Historical Posts
Exodus 18:21 Some Verses to Vote by – audio
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Text: Exodus 18:21
Introduction
1. The time is almost here again.
2. It is time to select the man who is going to lead our country for the next four years.
3. We are blessed to live in a country where we have a say, in who our leaders are going to be.
4. This is not true everywhere in the world.
5. As Christians, we need to give serious thought to who it is that we think will steer this country in the direction which God wants.
6. Let me say before we start…
a. I am not a preacher for the Republican Party.
b. I am not a preacher for the Democratic Party.
c. I am not a preacher for the Independents.
d. I am a preacher for Christ.
7. Proverbs 14:34. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
8. Psalm 119:172. My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
9. “God bless America…”
10. If we want God to continue to bless America, we had better show Him that we DESERVE to be blessed.
11. As a Christian, what do I need to look for in a candidate?
12. Here are some verses to vote by.
Body
I. EXODUS 18:21. Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
A. Able men.
1. There are many moral people in the world who are not able to lead.
2. There are also many “able” leaders (men or women who are good at leading others) who are not fit to lead because they do not fear God and love truth.
3. History is full of “able” men who led their respective countries to disaster because of their own wickedness and immorality.
B. Hating Covetousness.
1. Proverbs 28:16. A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.
2. Proverbs 29:4. The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
3. Our leader needs to serve for reasons other than money.
4. His decisions need to be based on what is right and not what will earn him the most donations.
5. In choosing a President, we need a man who puts morals over money and we, ourselves need to put morals over money.
a) Sadly, many base their vote solely on who they think will make them the wealthiest.
b) The economy is not the number one issue in an election for a Christian.
c) Proverbs 16:8. Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
d) Consider the wealth in Solomon’s day:
(1) 1 Kings 4:20. Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
(2) 1 Kings 4:24-25. For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.
(3) 1 Kings 10:27. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedar trees as abundant as the sycamores which are in the lowland.
(4) Yet during his reign, he and Israel became corrupt. As such, God removed him from office. 1 Kings 11:9-11. So the Lord became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the Lord God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
C. Fear God / Men of Truth.
1. Proverbs 16:12. It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
2. Proverbs 29:12. If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
3. Every political party has had problems with liars.
4. We need men in office who care about the truth.
5. Especially THE TRUTH. John 17:17. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
II. PROVERBS 6:16-17. These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
A. We need a President who will fight to save innocent babies from murder.
B. Since Roe vs Wade, over 40,000,000 babies have been legally murdered in our country (see abortion).
C. Psalm 139:13-16. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
1. If I were to place before you a woman who was 2 months pregnant, a woman who was 9 months pregnant, a woman with a 1 year old child, and a woman with a 2 year old… which one of those children are done developing? Obviously, none of them… Yet many try to justify abortion by saying that the baby in the womb is not fully developed.
2. God sees no difference between the babe in the womb and the babe out of the womb.
a) Luke 1:44. For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
b) Luke 2:12. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.
D. How can a Christian cast a vote for any person who vows to let the atrocity of abortion continue?
III. Matthew 19:4-5. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?
A. We need to elect a man who respects God’s plan for the home.
B. Leviticus 18:22. You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.
C. The Bible makes it clear that homosexuality is a sin and that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
D. What has this country come to that a person cannot express his belief in God’s word in regard to design for the home without being branded a bigot or worse? (Chik-fil-a)
E. We must realize that the downfall of the home is a prelude to the downfall of a nation. What will our vote say?
Conclusion
1. When you walk into the voting booth in a few weeks remember…
a. It was not a Republican who died for you.
b. It was not a Democrat who died for you.
c. Neither a Republican or Democrat will be sitting on the Judgment Seat on the day of judgment.
2. Place your allegiance in Christ and not any certain political party.
3. As Christians, when there is a clear and discernible moral divide, vote on the basis of Christianity.
4. Do not4 worry about the letter that is after the name.
5. Illustration: If you could choose your neighbor…
6. I cannot vote for anyone who openly ridicules righteousness.
7. When I know God opposes something, I cannot vote for someone who blatantly promotes it.
Delivered on: October 28, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 119:101 Self-Control – audio
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Text: Psalms 119:101
Introduction
1. Definition: Self-discipline; Temperance; To hold one’s self in
2. Galatians 5:22-23
3. Proverbs 25:28; 16:32
Body
1. Self-control is needed to keep God’s word – Psalms 119:101
A. Thinking – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
B. Seeing – Job 31:1
C. Hearing – 2 Peter 2:7-8
D. Talking – 1 Peter 3:10
E. Behavior – 1 Corinthians 9:27
2. Biblical knowledge is needed to have self-control – Psalms 119:11
A. Thinking – Philippians 4:8
B. Seeing – Psalms 101:3
C. Hearing – James 1:22-25
D. Talking – Ephesians 4:29
E. Behavior – Romans 12:1-2
3. Notice how biblical knowledge precedes self-control – 2 Peter 1:5-6
Conclusion
Therefore, with more biblical knowledge is more self-control.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Psalm 040:01-04 Blessed – Part 2 – audio
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Three Part Series: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Text: Psalm 40:1-4
Introduction
1. As Christians, we live in the world be we are not to be OF the world.
2. We will associate with people who are not Christians.
a. Family.
b. Friends.
c. Co-workers.
d. Fellow students.
3. The Bible warns us over and over again about the company we choose to keep.
4. Continuing our study on what the Psalms tell us about how to live blessed lives; notice what they say about the company that we keep.
Body
I. A PLETHORA OF PASSAGES.
A. Psalm 1:1-2. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
B. Psalm 40:4. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
C. Proverbs 1:10-15. My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse” – My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path;
D. Proverbs 4:14-15. Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on.
E. Proverbs 13:20. He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
F. Proverbs 14:7. Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.
G. Proverbs 16:29. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
H. Proverbs 20:19. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
I. Proverbs 22:24-25. Make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do not go, 25 Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul.
J. Proverbs 23:6. Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies;
K. Proverbs 23:20. Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat;
L. Proverbs 24:1-2. Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; 2 For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking.
M. Proverbs 28:7. Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son, But a companion of gluttons shames his father.
N. 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
II. WHAT TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE MENTIONED IN THESE PASSAGES?
A. Ungodly / Wicked / Evil.
1. One who does that which is wrong.
2. A guilty person.
3. One who is immoral.
B. Sinners.
1. An offender.
2. One accounted guilty.
3. Sinful.
C. Scornful.
1. A scoffer.
2. One who mocks.
D. Proud.
1. Insolent.
2. Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
a) For God.
b) For the church.
c) For those in authority.
E. Those who turn aside to lies.
1. This is referring to those who turn aside to idolatry.
2. Romans 1:24-25. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
F. Foolish.
1. A dullard.
2. Simpleton.
3. Stupid fellow.
4. Arrogant one.
5. Biblically, a fool is one who does not hear and heed the word of God – Matthew 7:26
G. Violent.
1. Cruel.
2. Unjust.
3. Immoral.
H. Talebearers and Flatterers.
1. Talebearer – slanderer, informer.
2. Flatterer – one who flatters, deceives for personal gain.
I. Miser.
1. Disagreeable.
2. Unpleasant.
3. Malignant.
4. Bad.
J. Winebibbers and Gluttonous.
1. Winebibbers – drinkers of wine.
2. Gluttonous – vile, riotous eater.
III. IN REGARD TO THESE PEOPLE: HOW ARE WE TO INTERACT WITH THEM?
A. We are not to allow them to entice us.
1. They will try to get us to do that which we know is wrong.
2. We cannot allow them to cause us to sin against God.
B. We are not to enter their path or walk in their ways.
C. We are not to be companions with them.
1. To be a special friend.
2. To associate with someone.
D. We are not to associate with them.
1. To have fellowship with; to share.
2. Ephesians 5:11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
3. We are to “make no friendship with” them.
4. We are not to eat their bread.
5. We are not to mix with them.
E. We are not to envy them nor desire to be with them.
F. We are not suggesting that it is wrong to have friends who are not Christians.
1. All of us have family and friends who are not Christians.
2. What these passages are telling us is that we are not to be partners with them.
3. We are to show love and kindness to all – Galatians 6:10
4. But we are also to remain a separate people – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
5. An important question: Given the opportunity to spend time with your brothers and sisters in Christ or to spend time with your worldly friends, whom do you choose?
6. Your answer to that question tells much about your spiritual maturity.
IV. WHY IS IT SUCH A BIG DEAL?
A. Why is God so concerned with whom we choose to spend our time?
B. Because God wants us to be happy and He knows us.
1. Psalm 106:34-35. They did not destroy the peoples, Concerning whom the Lord had commanded them, But they mingled with the Gentiles And learned their works;
2. He knows that if His people intermingle with the world, they will learn the works of the world.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33. Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”
4. Do we really want to put ourselves in this situation?
a) Wanting to “fit in” with friends who care nothing about what God wants from us.
b) This will eventually lead to unhappiness and discontent on our part.
c) God wants us to be blessed – happy.
