Liberty Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Denying the resurrection of the dead invalidates Christ's death as a sufficient atonement, renders faith futile, and leaves believers still guilty of sin. Belief in a resurrected Christ is the foundation for a life of hope, righteousness, and eternal life.
The resurrected Christ appeared to many people at various times, verifying the reality of His death, burial, and resurrection. His certain resurrection confirms God's promise to us of our own resurrection.
The resurrection of Christ lies at the center of the gospel message that saves sinners.
We must use God's good gifts to build up the church in a peaceful, orderly manner. He is a God of peace, so our gatherings must be characterized by peace as well.
Spiritual gifts are to edify the church and lead to the salvation of unbelievers. Christians must be mature in practicing the gifts God has entrusted to us for the good of others and for His glory.
The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is the building up of the church. We must demonstrate love in serving one another, desiring to exhort and to encourage one another with God's clear truth.
Love is greatest because it is permanent, complete, mature, direct, and full. Spiritual gifts serve the church in this age, but we look forward to that time when we stand complete in Christ.
This portrait of love celebrates the actions of God to us and therefore how we can show love to each other. Love is the proper basis and context for the gifts to operate in the church.
Spirituality, orthodoxy, and even self-sacrifice yield nothing if these do not find their basis and context in love.
By His good and perfect will God has appointed a diversity of gifts for the establishment and advancement of His church in this age.
By His good and purposeful design, God has equipped each individual believer to serve in His church. Without pride or embarrassment we each fulfill our role for the benefit of the body of Christ.
Our Lord Jesus suffered unto death and then entered into His glory. As His ambassadors in this age, we too will suffer for the gospel but also share in the glory of our risen Lord. Be faithful to the end and trust that His word will accomplish its good work.
The church as the body of Christ contains many members—all of whom benefit the life of the body through the common gift of the Holy Spirit. We have no cause for pride or embarrassment over the gifts He has given to each one, but we must work together to advance His gracious purposes in this age.
Through good works Christians display the light of God in the world. We must take care not to take the glory to ourselves but to direct praise to God who gifts good gifts to His children for unhypocritical service to one another.
We must use the variety of gifts the Holy Spirit gives to the church so that the church grows. We have no cause for pride, shame, envy, or condescension as we see how the Spirit has deliberately gifted each one. Let us serve one another in love.
Because believers are reconciled to God through the death of the Lord Jesus, we have been entrusted with the gospel of reconciliation to share with others.
Our gracious God has given gifts to His people for the benefit of the church. Within the variety of gifts is the unity of purpose: to build up the congregation to maturity in Christ. Each believer has work to do, trusting God to bring fruit from our labor.
God graciously gives spiritual gifts to His people to use in service of one another. No Christian may claim to have more of the Spirit or to have the preferred gift above all gifts. The common confession of Jesus as Lord brings all Christians to equal standing before God and one another.
Proper self-examination must precede sharing the Lord's Supper. How we think of ourselves, of each other, and of Christ's sacrifice determines whether participation in this meal brings blessing or judgment.
Our Lord Jesus gave new meaning to the Passover and inaugurated the new covenant through His death on behalf of His people. His sacrifice of Himself removes from us all reasons for selfishness and pride, knowing that He purchased salvation for sinners who could not save themselves.
Using the background of Israel's Exodus from slavery in Egypt, our Lord presented Himself as the Redeemer who accomplished salvation for His people.
God has revealed and recorded His word to us, and we have the responsibility to receive it, study it, and obey it.
When the church gathers, all things must honor Christ and show love to one another. Selfishness and self-indulgence have no place in the assembly, rather reflecting the self-sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Divisions and factions afflict all relationships, but our Lord has called us to selfless, humble, loving unity.
God's good design and order in creation demonstrates the beautiful differences between men and women. May we act with humility and godly purpose as we relate to one another in the family, church, and society.
God desires the proper display of Christ's headship even in how we dress. He has inserted order and purpose in His creation, and we must reflect His glory in the ways He has directed.
God has definite design, structure, and order in His creation, especially as it pertains to men and women. Let us humbly receive His commandments and seek to honor Him in all things.
We have many troubles in this life, but God provides refuge, help, and deliverance for those who trust in Him.
Messiah the King was to be born in Bethlehem, the city of David, and would fulfill God's plan of judgment and blessing for His people.
Love acts in the best interests of others. Christians love God by seeking to bring honor to Him and they love others by seeking to see them be saved through the gospel.
Our worship must be reserved for God alone. He is rightly jealous for His own glory to be displayed and adored in the hearts of His people. We must flee from anything that would usurp God's exclusive place in our lives.
Let us learn from the examples of others—both good and bad. We should not think that we are immune from sin, temptation, or sorrow, or that we have no choice but to sin. We must remember that God is faithful in all of our circumstances of life, and He helps us to endure the challenges of life in this fallen world.
