Historical Posts
Discipline of Meditation – Philippians 04:08
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Text: Philippians 4:8
Introduction
1. In this series we have defined spiritual disciplines as
a. Spiritual exercises that bring one closer to God, to become more godly in character and behavior
b. Spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, singing, giving, etc.
2. Our previous study examined the discipline of prayer
a. Noting especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
b. In which we praise God, make supplication for our needs, and intercede for others
3. Closely tied to prayer is the disciple of meditation
a. A spiritual exercise practiced by men of God – Genesis 24:63; Psalm 1:1-2
b. A spiritual duty given to those who are Christians – Philippians 4:8; 1 Timothy 4:15
4. But some questions may come to mind
a. What exactly is meditation?
b. Why should we take time to meditate?
c. How should we meditate?
Body
I. MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
A. WHAT IS NOT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
1. That practiced by many Eastern religions
a. Like Hinduism, Buddhism, or Transcendental Meditation
b. Where the object is to experience truth, peace, or being, usually inexpressible
2. That practiced by Christian mystics
a. Such as Quakers, and others often found among Catholics and Protestants
b. Who meditate to experience God, or to receive some revelation from God
3. Both Eastern and Christian mystical meditation usually seek to empty the mind so as to find or receive truth within (i.e., a subjective form of meditation)
B. WHAT IS MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
1. To contemplate on truth or reality already revealed (i.e., an objective form of meditation)
2. For example, the man “after God’s own heart” is one who meditates on:
a. The Lord Himself – Psalm 63:6
b. His wonderful Works – Psalm 77:12
c. His revealed Word – Psalm 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
3. In the words of Paul, we are to meditate on “things” – Philippians 4:8
a. Things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report
b. Things that are of any virtue, and are praiseworthy
[There is a very real difference between Biblical meditation and that commonly practiced by many religions: Christian meditation dwells on that already revealed in creation or inspired revelation, whereas other forms of meditation seek some new truth or experience to be revealed. Understanding the difference, why is Biblical meditation important…?]
II. WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD MEDITATE
A. A SOURCE OF JOY AND STRENGTH
1. As seen from such passages like Psalm 1:1-3; Isaiah 40:28-31
2. This alone should motivate us to meditate more often
B. AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR TRANSFORMATION
1. The goal of the Christian is to become more like Christ – cf. Romans 8:29
2. This requires a “transformation” – Romans 12:1-2
3. But notice that this is possible only by “renewing the mind” – Romans 12:2
4. This “renewing” is possible only when we “set our minds” on proper things
a. On things above
b. Not on things on the earth – Colossians 3:1-2
5. Only then, when our minds are “set on things above”, will we be successful in completing the “transformation” which includes “putting off the old man” and “putting on the new man” – cf. Colossians 3:1-2 with Colossians 3:5-14
C. MANY FALL BECAUSE THEY MEDITATE ON THE WRONG THINGS
1. They “mind the things of the flesh”, which leads to “death” and “enmity with God” – cf. Romans 8:5-8
2. You cannot be a spiritual person if you “dwell” on carnal things
a. “Recent studies conducted by a Stanford University research team have revealed that ‘what we watch’ does have an effect on our imaginations, our learning patterns, and our behaviors.” – Denis Waitley, Seeds Of Greatness, p. 47-48
b. ” First we are exposed to new behaviors and characters. Next, we learn ` or acquire these new behaviors. The last and most crucial step is that we adopt these behaviors as our own.” – ibid.
c. “One of the most critical aspects of human development that we need to understand is the influence of ‘repeated viewing’ and ‘repeated verbalizing’ in shaping our future.” – ibid.
d. The information goes in, ‘harmlessly, almost unnoticed,’ on a daily basis, but we don’t react to it until later, when we aren’t able to realize the basis for our reactions.” – ibid.
e. “In other words, our value system is being formed without any conscious awareness on our part of what is happening!” – ibid.
f. “You are what you watch and think.” – ibid., p. 45
g. “If a sixty second commercial, by repeated viewing, can sell us a product, then isn’t it possible for a sixty minute soap opera or ‘smut- com’, by repeated viewing, to sell us a lifestyle?” – ibid., p. 47
3. Fill your mind with positive and spiritual thoughts if you really want to:
a. “renew the mind”
b. “be transformed”
[If Christians are to succeed, they must set their minds (meditate) on the things of the Spirit, on things above, where Christ is! Only then will they with God’s help put off the old man and put on the new man. Finally, a few thoughts on…]
III. HOW TO MEDITATE
A. FIND A QUIET TIME AND PLACE
1. For Isaac, it was in the field at evening – Genesis 24:63
2. For David, it was in bed during the night watches – Psalm 4:4; 63:6; 119:148
3. A time and place free from distraction
B. CONTEMPLATE SOMETHING OF VALUE
1. David focused his meditation on three things:
a. The Lord Himself – Psalm 63:6
b. His wonderful Works – Psalm 77:12
c. His revealed Word – Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 97-99, 148
2. Paul mentioned things that possess virtue and are praiseworthy – Philippians 4:8
a. Whatever is noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report
b. Which could include devotional writings by uninspired authors
c. A subject or object worthy of mindful contemplation
C. LET THE BIBLE BE YOUR PRIMARY FOCUS
1. Read it contemplatively every day – Psalm 1:2; 119:15
2. Read it with a prayer in your heart – cf. Psalm 119:18
3. As you read, occasionally read it aloud to yourself
a. The Hebrew word in Psalm 1:2 for meditate means “to mutter”
b. Reading slowly and audibly helps to focus one’s mind on the words
4. As you read, you might ask yourself the following questions:
a. Is there some truth I should know from this verse?
b. How does this passage affect a previously held conviction?
c. Is there something I should stop doing in light of this verse?
d. Is there a practice I should change?
e. Is there a habit I ought to begin?
5. You might end with a prayer such as David’s – cf. Psalm 119:10
— “Hold the Word of God in your heart until it has affected every phase of your life…this is meditation.”
Conclusion
1. We find David praying in Psalm 19:14
“Let the words of mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, “O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”
2. By heeding Paul’s command (“meditate on these things” – Ph 4:8), we can ensure that our meditations will be acceptable in the sight of our Lord!
3. Together with frequent prayer, the practice of meditation will go a long way toward exercising one’s self unto godliness…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Discipline of Prayer
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Introduction
1. In our previous study we defined the spiritual disciplines as
a. Spiritual exercises that one engages in habitually which bring one closer to God and thus become more godly in character and behavior
b. Spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, fasting, singing, giving, etc.
2. Now we shall consider such disciplines more carefully, beginning with prayer
a. An activity in which Jesus Himself frequently practiced – Luke 5:16
b. A spiritual exercise enjoined upon Christians – Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Body
I. THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS
1. To praise God, expressing adoration
a. As indicated by the phrase “Hallowed be Your name…” – Matthew 6:9
b. As exemplified in one of David’s prayer – 1 Chronicles 29:10-13
2. To pray that God’s will to be done
a. As indicated by the phrase “Your kingdom come…” – Matthew 6:10
b. As exemplified in the Lord’s own prayer – Matthew 26:39,42
3. To make requests for our daily needs
a. Such as our daily food – Matthew 6:11
b. Such as our bodily health – 3 John 2
4. To confess our sins, seeking mercy
a. Asking forgiveness, as we forgive others – Matthew 6:12
b. Assured that God will justly and faithfully cleanse through Jesus’ blood – 1 John 1:9
5. To ask for God’s providential care
a. Keeping us away from evil – Matthew 6:13
b. Directing our path if it be His will – Romans 1:9-10
6. From “The Lord’s Prayer”, we can learn much about the purpose of prayer
B. AS TAUGHT BY HIS APOSTLES
1. To express thanksgiving – 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
2. To find peace in the midst of anxiety – Ph 4:6-7
3. To receive strength and boldness from God – Ephesians 3:14-16,20; 6:18-20
4. To find opportunity for service to God – Colossians 4:3
5. To receive wisdom from God – James 1:5-8
6. To intercede on behalf of others – James 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 2:1-2
7. From the apostles’ writings, we learn much about the purpose of prayer
There is much good that can come from prayer, both for ourselves and those for whom we pray. It is an activity in which Jesus and His apostles engaged in frequently, so now let’s consider more closely
II. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER
A. AS TAUGHT BY JESUS
1. Jesus taught the value of secret prayer
a. By precept, in His sermon on the mount – Matthew 6:5-6
b. By example, in finding solitary places to pray – Mark 1:35
2. Jesus taught the value of simple prayer
a. Many words are not necessary – Matthew 6:7
b. Our Father already knows our needs – Matthew 6:8; cf. Romans 8:26-27
3. Jesus taught the value of steadfast prayer
a. In response to His disciples’ request to teach them to pray- Luke 11:1,5-10
b. In telling them the parable of the persistent widow – Luke 18:1-8
4. Thus the discipline of prayer should include the elements of secrecy, simplicity, and steadfastness
B. AS PRACTICED BY GODLY MEN AND WOMEN
1. David, a man after God’s own heart, prayed morning, noon, and evening – Psalm 55:17
2. Daniel, a man greatly beloved by God, prayed thrice daily for many years – Daniel 6:10
3. Anna, a prophetess, served God in prayers night and day – Luke 2:36-37
4. Real widows continue in prayers night and day – 1 Timothy 5:5
5. Epaphras labored fervently in prayers for those in his church- Colossians 4:12
6. Paul prayed frequently for his brethren in other churches – Romans 1:9; Philippians 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:2
7. Clearly the discipline of prayer involves a habitual, daily practice of prayer
Conclusion
1. The discipline of prayer, done habitually, is truly a spiritual exercise
a. “Prayer is the spiritual gymnasium in which we exercise and practice godliness.”
b. “…Prayer is educative. The man who prays grows; and the muscles of the soul swell from this whipcord to iron bands.”
c. The opposite is also true: “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”
2. The discipline of prayer is truly an exercise that leads to godliness
a. For Jesus, at the right hand of God, makes intercession for us – Romans 8:34
b. Indeed, Jesus always lives to make intercession – Hebrews 7:25
3. If we desire to be true disciples of Christ, if we want to become more like Him, then “The Discipline Of Prayer” is a spiritual exercise that we must engage in frequently.
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. – Matthew 14:23
Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. – Mark 1:35
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. – Luke 5:16
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Disciplines for the Disciple – 1 Timothy 04:01-10
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-10
Introduction
1. We find Paul exhorting Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7
a. “exercise yourself toward godliness”
b. What does this mean?
2. Compare other translations
a. “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV, 1 Timothy 4:7 NET)
b. “train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7 NIV, 1 Timothy 4:7 NLT)
c. “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB)
3. Consider what some commentators have written
a. “cultivate piety, and seek to become more holy” – Barnes
b. “Timothy is told that as an athlete trains his body, so the
Christian must train his soul.” – Barclay
4. The value of such spiritual exercise is seen in 1 Timothy 4:8
a. “godliness is profitable for all things”
b. “having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come”
5. The disciple, therefore, is to engage in various “exercises” or “disciplines” that cultivate godliness or piety. In this series, we shall take a look at such disciplines for the disciple. But in this lesson, some introductory thoughts regarding
Body
I. THE CONCEPT OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
A. DEFINITION OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
1. In general terms, discipline means:
a. “any training intended to develop moral character, or produce a pattern of behavior.”
b. “training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character – Merriam-Webster
2. Regarding spiritual disciplines in particular:
a. “A spiritual discipline is, when practiced faithfully and regularly, a habit or regular pattern in your life that repeatedly brings you back to God and opens you up to what God is saying to you.”
b. “Spiritual disciplines can be described as behaviors that facilitate spiritual growth.”
