How to forget God

Jer 2.32-36

Israel turned away from God, who accused them of forgetting him. How does one forget God?

  1. Seek other gods, 33.
  2. Involve yourself in immorality, 34.
  3. Refuse to repent, 35.
  4. Seek out help besides God, 36.

So what? Israel was punished for forgetting God, 37. And so will we!

The essence of the gospel

  1. Salvation, 1 Tim 4.16. Jesus saved man by his death; man saves himself and others by teaching about Jesus.
  2. Suffering, Col 1.24. Jesus suffered for man, and man suffers for his gospel.
  3. Sanctification, Jn 17.19. Jesus sanctified himself that he might sanctify his followers.
  4. Service, Mt 20.25-28. Jesus served man by giving his life as a ransom, and his people serve God and others by giving their lives for the gospel.
  5. Simplicity, Jn 14.28-31. Jesus gives us his peace, his promise, his power, his proof of love in obedience—this is all we need in order to rise and go.

Who controls?

By Ron Thomas, Highway congregation, Sullivan IL

1 Peter 1:13-21

1. Mind (preparation) Control (1:13)
2. Body Control (1:14-16)
3. Time Control (1:17)
4. Mind (education) Control (1:18-21)

‘Jesus is Lord.’ But of what?

Introduction

  1. Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff visited the US recently and tried out Google’s driverless car. Our local newspaper’s editor claimed that Brazil is a driverless car, but without the Google intelligence. So the risk of an accident is great.
  2. His criticism points up that human governments are variable. They can be good, average, or bad.
  3. Good government is that of Jesus Christ and God the Father. They are both called “Lord,” indicating their sovereignty and authority.
  4. In Matthew’s gospel, there are three descriptions of Jesus and the Father that enrich our understanding of his Lordship.
  5. Jesus received all authority from the Father, Mt 28.18, so what is said of God is also true of Christ.

Continue reading “‘Jesus is Lord.’ But of what?”