Historical Posts
Christian – A Person Reborn
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Introduction
1. It is always exciting to see someone become a Christian
a. Even when an observer doesn’t understand all that is involved, they often sense something meaningful is going on
b. Especially as time goes on, and changes begin to occur in the person’s life
2. But often the significance of becoming a Christian appears to be lost
a. Sometimes even Christians fail to appreciate the significance of being a Christian
b. When this happens, Christians often fail to grow as they should
3. It never hurts for a Christian to reflect, and ask such questions as
a. What did I do?
b. What have I received?
c. What are the implications and consequences of what I’ve done?
d. What has happened to me?
e. What have I become?
f. What is different about me?
4. To summarize these questions
a. What is the meaning, importance, and value of becoming a Christian?
b. What am I now to do?
Body
I. A NEW CREATION
A. A CHRISTIAN IS A “NEW CREATION”
1. A Christian rises out of the watery grave of baptism to newness of life – Romans 6:4-5
2. Old things have passed away, and new things have come – 2 Corinthians 5:17
B. A NEW CREATION MADE POSSIBLE BY VIRTUE OF A NEW BIRTH
1. A new birth produced by responding to the Word of God – James 1:18
2. A new birth produced by the working of the Spirit of God – John 3:3-5
C. THIS NEW CREATION EMBARKS ON A LIFE OF RENEWAL
1. The inner man is to be renewed daily – 2 Corinthians 4:16
2. This renewal is ongoing, involving the renewal of one’s mind – Romans 12:2
II. A NEW LIFE
A. HAVING PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE
1. As Jesus promised to those who hear His words – John 5:24-25
2. Once dead in sin, we are now made alive to God – Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:12-13
3. We now have the promise and prospect of life eternal, given through God’s Son – 1 John 5:11-13
B. HAVING PASSED FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
1. Such is the objective of gospel preaching: to turn people from darkness to light
a. So Jesus told Paul – Acts 26:18
b. So Peter wrote to Christians – 1 Peter 2:9-10
2. Though we once walked in darkness, we can now walk in the light
a. As children of light – Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5
b. The metaphor of light representing goodness, righteousness, and truth – Ephesians 5:9
3. For which we should ever be thankful – cf. Colossians 1:12-13
4. What makes such a new creation and a new life a reality? It is more than a mere obedience to some new doctrine. It is possible only when such obedience is the result of:
III. A NEW LOYALTY
A. A CHRISTIAN IS A “CONVERTED” PERSON
1. As exemplified by the Thessalonians – 1 Thessalonians 1:9
2. Conversion inherently involves change, particularly a change of loyalties
a. From serving sin to serving God – Romans 6:16-18
b. From serving idols to serving God – e.g., 1 Thessalonians 1:9
B. A CHRISTIAN IS CONVERTED TO JESUS CHRIST
1. He or she acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ – Acts 2:36; 1 Peter 3:15
2. Above family, life, and self, the Christian chooses to follow Jesus – Matthew 10:37-39
3. When one makes that choice, Christ will become the focus of that person’s life – Galatians 2:20
C. SUCH LOYALTY TO CHRIST RESULTS IN A NEW LIFE
1. In which God blesses the individual through Jesus Christ – e.g., Philippians 4:6-7
2. In which one finds strength to live the new life – e.g., Philippians 4:13
Conclusion
1. A significant thing about a Christian, then, is that he or she:
a. Experiences a new creation
b. Enjoys a new life
c. Entertains a new loyalty
d. Such an individual is truly “A Person Reborn”
2. But not all professing Christians show evidence of this rebirth…why is that?
a. They may have not yet truly experienced the new creation
1) Obedience not rendered in faith will not produce the new birth – Mark 16:16
2) For God’s power to be at work, we must submit in faith – Colossians 2:12-13
3. Though they may have been reborn and entered the new life, they may have gone back into sin
a. Hardened by sin’s deceitfulness, they have departed from God – cf. Hebrews 3:12-13
b. Entangled once again by the pollutions of the world – cf. 2 Peter 2:20
4. In either case, their loyalty is certainly not where it ought to be!
5. May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of the significance of being a Christian, and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of a person reborn.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Angels, Who Are They? – Hebrews 01:13-14
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Text: Hebrews 1:13-14
Introduction
1. The subject of angels has certainly become a popular one
a. Bookstores are filled with books dealing with angels
b. Popular TV shows and movies depict angels working in our lives
2. Angels were an important part of the Jewish religion
a. Angels assisted with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai – Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19
b. They appear throughout the history of Israel, coming to Abraham, Daniel, and others
3. Angels also serve an important role in the Christian faith
a. They are described as “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation” – Hebrews 1:13-14
b. They have certainly ministered in the past – cf. Luke 1:11-38
c. They will certainly minister at the time of Christ’s return – cf. Matthew 13:36-43
4. But to what extent do they minister in the present?
a. This is a subject that is prone to much speculation
b. It is easy to get caught up in idle myths and fables
c. About which we are warned to avoid – cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-4; 4:7; 6:20; 2 Timothy 2:16; 4:3-4
5. Yet angels are a Biblical subject, therefore worthy of careful consideration
[With a desire to be content with what the Bible reveals on the subject of angels, we begin this study with a look at some terms and descriptions regarding angels…]
Body
I. TERMS USED IN CONNECTION WITH ANGELS
A. THE WORD ‘ANGEL’
1. The Hebrew word malak (found 103 times in the OT) simply means “messenger”
a. It can refer to a human messenger – 1 Kings 19:2
1) It is applied to the prophet Haggai – Hag 1:13
2) It is applied to a priest – Mal 2:7
3) It is applied to both John the Baptist and Jesus in prophecy – Malachi 3:1
4) The name of the prophet Malachi comes from the same word
b. It can refer to a divine messenger – Genesis 28:12
1) Supernatural or heavenly beings sent as messengers to men
2) Agents who carry out the will of God – ISBE
2. The Greek word angelos likewise means “messenger”
a. The word occurs 175 times in the NT
b. Of men, it is used only 6 times in the NT
B. OTHER TERMS APPLIED TO ‘ANGELS’…
1. Sons of God – God’s sons by virtue of His creation – cf. Job 1:6; 38:7
2. Holy ones – suggesting they belong to God, ‘set apart’ for His purposes – Psalm 89:5,7
3. Watcher, watchers – likely referring to angels – cf. Daniel 4:13,17,23
4. Host – denoting the armies of heaven, which likely included angels -1 Sam 17:45
5. Archangel – used twice, once in connection with Michael – 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Jude 9
6. Prince, chief princes, great prince – used in the book of Daniel – Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1
7. Paul used terms that may refer to angels – cf. Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10
a. Principalities (archai)
b. Powers (exousiai)
c. Thrones (thronoi)
d. Dominions (kyriotetes)
e. Powers (dynamesis)
8. Yet these are sometimes distinguished from angels (Romans 8:38; 1 Peter 3:22), and at times described as negative forces (Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 6:12)