We can learn from the mistakes of others, particularly when it comes to what we desire. We should expect God's displeasure when we engage in things that displease Him.
God's people must avoid overconfidence in themselves and self-indulgence that leads away from the sufficiency and exclusivity of God. Seeking His good pleasure means trusting His and obeying His word.
We remember God's promises, confess our sins, plead for His mercy, and ask Him to take action for His own sake.
Those who name Christ as Lord and Savior ought to demonstrate their new life in Christ consistently and fervently. Self-control lies at the heart of maturity in the Lord, as we discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness and pleasing the Lord who saved us.
With reference to human relationships, the overriding burden of our lives should be the advancement of the gospel through our words and actions so that more people would know the forgiveness of sins and freedom of life in Christ Jesus.
While preachers of the gospel should benefit materially from their work, the apostle Paul refused any material reward for his labor. He did this to fulfill his stewardship as mandated by the Lord Jesus.
Those who communicate the word of God should be materially provided for by those who benefit from the teaching.
Common sense indicates that those who work should expect to receive a share of the proceeds of their work.
Paul could have claimed special privileges as an apostle, but he chose in love to surrender these privileges as the Lord Jesus Christ did, so the Corinthians also would serve one another in love.
We sin against others and ultimately against Christ when we encourage others to act contrary to conscience.
Sinners can be saved by the grace of God through our faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Neither legalism nor libertinism are sufficient grounds or paths in salvation, but a heart motivated to love God and to love others helps us grow in His grace.
Throughout the centuries, mankind has created gods of their own design to suit their needs and desires. But there is one true and living God who has made all things and before whom every person must stand in judgment. Thankfully, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we may be forgiven and reconciled to God.
While our faith is based in true knowledge, our practice in this world must be governed by genuine love. Knowledge and love complement each other for the building up of God's people.
Both marriage and singleness are good options, and each person should decide for themselves which path to follow to serve the Lord.
God has provided marriage as a wonderful blessing, but marriage also introduces new concerns and obligations. Whether married or single, Christians should seek to live properly and give undistracted devotion to the Lord Jesus.
Marital status does not commend us to God, but we do face practical realities in marrying or remaining single. Regardless of your situation, seek to honor God and use your condition to advance His purposes in this age.
In relation to God's call to salvation, Christians should be content to remain in the circumstances of life in which God called them. God has purposes for each of our lives, and we should be content to fulfill His purposes to the best of our abilities. Christ's sacrifice is sufficient to qualify us for eternal life, so let us be faithful with what He has given to us in this life.
While Christians should marry only those who also trust Christ for salvation, many existing marriages include one believer and one unbeliever. The Christian should make every effort to live in peace with the unbeliever, and divorce should only occur at the demand of the unbeliever.
-But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. But if they do not have self-control, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband -but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband-, and that the husband should not divorce his wife.- -1 Corinthians 7-8-11 LSB-
God our Creator has tremendous purpose for human sexuality, particularly that it demonstrates the loving affection between a man and a woman in the beautiful bond of marriage.
Worship of our great God has less to do with music and more to do with a right view of God, a right view of ourselves, atonement from sin, and obedience to His will.
Sexual immorality has no place in the life of a Christian since we have been redeemed by our heavenly Father, brought into union with Christ, and received the Holy Spirit. Therefore, glorify God in your body.
Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Justifying sin by claiming your freedom in Christ does violence to Christ and to yourself. Our Lord wants us to use our bodies to glorify Him, expecting resurrection to eternal life in His presence.
The holy God who created all things has also made a way for sinners to be reconciled to Him. Our gracious triune God brings salvation to those who would turn from their rebellion and receive cleansing as a gift of His love.
Christians have many resources to resolve conflict within the church, but lawsuits are not included as God-honoring options. We have several paths toward peace including forbearance, reconciliation, and negotiation.
Conflict happens in the church, and Christians must seek to resolve these conflicts within the church without having to resort to outside arbitrators. Unrepentant sin limits good options, but we must show the grace and wisdom of our Lord in dealing with problems in the church.
Our God is in the details of our lives. Look for the evidence of God's purpose in your daily, seemingly insignificant moments. He is at work. Be ready to call on Him for wisdom, then follow with courage and obedience.
Christians have a role to play in this present age in calling people to repent of their sins and turn to the Lord Jesus. We also have a responsibility to judge those who call themselves Christians yet continue to live like the world.
The salvation bought by the Lord Jesus features a profound change in the way we conduct our lives now. Old patterns of life and evil influences must be put away to please God with our sincere and true devotion to Him.
Arrogance smiles at sin, but God expects us to mourn over sin and remove it from our midst.
Right doctrine leads to right conduct. Those who have believed God's gospel will prove it by honoring Him with their words and behavior, showing His power to change lives for His glory.