5. Like any good parent, God wants to protect us from those things which will harm us.
a) Even though we may not see the danger.
b) Are we going to trust His judgment in this matter.
C. Unfortunately, we often act like stubborn children.
1. Stubbornly insisting that we know best.
2. Insisting that we can “handle” any temptations placed before us.
V. OUR JOB AS PARENTS.
A. We have to remember these things as parents.
1. We are responsible for bringing our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
2. We are to look out for their spiritual well-being.
3. Part of that is making sure that they are not associating too closely with people who will pull them away from Christ.
B. We should instill in them at a very young age that when they grow up, they need to marry a Christian.
1. When one chooses a spouse, he is choosing to attach himself to a certain person for the rest of his life.
2. Steve Higginbotham kept records for 21 years at a particular congregation regarding mixed marriages.
a) 76 youth married non-Christians and 57 of them ended up leaving the faith (75%).
b) 24 of the 76 who married non-Christians ended up divorced (32%).
c) 4 of the 76 were able to convert their spouse (5%).
d) 13 youth married Christians and only 3 left the faith (23%).
e) 3 of the 13 who married Christians have divorced (23%).
Conclusion.
1. God wants us to be happy.
2. Associating too closely with sinful, worldly people will only bring trouble and heartache.
3. Let us have the attitude of David – Psalm 84:10
Delivered on: February 12, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Psalm 001:01-03 Blessed – Part 1 – audio
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Three Part Series: Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3
Text: Psalm 1:1-3
Introduction
1. Happiness…
2. People are constantly in pursuit of it.
3. God desires us to be happy individuals as well.
4. As a matter of fact, He tells us how to accomplish it.
5. The word “blessed” means happy.
6. In the Hebrew, it comes from a word that literally means “to go, walk straight on; signifies to be happy.” In other words, the way in which we go (Live) shows what the end will be.
7. One can derive happiness from life by going the right way in this life.
8. Let us start a short series on what the book of Psalms tells us about how to live a blessed life.
I. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHOSE SINS ARE FORGIVEN.
Psalm 32:1-2. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit.
A. Do you realize the consequences of your iniquities?
1. They cause you to be separated from God – Isaiah 59:1-2
2. They cause you to be deserving of eternal separation from God – Romans 6:23
3. Unforgiven sin causes you to be an enemy of God – Matthew 12:30
4. Hebrews 10:28-31 – Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
B. Indeed, it ought to bring us great joy t4o know that our sins are forgiven and covered.
1. Forgiveness is described as our sins being covered.
a) In Old Testament times, when a debt was owed, it was carved into the face of a stone.
b) When the debt was paid in full, the engraving was filled in with wax.
c) Sin is a debt that we owe.
d) It is covered by the blood of Jesus.
2. Isaiah 1:18. “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, ” Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
a) Here, sin is shown as a stain that is removed.
b) Hence, that stone of debt is not only filled in, it is scrubbed clean as if there never was a debt owed.
3. Isaiah 38:17. Indeed it was for my own peace That I had great bitterness; But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
a) Sin is cast behind the back of God.
b) He throws that rock behind his back!
4. Isaiah 44:21-22. “Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant; I have formed you, you are My servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me! I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, And like a cloud, your sins. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”
a) Sins are blotted out like a thick cloud.
b) A thick cloud arises between God and stone which He threw behind His back.
5. Micah 7:18-19. Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea.
a) God casts our sins into the depths of the sea.
b) He throws that rock into the deepest part of the ocean; never to be seen again.
II. HOW DO WE ATTAIN THIS FORGIVENESS?? BLESSED ARE THE UNDEFILED IN THE WAY.
A. Psalm 119:1-2. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!
1. Those who are undefiled are blessed. The passage goes on to tell us how to be undefiled.
2. The undefiled are those who walk in the law of the Lord.
3. The undefiled are those who keep God’s testimonies.
4. The undefiled are the ones who seek God with their whole heart.
5. We attain forgiveness by seeking God with our WHOLE heart.
a) With an open mind.
b) With a ready mind (Ready to obey).
c) With a hunger – Matthew 5:6
6. Once we seek Him, we must be willing to walk in His Law and keep His testimonies.
a) We must be obedient.
b) Belief alone is not (And never has been) enough.
B. We must allow ourselves to be instructed by God – Psalm 94:12
1. Let’s emphasize here that it is God’s instruction that will lead to our salvation and ultimate happiness.
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
3. Only two possible sources of spiritual authority – Matthew 21:23-25
4. Man’s doctrine will not profit us.
III. TAKING DELIGHT IN GOD’S LAW BRINGS HAPPINESS!
A. Psalm 1:1-2. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.
1. Do you delight in the Law of God?
2. We delight in…
a) Watching sports…
b) Reading good books…
c) Gardening…
d) Exercising…
e) Reading the Bible???
B. Psalm 112:1. Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments.
1. Do you GREATLY delight in God’s law?
2. Whether or not you delight in God’s law depends largely on how you view it.
a) Do you simply view it as a rule book?
(1) Do this.
(2) Don’t do that.
(3) The Bible is a rule book, however, if this is the primary way you see the Bible, you are probably not going to take much pleasure in it.
b) A better way to view the Bible:
(1) A book in which I can see the very mind of my Creator.
(2) A book that reveals my Creator’s great love for me.
(3) A book in which I can learn how to better please my Creator and live in a right relationship with Him. Thus giving me great peace / happiness.
(4) A book that teaches me how to be a better:
(a) Neighbor.
(b) Friend.
(c) Spouse.
(d) Parent.
(e) Brother / Sister.
(5) A book that gives me hope.
(6) Viewing the Bible in these ways will help me to DELIGHT in it.
Delivered on: February 5, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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James 05:13-18 A Call to Prayer and Praise – audio
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Text: James 5:13-18
Introduction
(Note on Bible Correspondence Course from Pakistan)
1. As is common in many of the New Testament epistles, we find various commands and exhortations as we draw near to the end of the epistle of James
2. In James 5:13-18, we find a call to pray and sing praises, with guidance as to what to do and when
Body
I. IN TIMES OF SUFFERING, LET US “PRAY” – James 5:13
A. WHAT KIND OF SUFFERING DOES JAMES REFER TO?
1. The word used refers to suffering of any kind
2. Such as sickness, bereavement, disappointment, persecutions, loss of health or property
3. Later, James will deal specifically with sickness
B. FOR WHAT SHOULD WE PRAY?
1. For the REMOVAL of the suffering, if it be the Lord’s will – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
2. For STRENGTH to endure suffering, if it be the Lord’s will that we bear it – 1 Corinthians 10:13
a. God may not always remove the source of our suffering, for it may be for our ultimate good – Psalms 119:67, 71
b. But He promises to help us endure it!
C. FOR WHOM SHOULD WE PRAY?
1. Certainly for ourselves, as implied above
2. But also for those who may be the source of our suffering
a. As Jesus taught in Luke 6:28
b. Doing this can help greatly to endure the suffering
II. IN TIMES OF CHEER, LET US “SING PRAISES” – James 5:13
A. THE WORD “CHEERFUL”
1. Denotes pleasantness, agreeableness
2. It suggests a state of mind free from trouble, the opposite of affliction, happy!
B. IN SUCH A STATE OF HAPPINESS, ONE SHOULD SING PRAISES!
1. For singing praises is what God’s people have always done
a. Consider the attitude of David, the sweet singer of Israel – Psalms 92:1-2; 96:1-2; 101:1; 111:1; 113:1-3; 146:1-2; 147:1; 149:1
b. David was a man after God’s own heart, shouldn’t we be also?
2. For singing praises has the power to make a good situation even better – Ephesians 5:18-19; Colossians 3:16
C. WHY DON’T SOME CHRISTIANS SING PRAISES MORE OFTEN, MORE FERVENTLY?
1. Are they that “afflicted”?
2. Hasn’t God done enough in our lives to prompt us to praise Him fervently in song?
3. What excuse can we possibly give for refusing to praise God for His glory and goodness?
a. We cannot use the excuse that we cannot sing
b. God “commands” all to sing, and unless we are “mute” the command applies to us
c. Fortunately, God is not concerned with how it sounds, but that it is coming from the heart, therefore all who can speak can and should sing!
4. Heaven is described by John in the Book of Revelation as a place where singing praises to God and Christ is an on-going activity – Revelation 15:3
a. If we don’t sing praises to God on earth, though able:
b. Can we really expect to be allowed to praise God in heaven?
III. IN TIMES OF SICKNESS, LET US “PRAY” – James 5:14-18
A. ADMITTEDLY, THIS PASSAGE IS DIFFICULT
1. Questions abound concerning it
a. Is the sickness physical or spiritual?
b. Is the anointing with oil medicinal or symbolic?
c. Is the healing through providential means or miraculous?
d. Is the healing spiritual or physical?
