Historical Posts
Life and Death
The Bible Sheds Light on Life and Death
Hebrews 9:27 reads, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Sooner or later, every human being experiences death. Death is the inevitable end of life. Whenever someone we love dies, we are vividly reminded of our own mortality, and of the fact that we shall die also, unless we are alive when the Lord returns to the Earth (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Life on Earth is overcast by the looming shadow of death (Psalm 23:4), and many live in abject terror of facing the end of life. We all face life and death.
What is death? It may surprise you to know that doctors, lawyers and philosophers find that a very difficult question to answer. Is death the cessation of the beating of one’s heart? Not necessarily. The definitions of life and death can be difficult. Some life-saving surgical procedures require the patient’s heart to be stopped for long periods of time. Some people’s hearts have stopped beating for several minutes at a time, only to be restarted by doctors. Is death the cessation of respiratory function? Not necessarily. The human body can survive for several minutes at a time without breathing, under certain conditions. There are many documented cases of people who were fully revived, even after their breathing had stopped for much longer than anyone had ever thought possible. Is death the cessation of brain function? Not necessarily. There are cases of people whose brain functions ceased for months, or even years at a time, and yet they were able to completely recover. Questions like these, about life and death, are debated in our courts, halls of medicine, and halls of academia, with no easy answers forthcoming.
Can the Bible shed some light on questions about the definition of death? As a matter of fact, the Bible offers us its own definition of death, in James 2:26. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Some have argued that the word, “spirit” ought to be translated, “breath,” since that is the primary meaning of the Greek word, in the text. But, the secondary meaning is “spirit,” and that is the translation that is called for, in the context (as in John 4:24). Besides, we have already pointed out that, just because someone has stopped breathing, it does not necessarily mean that they are dead.
Once the spirit leaves the body, the body begins to decay (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Only God can restore life to such a dead body (John 3:2). Only God has made something living out of something that is not living (Genesis 2:7). People who are truly dead (according to the Biblical definition) cannot be brought back to life by any natural means. This is why I am convinced that people who claim to have died and come back to life probably did not, in reality, experience the death that they claim to have experienced.
For most people, life and death are a great mystery. People speculate about life and death and whether there is any such thing as life after death. Some argue that, in death, the souls sleeps until it is awakened by resurrection. Others say that, in death, one simply ceases to exist. But, the Bible says that, while death may be the end of life on Earth, it is not the end of life, altogether. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus gives us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, demonstrating life and death. Both of these men died, and both of them continued to live on, after physical death. The rich man experienced the best that life had to offer, in this world, but he then experienced the worst that life has to offer, in eternity. Lazarus’ experience was just the opposite of the rich man. From this parable, we learn many things; not the least of which is that, faithfulness to God, in this life, results in an eternal reward, in Heaven (Luke 16:25).
When we think of life and death, we often think of death as being final, and absolute. But, the truth of the matter is that death is not a permanent condition. Instead, death is a transition from life in this physical world to life in the spiritual world. The time is coming, when death shall no longer exist (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). When God shall destroy this world and we shall exist only the spirit world, where death has no dominion (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). At that time, death shall be destroyed, and the faithful shall live eternally – without the shadow of death looming (Revelation 20:14).
Now is the time for us to prepare ourselves for what lies beyond life in this world. We all ought to learn from death that we shall not live in this world forever (Hebrews 9:27). Here and now is the only time and place to prepare for what lies beyond (2 Corinthians 6:2)!
Content by Russell Kline
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Make the Most of Today
Make the Most of Today
Dale Carnegie observed, “One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” In a sense, the Psalmist said the same thing. He wrote: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24, KJV).
Someone else has written: “Today is the day I have been looking for. All my life has been spent in preparation for it. Yesterday and tomorrow are faraway nothings – the one a faint memory, the other a vague promise. But this is my day. It offers all that God has to give, and I’m a laggard or a coward if I fail to make the most of it.” We need to make the most of today. We cannot afford to spend all of our time regretting the past or daydreaming about the future. If we do, we miss out on the present. Nor can we afford to live today in fear. Life is too brief and time too precious for us to do that.
Yet, there is a sense in which all of us must be vitally concerned about both the past and the future. A relationship with Christ will take care of both and enable us to make the most of today, to live today. Through obedience to the demands of Jesus Christ we can have all our past sins washed away (Acts 22:16). In this new relationship with Him, we can also live with heaven before us (John 14:1-3). As long as we walk in the steps of Jesus our future will remain secure (1 John 1:7). With the past forgiven, and the future secured, the present takes on greater significance. Jesus came so that we could live an abundant life (John 10:10). As a Christian we can face each day with confidence. With a smile on our face and a song in our heart life becomes an adventure. Each day offers new joys, rewards, pleasures and opportunities. Life is worth living and we can make the most of today.
