Historical Posts
Take Comfort
In these unsettling times remember that God is alive and in control. Take comfort.
Nightmares can really be scary. Ask old king Nebuchadnezzar. On more than one occasion he was bothered by his night visions and could not take comfort. The fourth chapter of Daniel is a case in point. That night things were well in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar retired for the evening feeling very confident, but he awoke frightened and troubled. He had a dream about, of all things, a tree.
In his dream, a tree grew to great height. Its leaves were healthy and its fruit abundant. Birds built their nests in its branches, and the beasts of the field found comfort in its shadow. But, a divine messenger came down from heaven to demand that the tree be cut down and destroyed. Only the stump and roots were to remain. He could not take comfort in this. Why was this to be done? So that the living may know “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).
Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar. It seems the old king had gotten a little too big for his britches, and this was God’s way of letting him know he had crossed the line. That tree represented the king. He was about to be toppled. For seven years Nebuchadnezzar would dwell with the beasts of the field and eat grass as an ox. This would be true until he acknowledged that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:25). It was a not so subtle reminder that God was still in charge!
In these unsettling times we must not forget who is in charge. God is alive and still in control and we should take comfort from this. Once in a while it may look like the devil has gotten the upper hand, but it’s only temporary. Victory belongs to the redeemed! God has a way of dealing with those who have dealt Him out of the game. And, it’s not pleasant as Nebuchadnezzar was about to find out!
God is still in charge! Christians are on the winning team, so take comfort. Remember what John wrote: “…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4, 5).
Take comfort! HE is still in control, and all is well in the universe. Are you one of His? Have you accepted salvation in Christ?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Anxiety and Comfort for Christians – Audio
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Anxiety and Comfort for Christians
Christians Have Anxiety?
Someone has written that an average person’s anxiety is focused on a few major areas:
- 40% of anxiety concerns things that will never happen. No point in worrying about these!
- 30% of anxiety is about things that have happened in the past and can’t be changed.
- 12% of anxiety is over criticism by others. We have no control of others!
- 10% of anxiety is health oriented. Health gets worse when we are stressed and anxious!
- 8% of anxiety is related to real problems that we can be face and possibly address.
Christians Should Take Comfort, Not Have Anxiety.
Look at 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
These are some reasons that Christians should let go of anxiety and take comfort:
- Take comfort because we have experienced God’s mercy (1 Peter 1:3a).
- Take comfort because we have been born again (1 Peter 1:3b). We have another chance to have God as our father!
- Take comfort because we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3c).
- Take comfort because we have a guaranteed inheritance in heaven (1 Peter 1:4).
- Take comfort because we are kept by God’s power (1 Peter 1:5).
Christians need more comfort? Why? Look at all that God has already provided to comfort us when we are His children!
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Peter 01:03-09 – Peter’s Comfort and Encouragement
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Text: 1 Peter 1:3-9
Introduction
A. Over the past week or so, several members of our congregation have experienced the death of a loved one.
B. A passage is often read at the funeral to give us words of comfort and encouragement. Today, we will let the apostle Peter speak inspired words of God to us.
C. Let us reflect on the promises that we have in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-9).
Body
I. Christians have a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
A. Christ is risen from the dead, and is thus the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
B. If Christ had not risen, our faith would be futile and we would only have a limited hope (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
C. We can comfort one another with the words of hope in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
II. Christians have an inheritance.
A. By becoming children of God, we become His heirs and are joint heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:29-4:7).
B. Our inheritance is:
1) incorruptible (immortal, imperishable, and lasting).
2) undefiled (pure and unstained).
3) not fading away (permanent).
4) reserved in heaven (Colossians 1:3-6; John 14:1-4).
III. Christians are kept by the power of God.
A. Jesus tells us that we are very secure in the grasp of God’s hand (John 10:27-29).
B. Christ lives by the power of God, and so can we (2 Corinthians 13:4).
C. God’s power is effective through faith for salvation (Hebrews 11:1,6; Romans 10:17; James 2:17,20; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 4:16).
D. God’s power is ready to be revealed in the last time (Revelation 12:10-12; 19:1; Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 21:25-28).
