Truths to Live By: Recent Episodes
After Christ's Resurrection, He is Blessed and on the Throne in Heaven awaiting till the time of His Kingdom upon the Earth. The second half of Ps 22 looks forward to this blessed experience.
Christ's bitter experience upon the Tree continues with afflictions of His adversaries, both seen and unseen.
Christ is crying from the Cross as He is crushed under the weight of our sin, and the wrath of Almighty God. David prophesies of the bitter experience of Messiah upon the tree of Calvary-
Whereas the sky and sun give glory to God and testify of His greatness, the Scriptures outdo them both and testify to God's greatness and His grace.
To look at sky, or scripture, or the soul of man, one must begin to contemplate the glory of God. The heavens act as a scribe and declare God's glory from day to day, and from night to night.
We see how we can, just like David did, find Help and Hope in Hard Times as we recall and rely on the Pure, Preserved, and therefore Perfect Word of God-
The Psalms prophetic insight gives way to present instruction. We make a gospel application for our day concerning the commanded response and reverence which is due to the Person and Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Kings, Presidents, Princes, and Politicians - yea, all men should give heed to the Words of God and obey Him-
Psalms 2-4-6 gives a telling view of the Lord as men should understand Him to be. He is sitting in the heavens and laughs with divine sovereignty and calm dignity-
Psalm 2-1-3 gives us heaven's perspective of the world's raging rebellion. what man considers to be planning, and power, and policies - God simply sees as the vain things of man's imaginations. God is in control-
Our first look into Psalm 2 where we see both Prophetic Insight and Present Instruction to apply to our lives today.
Ps 1-4-6 gives the picture of the other road, or the way of the wicked which is greatly contrasted with the way of the righteous. The ungodly will perish in the end and be driven away.
We continue looking at the Road of the Righteous in verses 2-3. We see what characterizes a godly and righteous man's life.
We encounter the Crossroads of Life in the first Psalm. The Road of the Righteous and the Way of the Wicked is set before us in great contrast. Which way are you on- To choose Christ or not is the greatest decision of a man's life.
A further introduction into the Book of Psalms and a very brief look into Psalm 1 and the Crossroads of Life.
An introductory look to the book of the Psalms as a whole. We have opened our Bibles to the great Hymnbook of the Bible. Here is a book filled with poetry, prayer, and praise to form both sobs and songs which glorify and magnify the goodness and greatness of the one, true and living God, Jehovah.
Closing words of a pastoral nature are given by Paul with a genuine Christian salutation.
Paul leaves off from his personal close and begins with a pastoral close and gives forth instruction concerning their responsibilities and relationships as Christians.
In this passage, Paul reveals his reverence for God in the choices he made and his respect for the companions he had in the Gospel ministry.
The first message on Chapter 16 looking at the Postscript to this epistle. Paul begins with personal notes -16-1-12- in closing the letter and finishes with pastoral notes -16-13-24-.
God's power is now seen in Christ's Return here at the close of the 15th chapter- What a day that will be when our Lord Jesus we shall see- Hallelujah-
The Truth of God's Power is now to be seen in three realms. We have a testimony to the power of our God in Terrestrial things -earthly-, in Celestial things -heavenly-, and in Eternal things. God is Almighty and Omnipotent-
The Holy Ghost through Paul gives us just a glimpse of God's power as it can be seen in Christ's reign. Jesus our Lord will establish a literal kingdom upon this earth again in the Millennium, and rule and reign for a period 1,000 years -see also Rev 20-1-10-.
We begin looking at the Force of the Gospel as we see God's Power in Christ's Resurrection.
The Lord uses Paul to defend the fundamentals of the Gospel, primarily the Resurrection of Christ and thus the resurrection of the dead. He combats the false doctrine which had infiltrated the Church at Corinth, due to its dangerous presence, perversions, and persuasion.
A look at the Gospel in Precept, in Proof, and in Person as Paul explains all who saw the Lord Jesus after His resurrection and before HIs ascension, excepting himself who saw Christ after His ascension and thus Paul saw Him as one born out of due time.
We begin looking through chapter 15 as we study together The Operation of God in the Church in the Area of the Gospel- we see the Gospel in power and precept in the City of Corinth and the result is the establishment of the Church of God at Corinth. Thank God for the power of the Gospel to save the soul and change the life-
In this passage, we take a look at how the Saints experience at the Church should be decent and orderly and all things should promote the Glory of God.
There is to be a discernible order to the service. The saint should experience God's power and presence in the assembly, but it is always according to God's prescribed program for the church in the Scriptures.
The church should not only maintain the right pursuit, the right priority, but also the right perspective- Prophesying, or that which tends to edifying saints and notifying sinners is the best thing. God is to be glorified in the public worship of the saints and the hearts of men are to be manifested - that is, their sins should be exposed and their souls should be rescued and redeemed.