2. First, I believe the sickness and healing in this passage is physical, though spiritual needs are taken into consideration
a. This is in view of the phrase “and IF he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”
b. This implies the sickness is physical, though it MAY be accompanied with spiritual sickness as well
c. But the conditional “IF” makes it clear that the illness may not be accompanied by sin, which if true, would mean the illness is not spiritual, but physical
3. With the assumption that physical illness is being discussed, then there are two feasible alternatives
a. This passage refers to MIRACULOUS HEALING
1) The elders were called because they possessed the gift of healing
2) The anointing with oil was symbolic, representing the influences of the Holy Spirit – Mark 6:13
b. This passage refers to PROVIDENTIAL HEALING
1) The elders were called because they were likely the most righteous in a congregation – James 5:16
2) The anointing with oil was medicinal, as was commonly practiced in those days – Luke 10:34
4. I lean toward the latter explanation
a. The first explanation must assume that the elders in every church possessed the gift of healing, which is not likely for two reasons:
1) We have no record of such in the New Testament
2) The qualifications for elders did not require this gift -1Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
b. In illustrating the efficacy of prayer, James uses an example of God providentially answering prayer – 1 Kings 18:41-45
1) God was indeed answering Elijah’s prayer
2) But God did so, providentially, working through natural means
B. WITH THIS UNDERSTANDING, LETS MAKE THE APPLICATION
1. In times of physical sickness, call for the elders of the church
a. You want the prayers of the “righteous” working in your behalf, don’t you?
b. Notice: You are to call for them, not wait for them to call on you!
c. Have the elders pray with you
1) In faith (Trusting in the Lord’s power to heal, if it be His will)
2) Fervently (“the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”)
2. Elders should not only pray, but see that appropriate medical aids are provided
a. In a century where hospitals were non-existent, and physicians were rare, anointing with oil was a common treatment – Luke 10:34
b. In our present century, this would involve the elders making sure that the sick receive the treatment needed
3. The sick should also confess their sins, if they have any
a. Verse 15 makes it clear that sickness is not always the consequence of sin
b. But verse 16 and others (Like 1 Corinthians 11:29-32) suggests that illnesses may be God’s loving chastisement for sin, in an effort to direct us back to Him
c. In any case, sins need to be confessed and forgiveness sought if we hope to have God hear our prayers
Conclusion
1. However one interprets James 5:14-16, there is no dispute over the main thrust in this passage
a. Prayer and praise are very special privileges for the Christian
b. There is not a time in our life when we shouldn’t be doing one or the other
c. We must be careful not to underestimate:
1) The importance of praise
2) The power of prayer
2. But to truly benefit from these two spiritual exercises, we need to be in a right relationship with God
a. Which involves being open to God’s Word, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination” – Proverbs 28:9
b. And being a doer of God’s will, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” – Matthew 7:21
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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One Day – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
One day we’ll all be resurrected.
There’s a sense in which we’ve already been raised, of course. When we identified with Christ in baptism, God raised us from our spiritual graves.
We were dead, and now we’re alive. We were lost, and now we’re found – Luke 15:32
But the resurrection isn’t finished yet.
Sometimes my body aches and my head hurts (“in this we groan,”) – 2 Corinthians 5:2
I struggle with sin way more than I should.
I look around and see a messed-up world.
And it all reminds me that there’s a bigger, better resurrection coming.
We’ve been resurrected, but we can’t wait to be resurrected – completely, finally, and irrevocably.
I think that’s what Paul’s talking about here: “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” – Philippians 3:11
He’d been saved, of course, but he knew all too well that God was still working on him. He had a clear future focus—he was excited about what God had done for him, and about what the Lord was still doing in him, but he couldn’t wait for what lay ahead.
Maybe you need that reminder today.
You feel like you’re being swallowed up by life’s pressures, demands, and stress.
Pause a few minutes and look ahead. The daily grind will still be there, but for now think about that future resurrection from the dead.
Jesus promised that he’s coming back to this world to take you where he wants you and where you want to be.
He’s already saved you from all your sins, and he’s given you his Spirit as a down payment.
But as with all down payments, the Spirit is just a small taste of what’s coming.
He’ll change your body into an incorruptible one . . . a body that doesn’t hurt, moan, groan, or age.
He’ll redeem this world from all of its corruption and decay and create a new dwelling place for his people.
And he’ll take away every vestige of sin.
We will, by his grace, “attain the resurrection from the dead.”
That’s what gives us a different perspective from the folks around us who don’t know Christ.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Galatians 06:01-05 Burden Bearing – audio
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Text: Galatians 6:1-5
Introduction
A. Isaiah 53
B. This is the ultimate example of bearing burden.
1) Christ was rejected, despised, acquainted with grief, etc.
2) Christ bore our burdens of iniquity.
3) Christ demonstrated true burden bearing.
Body
I. Burdens we must bear alone – Galatians 6:5
A. Choosing right or wrong – Joshua 24:15
B. Consequences of sin – 2 Samuel 12:19-23
C. Eternal judgment – 2 Timothy 4:6-8
II. Burdens others can bear or we bear for others – Galatians 6:2
A. Physical needs – Galatians 6:10
B. Need for prayer – James 5:15-16
C. Work of the church – 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
III. Burdens to cast on the Lord – 1 Peter 5:6-7
A. Sin debt – 1 Peter 1:17-19
B. Anxiety – Philippians 4:6-7
C. Physical needs – Matthew 6:25-34
Conclusion:
A. Burden is defined as “anything carried or endured; a load”.
B. Some burdens we do have to endure on our own, but let others carry those that can be shared.
C. God is waiting with open arms to help you with the burdens He can carry, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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How Serious is Sin? – audio
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It’s pretty easy to develop a cavalier attitude toward sin.
We’re saved by grace anyway, right?
“Everybody’s got sin problems,” we say, and, “After all, nobody’s perfect.”
And a few other platitudes like those make us feel better.
But they shouldn’t.
We shouldn’t ever become relaxed about sin.
The Old Testament has a lot of scary passages, and we’ve got to be careful when we apply them to our time.
But they’ve got something important to say to us.
Here’s one of them:
If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, neither you nor your fathers, of the gods of the people which are all around you, near to you or far off from you, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth, you shall not consent to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him or conceal him; but you shall surely kill him; your hand shall be first against him to put him to death, and afterward the hand of all the people. – Deuteronomy 13:6-9
Yes, you read that right. If you lived in Moses’ day and someone you loved tried to get you to worship other gods, you would execute him. If you read the rest of the chapter, you’d discover that you would be the one who threw the first stone (At your spouse, sibling, child, or best friend).
Harsh?
Absolutely.
But necessary? According to the Law, yes. It was essential to the identity of God’s covenant people that they keep themselves distinct from the nations around them.
Because the Law of Moses advocates capital punishment in this situation and many others, we tend to avoid it.
“Good thing we don’t live under that Law now,” we say with a sigh of relief. “That must’ve been terrible.”
And we miss the whole point.
There’s a principle there that’s as relevant now as it’s ever been.
The passage reflects the main point of being in covenant with God—serving him above all else.
I suspect some of the Israelites may have wondered if God was that serious about what he said.
God’s answer was emphatic.
Anyone who led people away from him—even someone you love more than anyone on earth—received no mercy.
The putting-to-death part of the commandment doesn’t apply to us, of course, but what is extremely relevant is that God says we must take sin seriously.
It has always mattered to God, and it ought to matter to us.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hope – audio
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As Christians, for what do we hope?
Salvation
1 Thessalonians 5:8; Titus 3:7
Jesus’ Return
Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2‐3
Resurrection
Acts 23:6
Door
Hosea 2:15; Joshua 6:20; Joshua 7:2-9; Joshua 7:10-11; Joshua 7:25-27; Joshua 8:24; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:13
Anchor
Hebrews 6:18-19; 1 John 3:2-3; Colossians 1:3-5; Titus 2:11-13; 2 Corinthians 3:12
Helmet
1 Thessalonians 5:8; Romans 8:23-25
As Christians, our hope is in Christ
1 Timothy 1:1; 1 Peter 1:3
Without Christ, there is no hope
Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13
Delivered on: July 29, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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1 Timothy 4:1-5 The Great Departure – audio
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Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-5
I. THE DEPARTURE PREDICTED.
1 Timothy 4:1-2. Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron
A. The first word of verse 1, “Now” tells us that this thought is connected to the previous thought.
1. Paul had just finished discussing the “mystery of godliness.”
2. The mystery of godliness is just another term for God’s scheme of redemption.
B. Now Paul says that the Spirit has predicted that some would depart from the faith.
1. “The Spirit expressly says…”
a) This was a revelation from God Himself.
b) John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
c) Galatians 1:11-12. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
d) 1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
2. “In the latter times…“
a) At some point in the future.
b) As we are going to see, this departure has already occurred.
3. “Some will depart from the faith…“
a) By implication, we see that it is POSSIBLE to depart from the faith.
b) We have numerous examples of individuals departing from the faith. 1 Timothy 1:19-20. Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
c) This prediction of “some” departing from the faith has to be referring to more than just some individuals.
d) It is talking about a “movement” or a “Great departure” from the faith.
