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Ready to Give an Answer
Why? Why? Why? Are You Ready to Give an Answer?
Lots of questions
Today campers are arriving at Fort Hill camp. Soon the entire campground will be full of kids. Those kins will be full of energy and… questions. There will be lots and lots of questions! As parents, we all hear “Why?” many times throughout the course of the day. After the seventh or eighth time, perhaps the asker may finally be satisfied with the answer. There are a lot of routine questions that can be expected to be heard this week:
- Is it our turn yet?
- What are we doing next?
- Can you take me to the bathroom?
However, there is one particular question we will be addressing this week that is not routine. Perhaps this is one question you will encounter too:
- Does God exist?
Give an answer from God’s Word
Just as counselors must be prepared to answer campers’ questions, Christians need to be prepared to answer the world’s questions. Peter wrote, “…always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15)…”
While we are answering campers’ questions this week, perhaps you will be answering questions of others. We need to be abel to give a reason for the hope that is in us as we address spiritual questions:
- Why are you a Christian?
- Why do you attend worship on Sunday?
- Why do you live the way you do?
Are you ready to give an answer from God’s Word? If not, can we study together and become better prepared?
Content by Richard Dillon
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Being Prepared in 2014 – audio
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As the new year begins, many people have made new year’s resolutions.
Have you made yours? As children of God, there may be some things we could do better. Consider our text: 1 Peter 3:15-17. Let’s focus on three things that Peter encourages Christians to do.
Be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15).
Peter encourages Christians to show why we believe what we believe! Many times we are asked about our faith, but how often can we steer someone to the right place in God’s Word for an answer?
When Jesus was faced with temptation by the devil, he often said, “It is written (Luke 4:4-12).” He knew what His Father wanted Him to do, and so should we!
Paul taught Timothy the importance of studying God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), which we can all do better this year.
Peter teaches us to “desire the pure milk of the word, that we may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2).”
Have a good conscience (1 Peter 3:16).
The Hebrew writer wanted to have a good conscience, and asked others to pray for him in that regard (Hebrews 13:18-19). It should be our goal to have a clear conscience before God and live honorably before Him.
Be prepared to suffer for doing good (1 Peter 3:17).
Jesus Christ is the perfect example for suffering for good. Many people persecuted Him, and He even died on the cross for our sins. If we are to follow Him, we need to be prepared to stand up for the truth when others oppose us.
Paul taught the Philippians, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29).” Similarly, Paul told Timothy: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).”
We know that this coming year will bring tests of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us be prepared to give an answer for our faith, stand before God with a good conscience, and even suffer for doing good when necessary. May God bless us all as we serve Him this year!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Questions and Answers 2012-07-29 – audio
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I. Question One – Is it ok to wear shorts “to church”?
A. To a large extent, it is a matter of preference.
1. The way members dress is often determined by climate and culture.
2. In the churches I attended in Tennessee, you would NEVER see someone wear shorts to worship.
3. However, in other places (I am told Florida is one case) shorts are common.
4. At church camp, I attended worship services in shorts because of the heat.
B. We need to be modest.
1. We looked at this in detail just recently.
2. No matter where we are (In worship or out) we need to be modest.
3. Short shorts are not modest.
4. A good guideline would be knee length.
C. We need to be respectful.
1. We must show respect toward God.
a) When we come to worship we are coming to pay homage to our Creator and Savior.
b) We ought to show proper respect.
c) Can we do that in shorts?
(1) Some would say, “No.”
(2) Some would say, “Sure.”
d) Other than modesty and respect, no dress code is given.
2. We must show respect toward our brethren.
a) Some brethren may have a problem with shorts.
b) Especially for men who may be leading in part of the service… shorts could be distracting.
(1) Many of you know that at our church picnics I always wear pants when I preach.
(2) At church camp, if I am speaking or leading in the service in some other way, I wear pants.
c) When I was younger, attending a small church in Gahanna, I use to wear shorts even when leading in the service. No one ever said a word to me about it but one day, at a men’s business meeting, I asked if my shorts were appropriate and one of the men spoke up and said that he didn’t like it. I never have worn shorts to service since.
d) 1 Corinthians 8:13. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
II. Question Two – What about other non-denominations?
A. This question was put into the box after the sermon a couple of weeks ago on the exclusivity of the church.
1. In that sermon we noticed that the “Church of Christ” is the church that we read about in the Bible and that it is NOT made up of various worldly denominations.