IV. Christians rejoice, eagerly awaiting the reward in heaven.
A. Paul told Christians to rejoice always (Philippians 4:4).
B. Jesus said to “rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12).”
C. Paul told the Corinthians that the eternal benefits outweigh the temporary affliction (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
D. James says to rejoice in various trials, knowing that the testing of faith produces patience (James 1:2-4).
E. Jesus said that if we are faithful until death, we will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
V. Christians will receive the end of their faith, the salvation of their souls.
A. Paul said that now abide faith, hope, and love; the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).
B. The end of all things is at hand (1 Peter 4:7).
C. We must redeem the time, for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed (Romans 13:11).
Conclusion
A. It is great to be a Christian!
B. It is also great to know and love fellow Christians.
C. Let us remain faithful to God so that we may receive the many blessings He has promised us.
D. Brethren, comfort one another with these words.
Content by Richard Dillon
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Jude 1:20-21 Encouragement from Jude – audio
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Text: Jude 1:20-21
Introduction
As Christians, we all need encouragement.
Paul taught the Thessalonians, “therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as also you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).”
As the early Christians did, so today we gather upon the first day of the week to worship God and edify one another.
Let us look at Jude’s encouraging words to Christians (Text: Jude 20-21).
Body
I. Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.
We have a most holy faith. Earlier in his epistle, Jude explained it was necessary to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered for the saints (Jude 3).” We can build ourselves up by contending earnestly for it! After all, it has been delivered.
How? “Faith has come from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).”
Since there is only one God, He gives us only one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6). We must remain in that faith, rooted and built up in Christ (Colossians 2:7).
Christians have a solid foundation in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and must build upon that foundation.
Peter tells us exactly how to build our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8).
II. Pray in the Holy Spirit.
One responsibility and privilege Christians have is prayer. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12), as taught by Christ (Luke 18:1).
Just as holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), so we need the Holy Spirit to speak to God. We all have our weaknesses, and sometimes do not know how to pray, or what to pray for. The Holy Spirit can intercede for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).
III. Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Paul made it very clear that there is nothing in this world that can separate us from God’s love for us (Romans 8:35-39). On the other hand, is there anything that may separate us from loving God?
Jesus said if we love Him we must keep His commandments (John 14:15). To keep loving Him is to keep doing what He commands us. He commands us to love each other as He has loved us (John 13:34; 15:12-17).
IV. We have the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life to look forward to.
Paul said to Titus that we look forward to “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).”
Even Mary proclaimed: “His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation (Luke 1:50).”
We do not need to say, “Lord have mercy on me” as many did to Jesus; rather, He is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and we can obtain it to help us any time we need it (Hebrews 4:16).
It is through that mercy that He saves us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
Conclusion
If we build ourselves and each other on our most holy faith, continually pray in the Holy Spirit, and remain in the love of God, we can look forward to eternal life through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Comfort One Another With These Words
Comfort One Another With These Words – 1 Thessalonians 3:18
What hope is there for us, when last day comes?
People who don’t have a proper relationship with the Lord dread the coming of the end of the world, and rightfully so. But, those who are faithful members of the Lord’s church ought not to be afraid of the second coming of Christ. For them, the end of the world will mean the end of suffering and the beginning of eternal joy (Revelation 21: 1-4).
Our only hope is to obey gospel plan of salvation.
The Bible does warn that the outlook is grim for those who are not prepared to meet the Lord, on judgment day. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8 and 9, the Bible warns us that, when Jesus returns, He shall come “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” People who know nothing about God, as well as people who know Him but will not obey Him shall be irretrievably lost on the day of judgment. Their only hope—our only hope—is to obey gospel plan of salvation, as it is revealed in God’s Holy Word.
Begin by opening up the Bible.
The process begins, when we open up our Bibles and read for ourselves what God’s will is for all of us (Romans 10:17). If we believe what we read, then faith will take root and grow in our hearts (Hebrews 11: 6). When our faith is strong enough, it will motivate us to repent of our sins (Luke 13: 3-5). Then we shall have the incentive we need to confess our faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). At that point, the Lord shall add us to His church, and we shall be saved from our sins (Acts 2:47).
The judgment of our Lord ought to be comforting to every member of the family of God.
Once we have obeyed the gospel, we shall not have to be afraid of the judgment of our Lord. As long as we are faithful to Him, we may look forward to the end of the world, as a day when we shall finally be united with the One whom we adore. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, the idea of resurrection from the dead and the judgment of our Lord ought to be a comforting thought to every member of the family of God.