3. Spiritual disciplines, then, are spiritual exercises that one engages in habitually which bring one closer to God and thus become more godly in character and behavior
B. EXAMPLES OF SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
1. Prayer – in which one spends time talking to God – e.g., Daniel 6:10; Colossians 4:2
2. Meditation – in which one contemplates on God’s Word, or other things worthy of such attention – cf. Psalm 1:1-2; Philippians 4:8
3. Singing – through which one can praise God and be edified – Psalm 71:23; Acts 16:25
4. Giving – by which we can please God and be blessed – cf. Hebrews 13:16; Acts 20:35
5. Assembling – where we can exhort one another – cf. Psalm 122:1; Hebrews 10:24-25
6. Hospitality – showing kindness to strangers, which often results in a blessing – Hebrews 13:2
7. Teaching – which usually benefits the teacher more than the student – Hebrews 5:12-14
8. Such spiritual activities help to discipline or train one to be more godly
We shall examine these more carefully in future lessons. But to appreciate the importance of spiritual disciplines for those who call themselves disciples of Christ, let’s review
II. THE CONCEPT OF DISCIPLESHIP
A. THE WORD “DISCIPLE”
1. Literally means a learner
2. It denotes “one who follows another’s teaching” – Vine
3. A disciple was not only a learner, he was also an adherent
4. For such reasons, disciples were spoken of as imitators of their teachers
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher – Luke 6:40
2. To be Christ’s disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. This coincides with God’s goal in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of His Son – Romans 8:29
4. Since Jesus is the Son of God, the goal of a disciple is to be more godly
Conclusion
1. Are you a disciple of Christ…?
a. Jesus wants you to become His disciple – Matthew 28:19-20
b. Jesus wants you to become like Him – Luke 6:40
2. With the aid of spiritual disciplines, we are more likely to become what Jesus wanted…
a. For Jesus Himself often taught His disciples to engage in such activities
b. Through both precept and example, Jesus taught His disciples regarding such activities
3. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then I trust that this series,”Disciplines For The Disciple” will be of special to interest to you. Remember what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7-9
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Preservation and Translation
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(Can We Trust The Bible’s Preservation and Translation?)
Introduction
1. Has the Bible we have today been altered or corrupted…?
a. We have no original “autographs” (manuscripts penned by the authors)
b. All we have are copies of copies, made over the years
2. How do we know there hasn’t been:
a. Significant changes or errors made in the process of copying?
b. Collusion (secret cooperation for deceitful purposes) by those who possessed the early copies?
3. It is not uncommon to hear such statements as…
a. “The Bible was corrupted by the Catholic church who possessed it” (Mormons, JWs)
b. “Only Catholic Bibles are reliable, since the church possesses the oldest copies” (Catholics)
4. Is it possible to have confidence in the Bible? That it:
a. Contains the Scriptures as they were originally written
b. Is free from attempts to twist the Scriptures to support a particular church or doctrine
5. This confidence comes from keeping two things in mind:1) Textual evidence for the Biblical documents, and2) Translation guidelines for selecting a translation of the Bible.
Body
I. TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
A. FOR THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. The Massoretic Text (900 A.D.)
a. Earliest complete text of Hebrew OT, copied by Jewish scribes called the Massoretes
b. Comparison with earlier Greek and Latin versions
1) Reveal vary careful copying
2) With little deviation during the thousand years from 100 B.C. to 900 A.D.
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls (150 B.C. – 70 A.D.)
a. Discovered in 1947, containing copies of OT books dating back to 100 B.C.
b. Compared with the “Massoretic Text” of 900 A.D., they confirm the careful copying of Jewish scribes for over 1,000 years!
3. The Septuagint version of the OT (200 B.C.)
a. A Greek translation of the OT, done in 200 B.C. by 70 scholars
b. It also confirms the accuracy of the copyists who gave us the Massoretic Text
4. In his book, Can I Trust My Bible, R. Laird Harris concluded, “We can now be sure that copyists worked with great care and accuracy on the Old Testament, even back to 225 B.C….Indeed, it would be rash skepticism that would now deny that we have our Old Testament in a form very close to that used by Ezra when he taught the word of the Lord to those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity.”
B. FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The number of the manuscripts
a. Over 4,000 Greek manuscripts
b. 13,000 copies of portions of the N.T. in Greek
2. The location of the manuscripts
a. Found in various places: Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy
b. Making collusion very difficult (not one church or religion contains them all)
3. The date of the manuscripts
a. Several papyri fragments have been dated to within 50-100 years of the original
b. We have several nearly complete N.T. Greek manuscripts within 300- 400 years
1) Codex Sinaiticus, found near Matthew Sinai
2) Codex Alexandrinus, found near Alexandria in Egypt
3) Codex Vaticanus, located at the Vatican in Rome
4. The variations of the manuscripts
a. The vast majority are very minor (spelling, differences in phraseology, etc.; modern translations often note the differences in footnotes)
b. Only 1/2 of one percent is in question (compared to 5 percent for the Iliad)
c. Even then, it can be stated: “No fundamental doctrine of the Christian faith rests on a disputed reading…It cannot be too strongly asserted that in substance the text of the Bible is certain: especially is this the case with the New Testament.” – Sir Frederick Kenyon (authority in the field of New Testament textual criticism)
5. Other translations of the manuscripts
a. More than 1,000 copies and fragments in Syriac, Coptic, Armenian, Gothic, Ethiopic
b. 8,000 copies of the Latin Vulgate, some almost dating back to Jerome’s original translation (ca. 400 A.D.)
6. Writings of the early “church fathers” (100-400 A.D.)
a. Early religious leaders who left 1000s of quotations of the NT in their writings
b. Even if all the NT manuscripts and translations were to disappear overnight, it would be possible to reconstruct the NT from their quotations, with the exception of 15-20 verses
7. The evidence is sufficient to show that the Greek text of the New Testament has been faithfully preserved, without the possibility of collusion or corruption by any one religious party or faction
8. While the text of the Bible has been remarkably preserved in its original languages, how can we be sure that the version we use is faithful in its translation of the text?
II. TRANSLATION GUIDELINES
A. BEWARE OF THOSE BY ONE INDIVIDUAL
1. Some translations are the work of one person; for example:
a. The Living Bible, by Kenneth Taylor
b. Which is not really a translation, but a paraphrase
2. Though well intentioned, such translations often:
a. Express the views of one person
b. Convey the theological bias of that individual
3. It is better to find translations produced by a committee of scholars
a. With often hundreds of experts in Hebrew and Greek
b. Who examine and critique each other’s work in the translation
B. BEWARE OF THOSE BY A PARTICULAR DENOMINATION
1. Some translations are the work of one religious group; for example:
a. The New World Translation
b. Produced by Jehovah’s Witnesses
2. Such translations are often slanted to prove doctrines favorable to the group
a. E.g., the NWT translation of John 1:1-2 (“the Word was a god”)
b. E.g., the NWT translation of Colossians 1:16-17 (inserting “other” four times)
3. It is better to find translations produced by representatives from different backgrounds
a. Who are members of different religious organizations
b. Who check each other’s work to prevent theological bias
C. RECOMMENDED ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
a. A classic, but somewhat archaic
b. Many people have problems with or misunderstand the old English
2. New King James Version (NKJV)
a. An updated KJV, desiring to preserve the beauty of the KJV
b. My personal choice, very easy to read
3. American Standard Version (ASV)
a. Most literal to the Greek, but therefore harder to read
b. Almost out of print
4. New American Standard Bible (NASB)
a. An update to the ASV
b. Though often wordy
5. English Standard Version (ESV)
a. English version of ASV
b. My second choice
5. Other translations useful as references:
a. New International Version (NIV) – easy to read, but prone to theological bias
b. New American Bible (NAB) – approved for Catholics, useful to show differences in doctrine are not due to translations
Conclusion
1. Can we trust the Bible? Yes, because:
a. The Hebrew and Greek manuscripts have been providentially preserved
b. Translations are available that are free from theological bias
2. Yes, it is possible to have confidence in the Bible, that it:
a. Contains the Scriptures as they were originally written
b. Can be read without fear that it has been tainted to support a particular church or doctrine
3. I can trust the Bible…do you? – James 1:21-22
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Understanding
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(Can We Trust our Bible Understanding and Trust the Bible Regarding it’s Ability to be Understood?)
Introduction
1. Some will acknowledge that the Bible
a. Has been faithfully preserved and translated
b. Contains the books that serve as our authority (canon) in religion
c. Is inspired by God
d. Yet they contend that Bible understanding cannot be achieved and the Bible cannot be understood
2. Or at the very least they will argue
a. That we need a guide to help us in Bible understanding (such as some church authority)
b. Or that we need the help of the Holy Spirit to achieve Bible understanding
3. Can the Bible be understood…?
a. Is it so difficult that the common man cannot understand it?
b. Is it so mysterious that only ‘Spirit-led’ people can comprehend it?
Body
I. THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
A. REGARDING THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Bible understanding is expected. It was written for our learning – cf. Romans 15:4
a. Jesus expected people to understand it (“Have you not read…?”) – Matthew 12:3-5; 19:4
b. Paul expected unbelieving Jews to understand it – Acts 17:2-3
c. The Berean Jews were commended for searching the Scriptures – Acts 17:11
d. Timothy understood much of it as a child – 2 Timothy 3:14-15
2. Didn’t some people need help to understand it?
a. Such as the disciples? – Luke 24:25-27,44-47
b. Such as the Ethiopian eunuch? – Acts 8:30-35
3. Yes, because it contained a mystery yet to be revealed
a. A mystery kept secret since the world began – Romans 16:25
b. A mystery now made manifest to all nations – Romans 16:26
c. A mystery now revealed by the Spirit to the apostles and prophets – Ephesians 3:3-5
4. With the aid of the New Testament, what was a mystery in the Old Testament can now be understood!
B. REGARDING THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. The writers expected their readers to understand
a. Luke wrote his gospel that one might know – Luke 1:1-4
b. John wrote his gospel that one might believe – John 20:30-31
c. Paul wrote for people to understand, to have his knowledge – 2 Corinthians 1:13; Ephesians 3:3-5
d. John wrote his epistle that one might know – 1 John 5:13
2. Aren’t some things in the Bible hard to understand?
a. Like some of the things Paul wrote? – 2 Peter 3:15-16
b. Like the book of Revelation?