2. We noticed six identifying marks of the church of the Bible.
a) Authority.
b) Music.
c) One church.
d) Organization.
e) Titles.
f) Baptism.
B. The question is asking if “non-denominational” churches are the church of Christ.
1. The answer to that is that there are so many different non-denominational groups out there that you have to look at each one individually.
2. I chose one “non-denominational” church from the area and looked at their website.
3. It is the “Church in Aurora.”
4. Here is what I found.
a) Authority – believe that the Holy Spirit is still leading in a miraculous way and is even responsible for the division that exists among various religious bodies.
b) Organization – They have a Senior Pastor instead of a scriptural plurality of pastors.
(1) A picture of their Pastor shows him in his full ceremonial attire.
(2) “Representing Community Churches he is: a voting delegate to the National Council of Churches, a Judicatory Executive with the Ohio Council of Churches and the Treasurer for the Aurora Clergy Association.”
(3) Under “Governing Body” it says this. “Voting membership of the Church Board shall include the Moderator, Associate Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer; one member from each of the Elders, Trustees, Stewardship Directors, Christian Education Committee, Fellowship Committee, Membership Committee, Mission Directors, Endowment Fund Directors, and Women’s Guild; and two members from Deacons, one man and one woman. The Associate Treasurer shall vote in the absence of the Treasurer. Each committee shall select its representative(S) to the Board.”
(4) Looking at a list of their elders, three women are listed.
c) Music.
(1) They have instrumental music.
(2) They have choirs.
d) Baptism is “in the mode desired” by the one being baptized. In other words, it could be sprinkling or pouring.
e) Communion is to be taken when the leadership decides to take it.
C. It is obvious, that just because a church calls itself non-denominational… that does not mean that it is the church we read about in the Bible.
III. Question Three – Are there really three levels of hell?
A. The simple answer to this question is, “No.”
B. I’m not sure where the number “3” comes from.
C. Dante’s Inferno, a part of a 14th century epic poem was written by Dante Alighieri.
1. In this poem, Dante is led through on a journey through Hell by a Roman poet named Virgil.
2. In it, there is said to be nine levels of hell.
3. Basically, the lower you go, the worse it gets; with the Devil being at the center of the earth in the 9th level.
D. The Bible does not speak of levels of hell but it does hint at levels of punishment.
1. Luke 12:47-48. And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
2. 2 Peter 2:20-21. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
IV. Question Four – If Jesus knew that Judas Iscariot would betray Him, why did He choose Him as an apostle in the first place?
A. Some things we are just not told – Deuteronomy 29:29
B. However, let me suggest two possibilities…
1. In order to be tempted in all points like as we are, He had to be betrayed by a friend – Hebrews 4:15
2. Ultimately, He came to earth to be put to death. Judas’ betrayal was part of that plan.
a) Don’t forget… Jesus’ betrayal was prophesied beforehand.
b) Psalm 41:9. Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
c) John 13:18. “I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
V. Question Five – Can you go to heaven and in heaven can you go to hell?
(Not Discussed)
VI. Question Six – “Psalm 139:16. God knows our number of days before there was any… How can we possibly say – when a young person dies, or in fact anyone dies, that it is not God’s will?”
A. Psalm 139:13-16.
For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
B. Definitions.
1. Will – the thing that one desires or ordains.
2. Ordain – to order or decree something officially.
C. Two important questions.
1. Does foreknowledge of an event mean that one approves of that event?
2. Does the decision to not intervene to prevent an event mean that one approves of that event?
D. God’s foreknowledge of events does not mean that He desires it or has ordered it.
1. He foreknew that Adam and Eve would sin. 1 Peter 1:20. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
2. His will in this case was for them to be obedient and stay in fellowship with Him.
3. 2 Peter 3:9. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
4. 1 Timothy 2:4. Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
E. Does God’s failure to intervene mean that He desires that particular event to happen?
1. We need to understand God’s permissive will.
2. God made the decision before He ever created man that He would allow man the freedom to choose for Himself.
3. As a result, sin came into the world and death because of sin.
4. Sin and death are not God’s will.
5. To some extent, we even do this with our own children.
6. We step aside and allow them to do things that we know they are going to regret.
7. A good example of this is the story of Joseph.
a) Ultimately, everything that happened in Joseph’s life fulfilled God’s purpose.
b) But that doesn’t mean that God approved of the way that Joseph’s brothers treated him.
c) Neither did God approve of Potiphar’s wife’s deception.
d) However, God was able to use these bad things to bring about something good.