[It quickly becomes apparent that the Bible has a lot to say about angels. More about angels can be gleaned from the Bible as we consider…]
II. DESCRIPTIONS OF ANGELS
A. THEIR NATURE AND ATTRIBUTES
1. They are spirit beings
a. Called “spirits”, suggesting they do not have corporeal bodies – Hebrews 1:14
b. Though they did reveal themselves at times in the form of human bodies – Genesis 18:3
c. They do not function as human beings in such things as marriage – Mark 12:25
d. They are not subject to death – Luke 20:36
2. They are created beings
a. They are part of the creation that is to praise Jehovah – Psalm 148:1-5
b. They were created by Christ, among all other things – Colossians 1:16
3. They are innumerable
a. An innumerable company – Hebrews 12:22
b. John’s descriptions suggests their number is countless – Revelation 5:11
4. They are a higher order than man
a. Man was created lower than the angels – Hebrews 2:6-7
b. Angels are not capable of death – Luke 20:36
c. They have greater wisdom, though limited – 2 Samuel 14:20; Matthew 24:36
d. They have greater power, though it too is limited – Matthew 28:2; Daniel 10:13
5. They always appeared as men
a. Never as women or children, always clothed
b. Other than Cherubim and Seraphim (whose classification as angels is suspect), they never have wings – though cf. Revelation 8:13; 14:6
c. Many times they were so disguised as men they were not first identified as angels – Gen18:1-2; 19:1; Hebrews 13:2
B. THEIR CLASSIFICATIONS
1. The archangel, the “great prince”
a. Michael is called the archangel – Jude 1:9; cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16
b. Michael is called the “great prince”, who watched over Israel – Daniel 12:1; cf. 10:21
c. Michael is mentioned in Revelation 12:7
d. Some (JWs and others) believe Michael was the pre-incarnate Christ
2. The chief princes
a. Of whom Michael was one – Daniel 10:13
b. Some would include Gabriel in this classification
1) The angel sent to explain visions to Daniel – Daniel 8:16; 9:21
2) Who also made announcements to Zacharias and Mary – Luke 1:19, 26
3. The princes
a. The term applied to angels in the book of Daniel – e.g., Daniel 10:13, 21
b. Also to what appear to be evil angelic forces – cf. Daniel 10:13, 20-21
4. The Angel of the Lord
a. An angel who seems to speak as the Lord Himself – e.g., Judges 2:1; Genesis 16:10-13
b. Leading some to wonder if this was the pre-incarnate Christ
5. Cherubim?
a. Thought by some to be an order or class of angels, though others hold them to be a higher class of heavenly beings than angels
b. Whose purpose was to be “proclaimers and protectors of God’s glorious presence, His sovereignty, and His Holiness” -C. Fred Dickason
c. In the Bible
1) They stood guard at the Garden of Eden – Genesis 3:24
2) Their golden figures covered the mercy seat above the ark in the tabernacle – Exodus 25:17-22
3) Their designs graced the walls and veils of the tabernacle, and later in the temple – Exodus 26:1,31; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 7:29, 36
4) They attended the glory of God in Ezekiel’s vision – Ezekiel 1:1- 28; cf. 10:1-20
d. Their description fits those of the four living creatures in Revelation rather than angels – cf. Revelation 4:4-6
6. Seraphim?
a. Six winged creatures attending the Lord in Isaiah’s vision – Isaiah 6:1-13
b. Whose name literally means “burning one”, also considered by many as a higher class than angels
c. Their work was to “praise and proclaim the perfect holiness of God”
d. Their description is also akin to those of the four living creatures in Revelation rather than angels – cf. Revelation 4:8-9
7. Satan and his angels
a. Many believe that Satan is a fallen angel
1) That he is “Lucifer”, a name applied to the king of Babylon – Isaiah 14:1-12
2) That he was among the highest of God’s creation, a cherub whose fall and judgment is applied figuratively to the king of Tyre – cf. Ezekiel 28:11-19
b. Satan does has his angels, for whom condemnation awaits – cf. Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10
c. The doctrine of Satan and his angels (along with demons) will hopefully be examined in another study
Conclusion
1. With this brief introduction it should be apparent that
a. The Bible has much to say about angels
b. It is easy to speculate about angels
2. My hope and prayer is that our future studies will
a. Focus on what the Bible actually reveals
b. Avoid the vain speculation that is condemned
3. In the course of our study, we should never forget the One who deserves our greatest attention:
“For to which of the angels did He ever say: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You’? And again: ‘I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son’? But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: ‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.'” (Hebrews 1:5-6)
4. Have we joined the angels in worshipping the Son, through our own faith and obedience…?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Believe in Jesus Christ – John 3:13-18
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(Why I Believe in Jesus Christ)
Text: John 3:13-18
Introduction
1. The greatest story ever told is that of Jesus Christ
a. The Son of God becoming flesh, dwelling among men
b. His life, His miracles, His teachings, His death, His resurrection and ascension to heaven
c. How He shed His blood to provide atonement for the sins of the world!
2. It is a story that calls for faith
a. For those willing to believe, eternal life is possible – John 3:16
b. For those choosing not to believe, there is condemnation – John 3:18
3. Why do I believe in Jesus Christ? There are two reasons, both of which were stressed in the reaching of the apostles of Christ.
Body
I. FULFILLED PROPHECY
A. EXPLANATION
1. The apostles appealed to Messianic prophecies to produce faith in Jesus
a. Peter in his second sermon at Jerusalem – Acts 3:18
b. Paul in Thessalonica, as was his custom – Acts 17:1-3
2. Some examples of Messianic prophecies
a. The conflict between the serpent and the seed of woman – Genesis 3:15
b. The blessing upon all nations through the seed of Abraham – Genesis 12:3; 22:18
c. The prophet to come who would be like Moses – Deuteronomy 18:15, 17-19
d. Who would be born of a virgin – Isaiah 7:14
e. The forerunner who would prepare the way of the Lord – Isaiah 40:3
f. The suffering Servant who would bear our iniquities – Isaiah 53:4-12
g. His resurrection from the dead – Psalm 16:8-11
h. His ascension into heaven – Daniel 7:13-14
B. SIGNIFICANCE
1. They help to identify the One who is truly the Messiah, God’s “Anointed One”
a. The Old Testament has approximately 330 prophecies concerning the Messiah
b. Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled every one!
2. The mathematical probability of it being a coincidence is astounding!
a. The probability of any man who has lived fulfilling just eight prophecies has been calculated as 1 in 10 to 17th power (100,000,000,000,000,000)! – Peter Stoner
b. To illustrate how large this number is, Stoner gave this illustration:
Suppose that we take that many silver dollars and lay them on the face of Texas. They will cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver dollars and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can travel as far as he wishes, but he must pick up one silver dollar and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? Just the same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man, from their day to the present time, providing they wrote them in their own wisdom.
c. The probability of fulfilling just 48 prophecies is one in 10 to 157th power!
1) Counting at the rate of 250 units per minute
2) …it would take 19 million x 19 million x 19 millions years to count to 10 to the 157th power!