-I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me- -1 Corinthians 4-14-16 LSB-.
We know about the suffering of Christ to purchase salvation for His people. His subsequent glories include His resurrection, ascension, victory over Satan, and physical return to Jerusalem to rule in His earthly kingdom.
Followers of Christ should expect difficulties and opposition in this world. As our Lord Jesus endured harsh treatment, and His apostles suffered for His sake, so believers now should welcome the reproach of this world as we represent our crucified and resurrection Savior.
Godly pastors, mature older men and women in the church, and faithful parents are key to the evangelism and discipleship of the next generation. -Recording started a few minutes into the sermon.-
God graciously gives all things to His people, so we must not boast in ourselves but only in Him. We may serve one another in humility, doing our very best and leaving the results to Him.
Our Lord Jesus invites us to come after Him through denying self, bearing a cross, and following Him. Through this death we find that which is truly life- knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God has provided in His word sufficient instruction regarding the practices of a congregation. We must honor the biblical mandates and models for worship, instruction, fellowship, and prayer.
Strife in the church comes in part from an unjust criticism and even condemnation of one another. Followers of Christ must be found faithful, but it is ultimately the Lord who makes this determination. Do your best and leave the results-and the vindication-to God.
God opposes all thoughts that supplant Him and place humanity at the height of wisdom. We may not deceive ourselves by false claims of wisdom apart from His word. Neither should we attach ourselves to any teacher of His word but seek to exalt Christ over His church to the glory of God.
God regards His church so highly that He has chosen to dwell among His redeemed people and display His holiness through them. But beware-God will destroy those who seek to destroy His church.
Each Christian contributes to the building up of the church, but the Lord will evaluate our service according to Christ and His word. Therefore, we must be careful how we build to ensure our work remains after the Lord's testing.
God has entrusted different tasks to different Christians throughout time to advance His gospel and build His church. Each one has a role to fulfill under our Lord's scrutiny, asking Him for the fruitful reward for our labor.
Jealousy and strife permeate the world, but they have no place in the lives of Christians. The Spirit of God has established peace and unity among believers, and believers must maintain that unity through humility and sound doctrine.
Christians have received the wisdom of God as revealed by His Spirit to the prophets and apostles. Instead of the spirit of the world which is perishing, Christians can receive the Spirit which is from God to know the saving gospel of His Son.
The wisdom of God runs contrary to the wisdom of this age and is accessible only to those who love Him.
At the announcement of His incarnation, the Lord Christ received the name Jesus and three of the many titles attributed to Him- the Son of the Most High, the Holy Child, and the Son of God. Each name and title helps us understand the person and work of this Savior, King, and God incarnate.
God's people throughout the ages have lived within cultures that are oriented against God and His word. But God is sovereign and He works through individuals and entire nations to accomplish His will. His people must be bold, compassionate, and courageous to announce His coming kingdom.
The gospel of Jesus Christ needs no ornamentation to make it acceptable to its hearers and lacks nothing to make in effective unto salvation. Those who proclaim this message ought to rest in the power of God to save those who acknowledge their inability to save themselves and run to Christ for eternal life.
Christians have no basis to boast in themselves but have every reason to boast in the Lord Jesus who provides gracious salvation to them. Many problems in the church and culture can be solved by a healthy dose of humility before God and others.
The gospel of a crucified Christ demonstrates the wisdom and power of God to redeem those who cannot know God through their own observation, inquiry, or cleverness, but whom God has called to salvation.
The gospel message appears to be absurd. God sent His son to die a shameful death on behalf of perishing sinners. But this is the way for those who cannot know God in their own wisdom to come to know Him through His good pleasure. The worldly wise man must humble Himself before the all-wise God to receive forgiveness of sins through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Unity of doctrine is important in the life and witness of a local church. Paul exhorted the church in Corinth to like-mindedness and unity around the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Paul gives thanks for the evident work of God's grace in and through the church at Corinth. Though Paul will address many problems he sees in that church, he redirects his readers' perspective to the sufficiency of Christ and His long-expected return when He will bring all things to a blessed completion.
Paul wrote a letter to the church he founded in Corinth, a leading city of the Roman Empire, calling them to holy conduct consistent with their new identity in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God's design for women relates to their role as wives and mothers. But single women and wives without children can please the Lord in their situations, resting in His love, goodness, and sovereignty.
The woman who fears Yahweh demonstrates her devotion to Him by serving her husband, children, and community with skill, strength, creativity, care, and humility.
From the beginning of creation God made humanity as male and female. Both man and woman are equal before God in many ways, but they are also different and complementary to each other in wonderful ways. The woman has an innate orientation to the man as his suitable helper and to her children as their loving mother.
