Elect Lady

2 John speaks of the "elect lady."

Do you believe it is speaking of a
(1) literal woman
(2) a specific congregation
(3) the church in general?

And why?

Judgment after Death

Is there really a "waiting room" for the dead, or does judgment come on each person immediately after death?

Since time does not exist outside of this existence, how can we spend "time" in a place where there is no "time"?


This topic has been brought up to me quite a bit lately by preachers and other Christians. When we die, are we immediately judged, or are we just basically spiritually unconscious for hundreds or thousands of years until Christ comes again?

If you believe we go to a spiritual "waiting room" (most who hold this point to the rich man and Lazarus for proof), exactly how much time do we spend there when there is no "time" outside of this physical existence? How much time do you spend in a place where there is no time?

The rich man and Lazarus were obviously both judged (one was in torment, the other in paradise). If there is a "waiting room" (this is how many describe the idea of Hades), are people punished there and then moved to another place of punishment later?

Still trying to wrap my mind around these ideas and understand what seems like contradictions in some of the views.

Hebrews 9:27 says that it is appointed for man once to die and then the judgment. Once we pass from this life judgment has been rendered.

2 Corinthians 5:10 says "that we all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ." Is there a Scripture that says that we must all stand in judgment at the same time? I know in the book of Revelation there is one that alludes to it possibly, but at the present moment my mind cannot bring one to remebrance. It seems to me that once we pass fromt his life we have recieved are jugment and know where we are going (if you will). Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:51ff, that all shall not die but all will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. How fast is that? These are just my thoughts do with them what you will.

Preaching and "Contending" for Christ and our Faith

It is possible to contend for the faith without being contentious about the faith. Unfortunately, many brethren haven't learned that lesson.

Confidence in Heaven

Bradley Cobb
This morning's sermon was extremely well-received, and it was suggested by more than one person that I preach it about every 6 months. It is called "how to have confidence in your salvation" and deals with the life of Paul.

1. Paul could have confidence in heaven because he became a Christian (Acts 22:16, 9:18).

2. Paul could have confidence in heaven because he endured the hard times (Matthew 10:22, 2 Cor 11).

3. Paul could have confidence in heaven because he fought a good fight (2 Timothy 4:7).

4. Paul could have confidence in heaven because he kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

5. Paul could have confidence in heaven because he was ready to die (2 Timothy 4:6).

Sincerity Not Enough for Salvation

Paul was Sincere
Acts 23:1 & 26:9-11
1 Timothy 1:12-16
Acts 7:58-60 & 8:1

Cornelius was Sincere
Acts 10:1-2 & 11:13-14

See also Proverbs 14:12, Luke 16:15, Isaiah 55:8-9

Holy Spirit

Member of Godhead—Matthew 28: 19, 1 John 5:7-8

"He"—John 16:13 & 14:16-17, Acts 8:29

Gave us God's word—2 Peter 1:21

"Sword of Spirit" is "Word"—Ephesians 6:17,

Holy Spirit baptism—Occurred twice
1. On Pentecost—To give power to the apostles—Acts 1:8 & 2:1-4
2. At Cornelius' house to show that 1gentiles accepted—Acts 11:15-18 & 15:7-8.
3. Paul later wrote that there is now only "One Baptism"—Ephesians 4:4
4. Baptism in the name of Christ is water baptism—Acts 10:47-48 and Acts 2:38. It is commanded of everyone—Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16

What Does The Bible Say About Eternal Punishment?

Matthew 25:41-46
Mark 9:43-48
Matthew 10:28
Luke 16:19-31
Matthew 13:40-42
Revelation 14:9-11 & 21:8

Punishment worse than death:
Matthew 18:6 & 26:24
Hebrews 10:28-29

Wicked raised for this:
John 5:28-29
Acts 24:14-15
Daniel 12:2

Wicked at future judgment:
Matthew 10:15
Luke 11:31-32

Divorce

Matthew 19:8-9 & 5:31-32,
1 Corinthians 7:10-11,
Luke 16:18
Romans 7:1-3
Mark 6:16-18
Ezra 10:1-3

Bible Maps

Bible Geo coding

Reasons People Are Leaving The Church

For whatever reason, churches are closing their doors and individual Christians are giving up on Christ's church and giving in to the world.