But, if we remove Christ from the picture there is no hope and no forgiveness. The past will haunt us and the future will frighten us. The good news is that Jesus can make a difference, if we will let Him.
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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An Abundant Life
God’s promise of an abundant life in Jesus
Jesus provides an abundant linfe. In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The context in which this verse appears is a discussion of the Lord’s role as the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-17). In this discussion, Jesus made many important points about how He interacts with His “sheep” (you and me).
- The Good Shepherd is not a thief, so He enters the sheepfold through the door.
- He knows the names of His sheep and His sheep recognize His voice (John 10:1-5).
- Jesus also described Himself as the Door through which His sheep enter into His fold (the church). Everyone else who pretends to be the Messiah is a thief and a robber, who wants only to destroy the sheep (John 10:7-10).
- The Good Shepherd cares about His sheep, and would lay down his life for them. A hireling (also a Messianic pretender) will not give his life for the sheep. That is something that only the Good Shepherd will do (John 10:11-14).
However, I want to focus on Jesus’ statement in the latter part of John 10:10. What is an abundant life? What did Jesus promise, when He promised to His sheep, life more abundantly?
The English word, “abundantly” is translated from a Greek word, which means, “exceedingly; above measure.” It is used again in Ephesians 3:20, which says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” One of the central ideas of this passage is that God is capable of doing things that we haven’t even thought of yet. Why, then, should we limit our prayers to meager requests for God’s help with this, or that? Christians ought to learn to think big, dream big of an abundant life, and make bold requests of our God, who is able to exceed our expectations and bless us even beyond our capacity to receive blessing (Malachi 3:10).
The promise of an abundant life, therefore, is the promise of a life that exceeds our expectations and surpasses what we might think of as reasonably good. As Christians, we are blessed with certain assurances, which make life on Earth a much more pleasant prospect than it might be otherwise (Ephesians 1:3). For example, the assurance of eternal salvation gives us an inner peace, which the world cannot even comprehend (Philippians 4:7). Also, the assurance of God’s providence at work in our lives comforts us, when times are tough (Matthew 6:25-34). Finally, the assurance of knowing what will happen to us when we die helps us not be afraid of death, so that we can embrace all that life has to offer us (Revelation 14:13). These concepts all contribute to living an abundant life. Christians have much to live for, in this world, and they have much to look forward to, in the next (Philippeans 1:21).
Not only does living for Jesus benefit us here, but it also benefits us in the hereafter. What faithful Christians have to look forward to in eternity is such an abundant life it defies human description. John’s vision of Heaven, in the Revelation, was something that was unlike anything he had ever seen on Earth. He used the words “like” and “as” so many times in the book of Revelation, because he was trying to describe in Earthly terms something that transcends life in this world. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John say the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4) John told us about Heaven by telling us what is not there: death, sorrow, crying, and pain. These are things which can make life on Earth miserable, therefore they do not exist in Heaven!
An abundant life is something that is promised to every Christian, so let us resolve to lay claim to our share of it. Let us rejoice in all the blessings with which the Father so abundantly blesses us (Philippeans 4:4). Let us trust in the blessed assurance of the promises that God has made to all who will yield to His will (2 Peter 3:9). Let us look forward to the prospect of an eternal home in Heaven, and allow this hope of eternal life to be the anchor, which keeps our souls steadfastly secured to our Lord and Savior (Hebrews 6:19).
May we all live an abundant life, victoriously, and triumphantly, in this present world!
Content by Russell Kline
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All Lives Matter!
The message that “All Lives Matter” is a Biblical message.
The latter half of 2014 was marred by violence in different parts of our country, as protests erupted over allegations of racism within certain law enforcement organizations. It was alleged that, in the minds of some police officers, the lives of black people do not matter as much as the lives of other people. This has prompted some protesters to don t-shirts and carry signs that say, “Black Lives Matter!” Lately, I have seen some who have moved on from that message to one that says, “All Lives Matter!” Whether people realize it, or not, the message that “All Lives Matter” is a Biblical message, which says much more than those who chant it may intend to say.
If there are any in our society who sincerely believe that life (anyone’s life) is cheap and disposable, it is because that is the concept that society has been feeding itself for more than a generation. Since the 1970’s, proponents of abortion on demand have been arguing that the lives of unborn children do not matter and are subject to being snuffed out at any time prior to birth. Since the 1980’s, proponents of euthanasia on demand have argued that the sick and the elderly are a drain on society’s resources and that humanity would be better served if all of them were just brushed aside and terminated. For a much longer time than these, proponents of eugenics have argued that “inferior” forms of human life must be weeded out of our gene pool, so that only the strongest; most viable; “perfect” specimens shall prevail on Earth. Adolph Hitler is one of the most famous proponents of eugenics in history. With all of the disregard for life in our world, is it any wonder that humanity is becoming more violent?
