Living in a Changing World — Episode 5: When Leaders Brag

Living in a Changing World — Episode 5: When Leaders Brag

When people know the Bible, they understand life better. One of the simple yet profound truths of the Scriptures is that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). A thousand years after Simon wrote these words, Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matt. 23:12). There are few things that lead to pride like power. That is why people in positions of authority are suspect to it. This episode looks at an ancient king who was warned by God but paid no attention to the warning and suffered the consequences. It is a warning to any politician today. More than that, it is a warning to us all not to give in to the old enemy called pride. Read about this subject * Scripture: Daniel 4 * “A President’s Mind and the Hand of God” [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/a-presidents-mind-and-the-hand-of-god/] Listen to more on this subject  * America Through the Eyes of Isaiah, Track #15 "God Rules Nations" [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/resources/audio/america-through-the-eyes-of-isaiah/]

A Vote on Women “Pastors”

There are two kinds of Bible readers: those who read it for themselves and those who want someone else to do their thinking for them. That’s why there is so much big government religion today. Denominations set up a governing body supposedly to guide and assist the individual churches in that denomination. There are tow major problems with that arrangement. First, there is no biblical authority for it. Second, it is the source of  many personal and doctrinal problems. A recent example is the Southern Baptist Church which is coming under fire for proposing a “constitutional” ban on women preachers. A vote of delegates passed the resolution with almost 75% approving the inclusion of the ban. But the proposal must pass two consecutive years to become part of the Southern Baptist charter.  This episode will look at two questions about this issue in light of the Scriptures: Why do churches vote on matters the Bible already addresses? Does the New Testament authorize any form of church government higher than elders who oversee individual congregations? Read about this subject * Scripture: I Timothy 2:11-3:12; I Corinthians 14:34-35 * What is “Church”? Chapters 5, 9-11 [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/bookstore/What-is-Church-p374607013] Listen to more on this subject  * Jesus and Issues of Today: “Can Women Be Preachers?” [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/beyond-the-basics/]

Living in a Changing World — Episode 4: A Furnace of Fire

How many times has your faith really been put to the test? Your faith is tested every day, but there are times in the life of a Christian when our faith seems to be pressed to the limit. It's not that we're unclear about what we should do. The problem is that it also seems very clear what could happen if we do. That stress causes fear, and that fear clouds our judgment. We must choose between faith and fear.  Three godly, successful young men in the Old Testament found themselves in a life or death situation that revolved around their religion. They were given a choice—disobey God in order to obey the government or obey God and die. Their story is a tremendous example of faith and the courage it gives. That Bible story is known as the fiery furnace, and it is a powerful lesson for Christians today. Read about this subject * Scripture: Daniel 3 * “A President’s Mind and the Hand of God” [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/a-presidents-mind-and-the-hand-of-god/] Listen to more on this subject  * Bible Commentary, Track #32 in Ephesians study [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/resources/audio/bible-commentary/]

Living in a Changing World — Episode 3: Governments Change, But God Doesn’t

Nations rise and nations fall. Politicians come and go. The world of politics is unstable and unpredictable. It’s no wonder that elections make us nervous. We work hard to secure our lives and set things in place for our families, and the government with a single decision can change everything we’ve built. We sometimes fear what the future will bring in our nation.  Daniel lived in a foreign land. He had already been ripped away from his home in Judah and was taken to live and work in a country he did not choose—the strange land of Babylon. But in chapter two he learned that he would see another great change. The nation of Babylon seemed secure, but that would eventually change. Another nation would conquer Babylon and Daniel would find himself under a new government. But that was not all that God revealed. The nation that conquered Babylon would be conquered by another kingdom, and then that kingdom would be defeated by another empire.  The cycle of changing administrations of power is the same. But God showed Daniel that He would establish a kingdom that is the exception to the rule. That kingdom will not fall and be replaced by another. It will stand forever. Read about this subject * Scripture: Daniel 2 * What is “Church?” [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/bookstore/What-is-Church-p374607013] Listen to more on this subject  * Bible Doctrine, “The Church”, “The Kingdom” [http://tn-biblecollege.edu/thechurch]

Living in a Changing World — Episode 2: His World Changed Overnight

Americans disagree with each other on many points, but there is one thing we agree on: things are changing and they’re changing fast. People are moving from one state to another and from one country to another. The world is a smaller place. Everything seems to be challenged: our government, our education, our families, our values and our way of life.  The book of Daniel is about adjusting to change—not compromising, but standing for what is right and against the wrong while learning how to get along with others with different customs and opinions. Daniel did both. He stood for truth and refused to budge. But he accepted changes that were inconsequential to his faith.  Daniel was a young man whose life changed overnight. He was taken to the strange land of Babylon where everything was different. He saw quickly that he had to choose his battles. There was no point in resisting everything in the Babylonian way of life. But there were some lines he would not cross because the law of God had drawn those lines.  We are living in a spiritual and moral Babylon today. Our world has changed and we are forced to deal with it. Daniel is noted for his wisdom in dealing with difficult matters. We need that wisdom today. This is the perfect book for our time and situation, and this first episode will teach us an important truth about living in a changing world. Read about this subject * Scripture: Daniel 1 * “Thoughts on the Passing of Time” [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/thoughts-on-the-passing-of-time/] Listen to more on this subject  * Bible Commentary, I Corinthians [https://www.tn-biblecollege.edu/resources/audio/bible-commentary/]