Our growth in practical purity advances as we seek heart-level accountability in Christian community. We help one another seek progressive sanctification in our lives, giving and receiving counsel and spurring one another one toward love and good deeds.
We come to Christ by confessing our sin, obeying His commands, meditating on His word, and enjoying Him. This change of affection leads us away from immorality and toward righteousness.
Pursuing purity in your life including fleeing from sin. This means fearing God, looking away from images and scenes that lead to lust, eliminating known sources of temptation, and evading ungodly influences and compromising situations. Purity is worth the effort and shows your obedience to God.
We must defend purity in a pornographic age through accountability to God and others. This means that we flee from sin, come to Christ, and share with others. -Introduction by Ben Lawrence-
Purity is satisfaction with God's gifts to the glory of God. The life that gives thanks for God's gifts and uses them for His glory necessarily leads to purity in conduct and conversation.
The leading men of the congregation must show the way for all the men to live for the nurture and advancement of the home, church, and society. These qualifications God expects to see in His men run counter to what the world celebrates but they are the way God has provided for the care of His people.
That person is blessed who delights in God's word. Life in this world rests securely in God's loving care, and fear of future judgment is abated because of humility, confession, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But this satisfaction is denied those who disregard God and His word, who revel in their disobedience, and scoff at God's righteous standards. Only by forsaking sin and believing Christ can a wicked person be made righteous and enter eternal glory.
The contrast between the wicked and the righteous starts with what each one values- the wicked man values godlessness, sin, and scoffing- while the righteous man delights in God's word. God's blessing comes to those who treat as precious the revelation He has given for our instruction and joy.
Questioning God's justice in this world can lead to confusion, because we do not see the whole picture of what He is doing. Instead of resorting to bitter and resentful discontent, we should trust that God knows what is happening and will bring every act to judgment. We may draw near to Him for confident comfort and hope.
God blessed Job generously with social standing, wealthy, family, and a long life. Surely Job used all these resources to celebrate and share the glory of God who is all-wise and all-powerful. Then Job died and entered his eternal reward.
Theology matters. Job's friends spoke wrongly about God, and God required a sacrifice to atone for their error and a mediatorial prayer from Job to restore them to God.
Almighty God had demonstrated His wisdom and power in creation, and Job was rightly humbled before Him. Therefore Job withdraws his argument against God and finds comfort in the knowledge that God does marvelous things according to His good purpose.
Yahweh described two of His mightiest creatures to underscore Job's inability to argue with God and to encourage Job to rest in the knowledge that God's powerful ways are wise and just.
God is just, but, like Job, we often find fault with the way He works out His justice. While we might be tempted to instruct God on how best to manage His creation, we should rather trust that He knows, He cares, and He is able to do what is best.
God presents a variety of animals to display His care and compassion over beasts that Job would tend not even to think of. God's provision demonstrates that some must die for others to survive, pointing to the substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus on our behalf.
God precisely manages the physical world-from the storms on the face of the earth to the stars in the heavens. He exercises carefully direction of all aspects of creation for His glory, so we must rightly praise Him as God Most High.
Our Lord humbled Job by challenging his knowledge of the physical world. As a result, Job was led to confess his inadequacy and rest in the knowledge and wisdom of God.
Yahweh spoke to Job to challenge and correct his deficient understanding of God's knowledge and power over creation. While Job spoke ignorantly against God's justice, God graciously but firmly taught Job how little he knew about what he spoke.
God demonstrates His incomprehensible power and wisdom through natural events like a thunderstorm. We should look less at ourselves and more at His wondrous works and beautiful words to gain insight into God's perfections.
God judges people justly, even instructing His people in their affliction that they would repent from pride and choose to exalt God. This is not the work of a tyrant, but a loving Father who wants what is best for His children.
Your goodness or wickedness does not obligate God to act, and God does not always help those who cry out in their suffering. God condemns lack of faith and arrogant pride but He always acts in His time and in His way for His own glory and our good.
Job has claimed that God has wronged him and withheld justice from him. But Elihu affirms that God only does justice, judging with impartiality and certainty, according to knowledge, so all can see His justice in His time. -The last 30 minutes were re-recorded.-
The Passover event illustrates how God is both just and the justifier of those who trust and obey Him. But judgment comes upon those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Take refuge in Him before His wrath is kindled.
Suffering does not always come because of sin, but God uses suffering to discipline His people and advance life. In all situations of life, God's purposes are good.
Elihu had a righteous anger because the friends and Job displayed an inadequate understanding of God. He was concerned for God's glory and set about correcting Job so God would be properly trusted and worshiped.
Job knew that his suffering was not due to his sin, but he wanted God to vindicate him and restore the intimate relationship they used to have. His catalog of righteousness displayed his fear of God and his commitment to turn away from evil.
Job's commitment to purity centered in the thoughts of his heart, known only to God. He recognized that his heart was influenced by his eyes, so he solemnly restricted his attention to avoid temptation.
