Are social activities wrong? Is the church of Christ anti-social? Thankfully, with context in place, I can say no to both questions. But many falsely accuse the church of Christ to be anti-social because we don’t include basket ball courts, day care, quilting classes, financial education courses, dinners, kitchens, dining halls, family life centers, food courts, etc., in the work of the church. All these things done outside the church are perfectly acceptable as long as they aren’t interfering with your work and family life. When we ask the question are social activities within the church ok, then the answer is no. Simply put, the church you can read about in your bible has a job to do, fashioned and ordained by. . .
Are you for the Lord or are you with the Lord? Moses said, “Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” It is a question which every person should seriously consider with respect to his own status now. Are we really on the Lord’s side? implies the possibility of being on a side other than the Lord’s. The other side, of course, is the side of Satan. All responsible beings are on one or the other of these two sides. Though many try to “play both sides right down the middle” such cannot really be done. The Lord declared, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). He further said, “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (Matt. 12:30). Notice the word “with” in the above statement! The original language signifies “to be with one. on one’s side” (Thayer, p. 403). Matt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”
There are many who have been ill taught, others have been purposefully mislead to believe the the churches of Christ teach instruments of music are sinful. That is simply not true. Preachers, members of the churches of Christ never said such, never taught such and this lesson should eliminate such misconception. Listen as we teach what we do and don’t believe about the instrument.
So many times, and I cannot count, I have heard the words “Show Yourself Strong God”. In prayers offered up by good brethren to our omnipotent God. . .In writings and publications from brethren concerning the power of God as recorded all throughout the history of man. . .And of course, in the scriptures…that record many great and awesome events that only an all powerful God could accomplish. Today our lesson titled Show Yourself Strong has two parts: We will see this phrase applies not only from man toward God—but also from God toward man. First, we will consider some of the ways that scripture records how God Shows Himself Strong. Secondly, we will close with a few ways each of us must show ourselves strong in Christ. The psalmist David speaking to God’s glory. . .
In what way does baptism save us and in what way does it not save us. we may rattle off that fact and it is absolutely scriptural from 1 Peter 3:21 where Peter says “baptism now saves us” . At the same time in some ways we know that the water itself doesn’t do anything for us and the action itself is not something that we can earn anything. And some of it circles around this whole debate about the concept of faith and works and we’ve touched on that a little bit too. I’m not going to delve deeply into that discussion though it figures into what I do want to talk about. I want to talk about the specific word that is used in some of these verses and that word is justified. We sometimes gloss over this word and we may replace it with something else but this is the word is used in some of these passages for example Romans 3 and 4 which we are going to read. Understanding this word I think can be helpful for us. It is something that when I dug into it and tried to find out what it means, and what the import of its meaning is and our understanding of the new testament I found some things I hadn’t previously heard, or previously understood, or the points hadn’t been made to me so hopefully you find these interesting and helpful in understanding its concept. So, what does it mean to be justified?
Listen to what the word of the LORD has to say Man’s strength alone has never been sufficient “the way of man is not in himself” (Jer. 10:23). “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 14:12). Jesus said that “apart from Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5). But with our God, our Mighty Fortress, “all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). I one of my favorite verses, is Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” God indeed is a mighty fortress. So the psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear” (Psa. 46:1-2).
The debate over works and faith will never end and the reason is simple enough, people listen to people instead of God. Most people will attend a church of their choice, listen to the preacher year after year. Attend bible studies, and never question the teaching. Never comparing what is taught against what God’s word teaches. This resulted in generations of followers of men. Sadly, This spawns a plethora of confusion when leaders of other denominations make unjust, untrue claims. So, why are people teaching this? Possibly some are just mistaken over the differences between works of faith and works of merit. But more often there is a sinister reason that is born of hate. That’s right, many denominational leaders believe the churches of Christ are cults, filled with false teaching, yet only because of their lack of knowledge concerning why we believe the things we do. As for being saved by works, this lesson will. . .
The city is under siege, the powerful army outside the gates! No food, what will we do? This account that is recorded in 2 Kings chapter 6 is one for the record. Probably the bleakest and most horrific story in all the biblical record, short of judgement day, when all who refused Christ’s invitation will be cast into Hell for eternity. But here in this account from the Old Testament, the king hears a cry for help from a mother who became so desperate that she cooked her own son and . . .
Many religious leaders on a regular basis falsely claim a number of things that the “Churches of Christ Believe or Don’t Believe”. On such accusation is that “We believe the instrument is sinful”. This lesson is designed to refute that notion and explain what we do believe. As usual, and in all these lessons, the Bible will be the basis for our belief. . .
Peter said we must be, “clothed with humility”. The Greek verb is a rare, used only by Peter and means, “tie yourselves up in humility.” According to Robinson this refers particularly to a long white apron, or outer garment, that was commonly worn by slaves. Maybe Peter used this word to stress this point and cause the saints to take note., as your Lord and Christ was humble, you also must be. Jesus is the only Head of the church and there are no hierarchies below Him. No exalting of people one over another, he says clothe yourselves with humility, and serve one another with it. Recognize where we stand before God—we are all equally lost or equally saved, no one is more important…