Historical Posts
Know God, Even the Unknown God – Audio
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Text: Acts 17:22-31
Know God?
The Greeks did not know God. They sought after wisdom. Christ, the Son of God, was foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). Even so, Paul wanted them to know God!
I. Know God who made the world and everything in it.
A. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
B. God made us; we did not make ourselves (Psalm 100:3).
C. Without Christ, “nothing was made that was made (John 1:3).”
D. By Christ, all things were created in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:16-17).
E. He is Lord of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24-25; Matthew 11:25).
II. Know God who has set our boundaries
A. He set the boundaries for the children of Israel (Deuteronomy 32:8).
B. He “makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and guides them (Job 12:23).”
C. God does with us according to His will (Daniel 4:35).
D. God would not allow man to build a tower to the heavens (Genesis 11:1-9).
III. Know that God who desires us to seek Him.
A. God has given us ample evidence to know he exists (Romans 1:20-23).
B. God is very near to us (Deuteronomy 4:7; Jeremiah 23:23-24).
C. God may be found (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7).
IV. Know God who commands everyone everywhere to repent.
A. If we don’t repent, we will perish (Luke 13:3,5).
B. God does not want anyone to perish, but to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
C. We must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly (Titus 2:11-12).
V. Know God will judge the world in righteousness by Christ.
A. God ordained Christ to be Judge of the living and dead (Acts 10:42).
B. The word that Jesus has spoken will judge us in the last day (John 12:48).
C. The Lord is the righteous Judge (2 Timothy 4:8).
Do You Know God?
If you don’t know God yet, you can start now by reading His Word and learning His will. Then, you will have to decide how to respond.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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You Ought to Know
Two Things You Ought to Know
“There is something you ought to know…” Have you ever heard those words before? Perhaps important information needed to be given to you so you could make a better decision. Perhaps you have also heard, “If only I knew then what I know now…” What if it were possible to know something so you can make a good decision? Well, it is! There are many resources available to do research on a lot of things to help make better decisions. There are at least two things we all ought to know, and we have the resources to know them.
First, we ought to know the truth. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).” By knowing and obeying the truth, we can be made free from sin! Jesus even told us Himself what is true: Himself (John 14:6), His Father (John 17:3), and His Word (John 17:17). If Jesus said or did it, it’s true! God, His Father, is the only true God! The Bible, the inspired Word of God, is all true!
Second, we ought to know we can have eternal life. John wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).” There should not be any doubt that a Christian has eternal life! Earlier, John stated that eternal life is in God’s Son (1 John 5:11). Thus, if one is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), he has access to all spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3), including the hope of eternal life.
The truth can be known! We can know we have eternal life! These are things you ought to know…
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Do You Know Where You Are Going?
If you ask the captain of a ship what his next destination is, he will tell you in one sentence. He knows where he is going, how he will get there, and how long it will take. On the other hand, suppose a ship left port without a captain and crew and with no aim or direction, what do you think the chances are that it would reach the desired port?
Which ship represents your life? What do you plan to do in the next year? What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years? What legacy will you leave?
The loudspeaker of the big jet clicked on and the captain’s voice announced in a clear, even tone: “Now there’s no cause for alarm but we felt you should know that for the last three hours we have been flying without the benefit of radio, compass, radar, or navigational beam. This means that we are, in the broad sense of the word, lost and not quite sure in which direction we are heading. However, on the brighter side of the picture, I’m sure you’ll be interested to know that we are making excellent time!”
Many people go through life making excellent time, but they have no idea where they are going.
To be successful, we need a single long range goal to unify life. Jesus said we needed a single eye (Matthew 6:22-24). Paul wanted the prize at the end of the race (Philippians 3:13-14). Without purpose we fail, but in Jesus Christ we find true purpose. His disciples are destined to live eternally. “This is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:25). He is the captain of our salvation, the rudder of our ship. In Him we find direction and purpose. Without Him we are alone and lost.
Do you know where you are going? Is Jesus leading the way? We can never overemphasize the importance and urgency of following Him!
- Do you believe that He was God’s only begotten Son (John 8:24)?
- Will you repent of your sins and be baptized (Acts 2:38)?
- Will you make Jesus the Lord of your life and the Savior of your soul?
Only in Him can you find real purpose for living and the promise of life beyond the grave!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Eternal Life is in Christ – audio
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“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” 1 John 5:11-13
God gives us eternal life in Christ!
God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, in whom is eternal life (John 3:15,16; 17:2,3)
Eternal life is in God’s Son.
As John often said, one must believe in God’s Son in order to have eternal life (John 3:36; 6:47). If we believe in Christ, we will do whatever He says (Matthew 28:18). Christ commands us to believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16) in order to be saved. Baptism is what puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27). Thus, being in Christ we have the Son, and therefore eternal life.
We can know we have eternal life.
There is no doubt of living forever if we do what Christ commands us!
We must continue to believe in the name of Christ.
