Sermons and Biblical Studies

1 CORINTHIANS 7:8–9 … but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry (1 Cor. 7:8). One of the key arguments Paul gives in exhorting the unmarried to marry has to do with self-control. But, at the same time, we must not understand Paul as advocating a marriage based solely on the physical relationship. It … Continue reading “BETTER TO MARRY THAN BURN”

1 CORINTHIANS 7:3–7 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time (1 Cor. 7:5). Asceticism was a common practice in the Hellenistic world of the early church. It was practiced by Christians and non-Christians alike. From Paul’s comments to the Corinthians, it seems that this philosophy of extreme self-denial had infiltrated some … Continue reading “ASCETICISM AND MARRIAGE”

1 CORINTHIANS 7:1–2 It is good for a man not to touch a woman (1 Cor. 7:1). Evidently there were some in the Corinthian Church who believed that it was wrong to marry, that celibacy was the better state to be in. Others taught that marriage was obligatory for everyone. As we can see from … Continue reading “THE ISSUE OF MARRIAGE”

1 CORINTHIANS 6:15–20 … but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body (1 Cor. 6:18). Paul’s purpose in these verses is to establish two points. First, the relation between our bodies and Christ is an intimate, life-giving union. Second, sexual immorality is inconsistent with our relation in Christ and incompatible with it. … Continue reading “FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY”

1 CORINTHIANS 6:12–14 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful (1 Cor. 6:12). Returning to our study of 1 Corinthians today, we find Paul dealing with immorality in the Corinthian Church. In the preceding paragraph, Paul declared that the immoral cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The Corinthians probably defended … Continue reading “ABUSING CHRISTIAN LIBERTY”

ROMANS 8 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom. 8:35). The great comfort of every believer is that our salvation is secure in Christ. Nothing we do can change what the Lord has done in us and for us. From first to last, our salvation is dependent on the grace of God … Continue reading “BLESSED ASSURANCE”

PHILIPPIANS 3:12–21 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me (Phil. 3:12). Because regeneration is an immediate, direct act of God on the soul, a person can often find it difficult to … Continue reading “BEARING FRUIT”

EPHESIANS 1 … He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world … (Eph. 1:4). Continuing our study from last month on what it means to be born again, we now come to what could be considered the heart and soul of the doctrine of regeneration. Because regenerastion is solely an act of … Continue reading “GOD’S SOVEREIGN CHOICE”

LUKE 8:1–18 “But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold” (Luke 8:8). Many people erroneously believe that their salvation began when they repented of their sins and put their faith in Christ. This, however, is not what Scripture teaches. While faith and repentance are the first visible signs of … Continue reading “SALVATION AND NEW LIFE”

EZEKIEL 36:16–38 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. 36:26). The technical term for “receiving a new heart” or being “born again” is regeneration. This is the first step … Continue reading “THE GIFT OF NEW LIFE”