The Bible teaches us that life is a precious gift, which must not be wasted, or thrown away (Ephesians 5:15-16). One’s ethnic, or national background is irrelevent – All Lives Matter. If one is in need, then we all have a responsibility to help and not to turn away (Luke 10:30-37). The path of mercy is always preferable to the path of violence (Matthew 5:7). Every soul is precious beyond all the wealth of this world (Mark 8:36-37). Every life is sacred, and must never be regarded with contempt (Proverbs 6:16-17).
The Bible does teach that Christians may defend themselves against the violence of others (Luke 22:35-38). The Bible also teaches that those who uphold the law may use force to stop those who break the law (Romans 13:4), and that those who take the lives of innocent people may be punished by a sentence of death (Genesis 9:6). But these things, in no way, suggest that people are permitted by the Lord to regard some lives as being more or less important than others. All lives matter!
I am afraid that, as we push God further and further away from our society, we will be inviting the cold embrace of fear, paranoia, and hatred, which will only lead us to increasingly more violence in all lives. Only when we learn and obey the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ will we have peace, harmony and love prevailing in our world. For too long we have tolerated the devaluation of the lives of unborn children. For too long we have entertained the arguments of those who would seek to rid our world of the sick, the infirmed, and the imperfect. Right now, there are two competing views of life in our world: that of the Bible and that of evil. As Christians, we must stand up for the Word of God (Colossians 3:17).
As far as the protests and counterprotests in our land around “All Lives Matter” go, I cannot say who is right and who is wrong, because I do not know. One thing I do know, however, is that injustice is not an excuse for further violence.
- “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
- “Avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
- “Recompense to no man evil for evil” (Romans 12:17).
- “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39).
When we are outraged by the violence and oppression in the world around us, more violence is not the answer. People like Ghandi, King, and Mandella opposed injustice in their homelands, but they did so without resorting to violence. My prayer for the current generation is that people will learn from the Bible and from history to love God, and to love their fellow man (Matthew 22:35-40).
- “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the Devil” (Ephesians 4:26,27).
- “Whosoever hatheth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:15).
All lives matter and all souls matter. Show the love of God to all. Preach the Gospel to all and save them eternally.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Russell Kline
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A Matter of Life and Death
What could be more important than a matter of life and death? How about eternal life and eternal death?
Harry Houdini (March 24, 1874-October 31, 1926) was considered to be one of the world’s greatest magicians. He performed many escape acts, and even intended to perform one final escape act, a matter of life and death, namely his own. His widow, Bess, kept a candle burning in the window for 10 years after his death. She claimed that she hoped to communicate with him through a séance, but never could. Finally, on the tenth anniversary of his death, his wife blew out the candle realizing he could not return from the grave.
The Bible states: “What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave (Psalm 89:48)?” Houdini could not deliver his life from the power of the grave, and neither can we. The Bible further states, “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27)…” We cannot return to this earth after death; rather, we will face judgment.
Heaven awaits those who have obeyed the gospel and have lived the faithful Christian life; Hell awaits those who have not. We have one lifetime to make the right choices, and then we will be judged according to our works (Revelation 20:12-15). What will we choose? What have you chosen so far? Do you need to make an informed change? Remember, this choice is, spiritually, a matter of life and death.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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Foundations of Faith Series – audio
Many thanks to Brian Giselbach of the Wood Avenue congregation in Florence Alabama for preaching this series of lessons for us. We also truly appreciate the many Wood Avenue members who devoted their time in outreach and encouragement leading up to this series.
Be sure to listen to each of the lessons in this series.
Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Reap What is Sown – Galatians 06:06-10 – audio
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Text: Galatians 6:6-10
Here the apostle Paul explains that whatever a man sows, that he also will reap. We often hear the saying, “you reap what you sow;” that is very true! As it is now spring and nearing summer, many people are out sowing seeds. Fruits, vegetables, flowers, and the like are popping up everywhere. Whatever seed one plants, that is what one expects to grow.
The parable of the sower is a good example of this (Matthew 13:1-9). The seed that fell on good ground reaped plenty; all other seed did not. As Christians, it is our job to sow the seed! Jesus later explained that the seed represented the Word of God (Matthew 13:19ff.). Different types of soil represented different types of hearts. We must have a receptive heart to the gospel, and share it with others.
Not only do we sow the seed of the Word of God, but we also sow the seed of the Spirit. A chapter earlier, Paul wrote that the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).” If we do these things as God commands us, in the end we will reap everlasting life.
What are you sowing?