3. Yes, but that does not mean they cannot be understood
a. It is the “untaught and unstable” that have problems – 2 Peter 3:16
b. We are expected to grow in knowledge – 2 Peter 3:18; Colossians 1:10
c. As we mature, we are able to handle the “meat” – Hebrews 5:11-14
4. The New Testament was written to be understood, though in progressive stages
II. GOD EXPECTS US TO GAIN BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
A. HE EXPECTS US TO UNDERSTAND HIS WILL
1. He desires all men to have Bible understanding and come to a knowledge of the truth – 1 Timothy 2:3-4
2. He commands it of His children – Ephesians 5:17
3. Would God desire and command Bible understanding if it is impossible?
B. HE EXPECTS US TO HAVE A COMMON BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers – John 17:20
2. Paul commanded Christians to have the same mind – 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Philippians 2:2
3. There are essentials on which we must be united – e.g., Ephesians 4:3-6
C. Did Jesus and Paul demand that which is unattainable?
III. WHY SOME DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE
A. REASONS OFTEN GIVEN FOR LACK OF BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. “It can’t be understood”
a. We have seen that it was written to be understood
b. To say that man cannot understand is to impugn God’s ability to provide a revelation
2. “Only ‘Spirit-filled’ people can understand it”
a. This belief actually contributes to much misunderstanding and division over the Bible
1) Everyone claims the Spirit is leading them to their own understanding
2) Others are wrong because they don’t have the Spirit’s leading
b. It is based upon a misreading and misapplication of 1 Corinthians 2:14
1) That one cannot understand spiritual things without the help of the Spirit
2) Including understanding the Bible, that it requires the Spirit’s aid
c. But note the context – 1 Corinthians 2:6-13
1) Paul is contrasting God’s wisdom with the wisdom of this world
2) The world with its wisdom cannot know what God has prepared
3) What is known in the mind of God comes only through divine revelation
d. Note carefully the process:
1) God has prepared things which man cannot perceive on his own – 1 Corinthians 2:9
2) God has revealed them to the apostles through His Spirit who alone knows the mind of God – 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
3) The apostles received that which the Spirit revealed, that we might know the things given to us by God – 1 Corinthians 2:12
4) The apostles speak that which they received, using words of the Spirit, not words of human wisdom – 1 Corinthians 2:13
e. Here, then, is the proper meaning of 1 Corinthians 2:14-16
1) The ‘natural man’ is one who depends upon human wisdom (such as the ‘rulers of the age’)
a) Without the benefit of divine revelation
b) Who therefore is unable to receive the things of the Spirit of God
c) Who depending only on human wisdom considers the things of God foolishness
2) The ‘spiritual man’ is one who has the Spirit (such as the apostles)
a) Who has been given divine revelation of God’s will
b) Who is therefore able to judge all things, and is judged by no one
c) For such has been given the mind of the Lord3) Paul is therefore contrasting himself (and the apostles) with uninspired men
f. Remember now what Paul wrote in Ephesians 3:3-5
1) God has revealed what was unknown (the mystery) to the apostles and prophets by His Spirit
2) Who in turn have written what they received
3) Whereby when we read, we can now understand their knowledge!
3. We don’t need some special guidance of the Spirit to understand the Word; the Word of God itself is the Spirit’s own revelation of God’s will!
B. THE REAL REASONS PREVENTING BIBLE UNDERSTANDING
1. Many make little or no effort
a. They rarely read and study the Bible
b. They therefore remain ignorant
c. They remain babes in their knowledge and understanding
2. Many study for the wrong reasons
a. They may spend a lot of time studying, but with improper motives
b. To prove themselves right (reading only to justify their conduct or beliefs)
c. To prove others wrong (reading only to find arguments to support their position)
3. Many fail to apply their God-given common sense
a. Such as looking up words they don’t understand
b. Such as defining words in their context
c. Such as taking into consideration all that God’s word says on a subject
d. Such as studying the Bible the way it was written
1) Book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse
2) Starting at the beginning, reading through to the end
4. The problem preventing Bible understanding is not with God’s Word; the problem is slothful, sloppy handling of God’s word – cf. 2 Timothy 2:15
Conclusion
1. Bible understanding can be gained
a. By children
b. By truth seekers
c. By babes in Christ
d. Though parts of it will always challenge even the mature Christian
2. God desires that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth – 1 Timothy 2:4
a. He gave His Son as a ransom – 1 Timothy 2:5-6
b. He sent His Spirit to guide us into all the truth – John 16:13
3. Through His apostles and prophets His truth and salvation can be known!
4. The question is not whether God’s word can be understood, but whether we will make an honest and sincere effort to understand and obey it!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Bible Inspiration
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(Can we trust the Bible regarding it’s Inspiration by God?)
Introduction
1. Christians accept as their canon the 66 books of the Bible
a. The 39 books of the Old Testament
b. The 27 books of the New Testament
2. They view the Bible as inspired of God
a. Literally, “God-breathed” (Gr., theopneustos)
b. That its scriptures were given by the Holy Spirit, and are not simply the words of men
3. The Bible claims such inspiration
a. It speaks of scripture inspired of God – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
b. It tells of men speaking as they were moved by the Holy Spirit – 2 Peter 1:20-21
c. It contains claims by those who spoke words revealed by the Spirit – 1 Corinthians 2:9-13
4. But what evidence is there that Bible is actually inspired of God?
Body
I. THE UNITY OF THE BIBLE
A. THE BIBLE CONTAINS 66 BOOKS, WRITTEN
1. Over a 1,600 year span
2. Over a period of 40 generations
3. By approximately 40 authors from every walk of life; e.g.:
a. Moses, political leader trained in the universities of Egypt
b. Peter, fisherman
c. Amos, herdsman
d. Joshua, military general
e. Nehemiah, cup bearer to a king
f. Daniel, prime minister
g. Luke, a physician
h. Solomon, king
i. Matthew, tax collector
j. Paul, tentmaker and rabbi
4. In different places
a. Moses in the wilderness
b. Jeremiah in a dungeon
c. Daniel on a hillside and in a palace
d. Paul inside prison walls
e. Luke while traveling
f. John in exile an the isle of Patmos
g. Others in the rigors of military campaign
5. At different times
a. David in times of war
b. Solomon in times of peace
6. During different moods
a. Some writing from the heights of joy
b. Others from the depths of sorrow and despair
7. On three continents: Asia – Africa – Europe
8. In three languages: Hebrew – Aramaic – Greek
9. With subject matter that includes hundreds of controversial topics
a. The origin of man and the universe
b. The nature of God
c. The nature of sin and man’s redemption
B. YET THERE IS HARMONY AND CONTINUITY
1. For example:
a. “The Paradise Lost of the book of Genesis becomes the Paradise Regained of Revelation”
b. “Whereas the gate to the tree of life is closed in Genesis, it is opened forevermore in Revelation.”
2. Compare the continuity of the Bible with any other such writings of man
a. Imagine what you would have if you just took ten authors
1) From one walk of life, one generation, one place, one time, one mood one continent, one language
2) Speaking on one controversial subject
b. You would have a conglomeration of ideas, not harmony!
C. The reason for the unity of the Bible? The writers were all moved by the same Holy Spirit (2 Pe 1:20-21), providing evidence that the Bible is inspired!
II. THE SCIENTIFIC FOREKNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE
A. THE NATURE OF THIS ARGUMENT
1. In the Bible there are scientific truths
a. Unknown by man with all his wisdom and resources
b. Stated as facts hundreds of years in advance of the discovery of these truths by men
2. The writers of the Bible could have known these facts only through inspiration
a. They could not have known such things on their own
b. They must have had divine help, i.e., inspiration from God
B. A FEW EXAMPLES
1. The roundness of the earth – Isaiah 40:22
2. The suspension of the earth in space – Job 26:7
3. The currents in the seas – Psalm 8:8
4. The springs in the seas – Job 38:16
5. All nations of one blood – Acts 17:26
C. Such things were not known or confirmed by man until modern times, with the aid of scientific instruments. Yet such knowledge reveals the Omniscient Mind that moved the writers of the Bible!
III. THE FULFILLED PROPHECIES IN THE BIBLE
A. THE NATURE OF THIS ARGUMENT
1. The prophecies foretold events in detail that were beyond the scope of human speculation
2. How did the writers or speakers do it?
a. They attributed it to God!
b. And God declared that such evidence was a proof of His existence and superiority over men and all heathen gods – Isaiah 41:21-24; 42:8-9; 46:8-11
B. A FEW EXAMPLES
1. The fall of Babylon, written two hundred years before it occurred – Isaiah 13:17-22
2. The fall of Egypt, that it would be destroyed more by civil war than by outside forces – Isaiah 19:1-4
3. The fall of Nineveh, with its utter desolation – Zephaniah 2:13-15
4. The fall of Tyre, with its becoming a place for the spreading of nests – Ezekiel 26:1-5
5. There are the prophecies concerning Christ – cf. Luke 24:44-45
a. It has been stated there 332 prophecies fulfilled in Christ
b. The mathematical probability that all could be fulfilled in one person by chance alone has been calculated as one in 84 times ten to the 123rd power (84 followed by 123 zeroes)
6. There are prophecies by Christ, such as the destruction of Jerusalem
a. Foretold in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21
b. Fulfilled in A.D. 70, when Rome destroyed Jerusalem
Conclusion
1. This study barely touches the hem of the garment
a. Volumes have been written on the subject
b. My purpose has been to summarize the evidence
2. We have examined objective evidence of inspiration, such as
a. The unity of the Bible
b. The scientific foreknowledge of the Bible
c. The fulfilled prophecies in the Bible
3. There is also the subjective evidence of inspiration that comes by simply reading and heeding the Bible – cf. Romans 10:17; John 7:16-17
[There are some who question whether any can understand the Bible by simply reading it. That question we shall address in our next study]
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Proverbs 01:20-33 The Call of Sophia
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Text: Proverbs 1:20-33
Introduction
1. We have seen that wisdom requires…
a. Fearing the Lord, so that we heed His Word – Proverbs 1:7
b. Respecting our parents, so that we listen to their advice – Proverbs 1:8-9
c. Not heeding friends who have us join them in doing evil – Proverbs 1:10-19
2. At this point, Solomon personifies wisdom as a woman…
a. A motif used several times in the first nine chapters – e.g., Proverbs 8:1-5; 9:1-6
b. A virtuous woman, later contrasted with the foolish woman who leads astray – Proverbs 9:13-18
[In Greek, the word for wisdom is sophia.]
To emphasize wisdom’s personification as a woman, we’ll use the name “Sophia” as we examine the text for our lesson (Pro 1:20-33). Notice first of all…
Body
I. SOPHIA’S PLEA
A. MADE PUBLICLY… (Proverbs 1:20-21)
1. She calls aloud outside, in the open squares
2. She cries in the streets, at the gates of the city
— Wisdom is not hidden, but reaches out to all who will listen – Proverbs 8:1-5
B. TO THOSE WHO NEED HER… (Proverbs 1:22)
1. Simple ones, who love simplicity – the morally naive, easily influenced by others
2. Scorners, who delight in their scorning – the cynical and defiant, prone to ridicule others
3. Fools, who hate knowledge – those hardened to the point of hating that which is good
— People caught up in varying degrees of hardness of heart – e.g., Ephesians 4:17-19
C. BE FILLED WITH HER WISDOM… (Proverbs 1:23)
1. Turn at her rebuke – respond to her warning, and repent
2. She will pour out her spirit on them, she will make known her words to them
— Wisdom stands ready to forgive and bless those who open their hearts and minds, much like God is for those who repent and turn – cf. Acts 3:19
[The grace of God is clearly seen in Sophia’s plea for all to heed her call for wisdom. Those caught up in varying degrees of hardness of heart are given opportunities to repent. But such opportunities do not last forever. Thus we now read of…]
II. SOPHIA’S WARNING
A. DIRECTED TO THOSE WHO REFUSED TO HEAR… (Proverbs 1:24-25)
1. Who refused her call, disregarded her outstretched hand
2. Who disdained her counsel and refused her rebuke
3. Just like Israel rejected her prophets – cf. 2 Chronicles 36:15-16
— Will we be like those who refuse to heed the Lord’s wisdom and warnings?
B. THERE WILL BE NO HELP WHEN CALAMITY COMES… (Proverbs 1:26-30)
1. She will laugh and mock when terror and destruction comes like a storm
2. Despite their cries for help, it will be too late
3. Because they hated knowledge when they had the opportunity
4. They did not choose the fear of the Lord (the beginning of wisdom)
5. They had rejected her counsel and despised her rebuke
— Heed wisdom is when it is being offered, not when it is too late! – Isaiah 55:6-7
C. THEY WILL SUFFER THE FATE OF THEIR FOLLY… (Proverbs 1:31)
1. They will eat the fruit of their own way
2. They will be full of their own fancies (foolish counsel)
— Contrast of the righteous in times of trial to that of the wicked – Proverbs 3:25-26; Proverbs 10:24-25
[Too many people wait until it is too late to do any good. To benefit from the value of wisdom, we need to learn from her while we still have time. Finally, let’s consider…]
III. SOPHIA’S SUMMARY
A. DESTRUCTION COMES UPON THE SIMPLE AND FOOLS… (Proverbs 1:32)
1. Because they turn away from the true wisdom God has to offer
2. Because they allowed their complacency (regarding wisdom) to destroy them
— Will we be naive and foolish when it comes to receiving God’s wisdom?
