Be Strong in the Lord
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Commitment, Fidelity, Growth, Ephesians
Examines True and False standards of strength as defined by the Bible.
The Interaction of Grace & Faith
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Salvation, Grace, Ephesians, Titus
How God's Grace and Man's Faith combine to produce salvation.
Really Trusting God (conclusion)
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Trust, Ephesians, Hebrews
This lesson is the conclusion (Parts 1 & 2 were combined in the previous outline by this name) of a series of three lessons. The previous lessons dealt with passages more related to individual matters, while this one deals more with doctrinal matters. Please read the introduction to them carefully.
Are You Wise: Making Good Decisions Everyday
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Ephesians, James
We make many decisions everyday about what to do or not do, or what to say or not say, or what to think or not think, that determine our course of action and walk of faith. Most often, we make those decisions on any one of three different bases. All three methods of decision making are usually either wrong, or at least not the best we could have done. Obviously, there is then a "better way" to make these decisions.
The “One Baptism” of Ephesians 4:5
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Baptism, Salvation, Ephesians
Some of the most plainly stated, and yet most often ignored, states of the New Testament have to do with "baptism." Virtually every book of the New Testament either expressly demands it, gives multiple examples of it, or at least refers to it in some positive way. And yet modern man, in his wisdom, has determined that one does not "have to" be baptized at all to be saved. The words of our Lord, "He who has believed and is baptized, shall be saved" has become "just accept Jesus as your personal Savior and you shall be saved." What a tragedy of apostasy!
The Church and Business
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Matthew, Ephesians
Carefully consider the following quote: "The Church is not a business, and therefore should not be run like one." While you may whole-heartedly agree with the statement, have you really consider modern trends of church organization and operation? Have you considered how "business models" are affecting the way we view the Church and what we expect from it? While the Church is not a business, the line between the two has become radically blurred- and in some cases, has been erased completely.
What Elders Can’t Do For Us
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Elders, Acts, Galatians, Ephesians, James, 1 Peter
It is God's plan for the Church that it be scripturally overseen by Elders. However, in all fairness to these men, there are some things they just can't do for us.
How to Have Friends: Man’s Way or God’s Way?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Fidelity, Growth, Proverbs, Ephesians
With a lot of things, there is more than one way to do it. So it is true with having friends and maintaining friendships- we can follow man's ideas about the matter, or we can look to God's Word. This lesson is certainly not an exhaustive listing all passages that might be related to friendship. In fact, it is far from that. Instead, it takes a look at three common thoughts of men with regard to having friends and contrasts them with what the Bible suggests.
Worship and Entertainment: Sesame Street’s Contribution to the Corruption of Worship
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Worship, Entertainment in Worship, John, Acts, Ephesians, Philippians
Modern "church" worship has become little more, and in some cases nothing more, than side-show entertainment. "Why?" is the obvious question. Though there are certainly many factors that have contributed to the corruption of what should be the "true worship" of God, perhaps some of the problem started with Sesame Street. How so? Click the link below and see for yourself. (Note: Many preachers, elders, and teachers in the church have seen this trend of modern worship for years. Likewise, many have preached and taught against it, as have I. Though the work is not quoted directly in this lesson, Dan Chamber's book, "Showtime! Worship in the Age of Show Business" certainly was a great resource in confirming many things I had always thought about the problem, and was also the inspiration for this lesson.)
Worship and Entertainment: Temple of God or of Idols?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Worship, Entertainment in Worship, John, Acts, Ephesians, Philippians
In the previous lesson on "Worship and Entertainment," we sought to establish the concept that our own appetite for entertainment has corrupted modern worship. This lesson takes two additional steps: 1) Is worship really "all about Him" with no consideration or regard for the worshiper? And, 2) How do we know what constitutes "true worship"?