If it is for the flesh, it will reap corruption! If it is for the Spirit, it will reap everlasting life!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Live Fast or Slow – audio
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Are you a planner? Do you look ahead at goals, and strive to find a way to achieve them? Do you lay out a plan and stick to it, perhaps for a very long time? On the other hand, do you just live for today? Are you only concerned with what you can get out of this very moment? Well, both perspectives have some Biblical insight.James 4:13-15: “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy, and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’”
In one sense, we do need to be concerned with the here and now. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow; things can happen in the blink of an eye. Job learned this very well: all of a sudden his health diminished, his family and livestock were taken away, and his friends turned against him. He lamented, “Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good (Job 7:7).” On the other hand, today can be a good day! The Psalmist wrote, “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).”
Isaiah 40:31: “But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah knows the importance of patience, and allowing God to work in His way and in His time.
By following God’s plan, we can become the kind of people He would have us to be, and can become stronger to do His will. This takes time! It took time for a King to come and rule over Israel; it took time for Saul of Tarsus to see the light; it took time for members of the Lord’s church to qualify for certain offices (elder, deacon, etc.).
Since our lives are so short as James describes, we need to take care of our souls now! We may not get another opportunity! Once we are in the right relationship with God, we must plan to be His people.
It takes time studying His Word and adjusting our lives to follow Christ’s example. Everything will work out for good, though (Romans 8:28). Remember the words of Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble (Matthew 6:33-34).”
Become a child of God now; God will take care of you now and later on, for eternity.
Content by Richard Dillon
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John 11:20-27 – I Am the Resurrection and the Life – audio
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Text: John 11:20-27
Introduction
A. Jesus has the power to raise us all from the dead.
B. Here in John 11, Lazarus was sick and later died.
1) Jesus was not there at that exact time.
2) He explained that the Son of God would be glorified through it (John 11:4).
3) That those present would believe (John 11:15).
C. He had a very important discussion with Martha.
1) Like her, we must believe His words.
Body
I. Jesus is the resurrection.
A. Jesus claimed to be the resurrection (John 11:25), and proved it by raising Lazarus (John 11:42-44).
B. Jesus later arose from the grave.
1) Those that came to the tomb learned “He is risen (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6,9; Luke 24:6; John 20:9)!”
2) The apostles affirmed His resurrection.
i. Paul declared the gospel of which he also received (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
ii. Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead according to the gospel (2 timothy 2:8).
iii. Paul declared that Christ is risen from the dead, and all shall be made alive in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
iv. Peter preached the resurrection of Christ, beginning on Pentecost (Acts 2:24,32; 3:15,26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40). It is through the resurrection of Christ that we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
3) God raised up Christ (see iii above), and thus Christ gives life to whom He wills (John 5:21). As He raise up Jesus, so will we be raised (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
C. Jesus said there would be a resurrection of life to those who have done good, and a resurrection of condemnation to those who have done evil (John 5:28-29).
II. Jesus is the life.
A. In Christ, we live (Acts 17:28).
B. In Christ was life (John 1:4).
C. Eternal life is in Christ (1 John 5:11-12).
D. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
III. We must believe in Christ.
A. Jesus said that though we may die, if we believe in Him, we shall live (John 11:25-26).
B. We all must die (Hebrews 9:27).
C. At the last day, Jesus will raise up those who believe in Him unto everlasting life (John 6:39-40,44).
D. Paul taught the Ephesians of God’s exceedingly great power towards the believers of Christ’s resurrection (Ephesians 1:19-20).
E. Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:21).
F. Christ was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).
G. We must believe Christ in order to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
H. The Spirit of God must dwell in us, in order to receive eternal life (Romans 8:9-11,13; Ephesians 3:16-17). The body is the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).
Conclusion
A. God raised Christ from the dead, and will raise us up if we believe in Him.
B. Eternal life is in Christ, and if we want to live forever we must be in Christ.
C. We do so by being baptized into Christ, and rise to walk a new life as Christ was raised from the dead (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-5, 8-9).
Content by Richard Dillon
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Romans 15:04 – Follow the Pattern – audio
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Text: Romans 15:4
Introduction
A. Patterns are very useful. By following them, one can achieve a desired result.
1) If you want to make a quilt with a certain style and color, you follow the pattern exactly to get yours to look exactly like the one you want.
2) Puzzles are fun to work, and the picture on the box shows what the end result ought to be. When all of the pieces are put together in the proper place, the ideal photo is revealed.
B. From the very beginning, God has a pattern for man to follow.
1) By following His directions, one can achieve the intended result.
2) By not following it, an undesirable consequence ensues.
I. Old Testament examples.
A. Paul taught the Romans “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. Noah followed God’s pattern to build an ark, and saved himself, 7 other humans, and animals (Genesis 6:14-22).
C. The children of Israel assisted Moses in building the tabernacle, according to the pattern that God gave him (Exodus 25:9,40). As a result, God had a place to dwell.