Job yearned for his prosperous past when God kept him close by and blessed others through him. But now he has become an object of scorn. Job shows a portion of our Lord's humiliation in coming to earth and dying for sinful, scornful humanity.
What the friends offered Job was not wisdom nor was it even helpful. But Job knows wisdom and understanding come from fearing God and turning away from evil.
Suffering does not always follow sin in this life, and blessing does not always follow piety. Regardless of the circumstances, we know that God does right and will do right.
The friends affirm that bad things happen to bad people. Bad things have happened to Job, therefore Job is a bad person-or so they say. But Job maintains his innocence before God and knows that God is his only hope of vindication.
Job knows God exercises His sovereignly over all creation in ways that are not easily explained by human wisdom. But he pleads with God for the opportunity to present his case for vindication, since it appears God has turned His face away from him. Life is short, but God is able to raise the dead to live before Him.
God does not pervert justice, but Job rejects the idea that he could adequately answer God for the injustice he feels. Though Job recognizes God's power in creation, he wonders why it appears his Creator no longer cares for him.
Job knows he has spoken rashly but he speaks out of his suffering. He regards his friends as treacherous comforters and asks God to end his brief, painful life. But Job's desire to be crushed by God foreshadows the Lord Christ who was crushed for our iniquities so we could be forgiven.
God created male and female in His image, but some are confused about or even rebel against this reality. He has given us the message and method to help one another appreciate His design and submit to His decrees regarding human sexuality.
Job's friends thought that suffering follows sin-Job was suffering, therefore Job had sinned. Satan's accusation against God was that piety follows blessing-that Job only worshiped God because of the material blessings. But God is good, right, and just in all things and He is worthy of worship in Himself.
After the calamities fell upon him, Job endured in great pain. His friends sought to comfort him, but he expresses the anguish of his soul and his desire for death to end his suffering.
We may not claim to know better than God, therefore we should, like Job, trust the Lord to give and take for His good purposes.
Job had blessed God after the loss of his children and worldly possessions, but Satan alleges that striking his body would surely result in him cursing God. His life must be spared, but his response will show how his knowledge and fear of God will carry him through the pain.
Job experienced tremendous loss at the hand of Satan and by the permission and design of Yahweh. His expression of praise confirmed his blameless character and presiding fear of God.
The accuser maligned God by claiming that the Lord operated just like Satan- bribing humans with favors to secure their devotion. But God is to be feared for Himself and not for anything He might provide His people.
The blameless character and wealthy situation of Job inform the trials he was to experience.
Deacons serve as assistants under the authority of the pastors for the benefit of the congregation.
Local churches need pastors-men who qualify for this position of service and responsibility before the Lord and who adhere to His message and methods of ministry specified in His Word.
Our Lord directs us to carefully examine men who would serve as pastors. What Christians should be, pastors must be.
The pastors must care for, feed, lead, and protect the local church. This Spirit-given task requires constant vigilance for themselves and for the believers entrusted to their care.
Our Lord Jesus has established shared pastoral eldership for the feeding and care of His church.
While our Lord Jesus resides in heaven, He is also present with and in His body the church. His Word and His Spirit enliven and empower His people to demonstrate His authority in this age.
The church must supply corrective discipline to its members to reconcile relationships, restore sinning believers, maintain the purity of the church, and honor God.
The value of church membership appears in the pictures of the church in the Bible, the pattern of the first-century church, the practice of church discipline, the presence of pastors for each church, and the priority of mutual edification.
Characteristics of the first church are good and desirable for churches throughout the ages- worship and prayer, the priority of the Word, authentic community, and evangelistic fruit.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is building His church as the truth of His word goes forward in preaching and redeemed living.
Economic difficulties come and go, but God has given His people sufficient instruction to weather the storms and lay hold of that which is life indeed.
Our Lord Jesus calls us to repent-to turn from our sins and turn to Him. We prove our repentance both in the heart and in our behavior as we deal with the many sinful aspects of our lives, bringing all these transgressions to the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing so we can grow in Him.
Seeing the Lord for who He is led Isaiah to see himself for who he is-a wretched sinner before a holy God. But God provides cleansing for those who tremble before Him through Christ.
In Isaiah's day as well as our own, we need a sense of God's holiness, sovereignty, and glory to give us hope and lead us to lives of purity and devotion to Him.
Paul's joy was bound together with the fate of Onesimus but he was convinced Philemon would do what is right before God. Such is the work of grace in the life of a humble believer.
Onesimus had wronged his master Philemon, and restitution had to be made. Paul offered to pay the price for the relationship between master and slave to be restored.
A heart that is consumed with Christ and all His benefits proves itself in a changed life. Onesimus had been saved through Paul's ministry, and now Philemon had an opportunity to show grace to one who had been unworthy but is now a brother in Christ.
Paul could have commanded Philemon to do what is right but he rather sought to plead with him to demonstrate his love and faith in the difficult case of his slave Onesimus.
Because of Philemon's faith in the Lord and love toward the saints, Paul prayed that Philemon would continue this gracious spirit toward his runaway slave Onesimus.
Paul addressed the first-century household of Philemon with affirmations of affection and challenge.
Paul and Timothy dedicated their lives to the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
All Christians have a ministry they must fulfill in the Lord for the building up of the body of Christ.
The church must read, explain, and apply the Scriptures. Our devotion to Christ and separation from the world increases as we know His Word.
Christians have a great opportunity and responsibility to pray to God for themselves and others, always looking to see how God answers prayer so we can give thanks to Him.
God the Father has subjected and will subject all things to His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. We long for Christ's return to inaugurate the new heavens and new earth.
While serving earthly masters, slaves must work heartily for their heavenly Lord expecting a reward from Him.
Fathers must take care to lead their children to maturity in ways that promote godly passions and courage.
Followers of Christ will follow Him regardless of the cost. In times of opposition and persecution, the church must unashamedly proclaim the authority of King Jesus and His coming kingdom.
Children of all ages should strive to obey their parents. While human parents are never perfect, God works through them for salvation and sanctification. Trust God and honor your parents.
God commands the husband to love his wife, seeking and serving her needs more than his own. The Lord allows no place for anger or harshness toward the wife but only gracious, loving action on her behalf.
Christians must submit to one another, and Christian wives especially must submit to their husbands. This inner quality or mindset of submission magnifies the beauty of the woman and contributes to the success of the marriage as it pictures the relationship of Christ and the church.
First Corinthians 6-9-11 affirms judgment for the unrighteous while also confirming justification, sanctification, and washing for those who are in Christ. In other words, the gospel changes penitent sinners and conforms them to Christlikeness. This is not always a once-and-done deliverance- it normally requires a daily repentance of thought, desire, and practice.
God designed and decreed that marriage is a covenantal companionship between one man and one woman.
Life in the Lord Jesus far exceeds anything the world offers. Christians strive to please the Lord in everything they say and do-a desire that comes from the new heart granted by grace through faith in the work of Christ on our behalf.
God delights in the singing of His people, and we have much to sing about with joy and gratitude.
God's Word teaches and admonishes us, and we need to teach and admonish one another. That Word must have full influence and authority in our lives so we can glorify God and help others live to honor Christ.
God has called Christians to Himself and to one another in love and holiness. The outworking of our salvation produces a fellowship that withstands the difficulties and challenges we often face. We live for Christ's sake in the building up of His church.
The peace of Christ must rule in our hearts, otherwise our relationships with God and others will fall apart.
Love for God and love for others should characterize a believer's life. It is a foundational virtue as Christians imitate God grow to be more like Christ.
We all sin and are sinned against. In love we must cover sin by bearing with one another and graciously forgiving each other, just as God has done to us through Christ.
Strife and enmity plague human relationships, but Christ makes it possible for us to live at peace. Because God has shown mercy and love to us, we can do the same to one another.
God has graciously and lovingly chosen to save some who would justly be condemned under His just wrath. Those who have been saved are to live transformed lives in Christ.
The believer's new identity in Christ changes everything. Barriers of ethnicity, religious works, culture, education, social status-these are all irrelevant in relation to knowing Christ and being made more like Him.
Lies and deception characterize the world at large but they have no place in the lives of Christians. Our words must reflect and repeat the truth of God and be intended to encourage those who hear. We long for the day with truth and righteousness will pervade the world under the reign of Christ.
Everyone experiences disappointment, conflict, and strife. But Christians must not and need not respond with anger, wrath, malice, slander, or abusive speech. Because God has loved us when we were sinners, we can love and be loved in the power of Christ.
God is right to judge sin because of his holiness, omniscience, and justice. His wrath is coming, so humble yourself at His feet and believe that Christ paid your debt and gives you His righteousness by grace through faith.
Genesis 1 teaches many things about the creation of the universe. We have many questions- What is a proper understanding of -firmament- or -expanse-- What is the water above the expanse- Hear Dr Danny Faulkner of Answers in Genesis as you build a biblical cosmology.
The believer's life is given in union with Christ and is consumed with Christ. We await the glory that comes to those who trust wholly in Him.
Based on our union with Christ, believers grow in holiness by setting our minds on Christ and His Word. This disposition changes our behavior from the inside out, so we can live in a way that pleases God.
Christians must seek the place where Christ is, seated at His Father's right hand having accomplished salvation for us, enthroned as the sovereign Lord of all. These rich truths empower our daily living to please Him in every respect.