B. SAFETY AND SECURITY ARE FOR THOSE WILLING TO HEAR… (Proverbs 1:33)
1. Who are willing to listen to wisdom – cf. Proverbs 8:32-35
2. Whose fear of the Lord will enable them to fear no evil – Proverbs 3:21-26
— Are we willing to listen and heed the wisdom God offers?
Conclusion
1. From lady “Sophia”, we learn that wisdom is a lot like the grace of God…
a. Opportunity to obtain it does not last forever
b. The time will come when it is too late
2. Today is the day to learn wisdom from God…
a. Just like today is the day of salvation – cf. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2
b. Who will we be like: those who are simple and fools? Or those willing to hear God’s wisdom?
3. How we respond to “Sophia” reveals our true character and ultimate end…
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.” – Proverbs 1:22-23
4. Will You Heed The “Call of Sophia”?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Proverbs 02:01-22 Benefits of Diligently Seeking Wisdom
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Text: Proverbs 2:1-22
Introduction
1. In chapter one of Proverbs, we began our study by noting…
a. The prologue, stating the purpose of the book – Proverbs 1:1-6
b. The theme of Proverbs, how the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge – Proverbs 1:7
c. The value of listening to one’s parents – Proverbs 1:8-9
d. The danger of evil companionship – Proverbs 1:10-19
e. The importance of listening to wisdom (Sophia) while there is opportunity – Proverbs 1:20-33
2. The second chapter describes the benefits of seeking after wisdom…
a. With an admonition to search for wisdom with diligence – Proverbs 2:1-4
b. With a list of benefits that will come from such a search – Proverbs 2:5-22
[The benefits of seeking after wisdom are found only if we seek with the proper disposition…]
Body
I. QUALITIES OF A DILIGENT SEARCH FOR WISDOM
A. AS EXPLAINED BY SOLOMON THEN…
1. It requires a willingness – Proverbs 2:1
a. To be receptive to the words of others
b. To treasure (highly value and remember) commands of wisdom
2. It requires an engagement – Proverbs 2:2-3
a. Of the ear (willing to hear wisdom)
b. Of the heart (willing to understand)
c. Of the mouth (willing to cry out for discernment and understanding)
3. It requires a high estimation – Proverbs 2:4
a. Seeking and searching
b. With the same fervor as seeking for silver and other hidden treasures
— Thus a diligent search for wisdom requires an “all out” effort on our part
B. AS EXPERIENCED BY CHRISTIANS TODAY…
1. It requires hearing the Word of God
a. Note: “incline your ear to wisdom” – Proverbs 2:2
b. Listening to preachers and teachers carefully (with all readiness) – Acts 17:11
c. Studying the Bible on your own (searched the Scriptures daily) – Acts 17:11
2. It requires meditating upon the Word of God
a. Note: “apply your heart to understanding” – Proverbs 2:2
b. Taking time to reflect and ponder on the Word – cf. Ph 4:8
c. Like the Psalmist sung of his meditations – cf. Psalm 119: 97-100
3. It requires diligent prayer for wisdom
a. Note: “cry out for discernment…lift up your voice for understanding” – Proverbs 2:3
b. We must ask in prayer with faith – James 1:5
c. We must persist in our asking – cf. Matthew 7:7-11
4. It requires the same effort others expend seeking for material wealth
a. Note: “seek her as silver…as for hidden treasures” – Proverbs 2:4
b. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge – Colossians 2:3
c. Here’s a simple test to see if you are expending the proper effort to seek wisdom:
1) If you worked as hard for your employer as you do seeking for God’s wisdom…
2) …would you have your job very long?
— Finding God’s wisdom today requires the same diligence it did in Solomon’s day
[Is the effort worth it? Let’s go now to Proverbs 2:5-22 and find out what are the…]
II. BENEFITS OF A DILIGENT SEARCH FOR WISDOM
A. KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND HIS PROTECTION…
1. You will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God
a. That fear of the Lord which is the beginning of knowledge – Proverbs 2:5a; cf. Proverbs 1:7
b. That knowledge of God, whose storehouse of wisdom and understanding He gives to the upright – Proverbs 2:5b-7a
2. You will have God’s providential protection guiding your life
a. He is a shield to those who walk uprightly – Proverbs 2:7b; cf. 30:5
b. He guards the paths of justice (which the righteous take) – Proverbs 2:8a; cf. Psalm 23:3
c. He preserves the way of His saints – Proverbs 2:8b; cf. Psalm 121:5-8
— What a blessing to go through life with God at your side!
B. MORAL DISCERNMENT FOR LIVING…
1. You will have great understanding
a. Of righteousness and justice – Proverbs 2:9a
b. Of equity (fairness) and every good path – Proverbs 2:9b; cf. David’s prayer, Psalm 143:8-10
2. You will have great discretion
a. Once wisdom enters your heart and knowledge is pleasant to you – Proverbs 2:10
b. They will preserve and keep you – Proverbs 2:11; cf. 6:22-23
— What a blessing to go through life with God’s wisdom at your disposal!
C. DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL MEN…
1. Who speak perverse things – Proverbs 2:12; e.g., Acts 20:30
2. Who leave upright paths, walk in the ways of darkness – Proverbs 2:13; e.g., 2 Peter 2:20-22
3. Who rejoice in doing evil, delight in the perversity of the wicked – Proverbs 2:14; cf. 10:23
4. Whose ways are crooked, and devious in their paths – Proverbs 2:15; e.g., 1:10-19
— Wisdom can deliver us from evil men and their evil ways!
D. DELIVERANCE FROM IMMORAL WOMEN…
1. The seductress flatters with her words – Proverbs 2:16; e.g., 7:5-21
2. The adulteress who forsakes her husband and covenant with God – Proverbs 2:17; cf. Mal 2:14
3. Whose house and paths lead to death, and the place of no return – Proverbs 2:18-19; cf. 9:13-18
— Wisdom can deliver us from immoral women and their destructive ways!
E. ENABLEMENT FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING…
1. To walk in the way of goodness and keep to righteous paths – Proverbs 2:20; cf. Psalm 23:3, 6
2. To be upright and blameless, to dwell and remain in the land – Proverbs 2:21; cf. Psalm 37:3
3. Unlike the wicked and unfaithful, cut off and uprooted from the earth – Proverbs 2:22; cf. Psalm 37:37-38
— Wisdom can empower us to live more blessed, if not longer, lives on this earth!
Conclusion
1. Are not the benefits of wisdom worth the effort necessary to obtain it…?
a. To know God and enjoy His providential care?
b. To obtain discernment for making the right moral choices?
c. To be delivered from the shenanigans of evil men?
d. To be delivered from the seductions of immoral women?
e. To be able to walk in goodness and righteousness, living lives blessed by God?
2. And what is the effort required to obtain God’s wisdom…?
a. To hear the word of God (“incline your ear to wisdom”)
b. To meditate on the word of God (“apply your heart to understanding”)
c. To ask in faith for wisdom (“cry out for discernment…lift up your voice for understanding”)
d. To highly value its worth (“seek her as silver…as for hidden treasures”)
With such effort, one will not only find wisdom for daily, practical living, but will also find Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:3
He is indeed the greatest benefit of diligently seeking wisdom!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Proverbs – The Wisdom Guide
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(The Christian’s Guide To Wisdom)
Introduction
1. The walk of the Christian is to be with “wisdom” as we go through life – Ephesians 5:15-17
a. Because time is fleeting, and the days are evil, we must make the best use of our time
b. Too many people today are wasting both their time and their lives by failing to exercise wisdom in their daily lives
2. Since the Word of God claims to equip man unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
a. It is only natural to assume that it provides us with sound advice concerning daily living
b. And indeed it does, especially in “The Book of Proverbs” found in the Old Testament
3. The purpose of this series is to…
a. Introduce “The Book Of Proverbs” as a source of great wisdom
b. Encourage Christians to utilize this source in their efforts to walk wisely
Body
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
A. CLEARLY STATED IN THE FIRST SIX VERSES OF THE BOOK…
1. “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding”
2. “To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity”
3. To give to the…
a. Simple (naive) – “prudence”
b. Young man – “knowledge and discretion”
c. Wise man – “increased learning”
d. Man of understanding – “wise counsel”
B. THE BOOK IS THEREFORE DESIGNED…
1. To make a person wise!
2. To learn how:
a. To act wisely and righteously
b. To treat others with fairness
3. To give…
a. To the ignorant, common sense
b. To the young, sound advice
c. To the wise, even more wisdom
[At this point, it might be appropriate to ask: “What exactly is wisdom, and why is it so valuable?”]
II. THE DEFINITION AND VALUE OF WISDOM
A. DEFINING WISDOM…
1. “Wisdom…may be defined as a realistic approach to the problems of life…” – 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
2. Homer Hailey offered this definition of wisdom: “Wisdom is INSIGHT into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which INSIGHT enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has.”
3. To illustrate:
a. You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in Christ…
1) You could react in different ways
a) You could strike back physically, or verbally
b) You could do nothing
c) You could react with a soft, kind reply – cf. Proverbs 15:1
2) Wisdom is that insight which helps you to decide what is the best thing to do
b. Someone makes sexual advances towards you…
1) Again, you could react in several different ways
2) But wisdom will enable you to react in the proper way
B. THE VALUE OF WISDOM…
1. The first nine chapters of “The Book Of Proverbs” are actually discourses extolling the value of wisdom
2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the prosperous life it can produce – Proverbs 3:13-18
3. Wisdom’s value is also found in guarding us against many pitfalls that are out there – Proverbs 3:21-26
4. Some of the “pitfalls” that are frequently warned against in “The Book Of Proverbs”:
a. Evil companionship – Proverbs 1:10-19
1) They want you to join them in their wrong doing
2) But if you do, you will be caught up with them in their own self-destruction
3) Wisdom would preserve you from this
b. The immoral woman – Proverbs 5:1-14
1) An “affair” might appear exciting and harmless
2) But immorality is one of the quickest ways to destroy one’s self physically, emotionally, and spiritually!
3) The exercise of wisdom would spare one from total ruin
c. Laziness – Proverbs 6:6-11
1) It may be good to do nothing
2) But sloth guarantees failure and poverty
3) Wisdom provides a much better way of life
[Certainly we should see that wisdom is of great value. But let’s go one step further and notice in particular the value of “The Book Of Proverbs” in regards to having wisdom…]
III. THE VALUE OF “THE BOOK OF PROVERBS”
A. WISDOM IS NORMALLY GAINED THROUGH ONE OF TWO SOURCES…
1. Through years of “trial and error”
a. This is the source when a person chooses to listen only to one’s own experiences
b. But there are disadvantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) Much of one’s lifetime can be wasted trying to learn through trial and error
2) One is forced to live with the consequences of their “errors”
c. Sadly, this is the only way many people gain wisdom, and that only if they survive their “errors”!
2. Through the proven experience of others
a. This is possible only if one is willing to heed the advice of others
b. There are clear advantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) You can avoid wasting years of your life through trial and error, thus living life to its fullest measure!
2) You experience life unburdened with the consequences of earlier mistakes
c. Certainly this method of gaining wisdom is far superior!