D. Aaron made the lampstand according to the pattern God gave him (Numbers 8:4).
E. David gave Solomon the instructions on how to build the temple (1 Chronicles 28:9ff.), since he could not build it himself.
F. Nadab and Abihu did not follow God’s pattern, offering strange fire before Him. As a result, they died before Him (Leviticus 10:1-3; Numbers 3:4; 26:61).
G. Through Ezekiel, the LORD gave Israel a chance to go back to the pattern of the temple (Ezekiel 43:10-12).
II. New Testament examples.
A. Jesus Christ lived the perfect life, and we must follow His example (1 Peter 2:21-24).
B. Paul said Jesus wanted him to be a pattern for others (1 Timothy 1:16).
C. The church at Philippi were encouraged by Paul to follow his example as they have a pattern (Philippians 3:17).
D. Timothy was told to “be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).”
E. Young men are exhorted to be a pattern of good works in all things (Titus 2:6-7).
Conclusion
A. We need to follow God’s pattern to be a good example to the world and lead lost souls to Christ.
B. God gave us His Word as a blueprint.
1) Christ to follow after
2) The gospel to save us
3) He built His church that we can be a part of.
C. The directions are easy to follow.
D. Let us follow that pattern, and be the examples for others!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Job 19:23-27 I Know that My Redeemer Lives – audio
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Text: Job 19:23-27
Introduction
God allowed Satan to do anything to Job with the exception of taking his life. Everything Job had was taken away.
Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite tried to comfort him, but to no avail.
During their discourse, Job affirmed his belief that God would give everything back to him (Job 19:23-27).
Body
I. Job had a Redeemer, as do we.
A. Job had faith in God that even though what he had was taken away, God could give it back (Job 19:25; 1:21).
B. Asaph and Isaiah proclaimed that God is the Redeemer of Israel (Psalm 78:35; Isaiah 54:5).
C. The LORD is our Redeemer and Savior (Isaiah 49:26; 60:16).
D. God sent His Son to redeem…
1) …those under the law (Galatians 4:4-5).
2) …those who would later believe in Christ (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:11-15).
II. Our Redeemer lives!
A. Job knew his Redeemer lives forever (Job 19:25).
B. Jesus was in the beginning with God and was God (John 1:1,14; 1 John 1:1-4). He is still alive today, and always will be (Revelation 1:18)! Because of Him, we may live forever (John 14:19).
C. Besides John, many others witnessed Christ after His death, burial, and resurrection including Thomas (John 20:24-29).
III. We will all see God.
A. Job knew he would see God (Job 19:26-27).
B. David wanted to see the face of God (Psalm 17:15).
C. God is love (1 John 4:8,16), and while describing love Paul said that we would “see…face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).”
1) The pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:8).
2) We shall see God as He is, so we must purify ourselves (1 John 3:1-3).
3) Every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7-8; Matthew 24:30-31).
IV. We must long to see our God!
A. Job’s heart yearned within him (Job 19:27).
B. John expressed, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20)!” This was immediately after Christ said, “Surely I am coming quickly (Revelation 22:20).”
Conclusion
Job’s Redeemer lives; our Redeemer lives!
Are we ready for the return of Christ, that we may live forever with Him?
If so, we long for His return; if not, we need to become right with God. We can do so right now!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Water, Water Everywhere Nor Any Drop To Drink
Samuel Taylor Coleridge penned the words “water, water, everywhere nor any drop to drink” in his poem “Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner” in the early 1800s. He gives his readers a sense of abundant water that is not fit to drink. It would be terrible to come upon an abundant water supply, yet not be able to partake of any.
In contrast, we have an abundant water supply that we can partake of! Jesus told a woman of Samaria, “whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:13-14).” After hearing these words, this woman desired that living water! We too should desire everlasting life, and we can get it through Christ.
Water may be abundant, but not fit for drinking. Rather than being thirsty for physical water, we should desire the spiritual water.
Once our physical thirst is quenched, we will become thirsty again. However, by partaking of that spiritual water we shall truly be filled.
There is plenty for you, and plenty for me. “…Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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Religion and Life
I get the distinct feeling that many people want the blessings and privileges that come with faith, but they desire few of the responsibilities of discipleship.
These folks want the Father close at hand, but never take the time to talk to Him in prayer. They want to be spiritually alive, but spend little time with the “bread of life” (the Bible). They want a faith that will sustain them in times of trouble, but have little thought of God when things go well. They want worship to be exciting, emotionally fulfilling, and spine tingling, but are spectators not participants in the assembly. They talk about the importance of Christ in their lives, and then crowd Him out of their lives. Paul described these folk as “having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5).
Faith in Jesus Christ is life changing, or at least it was meant to be.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). To follow Jesus requires that we rid our lives of all that is contrary to His will and nature, and that we imitate His life, His love, His devotion, and His compassion. He gave us the perfect example to follow (1 Peter 2:21).