C. The cause of the departure…
1. Some would give heed to deceiving spirits.
a) Not talking about literal spirits.
b) These “spirits” … “forbid” and “command” – we are talking about religious leaders.
c) They speak lies in hypocrisy.
(1) Some religious leaders would (And still do) speak lies.
(2) Acts 20:29-30. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
d) They have their conscience seared.
(1) Just as scar tissue from a burn loses it’s feeling, their conscience no longer functions as a reliable guide for them.
(2) Their wickedness would not bother them.
(3) We still have people like this in the world today.
2. The teachings of these deceiving spirits are called “doctrines of demons.”
a) Doctrine – teaching.
b) Some teaching is good and healthy. 1 Timothy 4:6. If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
c) Some will cause you to lose your salvation.
II. THE DEPARTURE DEPICTED.
1 Timothy 4:3a. Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods…
A. The Spirit gives two identifying characteristics of this great departure.
1. From these two identifying characteristics, we can pinpoint when this departure took place.
2. Quite frankly, the answer was shocking when I first learned it.
B. These deceiving spirits would forbid to marry.
1. Some have come to the conclusion that to remain unmarried is a holier life.
2. In part, this is from a misapplication of Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7.
a) 1 Corinthians 7:1. Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
b) 1 Corinthians 7:8. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am
c) 1 Corinthians 7:32-33. But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.
3. As a result, for example, the Catholic church has, for hundreds of years, forbidden priests to marry.
a) Council of Elvira (C. 305) (Canon 33): It is decided that marriage be altogether prohibited to bishops, priests, and deacons, or to all clerics placed in the ministry, and that they keep away from their wives and not beget children; whoever does this, shall be deprived of the honor of the clerical office.
b) Council of Carthage (390) (Canon 3): It is fitting that the holy bishops and priests of God as well as the Levites, i.e. those who are in the service of the divine sacraments, observe perfect continence, so that they may obtain in all simplicity what they are asking from God; what the Apostles taught and what antiquity itself observed, let us also endeavour to keep… It pleases us all that bishop, priest and deacon, guardians of purity, abstain from conjugal intercourse with their wives, so that those who serve at the altar may keep a perfect chastity.
C. The deceiving spirits would command to abstain from certain foods.
1. Again, the Catholic church has done this throughout much of its history.
2. The new Code of Canon Law brought out in 1983 says about the matter: Canon 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. http://www.catholic-pages.com/life/fridaymeat.asp
3. The current regulations concerning Lenten fasting and abstinence for Roman Catholics in the United States generally are as follows.
a) Abstinence from all meat is to be observed by all Roman Catholics 14 years old and older on Ash Wednesday, on all Fridays of Lent, and on Good Friday (Which is not part of Lent, but rather part of the three day Paschal Triduum).
b) Fasting is to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday by all Roman Catholics who are 18 years of age but not yet 59. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting_and_abstinence_in_the_Roman_Catholic_Church
III. THE DEPARTURE CONTRADICTED.
1 Timothy 4:3b-5. …which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
A. First of all, the scriptures teach that marriage is a good thing.
1. It was instituted by God Himself. Genesis 2:24. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
2. Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
3. Furthermore, the Scriptures not only say that marriage is a good thing but they say that marriage is a requirement for one who would serve as a bishop. 1 Timothy 3:2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach
4. What about 1 Corinthians 7?
a) Paul was giving specific instructions to Christians in Corinth who were undergoing some kind of distress. 1 Corinthians 7:26. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
b) His instructions were not meant for all Christians of all times.
c) Notice that, even in these instructions, he made it clear that getting married would not be a sin.
(1) 1 Corinthians 7:2. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
(2) 1 Corinthians 7:8-9. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
(3) 1 Corinthians 7:28. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
d) The Catholic church takes these passages and argues that “clergy” must not marry; whereas, Paul was not writing to “clergy” but to all the saints in Corinth.
e) In a nutshell, he is saying, “It is better not to marry because of this present distress. However, if you marry you have not sinned; but be aware that your life will be more difficult as a married Christian.”
f) To take these passages and use them to enforce mandatory celibacy is a horrible distortion of the meaning of Paul’s words.
B. Second, as to the commanding to abstain from eating certain foods…
1. Paul says that every creature is good and is to be received with thanksgiving.
2. Any type of food is sanctified with God’s word and prayer.
3. Fasting, in the Scriptures, is always a voluntary and very personal thing.
4. Nowhere in Scriptures is anyone ever commanded to fast.
5. To command such of anyone is sin.
Delivered on: October 14, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Acts 18:24-28 Criticism, Give and Take – audio
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Text: Acts 18:24-28
Introduction
1. Criticize – To consider the merits and demerits of and judge accordingly; To find fault with; to point out the faults of.
2. I think that if we are honest, we will admit that none of us like to be criticized.
3. If someone criticizes us, it means that they have found, or at least think they have found, a fault in us.
4. None of us like to admit that we have faults.
5. However, regardless of whether we like it or not, we will all face criticism at some point in our lives.
6. Also, at some point, we will find ourselves being the ones who have to do the criticizing.
7. Much heartache and strife has resulted from people either not receiving criticism properly or not giving it properly.
8. Today, let’s think about Criticism – Give and Take.
Body
I. GIVE.
Acts 18:24-26. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
A. In order to give criticism in a godly manner, we must have the right attitude.
1. Remember our purpose: To help people to draw closer to God so that they will ultimately be saved.
2. Offer constructive criticism only.
3. Constructive – Serving a useful purpose; tending to build up.
a) If it is not going to help the person in some way, keep your mouth shut.
b) Simply telling someone how bad they are without offering them advice or help in some way, will do them no good.
4. Put yourself in the shoes of the one you are about to criticize and ask, “If I were in his shoes, how would I want to hear this?” Matthew 7:12. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
B. We must offer criticism in the right way.
1. Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside to talk to him.
a) When someone is confronted in front of others he often feels the need to stubbornly defend himself even if he knows that he is wrong, for pride’s sake.
b) By taking Apollos aside, Aquila and Priscilla were able to talk to him in a much more effective way.
2. Point out the good as well as the bad.
a) Acts 17:22. Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious”
b) Jesus did it in His letters to the seven churches:
(1) Ephesus: Revelation 2:4. “Nevertheless, I have this against you…“
(2) Pergamos: Revelation 2:14. “But I have a few things against you…“
(3) Thyatira: Revelation 2:20. “Nevertheless, I have a few things against you…“
(4) Sardis: Revelation 3:1. “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
3. Do it with tears. 2 Corinthians 2:3-4. And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
II. TAKE.
A. People respond to criticism in different ways.
1. Anger.
a) This is often the first reaction.
b) Sometimes we react with anger before we really stop to think.
c) Give your first thought a second look.
d) Anger usually comes about from pride. We feel insulted when we are criticized.
2. Feel sorry for themselves.
a) Some view criticism as an attack. (Sometimes it may be.)
b) Rather than using the criticism to better themselves, they throw a pity party.
3. Criticize the critic.
a) People often try to rationalize the criticism away by saying, “Well, that person is always criticizing…”
b) This is obviously not a good response.
c) Regardless of who does the criticism, we must look at the criticism for what it is.
4. Become blind to our own self. Harden our hearts.
a) People will often make excuses in order to justify their selves.
b) They often just brush off criticism and simply do not care.
c) Matthew 13:15. For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.
5. Receive it gracefully. Acts 18:26-28. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
a) Don’t get angry.
b) Don’t feel sorry for yourself.
c) Don’t criticize the critic.
d) Don’t brush it off.
e) Thank the critic (Whether their criticism is valid or not).
f) If the criticism is valid, swallow your pride and use it to improve yourself.
g) If the criticism is invalid it may be necessary to arrange a time in private to talk to the individual who made the criticism and explain the matter to them.
B. Jesus and Criticism.
1. Jesus is the only Person who ever lived who can truthfully say that He deserved no criticism.
a) Yet His enemies criticized Him.
b) His friends sometimes criticized Him. Matthew 26:8-9. But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”
c) He was criticized by His siblings. John 7:3-5. His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him.
d) He was criticized by people who were ignorant. John 7:41-42. Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?”
e) He was criticized by people who should have known better. John 9:28-29. Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”
2. Sometimes He addressed criticism with truth. John 8:48-49. Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.
3. Sometimes He remains silent. (Hard to know when to keep our mouth shut.)
(1) Jesus knew the heart of the individual speaking; so He knew whether an answer would serve any good purpose.
(2) Matthew 26:62-64. And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” 64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
(3) Proverbs 26:4-5. Do not answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
(4) We must know the critic. Sometimes an answer will be necessary and sometimes not.
C. Remember what is really important.
1. Am I so interested in being right that I am not worried about doing right?
2. My objective is to bring people closer to Christ. My example and how I handle criticism will have an effect on them.
3. Many times we can win the argument but lose the soul.
Conclusion.