B. THE SUPERIOR WAY OF GAINING WISDOM IS WHAT MAKES “THE BOOK OF PROVERBS” SO VALUABLE!
1. Instead of wasting our short time here on earth trying to discover wisdom through the process of trial and error, we can go straight to “The Book Of Proverbs”
2. There we can find wisdom that is:
a. Divinely inspired by God!
b. Proven to be true by generations of righteous men and women who lived out their lives by the teachings found in it
c. Expressed concisely in ways easy to remember (Proverb: “a short sentence based on long experience” – Cervantes in Don Quixote)
3. Yes, the value of “The Book Of Proverbs” is that it provides the wisdom of God Himself!
a. This is not to say that it takes little effort to glean from this wisdom – cf. Proverbs 2:1-6
b. But for those who will look to God through His Word and prayer (cf. James 1:5-8), the promise of God is that wisdom will be granted them
c. And this is a far better way to find wisdom than the way most people do it!
Conclusion
1. I hope this introductory lesson has made you want to study “The Book Of Proverbs” in order to glean it’s treasures of wisdom waiting for us
2. In succeeding lessons, we will survey “The Book Of Proverbs” by considering the wisdom it offers pertaining to various relationships we have in this life (e.g., with family, work, God)
3. Of course, no discussion concerning wisdom can be complete without mentioning Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:3
a. Without Jesus Christ in your life, there is no way to be truly wise.
b. Have you come to Christ…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Proverbs 01:07 The Theme of Proverbs
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Text: Proverbs 1:7
Introduction
1. In our previous study we considered the purpose of the book of Proverbs…
a. To know wisdom, perceive words of understanding – Proverbs 1:2
b. To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity – Proverbs 1:3
c. To give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion – Proverbs 1:4
d. To increase learning for a wise man, to give counsel to a man of understanding – Proverbs 1:5
e. To understand proverbs and enigmas, the words of the wise and their riddles – Proverbs 1:6
2. In this study, we shall focus our attention on the theme of the book…
a. Found in Proverbs 1:7 (read)
b. Stated in the form of antithetical parallelism
c. In which the repeated terms of a poetic couplet are opposite in meaning
d. Typical of thought rhyme (as opposed to word rhyme) found in Hebrew poetry
Body
I. THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE
A. THE FEAR OF THE LORD EXPLAINED…
1. The term yara’ (fear) is the common word for fear in the OT and has a basic three-fold range of meanings
a. Dread, terror – Deuteronomy 1:29; John 1:10
b. To stand in awe (in reference to a king) – 1 Kings 3:28
c. To revere, to respect (in regards to parents) – Leviticus 19:3
2. Notice when God descended upon Sinai amid geophysical convulsions – cf. Exodus 20:18-20
a. Moses encouraged the Israelites to not be afraid of God arbitrarily striking them dead for no reason (“Do not fear!”)
b. He informed them that the Lord revealed Himself in such a terrifying manner to scare them from sinning (“God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”)
3. Thus there is also a place for such fear of the Lord in the life of a Christian
a. We should fear God, not man – Matthew 10:28
b. The early church walked in the fear of the Lord – Acts 9:31
c. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12
d. We should be fearful of apostasy, serving God with godly fear – Hebrews 10:26-31; Hebrews 12:28-29
— The fear of the LORD is expressed in reverential submission to his will
B. THE FEAR OF THE LORD ESTEEMED…
1. From the book of Proverbs we learn concerning the fear of the Lord:
a. It is the beginning of knowledge – Proverbs 1:7
b. It will cause one to hate evil – Proverbs 8:13
c. It will prolong life – Proverbs 10:27
d. It provides strong confidence and is a fountain of life – Proverbs 14:26-27
e. It prompts one to depart from evil – Proverbs 16:6
f. It leads to a satisfying life, and spares one from much evil – Proverbs 19:23
g. It is the way to riches, honor, and life! – Proverbs 22:4
2. Thus without the fear of the Lord:
a. We deprive ourselves of the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge
b. We will flirt with evil and be corrupted by it
c. Our lives are likely to be shortened by our refusal to heed God’s word (e.g., suffering sexually transmitted diseases if we do not heed His Word on sexual relationships)
d. We will not come to know the love of God that gives us assurance and confidence of our salvation
e. When fallen into sin, we will not be motivated to repent and turn to God!
f. We will not be motivated to truly “work out our own salvation”
— The fear of the Lord should be a highly regarded and sought after trait to develop!
[The fear of the Lord serves as the beginning or principal part of becoming truly wise. Now let’s notice the second half of Proverbs 1:7 which reveals…]
II. THE WAY OF FOLLY
A. THE FOOLISH DESPISE WISDOM…
1. The Hebrew word evil (fool) refers to a person characterized by moral folly
2. It is an adjective meaning foolish in the sense of one who hates wisdom and walks in folly, despising wisdom and morality
3. This foolish disdain for wisdom expressed elsewhere in Proverbs – Proverbs 1:22; Proverbs 17:16; Proverbs 18:2
— For one to despise the wisdom of God (such as found in this book) is truly foolish!
B. THE FOOLISH DISREGARD INSTRUCTION…
1. Not interested in wisdom, they are unwilling to heed the counsel of others
2. As expressed by the voice of wisdom herself – cf. Proverbs 1:25, 30
3. Lack of such counsel leads to defeat and failure – Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 15:22
4. The fool listens only to his own heart – Proverbs 12:15
5. But wisdom and delight can be attained through the counsel of others – Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 27:9
— In the book of Proverbs, the fool is characterized mostly by his or her unwillingness to listen to the advice of others (God, parents, friends, etc.)
Conclusion
1. Here then is the underlying theme throughout the book of Proverbs…
a. Develop the fear of the Lord if you desire to become truly wise
b. Discount the warnings and counsel of others and you will be a fool!
2. As Christians, let us be truly wise by developing the fear of the Lord…
a. For His knowledge has given us great and precious promises – 2 Peter 1:2-4
b. It behooves us to perfect holiness in the fear of God – cf. 2 Corinthians 7:1
Shall we be wise, or shall we be fools…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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An Introduction to Proverbs – Proverbs 01:01-06
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Text: Proverbs 1:1-6
Introduction
1. There is a great need for wisdom in our society today…
a. Lack of wisdom is destroying the lives of many young people, and making fools out of some who are older
b. Marriages are destroyed, friendships lost, souls doomed for lack of wisdom
2. The walk of the Christian is to be with wisdom as we go through life… – Ephesians 5:15-17
a. Because time is fleeting, and the days are evil, we must make the best use of our time
b. Too many today are wasting both their time and their lives by failing to exercise wisdom in their daily lives
3. The Word of God equips man unto every good work… – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
a. It is only natural to assume that it provides us with sound advice concerning daily living
b. Indeed it does, especially in The Book of Proverbs found in the Old Testament
4. The book begins by identifying Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, as the author…
a. Who was granted wisdom by God – 2 Chronicles 1:7-12
b. Who became famous for his wisdom, and wrote over 3,000 proverbs – 1 Kings 4:29-34
5. The book also contains proverbs and wisdom from other sources…
a. The words of Agur the son of Jakeh to Ithiel and Ucal – Proverbs 30:1-33
b. The words of King Lemuel, taught him by his mother – Proverbs 31:1-31
Body
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK
A. STATED IN THE FIRST SIX VERSES…
1. “To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding”
2. “To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity”
3. To give to the…
a. Simple (naive) – “prudence”
b. Young man – “knowledge and discretion”
c. Wise man – “increased learning”
d. Man of understanding – “wise counsel”
B. THE BOOK IS DESIGNED…
1. To make a person wise!
2. To learn how to:
a. Act wisely and righteously
b. Treat others with fairness
3. To give…
a. The ignorant, common sense
b. The young, sound advice
c. The wise, even more wisdom
II. THE DEFINITION AND VALUE OF WISDOM
A. DEFINING WISDOM…
1. “Wisdom…may be defined as a realistic approach to the problems of life…” – 20th Century Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
2. Homer Hailey offered this definition of wisdom: “Wisdom is insight into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has.”
3. To illustrate:
a. You are yelled at by your boss, wife, or brother in Christ…
1) You could react in different ways
a) Strike back physically, or verbally
b) Do nothing
c) React with a soft, kind reply – cf. Proverbs 15:1
2) Wisdom is that insight which helps you to decide what is the best thing to do
b. Someone makes sexual advances towards you…
1) Again, you could react in several different ways
2) But wisdom will enable you to react in the proper way
B. VALUATING WISDOM…
1. The book of Proverbs teaches the value of wisdom
2. The virtue of wisdom is seen in the prosperous life it can produce – Proverbs 3:13-18
3. Its value is also found in guarding us against many pitfalls – Proverbs 3:21-26
4. Some “pitfalls” frequently warned against in The Book Of Proverbs:
a. Evil companionship – Proverbs 1:10-19
b. The immoral woman – Proverbs 5:1-14
c. Laziness – Proverbs 6:6-11
III. THE VALUE OF THE BOOK
A. WISDOM COMES FROM TWO SOURCES…
1. Trial and error (personal experience)
a. One’s own experiences can certainly be a source of wisdom
b. But there are disadvantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) Much of one’s lifetime can be wasted learning through trial and error
2) One must live with the consequences of their errors
c. Sadly, this is the only way some gain wisdom and that only if they survive their errors!
2. Counsel from others (proven experience)
a. This is possible if one is willing to heed the advice of others
b. There are clear advantages to gaining wisdom this way:
1) You avoid wasting years through trial and error, thus living life to its fullest measure!
2) You experience life unburdened with the consequences of earlier mistakes
B. THIS MAKES THE BOOK OF PROVERBS VALUABLE…
1. Instead of wasting our short time here on earth trying to discover wisdom through the process of trial and error, we can go straight to The Book Of Proverbs
2. There we can find wisdom that is:
a. Divinely inspired by God!
b. Proven true by generations of righteous people who lived out their lives by it
c. Expressed concisely in ways easy to remember (Proverb: “a short sentence based on long experience” – Cervantes in Don Quixote)
3. Yes, the value of The Book Of Proverbs is that it provides the wisdom of God Himself!
a. This is not to say that it takes little effort to glean from this wisdom – cf. Proverbs 2:1-6
b. But for those who will look to God through His Word and prayer, the promise of God is that wisdom will be granted them – cf. James 1:5-8
c. And this is a far better way to find wisdom than the way most people do it!
Conclusion
1. I hope this introductory lesson has made you want to study The Book Of Proverbs in order to glean its treasury of wisdom
2. In succeeding lessons, we will examine The Book Of Proverbs more closely by considering the wisdom it offers pertaining to various themes (family, work, God, etc.)
Our next study will focus on the theme of the book of Proverbs… The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7
Of course, no discussion concerning wisdom can be complete without mentioning Jesus Christ…
“in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:3
3. Without Jesus Christ in our lives, there is no way to be truly wise.
Have you come to Christ through obedience to His gospel…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Abortion and the Bible
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(Abortion Sermons presented in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013)
Every year in the United States of America, more than one million children are butchered by abortion doctors.
Since 1973, when the Supreme Court legalized abortion-on-demand, some forty-three million babies have been slaughtered in America (see “Consequences,” 2003).
Every year, an estimated forty-six million abortions occur worldwide. In three decades, an entire generation of children has been forever eliminated. In fact, more than 20% of all babies conceived in this country are killed before they ever see the light of day – and the slaughter continues….
Some encouraging signs have surfaced recently.
In March 2003, the United States Senate, by a 64-33 vote, approved a ban on the particularly barbaric abortion procedure known as “partial-birth” abortion.
In their efforts to sort out the moral and ethical issues involved in human cloning, the President’s Council on Bioethics concluded, among other things, that “the case for treating the early-stage embryo as simply the moral equivalent of all other human cells…is simply mistaken”.
But even these laudable attempts to turn back the tide of moral degradation that has swept over the nation are too little, too late.
A significant number of Americans consider abortion to be an acceptable option.
What would one expect? They’ve been browbeaten with the “politically correct” agenda of the social liberals for decades.
The highest court in the land has weighed in on the matter, making abortion legitimate by means of the power of “the law.”