As Christians, our purpose is to do the will of Him who died to save us.
We are not people pleasers, but God pleasers (Galatians 1:10). What we believe and stand for is not determined by public opinion and popular vote. We believe the Bible to be the word of God. We honor God by honoring His word. It is our rule book for life. It tells us how to live, what kind of people we are to be, how we are to treat one another, and what is required of us in order to live eternally. It is impossible to share in all the blessings of Christ, while rejecting the responsibilities of discipleship. Thus, the light of every true Christian will shine brightly each day.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Favoritism
Sometimes we put sins into categories without even thinking:
- Really Bad Sins
- Bad Sins
- Not-So-Bad sins
Sure, I’m a sinner, but none of mine are the really bad ones. I would never commit those, like murder or adultery.
My sins are smaller stuff like sometimes thinking bad thoughts, losing my temper, spreading a little gossip, or being impatient and irritable. Everybody does that stuff, so it’s ok, right?
Sound familiar?
The Christians James were writing to apparently made the same argument, “Sure, we may show favoritism, but at least we’re not murderers or adulterers.”
James didn’t like their reasoning.
“but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:9–13
Do you see his point?
A sin, by its very nature, is a transgression against God’s will.
For us to try to make some sins not as bad as others betrays a misunderstanding of sin. That was part of Jesus’ point in Matthew 5. Essentially, here’s what he said:
“You know the Law says it’s wrong to murder, but I’m telling you to deal with the anger that leads to murder.”
“You know adultery is wrong, but I’m telling you to clean up your dirty minds.”
In James’ context, favoritism / discrimination / prejudice, or not loving your neighbor, violates the very essence of what God wants in our relationships with one another. In one sense, if we treat one another poorly, we have committed the same sin that leads to murder: disregarding our mutual status as human beings created in God’s image.
So what about us?
It applies to how we treat people. If I disregard someone because for some reason I think he’s less of a man than I am, I have missed the Bible’s whole point about loving people and I have become guilty of breaking all of it.
We would never murder anyone, but would we murder someone;s reputation through gossip?
We would never attack others physically, but would we ignore them, snub them, or mock them?
The gospel calls us to recognize everyone’s equal value before God.
As sinners we are all in the same boat – we deserve the death sentence.
By God’s grace he stepped in and rescued us. Recognizing that ought to remind us to extend mercy and grace to everyone around us.
God did it for us. Shouldn’t we do the same for others?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Want!
IT… may very well be the most powerful life changing force you can harness… knowing what you want and where you are going.
Being focused on a goal or objective is extremely powerful. It can help you overcome weaknesses and make dramatic improvements… in health, in your mind, and most importantly… in your spirit.
The key to really powerful goals, of course, is making them both meaningful and specific. But tonight I do not want to discuss forming positive goals. Right now, it’s about setting negative goals.
What do I mean by setting negative goals?
It is just as important to set negative goals, it is to set positive ones. In other words, you need to define what you DON’T want in your life… just as much as you need to define what you do want.
Perhaps it would be a helpful exercise to actually make a list of all the things you absolutely, positively, unflinchingly want to eliminate from your life.
Is this a biblical concept?
Absolutely.
Jesus taught… in graphic, figurative language… that amputation is better than destruction – Matt. 18:8-9
Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ” – Phil. 3:13-14.
And then this interesting passage: “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ” – Heb. 12:1
You see, we need to amputate, forget about, and lay aside the negative things in our life that prevent us from attaining the prize set before us. But you can’t take remedial, surgical action if you don’t know what needs to be eliminated.
What needs lopping off?
So what in your life needs a hatchet? I’m sure if we spent enough time really meditating on this, each of us could come up with a long list… if we are honest. May I suggest three areas you might want to start with?
Here they are:
- Habits
- Attitudes
- Distractions.
Habits are the routines you’ve gotten into that help you get through the day or respond to events… without thinking. Some habits are good and healthy. Others, not so much. Identify habits that need to go.
Attitudes are feelings about people, places, things, and events. Again, some attitudes are healthy, others are harmful. Make a list of the feelings you have for people and things in your life that need to be eliminated. But please, keep this private. This list is for your own personal development, not for posting on Facebook.
Not every negative feeling needs to be eliminated. Some negative feelings are justifiable. But even when a negative attitude is justifiable, it is still possible that it is unworthy of your time and energy.
Other attitudes and feelings are simply self-indulgent, emotional wrecking balls. If you cannot control your attitudes, then eliminate your exposure to the source. Take control of how you are affected by others. Controlling your emotions is BIG.
Finally, think about distractions that are preventing you from working toward your goals. I think this is one of the most effective tools Satan uses to create crippled Christians.
We are hamstrung and strung out on so many meaningless distractions. Sometimes it seems that if we have any measurable progress at all, it is at a snail’s pace.