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first – 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16
Content by Russell Kline
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Why Me, Lord?
We have all asked it.
- Why does it always have to rain on my parade?
- Why did this have to happen to me?
- Why my child?
- Why my marriage?
- Why my job?
Why? Why? Why?
The answer may be found in an obscure Old Testament passage where God is pictured as sitting over a refiner’s fire making silver of His people. Malachi wrote: “And he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Malachi 3:3).
A woman read this verse in Bible class and was curious enough to seek out a silversmith to see what it meant. She found him sitting before a crucible, gazing intently into a boiling pot. She asked, “Do you have to sit here all the time or just come back when it’s finished?” He replied, “I have to keep my eye on the crucible. If it gets too hot, the silver is injured. I know the process of purifying is completed when I see my own image reflected in the silver.”
The answer to “why me?” is found in the silversmith’s shop.
The Refiner’s Pot
God values us far more than a prospector does his “mother load,” a miser does his coins, an addict does his fix, or a mother does her newborn (Psalm 116:15; Isaiah 43:4). He wants the best for us and demands the best of us. Just as the refiner’s job is to increase the value of his product by removing impurities, God sees His job as removing the impurities, sin, from us.
Lehman Strauss knew the heartache of suffering. In the midst of dealing with his wife’s stroke, he wrote a book entitled, In God’s Waiting Room: Learning through Suffering. As he attempted to better understand the events that moved into his life, he likened his experience to childhood memories of his mother making a cake. Dr. Strauss recalled the various ingredients—flour, baking powder, shortening, raw eggs—that went into a cake. By themselves they were not very enjoyable snacks, but when properly mixed together and baked for the correct length of time, they collectively produced a delicious dessert. In our lives we experience ingredients that seem unpalatable, and our temptation is to tell God He’s ruining everything. At those times we will find greater strength and peace when we acknowledge that God knows what He is doing.
What kind of furnace does our Refiner use? He uses the furnace of affliction, physical injury, disease, prolonged sickness (2 Corinthians 12:7–8), difficulty in rearing our children, problems with parents, financial reverses, or other overwhelming cares of life. Such suffering is an effective teacher in the great school of life. Some important lessons are only learned at her feet. Robert Browning Hamilton wrote:
I walked a mile with Pleasure, she chattered all the way;
But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say.
I walked a mile with Sorrow and ne’er a word said she;
But, oh, the things I learned from her, when Sorrow walked with me!
At the same time, God watches to see that the fire never gets so hot that it injures us. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). These things may hurt us for a time, but they do not permanently injure us, unless we turn from the Refiner.
The Refiner’s Purpose
Amy Carmichael wrote, “A wise master never wastes his servant’s time.” No matter what set of circumstances we receive, God is not wasting our time. He is educating us; He is improving us; He is molding us. A young woman was suffering greatly and confided to an older Christian friend: “If God loves me as you say He does, why did He make me so?” The older woman replied, “He is making you now.” God’s purpose is to prepare us for heaven.
The Refiner wants to make heaven attractive to us.
(2 Corinthians 4:16–5:1; Philippians 1:21–23; Hebrews 11:10; Colossians 3:1–2)
One philosopher observed: “It is through our tears that we see the farthest into heaven.” Hard times can build good character (James 1:2–4; 1 Peter 1:7).
The Refiner wants to test our faith.
(Genesis 22:1; 1 Corinthians 3:12–15)
The worthiness of the ship is not determined while it rides at ease in the harbor, but when it rides the waves of a storm. Our faith is worthless if it cannot get us through life’s storms.
The Refiner wants to teach us to appreciate our blessings.
(Luke 17:17; Colossians 3:15)
Domesticated bullfinches are placed in a dark room for several weeks before they learn to sing. When brought into sunlight, the bullfinch’s song is sweeter and more beautiful than it would otherwise be. God often takes us into a dark room of suffering so that when we come back into life’s sunshine, our song of praise will be sweeter than ever before.
The Refiner wants us to learn to comfort others
(2 Corinthians 1:3–7)
It is difficult to really feel compassion for someone if we don’t know what he is going through. But when we have “walked a mile in his moccasins,” we can feel sorry for the one with blisters.