1. At some point, all of us will have to give and take criticism.
2. How are we going to give it?
3. How are we going to take it?
4. The answer to those two questions will tell a lot about your character.
Delivered on: May 1, 2011. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Joshua 01:09 Moral Courage – audio
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Text: Joshua 1:9
Introduction
A. The most interesting stories in Reader’s Digest are those of the heroism of “average” people in life threatening situations.
B. Most people have more physical courage than they realize.
C. But the man who would not hesitate to risk bodily harm to save someone’s life will often be unwilling to risk ridicule to save someone’s soul.
D. Moral courage is rarer than physical courage — but it is much more important.
Body
I. MORAL COURAGE SOMETIMES REQUIRES PHYSICAL COURAGE.
A. True and deep commitment to the Lord is not without its physical dangers – Hebrews 11:32-38
B. Our very lives may be required of us – Revelation 12:11
C. Paul’s attitude serves as a good example – Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14
D. It is not impossible that such courage might be required of us today.
II. MORE OFTEN, THOUGH, WE ARE THREATENED BY INTANGIBLE DANGERS
A. Peter, the physically courageous, shows that it is possible for a person to have considerable physical courage and still lack moral courage – Matthew 26:33; John 18:10
1. Peter denied the Lord three times – John 18:15-18, 25-27.
2. And years later, he showed a similar lack of courage in the Gentile controversy – Galatians 2:11-16
B. Satan knows very well the kinds of things we are most afraid of:
1. Embarrassment
2. Being “labeled”
3. Unfriendliness
4. Minority status
5. Loss of social esteem
6. Rejection
7. Hostility
C. Knowing our personal fears, Satan threatens us at those points, knowing that we will do nearly anything he says to avoid suffering those things.
D. If we give in to such pressure and deny Christ, we place ourselves among those who confess Christ only when little is at stake.
1. But Christ asks us to lead a life, in word and deed, which confesses Him regardless of the danger – Luke 12:8-9
2. We are not to hide the truth about our identity any more than He did – John 18:3-9
3. To be ashamed of Christ is to be lost – Mark 8:38
III. THE COURAGE WE CAN HAVE IS GROUNDED IN THE TRIUMPH OF GOD OVER EVERY EVIL
A. It is through Christ, and only through Him, that we can “do all things” – Philippians 4:13
1. John 14:27-28
2. John 16:33
B. There is no need for fear – 2 Timothy 1:7
C. It is a victorious Savior whom we follow – Revelation 19:11-16
Conclusion
A. It is the overcomer through Christ who will enjoy heaven – Revelation 21:1-7
B. But cowardice can damn our very souls – Revelation 21:1-8
C. If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31; 35-39
D. We are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”- Romans 8:35-39
E. There is more joy in one moment of integrity and moral courage than there is in a lifetime of bowing to the pressure of evil.
F. The softest pillow upon which we may rest our heads at night is that of a courageous conscience.
G. What is there in your life today that requires courage?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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James 05:01-06 Why Does God Get Angry at the Rich? audio
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Text: James 5:1-6
Introduction
1. Compared to many people in the world, we are indeed blessed; in fact, in comparison with most people who live now and who have lived in the past, we are VERY RICH!
2. Now, it is important to stress that God does not condemn the rich for being rich
a. Some of the godliest people in the Bible were rich
b. For example, Job, Abraham, Joseph, David, Solomon, Barnabas, Philemon, Lydia
3. However, Christ does speak of the difficulty of the rich being saved – Matthew 19:23-26
4. And there are times when God is very angry at the rich, as in our text:
5. As we consider this passage more carefully, we shall do so by trying to answer four questions:
a. Who is James addressing in this passage?
b. What is in store for these rich people?
c. Why is God so angry at them?
d. What applications can we draw from this passage?
Body
I. WHO IS JAMES ADDRESSING IN THIS PASSAGE?
A. ARE THEY CHRISTIANS?
1. Are these rich Christians who had been guilty of oppressing their brethren?
2. Possibly, but unlikely for several reasons
a. They are not addressed as “brethren” as is often done in this epistle – James 1:2, 19; 2:1, 14; 3:1, 10; 4:11
b. There is no call to repentance in this passage
1) As there is throughout this epistle in those passages in which it is clear brethren are being addressed
2) Here there is only condemnation!
c. The brethren are not addressed until James 5:7, in which THEY are told to be patient in light of what has just been said
B. MORE LIKELY, THOSE ADDRESSED ARE RICH UNBELIEVERS
1. Who had been oppressing the Christians – James 2:6
2. This tirade of judgment upon them appears to serve the purpose of comforting the brethren who were being oppressed by them – James 5:7
a. The Lord has heard their cries – James 5:4b
b. Judgment is coming upon these rich oppressors
c. Therefore the Christians are told to be patient
II. WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THESE RICH OPPRESSORS?
A. MISERIES THAT WILL CAUSE THEM TO “WEEP AND HOWL”! – James 5:3a
1. So certain are these miseries to come, that James speaks of them already occuring!
a. Riches are corrupted
b. Garments are moth-eaten
c. Gold and silver are corroded
2. When this “corrosion” of their riches occurs
a. It will serve as a witness against them
b. It will eat their flesh like fire
1) The anguish and misery of poverty usually affects the hardest those who were once rich!
2) Thus, when poverty strikes, it will make them “weep and howl” as though they were on fire!
B. THE MISERIES SPOKEN HERE MAY HAVE REFERENCE TO WHAT LATER OCCURRED IN THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM IN 70 A.D.
1. Not long after this epistle was written Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans
2. Many of the rich Jews who had oppressed their Christian brethren literally “weeped and howled”
3. What they had failed to realize was that they had heaped up treasure “in the last days” – James 5:3b
a. Like the man in the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21), they thought they were laying up riches for their latter days
b. When in fact, it was the “last days” of the Jewish economy when they were so busy storing up wealth!
c. Like some today, who store up for retirement and then die before they retire!
III. WHY IS GOD SO ANGRY AT THESE RICH PEOPLE?
A. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY USED THEIR WEALTH
1. They hoarded their wealth – James 5:3b
2. They spent it on themselves with pleasures and luxury – James 5:5
3. They used the power that comes with wealth to oppress “the just” – James 5:6
a. Possibly a reference to Christ
b. Or the Christian whom they also oppressed
B. BECAUSE OF HOW THEY GOT THEIR WEALTH
1. It was through wicked means – James 5:4
2. Specifically, by withholding wages from those who had worked for them
3. Just as some people today get rich through dishonest schemes or unjust labor practices!
IV. WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WE DRAW?
A. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE USE OUR WEALTH
1. To spend it on luxurious living when others are suffering
a. Is exactly what James has described in this passage
b. Is an indication of the lack of the love of God – 1 John 3:17
2. According to the New Testament, the purpose of working is not to obtain wealth for our own gratification, but to help those less fortunate!
a. As commanded by Paul – Ephesians 4:28; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
b. As exemplified by Paul – Acts 20:34-35
B. WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE OBTAIN OUR WEALTH
1. To do so at the expense of others will bring God’s wrath upon us! – Deuteronomy 24:14-15
2. It is wrong to think that success can only come by stepping on others
3. This might be an appropriate place to add what we learn from Paul in 1 Timothy 6:9-10
a. It is not riches that are wrong, but the DESIRE TO BE RICH that is wrought with many dangers!
b. Riches are not wrong if they are the BY-PRODUCT of our endeavors, not the GOAL of those endeavors!
1) For example, one may desire to be a doctor to help the sick, or a plumber because of one’s skill or interest in such matters, and receive riches as a by-product because of the value society might place on such services
2) But to enter such professions solely because one’s goal is to get rich thereby, then we are ensnared by the love of money!
4. So how do we obtain our wealth?
a. If we do it honestly and in compensation for a job well done, then God is pleased
b. But if we do it by hurting others and by making wealth our primary object, then we are in danger of God’s wrath!
Conclusion
1. Living in the country and society in which we do, we have much for which to be thankful
2. But we also have much of which we need to beware:
a. We live in a society where it is quite possible to become wealthy
b. We live in a society where covetousness or the desire to be rich are not considered sins
c. We live in a society where heaping up treasures for our own gratification is considered an inalienable right!
d. It is easy to be influenced by these values!
3. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves constantly: Are we laying up treasure in heaven, or on earth?
a. Those who lay up treasure in heaven are those who use their wealth to do good and help the poor and less fortunate – Matthew 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:18-19
b. Those who lay up treasure on earth are actually storing up for themselves miseries and wrath!
1) Miseries…when their wealth fails them in their time of true need
2) Wrath…from God in the Day of wrath that is yet to come
4. These are sobering thoughts worthy of our careful consideration…Have you even begun to lay up treasure in heaven by obeying the gospel of Christ?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Preaching The Same Thing – audio
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- Preachers and Bible teachers do not normally like to speak on the same subject, or teach the same lesson or sermon continuously.
- However, the theme of each sermon, or lesson, should always remain the same
– Jesus Christ and Him Crucified – 1 Corinthians 1:10, 23-24; 2:1-2
Peter and the Apostles Preached The Same Message
- On the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2:36-38, Peter and the Apostles were all preaching the same thing: The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and how to be reconciled with God through repentance and baptism.