The medical profession has followed suit, lending its prestige and sanction to the practice of abortion – in direct violation of the Hippocratic Oath.
But have the majority of Americans heard the biblical viewpoint? Do they even care how God feels about abortion? Are they interested in investigating His view of the matter? After all, the Bible does, in fact, speak decisively about abortion.
American civilization has undergone a sweeping cultural revolution for over forty years.
The American moral framework is being restructured, and this country’s religious roots and spiritual perspective are being altered.
The founding fathers and the American population of the first 150 years of our national existence would not have tolerated many of the beliefs and practices that have become commonplace in society.
This list of practices would include gambling (i.e., the lottery, horse-racing, casinos, etc.), divorce, alcohol and public drunkenness, homosexuality, unwed pregnancy, and pornography in movies and magazines.
These behaviors simply would not have been tolerated by the bulk of American society from the beginning up to World War II.
But the moral and religious foundations of our nation are experiencing catastrophic erosion. The widespread practice of abortion is simply one sign among many of this cultural shift in our country.
But there is still a God in Heaven – the omnipotent, omniscient Creator of the Universe.
He has communicated to the human race in the Bible, and He has stated that He one day will call all human beings who have ever lived to account, and He will judge them on the basis of their behavior on Earth.
Therefore, every single person is responsible for carefully studying God’s Word, determining how He wants us to behave, and then complying with those directions.
It is that simple, and it is that certain.
We can know God’s will on the matter.
While the Bible does not speak directly to the practice of abortion, it does provide enough relevant material to enable us to know God’s will on the matter.
In Zechariah 12:1, God is said to be not only the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, but also the One Who “forms the spirit of man within him.”
So God is the giver of life.
That alone makes human life sacred.
God is responsible for implanting the human spirit within the human body.
We humans have no right to end human life – unless God authorizes us to do so.
But taking a human life, biblically, is based on that human’s behavior. Taking the life of an unborn infant certainly is not based upon the moral conduct of that infant.
So if God places the human spirit in a human being while that person is in the mother’s womb, to end that life is a deliberate attempt to thwart God’s action of “forming the spirit of man in him.”
But when does the human spirit enter the human body and thereby bring into existence a human being?
When does God implant the soul into the body – at birth or prior to birth?
The Bible provides abundant evidence to answer that question. For example, the Bible states: “As you do not know what is the way of the spirit, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes all things” (Ecclesiastes 11:5).
In this passage, Solomon equated fetal development with the activity of God. Job described the same process in Job 10:11-12. There he attributed his pre-birth growth to God.
David was even more specific.
“For You have formed my inward parts; You have 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” (Psalm 139:13-16).
David insisted that his development as a human being – his personhood – was achieved by God, prior to his birth, while he was yet in his mother’s womb.
Some have suggested that Ecclesiastes, Job, and Psalms are all books of poetry and, therefore, not to be taken literally. However, poetic language has meaning. Solomon, Job, and David were clearly attributing their pre-birth personhood to the creative activity of God.
Of course, many additional passages that make the same point are not couched in poetic imagery. Jeremiah declared: “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations’ “ (Jeremiah 1:4-5).
Compare this statement with Paul’s equivalent claim, in which he said that God set him apart to do his apostolic ministry even while he was in his mother’s womb (Galatians 1:15).
Isaiah made the same declaration: “Listen, O coastlands, to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb; from the matrix of my mother He has made mention of my name” (Isaiah 49:1).
These passages do not teach predestination.
Jeremiah and Paul could have exercised their free will and rejected God’s will for their lives – in which case God would have found someone else to do the job.
But these passages do teach that God treats people as human beings even before they are born. These passages show that a pre-born infant is a person – a human being. There is no significant difference between a human baby one minute before birth and that same human baby one minute after birth. And that status as a human being applies to a person throughout his or her pre-natal development from the moment of conception.
Consider further the recorded visit that Mary, the mother of Jesus, made to Elizabeth, the mother of John the baptizer. Both women were pregnant at the time.
“Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy” (Luke 1:39-44).
Notice that Elizabeth’s pre-born baby is being represented as a living human being.
In fact, the term “baby” used in Luke 1:41 and Luke 1:44 to refer to the pre-born John is the exact same term that is used in chapter two to refer to Jesus after His birth as He laid in the manger (Luke 2:12, 16).
So in God’s sight, whether a person is in his or her pre-birth developmental state, or in a post-birth developmental state, that person is still a baby!
In Luke 1:36, John the Baptist is referred to as “a son” from the very moment of conception.
All three phases of human life are listed in reverse order in Hosea 9:11 – birth, pregnancy, and conception.
If abortion is not wrong, Mary would have been within her moral and spiritual rights to abort the baby Jesus – the divine Son of God!
Someone may say, “But that’s different, since God had a special plan for that child.” But the Bible teaches that God has special plans for every human being.
Every single human life is precious to God – so much so that a single soul is more significant than everything else that is physical in the world (Matthew 16:26).
God sacrificed His own Son for every single human being on an individual basis.
Each human life is equally valuable to God.
The unrealized and incomprehensible potential for achieving great things by millions of human beings has been forever expunged by abortion.
The remarkably resourceful potential of even one of those tiny human minds, now extinguished, may well have included a cure for cancer, or some other horrible, debilitating, and deadly disease.
Another insightful passage from the Old Testament is found in Exodus 21:22-25. This passage describes what action is to be taken in a case of accidental injury to a pregnant woman:
“If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no lasting harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if any lasting harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (NKJV).
This passage has been mistranslated in some versions. For example, some versions use the word “miscarriage” instead of translating the Hebrew phrase literally – “so that her children come out.”
The text is envisioning a situation in which two brawling men accidentally injure a pregnant bystander. The injury causes the woman to go into early labor, resulting in a premature birth of her child.
If neither the woman nor the child is harmed, then the Law of Moses levied a fine against the one who caused the premature birth.
But if injury or even death resulted from the brawl, then the law imposed a parallel punishment: if the premature baby died, the one who caused the premature birth was to be executed – life for life.
This passage clearly considers the pre-born infant to be a human being, and to cause a pre-born infant’s death was homicide under the Old Testament – homicide punishable by death.
Notice that this regulation under the Law of Moses had to do with injury inflicted accidentally.
Abortion is a deliberate, purposeful termination of a child’s life.
If God dealt severely with the accidental death of a pre-born infant, how do you suppose He feels about the deliberate murder of the unborn by an abortion doctor?
The Bible states explicitly how He feels: “[D]o not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked” (Exodus 23:7). As a matter of fact, one of the things that God hates is “hands that shed innocent blood” (Proverbs 6:17).
This matter of abortion is a serious matter with God.
We absolutely must base our views on God’s will – not the will of men. The very heart and soul of this great nation is being ripped out by unethical behaviors like abortion. We must return to the Bible as our standard of behavior—before it is too late.
When one contemplates the passages examined above, and compares them with what is happening in society, one surely is amazed and appalled.
For example, women have been indicted and convicted of the murder of their own children when those children have been just a few months old.
The news media nationwide, and society in general, have been up in arms and outraged at the unconscionable behavior of mothers who have so harmed their young children so as to result in death.
Most Americans have been incensed that a mother could have so little regard for the lives of her own children.
Yet the same society and the same news media that are outraged at such behavior would have been perfectly content for the same mother to have murdered the same children if she had simply chosen to do so a few minutes or a few months before those children were actually born!
Such is the insanity of a civilization that has become estranged from God.
A terrible and tragic inconsistency and incongruity exists in this country.
Merely taking possession of an egg containing the pre-born American bald eagle, let alone if one were to destroy that little pre-birth environment and thus destroy the baby eagle that is developing within, results in a stiff fine and even prison time.
Yet one can take a human child in its pre-born environment and not only murder that child, but also receive government blessing to do so!
Eagle eggs, i.e., pre-born eagles, are of greater value to American civilization than pre-born humans!
What has happened to our society? This cannot be harmonized in a consistent, rational fashion. The ethics and moral sensibilities that lie behind this circumstance are absolutely bizarre.
The ethical disharmony and moral confusion that reign in our society have escalated the activity of criminals who commit a variety of heinous crimes: killing large numbers of people, raping women, and doing all sorts of terrible things.
Yet, a sizeable portion of society is against capital punishment. Many people feel that these wicked adults, who have engaged in heinous, destructive conduct, should not be executed – a viewpoint that flies directly in the face of what the Bible teaches (Romans 13:1-6; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
God wants evildoers in society to be punished – even to the point of capital punishment. Yet, we will not execute guilty, hardened criminals, while we will execute innocent human babies! How can one possibly accept this terrible disparity and the horrible scourge of abortion?
The ultimate solution to every moral issue is genuine New Testament Christianity and the objective standard of the Bible.
If all people would organize their lives around the precepts and principles presented in the Bible, civilization would be in good shape.
No other suitable alternative exists.
There is simply no other way to live life cohesively, with focus, with perspective, with direction, and with the proper sense of the purpose of life.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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A Date That Will Live in Infamy – Psalm 139:13-16
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(Abortion Sermons presented in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013)
Text: Psalm 139:13-16
Introduction
1. “December 7, 1941. A date which will live in infamy.” The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
2. 9/11/2001 is a date which will live in infamy.
3. January 22, 1973. A date which will live in infamy.
a. Why this date?
b. What is significant about it?
Body
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION.
A. Roe v. Wade.
1. In 1970, attorneys Linda Coffee and Sarah Weddington filed suit in a U.S. District Court in Texas on behalf of Norma L. McCorvey (“Jane Roe”).
a) McCorvey claimed her pregnancy was the result of rape.
b) The defendant in the case was Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade, representing the State of Texas.
c) The purpose of this suit was to challenge Texas’ anti-abortion laws.
2. After three years, the case was heard by the Supreme Court.
3. On January 22, 1973, the Court issued its decision.
a) On the virtue of a 7-2 vote, the court voted to strike down Texas’ anti-abortion laws.
b) The Opinion of the Roe Court was written by Justice Harry Blackmun.
c) The basis for their decision was that to prohibit a woman from terminating her pregnancy was to violate her “right to privacy” under the 14th Amendment.
d) In the Opinion, he stated that a fetus does not qualify as a “person” under the 14th Amendment.
(1) The relevant part of the 14th Amendment states, “…nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
(2) In the opinion he stated that the Court’s decision decided that the original intent of the Constitution did not include the unborn.
e) The court ruled that the State cannot restrict a woman’s right to an abortion in her first trimester.
f) The State was permitted by the decision to restrict abortions in the second and third trimesters.
B. Since that day…
1. Nearly 22% of all pregnancies (excluding miscarriages) have ended in abortion.
2. Over 45,000,000 babies have been aborted.
a) That amounts to 3315 abortions per day.
b) 2,388 men and women died at Pearl Harbor.
c) 2,998 men and women died on 9/11.
3. That is more than the number of people who have died in every war this country has ever fought.
a) Revolutionary War: 25,000.
b) Civil War: 498,000.
c) WWI: 116,000
d) WWII: 545,000
e) Korean: 54,000
f) Vietnam: 56,000.
II. IS A FETUS A PERSON?
A. Abortion proponents refuse to call a baby in the womb a “baby.”
1. Instead, they use the term “fetus.”
2. Fetus = An unborn vertebrate. So scientifically, the term is applicable.
3. But have you ever heard someone say, “What are you going to name the fetus?” OR “I just felt the fetus kick.”
4. The real reason that the term “fetus” is used is in order to take away the baby’s humanity.
5. It is easier for people to kill a fetus than it is to kill a baby.
B. By looking at the development of baby in the womb we can see that it is a distinct human being from the very point of conception.
1. From the moment of conception, 46 chromosomes with 30,000 genes combine to determine all of the baby’s physical characteristics: sex, facial features; body type; color of hair; eyes and skin. All the genetic material for the baby is present at this point. Now, all that is needed is time and nutrients for the baby to grow.