Learn to eliminate distraction and its source in your life, “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” – Eph. 5:16. You will likely see dramatic improvements in your life.
Yes, accentuate the positive, but also remember to eliminate the negative.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Searching in all the Right Places
It happens all too often: we “know” where something is, only to find out we’re wrong.
- We’re sure our keys are hanging on the key rack, but instead we left them in our pocket.
- That restaurant was on the corner; now, it has relocated to the other part of town.
- The bread was in aisle 3; now, it’s in aisle 1.
In the religious world people look for the right things, but in the wrong places.
Eternal life is something that everyone needs, and should want! Where do we go to find it? Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me (John 5:39).”
The first place to look is the Bible! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), and His word abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). When we study the Scriptures we learn to find eternal life, where it really is; in Jesus Christ!
John writes, “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).”
Now that we see where eternal life is; let’s come and get it!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Colossians 03:01-17 Conforming Your Life to Christ
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Text: Colossians 3:1-17 – Scripture Reading: Romans 6:4-14
Introduction
- Conform – “to fashion, shape, outline, and contour, change one thing to bring into harmony or accordance to another.”
- If you’re a true Christian, you’re setting your eyes, mind, body, and soul on the things that are above (Spiritual, eternal) where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God – Colossians 3:1-4.
- Christians must conform to Christ, and put off their sins. Sin makes them look like and sound like, conform to, the devil instead of Jesus Christ. To conform your life to Christ, you must cut off and destroy the works of the devil which is sin – Colossians 3:5-10. When you’re in Christ, the old man of sin is dead, and a new man is raised to life with Christ – Romans 6:4-7.
Conform Your Life to Christ, the Holy Spirit Must Capture Your Mind
- You will not conform your life to Christ unless the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, convicts your mind of sin to the point where you desire to surrender all to Jesus Christ – 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Why not allow the power of the Word of God to convict you and your sin that you might change and be conformed to Christ – Hebrews 4:12.
- To conform your life to Christ, you must not disregard the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 simply says, “Quench not the Spirit”. In 2 Samuel Chapter 11 David King of Israel, a man after God’s own heart, was guilty of quenching the Spirit when he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and murder her husband Uriah.
- To be conformed, shaped, or changed to Christ, you must have the mind of Jesus Christ, which is the mind to humble yourself and to serve God instead of your own ambitions – Philippians 2:5-8. Your mind needs to be renewed by Jesus Christ and not be conformed to the world. To conform to Christ, your love for yourself and the world must be diminished and eliminated – 1 John 2:15-17.
One the Holy Spirit has Engage Your Mind, You Must Take Action
- The action that you must take to conform your life to Christ involves getting ride of sins out of your life – Matthew 5:29-30. For example, if you’re accustomed to spending $40 a week playing the numbers you will need to take action to eliminate the sin of covetousness out of your life – Colossians 3:5-10. Therefore, repentance is necessary to conform your life to Christ – Luke 13:3.
- To conform your life to Christ you must separate from evil associations that will lead you away from God – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. This is why God told Israel to not marry into foreign nations whom are idolatrous, because they will be lead away from following God (Deuteronomy 7). We can learn from Solomon because his wives lead him away from following God – 1 Kings 11:1-10.
- To conform your life to Christ there are some things that you must learn to put off, and some things to put on you so that your life can be conformed to Christ. You must put off the old man and sinful practices and put on the new man of truth and holiness – Ephesians 4:21-32.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Psalm 01:01-06 Are You Living the Blessed Life?
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Text: Psalm 1:1-6
Introduction
- Is your life as joyous and happy as you would like it to be? Does your life find real meaning & purpose to it? If not, it may be because, your not following the Biblical standard for the blessed life. To live the blessed life, you must be willing to love God more than the pleasures, riches, and fame this world can offer – Hebrews 11:24-26. If you think the Christian lifestyle is too boring and restrictive for you, you will miss out on living the blessed life.
- To live the blessed life you must get rid of self, and submit yourselves totally to God – Matthew 16:24-26. Instead of laying up treasures for yourself, your must lay up treasures in heaven – Matthew 6:19-21.
- The Bible is the pattern to live the blessed life. These are blessings that can only come by obeying God. In Psalm 1:1-6, God gives us instructions how to live the blessed life. Let us consider them.
We Must Avoid Certain Things to Have the Blessed Life – Psalm 1:1
- The Word of God teaches you must avoid & abstain yourself from things & people in order to live the blessed life. People that have impure thoughts, those that don’t respect authority, those that dress & behave themselves in a shameful manner must be avoided & any that will give you bad advise – Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:14-15.
- To live the blessed life, the Christian must shun & keep away from the bombardment of the devils destructive messages through magazines, music lyrics, radio, television, and internet. Don’t be deceived these mediums are teaching many the way of destruction – 1 Corinthians 15:33.
