It is always an interesting study to delve into the writings of the prophets. In the section of the Minor Prophets (minor ONLY because of the size of the scroll), many beautiful, challenging, and colorful word pictures are used. With our radio audience for 10 November 2019, we are finishing a study of Galatians 1, noting some lessons to learn from that good chapter. Then we begin a new study from the prophet Haggai. It was an interesting time that Haggai prophesied. It was the time often labeled as THE RESTORATION. There is a very powerful word picture used in the passage we study from Haggai 1.2-11. Haggai 1.5-6 speaks of PUTTING WAGES IN A BAG WITH HOLES IN IT. Putting wages in a bag with holes in it is NOT very wise. God’s people were not behaving with wisdom as their guide. They were in need of a prophet to help them do the right thing. You can study this passage with us by clicking
Category: Walking in Truth
Study of Galatians 1
On Sunday, November 3, 2019, we are studying with our radio audience from Matthew 27.39-44. We are completing a study we began last week. Here we find the SAD situation of God’s people joining others to MOCK the very Son of God. Yes, THEY MOCKED Him.
Also, we begin a study of Galatians chapter 1. Here Paul defends his apostolic authority because his authority had been attacked by Judaizing false teachers. Please listen by clicking
They Mocked Him
In our message to the radio listening audience on October 27, we finish one study and begin another. We finished the study about THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTIANITY and we took up an important study of the cross. One of the matters Jesus had to deal with as He went to Calvary for you and me was the taunting disrespect of His own people. How very SAD! How very much LOVE He showed us! How very important was His willingness to endure the mocking and the disgusting spittle on His face! How much you and I ought to love and worship Him for His great gift! You can listen to this presentation by clicking .
Beginning of Christianity
I once came across a great message from Joe Corley. On October 20, I used it to present a message to our radio audience about THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTIANITY.
Christianity did not begin as a practical religion until after the ascension of Christ. The stage had been set for the beginning of the Christian religion. Jesus had come, lived among men, fulfilled the law and offered a satisfactory sacrifice for sins. Jesus had been raised from the dead and in so doing He had supplied the life and vitality needed for the spread of Christianity. Now it would be possible to go forth with the important and exciting message that—WE SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR!!! The excitement and joy of such a message begged to be distributed far and wide. The apostles had been selected and trained for their work of spreading the message of salvation and recording the message. His final orders to His apostles were for them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit came (Acts 1:1-11). Jesus ascended to the Father (1:9-10), and did send the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, and Christianity had its birth (Acts 2).
Listen to the recording by clicking .
The Appearance of the Light
John 1.9-13
The various names, titles, and descriptions of Jesus Christ in Scripture are so revealing and important to understand. Christology is the study of the Christ and is a subject matter that ought to be better appreciated than it generally is in our time. In the first chapter of John’s account of the life of Christ, we have an important picture of Christ which stresses how vital it is to have a relationship with Him.
Can you even imagine what it would be like to be in a place of total darkness? When my wife and I married (on our honeymoon), we visited an area in the Ozarks of Arkansas. One of the places there we decided to visit was a cave. I only learned later how very claustrophobic she was, but she went along willingly—at least I don’t remember dragging her into the cave. When we had made it down into the belly of the earth a good ways, our guide flipped a switch which turned off all artificial lighting. It was DARK! A kind of darkness you can almost feel. It was a kind of darkness you never would choose to remain in for more than a few seconds. By inspiration, John presents to us the Savior as being like the light switch being flipped ON after having a moment like we shared in that cave in the Ozarks. The spiritual darkness that exists outside of Christ is infinitely more horrible than being without physical light!
In one of my trips to India I took a day off and signed up for a bus tour to see the great Taj Mahal. My traveling companion, Royce Frederick, had already seen it, so I went on the trip alone. We left early in the morning from Delhi and returned that same night. As we were returning to Delhi, we stopped at a place to rest a bit and drink some coffee. The sun was beginning to set as we arrived at the rest area, when we left it was rather dark. I did not pay careful attention as I was walking in the dark, and did not see a step. I fell and injured my ankle. It began immediately to swell. Later it changed color to indicate quite a bit of trauma had taken place. I blame the darkness for my blunder. Had it been light, I would have seen where I was walking and would not have taken the fall. In a much more serious way, Jesus, like light, can protect us from falling in a different way that will affect our eternal destiny. John wanted us to get that picture.