The Holy Spirit emphasizes the Right Priorities to the church at Corinth through the pen of Paul. They were to focus on Prophesying and be engaged in Instruction and Indoctrination for the saints. And if tongues were to be employed, the focus should be on Interpretation, and not the gift of tongues itself. Remember that the sign-gifts -tongues, prophesying, etc- were in operation during this period of the church's history.
We begin the verse by verse survey through the chapter and see that prophesying is the expedient way. That which tends to edification should be what the church pursues. Prophesying is thus exalted over Tongues throughout this 14th chapter.
An introduction to chapter 14 with the emphasis being placed on the fact that tongues were a sign to unbelieving Jews in the days of the early church, and they have ceased and are no longer in operation today.
We now look at Charity -love- and how it Abides. When God's love is reproduced in the believer, and Christ lives and loves in us and through us, it becomes a powerful force to reckon with, and a powerful testimony for the glory of God.
A look at Love and how it Acts. Charity has both a reputation and a rejoicing for us to consider and apply to our own lives as Christians.
We begin looking at that majestic exposition of God's love in action within the believer's life. In verses 1-3 we see Love and how it Adorns. it matters not, whether we are minister, member, or even a martyr for the cause of Christ - without love, we are nothing-
We conclude chapter 12 by looking at the unity of the Body by understanding God's Headship over the Body. The establishment of the Body and exclusions within the Body are according to His Divine Decision. And yet, there is a more excellent way to be seen in chapter 13-
Paul begins to emphasize the unity of the Body of Christ through the fact that it is a heavenly body, and the illustration of the human body.
We look at Truth concerning the Ability of the Body of Christ. The gifts are according to the Wisdom and Will of God.
A brief overview of chapters 12-14 as we begin looking at God's operation in the church at Corinth, which would have been in those early days of transition when the sign gifts were still in operation.
This passage deals with the Lord's Supper and the manner in which it is received. It is to be a holy time filled with remembrance and reverence in which we worship our Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul gives forth an explanation here of when our Lord Jesus took the bread and the cup with His disciples. This passage sets forth the authority, atmosphere, and arrangement for the Lord's Table in the local church.
There must be Proper Authority within the church and also the Proper Acknowledgement thereof in the church. Paul rebukes the congregation for despising the church of God.
As we continue considering how the Local Church is to be under the Government of God, we see in this passage the God-given Order of Headship and Authority within the home and the church. God has defined it and we should observe it.
We begin looking into chapters 11-15 where we see that the Life of the Church is to be under the Government of God. God is a God of decency and order.
The Christian's life should promote the Lord at all times and in all things. Truly, the only way to do so is to recognize and live our lives under God's grace and for God's glory. This does not happen on accident.
God's truth comes forth in Admonition but should always be appropriated in Application- Paul gives forth several negatives that the Corinthian saints should take heed to, and so should we who are alive today and serving Christ in our present generation.
In chapter 10-1-8 God uses Paul to set forth certain Old Testament Examples and then give New Testament Exhortations to the saints with the aim and application of pleasing the Lord with one's life-
We look at Paul's analogy concerning the athlete contending as a runner and a fighter in the public games of his day. Our Christian life is likened unto both, let us So Run that we may obtain the prize set before us-
The servant of God who stand as a minister of Jesus Christ proves his calling as his life is filled with preaching, and with people. The life must be lived for God's glory, and this will be a life lived for the Word and for others-
In 9-12c-15, the minister's right to financial support from the local church is Dismissed by the Apostle Paul. He sought to preach fully and freely, especially among the Carnal Corinthians. Earlier, Paul defended the right, now he dismisses the right. Woe be to the minister who abuses this right and power in the ministry.
Chapter 9 sets forth -the Christian and Ministerial relationships.- The Minister's right to financial support from the members is defended by the Apostle. Such financial provision makes the minister doubly accountable to prepare with prayer and study that he might -Preach the Word--
Our last look into chapter 8 where Paul lays forth both Truth and a Testimony to live by. He gives God's truth, and his own personal persuasion where he was willing to lay aside his liberty that others might not stumble, but rather grow and be edified in the faith-
A second look through the 8th chapter of 1 Corinthians reveals that personal liberty is to be accompanied by charity, humility, and the reality of our personal accountability to the Lord Himself.
An overview of 1 Corinthians chapter 8. With their new knowledge as believers, there came a certain liberty to the Corinthian saints- however, this also brought a certain difficulty to the congregation. Paul -therefore deals with the issue of things offered unto heathen idols.
Our last thought to close our practical message on waiting and watching for the Lord's return as virtuous believers who steadily warn the wicked of the wrath to come. We deal with the hope of salvation, even the promised day of the Blessed Hope as detailed in 1 Thess. 5-9-11.