- Peter and John were blessed with two opportunities to preach the same thing in Acts chapter 3 and chapter 4, when the lame man at the gate called Beautiful was healed.
– The first opportunity was with the crowd at the temple – Acts 3:12-21
– The second opportunity was with the rulers of the people and the elders – Acts 4:5-12
You and I should preach the same thing whenever an opportunity arises for us.
We need to teach and preach about Jesus and how he can reconcile us to God through His death, burial and resurrection – Mark 16:15-16
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Galatians 01:13-14 Traditionalism – audio
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Text: Galatians 1:13-14
Introduction
1. A challenge the church faces today that has a long history is traditionalism
a. Jesus often conflicted with traditions in His day
b. Traditions have often been a major factor in causing division among churches
2. What are traditions?
3. Are traditions always wrong? If not, when does a tradition become wrong?
4. How can we be guilty of traditionalism?
Body
I. THE MEANING OF TRADITION
A. TRADITION
1. The Greek word is paradosis, which means giving over or handing down
2. It refers to teaching that is handed down either by word or in writing
B. AS UNDERSTOOD BY THE JEWS
1. It applied to the oral teachings of the elders (Distinguished elders from Moses on down)
2. These traditions were often divided into three classes
a. Oral laws supposedly given by Moses in addition to the written laws
b. Decisions of various judges which became precedents in judicial matters
c. Interpretations of highly respected rabbis held in reverence along with the OT scriptures
3. Prior to his conversion, Paul was a staunch supporter of Jewish tradition – Galatians 1:13-14
C. AS UNDERSTOOD BY ROMAN AND GREEK CATHOLICS
1. Their views appear to be parallel to that of the Jews
2. What they consider Tradition is what they believe to be the teachings:
a. Of Jesus or His apostles, persevered orally rather than through writing
b. Of various church councils which have left various decrees
c. Of various church leaders (Such as the pope) considered to be inspired with later revelations from God
3. One is expected to take their word for it that these traditions were truly from God and have been faithfully transmitted
D. AS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES
1. The word tradition as such is not found in the Old Testament
2. It is found thirteen (13) times in New Testament
a. Three times referring to apostolic teaching – 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6
b. Ten times referring to the tradition of the elders or the traditions of men in a dangerous way – Mark 7:3-13; Matthew 15:2-6; Colossians 2:8; 1Peter 1:18; Galatians 1:14
3. Jesus did not feel bound to abide by the traditions of the elders
a. Some traditions He had no problem with keeping
1) Such as going to a wedding feast – John 2:1-2
2) Or attending the Feast Of Dedication – John 10:22-23
b. He just as easily had no problem with violating other traditions
1) Plucking grain on the Sabbath – Mark 2:23-28
2) Eating with unwashed hands – Mark 7:1-5
4. Jesus evidently did not subscribe to the view of traditions handed down orally
a. He never appealed to the traditions of the elders
b. He either appealed to the authority of the written Word (The Law of Moses), or to His own authority as the Son of God
5. Note well: We have seen that not all traditions are wrong
a. If they are handed down by inspired men, they are to be heeded – 2 Thessalonians 2:15
b. If they are doctrines or interpretations handed down by uninspired men (Like the traditions of the Jews) they are suspect
c. But in some cases uninspired traditions of men might be observed
6. So traditions of men can be dangerous, or they can be harmless. How can we distinguish between those that are dangerous and those that are harmless?
II. THE DANGER OF TRADITIONS OF MEN – Mark 7:1-13
A. THEY CAN LEAD TO HYPOCRITICAL WORSHIP
1. Traditions of men tend toward ritualism (Just look at the rituals found in many religions that have no scriptural basis)
2. Such ritualism is often done repeatedly, with little thought as to its origin and purpose
3. It is easy to go through such rituals, with the heart and mind on other things
4. Worship without the heart (Or mind) of man is hypocritical worship! – Mark 7:6
B. THEY CAN LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP
1. When traditions of men are taught on the same level as the commands of God, it leads to vain worship – Mark 7:7
2. Such worship may appear to be impressive, but it in actually empty, worthless
a. First, because God did not command it
b. Second, because it does not accomplish the good we really need – Colossians 2:18-23
C. THEY CAN MAKE THE WORD OF GOD VOID
1. Jesus gave the example of honoring one’s parents – Mark 7:10-12
a. The elders’ tradition taught giving to the temple freed one from giving to one’s parents
b. Thus rendering the command of God of no effect
2. There are traditions of men today with similar affect
a. Such as the practice of sprinkling for baptism, a tradition of man
b. When one keeps the tradition of sprinkling, they make the command of God to be baptized of no effect!
3. Such traditions are actually rejecting the command of God! – Mark 7:8-9, 13
III. TRADITIONS AND TRADITIONALISM: A SUMMARY
A. TRADITIONS
1. Traditions of God, handed down by Christ and His apostles through the Written Word, are necessary for our salvation!
2. Traditions of men, handed down by uninspired men, are dangerous and sinful, when they:
a. Lead to hypocritical worship
b. Lead to vain worship
c. Make the Word of God void
3. Traditions of men can be harmless, but they become sinful if they:
a. Are taught as doctrines – Mark 7:7
b. Make the commandments of God of no effect – Mark 7:9,13
B. TRADITIONALISM
1. Defined: the systematic emphasis on the value of tradition
2. Exemplified by Jewish, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Protestant religions
3. But can also be manifested in churches of Christ
a. Doing things a certain way, just because that is how it has always been done
b. Binding practices without scriptural basis, because we’ve always done it that way
Conclusion
1. Traditionalism can be viewed as the abuse of tradition
a. Where traditions of men are bound, made equivalent to the traditions of God
b. Where traditions of men are kept, even if it makes the commands of God of no effect
2. To avoid traditionalism, we need to be well grounded in the Word of God
a. By which we can examine any tradition being proposed as necessary
b. Asking as Jesus did, From heaven, or from men? – Matthew 21:25
c. Careful not to bind where God has not bound
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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James 04:13-17 How Do You Make Plans? – audio
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Text: James 4:13-17
Introduction
1. In the text for this study, James discusses the subject of making plans:
2. This subject is very relevant for us today, for we all make plans of one sort or another
a. Plans for college, jobs
b. Plans for marriage, family
c. Plans for vacation, retirement
3. Making a plan, in and of itself, is not wrong
a. Paul often made plans in regard to his travels – Acts 18:20-21; 1 Corinthians 16:5-9
b. In fact, making plans (Or setting goals) is a key to success in any venture we may undertake in life
4. But there is a right way to plan, and a wrong way; and James discusses both!
Body
I. WE CAN SUBMIT TO GOD’S WILL
A. IN OTHER WORDS SUBMIT OUR PLANS TO THE WILL OF GOD
1. We can make our plans, but we should make them contingent to God’s approval – James 4:15
2. This is what Paul did
a. God willing – Acts 18:21
b. if the Lord permits – 1 Corinthians 16:7
3. Saying if the Lord wills assumes our faith in two things:
a. That God does have a will for us (Even in mundane matters)
b. That God can intervene (Via providence) to carry out His will
4. The wisdom of making our plans contingent upon the will of God will become evident later, when we consider the wrong way to plan
B. FOR OUR PLANS TO SUCCEED, SEEK FIRST TO DISCERN GOD’S WILL, AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY
1. To a great degree, this is possible, for God wants us to:
a. Understand His Will – Ephesians 5:17
b. Be filled with the knowledge of His Will – Colossians 1:9
2. Of course, this relates especially to His revealed will
a. Which pertains to matters right and wrong
b. Which is found in the pages of the Bible
c. When we know God’s revealed will, then we can act or plan accordingly
d. Until then, the right way to plan is to show our submission to God by leaving our plans subject to His will
3. There is also God’s permissive will
a. Which pertains to matters not right or wrong, but good and better
b. Even so, we should still show our trust and dependence upon God in such matters by committing our plans to His Will
II. WE CAN IGNORE GOD’S WILL
A. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS FOLLY – James 4:13-15
1. Because life is COMPLEX – James 4:13
a. There are the complexities of TIME (Today, tomorrow, when?)
b. There are the complexities of ACTIVITIES (Buy, sell?)
c. So many decisions to make, so many mistakes might be made
d. If it’s possible to know God’s will on any matter, that would increase the likelihood that our decisions and plans will be correct
2. Because life is UNCERTAIN – James 4:14a
a. No one has a guarantee of tomorrow
1) Whether there will even be one
2) Or what will happen
b. Only God can bring about what He wills for the future without fail
c. Since this is true, we should certainly desire to make plans that are in keeping with His plans!