3. Jesus fulfilled not 8, not 48, but over 300 prophecies! It is easy to see why the apostles appealed to Messianic prophecies to prove that Jesus was the Christ. But they also appealed to their own
II. APOSTOLIC TESTIMONY
A. EXPLANATION
1. The apostles claimed to be eyewitnesses
a. As professed by Peter – Acts 10:39-42; 2 Peter 1:16-18
b. As professed by John – 1 John 1:1-3
2. The apostles by their testimony force us to make a decision
a. Were they truly eyewitnesses, or false witnesses? – 1 Corinthians 15:14-15
b. Was their testimony based on truth, or cunningly devised fables? – 2 Peter 1:16-18
3. We cannot say they were sincerely deceived or mistaken
a. Especially in reference to the resurrection of Jesus
1) They claim they ate and drank with Him afterwards – Acts 10:39-41
2) They claim they saw and touched Him – 1 John 1:1-3
b. They leave no room for saying they were mistaken or deceived
1) Some skeptics have tried to offer this as an alternative
2) That perhaps in their grief and loss over the crucifixion they hallucinated or saw grief-inspired visions
3) But hallucinations and visions are highly individualistic experiences
4) The resurrection appearances of Jesus were often witnessed by many at the same time (over 500 on one occasion) – 1 Corinthians 15:4-8
B. SIGNIFICANCE
1. If the apostolic testimony is false
a. The New Testament is a carefully orchestrated lie!
b. The apostles suffered extreme hardship for what they knew was a lie! – 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
c. Those martyred (all but one) knew they were dying for a lie!
d. They went against everything Jesus and they themselves taught! – 1 Peter 2:1
e. The greatest book ever written (as per Charles Dickens) with its high standards and lofty goals was composed by liars, frauds and deceivers!
2. But if the apostolic testimony is true
a. Then Jesus is everything they taught He claimed to be!
1) He is the Son of God – Romans 1:4
2) He truly has all authority in heaven and earth – Matthew 28:18; Acts 2:36
b. Then everything they testified concerning what He taught is true!
1) He was from the Father above, and spoke the words of the Father – John 8:28-29
2) No one can come to the Father but through Him – John 14:6
3) His blood was shed for the remission of sins – Matthew 26:28
4) He came to offer abundant life – John 10:10
5) He went to prepare a place for us – John 14:2
6) He shall come again – John 14:3
7) There will be a resurrection of the dead and ensuing judgment – John 5:28-29; 12:48
Conclusion
1. We have good reason to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God
a. The testimony of Scripture, in the fulfillment of Messianic prophecies
b. The testimony of eyewitnesses, in the credible account of the apostles
2. For those willing to obey Jesus, there is yet another reason to believe
a. In keeping His word, they will come to know He has spoken from God – John 7:16-17
b. “He shall have evidence, in the very attempt to do the will of God, of the truth of the doctrine.”
c. “He who in his heart says, ‘Thy will be done, give me light and I will walk in it,’ will find that Christ is just the teacher demanded by his soul, and that the gospel meets his soul’s want. Jesus will so meet the wants of his soul that he will be satisfied and will know the doctrine, that it comes from him who made the soul.”
3. Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ, not only because of the Messianic prophecies He fulfilled and the eyewitness testimony of His apostles, but because I have tried Him and not found Him wanting…!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Believe in God – Hebrews 11:01-06
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(Why I Believe in God)
Text: Hebrews 11:1-6
Introduction
1. I am happy to profess that I believe in God
a. Such faith is a source of great comfort – cf. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
b. And according to the Bible, necessary to pleasing God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Why do I believe in God?
a. I cannot see Him
b. I have never heard His voice
c. Yet I believe it is more reasonable to believe in God than to not believe
3. What reasons are there for believing in God? While not exhaustive, there are several reasons, the first commonly referred to as the teleological argument for God
Body
I. THE EVIDENCE OF DESIGN IN THE UNIVERSE
A. EXPLANATION
1. Orderly movement of heavenly bodies, making space travel possible
2. Animal instinct, such as the migration patterns of birds, eels, and salmon
3. The human body itself, e.g., the eye
B. IMPLICATION
1. Design suggests a “designer”
2. Design suggests a Being with intelligence possessing purposea.
a. A watch shows design, and implies a watchmaker
b. To credit such intricate and precise workmanship to blind chance is unreasonable
3. Contemplating on the universe and the human body rightfully produces awe, and points man to his Creator – cf. Psalm 19:1-2;139:14; Romans 1:19-20
C. Another reason to believe in God is called the moral or anthropological argument for God, or
II. THE UNIVERSAL SENSE OF OUGHT
A. EXPLANATION
1. Everywhere people have a sense of ought
2. That in certain circumstances, certain things should be done
3. People are concerned
a. That people should act a certain way
b. That people do not often act the way they should
4. Even atheists and agnostics have a sense of justice, and are angered when it is violated (as in the case of rape and murder)
B. IMPLICATION
1. This moral nature in man suggests a Moral Being as the Original Cause
2. If there is no God, there is no right or wrong, good or evil
3. If there is no God, no atheist can object on moral grounds if I want to kill them
C. A similar reason to believe in God is called the general argument
III. THE UNIVERSAL RELIGIOUS INSTINCT AND BELIEF IN GOD
A. EXPLANATION
1. Men in all the world, and throughout all time, not only believe in deity, but also engage in acts of worship and devotion.
2. The religious principle is extremely potent in all nations, dominating their thought and history.
3. Everywhere the human heart has a craving for God. There will be exceptions as individuals, but the exceptions do not invalidate the rule. The atheist is an exception in every society!
B. IMPLICATION
1. For every deepest longing of man, there is something that satisfies it
a. E.g., food satisfies man’s hunger
b. E.g., water satisfies man’s thirst
2. There must be a reality (i.e., God) that complements and meets the universal craving for a Supreme Being
3. Paul says this longing for God was placed in man by God Himself – Acts 17:26-27
C. Then there is the cosmological argument for believing in God
IV. THAT EVERY EFFECT MUST HAVE A CAUSE
A. EXPLANATION
1. This is also called the argument from first cause
2. It is based upon the premise that every effect must have a cause
B. IMPLICATION
1. The cosmos (universe) is an effect that has adequate cause
2. The Bible reveals that adequate cause: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1
3. A common objection is often raised: “Who created God?”
a. The law which states every effect has a cause applies to things that are “physical”
b. God by definition is not physical, and therefore not bound by laws which we may discern to apply to physical things
1) God is a spiritual being – cf. John 4:24
2) His omnipresence is an example of how He defies laws of nature – cf. Jeremiah 23:23-24
c. So the argument does not apply to Him; Hebrews is the Uncaused Cause of all things!