- The blessed life requires one to avoid the lifestyles of the worldly & ungodly persons (Abortion, co-habitation, homosexuality, bi-sexual). You cannot have the blessed life, if you engage and love worldly activities because they’re the contrary to Gods – James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17.
The Blessed Life Requires That You Delight in the Law of The Lord – Psalm 1:2
- To enjoy the blessed life, it is required that you love the Word of God. We should take the attitude of Job concerning the words that proceed from God – Job 23:12; Psalm 119:72; Psalm 119:127; Proverbs 23:23
- Studying the Word of God, and meditating on it day & night is necessary to enjoy the blessed life just as eating daily meals are necessary to sustain our physical life – Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:11. It involves applying the principals, precepts, and commandments of God to your life which requires study & application of the Word in your life – 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
- Are you living the blessed life? If not, why not? God has made the way for you to get back home through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Preached at Gahanna-Jefferson church of Christ 8-28-2008
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Luke 4:16-21 Jesus Delivers Us from Death to Life
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Text: Luke 4:16-21
Introduction
- Deliver means “to save by rescuing from evil or danger. It means to release, to set free, to rescue & preserve from eminent danger or death.
- Have you have ever found yourself in the “claws” of disparity, where there was danger all around you, perhaps a medical crisis, or accident, and all you could think of was getting help or calling 911 because danger or death was emanate?
- There’s a greater danger, we face, that our world is becoming more blind to, it’s spiritual death, separated from God, the everlasting punishment for our sins, where the worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched in hell according to (Mark 9:43-48). This is why you need to obey Jesus to be saved. Let us learn how Jesus has delivered us from death to life.
Jesus Delivers Us from Sin by Offering Himself as the Perfect Sacrifice
- According to the law in order to have atonement for your soul there must be the shedding of blood of a fleshly sacrifice – Leviticus 17:11. In Hebrews 9:22, the Word of God declares that without the shedding of blood is no remission. The blood of bulls & goats were not able to take away sins – Hebrews 10:4. The only sacrifice that will take away our sins is the offering of Jesus body – Hebrews 10:10-14.
- Jesus was able to be the perfect sacrifice for man’s sins because He was both God and man in flesh – Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-23; (Luke 1:26-35). He overcame the temptations of Satan – Matthew 4:3-4. Jesus was the only sacrifice without blemish or without sin that could take away our sins – Hebrews 4:15. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible teaches Jesus knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness through Him.
- Jesus delivered us from death to life because He was willing to give His life for the sheep – John 10:10-11. Jesus laid His life down for the sheep (John 10:18), and endured the pains of the cross that we might live – Luke 23:46
God Raised Jesus to Deliver Us from Death to Life
- When God raised Jesus to life from the grave, and when Jesus ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of God, the Bible teaches in Psalm 68:18-19, Jesus led captivity captive. Which means Jesus led away, the enemy which captured us (Sin, death & Satan), Jesus has subdued, and overcome, through His death, burial, and resurrection. This is why we can sing the song Victory in Jesus – 1 Corinthians 15:54-57.
- In John 5:24, the Bible teaches, Jesus will deliver the faithful in Christ from death to life – John 6:40. This will occur at His second coming, which will be the great Day of Judgment (Resurrection day) when the just will be resurrected to life and the unjust will be resurrected to damnation – John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18.
- Jesus has delivered us from death to life. The question you must answer for yourself is will you be ready when He comes – Matthew 11:28-30. Why not be delivered from your sins today and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Life Without Meaning
“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). This is not a skeptical and pessimistic view of life, but a poignant refutation of materialism. Wealth, power, pleasure and fame are all fleeting. Solomon, generally acknowledged as the author, observed: “I denied myself of nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11).
Life from a materialistic point of view is hopelessness
This is the attitude of one looking at life from a purely materialistic point of view. It portrays the hopelessness of those who trust in wealth, power, pleasure and knowledge. Experience teaches that rich or poor, wise or foolish, great or small, all must die. That being true, our author laments: “So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 2:17-18).
Maybe you’ve felt the same sense of futility
If you have, don’t despair! There is hope. Having tried it all our author concluded that man’s whole duty was “to fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Wisdom, knowledge, and happiness come to those who put Him first, but to those who do not life remains meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 2:25-26). A man may chase the wind, but he never captures it!
Is there meaning to life?
Is there hope? Can man find peace? Yes, but not in material pursuits! There is no lasting satisfaction or joy in a life apart from God. The struggle is futile until He comes into the picture. One may be rich, famous and powerful, but if God is missing, life offers nothing lasting (Luke 12:16-21). Everything is meaningless!
Does your life have meaning?
—Roger
JULY 29, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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