Christians grow in holiness as we orient our lives around Christ. Sanctification is less about rules and regulations to control our behavior and more about loving Christ and living to please Him.
While we might attempt in pride to prove our piety based on our performance, we must remember that our righteousness is in Christ alone. Our only hope for overcoming sin now and in the future lies in Christ's person and work.
Union with Christ means Christians need not submit themselves to good works or the lack of bad works as a basis of our salvation. We have been declared righteous through faith in the sufficient work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Christ is the source for our growth and He nourishes us through the truth of His Word. Beware false teachers that would downplay the sufficiency of our Lord Jesus.
False teachers lead their followers away from Christ and toward their own aberrant doctrine. Christians must be wary of any teaching that undermines the supremacy of Christ and the complete salvation He offers those who trust in Him.
Our Lord Jesus Christ has accomplished our salvation and we receive it by grace through faith in His work. So, do not be intimidated by those who say you have not done enough to be saved.
God the Father has conquered through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. He has put to shame anyone who would accuse believers of sin, since Jesus has paid the penalty in full.
God has forgiven the debt Christians owed Him because of our sin. Instead of requiring death as our due punishment, God accepted the death of His Son in our place.
Many things are true about the Christian, but one of the essential truths is that our sins are forgiven in Christ.
Apart from Christ we are all spiritually dead because our sin. No one has grounds to boast in what they do- we all need the beautiful and sufficient Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Christian has been raised to life spiritually and anticipates the day when resurrection will be complete with a glorified body. Until then, let us act like the new creatures that we are and hold fast to Christ, who is our life.
Christ has freed believers from the penalty and power of sin through the circumcision of our fleshly body. This redemption began when we trusted Christ and will be perfected when we receive our glorified bodies.
The Lord Jesus Christ is sovereign over all, therefore the salvation He provides is complete. Run to Christ for help and hope.
Eyewitnesses to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection include many people individuals including both humans and angels. Supernatural events surrounding the Passion Week fulfilled many specific prophecies in Scripture.
Christ is the substance of the Christians faith and identity. In Him and Him alone may we find salvation.
Christians must give full attention to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly God and truly man. This devotion to the person and work of Christ protects Christians from false doctrine.
Many teachers present seemingly enlightened ideas but they lead people away from Christ. Watch out for these and give your attention to Christ.
Deceptive doctrine is everywhere, and Christians must be on guard against it to avoid becoming captives of false teachers.
Christians have received Christ by believing the truth about Him and being devoted to Him personally. What do you think of Jesus-
Christians must have a well-ordered and stable faith in Jesus Christ built upon God's Word. Only then will we be able to withstand the false doctrines that pervade our fallen, rebellious world.
Christians must guard against false doctrine, evaluating persuasive arguments against the text of Scripture.
The philosophical questions of the ages find their satisfaction in Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Though unknown personally to Paul, yet he agonized over the spiritual advancement of the Colossians believers. He desired love and truth to characterize their lives a they gave first place to the Lord Jesus Christ.
God has given His people instructions on how to live. We see in the Bible many examples of godliness and ungodliness. What does your life demonstrate-
God demonstrates His authority over the gods of nations so all would know that Yahweh is the God of gods.
Christians must remember that our citizenship is in heaven. We give honor to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who is worthy of all glory.
God's grace saves and sanctifies us. Our good works are not the basis of our salvation but they are a necessary proof of God's grace in our lives.
We celebrate light because it brings life, truth, and righteousness. God is our life, He reveals truth to us, and He demands that we live righteously.
God the Father sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into time and space on a rescue mission for sinful humanity. Jesus came to reveal the Father, save sinners, and fulfill God's promises.
A Christian's ministry involves tremendous personal labor, but the power and effectiveness comes from the Lord.
God uses the ministry of His Word through relationships to grow us into Christlikeness. We all have a part to play in helping each other become mature in Christ.
God calls believers to proclaim Christ. While our works testify to our salvation, only the message about the Lord Jesus Christ brings salvation to others. A part of this Word-based ministry is admonition, where we speak truth lovingly to help ourselves and others grow in Christlikeness.
God delighted to reveal His glorious grace to both Jew and Gentile giving those who believe the hope of eternal life. He gave the Spirit of Christ to indwell believers and give them assurance of salvation.
Without God's special revelation, we would know very little about Him, the world He created, and the way of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. But He discloses His secrets to His saints so we can know Him.
From the moment of salvation and to the end of his life Paul sought to fulfill his God-given ministry of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.
Daniel and his friends committed to following the Lord's will regardless of the difficulties they faced.
Paul knew his ministry for the Lord Jesus would result in personal distress. But he rejoiced to offer himself for the service of the Lord, His gospel, and His church.
Paul rejoiced in his sufferings, knowing that he would experience them and seeing their glorious benefits. Christians of all ages should have the same God-centered perspective.
