Text: Proverbs 24:11 In our text, the wise man encouraged efforts to rescue those who were headed for destruction. Sometimes this is done by protecting someone from PHYSICAL harm (murder, rape, injury, kidnapping, etc.). It can also be done by protecting someone from SPIRITUAL harm, and we will focus on this in this lesson. The […]
October 7, 2024
Declaring Holy War
Text: Micah 3:5 In this chapter, the rulers of God’s people were condemned, yet the false prophets tolerated them because they were comfortable, and they attacked anyone who jeopardized the status quo. In the same way, false teachers are content when they have their livelihood, but when this is threatened, they “declare holy war.” This […]
August 26, 2024
Contend Earnestly for the Faith
Text: Jude 3 Throughout the New Testament, our efforts in the cause of Christ are likened to our involvement in a military conflict (cf. 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:11). Jude also used this type of language in our text: “Contend earnestly for the faith.” What does this mean? How do we do this? And why […]
April 22, 2024
Put on the Full Armor of God
Text: Ephesians 6:10-17 As Paul closed his letter to the church in Ephesus, he admonished them to be “strong in the Lord” (v. 10). This was necessary because of the challenges and opposition they faced (v. 11-12). This was done by putting on “the full armor of God” (v. 11, 13), which would enable them […]
February 14, 2022
The Forces That Are Against Us
Text: Ephesians 6:11-12 At the end of the book of Ephesians, Paul admonished them to “put on the full armor of God.” Why? We are involved in a spiritual conflict. There is a battle going on around us. We prepare by putting on the armor AND by knowing who our enemy is. Paul explained who […]
October 11, 2021
Dangers on the Safe Side (Part 1): Avoiding Controversy
Text: Galatians 2:11-14 This is the first lesson in a series about dangers that exist “on the safe side.” This phrase means “avoiding danger, with a margin for error” (definition). Sometimes this is fine or even wise, but there is a difference between wisdom and safety. Sometimes they overlap, but not always. At times, staying “on the safe side” is […]
January 20, 2020
A City Set on a Hill
Text: Matthew 5:14 In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus described His disciples as “a city set on a hill.” Cities were often built on hills and raised areas because there were benefits to doing this. Jesus’ disciples are like this – there are benefits of being like the city on a hill, but there are also […]