C. There is also the esthetical argument for believing in God
V. THE PRESENCE OF BEAUTY AND SUBLIMITY
A. EXPLANATION
1. This argument is based upon the presence of beauty and sublimity in the universe
2. It observes that you have both
a. The presence of beauty in nature itself, and in art produced by man
b. The response of man to such beauty (appreciation and awe)
B. IMPLICATION
1. How did this “beauty”, and the “ability to appreciate” it, develop?
2. Were both the result of blind chance?
3. Or did it come from a Supreme Being, who is:
a. Intelligent (an argument from design)
b. Moral (an argument from our sense of ought)
c. Artistic (an argument from beauty and our sense of it) – cf. Psalm 96:4-6
Conclusion
1. These arguments are philosophical arguments, but they are based upon what the Bible itself says can be learned about God from nature – Psalm 19:1-2; Romans 1:20
2. Other arguments can be offered to support the existence of God
a. Fulfilled prophecies in the Scriptures
b. Scientific foreknowledge of the Scriptures
c. Uniformity of the Scriptures
d. Evidences for the resurrection of Jesus from the dead
— We shall examine these when we talk about believing in the Bible, Jesus, etc.
3. Do you believe in God?
a. Faith in God is a choice that we make between two alternatives.
1) The river of evidence for God’s reality runs strong and deep, but its current is not irresistible.
2) Many people do swim against it, at least for awhile.
b. Choosing to believe that God exists is a voluntary act of trust.
1) We believe not because we think the reality of God is absolutely unequivocal, but because we judge the evidence to be greatly in its favor.
2) After careful thought, faith puts its trust and confidence in a premise that is seen to be supported by the weight of the evidence.
3) Faced with the ultimate fork in the road, faith understands that a decision must be made, and it responsibly chooses one alternative.
c. But the decision to believe isn’t merely the adoption of an intellectual position.
1) It’s the courageous taking of a stand. Like all ideas, the idea of God has consequences, and faith dares to accept those consequences.
2) It says: “I have considered the matter and am prepared to make my choice.
3) What I have seen has taught me to trust this thing which I can’t see, the reality of God.
4) I not only believe, I am prepared to follow my faith wherever it leads. – Diligently Seeking God
4. Are you willing to make the decision to believe in God?
a. The time is coming, however, when the reality of God will no longer be a matter of faith.
b. It will be an overwhelming fact, impossible to deny and terrifying in its implications for those who have tried to deny it.
c. “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” – Romans 14:11
5. Only a fool would suppress the evidence for the existence of God that is out there
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” – Romans 1:20
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.'” – Psalm 14:1
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Discipline of Giving
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Introduction
1. Summarizing what we have covered so far, “Disciplines For The Disciple” include:
a. Prayer – especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
b. Meditation – contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy
c. Fasting – a means of humbling one’s self before God when joined with prayer
d. Singing – which edifies the singer as well as praises God
e. Fellowship – communing with other Christians as we engage in spiritual activities
2. I also think of giving as a spiritual discipline
a. Not just in the sense of giving money to someone in need
b. But in giving of one’s time, energy, or abilities, especially where it involves sacrifice
3. Such giving is certainly demonstrated in the New Testament
a. By the example of the churches of <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.biblemap.org/#Macedonia”>Macedonia</a> – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
b. By the example of Christ Himself – 2 Corinthians 8:9
4. To become more like Christ, which is the goal of spiritual discipline, we must exercise giving.
Body
I. GIVING PAR EXCELLENCE
A. THEY GAVE SACRIFICIALLY
1. The Macedonians were in the midst of great affliction – 2 Corinthians 8:2
2. They were experiencing poverty themselves – 2 Corinthians 8:2
3. Yet they gave ‘beyond their ability’ – 2 Corinthians 8:3a
4. This they were not expected to do – cf. 2 Corinthians 8:12-13
5. The best giving comes from those who cannot afford it (cf. Luke 21:1-4)
B. THEY GAVE JOYFULLY
1. Somehow they had discovered the joy of giving – 2 Corinthians 8:2
2. Perhaps they took to heart the teaching of:
a. The Lord relating to the blessedness of giving – Acts 20:35
b. James to the value of persecution – James 1:2-4
3. In any case, this is the kind of giving that God loves – 2 Corinthians 9:7
4. The best giving comes from those who give cheerfully
C. THEY GAVE VOLUNTARILY
1. They were ‘freely willing’ – 2 Corinthians 8:3
2. This is the kind of giving God requires today
a. We can not command people to give against their will – 2 Corinthians 8:8
3. Giving must come from ‘a willing mind’ – 2 Corinthians 8:12
4. Giving must never be done ‘begrudgingly’ or because you ‘have to’ – 2 Corinthians 9:7
5. Otherwise, you might as well not give at all
6. The best giving comes from those who give freely
D. THEY GAVE PERSISTENTLY
1. As Paul says, ‘imploring us with much urgency’ – 2 Corinthians 8:4
2. They wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer (or for an easy way out!)
3. With the Philippians, their giving to Paul persisted throughout his life – Philippians 4:10-18
4. The best giving comes from those who persist
E. THEY GAVE THEMSELVES
1. Perhaps this explains how they were able to give as they did!
2. They gave themselves ‘first to the Lord’ – 2 Corinthians 8:5
a. When a person does this, they do not worry about ‘the cost of giving’
b. For they have the promise of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34
3. Giving themselves first to the Lord, it is natural they would give ‘then to us (others)’
a. For such is a mark of true discipleship – cf. John 13:34-35
b. And it is a mark of true love for God – cf. 1 John 4:20-21
4. The best giving comes from those who give themselves to God
II. REASONS FOR GIVING
A. GOD BLESSES THE GIVER
1. It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35
2. The Lord blesses those who give – Psalm 41:1-3; Proverbs 19:17
3. The grace of God is at work in those who give – 2 Corinthians 8:1-2,6-7; 9:8,14
4. Giving blesses the giver more than the recipient!
B. GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER
1. As Paul reminded the Corinthians – 2 Corinthians 9:7
2. A cheerful giver therefore need not worry – Matthew 6:30-33
3. For God watches over those whom He loves – cf. Luke 12:6-7
4. Giving cheerfully makes one a recipient of God’s care and love!
C. GOD PROVIDES SEED FOR THE SOWER
1. Those who sow bountifully will reap bountifully – 2 Corinthians 9:6
2. Not for personal consumption – 2 Corinthians 9:8-9
a. But to have ‘all sufficiency in all things’
b. But to have ‘an abundance for every good work’
c. As confirmed by a quote from Psalms – cf. Psalm 112:5-9
3. To multiply the seed for even more good – 2 Corinthians 9:10-11a
a. To ‘increase the fruits of your righteousness’
b. To be ‘enriched for all liberality’