The life of a growing Christian is dominated by the hope of the gospel, namely that God will finish the good work of salvation He began in us.
Christians must persevere in believing God's truth despite internal misgivings, distractions, and deluding influences of false teachers. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only sure foundation for life in this world and in the world to come.
The salvation we have in Christ prepares us for our presentation before God as trophies of His grace. Holiness, blamelessness, and being beyond reproach must be true of us now since this will be of true of us in the future.
Unsaved people oppose God because of total depravity and willful rebellion. But God shows grace to those who repent of their sins and believe in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus brings believers peace with God, inner peace, and peace with other believers. His death on the cross paid the penalty for our sin.
The Lord Jesus has reconciled all things to God the Father both in redemption and in judgment. He initiated the renewal of all creation by His perfect life, death, and resurrection.
Jesus Christ is special. Every bit of the fullness of God finds its permanent dwelling in Christ. He is our sufficient and steadfast Savior.
Jesus Christ is Lord of the new creation, the church. He is the firstborn of those who will be raised up from death. Because of His incarnation, perfect life, death, and resurrection, Christ occupies the chief place of authority and worship. May Jesus Christ be praised-
The Lord Jesus Christ is head of the body, the church. His sovereignty over creation extends to His new creation in the assembly of redeemed saints.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things and sustains all things. Worship Him-
Jesus Christ is Lord of creation since everything finds its origin in Him. All things are in Him, through Him, and for Him. He is the Lord, Judge, and Savior for all people.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation. He is pre-existent and preeminent over all, and He will return to earth to rule over everything.
The invisible God has revealed Himself through creation, His written Word, and ultimately through the Son. The Lord Jesus Christ reveals God the Father.
The redemption we have in Christ addresses our fallen nature, our guilt before a holy God, and our freedom from wrongdoing. Such a comprehensive salvation is ours by believing the gospel and turning away from sin.
God the Father brought believers out of darkness into the kingdom of light where Christ is king. But first He had to take away our sins.
The knowledge of God's will leads to fruitfulness, growth, strengthening, and thanksgiving. All of these elements should be present in the life of a believer so each one will please Him in all respects.
The gospel of Jesus Christ bears fruit in the lives of those who hear and obey. Gospel-speakers present the Word of God to build up Christ's church.
Paul gave thanks for the Colossian believers' faith, hope, and love, all of which were products of the gospel's work in their lives. God wants these characteristics to grow in you and in your church.
What characteristics of the first church should we see in the local church of today- -partial recording-
The church at Colossae believed the gospel but they needed to persevere in pure doctrine. Paul called on them to remember their identity in Christ and remain steadfast in it.
Though he was not one of the Twelve Apostles, Paul was an apostle of Christ Jesus. Apostles provided eyewitness testimony of the risen Lord and furthered the work of Jesus in building His church. Their impact continues to this day.
Though Paul initially persecuted the church, the Lord Jesus transformed him into a servant of the church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Paul's robust ministry in the First Century continues to transform the world for Christ.
Parents must discipline and instruct their children in good and helpful ways. What activities and attitudes promote godly parenting-
While children must obey their parents, parents must not provoke their children to anger. How can we avoid doing this-
Children are to submit to and obey their parents in Lord. What does this look like and why is it important-
The role of the husband to his wife reflects the work of Christ to His church. Husbands love their wives as Christ loves the church.
God has designed and decreed marriage as the covenantal relationship of one man and one woman. He further defines that the woman's role is to submit to and respect her husband.
God designed and decreed for marriage to be a covenant of companionship between one man and one woman. Leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh characterize this relationship.
Jesus reminds us that marriage is a covenantal companionship between one man and one woman. This divine design goes back to the earliest couple in history- Adam and Eve.
Especially those who served in the house of the Lord were to raise their hands in praise. How much more should we worship who are the dwelling place of the Lord in the Spirit.
We tend to dismiss the importance of unity or contrastingly value it above all other things. Here David celebrates the refreshing, abundant, supernatural nature of unity among brothers.
David made a covenant to build a house for the Lord, and the Lord made a covenant to build a house for David. David wanted to make a place for the nation to worship God and for God to dwell in, while God promised to build up a household of kings to David.
David emphasizes three primary characteristics of God's people- humility, self-control, and hope.
Everyone sins and no one can stand before the Lord in their own righteousness. But there is forgiveness with God and abundant redemption for those who call upon Him.
Based on Israel's history of persecution, the psalmist declares, -May all who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned backward.- How should we pray for those who oppose God's people-
The psalmist declares, -How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.- Happiness and wellness come from fearing God. But what does it meant to fear God-
The Lord sent an angel to tell Joseph why he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. So far from being a reproach, Mary's unexpected pregnancy was God's solution to His people's problem of sin. Jesus has come to save us-