Historical Posts
Hebrews 05:12-14 – Right and Wrong – Audio
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Text: Hebrews 5:12-14
What is Right and What is Wrong?
Introduction to What is Right and Wrong
A. What is “spiritual maturity?” It is being able to have our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
B. We are to be able to prove or to determine the good, perfect and acceptable will of God – Romans 12:2
C. How do we decide what is right and wrong?
Body for What is Right and Wrong
I. Questions and Biblical Answers to What is Right and Wrong.
A. Is it condemned in the Bible? – Galatians 5:19-21
B. Will it harm me spiritually? – Romans 8:5-8; Galatians 5:16-26
C. Will it harm me physically? – 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Romans 12:1
D. Will it hurt others, causing them to go astray? – Romans 14:1-15:3;
E. Will it take too much of my time and money? – Luke 12:16 -21; Ephesians 5:15-16
F. Will it hurt my influence for Christ and the church? – Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Timothy 4:12
G. Will it hurt my conscience? – Romans 14:21-23
H. If Christ was here, would He disapprove? – 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Corinthians 11:1
II. Two Thoughts About Sin!
A. Sin is not hereditary.
1. Sin is of such a nature in its very meaning that it cannot be inherited.
2. Sin is something committed – 1 John 3:4; John 8:34
3. We neither inherit the act or the guilt of our parent’s sins.
4. We suffer the consequences of their sins – Exodus 20:4-5
5. We do not suffer the guilt of their sins – Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 18:1-4
B. Sin is no laughing matter.
1. Sin is rebellion, lawlessness, perversity, and failure.
2. It is a disease that needs curing.
3. It is a taskmaster that needs forsaking.
4. It is an insanity that needs healing.
5. It is a filth that needs cleansing.
6. It is a debt that needs paying.
7. It is a stain that needs removing.
8. It is a darkness that needs light.
Conclusion to What is Right and Wrong
A. An understanding of “what is sin” constitutes a strong argument against sinning.
B. Obey the Gospel of Christ – quit the sinning business – John 8:32
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Nurture and Admonition of the Lord
Parents are responsible to teach about Biblical marriage.
Parents, have you considered the fact that it is now entirely up to you to teach your children about Biblical marriage? Once upon a time, in our society, the Biblical definition of marriage was the only one that people knew. It was what was accepted as “normal.” It was the ideal to which everyone aspired. But, that is no longer the case.
Schools, television and internet teach Biblical marriage is oppressive.
Today, our children are being incorrectly taught at school, on television, and on the Internet that the Biblical definition of marriage is wrong, oppressive, and a big part of what is wrong with our society. This idea has been presented to us in very subtle ways, for the past 50 years, but now that marriage has been successfully redefined and reinvented in our courts, there is no longer any need for subtlety. Sadly, society is not going to present a positive view of Biblical marriage anymore. This mean it is up to Christian parents to teach their children things that were once universally accepted by all.
Care about our children means we must “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”.
We must not fail to teach the truth to our children, or the definition of Biblical marriage might become something that is unknown to an entire generation. With the immoral changes that have come to pass in modern society, the world is a much more dangerous place for spiritually minded people than it ever was before. Care about our children means we must “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We cannot take it for granted that they will learn anything correct about marriage from the world around them. We cannot even take it for granted that the teaching they receive at church will be enough.
It is our parental responsibility.
Children need their parents to direct them and show them the way that they ought to go, in life (Proverbs 22:6). It’s a topsy-turvy world. Our kids are going to live in it and they need to be armed with knowledge of God’s Word, and a good example to follow. It is our parental responsibility.
Content by Russell Kline
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Threats to the Family
The Demise of Home and Family
The children of a prominent family decided to give their father a book of the family’s history for a birthday present. They commissioned a professional biographer to do the work, carefully warning him of the family’s “black sheep” problem: Uncle George had been executed in the electric chair for murder. The biographer assured the children he could handle that situation. He would record complete truthfulness and without any embarrassment to their father. He later wrote: “Uncle George occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution. He was attached to his position by the strongest of ties and his death came as a real shock.”