4. Giving liberally will be blessed to give even more liberally!
D. GOD IS PRAISED BY GIVING
1. Thanksgiving is offered by those whose needs are supplied – 2 Corinthians 9:11b-12
2. Glory is given to God for His grace in the lives of the givers – 2 Corinthians 9:13-15
3. Giving liberally will lead to God being praised liberally!
E. BROTHERLY LOVE IS INCREASED BY GIVING
1. By brethren who witness God’s grace in the givers – 2 Corinthians 9:14
2. Causing them to love and long for their brethren – e.g., Philippians 1:3-8
3. Giving liberally will strengthen the bonds of brotherly love!
III. THE EXERCISE OF GIVING
A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO GIVE
1. Giving is not limited to money
2. God may empower us to give in other ways – 1 Peter 4:10-11
a. Our talents to teach or serve
b. Our time can be a great gift
3. Whatever our abilities and opportunities…
a. We are stewards of the manifold grace of God
b. We should minister our gifts to one another
c. We should do so with the ability God supplies
4. However you give, let it truly reflect God’s grace in you!
B. PLANNED GIVING LEADS TO CHEERFUL GIVING
1. Purposeful giving is the key to giving cheerfully – cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7
2. One is less likely to give ‘grudgingly or of necessity’
a. Because they have already set aside what they want to give
b They are not caught off guard when someone asks them to give
3. This is how Paul instructed the Corinthians in their giving
a. To lay by in store on the first day of the week – cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
b. To prepare their gift beforehand, so the resources were ready – 2 Corinthians 9:5
4. An early Christian apologist, Aristides, wrote of how even slaves were able to give cheerfully through purposeful planning: “And if there is any that is a slave or a poor man, they fast two or three days and what they were going to set before themselves they send to them (Christians in prison), considering themselves to give good cheer even as they were called to give good cheer.” – Apology 15
5. So plan your giving if you wish to give cheerfully!
Conclusion
1. Remember that the purpose of any spiritual discipline is to:
a. Help us grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ
b. Become more like Christ as we grow in godliness
2. The discipline of giving certainly helps to fulfill such a goal:
a. For God gave His only begotten Son – John 3:16
b. And Jesus gave Himself – Matthew 20:28
3. Likewise the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord first, and then to others
4. As we exercise ourselves to godliness through prayer, meditation, fasting, singing, and fellowship, may we also be sure to add the grace of giving – 2 Corinthians 8:5
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Discipline of Fellowship
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Introduction
1. Thus far in our series of study of spiritual disciplines we have looked at
a. Prayer – especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
b. Meditation – contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
c. Fasting – a means of humbling one’s self before God when joined with sincere prayer
d. Singing – which edifies the singer as well as praises God
2. Let’s now take a look at the spiritual discipline of fellowship
a. The Greek is koinonia and means “to share in, fellowship with, participation”
b. The early church continued “steadfastly in…fellowship” – Acts 2:42
3. The idea is that Christians did things together
a. They assembled together for worship
b. They spent time together in such activities as prayer, singing, etc.
c. They valued the time together as something beneficial
4. To grow spiritually, we need to exercise ourselves unto godliness (1 Timothy 4:7), and fellowship with other Christians is an important spiritual exercise.
Body
I. THE NEED FOR FELLOWSHIP
A. THE PROBLEM OF SELF-CENTEREDNESS
1. Many Christians do not value their time with other Christians
2. As evidenced by their:
a. Sporadic attendance of regular worship opportunities
b. Failure to visit and support gospel meetings elsewhere
c. Lack of interest in home Bible studies
d. Unwillingness to extend or accept offers of hospitality
3. The main reason is the problem of self-centeredness
a. Interested only in things pertaining to themselves
b. With little concern for the needs of others
B. THE REASON FOR SELF-CENTEREDNESS
1. Many of us lived through the “Me Decade”
a. The 1970’s, distinguished by self-centered attitudes and self-indulgent behavior
b. A time in which there was
1) A rapid rise of crime against others – rape, theft, assault, murder
2) An increased use of drugs and alcohol as a way of escape
3) A turn to philosophies and religions which involve preoccupation with self:
a) “Looking Out For #1”
b) Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Yoga
4) An emphasis on consumerism and materialistic gain
c. A decade followed by the “Greed Decade” (the 1980’s)
2. Cultural trends today have produced many self-centered people
a. We live in a highly mobile society
1) New families move in, and others move away
2) Many live great distances from the place of worship and from each other
b. Technology designed to bring us closer together, can easily move us apart
1) Phones, email, etc., greatly increase our ability to communicate
2) But we can become stretched out so thin through such technology that we do not develop meaningful relationships
3. The problems of self-centeredness and isolation can be greatly reduced through the spiritual discipline of fellowship.
II. THE PRACTICE OF FELLOWSHIP
A. THROUGH ASSEMBLIES OF THE CHURCH
1. We assemble regularly to exhort one another – Hebrews 10:24-25
2. This we do through worship services and Bible classes
3. Each time we assemble, we have fellowship with one another
4. A main goal in such assemblies is mutual edification – 1 Corinthians 14:26
B. THROUGH VISITING OTHER BRETHREN
1. Area churches often have special events like gospel meetings
2. This provides the opportunity for fellowship with brethren in other places – Philippians 1:5
III. THE BENEFIT OF FELLOWSHIP
A. TO FULFILL OUR DUTIES TO ONE ANOTHER
1. To have a care for one another – 1 Corinthians 12:26
2. To teach and admonish one another – Colossians 3:16
3. To serve one another in love – Galatians 5:13
4. To pray for one another – James 5:16
5. To restore one another – James 5:19-20
6. To be hospitable to one another – 1 Peter 4:9
B. TO RECEIVE HELP FROM ONE ANOTHER
1. We need encouragement to remain faithful – Hebrews 3:12-14
2. We need comfort in times of tribulation – 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
a. Note that comfort comes from two sources: from God and each another
b. Thus God comforts both directly and indirectly
Conclusion
1. As we think of the various “Disciplines For The Disciple”
a. Let us not limit such spiritual exercises that can be done alone
b. Let us also value spiritual exercises that we can do together
2. In our desire to exercise ourselves unto godliness
a. Beware of the danger of self-centeredness and isolation
b. Be aware of the value of assembling together in our churches and in our homes
3. Through such fellowship with other Christians, along with private prayer, meditation, fasting, and singing, we will grow in grace and godliness as disciples of Christ.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Discipline of Singing
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Introduction
1. Our study of spiritual disciplines have so far examined such spiritual exercises as
a. Prayer – especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
b. Meditation – contemplating God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
c. Fasting – as a means of humbling one’s self before God, especially when joined with prayer
2. Another discipline in which we engage regularly is singing
a. We spend nearly a third of our assemblies engaged in this activity
b. Rightly so, for it has the potential of reaping great spiritual benefits
3. But I wonder if some do not appreciate the value of singing
a. Many Christians sing with virtually no emotion, some do not sing at all!
b. I have known Christians, who
1) Complained because time available for classes was taken up by singing a few hymns
2) Will not attend a worship service if they know it will be devoted to singing
4. Singing as a spiritual discipline is of great value, and should be a habit engaged by those who desire to grow in godliness.
Body
I. THE PURPOSE OF SINGING
A. TO PRAISE THE LORD (UPWARD)
1. This is the most common concept of the purpose of singing
a. Indeed, this is certainly the idea inherent in the word ‘hymn’
b. Which comes from the Greek word humnos, “a song in praise of”
2. The Psalms call upon us to praise God in song
a. “Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” – Psalm 30:4
b. “Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.” – Psalm 47:6-7
c. “Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.” – Psalm 95:1
d. “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.” – Psalm 96:1
e. “Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” – Psalm 96:2
3. Praising God in song should be a natural for Christians!
a. David reacted this way to the blessings of God – Psalm 28:6-7; 59:16-17
b. Christians are taught to sing praises when joyful – James 5:13
c. Paul and Silas even reacted to persecution by singing praises – Acts 16:25
B. TO TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER (OUTWARD)
1. Singing is not always directed toward God
a. Certainly, many songs are
b. But songs are often directed to each other – cf. Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19
2. That’s because many songs are designed to teach one another
a. Teaching and admonishing us to live properly, to enjoy the blessings of the Christian life
b. It might even be said that ‘congregational singing’ is actually ‘congregational teaching’!
