Bible Studies for Life Archives - Page 2 of 33

NOV. 8: COMMITTED TO HIS CHURCH

November 2, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Romans 12:3-16

The epistle of Romans is often called Paul’s theological treatise concerning salvation and God’s work of grace. However, when you arrive at chapter 12, the apostle’s message moves from the theological to the practical. One could say that Romans 12 begins Paul’s practical application of the gospel he declared in Romans 1-11. And in our lesson for this week, we are encouraged to practically apply the gospel by exhibiting a faithful commitment to Christ’s church.

First, our commitment to the church is seen in the fact that we believe we are one body in Christ (v. 5). In other words, we are to be a united body of believers, marked by humility and mutual respect (v. 3). Matter of fact, from the very first words of this chapter, you see the language of unity. [Read more…]

NOV. 1: COMMITTED TO HIS WORD

October 26, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Psalm 119:1-11

Remember the words: “I pledge allegiance to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and will make it a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and hide its word in my heart that I may not sin against God.” While we do not know who wrote Psalm 119, we can see that he was a person committed to God’s Word.

Throughout this psalm, the author writes of his love for God’s Word, his hunger for God’s Word, his desire to obey it, and his need for the Word of God in his life. The words of Psalm 119 should be the heart words of every faithful follower of Christ.

In our text, we see several key thoughts as we think about our commitment to the Word of God. What these verses tell us is that there are some benefits to living a life committed to the Bible. [Read more…]

OCT. 25: OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST

October 19, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Mark 10:13-22

In the passage this week, there are two main thoughts that teach what commitment to Christ looks like. First, when Jesus received the children in Mark 10:13-16, He was teaching His disciples that salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of God is a work of God alone in that we “receive” it by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

You see, Jesus is not just telling us to have childlike faith. While that can be said, the spiritual truth runs deeper. For example, notice that apart from coming to Him, these children did nothing to merit Jesus’ treatment. In a sense, Jesus destroys the concept of legalistic, works-based salvation, which taught, and still does, that we must do something to earn the right to be children in the Kingdom of God. [Read more…]

OCT. 18: CHRIST’S COMMITMENT TO US

October 12, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Romans 5:6-12, 18-21

One of the great truths we see in the New Testament is that long before we committed ourselves to Christ, Christ committed Himself to us by dying for us. The fact that “God demonstrates His love towards us” (Romans 5:8) through the death of Christ should produce in us songs of praise and worship.

I John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” In other words, “while we were still at odds (enemies) with God” the Lord “Christ Jesus came to save sinners” (I Timothy 1:15). Having said that, Christ’s commitment to us provides at least three things to our lives. Through Christ and His blood we are justified, reconciled and given eternal life by the grace of God.

First, in His death for sinners the Lord Jesus Christ provided our justification (Romans 5:9). Jesus did not die for the just or the good; He died for sinners so that they might be “justified.” [Read more…]

OCT. 11: HONOR ALL RELATIONSHIPS

October 5, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:15-17; Psalm 37:1-6

As we come to the last three commandments, we need to remember that these commandments are just as important as the others.

They should not be thought of as add-ons just to make the commandments an even 10. They are as important as the first seven, and some scholars even believe that the tenth commandment may be the most important of all.

Matter of fact, the prohibition against theft (“thou shalt not steal”) and coveting are often treated in relation to one another, and for good reason. You see, most people understand they should not take something that does not belong to them (“steal”).

However, many forget that stealing, theft or burglary start inside a covetous heart. Martin Luther wrote: “Covetousness is a very seductive thing.” One of early Christianity’s greatest preachers, John Chrysostom, said that covetousness is more dangerous than the sins of the flesh. It is an unhealthy desire. [Read more…]

OCT 4: HONOR MARRIAGE

September 28, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:14; II Samuel 11:1-5

There is no denying that we live in a world where there is much confusion, misunderstanding, and misinformation about gender and marriage. Many people no longer believe in or value traditional, biblical, monogamous marriage. Sadly, this is true even among some in the church, as with every new generation in the body of Christ there seems less interest in what the Bible says about the marriage covenant and sexual purity.

However, the Bible is not confusing nor misleading concerning the prohibition of adultery and the sacredness of marriage.

The Bible is clear that marriage is a covenant relationship between one man and one woman for a lifetime (Genesis 1:27; 2:24 & Matthew 19:5). As the KJV says, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” That is it! Moses does not give the Israelites any commentary on the subject. He unequivocally states that there is no room for adultery in a civilized society. Therefore, the church should take its cue from the Bible not the world. [Read more…]

SEP. 27: HONOR LIFE

September 21, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:13; 1 Samuel 26:7-11, 22-25

As we come to the sixth commandment, many people either misunderstand or misinterpret the phrase, “You shall not kill.” Actually, the best translation of the original language is, “You shall not murder.”

The word here in the Hebrew is “murder,” and specifically means the wanton, intentional slaying of another human being. It refers to manslaughter, and the unauthorized taking of an innocent life. [Read more…]

SEPT. 20: HONOR PARENTS

September 14, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:12; II Samuel 15:7-14

The fifth commandment is sometimes called a transition, or bridge commandment between the first four that focus on the believer’s relationship with God, and the last five that focus on people’s relationships with one another.

In one sense you could say that one learns the importance of honoring God by honoring their parents, or vice versa. One may also say that one learns how to respect others and their property by learning how to honor and respect their parents.

Having said that, this commandment is deeper than just a lesson for children to “obey their parents.” Yes, Colossians 3:20 says, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” However, the Hebrew word in Exodus 20 is “honor,” and is best translated, “to be heavy” or “to give weighty importance.” In other words, God was telling Israel that He expected the people to deem their parents worthy of honor and respect. [Read more…]

SEPT. 13: HONOR GOD

September 7, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:7-11; Psalm 145:1-7

Most have heard the famous line from Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to God, it is a big deal. Following the first two commandments prohibiting false worship and idolatry, God rightly turns to His holy name, and tells Israel, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

Now the average Baptist thinks, “Well, I am safe, because I have never taken God’s name in vain.” Most think this means that adding a curse word to God’s name is the only way this commandment is broken. However, keeping the third commandment involves far more than profanity. For example, we may break this command through disingenuous service for God. In other words, we serve “in Jesus’ name,” but out of routine or ritual, instead of serving Christ out of a heart of love and devotion (Philippians 2:3-5).

Another way we break the command is through the misuse or misappropriation of His name. In other words, we use His name or our title as “Christian” for personal advantages. Sometimes a believer misunderstands the will of God, and takes His name in vain, as he or she speaks on God’s behalf, saying, “The Lord spoke to me.” They then proceed to tell you they know the will of God better than you. It is like Eliphaz telling Job that God revealed to him why he was suffering, when Eliphaz had no idea (Job 4:12). [Read more…]

SEPT. 6: PLACE GOD FIRST

August 31, 2020

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Focal Passage:
Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11

In 2011, I walked out of an airport and into a taxi in one of the largest cities in South Asia. It was a complete sensory overload. I never experienced anything like it in my life.

The sights, sounds, and even the smells were unforgettable. But one of the most shocking things I remember seeing was the literal idol worship on what seemed to be on every corner. From small shrines on the side of the road, to huge temples in the heart of the city, the idols and the idol worshipers seemed to be everywhere.

Immediately, I began to think, “How could these people so blatantly break the first two of the Ten Commandments?” I would later realize that this is exactly what people do who do not have a relationship with the one true and living God. You see, lost people “have other gods besides” the Lord. [Read more…]

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