A second look at Keeping Our Watch as a Christian Sentinel , but this time from 1 Thess. 5-4-8. Prophetic truth should become practical truth in the believer's life.
The Prophetic Truth of the Lord's return should be lived out in Practical Truth. We emphasize our duty to watch as Saints and warn sinners of the approaching danger if they remain unsaved-
From Revelation 19, we look at the Revelation of Christ, when He returns with His Church riding upon a white horse. He rides to make war and brings both judgment and justice to this wicked world which continually rejects Him.
We take another look at the church of the Laodiceans in Rev. 3. We focus on the counsel of Christ, which reveals the cure and correction for their lives. The Lord also calls out to the individual and offers communion in an Apostate age.
We look a little more closely to the Church of the Laodiceans and notice how that Christ confronts their sin, condemns their present course, and we close with the mention of His counsel for them.
An introduction to a series of messages which focus on truth related to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We look to the travail of Christ's soul in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 as He became the sin of the world and took our punishment when He died upon the Cross. He gave Himself in substitution for the sinner-
We look at Maidens and their care before God. Father's have a right and responsibility to care for daughters within their home. Much of this passage has very particular instruction to a present situation in that day when Paul was writing and for those believers in Corinth.
We look at men and their calling before the Lord. God calls some in certain circumstances, and some in others.
We look at Paul's special declaration concerning that of an unequal yoke, or where there is either an unsaved husband or wife within the marriage union. The glorious end is that of the unsaved spouse coming to salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
God's power over our bodies can be refused. We speak on the danger and consequences of this sin.
WE look at God's power over our bodies as believers. It is to be recognized and revered.
We look at the list describing the former conversation of the saints. But Oh what a change after conversion-
The Church is reproved for going to law one with another, due to their lack of discernment.
The church had the wrong response to the open sin, and is therefore rebuked plainly by Paul.
Paul points the church at Corinth to the Master and His ministry. The Apostle gives an account for the service and standard for the Gospel ministry as set by the Lord Jesus Himself.
In this passage it can be learned that God has a people for His temple. We who are born again, are the temple of the Holy Ghost.
Every man is accountable to the Lord, for his labor, and now we see for his life as well. Christ is the only foundation upon which to stand, and in the day of the Judgment Seat, the believer will be judged for his work, and some will be saved, yet so as by fire, as they suffer loss.
We look at the fact that the Christian has both the opportunity and responsibility to labor in the work of the Lord. When we labor, we are laboring through Grace and with God.
From minister to member, every man is accountable to the Lord Jesus.-We emphasize that every man is accountable to Jesus as He is Lord-
Our introductory look into the third chapter where Paul entreats the saints by pointing them to the Lord and His Laborers.
A look at the spiritual man and a brief review of ch 2 in regards to the Spirit of God.
God has provided a spiritual deposit, direction, and discernment for His redeemed in the blessed Person of the Holy Spirit.
We look to God's wealth as prepared in the revelation and riches of Christ, which wealth revolves around that which is written in Scripture.
A look into 2-1-4 at the preacher's declaration and then also his determination. He must have one mission, to preach Christ- He must have one message, Christ crucified-
We begin our study of 1 Cor. 2. We look into 2-1 and see Paul's coming to Corinth. Chapter 2 is Paul's second entreaty toward unity within the church. He entreats them to look at -God and His Glory.- Whereas in chapter 1 he entreats them to look at -Christ and His Cross.- Should not these great themes move us to unity among the saints-
We close our study of 1 Corinthians chapter 1. Whereas in verse 30, God's grace is revealed in Christ- in verse 31, God's glory is revealed in Christ. Man's greatest purpose and pleasure in this life should be to glorify the Lord.
A further look into 1 Cor. 1-30, and this time to the spiritual possessions of the saints, which are found to be in Christ. Christ Himself is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.
We see the grace of God revealed in Christ. We look at the believer's spiritual position in Christ.
A look at 1 Corinthians 1-26-29 and what should be remembered about the cross, even the Choice of God and the Christ of God.
We look into Psalm 57 at a scene in the life of David, when he fled from Saul in a cave, and find encouragement for our hearts in the current circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus. There is much to strengthen our faith, and stir up our hope in this poem and song of David.
These verses describe the power and authority of the Gospel of Christ and how it debases man's pride, reveals the folly of man's wisdom, and leaves all men in need of the salvation of God.
We take a look at Paul's God-given commission- the Apostle's priority in the ministry was to preach Christ and His cross.
We hear a Call for Unity in the church from the Lord through Paul in 1 Cor. 1-10-16. The Apostle's godly concern for the saints can be seen as he points them to the Lord Jesus Christ.