Reasons Church has Slow Growth:

1. Church is too quick to condemn.
2. People have offended them.
3. Church can become irrelevant to the culture like missionaries study.
4. Church is not proving to be transformational.
5. People move to new area and don't connect to the body of Christ in the new area.

How to have a good attitude about church:

1. God chose us to be His witness.
2. We need church.
3. Church comes at a great cost.

Galatians 6:14

Proposition: All men have need of the cross of Christ.
Objective: To show the blessings found in the cross.
Key Word: Blessings

I. The sinner's refuge
II. The sinner's remedy
III. The sinner's life

Flesh vs. Spirit

Text: Galatians 5:16-25
Proposition: Man can not serve both the desires of the flesh and the desires of God.
Objective: Enable people to see they can not serve two masters.
Key Word: Aspects
Transitional Sentence: Paul discusses the aspects of this choice.

I. Deeds of the flesh. (19-21)
II. Fruits of the Spirit. (22-23)
III. Decision must be made. (16-18, 24-25)

Spiritual Priorities

Galatians 5:6

Proposition: There are things that are of no use or worth in our spiritual lives.
Objective: To show what truly "avails" spiritually.
Transitional Sentence: What truly avails is:
I. Faith.
II. Faith working.
III. Faith working through love.

Questions About God's Promise

Galatians 3:22-29

Objective: To bring people to share in God's promise.
Proposition: All people need God's promise.
Transitional Sentence: There are questions about God's promise that you need answered.

I. Who Receives The Promise? (22-23)
II. What is The Promise? (24-26)
III. How Do I Obtain The Promise? (27-29)

Abiding in Christ Vs. Falling Away

Abiding In Christ

Yes, my dear children, live in him so that when Christ comes back, we can be without fear and not be ashamed in his presence. 1 John 2:28 (NCV)

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 1:9

But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. 1 John 2:27

Backsliding

Have you ever temporarily lapsed into unbelief and sin after you became a Christian? The condition of backsliding results from spiritual apathy or disregard for the truth of God’s Word. It results in a departure from a winsome confession of faith and Biblical ethical standards. Actions are affected by our attitudes toward God and His Word.

Jesus said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Backsliding is different from apostasy, which spurns the grace of God by renouncing the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross

Examples of people from the Bible who have been backsliders.

Judas ... Matthew 26:14-16

Galatians ... Galatians 5:4-7

Hymenaeus & Alexander ... 1 Timothy 1:18-20

Demas ... 2 Timothy 4:10

Prodigal Son ... Luke 15:24

Simon the Sorcerer ... Acts 8:9-24

Beware Concerning Falling Away!

1 Timothy 4:1-3

2 Peter 2:20-22

1 Corinthians 10:12 "Take Heed lest you fall..."

Matthew 13:41

What Causes “Falling Away”?

World, lusts, pride of life … 1 John 2:15-17

Love of the world … 2 Timothy 4:10

Living for the flesh … Romans 8:13

Persecution and trials … Matthew 13:21

False teachers … Acts 20:29-30

Satan … Luke 22:31

Help to Avoid Falling:

God’s protection … Psalm 121:1-4

Christian fellowship … Hebrews 10:25

God’s Word to empower you … Acts 20:32

Armor of God … Ephesians 6:10-18

Results of Backsliding:

Leaving First Love … Revelation 2:4

Lose the joy of serving God … 2 Timothy 4:10

Worse state than before … 2 Peter 2:20-22

Solution to Falling Away:

Change of heart must happen … Acts 17:30

Prayer for forgiveness … Acts 8:22

Illustrations

Reflections on the Early Church

The Attitudes and Environment of the Church in the New Testament.

1. Attitude of "What Shall We Do?"
2. Environment of "Receiving the Word"
3. Attitude of Continual Devotion towards God and Worship.
4. Environment of Always Caring For One Another.
5. Attitude Wanting to Be Around One Another.

Cancer

Cancer is so limited:

     It can't cripple Love,
     It can't shatter Hope,
     It can't corrode Faith,
     It can't eat away peace,
     It can't destroy confidence,
     It can't kill friendship,
     It can't shut out memories,
     It can't silence courage,
     It can't invoke the soul,
     It can't reduce eternal life,
     It can't quench the spirit,
     It can't lesson the power of resurrection.

If a disease has invaded your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit.  Your body may have a great struggle, but keep trusting "GOD'S LOVE".  Your spirit will remain strong.

Romans 8:28-39,
Philippians 3:10-12,
John 14:1-2,27