Sermons and Biblical Studies

JAMES 2:14–26 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). Anytime you teach about the priority of righteousness in the Christian’s life, anytime you exhort believers, as Paul did, to keep in step with the Spirit, and anytime you warn people of the dangers of falling into sin, … Continue reading “KEEPING THE BALANCE”

MATTHEW 5 … unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20). Alexander the Great once reprimanded a soldier who was also named Alexander for running from the battlefield. “Either change your name or live up to it,” he said. This … Continue reading “SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS”

EPHESIANS 6:10–20 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph. 6:1). Running a race is hard, tiring and often painful. You have to overcome physical weaknesses, mental handicaps, and emotional ups and downs, in order to finish the race. You must be … Continue reading “TRIALS OF THE RACE”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24–27 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things (1 Cor. 9:25). “This is an exhortation to self-denial and exertion, clothed in figurative language,” Hodge wrote. “As the exhortation is addressed principally to the Gentile converts, the imagery used is derived from the public games with which they were … Continue reading “RUNNING THE RACE”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:19–23 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all (1 Cor. 9:19). Though free from all men, under no obligation to conform his conduct to their opinions, Paul chose to serve all men. His motive in doing this was always for the sake of winning … Continue reading “ALL THINGS TO ALL MEN”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:15–18 … woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Cor. 9:16). Paul recognized his calling to preach the Gospel as an obligation before Christ, not as an option. This does not mean that Paul performed this duty reluctantly, for in other passages we see how he preached with great … Continue reading “THE DUTY OF PREACHING”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:12–14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel (1 Cor. 9:14). This passage says, “the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.” The support of ministers is not a request but a command from God Himself. … Continue reading “A COMMAND FROM GOD”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:3–12a Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? (1 Cor. 9:7b) Having proved his apostleship, Paul defends his right to be supported by the churches. Many people in that day, as in modern times, believed that those who have been called to serve the church should earn their own … Continue reading “A MINISTER’S RIGHT”

1 CORINTHIANS 9:1–2 Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? (1 Cor. 9:1). Paul leaves his discussion of conscience to defend his right as an apostle. He had just declared how he had given up his rights to eat meat for the sake of the … Continue reading “PAUL’S DIVINE CALLING”

1 CORINTHIANS 8:11–13 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (1 Cor. 8:11). The word “perish” in verse 11 means “guilt, condemnation, and perdition.” One might ask how a person “for whom Christ died” could perish. Does this verse contradict other passages that teach the perseverance of the … Continue reading “BOUND BY LOVE”