the Jew’s reasoning among themselves show that, not only do we need authority for what we do, but that authority …
Continue reading Sermon: From Heaven or From Men?