Delivered on: July 29, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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Questions and Answers 2010-07-25 – audio
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I. Question One – “Is it okay to listen to Christian music with instruments?”
A. Philippians 2:12.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
B. We know that instrumental music is wrong in a worship service.
C. Therefore, the question is really, “What constitutes worship?”
D. There are varying opinions:
1. Some say, “When I am listening to music on the radio, I am not worshipping. It is only for entertainment. Therefore, it isn’t wrong.”
2. On the other hand some feel, “If I am listening to a spiritual song that gets me thinking about God and even praising God, then, by definition, I am worshiping.”
E. I choose not to listen to spiritual songs that have instrumental accompaniment.
F. Others see nothing wrong with it.
G. One thing is sure… Romans 14:22-24.
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
H. This is not an issue where we should draw lines of fellowship.
II. Question Two – “Please explain Matthew 12:31-32. Is there an unforgivable sin?”
A. Matthew 12:31-32.
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.
B. In order to understand the passage properly, we have to consider the context. After all, it starts with the word, “Therefore…”
1. Matthew 12:22-35.
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
2. Jesus had just performed an undeniable miracle.
a) Biblical miracles were always undeniable.
b) It wasn’t like supposed miracle workers today who leave people in doubt.
3. In the face of this undeniable miracle, some were willing to ascribe the miracle to Satan.
a) This is much like what we read in Acts 4:16. Saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
b) Question: If one witnesses an undeniable miracle performed by the power of the Holy Spirit and then gives Satan the credit for that miracle; Is there anything that will convince that person? No!
4. Jesus was dealing with people whose hearts were hard! Matthew 12:34.
C. Is it possible to commit this sin today?
1. It is impossible to recreate the same circumstances today.
2. None of us have or will witness a genuine miracle.
3. So technically, it is not possible to commit this sin today.
4. However, even though there is no such thing as an unforgivable sin today; there is such a thing as unforgiven sin. The end result is the same!
III. Question Three – “When someone in the Bible believed and all his household; was it a matter of what the man said or were they doing what they were told?”
A. Acts 16:31-33.
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
B. In the above example…
1. The jailer was told that if he believed, he would be saved.
2. He was told that if his family believed, they would be saved in the same way.
3. Each individual member of the household was accountable for their own actions.
4. They were not saved by the actions of the jailer but as a result of their own faith and obedience.
5. Notice, all the household heard the word preached and all the household was baptized.
C. If there were ever a case where the head of the house was baptized and then commanded the rest of the family to be baptized whether they believed or not, then that would be wrong.
D. There is no reason to believe that this is what happened in Acts 16.
IV. Question Four – What constitutes “provoking them to wrath?”
“As parents we are to discipline our children. At times, when they get older, they try and challenge authority (of the parent). What constitutes “provoking them to wrath?”
A. Ephesians 6:4.
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
B. It helps us to understand the meaning of the word “wrath.”
1. There are two main words used in the New Testament to mean wrath. Thumos & Orge. Both mean wrath but there is a difference.
2. Thumos – More emotional than Orge. It is an outburst of wrath from inward indignation. Hot, spur of the moment anger.
3. Orge – suggests a more settled or abiding condition. It is less sudden in it’s rise but also lasts longer than Thumos. It means to exasperate.
4. The word in Ephesians 6:4 is parogidzo. It means literally “to anger alongside.”
a) It is a form of the noun orge.
b) Hence, it is the longer lasting, deep seated anger.
C. As parents we are to discipline our children.
1. When we discipline them we must do it in the correct way.
2. As fathers, we are to discipline them in such a way that they know we have their best interests at heart.
3. We should be calm, and communicative when we discipline.
4. “This is why I am upset with you. This is why I have to punish you. I don’t like having to punish you. Please, let’s try to get this straightened out so I don’t have to do it again.”