C. TO BE FILLED AND ENRICHED (INWARD)
1. David wrote of the personal benefit of singing praises
a. It made his lips and soul to greatly rejoice – Psalm 71:23
b. He found it to be pleasant and beautiful – Psalm 147:1
2. Singing can be a means to being filled with the Spirit
a. Paul charged the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit – Ephesians 5:18
b. He explained how: by singing and making melody in one’s heart to the Lord – Ephesians 5:19
3. Singing can be a means to being enriched by the Word of Christ
a. Paul charged the Colossians to let the Word of Christ dwell in them richly – Colossians 3:16a
b. Again he explains: by singing with grace in one’s heart to the Lord – Co 3:16b
D. Singing is a wonderful spiritual discipline that blesses God, those who hear us and even us as we sing. How can we get more out this spiritual discipline?
II. THE PRACTICE OF SINGING
A. ENGAGE THE MIND AS YOU SING
1. Remember, singing is teaching and admonishing one another
2. This assumes that we understand what we sing – cf. 1 Corinthians 14:15
3. We must be careful that our enjoyment of singing is not like how many people enjoy their popular music (i.e., liking the music without necessarily understanding the words)
B. ENGAGE THE HEART AS YOU SING
1. When we sing, we must do so
a. “with grace in your hearts” – Colossians 3:16
b. “making melody in your heart” – Ephesians 5:19
2. This assumes that we involve our ‘heart strings’ (emotions) as we sing!
3. To sing without emotion (without grace in our hearts)
a. Is hypocritical, and condemned by Jesus! – Matthew 15:7-8
b. Will be evident in our countenances! – cf. Proverbs 15:13
C. EXPAND THE SPHERE OF YOUR SINGING
1. Is your singing limited just to the public assemblies, on the first day of the week?
2. Singing, like prayer, ought to be spontaneous, arising whenever the circumstances call for it – cf. Acts 16:25; Psalm 34:1-3
3. Take advantage of special opportunities to sing, such as monthly and annual singings
4. As a spiritual exercise, it should be done in private devotions as well as in public worship
a. Sing while you work, travel, or alone in your private meditations
b. Make use of hymns on tapes or CDs when traveling or meditating
Conclusion
1. David exemplifies the attitude of one who exercises himself through the discipline of singing
a. “I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” – Psalm 13:6
b. “I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.” – Psalm 57:9
c. “I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.” – Psalm 104:33
2. He likewise calls upon us to sing praises both in public and in private
a. “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise in the assembly of saints.” – Psalm 149:1
b. “Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds.” – Psalm 149:5
3. As we seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness (2 Timothy 4:7), consider the discipline of singing as an appropriate complement to other spiritual activities such as prayer, meditation, and fasting
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Discipline of Fasting
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Introduction – Prayer – Meditation – Fasting – Singing – Fellowship – Giving
Introduction
1. For 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, fasting, singing, giving, etc.
2. Previous studies examined the disciplines of
a. Prayer – especially the value of secret, simple, and steadfast prayer
b. Meditation – contemplating on God, His works, His words, and things worthy of virtue
3. A discipline closely tied to prayer in the Scriptures is that of fasting
a. Practiced by men of God – Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 1:4; Daniel 9:3; Matthew 4:2
b. Observed by the early church – Acts 13:1-3; 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:5; 11:27
4. But some questions may come to mind
a. What exactly is fasting?
b. Why would Christians fast?
c. When would Christians fast?
d. How should Christians fast?
Body
I. FASTING IN THE BIBLE
A. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Only one fast was commanded in the Law of Moses – Leviticus 16:29
a. The phrase “afflict your soul” refers to fasting – cf. Psalm 69:10
b. Note also Acts 27:9 (where the Fast refers to the Day of Atonement)
2. But the Israelites (and others) fasted on many other occasions
a. In war, or at the threat of it – Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6
b. When loved ones were sick – 2 Samuel 12:16-23; Psalm 35:11-13
c. When loved ones died – 1 Samuel 31:13; 1 Chronicles 10:12; 2 Samuel 1:12
d. When they sought God’s forgiveness – Jon 3:4-10; Daniel 9:3-5;
e. When faced with impending danger – Ezra 8:21; Nehemiah 1:4; Esther 4:3,16
f. To commemorate certain calamities – cf. Zecariah 7:3; 8:19
3. The purpose of fasting
a. Some fasting was a natural reaction to grief over the loss of a loved one
b. More often, fasting was done purposely to afflict the soul – Leviticus 23:27-29
c. The purpose was to “humble” or “chasten” the soul – Psalm 35:13; 69:10
d. By humbling themselves, they hoped to incur God’s favor – Ezra 8:21-23
e. Because they sought God’s favor, fasting usually was accompanied with prayer
4. The nature of fasting
a. Fasting generally involved abstaining from food but not water
b. Sometimes the fast was partial – a restriction of diet, not total abstention – Daniel 10:2-3
c. On rare occasions there was the absolute fast – Esther 4:16; Acts 9:9
d. The absolute fasts of Moses and Elijah must have been miraculous – Deuteronomy 9:9; 1 Kings 19:8
5. The length of fasting
a. A fast was often for one day, from sunrise to sunset, and after sundown food would be taken – Judges 20:26; 2 Samuel 1:12; 3:35
b. A fast might be for one night (hence the term, “breakfast”) – Daniel 6:18
c. The fast of Esther continued for three days, day and night, which seems to have been a special case – Esther 4:16
d. At Saul’s burial, the fast by Jabesh-Gilead was seven days – 1 Samuel 31:13e. David fasted seven days when his child was ill – 2 Samuel 12:16-18
f. The longest fasts were the forty day fasts by Moses, Elijah, and Jesus – Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9; 1 Kin 19:8; Matthew 4:2; Luke 4:2
6. Warnings regarding fasting
a. Fasting can easily turn into an external show and ceremonial ritualism
b. When it did, God and His prophets spoke out against it – Isaiah 58:1-9
— Though subject to abuse, fasting played an important role in the life of Israel
B. FASTING IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1. In the life of Jesus
a. He fasted forty days in the wilderness – Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 4:1-2
b. He taught concerning fasting in His sermon on the mount – Matthew 6:16-18
c. He implied His disciples would fast after His death – Mark 2:18-20; Luke 5:33
d. He spoke of the combined power of fasting and prayer – Matthew 17:14-21
2. In the life of the early church
a. Members of the church at Antioch served the Lord with fasting-Ac 13:1-2
b. Elders were appointed in the churches of Galatia with fasting-Acts 14:21f
3. In the life of Paul
a. He fasted prior to his baptism – Acts 9:9
b. He fasted as part of his ministry – 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 11:23-28
