Newly posted articles, sermons, and class materials http://www.lawofliberty.com/ en Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:18:21 -0500 Going back to school can be a wonderful time. There is excitement and optimism for the coming school year, but there are also responsibilities of which those who wish to be godly need to be aware. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christianliving.html?125 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christianliving.html?125 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:39:05 -0500 The apostle’s statement, “But ye did not so learn Christ,” is predicated upon his description of those who “walk as the Gentiles also walk;” those who walk in the vanity of their minds … are darkened in their understanding because of the ignorance which is in them through the hardening of their hearts. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?124 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?124 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 11:45:58 -0500 In examining the church a little bit, one can learn a lot from examining the terms used to describe it. The term “church” is derived from the word kuriakos which means “of or belonging to the Lord.” http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christandthechur.html?121 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christandthechur.html?121 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:16:08 -0500 “Therefore,” what a great word. It signifies that a conclusion is being revealed on what has just been discussed. That’s the word Peter uses to signify that there is a course of action that is supposed to take place based on the information he has just discussed. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?129 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?129 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:37:00 -0500 In John 17:20-21, Jesus wants His people to be unified. But people today have found that command a difficult one to follow. Within the ecumenical movement, denominationalists claim unity among all of “God’s people.” http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?130 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?130 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:10:54 -0500 The ancient, large capital city of the Hittites has been recovered about 90 miles east of Ankara, Turkey. The rule of the Hittites extended to Syria and Lebanon. http://loop287.blogspot.com?128 http://loop287.blogspot.com?128 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:14:16 -0500 Last week, news broke that Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi had wed. I'm sure these are both nice women, but the word of God says that gay married is unlawful. http://loop287.blogspot.com?127 http://loop287.blogspot.com?127 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:15:47 -0500 In James 1:25, the gospel is referred to as the “law of liberty.” It is a law of liberty because we are freed from the difficult requirements in the Law of Moses (Colossians 2:13-14). It is also a law of liberty because we are freed from the dominion of sin (Romans 6:7). http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/doctrinaldiscuss.html?121 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/doctrinaldiscuss.html?121 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:30:31 -0500 Preaching the gospel means refraining from error and seeking to please God instead of men (Galatians 1:6-10). Epictetus said, “No man is free who is not a master of himself.” It is sad to say, but if it did not make any difference, most people would give in to the pressure because few people love nonconformity. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/doctrinaldiscuss.html?122 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/doctrinaldiscuss.html?122 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:31:33 -0500 There are probably about a hundred different interpretations on these verses. Nevertheless, the truth can be determined in this passage. The gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 is a gift given by the Holy Spirit, not the Holy Spirit Himself. http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?121 http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?121 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:55:15 -0500 Yes, they do. This passage certainly does not refer to Holy Spirit baptism. Notice that these two passages (10:45 and 11:17) both refer to this outpouring as a “gift” and not as a baptism. It is nowhere directly called a baptism. http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?122 http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?122 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:57:16 -0500 The two Greek words for new: neos and kainos, are both used to describe the covenant God would make with “the house of Israel and the house of Judah” (Heb. 8:8; 12:24). http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/hebrews.html?125 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/hebrews.html?125 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:59:44 -0500 Paul wrote, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The subject of authority has been well investigated through the years. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?122 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?122 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:18:14 -0500 In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar set up an image and compelled the people to worship it. This included three Hebrew worthies: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The three Hebrew men refused to worship the image of Nebuchadnezzar, even after being threatened by being thrown into a fiery furnace. http://loop287.blogspot.com?129 http://loop287.blogspot.com?129 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:20:35 -0500 Thankfully, we made it through the hurricane safely. We need to remember people in flooded areas in our prayers and help as we have the opportunity. We may very well get hit with other storms throughout this hurricane season, but we are thankful to God for everyone’s safety. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?123 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?123 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:58:49 -0500 It is my wish that everyone wants to be a part of a strong congregation. I think we generally have the misconception that a strong congregation is one with a self-supported preacher and maybe elders. Although those are good indicators, they do not define a strong congregation. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christandthechur.html?122 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christandthechur.html?122 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:11:57 -0500 "A Building Of God" and "The Wives Of Elders And Deacons" http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?128 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?128 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:21:59 -0500 As he penned this letter, Paul was facing death on a daily basis. Hostility swirled around him, animosity was constant, and so was the reality and threat of opposition and persecution. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christianliving.html?126 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christianliving.html?126 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:25:50 -0500 “Behind every great man is a great woman.” This old familiar phrase has as much truth in it today as it did when it was first spoken, and it is especially relevant when applied to the elder and deacon and his work in the church. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christandthechur.html?122 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christandthechur.html?122 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:26:46 -0500 In Ephesians 4:24-32 a series of “don’ts” and “do’s” are given; all on the basis of a conclusion Paul made in verses immediately preceding them. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?125 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?125 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:47:13 -0500 Love is a wonderful thing! Love is the motivation for almost everyone on the face of the earth! If you were to ask ten different people what love is, you would more than likely get ten different answers. So what is love? How do we love God? How do we love our fellowman? http://loop287.blogspot.com?130 http://loop287.blogspot.com?130 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:24:33 -0500 Most of us have seen the Bibles in hotel rooms or hospital waiting areas. Although The Gideons International has placed Bibles in 80 languages in more than 180 countries of the world, most people do not know about the organization. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?131 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?131 Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:13:29 -0500 A huge amount of the religious world believes that we inherit the sin of Adam. The consequence of this doctrine is that we are born with a depraved, sinful nature. We are going to see that this contradicts plain, Bible teaching. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?132 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?132 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:41:09 -0500 He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village, where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. For three years He was an itinerant preacher. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?130 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?130 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:43:01 -0500 The Bible says the gospel saves (Acts 11:14) because it has begetting power (James 1:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). But, of what is the gospel comprised? http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?124 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?124 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 07:40:46 -0500 In 1970, Israeli archaeologist Vassilios Tzaferis investigated the ruins of a byzantine church from A.D. 585 uncovered during road construction along the eastern side of the Sea of Galilee. http://loop287.blogspot.com?131 http://loop287.blogspot.com?131 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 17:05:18 -0500 These are the final words on this subject of the New Covenant promised by Jeremiah in this section. Although the writer will have occasion to mention it further in the epistle, he now will turn to another subject. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/hebrews.html?126 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/hebrews.html?126 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:14:04 -0500 John 20:17 has been misunderstood for a long time because of its translation in the King James Version. It has long been thought that Jesus was telling Mary not to touch Him because He was in the resurrected state. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?131 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?131 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:03:35 -0500 A couple of weeks ago, a story developed that a 22-year-old, who uses the pseudonym “Natalie Dylan,” intends to auction off her virginity at Nevada’s Moonlight Bunny Ranch, after being turned down by eBay, to pay off her student loans. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?132 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?132 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:30:17 -0500 "The Titles Of Jesus" http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?129 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?129 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:50:39 -0500 Names represent and suggest ideas and deeds about people. For example, think to yourself what you most remember about Judas Iscariot, Benedict Arnold, Nero, Herod, and Jezebel. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christandthechur.html?123 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/christandthechur.html?123 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:51:51 -0500 In the middle of five “lets” which instructed Ephesians what they must do to “put off” the old man and replace “him” with the new is this short exhortation: “Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27). http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?126 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Study%20Aids/New%20Testament%20Studies/ephesians.html?126 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:26:10 -0500 A few days ago, I caught a glimpse of a special airing on The History Channel about dams breaking. The few moments of the broadcast that I saw showcased a dam that had broken in the Midwest, flooding the nearby national park. http://loop287.blogspot.com?132 http://loop287.blogspot.com?132 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:46:00 -0500 “Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart” (Job 38:36)? Two simple questions that God asks; two seemingly easy answers. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?133 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?133 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 06:24:24 -0500 Suppose that a man rented a large field from another and promised to pay a thousand dollars for the rental at the end of the year. The agreement is signed. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?124 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/salvation.html?124 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:22:27 -0500 "God's Saving Grace" http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?130 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?130 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:39:06 -0500 The good news of the gospel is that God has the power to transform lives. We have undoubtedly known alcoholics, drug addicts, adulterers, thieves, and others won over to Christ. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?125 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?125 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 06:44:05 -0500 A question that people inevitably ask is "What is my purpose in life?" Some believe that they exist to have fun. Some believe that they exist to start a family and to raise children. Some believe that they exist to help mankind through philanthropy. http://loop287.blogspot.com?133 http://loop287.blogspot.com?133 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:58:20 -0500 True worship is worship that respects God's commandments. We must worship God "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). It seems as if people today are content to throw worship at God in hopes that He will accept anything that man devises. http://loop287.blogspot.com?134 http://loop287.blogspot.com?134 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:19:15 -0500 The word “conscience” basically means “with knowledge.” The conscience is a human being’s “moral” guide, giving feedback as to what is right and wrong. A favorite question has always been, “Can we trust the conscience?” http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?134 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?134 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:20:45 -0500 Around 150 years ago, denominational churches began what was called “missionary societies.” These were human institutions started and supported by churches to “spread the gospel.” http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?123 http://www.lawofliberty.com/qanda.html?123 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 06:45:28 -0500 Ever heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? My mother used to tell it to me when I was younger whenever I would fabricate a story with the intention of getting my brother a whooping. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?135 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/christianliving.html?135 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:16:50 -0500 Oneness Pentecostals claim that the Godhead (the state of being God) consists of only one Person who has simply manifested Himself in various ways and with different identities (as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?133 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?133 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:32:52 -0500 The location of Raamses is now associated with Qantir (Tell el-Dab'a). Pithom was within the Wadi Tumilat, a natural corridor in and out of Egypt, but its exact position is not yet settled. http://loop287.blogspot.com?135 http://loop287.blogspot.com?135 Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:54:33 -0500 "The Woman At The Well" and "Difficult Texts From Genesis" http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?131 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/audiosermons.html?131 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:26:16 -0500 Part of our purpose in glorifying God is teaching the lost. The greatest teacher of all was Jesus. Not only did He win every soul that is saved through His death on the cross, but He was also an effective evangelist. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?126 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Sermons/salvation.html?126 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:29:01 -0500 From earliest times, man has been interested in his origin. The matter of origins is not a “peripheral issue” that can be dealt with after all other issues have been settled. http://www.lawofliberty.com/ http://www.lawofliberty.com/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:30:54 -0500 In the quest for truth on any religious matter, there must be an appeal made to the New Testament for authorization by God. Colossians 3:17 clearly spells out this need: “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?134 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?134 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:13:09 -0500 Grace may be defined as God's loving forgiveness, by which He grants exemption from punishment. Grace includes the promise of temporal and eternal blessings to guilty and condemned sinners, without any worthiness on their part. http://loop287.blogspot.com?136 http://loop287.blogspot.com?136 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:38:40 -0500 Last week we showed that the Godhead consists of three different individuals with their own personalities. This week we will consider how the Oneness doctrine contradicts some plain passages of scripture. http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?135 http://www.lawofliberty.com/Articles/doctrinaldiscuss.html?135 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:16:51 -0500