5. When we discipline them in anger, we often will incite anger in them as well.
6. The punishment needs to be fair.
7. If done correctly, our children will not resent us when we discipline them.
8. Certainly, they will not enjoy the punishment. But they will not hate us for trying to help them to be the type of person that they know they ought to be.
V. Question Five – “I was thinking about the catacombs and wondered; Do Christians have to be buried?”
A. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that a Christian has to be buried.
B. John 5:28-29.
Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
1. I have heard of some who believe that the above passage (and other like it) mean that we have to be buried in order to be resurrected.
2. As such they would not want to be cremated.
C. Consider this…
1. A body that has been buried for thousands of years basically just returns to dust.
2. In the first century, many Christians were burned at the stake because of the faith in Christ.
3. Other Christians over the years may have died in explosions.
4. Others may have died in shipwreck or been buried at sea.
D. Certainly, God will be able to handle such problems.
1. The bodies with which we will be raised, will be spiritual bodies anyway. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44. So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
VI. Question Six – “Denominations participate in fasting. Why do we not?”
A. Notice the following passages:
1. Matthew 6:16-18. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:5. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
3. Luke 5:35. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.
B. Though no fasts are commanded, the New Testament seems to take it for granted that children of God would see the need to fast occasionally.
1. Fasting can be beneficial in times of sorrow.
2. Fasting often accompanied repentance as an outward sign of genuine sorrow.
3. Fasting often accompanied important spiritual events.
a) Matthew 4:2.
b) Acts 13:2-3.
C. “Why do we not?”
1. If we are scripturally practicing fasting, you would not know it.
2. Matthew 6:17-18. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
D. Fasting is strictly a personal and voluntary action.
VII. Question Seven – “When Adam and Eve sinned, why didn’t God destroy them?”
A. God is our Creator.
1. He knew before He even created man that they would sin. 1 Peter 1:18-20. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you
2. It wouldn’t make any sense for Him to create man only to turn around and destroy him the first time He sinned.
3. Rather, He treated Adam and Eve like a Father.
B. He warned them of the consequences if they disobeyed. Genesis 2:17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.
C. Then He carried through with the punishment (Genesis 3:14-19).
Content by Ralph Price
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Questions and Answers 2010-06-27
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I. Question One – “Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? Or both?”
“A lot of my friends have been saying that Christianity is just a relationship with God. I understand that you need to go through the steps of salvation to be saved but they think you just need to pray, read the Bible, etc. So what I’m really asking is, “Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? Or both?”
A. First, we need to stress that everyone is in a relationship with God whether they realize it or not.
1. Matthew 12:30. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
2. One is either with God or against God. There is no middle ground.
3. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
4. Jesus said…
a) John 8:24. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
b) Luke 13:3. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
c) Matthew 10:32. “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
d) Mark 16:16. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
5. If we don’t believe or practice these things which Jesus commanded, do we love him? According to Jesus, we do not!
6. So is Christianity a relationship… I would say that it is a term that describes one’s relationship with God. If one is a Christian, then that one is in a RIGHT relationship with God.
B. Is Christianity a religion?
1. Religion – the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.
2. In the Bible, the word for “religion” as applied to Christianity is threskeia.
a) This word focuses on the external aspect of one’s faith.
b) How one expresses his faith.
c) James 1:26-27. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
3. So, yes, Christianity is a religion.
a) It is a belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power.
b) It is an outward expression of that belief in the way we behave.
II. Question Two – “Why did God make the earth?”
A. Wow! What a question!
B. The easiest answer is that God made the earth for us to live on! But I think the one who asked the question maybe wanted to know why God made Us.
C. Why did God make us?
1. Some things we can not know for sure.
2. We do know this. God is love. 1 John 4:8. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
a) Everything that God does issues forth from His love.
b) Therefore, I believe that God loved the idea of us.
c) God loved us before He created us.
d) Much like a man and a woman love the idea of having a child.
(1) Even before that child is conceived, they love the idea of it.