This idea involves not only having confidence in the Lord, but remaining in the faith. After all, He tells us: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Corinthians 13:12 Then I Shall Know. . . – audio
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Text: 1 Corinthians 13
Introduction
1. Recently, a question was asked in regard to 1 Corinthians 13:12.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
2. This verse is one part of a much larger context.
3. In this larger context (Chapters 12-14), Paul is dealing with the use and abuse of spiritual gifts.
4. Let us come to a better understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:12 by looking at the larger context of the passage.
a. We will see the need for spiritual gifts.
b. We will note the abuse of spiritual gifts.
c. We will discover the nature of spiritual gifts.
Body
I. THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
A. Paul did not want the Corinthians to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:1.
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
1. He wanted them to understand that there were many different gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-10.
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
2. He wanted them to realize that all of these gifts came from the same source. 1 Corinthians 12:11.
But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
3. He wanted them to understand that all Christians are members of the same body working together. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28.
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
4. He wanted them to understand the true purpose of the gifts was for the edification of the church. 1 Corinthians 14:12.
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
B. Ephesians 4:11-15.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
1. Spiritual gifts were for the equipping of the saints.
2. Spiritual gifts were meant for the purpose of helping the church to reach maturity.
3. Spiritual gifts were for the purpose of keeping the saints from being “children, tossed to and fro” by every wind of doctrine.
C. How did these gifts help the church to reach maturity?
1. God’s will was miraculously revealed to them.
2. They had the ability to speak in other languages.
3. Several gifts served as signs to the hearer that the speaker had God’s approval. Mark 16:17-20.
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
a) Prophesying of future events (assuming those events came to pass in the hearer’s lifetime).
b) Healing.
c) Even tongues could be a sign.
(1) 1 Corinthians 14:22. Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
(2) Acts 2:4-7.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?
II. THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
A. The Christians at Corinth were carnal. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
B. They were using their gifts to “show off.” 1 Corinthians 14:6-9.
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
C. Their worship assemblies had become a confused mess. 1 Corinthians 14:31-33.
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.
D. So, rather than using these gifts to edify the church, the Corinthians were by their abuse of them actually causing division and strife.
E. These abuses were what led Paul (through the Spirit) to pen these instructions.
III. THE NATURE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
A. Miraculous gifts were temporary by design.
1. Notice again, Ephesians 4:11-15.
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
2. Notice that in Ephesians 4:13, the word “till” is used.
3. Miraculous gifts would be needed till…
a) We come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.
b) We become a perfect (complete) man.
4. Now lets look at 1 Corinthians 13.
B. 1 Corinthians 13.
1. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
a) 1 Corinthians 13:8.
(1) Prophecies would fail – cease to be uttered.
(2) Tongues would cease.
(3) Knowledge (the miraculous revealing of knowledge) would vanish away.
b) 1 Corinthians 13:9.
(1) What did Paul mean by “We know in part and we prophesy in part.”
(2) He did not mean that they did not have all the truth. John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
(3) What he meant was that they received the truth in parts. 1 Corinthians 14:26. 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.
(4) We can see how that would not be an ideal system.
c) 1 Corinthians 13:10.
(1) When that which is perfect has come, that which is in part will be done away.
(2) “That which is in part” is referring to the system of getting knowledge in pieces and parts from inspired teachers.
(3) That system was going to be done away when “that which is perfect” came.
(4) What is “that which is perfect?”
(a) It is not talking about Jesus! He is not a “that.”
(b) Paul is talking about the “perfect law of liberty.” James 1:25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
(c) What is the “perfect law of liberty?” – The word. Mark 16:20. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
(5) So, 1 Corinthians 13:10 is saying that when the Word came (the written Word of God), then the “part system” (miraculous gifts) would be done away with.
2. 1 Corinthians 13:11-13.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
a) 1 Corinthians 13:11.
(1) Paul uses an illustration to emphasize the point he just made.
(2) When he was a child, he behaved as a child but when he grew up, he put away childish things.
(3) In the same way, in it’s infancy, the church needed spiritual gifts but when it grew up, those gifts would not be needed and thus would be put away.
(4) The church would “grow up” when that which is perfect came (the word) and they were no longer tossed to and fro as children with every wind of doctrine.
b) 1 Corinthians 13:12.
(1) Now Paul uses a second illustration. The idea of seeing one’s face dimly in a mirror (this represented the “part system of revelation).
(2) “But then face to face” – Once the word was complete, God’s will would be made perfectly clear to all who look into it. James 1:25.
(3) With the word, a Christian need no longer to be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
(4) Then Paul says, “Now I know in part but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
(a) “I know” – ginosko – to know.
(b) “I shall know” – epiginosko – to know fully.
(c) In other words, “Now I know, but then I will really know.” – Just as I also am known.
(d) He is saying in yet another way that when the Word was completed, our knowledge of God’s will would come to completion.
Delivered on: January 8, 2012. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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