Robert Smelser
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Strengthening Faith
When we lose something, we usually recognize it is lost. Where are my car keys? Where is my wallet? (Where is my voice? I lost my voice!) When we lose these things, we try to retrace our steps and find the last place we left the object. How does this apply to our faith? Our… Continue reading
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Being a Good Samaritan
In this lesson, we’re going to look at the story of the Good Samaritan. In our Old Testament stories, we’re seeing that lack of concern for others was a huge issue both the northern and southern kingdoms had, and, in Jesus’ time, this was no different. Who Is My Neighbor? In Luke 10, Jesus is… Continue reading
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Instruments & Worship
Beginning in Ephesians 5, we’re going to look at our song service and the use of instrumental music in our worship to God. In Ephesians 5:19, Paul instructs the congregation to speak to one another, singing and making melody in the heart. Also, in Colossians 3:16, our song service is described as a time when… Continue reading
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Christ’s Identity
In this lesson, we are going to look at the identity of Jesus – not His historical existence but rather His role in our faith. Different world religions will say Jesus was a good man, possibly a prophet of God, definitely a martyr. Even within self-designated Christian groups, many will question Jesus’ deity and identify… Continue reading
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An Overconfident Church
Quite a while ago, I saw a bumper sticker that said, “Smile, America. God loves you,” and I wondered how we could say that with all that is wrong and sinful about our society? We consider ourselves a Christian nation – one favored by God – much like the nation of Israel felt confident about… Continue reading
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Mercy & Us
In our last lesson, we considered the Pharisees in light of Matthew 9:13 – Jesus instructing the Pharisees to learn of God’s desire for mercy and justice. We looked at the roots of the Pharisee movement, where they had good motives, and where they went wrong. We concluded that we must speak where the Bible… Continue reading
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Where Did the Pharisees Go Wrong?
Twice, in Matthew 9 & 12, Jesus specifically instructs the scribes and Pharisees to understand what it means to understand God’s desire for mercy over sacrifice. In this lesson, we are going to look at the Pharisees and see where we can identify ourselves with them – both good points and trouble areas. In Matthew… Continue reading
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Amen Statements of Jesus
What would you think if someone began his prayer by saying “amen” before commencing with the rest of the prayer? How do we use this term “amen?” It is transliterated from Hebrew, meaning, “It shall be so,” and it is typically in response to or at the end of a statement. Jesus, however, used it… Continue reading
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How Much of a Christian Do I Have to Be?
In our last study, we looked at how the universal church is made up of individuals converted to Christ rather than made up of individual congregations. We are not converted to the church. We are converted to Christ. How does this apply to membership retention? Again, if we have individuals converted to the church rather… Continue reading
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Of Christ or a Group?
Is the Restoration Movement over? Is it completed, or is it a dynamic process that has to continue? Restoration – separate from the historical movement – as an ideal has to continue, and it is beneficial to look back at that time period to help us see how we should pursue this ideal. To restore… Continue reading
Simply Gospel 