The Importance of Words
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Faith, Genesis, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews
The English language (which we don’t speak here in America, and especially not here in Texas where either “Amurhican” or “Texican” is the native tongue) is difficult, complex, cumbersome and frustrating, and yet can be wonderfully precise if one really knows how to use it. Although I work at the task, I fear my efforts often fall woefully short.
Self-Reliance: the Enemy of Faith, Hope, and Love
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Fidelity, Growth, Obedience, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Hebrews
Faith, hope, and love are the foundations of our relationship with God, and our service to Him and one another. But was is the biggest hindrance to these three pillars of Christianity? I would suggest to you that "self-reliance" is their biggest enemy. This PowerPoint lesson will at least explain why I think so.
Proper Motivations
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Church, Commitment, Acts, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews
This lesson is really the conclusion of several recent sermons and articles on Unity, Self-Reliance, Grace, Liberty (Law, License, and Love with Attendance and Modesty as examples), and Giving. As a few of these mentioned improper motivations, or ways we attempt to improperly motivate one another to do the right things, I thought it best to finish-up these thoughts with a lesson outlining what should be our proper motivations for Giving, Attendance, and Modesty.
“The” Church and “This” Church
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Acts, Hebrews
Although the lesson is specific to the members of the Southside congregation regarding their attitude and involvement in "this" (and thus their) church, it could be easily adapted to fit any congregation. The basic premise is that "The" Church (in the Universal sense) belongs to Christ, but "This" Church belongs to the members, Elders, and Deacons here as stewards of the Lord. The obvious implication is that every member is thus responsibile for its success or failure.
Sarah’s Faith and Beauty
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Faith, Obedience, Genesis, Hebrews, 1 Peter
Perhaps a better title for this lesson would be "Sarah's Faith which produced her Submission and Beauty." But that title surely wouldn't fit on the CD, despite probably being a better description of the lesson.