(2) Therefore, they decide to bring a child into existence.
e) Remember that God is described as our Father.
III. Question Three – “Why did God give us the Bible?”
A. God gave us the Bible as a guide. Psalm 119:105.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
B. We can’t read God’s mind, so he had to give us a book to tell us what He wants us to know. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
C. The Bible gives us everything we need to be pleasing to God.
1. 2 Peter 1:3. As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
IV. Question Four – “What constitutes worship?”
“Do we need to include the five acts that we do on Sunday for it to be true worship?”
A. The most basic definition of the word “worship” is “to show reverence and respect toward another.”
B. As the question states, God has authorized five ways in which we are to worship Him.
1. Singing. Ephesians 5:19.
2. Praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
3. Bible Study. Acts 20:7.
4. The Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
5. Giving as we have been prospered. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
C. By example, we know that Christians gathered together on the first day of the week to worship. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:18; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
D. However, only two of the acts of worship are LIMITED to the first day of the week.
1. Those two are giving and the Lord’s Supper.
2. We have plenty of examples of singing, praying, and Bible study being performed at other times.
a) Acts 16:25. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
b) 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Pray without ceasing.
E. No, I do not believe that all five acts of worship must be present for one to be worshiping God.
1. On Wednesday evenings when we gather together, study, sing, and pray, we are worshiping God.
2. However, on the first day of the week, we need to have all five acts of worship present to be pleasing to God.
V. Question Five – “A wife is to keep silent in church but ask her husband. If a husband understands or tells her something that is not correct is she lost because of what her husband tells her?”
A. The relevant passage is 1 Corinthians 14:26-35.
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
1. This passage teaches that a woman is to keep completely silent in the assembly.
2. She is not to utter a sound.
3. This would mean that it would be wrong for a woman to sing.
4. Furthermore, what if a woman did not have a husband? She would have no one to ask her questions!
5. We must ask, “Does is passage apply to us today?”
B. I have never attended an assembly like the one mentioned in the above passage.
1. I have never attended an assembly when someone spoke in a language they had never studied.
2. I have never observed on in the process of receiving a revelation.
3. I have never been to a service where there had to be an interpreter present who had the gift of interpretation.
4. Three classes of people are told to keep silent in this passage:
a) One who spoke in another tongue if there was not interpreter present.
b) A prophet who is speaking must be silent when another receives a revelation.
c) Women must keep silent.
5. Silent – sigao. To keep silent. To hold one’s peace.
6. This was an assembly different from any we will come across today.
7. These women who were told to ask their husbands questions at home would have been asking prophets! There was no need for them to worry about getting bad information.
C. Today, women are not commanded to be completely silent but to learn in submission. 1 Timothy 2:11.
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.
1. “Silence” – hesuchia. Quietness. Tranquility arising from within. Causing no disturbance to others. Meek.
2. Does not mean that they are not to utter a sound.
3. A woman is not forbidden to ask a question as long as she is not disrupting the service or taking control of the service in doing so.
4. Furthermore, a woman today has the Bible available to her. Not true for those to whom Paul was writing in 1 Corinthians 14.
VI. Question Six – “what verse specifically tells the wife to love her husband and what Greek word is used?”
“In the Father’s Day sermon you closed saying wives are to respect and love their husbands. Other than the general commands for Christians to agape one another, what verse specifically tells the wife to love her husband and what Greek word is used?”
A. The verse I was thinking of was Titus 2:3-4.
The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children…
B. The Greek word that is used is philandros.
1. Comes from the Greek word for love, phileo. Which means tender affection.
2. And from Andros which means man or husband (implied when “wife” is used in context).
VII. Question Seven – “Cursing is wrong. What about euphemisms?”
“Cursing is wrong. What about phrases that most of us use like, “Oh shoot,” “Son of a gun,” “Holy cow,” etc. How can these be ok when you are meaning the same thing just substituting another word?”
A. You have a good question.
B. These phrases are called “euphemisms.”
1. Euphemism – a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
2. If you look up the word “shoot” you will see that it is a euphemism for a certain four letter word that also starts with “sh.”
a) Now, the word “shoot” is not wrong when you are using it in any other way.
b) But if you are saying it as a substitute for that other “s” word, then it is wrong.
