Guilt Has to Be Earned!
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Repentance, Romans
"Guilt"- properly understood, is not something someone else can lay on you, or make you feel. Instead, it is something we get "the old-fashioned way": we earn it.
Using the Law Lawfully
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Fidelity, 1 Timothy
The text of 1Timothy 1:8 reads, "But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully...." If God's Law can be used ''lawfully," then it can certainly be used unlawfully as well! This PowerPoint outline examines this verse in context, and then also considers what it means to use "the Law" both lawfully and unlawfully.
How About Some “Spiritual” Resolutions?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Commitment
We typically make resolutions this time of year to “do/be better” in the year ahead. These pledges are usually not too hard to come up with since the same ones we made last year are again available! So, we renew our commitments to take better care of ourselves by losing weight/bad habits, eating better, sleeping more, and exercising (at least some). We also promise to do a better job with the externals- managing our time, money, and other resources more profitably. And then too, we declare that we’re going to work on improving our relationships. In the New Year we’re going to be better parents, children, spouses, bosses, employees, and friends. This all sounds, and actually is, good- if we’re really serious about changing this time around. But the track record of the past doesn’t bode well for us. Have you thought about making (and keeping!) some spiritual resolutions instead, or at least in addition to these others?
A New Year
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Commitment, 1 Corinthians
The beginning of a New Year provides opportunities for both reflection and evaluation of the past year, as well as plans and resolutions for the coming one. This PowerPoint lesson draws New Year's resolution possibilities from the text of 1Cor.15:58.
Judging Others
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Obedience, Matthew
Matthew 7:1-5 is one of the most-often misunderstood (and misquoted and misapplied) passages in the New Testament. Though it is abused by the religious masses to suggest that it is wrong to "judge" anyone regarding their thoughts or conduct in spiritual matters, it is also misunderstood by many brethren as well. It is hope that this PowerPoint lesson will help all to better comprehend and obey the instructions contained in the passage. (Acknowledgments to my Brother in the Lord, Gary Henry, for his excellent article "Benefit of the Doubt" which inspired this lesson, and from which it was adapted.)
The “Lost” Parables of Luke 15
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Apostasy, Choices, Luke
This trio of parable have not be 'lost" and recently discovered. They are "lost" in the sense that they all center on something, or someone, that has been lost- a sheep, a coin, and sons. It hoped that this PowerPoint lesson will adequately explain them.
Lady’s Man, Man’s Man, My Own Man, or God’s Man?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Growth, 1 Samuel, 1 Kings
Most churches are composed of more women than men. This is due, in part, to the general tendency of women to live longer than men. But even among the younger populace of congregations, there are again usually more females than males. I’m not exactly sure why this is so, but for whatever reasons, women generally seem to be more accepting of the gospel and spiritually-minded than men. While this is certainly a commendable reflection upon the fairer sex, it surely doesn’t bode well for the male of the species! So, what can be done to improve the spiritual-mindedness of us guys? Consider three representative types of men: the Lady’s Man, the Man’s Man, and the My Own Man.
The Three L’s of Liberty: Law, License, & Love
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Salvation, Romans, Galatians
The biblical concept of liberty may be analogous in some ways to political or humanitarian liberty, but is also likely different from them in others. This lesson seeks to help us understand not only what "liberty" means in the N.T., but also how it is achieved, and what it requires of those who attain it.
The Application of Liberty
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices
This lesson is a follow-up to "The Three L's of Liberty: Law, License, & Love." It will make much more sense if that outline has been carefully considered first. Also, this lesson was presented on Sunday evening, which is important to proper understanding of it. It is not a lesson on church service attendance, or a study of N.T. modesty- though both of these topics are utlized as examples.
“Circumlocution”
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Matthew, Galatians
“Circumlocution” is a word with which I am familiar, but is certainly not from the part of my vocabulary I typically use! Nonetheless, I am reminded of the proverb of Solomon (Proverbs 25:11) about using the “right” word in the “right” way and at the “right” time. He wrote, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” I’m not claiming that “circumlocution” is that “right” word, or that this is necessarily the “right” time or way to produce the effect of apples of gold in settings of silver either. But I do think “circumlocution” is a word we need to consider...