Text: 2 Timothy 1:13 We sometimes use the term “sound” to describe a local church. What does this mean? And what standard are we to use to indicate whether or not a church is sound? What Does It Mean for a Church to be Sound? The Greek word translated sound means to be well or in […]
July 21, 2014
Writing to the Philippians “of the Gospel”
Text: Philippians 1:7 In the book of Philippians, Paul uses the phrase “of the gospel” eight times (NASB). On each occasion, he explains something about the gospel to them (and to us). In this lesson, we will see what Paul wrote “of the gospel” in the letter to Philippi. Confirmation of the Gospel (1:7) These […]
June 29, 2014
The Problem with Denominations
Text: Matthew 16:18 In the first century, there were no denominations – only the Lord’s church. But today, there are thousands of denominations. Is this a problem? Many say “no” – they have been taught to join the church of their choice because one church is as good as another. Yet the Bible says that […]
June 23, 2014
“Remember Me For This”
Text: Nehemiah 13:14 Four times, Nehemiah asked that God remember him for something. What were they? And what lessons can we learn from them? He Did Not Take the Governor’s Food Allowance (Nehemiah 5:14-19) Nehemiah served as governor of the land, but he was different that former governors – they burdened the people with excessive […]
June 23, 2014
How the Church Grew in Ephesus
Text: Acts 19:20 When Paul came to Ephesus, he quickly converted twelve men (Acts 19:1-7). In three years (Acts 20:31), the gospel grew mightily (Acts 19:20) and the church went from just twelve men to “a considerable number” (Acts 19:26). There are challenges that come with being part of a smaller congregation. But we can […]
June 2, 2014
What Titus Was Told To Do
Text: Titus 1-3 In the brief letter to the young evangelist Titus, Paul told him to do certain things. Examining these instructions will teach us some things about preaching, the church, the truth, and more. So let us briefly examine seven things that Titus was told to do. Appoint Elders (1:5) God’s plan for the local […]
May 26, 2014
“I Am A Nobody”
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:11-12 In writing to Corinth, Paul defended his apostleship while trying not to sound arrogant. He was defending the message without elevating self. We are not to overestimate our significance. However, we are also not to underestimate our importance. In this lesson, we will consider some things we can learn from Paul’s statement. Reject […]