3. Look up “heck.”
4. Look up “son of a gun.”
5. “Golly”
6. “Darn”
7. “Freakin” (I won’t even say it.)
8. All of these words are merely substitutes for more harsh words.
C. As Christians, we ought to refrain from using euphemisms.
VIII. “Is it wrong for a Christian family to put up a nativity scene at Christmas?”
A. In my mind, the one thing that sets the church of Christ apart from false churches is it’s view of the authority of the Scriptures.
1. Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
2. We understand that we must have authority for those things we practice.
3. We understand that the silence of the Scriptures does not authorize.
B. The Bible nowhere authorizes Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus as a special holiday.
1. How can we claim to respect the authority of the Scriptures as a church but then promote a religious holiday that is not authorized?
2. This does not mean that we cannot celebrate Christmas as a simple national holiday.
3. But to attach religious significance to it is unauthorized.
C. Some claim to find authority in Romans 14:5-6.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.
1. It seems a stretch to me to apply this passage to Christmas.
2. Nevertheless, some feel that this passage authorizes them to pick a day to celebrate Jesus’ birth as long as they don’t bind it on other people.
D. Is it wrong to set up a nativity scene?
1. At the very best, I believe it is very unwise.
2. At the worst, it could be sin for promoting an unscriptural holiday.
Content by Ralph Price
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Questions and Answers 2010-05-30 – audio
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(audio is not great on this one)
I. Question One – Please discuss the withholding of physical intimacy in a marriage.
A. Sometimes, husbands or wives will withhold themselves from their spouse:
1. Because they are not getting along.
2. Because they want to punish their spouse.
B. 1 Corinthians 7:1-5.
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
C. Several things are made clear from this passage:
1. In order to avoid sexual immorality in a marriage, the husband is not to withhold himself from his wife and the wife is not to withhold herself from her husband.
2. God created us with certain desires which need to be fulfilled. If a husband or wife does not get that need fulfilled by their spouse, the temptation is always there to get it fulfilled in another way.
3. Verse 5 very plainly states that husband and wife are not to deprive one another. To do so is sin!
4. The only exception to this is if the withholding is done…
a) By mutual consent.
b) And the intervening time is filled with fasting and prayer.
II. Question Two – “The Bible tells us to come together on the first day of the week, so we meet on Sunday morning. Why does the church of Christ meet on Sunday night and Wednesday night too? Where did this come from or start?”
A. While we are told to meet on the first day of the week, we must also realize that we certainly are not limited to meeting only once a week.
B. When we look at the practice of the New Testament church, we see that they met daily.
1. Acts 2:46-47. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
2. Verse 47 makes it clear that “continuing daily” involved praising God and evidently teaching because the Lord was adding to the church daily.
3. While they may not have had a full fledged worship service every day, it is clear that they met and worked every day.
4. Wednesday night is simply a time to get together for Bible study and mutual edification.
C. Authority for Wednesday and two services on Sunday is also implied in the charge to elders.
1. Acts 20:28. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
2. 1 Peter 5:2. Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;
3. In both of these passages, elders are told to “shepherd” or “feed” the flock.
a) The food is the word of God.
(1) 1 Peter 2:2. As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
(2) Hebrews 5:12-14. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
b) In order to feed the flock, the elders have set aside certain times to gather together for Bible study.
c) We are obligated to submit to them. Hebrews 13:17. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
III. Question Three – “When was Sunday evening worship established in the church?”
A. Put simply, it was established in the first century.
B. Acts 20:7.
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
C. Evidence seems to suggest that the first century church met in the evenings more often than not.
IV. Question Four – “At what age group should a woman not be allowed to teach in the church? How do you justify the cut-off age scripturally?”
A. Our key passage is 1 Timothy 2:12.
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
B. A woman is not to teach over a man.
1. So the question is, “When does a boy change into a man?”
2. The Bible really doesn’t give us a specific age.
3. Therefore, it is left up to us (or the eldership if there is one) to decide on a policy.
C. One view is that after adolescence, a boy becomes a man.
1. This is more or less the policy followed by our eldership here (at Streetsboro).
2. We try to have men always teach the classes from junior high on up.
3. We have never had a woman teach any ages older than junior high unless the class was split into boys and girls and a woman would teach the girls.
