Text: Ephesians 5:21-6:9 Paul talked about being “subject to one another” and the various relationships in which we do this. This is the idea of placing ourselves “under” someone – not by force as if we were defeated, but willingly. Ultimately, we do this because we are subjecting ourselves to the Lord as it is done “in […]
Let the Lord Build the House
Text: Psalm 127 This psalm describes the need to trust in the Lord and His design in all of our efforts in life. Whether we are talking about building our homes or building a society, God must be at the center of it. If we forget God, our efforts will be in vain. If we follow God’s […]
Turning Blessings into Curses
Text: Proverbs 25:16 In the Bible, honey is often used to symbolize God’s great blessings for man (cf. Exodus 3:8). Yet in our text, the wise man pointed out that this same blessing can be turned into something with negative effects. It is possible to take the good things God blesses us with and turn them into […]
Oversimplifying Bible Passages
Text: 2 Peter 3:16 In teaching the Bible, we should strive to do so in a manner that is simple so that others can understand. However, some “distort” or “twist” the Scriptures by making them say something they do not. One of the ways this happens is by oversimplifying certain Bible passages. They assert something that […]
God’s Law Trumps Man’s Law
Text: Romans 13:1 God ordained civil government to fulfill a specific purpose (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Governments will go beyond this limited role – this is not always bad, just reality. Even within the limits of the U.S. Constitution, the role is larger than the limited role outlined in the New Testament. However, we […]
Through Many Tribulations (Part 2: Hardships)
Text: Acts 14:22 Paul and Barnabas encouraged the brethren to remain faithful to the Lord “through many tribulations” so they could reach the final reward of heaven. The kinds of tribulations that we may face could be unique to Christians or common to all people. Any of these tribulations could potentially derail our faith and […]