Jul 25, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
Months ago, shortly after beginning this study we considered the Biblical title of “disciple.” The word is used two hundred fifty-five times in the New Testament – it is very common. At its root, there is a reference to “a follower,” “a...
Jul 17, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
I need to begin with an apology. Last week I teased you with the name of the son of Isaiah –”Mahershalalhashbaz.” As was the case of several other important men in God’s Word, it was the Lord who dictated his name. “Then said the LORD to me, Call his...
Jul 11, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
The son of Isaiah the prophet has to be one of the most interesting object lessons ever ordained by God. The Lord commissioned his servant to take his wife and father a child, ordering that the baby have a very special name – “Mahershalalhashbaz.” Of...
Jul 4, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
In the course of this study we have considered about a dozen historical names and titles. We have looked at the Novatians, Cathari, Dontatists, Montanists, Paulicians, Albigenses, Waldenses and a few others. Other than the “Paulicians” none of these names...
Jun 27, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
Over the last couple of months I have said that I would not be ashamed to be called a “Donatist,” a “Montanist” or an “Albigense.” But something that I haven’t done is stop someone, telling them, “Hey, why don’t you address me...
Jun 19, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
The Bible teaches that Christ Jesus started His church during the days of His earthly ministry. On several occasions, He spoke about different aspects of church responsibility, discipline and theology. The word “church” (ekklesia) is used prior to the...
Jun 13, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
Originally, most people’s family names had some special significance – they had some meaning. Some of you may know what your last name meant in its original language. My family name probably means something in its original language, but I’m not sure I really want to...
Jun 6, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
For those who are acquainted with history – not the edited history of some people who abhor the truth – but the actual Medieval history of Europe, the name “Albigenses” shines like a lighthouse into the Dark Ages. And it should also resonate like a trumpet...
May 30, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
From day one, fallen Christendom has been trying to blend two opposing kingdoms – Christ’s and the world. The ages-old idea of a homogenous society was once again in people’s minds. When Constantine became emperor, claiming the banner of the cross, that goal obtained...
May 23, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
I’ve selected I Peter 1:1 as our text because it relates to a couple of important points. First, there is the word “parepidemos” followed by “diaspora” – “the scattered strangers.” This takes us back to WHO the people of God ARE in...
May 9, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
I know that it has been several weeks, but I’d like to take you back to our first lessons in this series. I pointed out that God originally created an homogenous society – where every aspect of life was firmly knitted with every other aspect of life. And of course at...
May 2, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
It might be said that last week’s subject – the churches of the Montanists – were a REACTION to the growing false doctrines and unbiblical practices in some areas of Christendom. While that is not altogether untrue, it must be emphasized that the Montanists considered...
Apr 25, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
Can we agree that at the time of the close of the Book of Acts, all the so-called “Christian churches” were true churches of the Lord? Can we agree that the only religious “ecclesia” using the name of “Christ” were assemblies of...
Apr 17, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
This is the third, and probably the last part of the transition in this series of messages. Our theme has been and will continue to be the names and titles which have been applied to God’s people. Up until two weeks ago, we were looking at a dozen or so which come to...
Apr 11, 2016 | God's People Are ..., Sunday Evening
I called last week’s message “God’s People are a Part of Society.” But tonight I want to turn that inside out with the title “God’s People are Outside Common Society.” Here in John 17 we have the true “Lord’s Prayer.” It is an...