c. He described how fasting might be appropriate for others – 1 Corinthians 7:5
4. In the lives of others
a. Anna – Luke 2:36-37
b. Cornelius – Acts 10:30-31
— Through both precept and example, the New Testament has much to say about fasting. Both Jews and Gentiles, Christians and non-Christians, practiced the spiritual discipline of fasting in Bible times. Should Christians fast today? I believe there is a place for fasting today
II. WHY WOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. PEOPLE FAST TODAY FOR VARIOUS REASONS
1. Some purposefully, for health reasons
2. Some without thinking, in times of grief and sorrow
3. Others, in an effort to gain some kind of self-control
— But these are not reasons Christian should fast in their service to God – Colossians 2:20-23
B. CHRISTIANS SHOULD FAST TO SEEK GOD’S HELP
1. This is consistent with the majority of fasting in the OT
a. In times of war or at the threat of it (Israel)
b. When loved ones were sick (David)
c. When seeking God’s forgiveness (Ahab, Daniel)
d. When seeking God’s protection (Ezra)
2. This is consistent with the examples of fasting in the NT
a. When dealing with temptations (Jesus)
b. When serving the Lord (Antioch)
c. When beginning a work for the Lord (Antioch)
d. When selecting and appointing elders (Galatia)
— There is certainly apostolic example for Christians to fast today
III. WHEN WOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE GOD’S HELP
1. These may be occasions on an individual level
a. When faced with difficult temptations
b. When faced with the serious illness of a loved one
2. These occasions might be on a congregational level
a. As when appointing elders
b. As when sending out missionaries
— Not as some ceremonious ritual, but when appropriate for the occasion
B. WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES CALL FOR MUCH PRAYER
1. Is not God more likely to answer our prayers if we are persistent? – Luke 18:1-8
2. Is not God more likely to respond if we fast in the proper manner? – Matthew 6:17-18
— This may be why fasting is frequently joined with prayer in the Scriptures. Whenever there are matters requiring much prayer, fasting along with prayer is appropriate.
IV. HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS FAST?
A. SOME BIBLICAL WARNINGS
1. Not to be seen of men – Matthew 6:16-18
2. Not as some regular ritual – cf. Matthew 9:14-17
3. Not without true repentance – cf. Isaiah 58:3-9
— To be effective, fasting must take such warnings seriously
B. SOME PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
1. Don’t fast just because it sounds like a neat thing to do
a. Take the subject seriously
b. Fast only when the occasion is a serious one
c. One in which you deeply desire God’s help
2. If you have never fasted before
a. Start slow, fasting only for brief periods of time
b. End slow, gradually breaking your fast with fresh fruits and vegetables in small amounts
3. Fast when you have time to spend in prayerful meditation
a. Remember the purpose for fasting
1) To humble oneself in God’s sight
2) To seek favorable answer for some important plea
b. Thus fast when you have time
1) To pray
2) To meditate
c. Remember fasting can be:
1) Partial abstention from food, not necessarily complete
2) Just for one day or night, not necessarily for days and nights
— Fasting is not an end, but a means to an end; a way to humble oneself before God
Conclusion
1. Views about fasting have often been extreme
a. “Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason, and others have utterly disregarded it.” – John Wesley
b. Some consider fasting unnecessary, therefore to be ignored; others think fasting is to be bound as a matter of faith (like baptism)
c. For the Christian, fasting is left primarily to individual discretion
2. When properly understood, fasting can be a valuable spiritual discipline
a. A way to humble oneself before God
b. When joined with prayer, a way to solicit God’s help
c. As we seek to exercise ourselves unto godliness (2 Timothy 4:7), consider the practice of fasting as an appropriate complement to prayer and meditation
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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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 – 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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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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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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The Husband’s Duties – Ephesians 05:25-29
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Text: Ephesians 5:25-29
Introduction
1. Our previous lesson argued that marriage is not an institution
a. Created and designed by man or the state
b. Subject to alteration by societal whims
2. But rather, that marriage is a sacred institution
a. Instituted by God in the beginning
b. Regulated by Jesus and His apostles in the Word of God
c. Reserved for sexual intimacy between a man and a women
3. Indeed, marriage is a successful institution
a. When we follow the Biblical injunctions concerning it
b. When members of the family fulfill their proper roles
c. Preventing marriage and family from becoming an emotional and psychological straitjacket, the proverbial ball and chain, and source of much strife and hurt in one’s life
4. What are those Biblical injunctions concerning the proper roles?
Body
I. LOVE YOUR WIVES!
A. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES
1. As Christ loved the church – Ephesians 5:25-27
a. He gave Himself for the church!
b. He nourishes and cherishes the church!
2. As they love their own bodies – Ephesians 5:28-29
a. Which they nourish and cherish
b. Which they handle with care
3. Free from bitterness – Colossians 3:19
a. That is, resentment or hate
b. Often accompanied with wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking – Ephesians 4:31
B. HUSBANDS ARE TO LOVE THEIR WIVES
1. With “agape” love (active good will)
a. Which is commanded – Ephesians 5:25
b. Which is defined – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
c. The same sort of love we are to have toward God and all men
2. With “phileo” love (sentimental, affectionate)
a. As one would have for his own body – Ephesians 5:29
b. As parents would have for their children – Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:7
3. With “eros” love (sexual)
a. Joining together as one flesh – Ephesians 5:31
b. Providing physical attention and affection due the wife – 1 Corinthians 7:2-5
4. Husbands have a duty to love their wives in every way!
II. RESPECT YOUR WIVES!
A. BY HOW YOU TREAT THEM
1. With understanding – 1 Peter 3:7
a. In an understanding way – 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
b. Be considerate – 1 Peter 3:7 NIV
c. Learn what makes her “tick”, and treat her accordingly
2. With honor – 1 Peter 3:7
a. Praise her in the gates – Proverbs 31:28
b. Put her on a pedestal
c. Do not ridicule her publicly
3. As to the weaker vessel – 1 Peter 3:7
a. Not that your wife may actually be the weaker vessel
b. Many wives are spiritually stronger, some physically stronger
c. But treat her “as” a weaker vessel (treat her like china, not steel)