4. Junior High is about right for when a boy enters puberty and begins to become a man physically.
5. Of course, the Jews counted the age of 12 to be when a boy became a man. This coincides with Junior High age.
V. Question Five – “Are members of denominational churches no better off spiritually than if they were not worshipping at all?”
A. Members of a denomination may have a better quality of life than someone who does not worship at all.
B. But in terms of salvation, we know that one must:
1. Hear, believe, confess, repent, and be baptized.
2. If a person is a member of a church that teaches otherwise, then how could they be better off?
3. We must also worship according to truth. John 4:24.
C. Simply being religious will not be enough to get one to heaven.
1. Matthew 7:21-23. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
2. Matthew 15:7-9. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘ These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
D. In some ways, people in man-made church are worse off because they have been convinced that they are alright.
VI. Question Six – “Why do we bow our heads when we pray?”
A. The Bible mentions several different postures in prayer.
1. Standing and kneeling.
2. While standing:
a) Arms upraised – 1 Kings 8:22
b) Head bowed – Luke 18:13
3. While kneeling:
a) Arms raised – 1 Kings 8:54
b) Prostrate – Matthew 26:39
B. Why do we often choose to say, “Please bow as we pray.”???
1. Luke 18:10-14.
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
2. The tax collector had a humble attitude and would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven.
3. Bowing our heads is a way of showing submission, humility, and respect.
VII. Question Seven – “Outside of worship services, can a Christian listen to contemporary Christian music with instruments?”
A. Philippians 2:12.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
B. We know that instrumental music is wrong in a worship service.
C. Therefore, the question is really, “What constitutes worship?”
D. There are varying opinions:
1. Some say, “When I am listening to music on the radio, I am not worshipping. It is only for entertainment. Therefore, it isn’t wrong.”
2. On the other hand some feel, “If I am listening to a spiritual song that gets me thinking about God and even praising God, then, by definition, I am worshipping.”
E. I choose not to listen to spiritual songs that have instrumental accompaniment.
F. Others see nothing wrong with it.
G. One thing is sure… Romans 14:22-24.
Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
H. This is not an issue where we should draw lines of fellowship.
VIII. Question Eight – “Is there any evidence in the Bible to suggest that it would be wrong to go to the beach and for a man to wear only swimming trunks and a woman to wear a two-piece swimsuit?”
A. This is a question about modesty.
B. 1 Timothy 2:9-10.
In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
1. Why is the command given to women?
2. Because men are affected a lot more by what women wear.
3. Men are stimulated visually.
4. Paul says that women are to dress in modest apparel.
a) So he is talking about what we wear.
b) We all know that it is wrong to go naked. Paul is not talking about that.
c) So think of it this way, if a two piece bathing suit is not immodest, what would be?
d) You can’t make it any more immodest. The next step is nudity.
e) If a 2 piece bathing suit is not immodest then nothing is.
C. What about men wearing only swimming trunks?
1. I am assuming we are talking about loose fitting, long shorts.
2. So the question is, “Is it wrong for a man to go shirtless?”
3. Definitely, the safest thing would be for a man to wear a shirt in the presence of women.
4. We need to think about the example we are setting.
5. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”
6. However, some would say that their going shirtless would not invoke lust on the part of any woman. Therefore, it is not wrong.
7. In my mind, this is an area where we all have to make a decision for ourselves and live with it.
IX. Question Nine – “What would Jesus or God think of what’s going on now?”
A. Hebrews 13:8.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
B. God still hates sin.
C. God still loves the sinner.
D. God still wants all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4.
Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
E. Perhaps, this question is asking, “Are things worse today then they have ever been?”
1. Certainly, sin is rampant and immorality is common.
2. However, I don’t think we’ve reached the conditions that existed at the time of the flood. Genesis 6:5. Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Content by Ralph Price
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What is Right and What is Wrong – Hebrews 5:12-14 – audio