3. Because life is FRAIL – James 4:14b
a. It is like a vapor – Psalms 39:5-6, 11
b. How substantial is a vapor or shadow?
c. How quickly we can succumb to sickness or an accident illustrates how frail we really are
d. It is foolish, then, to think we have the strength within ourselves to make our plans happen – James 1:10-11
4. Because life is BRIEF – James 4:14c
a. appears for a little time
b. This is something Job observed – Job 9:25-26; 14:1
c. Since life is so short, it is important that we do God’s will and not our own – 1 John 2:17
B. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS BOASTFUL ARROGANCE – James 4:16a
1. To plan without taking into consideration God’s will is to set ourselves up above God Himself!
2. How could one be more arrogant than that?
C. TO PLAN THIS WAY IS SIN – James 4:16-17
1. It is sin because it involves arrogance and boasting which is evil – James 4:16
2. It is sin because we who are Christians know better – James 4:17
a. We know what is good: to plan with God’s will in mind
b. To do otherwise is sin!
Conclusion
1. How do we make our plans?
a. If we plan without considering the will of God, then we are foolish, arrogant, and sinful!
b. If we make our plans subject to the approval of God, then we are wise, submissive, and righteous in God’s sight!
c. If we endeavor to plan as much as we can within the framework of God’s revealed will, then we increase the likelihood of success!
2. What about your plans for eternity?
a. There is no doubt what the Lord’s will is on this subject – Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9-10; 2 Peter 1:5-11; Revelation 2:10
b. We can be certain of success if we submit to God’s will in the matters of faith, repentance, confession, baptism, and living a faithful Christian life
c. But to ignore it is folly in view of life’s UNCERTAINTY, FRAILTY, and BREVITY!
3. Have you done as the Lord wills?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Anxiety – audio
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I suppose a certain level of anxiety is part of living on this side of eternity.
I haven’t yet met the person—even in the family of God—who lives a completely carefree life.
Do you worry at times? Get stressed out?
I sure we’re the first ones to struggle with it. It seems like every page of Scripture says something about it.
Take this one, for example. To one of his favorite churches Paul wrote: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord” – Philippians 3:1
In other words, Paul seems to be saying, “Okay, because of everything I’ve already written to you, rejoice in the Lord.”
If there’s a command that’s harder to obey all the time, I don’t know what it is.
Humanly speaking, there’s a lot not to rejoice about.
A woeful economy. Increasing secularism. Spiritual apathy.
More personally . . . the physical effects of aging, health concerns, family worries, job uncertainty.
How do you rejoice in that?
I don’t think you can, at least not on the face of it.
This is why Paul puts the last little prepositional phrase in there: “In the Lord.”
Rejoice in the Lord – Philippians 3:1
Rejoice in the Lord always – Philippians 4:4
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ – Romans 5:11
Truth is, you’ve got to look at many things that happen through the lens of God’s sovereign will.
If you’re a disciple of Jesus, God has saved you, and he’s promised you he’ll work through you to accomplish his will.
We don’t have all the answers, of course, and I have no idea why God allows some of the stuff that goes on around us.
But when I take my eyes off of him, I’ve noticed that my stress and anxiety levels increase.
For today’s devotional thought, let me encourage you: Whatever’s going on in your life right now—whether internal or external—commit it to the Lord.
Rejoice in him today.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Questions and Answers 2012-09-30 – audio
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I. Question One – WHY DID GOD ALLOW CONCUBINES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT? WHY CAN’T WE HAVE MORE THAN ONE WIFE?
A. As to the first question… Why did God allow concubines?
1. God allows us to make our own decisions.
2. That does not mean that He approves of those decisions.
3. To my knowledge, there is no hint anywhere in the Scriptures that God approved of polygamy.
4. The only argument that could be made to suggest that God approved of polygamy would be that so many men whom are presented as being righteous had multiple wives and God never openly rebuked them.
a) That, however, does not prove that God approved of polygamy.
b) These men undoubtedly had other sin in their lives where there is no account of God openly rebuking them.
c) For example… Noah’s drunkenness after the flood.
5. Perhaps also, this is a sin that God “overlooked” because of the way that women were treated in that day. Acts 17:30. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.
B. Why can’t we have more than one wife today?
1. Matthew 19:4-6. And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
a) Male and female. Not male and females.
b) Man shall be joined to his wife. Not, “Man shall be joined to his wives.”
c) Two shall become one flesh. Not three, four, five, 701 shall become one flesh.
2. Romans 7:3. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.
a) This passage tells us that a woman who marries another man while her previous husband is still alive is to be called an adulteress.
b) Would not the same be true for the husband marrying another wife?
c) Absolutely!
II. Question Two – CAN WE VISIT OTHER CHURCHES OF CHRIST? IS THIS GOOD OR BAD?
A. There is nothing wrong with visiting other churches of Christ.
1. It can be a very good thing.
2. Some congregations are struggling and appreciate the encouragement.
3. It doesn’t have be a Sunday service.
a) Sings.
b) Gospel Meetings.
B. A few words of caution…
1. A “Church of Christ” sign out front does not necessarily mean that a congregation is sound.
a) Sometimes, when we are travelling, we may go visit a place because it calls itself a church of Christ but then be utterly shocked when we get into the service.
b) It is wise to do a little research about a congregation if you are not sure where they stand.
c) People do that all the time with us. I receive calls regularly from members of the church who are going to be coming to the area and are looking for a place to worship.
2. Don’t forget that your home congregation needs you too.
a) Some people just like to wander around to various congregations and never really settle down.
b) There are many advantages to having a home congregation.
(1) An eldership to look out for you. (Unfortunately, this is why some like to wander around. They don’t want an eldership looking out for them.)
(2) Stronger relationships with brethren who know you and know your needs.
(3) More opportunities for involvement.
c) Those who are constantly (weekly) visiting other congregations are missing out on many of the blessings of having a home congregation.
III. Question Three – IF SOMEONE COMES TO CHURCH BUT THEIR HEART ISN’T IN IT… WHAT TO DO TO CHANGE THIS ACTION.
A. What do we mean by “their heart isn’t in it” ???
1. Do we mean that their emotions are not stirred?
2. Do we mean that they don’t get anything out of worship?
3. Do we mean that they don’t want to be there?
4. I am going to assume, for this question, that it is a combination of all three of these things.
B. If the someone is yourself…
1. We are all human.
2. There are going to be days when it is all we can do to make it to services.
a) Sickness.
b) Emotional issues.
c) Etc.
d) During such times, we might not even remember the topic of the sermon or what songs were sung.
e) It is all we can do to be present.
3. But what if this is a weekly occurrence?
a) This has to be a lack of focus!
b) First of all – prepare for services by:
(1) Remember what you are about to do and why.
(a) You are about to worship (pay your respects to) your Creator, Sustainer, and Savior!
(b) You do this because you are grateful for what God has done for you.
(c) If we can’t get our heart into this then there is something wrong with us! Psalm 122:1. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
(d) (I see this every week from the pulpit.)
(2) Getting a good night’s sleep.
(3) Getting up early enough to get to services on time without rushing around frantically.
c) Focus in on the acts of worship.
(1) Listen to the songs we sing. Colossians 3:16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(2) Consider the death of Christ during the Communion service.
(3) Pay attention to the sermon which is God speaking to you through His word.
(4) Pray along with the one leading the prayer.
(5) Give cheerfully thinking of all that God has given to you.
4. Don’t quit coming! We begin to appreciate worship more as we mature.
C. If the someone is someone else…
1. We cannot make someone else actively participate in worship.
2. We cannot make someone else appreciate what Jesus did for them.
3. What we can do:
a) If we are talking about our children…
(1) Educate them by continuing to bring them to services.
(2) Teach them at home.
(3) Show them that we love the Lord.
(4) If your child sees you missing worship for just any reason, what are they going to think about the importance of worship?
b) If we are talking about a spouse…
(1) Again, try to help them realize the importance and purpose of worship.
(2) Set the right example. 1 Peter 3:1-2. Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
c) If we are talking about anyone else. – Same as above.
IV. WHAT IS THE “JIHAD?” WHO IS ALLAH?
A. Both of these terms are related to the religion of Islam.
1. Islam – to surrender to the will of Allah.
2. Muslim – One who surrenders.
B. Allah.
1. It is an Arabic word that means “the God.”
2. Muslims claim that this is the God of the Bible.
3. However, their view of Allah and the God of the Bible are very different.
a) They don’t view God as a Father. Yet Jesus did. Matthew 6:9. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
b) There is no grace in Islam. Salvation is solely by works. Ephesians 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
c) They believe that God is arbitrary and causes both good and evil. “Allah leads astray whom he pleases and guides whom he pleases and no one knows the host of the Lord save himself. And every man’s destiny have we fastened upon his neck.”
C. Jihad.
1. The most basic definition is – “struggle.”
2. Muslims believe in three types of Jihad.
a) The believer’s internal struggle to serve Allah.
b) The struggle to build a good Muslim society.
c) Holy War – the struggle to defend Islam, with force if necessary.
3. Muslims argue that the Koran only authorizes Holy War in a defensive fashion.
4. Unfortunately, some Muslims see the traditions of the West and Christianity as a clear threat to Islam and consider any attack they make to be defensive in nature.