Suffering can help us help others. One remarked, “I asked for health that I might achieve, I was made weak that I might do better things.”
The divine Refiner wants us to learn to trust Him
(Luke 14:11; Proverbs 16:18; James 4:10; Jeremiah 10:23; 2 Corinthians 12:9)
Abraham Lincoln said, “I have often been driven to my knees by the sincere conviction that there was nowhere else to go.”
The Refiner’s Product
As the refiner told the Bible class student, silver is ready when he sees his image in its reflection.
God also looks to see His image in our lives. Paul wrote, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18; cf. Romans 8:29; Colossians 3:10).
A silversmith may make many pieces over the course of his days, but only a few of them are deemed worthy of display in his own house.
God is fashioning of us what He wants to display in His own house. Ralph Waldo Emerson was once approached by a concerned and inquiring person who said, “Mr. Emerson, they tell me that the world is coming to an end.” Emerson calmly replied, “Never mind, we can get along without it.”
When God finishes refining us, we all will be very happy “doing without” this world and its suffering.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Galatians 04:16-20 True Friends and False Friends
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Text: Galatians 4:16-20
Introduction
1. Friends can be a wonderful blessing
a. A source of comfort in times good and bad – Proverbs 17:17
b. A source of good counsel – Proverbs 27:9
2. It is not always easy to know who your true friends are
a. Sometimes a true friend tells you what you don’t want to hear
b. Sometimes a false friend tells you what you do want to hear
3. In writing to the Galatians, Paul found it necessary to remind them of that truth
a. As he defended the gospel of justification by faith in Christ
b. As he battled against the influence of those who sought to bind the Law of Moses
Body
I. TRUE FRIENDS SAY WHAT YOU NEED TO HEAR
A. THEY WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH
1. Even if it makes them your enemy – Galatians 4:16
2. Even when the tone hurts – Galatians 4:20
3. Paul had been a true friend to his brethren
B. YOU NEED TRUE FRIENDS
1. When hearing the gospel of Christ
a. Who will tell you the full gospel as preached by Christ and His apostles – Mark 16:15-16
b. Not just what is popularly believed, or what may appeal to our sensitivities – Galatians 1:8-9
2. When growing in grace
a. Who will tell us of the need to grow, and the danger of apostasy – 2 Peter 3:17-18
b. Not just tickling our ears with things we enjoy hearing – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
3. When drifting from God
a. As Paul reached out to the Galatians in our text – Galatians 4:19-20
b. As Paul encouraged them to do the same to others – Galatians 6:1
4. Do we appreciate the value of such friends in our lives?
C. HEED THE WISDOM OF DAVID AND SOLOMON
1. “Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it.” – Psalm 141:5a
2. “Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, but he who regards a rebuke will be honored.” – Proverbs 13:18
3. “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” – Proverbs 15:31-32
4. “Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.” – Proverbs 25:12
5. May we always appreciate the value of true friends.
II. FALSE FRIENDS SAY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO HEAR
A. THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT THEY WANT
1. When it makes you on their side – Galatians 4:17
2. When you have something they want – cf. Galatians 6:12-13
3. The Judaizing teachers were not true friends of the Galatians
B. YOU NEED TO BEWARE OF FALSE FRIENDS
1. When you are being courted with zeal
a. Their motives may not be right – Galatians 4:17; cf. Romans 16:17-18
b. Their knowledge may be wrong – cf. Romans 10:1-2
2. When you are being manipulated
a. As the false teachers were trying to manipulate the Galatians – Galatians 4:17
b. A tactic first used by Satan, and since by many others – 2 Corinthians 11:3,13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-3
3. When you are pursued only in their presence
a. Paul sought their devotion even in his absence – Galatians 4:18; Philippians 1:27; 2:12
b. False friends often forget about you when they are no longer with you
4. Do we appreciate the danger of the wrong kind of friends?
C. HEED THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON
1. “Fervent lips with a wicked heart are like earthenware covered with silver dross. He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.” – Proverbs 26:23-26
2. “Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” – Proverbs 27:5-6
Conclusion
1. Many people have been led astray by the wrong kind of friends
a. Good habits have been corrupted by bad company – 1 Corinthians 15:33
b. Immature Christians have been tossed around by cunning and deceitful teachers – Ephesians 4:14
2. May we learn from the interaction between Paul and the Galatians
a. True friends say what you need to hear
b. False friends say what they want you to hear
3. Speaking of true friends, the greatest friend we can have is Jesus – John 15:13-14
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Timothy 03:14-17 Why We Need the Bible
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Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Introduction
1. We began this series of lessons by illustrating why we need God
a. He is our Creator, who knows us better than we ourselves
b. He is our Redeemer, who seeks to save us from ourselves
c. He is our Provider, who is willing to meet our every need
2. Now I wish to focus our attention on why we need the Bible
a. Both the Old and New Testaments
b. As the guide to salvation and comfort
3. Assuming that one believes in the Bible as the Word of God, we need the Bible because:
Body
I. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO SAVE
A. BY CREATING FAITH
1. Without faith it is impossible to please God – Hebrews 11:6
2. Without faith in Jesus we cannot be saved – John 8:24
3. It is the Word of God that produces such faith – Romans 10:17
4. For example, the gospels were written to produce faith – John 20:30-31
B. BY CAUSING ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN
1. Jesus taught the necessity of being born again – John 3:3-5
2. The rebirth involving water and the Spirit is produced by:
a. Receiving the “incorruptible seed” of God’s Word – 1 Peter 1:23-25a
b. In particular, that word proclaimed in the gospel of Christ – 1 Peter 1:25
3. Which gospel calls for one to be baptized – Mark 16:15-16
a. As proclaimed by Peter – Acts 2:38
b. The washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit – Titus 3:5
C. BY KEEPING ONE SAVED
1. Paul emphasized this value of the Scriptures
a. To the Corinthians – 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
b. To Timothy – 2 Timothy 3:14-17
2. The saving value of the Word of God is for both young and old
a. The young can keep their ways pure by it – Psalms 119:9
b. Elders were commended to the Word for their salvation – Acts 20:32
d. Lack of knowledge concerning God’s Word destroyed Israel – Hosea 4:6
e. But when received with meekness into our hearts, the Word of God has the power to save – James 1:21
II. IT IS GOD’S POWER TO COMFORT
A. THROUGH THE HOPE IT GIVES
1. Paul wrote of the hope provided by the OT scriptures – Romans 15:4
2. The OT provides assurance of our hope in Christ, because it illustrates how God always keeps His promises
3. How much more so the NT, providing hope by revealing the grace to be shown when Christ comes again! – cf. 1 Peter 1:13
B. THROUGH THE PEACE IT GIVES
1. Especially as it reveals the means and source of true peace – Philippians 4:6-9
2. With such inner peace, nothing causes one to stumble – Psalms 119:165, 92-93
3. “In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength.” – Robert E. Lee
C. THROUGH THE HAPPINESS IT GIVES
1. Blessedness through the stability and nourishment it provides – Psalms 1:1-3
2. Note that this comes to the one engaged in daily Bible reading
Conclusion
1. To fulfill our need for God, we need the Bible
a. For God has spoken through prophets and His Son – cf. Hebrews 1:1-2
b. He has made His Word accessible to every nation and tongue – Romans 10:17-18
2. With the aid of the Bible, we can experience God’s power in our lives
a. As we learn the way of salvation, and accept it with an obedient faith
b. As we walk in the way of salvation, and receive the hope, peace, and happiness God gives
c. Great men have spoken of the value of the Bible:
– “Within the covers of this one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems we face today. If only we would read it and believe.” – Ronald Reagan
– “I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” – Abraham Lincoln
– “The Bible is worth more than all other books which have ever been printed.” – Patrick Henry
3. Is that our attitude toward the Bible?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Romans 15:04 Why Study the Old Testament? audio
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Text: Romans 15:4
Introduction
1. What benefit is the Old Testament (OT) to the Christian today…?
a. Is the Christian under the OT as a system of justification?
b. Is the OT authoritative regarding the work, worship, and organization of the church?
c. If not, why even bother with reading and studying the OT?