2. The heart starts to beat at 18 days. The baby has its own blood supply independent of its mother. The blood of the baby passes along the umbilical cord, runs through the placenta and approaches the maternal blood vessels found in the womb. Across the dividing wall, the two blood supplies exchange their gaseous loads; the baby passes to its mother it’s carbon dioxide waste and she passes to her baby oxygen and nutrients.
3. Brain waves have been recorded as early as 40 days. The baby has become sensitive and responds to touch.
4. The baby starts making spontaneous movements at about seven weeks.
5. By the eighth week, all of the baby’s organs are now present.
C. We know that God considers an unborn baby to be a person.
1. Psalms 139:13-16. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 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.
a) My frame was not hidden from you.
b) Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
2. The Holy Spirit used the same word to describe the child in the womb and out of the womb.
a) Luke 1:41. And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
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.”
c) In both cases, the term <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=1025″>brephos</a> is used. It has two meanings: an unborn child, and a new-born child.
d) There is no distinction with God.
3. God hates the hands that shed innocent blood. 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,
D. It is interesting to note that Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) has become a Pro-Life advocate.
1. She wrote in her book, Won by Love, “I was sitting in O.R.’s offices when I noticed a fetal development poster. The progression was so obvious, the eyes were so sweet. It hurt my heart, just looking at them. I ran outside and finally, it dawned on me. “Norma,” I said to myself, “They’re right.” I had worked with pregnant women for years. I had been through three pregnancies and deliveries myself. I should have known. Yet something in that poster made me lose my breath. I kept seeing the picture of that tiny, 10-week-old embryo, and I said to myself, that’s a baby! It’s as if blinders just fell off my eyes and I suddenly understood the truth–that’s a baby! I felt “crushed” under the truth of this realization. I had to face up to the awful reality. Abortion wasn’t about ‘products of conception.’ It wasn’t about ‘missed periods.’ It was about children being killed in their mother’s wombs. All those years I was wrong. Signing that affidavit, I was wrong. Working in an abortion clinic, I was wrong. No more of this first trimester, second trimester, third trimester stuff. Abortion–at any point–was wrong. It was so clear. Painfully clear.”
2. In 2005, she petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn the 1973 decision, arguing that the case should be heard again in light of evidence that the procedure may harm women, but this petition was denied.
III. WHAT CAN CHRISTIANS DO?
A. Pray.
1. Pray for government officials. 1 Timothy 2:1-3. Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
a) Proverbs 14:34. Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
b) Proverbs 29:2. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
2. Pray for women with difficult pregnancies.
a) Most aborting moms are panicked, uninformed, and desperate.
b) Some are pressured by boyfriends or even parents.
3. Pray for abortionists. Matthew 5:44. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
B. Vote.
1. We are blessed to live in a country where we ARE the government. It is a government Of the People, By the People, For the People.
2. As Christians we are told to be the salt of the earth. Matthew 5:13. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
3. We are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14-16. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
4. Our Christianity follows us even into the voting booth. HWJV
5. We should not put party loyalties or any other value before the preservation of the lives of unborn babies.
6. In the 1990’s congress passed (on two different occasions) a ban on partial birth abortion which was promptly vetoed by the sitting president.
a) Congress then tried to override his veto.
b) They failed by THREE votes.
7. In 2003, the current administration approved a ban on partial birth abortions.
a) It was immediately challenged and three different U.S. District Courts declared the law unconstitutional.
b) However, in April of 2007, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision upheld the ban stating that it does not violate the constitution.
c) While, as Christians, we would like to see all abortion banned, we realize that this is at least a step in the right direction.
8. We can make a difference in the voting booth.
9. We need to know where our candidates stand on this issue.
C. Teach.
1. Teach and practice Biblical sexual morality. Hebrews 13:4. Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
a) All sexual relations outside of marriage are wrong
b) Prevent unwanted pregnancies through abstinence!
2. Teach the biblical view of human life.
a) Genesis 1:27. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
b) Matthew 7:12. Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
3. Teach the facts about abortion.
a) You may be surprised at how little people know about abortion.
b) We can be sure that Pro-Choice people are teaching their position.
4. Teach the plan of salvation.
a) Unless we do this, we are just treating the symptoms.
b) The cause must be removed and then the symptoms will be gone for good.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Corinthians 09:01-09 Giving the Right Way
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Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-9
Introduction
1. Giving
2. Many do not like to talk about it
3. The Bible does not have a lot to say about it (neither does it the Lords’ Supper)
4. The are more verses that talk about giving than the Lord’s supper
5. Background (O.T.)
a) Sacrifices
b) Portion of sacrifices went to support the temple (tithes support Levites)
c) Feast of First Fruits, (first of the harvest brought to God)
d) Classic example of attitude was when people brought gifts to build temple
e) By the time of Jesus (Temple Tax) and an offering for synagogue
6. 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 – Principles behind giving
Body
I. Giving is reflective of a greater hope (2 Corinthians 8:2-3)
A. They gave liberally our of their poverty
B. Christian attitude toward money
1. Matthew 6:24 – Cannot serve God and mammon (riches)
2. Colossians 3:5 – consider selves dead to greed, = idolatry
3. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – Don’t fix your hopes on the uncertainty of riches, be rich in good works, storing up treasure of a solid foundation for the future
C. Illustration: Save for retirement (Prudential – Get a piece of the rock) Rock will dissolve – Ecclesiastes 5:8-17
D. We can give liberally because we have a greater hope
1. They gave with an abundance of joy
2. God loves a cheerful giver (hilarious) (2 Corinthians 9:9:7)
II. Giving is a reflection of God’s grace received (2 Corinthians 8:1, 2 Corinthians 8:6-7)
A. Mentions grace given by God, and calls giving a gracious work
B. It means that this giving is motivated by God
1. We get confused thinking God’s will is for us to just be happy
2. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) God gives, so we can give (abundance for every good deed)
3. Philippians 4:10-20 – is called an acceptable sacrifice to God
4. God will in turn supply all their needs
C. Illustration: Parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23-35)
D. We have received bountiful grace, we give grace to others by helping them
III. It is a reflection of our fellowship
A. The word used for giving was fellowship (koinonia) participation, communion
B. The concept of communion graphically exemplified (Acts 2:43-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 6:1-6)
C. It is fellowship (sharing in) for these reasons
1. We are sharing with each other (2 Corinthians 8:12-15)
a. 2 Corinthians 9:13 – Not for just the purpose of easing financial difficulties but it was doctrinal, an expression of the union in Christ (1 body)
b. 2 Corinthians 9:8 – It was an expression of sincere love (1 John 3:16)
2. We are sharing/fellowshipping with Christ (2 Corinthians 9:9)
a. Fellowshipping in Grace (for you know the Grace…)
b. Jesus was rich and became poor
c. Do we have any fellowship with Christ if we attached to material things
D. Parable: Man who built bigger barns (Luke 12:16-21)
IV. It is worship GIVEN to God
A. Many do not view giving as worship
1. See it as just meeting the budget
2. While planning (budget) is good, there is more to giving than that
B. Biblical Text
1. It is called “fellowship” , same word used for the Lord’s Supper (2 Corinthians 9:4)
2. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 – they were to do it on the “first day”, the day they worshipped – it was to be done systematically, not carelessly (preparation)
3. Romans 12:1 – It is sacrificial, which is worship
4. 2 Corinthians 8:2 – It is an expression of Joy (just like worship typically is)
5. 2 Corinthians 8:5; 9:6-7 – Heart has to be right (just like for Lord’s Supper & worship)
6. Jesus made it clear that when we serve the brethren, we are serving him
C. We do it following the Lord’s Supper
1. It is appropriate, remember our gift, and we give in turn
2. More time should be given for our giving (sometimes we rush through it)
3. Want thoughts and heart to be right for Lord’s Supper, what about for the offering?
4. It is a gift to God
D. Our giving, is a direct reflection on our giving and service in other areas of life
Conclusion
1. Reflection of Greater hope / Grace / Fellowship / Worship
2. Do you give with the right heart (all week long)
3. How?
4. Steps:
a. Pray
b. Thank God for blessings, specifically
c. Ask God to help you use them to serve Him
d. Consider ways you can use them (God will show you)
e. It may be by giving more to the offering
– It may be by sending money for Bibles to Russia
– It may be by helping with someone’s utilities
5. WE ARE INVESTING IN A BOND THAT WILL NOT BURN UP OR DISAPPEAR IN AN ECONOMIC DEPRESSION!!!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Matthew 21:23-25 Authority in Religion
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Text: Matthew 21:23-25
Introduction
1. The Lord’s church can expect to confront many challenges
a. Opposition by Satan was foretold in the parable of the tares – Matthew 13:24-30, Matthew 13:36-43
b. Attacks from within and without foretold by Paul – Acts 20:29-30
c. Apostasy was foretold, and began very early – 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 4
2. The local church will be at the front of the confrontation
a. As the church universal is a spiritual entity well preserved by Jesus
b. But the church local is subject to many things that can threaten its existence
c. How can the church local stand strong and firm in the service of Christ?
3. I believe the key is respecting the proper authority
a. How shall we determine what is right or wrong, good or evil?
b. What shall be our authority in matters of religion?
c. Is a particular doctrine or practice from heaven or from man? – Matthew 21:23-25
Body
I. WHAT MANY CHURCHES ACCEPT AS AUTHORITY
A. THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. From the beginning of the church, many have appealed to the OT – Acts 15:1-5
2. The OT has its place, when properly handled – Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
3. But it can be misused, to authorize things no longer required – Galatians 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-3
4. We cannot assume that just because something is in the OT, it is authorized!
B. TRADITIONS OF MEN
1. The handing down of traditions was common in Rabbinic Judaism – Mark 7:1-5
2. Traditions of God are not wrong – 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6
3. But Jesus condemned the traditions of men
a. When they are taught as doctrines of God – Mark 7:6-7
b. When they displace the commands of God – Mark 7:8-13
4. Uninspired traditions cannot be equated with or replacements for the Word of God!
C. MODERN DAY PROPHETS
1. Throughout church history, many have claimed to be prophets of God – Revelation 2:20
2. Christ and His apostles warned against false prophets – Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1
3. The OT gives us two ways to test the prophets
a. Do their prophecies come to pass? – Deuteronomy 18:20-22
b. Even if they do, is their doctrine consistent with God’s Word? – Deuteronomy 13:1-5
4. Since the 1st century A.D., all prophets have failed either one or both tests!
D. MAJORITY RULE
1. Many people and church councils decide doctrine or practice based on majority rule
2. Yet Jesus warned of the danger of following the majority – Matthew 7:13-14
3. If we had followed the majority
a. In Noah’s day, we would have perished in the flood
b. In Joshua’s day, we would have perished in the wilderness
4. Following the majority is not a good guide for authority in religion!
E. CONSCIENCE
1. Let your conscience be your guide is the motto of many
2. But our conscience cannot always be reliable
a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his life – Acts 23:1
b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! – Acts 26:9-11
3. The conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if set properly
4. Our conscience is not always a reliable guide in matters of religion
F. HUMAN WISDOM
1. Many feel that through their own wisdom they can determine right and wrong
2. But God’s thoughts and ways are not always our own – Isaiah 55:8-9
3. In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom – 1 Corinthians 1:18-29
4. For us to know God’s will, it was necessary for Him to reveal it to us – 1 Corinthians 2:9-12
5. This He has done through His Spirit-inspired apostles – Ephesians 3:1-3
6. Who in turn shared it with us through their writings – Ephesians 3:4-5
7. Human wisdom is often the exact opposite of God’s wisdom!
G. FEELINGS
1. This is often the standard of authority for many people and churches
a. Who go by whatever ‘feels right’
b. Who place stock in a religion ‘better felt than told’
c. Who will follow societal trends that may seem good and right
2. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in feelings
a. There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death – Proverbs 14:12
b. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool – Proverbs 28:26
c. O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. – Jeremiah 10:23
3. Such subjective feelings are from the heart of man, not the mind of God!
These seven standards of authority in religion are from men, not from heaven, and are the main reason for much religious confusion and division that exists today.