B. BY HOW YOU VIEW THEM
1. As a fellow heir of the grace of life – 1 Peter 3:7
a. For whom Christ died
b. A beloved sister in Christ, worthy of respect
c. With whom you hope to spend eternity
2. As one who affects the efficacy of your prayers! – 1 Peter 3:7
a. How we treat others has a bearing on our prayers – Mark 11:26; Proverbs 21:13
b. God will not heed our prayers if we mistreat our wives! – Malachi 2:13-16
III. SUPPORT YOUR WIVES!
A. BY PROVIDING FOR THE FAMILY
1. The husband (and father) has the duty to provide for his family – 1 Timothy 5:8
2. Failure to do so is to deny the faith (the doctrine of Christ!) – ibid.
3. Unbelievers (and most creatures) provide for their own
4. A man should not take a wife unless he is willing and able to support her financially
B. BY LETTING HER CONTRIBUTE
1. The virtuous woman contributed much to the support of the family – Proverbs 31:16-19,24
2. A wise husband lets her contribute, and to be praised for it! – Proverbs 31:31
3. Of course, not to the neglect of her familial duties – Proverbs 31:21,27; 1 Timothy 5:14; Titus 2:4-5
Conclusion
1. The Christian husband is a man who
a. Loves his wife in every way
b. Respects his wife by how he treats her and views her
c. Supports his wife financially, emotionally, and spiritually
2. This is because the Christian husband is a man who
a. Is a Christian first, and a husband second
b. Gladly accepts the Biblical injunctions given to him as a husband
c. Looks to the Word of God and prayer for the strength he needs to fulfill his duty
3. When a man is a Christian husband
a. He is more likely loved and respected by his wife
b. She is more likely the sort of wife she should be
c. The children are more likely as they should be
4. In our next lesson, we shall consider the duties of wives.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Abortion – Proverbs 06:17
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(Abortion Sermons presented in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013)
Text: Proverbs 6:17
Introduction
1. Illustration
A Florida man was fined $108,800.00 for poaching 1088 turtle eggs froma Florida State Park. The public defender argued that a turtle isn’t a turtle until it hatches. The prosecutor affirmed that though they had not hatched, they were still turtles. The judge agreed with the prosecutor.
Too bad babies don’t hatch! Swipe 1000 turtle eggs and get fined $1,000 for each egg. Kill 1000 babies and be rewarded with tax money and be lauded as a champion of reproductive freedom!
2. Abortion is one of the most controversial moral dilemmas of our day.
3. Abortion affect millions of Americans. Social scientists today estimate that abortion is the most frequently performed surgery on adults in America.
4. In fact, one out of three babies conceived in the United States is deliberately aborted, and since 1973, 40 million babies have been aborted in the U.S.
5. However, the question that should concern us most about this issue is whether or not this action is moral. Does God approve or disapprove of abortion?
Body
I. A Brief History Of Abortion
A. Contrary to what many may believe, the debate over abortion is not a recent phenomenon.
B. Many cultures (Assyrian, Babylonian, Sumerian, Hittite) considered abortion a serious crime.
C. A portion of the Hippocratic Oath stated, “I will not give a woman a pessary to produce an abortion.”
D. However, Plato and Aristotle thought that deformed children should be exposed and left to die.
E. Closer to the time of Christ, Josephus wrote against abortion saying, “The Law commanded to raise all children and prohibited women from aborting or destroying seed; a woman who does so shall be judged a murderess of children”
F. The Didache said, “Do not murder a child by abortion or kill a newborn infant.”
G. Athenagoras, a second century Christian, wrote to the emperor, Marcus Aurelius, saying, “We say that women who induce abortions are murderers, and will have to give an account of it to God…The fetus in the womb is a living being and therefore the object of God’s care.”
H. Augustine, a 4th century “Church Father” criticized husbands and wives for “preferring that their offspring die before it lives, or if it was already alive in the womb, to kill it before it was born.”
I. In the U.S., laws against abortion were in effect until 1967, when a few states began to liberalize their laws. By the end of 1970, 18 states had passed laws that allowed abortion in “exceptional circumstances.” However, on January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court handed down its Roe-v-Wade decision, which permitted abortion on demand.
II. Abortion Methods
A. Below is a listing of the methods used by doctors to perform abortions. I won’t spend time discussing these methods, but wanted to present them to you so that you can read and better understand what is involved in an abortion.
B. Dilation and Curettage or “D&C.”
C. Suction Aspiration – used in 80% of abortions.
D. Saline Injection or salt poisoning.
E. Prostagandin.
F. Hysterotomy.
G. Dilation and Extraction or “Partial Birth Abortion.”
III. What Does The Word Of God Say About Abortion?
A. The Bible, in principle addresses all our needs and answers all our moral questions.
B. (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
C. First of all, life is valuable.
1. (Genesis 1:26-31).
2. (Exodus 20:13; Matthew 5:21-22).
D. Second, life begins at conception.
1. Doctors testify to this fact:
a. Ashley Montague, Professor at Harvard & Rutgers (who is not at all sympathetic to the pro-life cause) – “The basic fact is simple: life begins not at birth, but conception.”
b. Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who has performed over 60,000 abortions -“Modern technologies have convinced us that beyond question, the unborn child is simply another human being, another member of the human community, indistinguishable in every way from any of us.”
2. The Scriptures testify to this fact:
a. (Jeremiah 1:5).
b. (Psalm 139:13-16).
c. (Luke 1:41,44).
d. (Job 3:11).
e. (Exodus 21:22-23).
f. (Proverbs 6:17).
IV. Pro-Abortion Rhetoric
A. “Every woman has a right to control her own body.”
1. “Every woman” – half the babies aborted are female.
2. “Has a right” – society does not recognize absolute right over one’s body (e.g. public nudity, drunkenness, etc.).
3. “To control” – control could have prevented the pregnancy.
4. “Her own body” – pregnancy involves two bodies.
B. “Abortion is every woman’s legal right.”
1. Legal rights and moral/biblical rights are not always the same (Acts 5:29).
C. “The fetus is mere tissue and not a person.”
D. “Abortion is the best solution to a crisis pregnancy.”
1. What if Mary, the mother of Jesus, had embraced such a view?
2. Abortions involving rape and incest comprise only 1% of all abortions performed, and while I do not wish to minimize the trauma of such situations, harming an innocent person is not the proper response.
V. What Can We Do About The Moral Problem Of Abortion?
A. Show compassion.
1. It’s not a sin to have a baby outside of marriage, it is a sin to have sex outside of marriage.
2. We must condemn sin but lovingly help and support those who have committed sin and help them to bear up under the consequences.
B. We need to speak out what God’s word says.
1. We can’t expect people to live godly lives who do not know what godliness entails.
C. Social involvement and support of pro-life organizations.
D. Vote.
E. Pray (James 5:16).
Conclusion:
1. People may and probably will continue to argue about this issue.
2. Nevertheless, God has shown us that life is precious and he is highly offended when we harm his little ones (Proverbs 6:17; Matthew 18:3-5; 19:14).
3. Friends, make yourself a voice for the voiceless, and defend the innocent and helpless. You know your Lord would.
What Was I Supposed To Be?
As Jesus walked upon the earth, on the shores of Galilee, He’d say to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me.”
I wonder if up in heaven, do you suppose you’ll see, Little children asking, “What was I supposed to be?” “What was I supposed to be?”
“What were my eyes supposed to see?” “Why did I taste of death, Before I even drew a breath, Or lay my head on my mother’s breast to sleep?”
“Oh, Jesus, what was I supposed to be?” “Was I to be a prophet used in the ministry?”
“A doctor who would find a cure, for some terrible disease?”
“Even if I had been born imperfect why couldn’t my parents see ‘d have been made perfect, when you came back for me?”
“Oh Jesus, what was I supposed to be?” “Jesus, What was I supposed to be?”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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