In Paul's final statement we find three truths about God that prompt our hearts to worship Him.
A Christ-Centered, Bible-Believing Fellowship
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
In Paul's final statement we find three truths about God that prompt our hearts to worship Him.
To effectively stay on guard against false teaching, and to be successfully discerning of truth and error, we need God's divine grace.
Every person, every church, every church leader, and every religion turns to one of only two possible sources as the authority for what they believe: divine authority or human authority.
False prophets and deceiving teachers were not just a problem for the 1st century church. It is as vital for us to be discerning believers in this modern age and have the ability to identify truth from error.
Three foundational disciplines we are to constantly practice in order to grow in holiness are the disciplines of Christian convictions, right choices, and godly contentment.
In choosing the lowly things of the world, God reveals the foolishness of the wisdom of lost humanity in order to demonstrate his superiority over all creation.
Contrary to popular belief, wisdom is not primarily a function of what one knows or has. True wisdom is bestowed by God and manifests itself in humility, purity, and good works.
Here are several final principles to apply when seeking to make a wise decision about a particular issue or course of action.
Knowing God's will is important to true believers. We want to make decisions that are right and good. But what is going on when we are pursuing God's will, and yet we are suffering?
Like today, the early church had to deal with what areas Christians should and should not compromise in. We can learn from their example as we learn to identify these areas by applying some biblical principles.
AW Tozer wrote, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." This "hymn of praise" in Romans provides truth about God that helps us to both think correctly about Him and genuinely worship Him.
There are two ways of looking at the circumstances of life: from a human, earthly perspective and from a spiritual perspective. Christ exhorts His followers to be discerning and on spiritual alert when trials and challenges in life occur.
There are many groups and many teachers who propagate error. John gives us a challenge, and the method, to increasing our discernment so that we are not gullible and naive. It is our obligation to test everything we hear.
The believer has been redeemed so that he might live life with wisdom and insight, that he might live life with an illumined state of mind of who God is. God ordained this specifically that He might be worshiped.
In his closing words of his journal, Solomon the Preacher gives a final warning against pagan counsel and an exhortation of true worship.
By looking at Psalms and Provers, we can gain a deeper insight into the heart of a fool, why only God's intervention can break him, and how we can deal with him.
Solomon has spent some time sharing what the wise person looks like. But now he doesn't shy away from discussing the negative side, of what not to do. He gives us a snapshot of a fool and how his folly is manifest in four ways.
Solomon makes the somewhat surprising statement that wisdom has the advantage of giving success, but it is not a guarantee of earthly success. Ultimately, we will be successful the way God measures success. He draws several conclusions to help us live wise and sensibly.
We can't just live by our senses or by what the majority says. We must "fly by the instruments." Solomon gives us wisdom to live by so that our lives have substance and significance.
The point has been made that we must enjoy life but with an objective view as to how life really is, that God is sovereign. Yet righteous and wise living is no guarantee of earthly success. So what is the payoff? We do what is right because it is right to do and it brings glory to God.
In his journal, Solomon now addresses a couple rather familiar mysteries, such as the triumph of wickedness, the unfairness of consequences. Yet through these ministries, we need to trust in Jesus Christ and learn to depend on His word.
One area of life that we must apply wisdom to is in the sphere of both authority and submission to it. Solomon gives us some principles that have to do with leadership, and with our response to authority.
One area of life that we must apply wisdom to is in the sphere of both authority and submission to it. Solomon gives us some principles that have to do with leadership, and with our response to authority.
Solomon's approach is neither to abolish nor to explain life's anomalies, but to enable a person to live with them. He presents three facts about wisdom that help us understand its great benefit to us, and to help us see how it works its way out practically in our lives.
Paul is now concerned that what the Colossians are to further by their consistent prayer not be hindered by inconsistent conduct in daily life. He outlines what is necessary in order to impact "outsiders" for Christ.
Solomon's approach is neither to abolish nor to explain life's anomalies, but to enable a person to live with them. He presents three facts about wisdom that help us understand its great benefit to us, and to help us see how it works its way out practically in our lives.
Solomon introduces the subject of wisdom in the midst of this "life under the sun" reality. He first gives us some examples of wisdom, followed by its benefits.
It goes without saying that Solomon was an expert on wealth. After his proverbial interlude on proper worship, he returns to the subject of wealth, specifically drawbacks to it.
After stating his qualifications, Solomon journals about his first approaches to finding meaning in life. He discovers that the pursuits of wisdom and pleasure both wind up being dead ends.
The content of Paul's prayer for the Colossians reveals two requests that we likewise are to make when it comes to praying for the needs of others. We should pray for profound knowledge and suitable conduct.
A commitment to a high view of God keeps us on track as Christians -- and as a church -- and that reality leads us to the second element of our philosophy of ministry: a high view of Scripture. Psalm 1 is perhaps the most carefully developed expression of the idea of "two paths" to choose in life; it shows God's word as the "path to happiness."
The Philippians' perseverance ministered to the apostle Paul, and it prompted within him a spirit of service on behalf of them -- specifically prayer. He prayed that they would continue to persevere in their faith by being filled with love, wisdom, discernment, and fruit.
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