II. WHAT CHURCHES SHOULD ACCEPT AS AUTHORITY
A. THE WORDS OF JESUS CHRIST
1. Jesus has been given all authority in heaven and on earth – Matthew 28:18
2. He expects us to observe all things whatsoever He commanded – Matthew 28:19-20
3. He is the head of the church, which is to be subject to Him – Ephesians 5:23-24
4. As the body of Christ, we must submit to our Head!
B. THE DOCTRINE OF THE APOSTLES
1. To receive Christ, we must receive His apostles – John 13:20
2. They were sent as His ambassadors – 2 Corinthians 5:20
3. To ensure reliability, Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit – John 14:26; 16:12-13
4. The apostles’ wrote so that we might have their understanding – Ephesians 3:1-5
5. They wrote their epistles that we might always be reminded – 2 Peter 1:12-15; 3:1-2
6. Their writings were the commandments of the Lord – 1 Corinthians 14:37
7. They received their word as the word of God – 2 Thessalonians 2:13
8. Thus the early church continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine – Acts 2:42
9. Any true local church of Christ respects the doctrine of the apostles as their authority
C. THE FAITH REVEALED ONCE FOR ALL
1. The faith or doctrine of Christ was delivered once for all time (NLT) – Jude 3
2. The apostles did not hesitate to proclaim the whole counsel of God – Acts 20:27
3. They proclaimed all things pertaining to life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:3
4. The Scriptures provide everything needed to make one complete – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
5. With the Scriptures as an all-sufficient guide, we need no other authority!
Conclusion
1. The only proper authority in religion
a. Is that which emanates from Jesus as the head of His church
b. Which has come to us through the doctrines of His Spirit-inspired apostles
c. Which has been preserved in the form of the New Testament
2. All other authority in religion comes from:
a. Either misapplication of the Scriptures (e.g., the Old Testament)
b. Or uninspired men (and women) who usurp authority based on feelings, etc.
3. When confronted with any challenge, the church today needs to:
a. Look to the words of Christ, and the writings of His apostles
b. Observe all things He commanded, and continue steadfastly in their doctrine
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 07:01-07 Melchizedek, Christ and Us – powerpoint – audio
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Hebrews-07-01-07-Melchizedek-Christ-Us PDF
Hebrews-07-01-07-Melchizedek-Christ-Us Powerpoint
Text: Hebrews 7:1-7
Melchizedek |
Christ |
Us |
|
King |
Hebrews 7:1 | Revelation 17:14 | Revelation 1:6 |
Priest |
Hebrews 7:1 | Hebrews 4:14-15 | 1 Peter 2:5 |
Righteous |
Hebrews 7:2 | 1 John 2:1 | Romans 6:17-18 |
Peaceable |
Hebrews 7:2 | Isaiah 9:6 | Romans 14:19 |
Unique |
Hebrews 7:3 | John 3:16 | 1 John 2:15-17 |
Blessing |
Hebrews 7:4-7 | Ephesians 1:3 | Galatians 6:10 |
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Psalm 104:01-07 O Worship The King – audio
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“O Worship the King” draws upon the splendor of 19th-century monarchy as a metaphor for the magnificence of the Almighty. Attributes of an earthly monarch are magnified to communicate the characteristics of the King of kings. One who by nature cannot be described.
The hymn is based primarily on the rich imagery of Psalm 104:1-7:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.
He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.
You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
The waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away.”
The author deftly combines additional biblical images with the splendor of a ruling monarch to paint an image of God as King in earthly terms.
Stanza One
The monarch’s role of protector of the realm is captured in “Our Shield and Defender.” Psalm 84:9 is one of many passages referring to God as our Shield: “Behold, O God our Shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.”
“The Ancient of Days” parallels the lineage of an earthly monarch, the family line that leads to the throne. References to God as “Ancient of Days” are found in Daniel 7:9, 13 and 22:
“As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire” (Daniel 7:9).
Stanza Two
This identifies this monarch as the sovereign of all created order, “whose canopy [is] space” and whose “chariots of wrath” form “deep thunderclouds.” Following the narrative of Psalm 104:8-32.
Stanzas Three and Four
These detail God’s earthly handiwork in the natural world.
The Fifth Stanza
This last stanza turns to humanity as a part of creation: “Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail. . . .”
In antithesis to the majesty and all-powerful nature of the Almighty described in earlier stanzas, we find a monarch that manifests “mercies how tender, how firm to the end…”
Unlike earthly kings, the unique nature of this ruler is captured in the final line of the hymn: “Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.”
Hence, this hymn captures in 19th-century terms the fuller nature of God’s relationship to humanity.
Composer Sir Robert Grant (1779-1838) was born and died in India
India by this time had long played a major role in the British Empire.
He was a public servant distinguishing himself in law, serving as a Member of Parliament, judge advocate general and governor of Bombay (now Mumbai).
Despite his Scottish roots, Grant was Anglican, not Presbyterian. His father Charles was a leader in the evangelical wing of the Church of England and also played an active civic role with William Wilberforce in the emancipation of African slaves in the British Empire.
Robert was born in India when his father went there to negotiate an end to barriers set up against missions by the British East India Company.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Resolutions – Ephesians 3:16
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Text: Ephesians 3:16
(presented on 12/31)
If we’re the resolution-making type, what we’re really resolving to do is to have more self-discipline, right?
- We just apply it to different areas of life:
- Weight loss (avoid Krispy Kreme)
- Productivity (manage time better)
- Spirituality (stick to one-year Bible-reading plan)
It’s all about self-discipline.
Everything will work out if I do this or don’t do that.
If I do what I don’t want to and don’t do what I want do.
If I stick with it.
It’s all about me.
Except it’s not. Not really.
Especially when we’re talking about spirituality.
Growing in our relationship to Christ is about what God does in us.
Notice the common factor in these verses:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23).
That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16).
Did you catch the common thread?
How can you can be more:
- loving
- joyful
- patient
… and have more self control?
Paul says it comes from the Spirit; it’s His fruit (not ours).
How do you grow spiritually?
- Is it by trying harder?
- Is it by praying harder?
- Is it by serving harder?
No.
It is God who strengthens you.
Too often we get frustrated spiritually because we think it’s all up to us.
We’ll reach our spiritual goals if we can just get the formula right: incorporate the spiritual disciplines in the right way, and conformity to Christ follows.
But it doesn’t work that way.
We need to realize that holiness, growing more and more into Christ’s image, is God’s work, not ours.
So much of our striving and stretching and reaching ends up putting the focus where it doesn’t need to be. On us.
And history shows that our efforts at attaining holiness fail miserably.
This year, focus on trusting God, not yourself.
- Talk to Him
- Love Him
- Worship Him
- Ask Him to mold you and shape you
Yes, read your Bible! But not so you can claim sainthood as a Daily Bible Reader. Do it to know God better.
Pray to God, not to shape His will to yours, but to cultivate your relationship with Jesus and shape your will to His.
Worship Him weekly, not for what you get out of it, but to love and adore Him openly.
When everything we do is God-focused, we might be amazed at the incredible things He will do.
He doesn’t really need our help.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Matthew 21:12-13 The Courage of Jesus – audio
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Text: Matthew 21:12-13
Introduction
1. Jesus went against the culture of the day. He was not “politically correct” in His actions, but He was correct in the eyes of His Father.
2. How do we measure up to the courage of Jesus? – 2 Timothy 1:7-11
Body
I. His courage among His friends
A. Jesus did not stoop to the level of human habits but encouraged them to His level. Jesus stated many times that man should not fear this world, but overcome the world. – Luke 12:4-5
B. Are we walking like Jesus in the presence of our friends? Do we have the courage to turn away from “friends” who would lead us to sin? – Ephesians 5:8-14
II. His courage among His enemies
A. Jesus faced Satan:
1. at His temptation – Matthew 4:1-11
2. the Jews at His arrest – John 18:4-9
3. the cross without fear – Luke 23:26-31
B. Are we standing up to the enemies of the cross?
1. Ephesians 6:10-17
2. Philippians 1:1-17
III. His courage among false teachers
A. Jesus never hesitated nor retreated. He attacked the hypocritical and was uncompromising and fearless. – John 8:44
B. Too many today will not call sin “sin”. They call it “a mistake”. Do you stand courageous against false teachers and their doctrine?
1. Acts 4:13, Acts 4:18-21
2. Galatians 1:6-10
3. 2 John 9-11
Conclusion
1. It takes courage to live the Christian life.
2. Let Jesus be your great example.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Romans – What Would Paul Preach?
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Introduction
I. Most people today have been to a concert.
A. They sing the same song.
II. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear the Apostle Paul?
A. Christians at Rome had not been privileged to hear Paul preach.
1. The Book of Romans is different for the other epistles.
B. But in the Book of Romans, Paul is preaching what he would have preached.
III. Paul is going to preach the gospel (Romans 1:16).
A. The gospel deals with God’s scheme of redemption.
1. Sin [expresses the need of redemption] (Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10, 23).
2. Seed [the promise seed is the solution] (Romans 1:3; Romans 4:13-14).
3. Statutes [the law was the vehicle] (Romans 5:20-21; Romans 10:1-4).
4. Savior [the Christ of redemption] (Romans 3:23-24; Romans 10:9-10).
B. The gospel is for all–“4-all.”
1. All are guilty of sin [universal sin] (Romans 3:23).
2. All need a Savior [universal need] (Romans 5:10).
3. All are saved by Jesus’ death [universal death] (Romans 5:8).
4. All are one body in Christ [universal unity] (Romans 12:4-5).
IV. What would Paul preach at Gahanna-Jefferson?
(1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV) For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
(1 Corinthians 4:17 NKJV) For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
Body
I. PAUL WOULD PREACH SALVATION (ROMANS 10:1-2).
A. Hear (Romans 10:16-17; cf. John 6:45).
B. Believe (Romans 10:13-15; Romans 3:21-23).
1. Obedient faith (Romans 1:5; Romans 5:1; cf. John 8:24).
C. Repent (Romans 1:28-32; Romans 2:4; cf. Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30-31).
D. Confess (Romans 10:9-10; cf. Matthew 10:32).
(Mark 14:61-62 NKJV) But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” {62} Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
(1 Tim 6:12 NKJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
E. Be Baptized (Romans 6:17, 3-4; cf. Mark 16:16).
II. PAUL WOULD PREACH ADORATION.
A. God is to be worshiped (Romans 1:18-25).
1. He is the invisible God.
2. He has the eternal power.
3. He has a divine nature.
4. He is the incorruptible God.
5. He is the Creator.
B. God is to be served in His church (Romans 12:3-5).
III. PAUL WOULD PREACH TRANSFORMATION.
A. Our relationship to GOD must change (Romans 12:1-3).
1. I give God my body.
2. I give God my mind.
3. I give God my will.
B. Our relationship to OTHERS must change (Romans 12:9-16).
C. Our relationship to OUR ENEMIES must change (Romans 12:17-21).
D. Our relationship to THE STATE must change (Romans 13:1).
E. Our relationship to OTHER CHRISTIANS must change.
1. We are to receive one another (Romans 14:1).
2. We must edify one another (Romans 14:19).
3. We must please one another (Romans 15:1-2).
Conclusion:
I. If the Apostle Paul were here, he would preach what I have been preaching for years.
A. Become a Christian
B. Worship God faithfully
C. Live the Christian life.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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