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Text: Hebrews 5:12-14
Introduction
A. What is “spiritual maturity?” Able to have our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
B. We are to be able to prove or to determine the good, perfect and acceptable will of God – Romans 12:2
C. How?
Body
I. QUESTIONS AND BIBLICAL ANSWERS.
A. Is it condemned in the Bible? – Galatians 5:19-21; 2 John 9
B. Will it harm me spiritually? – Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:16-26
C. Will it harm me physically? – 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 7:1
D. Will it hurt others, causing them to go astray? – Romans 14:1-15:3; 1 Corinthians 8
E. Will it take too much of my time and money? – Luke 12:16-21; Ephesians 5:15-16
F. Will it hurt my influence for Christ and the church? – Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:12
G. Will it hurt my conscience? – Romans 14:21-23
H. If Christ was here, would He disapprove? – 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1
II. TWO THOUGHTS!
A. Sin is not hereditary.
1. Sin is of such a nature in its very meaning that it cannot be inherited.
2. Sin is something committed – 1 John 3:4; John 8:34
3. We neither inherit the act or the guilt of our parent’s sins.
4. We suffer the consequences of their sins – Exodus 20:4-5
5. We do not suffer the guilt of their sins – Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 18:1-4
B. Sin is no laughing matter.
1. Sin is rebellion, lawlessness, perversity, and failure.
2. It is a disease that needs curing.
3. It is a taskmaster that needs forsaking.
4. It is an insanity that needs healing.
5. It is a filth that needs cleansing.
6. It is a debt that needs paying.
7. It is a stain that needs removing.
8. It is a darkness that needs light.
Conclusion
A. An understanding of “what is sin” constitutes a strong argument against sinning.
B. Obey the Gospel of Christ – quit the sinning business – John 8:32
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Prayer Answers
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(How God Answers Prayer)
Introduction
1. In our study on prayer, we have examined
2. Why don’t people pray more often?
a. Perhaps they don’t believe their prayers are being answered
b. Not knowing how God answers, they may have lost faith in prayer
Body
I. Yes
A. God may answer yes
1. God often grants the petitions we ask of Him – Psalms 118:5; 138:3
2. Especially when we put Him first in our lives – Matthew 6:33; cf. Proverbs 3:5-10
B. For God to answer yes
1. We must ask according to His will – 1 John 5:14
2. We must be doing His will in our lives – 1 John 3:22
II. Yes, but not yet
A. God may answer yes, but wait
1. God may grant our request, but in time and according to His purpose – Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11
2. So we may think God is saying No, when He is really saying Yes, but wait – Luke 18:7
B. WHEN THE ANSWER SEEMS TO BE WAIT
1. We need to have patience – Hebrews 6:10-12
2. We need to keep asking, seeking, knocking – Luke 11:8-10
3. We need to remember God’s promise – Romans 8:24
III. Yes, but not as expected
A. God may answer yes, but not as you think
1. Sometimes God answers in a way differently than we may anticipate
2. Remember, His thoughts and methods are much different than ours – Isaiah 55:8, 9
3. For example, asking God for strength and perseverance
a. He may give us trials to bear – Philemon 1:29-30
b. Which in turn develops the virtues we prayed for! Romans 5:3-4
B. We must not limit God’s options
1. We should be careful and not dictate to God how to answer our prayers
a. There are forces at work beyond what we can imagine Ephesians 3:20
b. Plus, we do not always know what to pray for as we ought – Romans 8:26
2. Limit the how and we might limit the result; for example, when praying for the sick
a. Do we pray simply that God bless the use of natural means (doctors, medicine, etc.)?
b. If so, might we limit God as to how He might restore them? (in ways beyond what we are able to imagine)?
c. Is it not better to simply ask God to restore the sick, and leave the methods to Him?
IV. No
A. God may answer no
1. There may be times when God denies our requests – James 4:3
2. We must trust that God, who knows what is best, would do so only if granting our request might not be for our good – Hebrews 12:5-11
B. When God seems to say no
1. We may not fully understand, but we can still fully trust Him! – Habakkuk 3:17-19
2. Especially in light of the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. God will provide the grace and mercy to do without – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Conclusion
1. In at least four ways, then, God answers our prayers
a. Yes
b. Yes, but not yet
c. Yes, but not as expected
d. No
2. However God may choose to answer our prayers
a. We can have confidence that it will be for our good
b. We should never grow weary in praying to God
3. “The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer.” – Psalms 6:9
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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