On October 6 our radio program (Walking in Truth) centered on a study of John 1.9-13. If you would care to listen to that message you may do so my clicking .
Called of God–Questions to Consider
In this radio program we consider the important question: “Have YOU been called of God?” This question pertains to a statement found in Acts 2.39. I sincerely believe that many people misunderstand and pervert this passage. I am using some material from the book: The Hub of the Bible, by J.D. Bales in this discussion.
There is a lot of confusion about being called of God which ought not to be so. The Bible is quite clear in its answers to all of the questions we could possibly come up with regarding God’s calling us. When we are content to allow the Bible to speak, our confusion over this matter quickly disappears. Let’s study this important topic by considering the pertinent Bible passages and let God’s Book guide us in answering the questions.
What Does it mean to be called of God?
Men must call upon God in order to attain salvation according to Acts 2.21. But men cannot call on God unless God first calls men. God calls all men, but only those who respond to His call and call on Him does He save. What does it mean for God to call men? How does God call us? Is the call irresistible? To what does God call us?
Questions answered in this Lesson on what it means to be called of God…
- What does CALL mean?
- Whom does the Lord call?
- How does the Lord call?
- Is the call of God irresistible?
- What happens to those who heed the call?
- From what and to what does God call us?From rebellion to obedience (Acts 2.23 + Acts 2.37-42).
1) From darkness to light (Col 1.13; 1 Peter 2.9).
2) From bondage to liberty (Gal 5.13).
3) From antagonism to fellowship (1 Cor 1.9).
4) To sanctification (1 Cor 1.2).
5) God called us by His own purpose and grace (2 Tim 1.9).
Here is the audio recording of our September 2, 2018 edition of Walking in Truth:
Christian Living on Walking in Truth
In this radio program we consider Christian living based upon the powerful question found in 2 Peter 3.11. How we ought to live is such a vital interest for anyone who is thinking clearly. The fact is that the Bible teaches us plainly that one day there is coming a judgment day, a last day (John 12.48). If I believe the Bible, I believe that Judgment Day is coming. When I read 2 Peter 3.11, I find Peter gives me an extremely important question to consider. According to the Bible (2 Peter 3.10), it is the case that on Judgment Day, God will bring to an end every single thing that has to do with physical life on this earth.
Why is Christian Living So Important?
In pondering Peter’s question, we are wise to adopt the idea of working for things that are eternal. Christian living and faithfulness to Christ, on that great Judgment Day, will rank highest on anyone’s list. Sadly, most will not begin seeing this until that day (Matthew 7.13-14)—which will be too late. Lots of things men now think are super important, on that day will be of zero importance. It will not just be Christians who acknowledge Jesus as Lord on that day.
One day the environmentalists will find that “mother earth,” he has so diligently sought to save will have been destroyed by the Lord. On that day all will recognize that God was in control of the earth and it could not be destroyed by man. Instead, God did it in a nanosecond.
Main Points of this Lesson on Christian living…
- I ought to live in the flesh, but NOT after the flesh (Rom 8.1-13; Gal 5.16-26).
- I ought to live in the world, but NOT of the world (Jn 15.18-19; 17.11-18; James 1.27; 4.4; 1 Jn 2.15-17).
- I ought to live as though the eyes of the world are ON ME, because THEY ARE (2 Cor 3.2).
- I ought to live as though God sees me BECAUSE HE DOES (Ps 139.1-12; Eccl 12.13-14; Heb 4.13; Lk 12.2; Num 32.23; 1 Timothy 5.24).
- I ought to live as though this were my last day on earth, because it may be (Job 14.1-2; 16.22; Eccl 12; James 4.13-15).
Here is our August 19, 2018 recording of Walking in Truth: