Historical Posts
God is in Control
Rember That God Is In Control
This past week many of us were affected by the fierce storms that passed through the area. Some of us were even under a tornado warning for a brief period of time. Most of us received hail, high winds and heavy rain for a time. Often during times like this, one may feel the presence of God in the untamed power of nature. But truly, God is in control of nature.
Nahum 1:3b-5: “The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it.”
Yes, God is in control over the weather! In the New Testament, Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), proved this to the disciples when He calmed a great storm (Mark 4:35-41). They were fearful and thought they would perish, but Jesus said to the sea, “peach, be still.” We may be scared when bad weather approaches, but we must remember that God is there. Likewise, when the storms of life try to shake us, God is there.
Truly, God’s control of nature is just an indication of His control over all things. We need to fully entrust our lives to Him.
Psalm 56:3: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” God is in control and we need to trust in Him. Take action now to put yourself in His hands.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Fear and Trembling
When a person is very afraid, a natural response is to shake. Hence the reference to fear and trembling.
One may experience fear, and tremble either inwardly, outwardly, or both. One example found in the Bible is that of the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years. She touched Jesus’ coat, knowing that she would be made well. When Jesus felt the power going out of Him, He asked whom it was that touched Him. She came and fell down before Him, in fear and trembling (Mark 5:33). Because of her faith, she was made well. Another example is the faithfulness of David. He was overcome with “faithfulness and trembling” at the sight of a wicked city, and prayed to God that he would be saved from it (Psalm 55:5).
As Paul shared the gospel with the Corinthians, he was with them in “weakness, in fear, and in much trembling (1 Corinthians 2:3).” He was concerned not only for the spiritual well-being of them, but also for himself. That is the attitude we should all have! We must realize the importance of being right with God and have fear and trembling when we are not. The Psalmist wrote, “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling (Psalm 2:11).” Christians are commanded to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).”
We serve a powerful, just, and loving God. He has told us clearly in His Word what He accepts and what He rejects by sending many individuals to proclaim His Word, who were received with fear and trembling (e.g. Titus in 2 Corinthians 7:13-15). Servants are to be obedient to their masters with fear and trembling, as to Christ (Ephesians 6:5).
Our souls are very precious in the sight of God! It is perfectly natural to experience fear and trembling as we strive to serve God. However, we must not have fear forever. After all, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us (1 Peter 4:18-19).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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Where Is Your Faith?
Where is your faith when you face the storms of life and your world comes crashing down?
“…as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy” (Luke 8:23).
Sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee were not uncommon. The disciples knew the fury of the sea. At least four had made their living as fishermen. As they crossed the lake a placid calm settled over the water. Jesus slept. Suddenly, terror struck as a fierce storm swept over them. It must have appeared that shipwreck was imminent. They rushed to Jesus, who was still asleep, crying, “Master, master, we perish!” Jesus stood, spoke, and there was calm. Then he turned his attention to the twelve and asked, “Where is your faith?” In the anxiety of the moment they had forgotten who Jesus was. He had cleansed a leper, healed a soldier’s servant, and raised a widow’s son. The storm was no threat to him.
Illness, an accident, the death of a loved one, and our world comes crashing down around us. Fear sweeps the soul. Our ship is about to sink! But, there is no need for fear. Where is your faith? Jesus still calms the storms of life. He reassures, “Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).
The hope and confidence that Christ gives to our lives is illustrated in the beautiful Psalm 23. David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Faith overcomes fear. It was a lesson the disciples had forgotten on the sea that day. They let their fear overcome their faith. But, there is nothing to fear when Jesus walks at our side. Is He your Lord and Savior? Where is your faith?
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Philippians 01:14 – Speaking the Word of God Boldly – audio
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Text: Philippians 1:14
Introduction
It seems as if today’s culture is changing, and not for the better.
For example, Phil Robertson, star of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty,” rightly stood up for the Biblical view on homosexuality (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). As a result, he has been removed from appearing on the program. I pray that no matter what happens to him, he will stand for the truth.
Similarly, the apostle Paul said, “most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1:14).”
Body
I. We have been commissioned to preach the Word!
A. Paul told Timothy to “preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).”
B. In no way should the word be corrupted (2 Corinthians 2:17); rather it should be sincerely, since it is God’s word!
C. We have no authority from God to add to or take away from His word (Revelation 22:18-19). If we do, we will be repaid.
D. All Scripture is complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God has said everything we need to know!
E. We must preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
II. We must fear God and not men when we preach.
A. If we truly love God, then we will boldly proclaim His word (1 John 4:17-18).
B. Jesus said not to fear him who can only destroy the body; rather fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:27-31; Luke 12:4-7).
C. The Psalmist said, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me (Psalm 118:6)?” Also, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid (Psalm 27:1)?” Later, the Hebrew writer quotes these words (Hebrews 13:6).
D. Paul asked, “If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?”
III. Consider examples of those that preached boldly, fearing God and not men.
A. Peter and John boldly preached Jesus before the Sanhedrin after healing the lame man (Acts 4:13).
B. Paul and Silas boldly proclaimed Christ to the Philippian jailer, leading to his salvation (1 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 16).
C. Barnabas proclaimed Paul’s bold preaching at Damascus (Acts 9:27-29), yet he also boldly proclaimed the word in…
1) …Iconium (Acts 14:3)
2) …Ephesus (Acts 19:8)
3) …Rome by letter (Romans 15:15)
Conclusion
Do we have that boldness to proclaim the Word of God as Paul and others did?
If not, we can receive boldness and confidence through our faith in Christ (Ephesians 3:11-12), and praying to God for it (Acts 4:29-31; Ephesians 6:19-20).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Nearer My God to Thee – Joshua 24:14-15 – audio
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Text: Joshua 24:14-15
1. Fear the Lord
2. Serve the Lord
3. Put away other “gods”
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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2 Timothy 01:03-07 Faith of Our Fathers
Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-7
2 Timothy 1:3
Paul emphasized serving God with a pure conscience, just as his forefathers did.
In Acts 23:1, he admitted to serving God with a pure conscience until that day. Even when he was persecuting Christians he did it with a good conscience.
When he later learned what the Lord wanted him to do, he turned his life around (Acts 7-9).
He then began to worship the one true God that existed in the beginning, as God required of Him (Acts 24:14-16).
2 Timothy 1:4
Paul had a great relationship with Timothy (see verse 2), and longed to see him again. No doubt Timothy was weeping, longing to see Paul.
2 Timothy 1:5
Paul recalls the faith that Timothy’s mother and grandmother had.
They passed it on to Timothy, and Paul is convinced that his faith is genuine also.
Paul already reminded him that the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5); thus, he encouraged Timothy to instruct others in it as he followed it himself (1 Timothy 4:6-7).
2 Timothy 1:6
Paul encouraged him to use the gift he has received to glorify God and edify others.
In his earlier letter, he said, “do not neglect the gift that is in you (1 Timothy 4:14)…” If one doesn’t use what God has given him, he’ll lose it (Matthew 25:14ff.)!
2 Timothy 1:7
Perhaps the most popular reason that a person does not use his gift is because of fear.
Paul reminds Timothy that God does not give us a spirit of fear, but rather of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Paul also reminds the Romans that they did not receive the spirit of fear, but of adoption (Romans 8:15).
If we love God, love the truth, love His Son, and others, we will become His son by obedience to the gospel (Galatians 3:26-27), thus clearing our conscience and allowing our faith to work.
When we become a Christian, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit even as those on Pentecost did (Acts 2:38). Jesus told His apostles that the Holy Spirit would come upon them with power, and He did on that day (Acts 1:8; 2:1ff.).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Fear – Romans 8:15-17 – audio
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Fear often holds us back in our walk with Christ.
Do you ever worry?
About your health, your kids, or your future?
Most of us do, and worry is just another word for fear.
Why do we fudge the truth?
Probably because we’re afraid of what’ll happen if we don’t.
Why do we sometimes fail to say what needs to be said?
Because we’re afraid of confrontation, or what people will think about us.
Why do we so easily join in when people around us are gossiping?
Because we’re afraid of looking self-righteous or judgmental.
If you take a close look at your most common sins, I think you’ll find that you’re scared of something.
Peter denied Jesus three times because of fear.
The one-talent man buried his money because of fear.
Abraham slept with his wife’s servant because of fear.
That’s not how it’s supposed to be, of course. God doesn’t want fear to control us.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17).
As you’re listening to this, are you worried about something?
What fear is stealing the joy from your life in Christ?
What fear is keeping you from being fully obedient?
By God’s Spirit, cry out to him today: Abba! Father!
Ask him to cast the fear out of your heart!
Beg him to fill your life with confidence in him, to help you trust him enough to obey him no matter what.
Facing fear is part of the human struggle, but it shouldn’t control us.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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