5. Surah 9:29. And Fight those who have not faith in God, nor in the Hereafter, and (who) forbid not what God and His Prophet have forbidden and (who) are not committed to the religion of truth, of those who have been brought the Book, until they pay tribute by hand, and they are the low.
V. WHO WAS THE OLDEST PERSON IN THE BIBLE?
A. Methuselah.
B. Genesis 5:27. So all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred and sixty-nine years; and he died.
Delivered on: September 30, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Questions and Answers 2012-07-29 – audio
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I. Question One – Is it ok to wear shorts “to church”?
A. To a large extent, it is a matter of preference.
1. The way members dress is often determined by climate and culture.
2. In the churches I attended in Tennessee, you would NEVER see someone wear shorts to worship.
3. However, in other places (I am told Florida is one case) shorts are common.
4. At church camp, I attended worship services in shorts because of the heat.
B. We need to be modest.
1. We looked at this in detail just recently.
2. No matter where we are (In worship or out) we need to be modest.
3. Short shorts are not modest.
4. A good guideline would be knee length.
C. We need to be respectful.
1. We must show respect toward God.
a) When we come to worship we are coming to pay homage to our Creator and Savior.
b) We ought to show proper respect.
c) Can we do that in shorts?
(1) Some would say, “No.”
(2) Some would say, “Sure.”
d) Other than modesty and respect, no dress code is given.
2. We must show respect toward our brethren.
a) Some brethren may have a problem with shorts.
b) Especially for men who may be leading in part of the service… shorts could be distracting.
(1) Many of you know that at our church picnics I always wear pants when I preach.
(2) At church camp, if I am speaking or leading in the service in some other way, I wear pants.
c) When I was younger, attending a small church in Gahanna, I use to wear shorts even when leading in the service. No one ever said a word to me about it but one day, at a men’s business meeting, I asked if my shorts were appropriate and one of the men spoke up and said that he didn’t like it. I never have worn shorts to service since.
d) 1 Corinthians 8:13. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
II. Question Two – What about other non-denominations?
A. This question was put into the box after the sermon a couple of weeks ago on the exclusivity of the church.
1. In that sermon we noticed that the “Church of Christ” is the church that we read about in the Bible and that it is NOT made up of various worldly denominations.
2. We noticed six identifying marks of the church of the Bible.
a) Authority.
b) Music.
c) One church.
d) Organization.
e) Titles.
f) Baptism.
B. The question is asking if “non-denominational” churches are the church of Christ.
1. The answer to that is that there are so many different non-denominational groups out there that you have to look at each one individually.
2. I chose one “non-denominational” church from the area and looked at their website.
3. It is the “Church in Aurora.”
4. Here is what I found.
a) Authority – believe that the Holy Spirit is still leading in a miraculous way and is even responsible for the division that exists among various religious bodies.
b) Organization – They have a Senior Pastor instead of a scriptural plurality of pastors.
(1) A picture of their Pastor shows him in his full ceremonial attire.
(2) “Representing Community Churches he is: a voting delegate to the National Council of Churches, a Judicatory Executive with the Ohio Council of Churches and the Treasurer for the Aurora Clergy Association.”
(3) Under “Governing Body” it says this. “Voting membership of the Church Board shall include the Moderator, Associate Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer; one member from each of the Elders, Trustees, Stewardship Directors, Christian Education Committee, Fellowship Committee, Membership Committee, Mission Directors, Endowment Fund Directors, and Women’s Guild; and two members from Deacons, one man and one woman. The Associate Treasurer shall vote in the absence of the Treasurer. Each committee shall select its representative(S) to the Board.”
(4) Looking at a list of their elders, three women are listed.
c) Music.
(1) They have instrumental music.
(2) They have choirs.
d) Baptism is “in the mode desired” by the one being baptized. In other words, it could be sprinkling or pouring.
e) Communion is to be taken when the leadership decides to take it.
C. It is obvious, that just because a church calls itself non-denominational… that does not mean that it is the church we read about in the Bible.
III. Question Three – Are there really three levels of hell?
A. The simple answer to this question is, “No.”
B. I’m not sure where the number “3” comes from.
C. Dante’s Inferno, a part of a 14th century epic poem was written by Dante Alighieri.
1. In this poem, Dante is led through on a journey through Hell by a Roman poet named Virgil.
2. In it, there is said to be nine levels of hell.
3. Basically, the lower you go, the worse it gets; with the Devil being at the center of the earth in the 9th level.
D. The Bible does not speak of levels of hell but it does hint at levels of punishment.
1. Luke 12:47-48. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
2. 2 Peter 2:20-21. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
IV. Question Four – If Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him, why did He choose Him as an apostle in the first place?
A. Some things we are just not told – Deuteronomy 29:29
B. However, let me suggest two possibilities…
1. In order to be tempted in all points like as we are, He had to be betrayed by a friend – Hebrews 4:15
2. Ultimately, He came to earth to be put to death. Judas’ betrayal was part of that plan.
a) Don’t forget… Jesus’ betrayal was prophesied beforehand.
b) Psalm 41:9. Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
c) John 13:18. “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
V. Question Five – Can you go to heaven and in heaven can you go to hell?
(Not Discussed)
VI. Question Six – “Psalm 139:16. God knows our number of days before there was any… How can we possibly say – when a young person dies, or in fact anyone dies, that it is not God’s will?”
A. Psalm 139:13-16.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
B. Definitions.
1. Will – the thing that one desires or ordains.
2. Ordain – to order or decree something officially.
C. Two important questions.
1. Does foreknowledge of an event mean that one approves of that event?
2. Does the decision to not intervene to prevent an event mean that one approves of that event?
D. God’s foreknowledge of events does not mean that He desires it or has ordered it.
1. He foreknew that Adam and Eve would sin. 1 Peter 1:20. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
2. His will in this case was for them to be obedient and stay in fellowship with Him.
3. 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
4. 1 Timothy 2:4. Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
E. Does God’s failure to intervene mean that He desires that particular event to happen?
1. We need to understand God’s permissive will.
2. God made the decision before He ever created man that He would allow man the freedom to choose for Himself.
3. As a result, sin came into the world and death because of sin.
4. Sin and death are not God’s will.
5. To some extent, we even do this with our own children.
6. We step aside and allow them to do things that we know they are going to regret.
7. A good example of this is the story of Joseph.
a) Ultimately, everything that happened in Joseph’s life fulfilled God’s purpose.
b) But that doesn’t mean that God approved of the way that Joseph’s brothers treated him.
c) Neither did God approve of Potiphar’s wife’s deception.
d) However, God was able to use these bad things to bring about something good.
Delivered on: July 29, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Hebrews 11:6 Does It Make a Difference? audio
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Text: Hebrews 11:6
Introduction
A. Religious world is divided
1. Different beliefs
2. Different doctrines
3. Different practices
4. Different churches
B. Does it make any difference about any of that?
C. Does it make any difference what one believes?
Body
I. IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT ONE BELIEVES
A. That popular concept will not work in other areas:
1. Business – If you invest in a business, believe it to be a good investment, you may easily lose all your money!
2. Health – If you drink a glass liquid, believe it to be water, you may die if it is really poison!
B. If one must believe anything, then it makes a difference
1. God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Christ – John 8:24
3. Truth – John 8:32; Galatians 1:6-9
C. An objective standard, a fixed standard makes a difference what we believe
1. What is written – 2 Corinthians 4:13
2. Oracles of God – 1 Peter 4:11
3. Commandments – 1 Corinthians 14:37
4. Word of God – 1 Thessalonians 2:13
5. Inspired Scriptures – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
D. The difference it makes – John 8:24
1. Believes in Christ = Sins forgiven = Heaven
2. Does not believe in Christ = Die in sin = Cannot go to Heaven
E. Not loving the truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12
1. Lie = Deceived – 2 Thessalonians 2:10
2. Not love truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:10
3. Deluded – 2 Thessalonians 2:11
4. Believe lie – 2 Thessalonians 2: 11
5. Not believe truth – 2 Thessalonians 2:12
6. Pleasure in unrighteousness (v 12) = Condemned (v 12)
F. Believing a lie – 1 Kings 13:7-10; 19-26
1. Do not drink water; Do not return the same way
2. Lie: Bring him back to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water
II. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHAT ONE PRACTICES
A. If not – Can do anything!
1. Handle snakes as worship
2. Immoral acts as worship
B. Our practice must be authorized in the Word of God
1. According to the pattern – Hebrews 8:5
2. In the name of the Lord – Colossians 3:17
3. Within the doctrine of Christ – 2 John 9
C. The difference it makes our practice affects our:
1. Fellowship with God – 2 John 9
2. Eternal salvation – Matthew 7:22-23
Conclusion
A. If it does not make any difference
1. Does not matter whether one believes or not
2. Does not make any difference whether one believes the Bible
3. What Bible says – unimportant
4. What God says – unimportant
B. If it does make a difference
1. I need to know the truth – John 8:32
2. I need to study and examine what I am taught – Acts 17:11
3. I need to obey the truth – 1 Peter 1:22
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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