2. It is true Christians are not under the OT
a. Gentile Christians were never under the OT (or Old Covenant)
1) The Old Covenant was made with the Israelites at Mount Horeb (Sinai) – Deuteronomy 5:1-2
2) Not even Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc., were under the Old Covenant – Deuteronomy 5:3
3) Even Gentile Christians were not required to be circumcised or keep the Law – Acts 15:1-29
b. Jewish Christians have been delivered from the OT law
1) Through the body of Christ – Romans 7:1-6
2) By His death on the cross, Jesus brought the OT covenant to an end – Ephesians 2:14-16
3) It served to lead the Jews to Christ, a purpose fulfilled – Galatians 3:23-25
3. Unfortunately, some conclude from this that we need not read the OT
4. Is that the proper attitude of Christians toward the OT? NO!! This attitude:
a. Is wrong, contrary to the teaching of the NT itself!
b. Deprives the Christian of a wonderful source of peace and comfort
c. Prevents the Christian from gaining wisdom and understanding concerning the life that now is, and that which is to come!
Body
I. WHY STUDY THE OLD TESTAMENT? LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THE NT SAIDS:
A. WRITTEN FOR OUR LEARNING
1. Note carefully what Paul wrote in Romans 15:4
a. Things “written before” (i.e., the OT) were “written for our learning”
b. The OT was written and preserved especially for the Christians’ benefit!
c. The OT provides “patience and comfort”, that we “might have hope”!
2. The OT provides a record of God’s faithfulness, how He kept His promises:
a. To Abraham and the nation of Israel
b. To judge the wicked and avenge the righteous
c. To forgive the penitent, and protect the humble
3. The history of the OT is intended to give us hope that God will keep His promises to us!
B. WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION
1. Paul reminded the Christians at <a target=”_blank” href=”http://www.biblemap.org/#Corinth”>Corinth</a> of Israel’s fall in the wilderness – 1 Corinthians 10:1-10
2. Note carefully what he says in 1 Corinthians 10:11
a. The events described may have happened to Israel
b. But “they were written for our admonition…”
c. Again, the OT was written and preserved especially for the benefit of Christians!
3. Other NT writers often appealed to the OT in admonishing Christians
a. The writer of Hebrews, in exhorting Christians to remain steadfast – Hebrews 3:12-19
b. James, in encouraging Christians to be patient in their suffering – James 5:7-11
c. Peter, in warning of false teachers and scoffers – 2 Peter 2-3
4. The history of the OT is intended to serve as a warning to Christians!
C. MAKES ONE WISE REGARDING SALVATION IN CHRIST
1. Paul noted that Timothy had known the “Holy Scriptures” since childhood – 2 Timothy 3:14
a. When Timothy was a child, the only scriptures available was the OT
b. So Paul clearly had the OT in view
2. He said the OT is “able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” – 2 Timothy 3:15
3. How is this possible? The OT provides:
a. The fall of man and the rise of sin
b. The background and development of God’s scheme of redemption
c. Hundreds of Messianic prophecies which describe what to expect when He comes
4. One cannot hope to fully understand such books of the New Testament like:
a. Hebrews, without an understanding of the Levitical priesthood
b. Revelation, without an understanding of OT prophecy and apocalyptic literature
5. If one is to be wise concerning salvation in Christ, studying the OT is imperative!
D. PROFITABLE TO MAKE ONE COMPLETE
1. Paul writes of the benefit of “All Scripture”, which includes the OT – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
2. Therefore the OT is profitable for:
a. Doctrine – such as the nature of God, man, and sin
b. Reproof and correction – the need for repentance
c. Instruction in righteousness – how to live godly lives
3. The apostles often appealed to the OT concerning Christians’ conduct:
a. Romans 12:19-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 2 Corinthians 9:7-10
b. James 2:20-26
c. 1 Peter 3:8-12
4. There is much we can learn from the OT about truth and righteousness!
Conclusion
1. Should we only study Scriptures pertaining to the covenant under which we live…?
a. Should Israel have discarded Genesis, and the first nineteen chapters of Exodus? No!
b. Should we discard the gospels, since Jesus lived and died under the Old Covenant? No!
2. Neither should we ignore the OT, for it provides:
a. The background and setting of the NT
b. Much in the way of learning, admonition, comfort, hope, even wisdom concerning salvation!
3. Be careful not to neglect that which was written and preserved for OUR benefit
a. “For whatever things were written before were written for OUR learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
b. “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for OUR admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
c. “ALL Scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable…” – 2 Timothy 3:16
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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