It has been said that there is a skeleton in every closet, and a black sheep in every family. Just so you know, I’m not interested in uncovering either. But, I do want to address a real problem and that is the demise of homes and families.
Who could dispute the fact that homes are under attack in this nation?
Families are facing real threats, and we ignore them at our peril. The church is not immune. Whatever is in the world will creep into the church!
A recent Pew Study revealed that 38% of births in the U.S. in 2006 were to unwed mothers. In 1960 it was 5%. That same study found that nearly ½ of those in their 30’s and 40’s in 2005 had lived with a partner outside of marriage.
Not only are divorce and immorality rampant, but there is a concerted effort underway in this nation to redefine marriage. A few states now allow same sex marriages. Behind the scenes efforts have been underway for some time to make it the law of the land.
Marriage is under assault, but the words of Jesus still ring true: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
Motherhood is devalued. But the reality is that the greatest fulfillment in life will never come from the nine-to-five world of the women’s libbers! A woman’s greatest influence is in the home and family (Proverbs 31:10-31). The world has gotten it wrong!
Fathers are assailed. The media generally presents men (fathers) as bungling idiots routinely rescued from the brink of disaster by a strong woman (think Ray Romano, Tim Taylor, Homer Simpson). The Bible challenges men to lead the family and home. Fathers must be active in child care and training, and make a positive impact on home and family (Ephesians 5:25-6:4).
Return To A Biblical Family Framework
Family and the home will not only survive, but thrive when we adhere to Biblical principles for marriage and the family. We invite disaster when those principles are ignored. The church must be the voice of reason (1 Timothy 3:15). We must rise to the challenge! The threats to the family are real, but they are not insurmountable if we will only return to a Biblical framework for home and family.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Sound Familiar?
Pay attention to the warnings form the past. They should sound familiar and we should learn from them.
Isaiah, a prophet of Israel, seven centuries before Christ, warned his nation of impending disaster. The warning should sound familiar. The moral foundations of Israel were crumbling, and without a strong moral foundation, no nation can long survive. As I read Isaiah, I am struck by the similarities between that society and our own.
First, Isaiah described a people who loved alcohol and sought escape in the bottle. He wrote: “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them” (Isaiah 5:11). In a culture where alcohol and drug abuse have reached epidemic proportions, his words hauntingly sound familiar. People are still looking for escape, but are not finding it. Misery is the companion of those who turn to drugs and alcohol.
Second, Israel had forgotten God. They would go into captivity because they had no knowledge of God (Isaiah 5:13). Today, parents do everything in their power to see that their children have the best toys, the latest fashions, the nicest houses, and the finest education money can buy. But, that which every parent needs to pass on to their offspring is neglected. Does this sound familiar? Children are growing up without a spiritual foundation. Only in God can we find answers to the great questions of life. If God is left out, it matters little what kind of education we provide our children, for they will grow up spiritually ignorant and without meaning and purpose for their existence.
Third, he spoke of a nation with warped values. Good had become evil, and evil had become good (Isaiah 5:20). That surely does sound familiar. Many of those things which our parents and grandparents recognized as sinful are now embraced and endorsed by society. Adultery, abortion, homosexuality, gambling, and a number of other immoral and ungodly activities are no longer frowned upon. In fact, those who oppose these things are now the bad guys! Good is again evil, and evil is good.
It is not too late, yet, but soon it will be. It is imperative that we begin again to build a society on the moral and ethical foundations of God’s word. Unless we change directions soon, the America many of us know and love will no longer exist.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Obtain the Prize – Audio
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Run the race of life to obtain the prize of eternal life.
This weekend many individuals will be participating in the Bible Bowl. The gospel of John has been studied, and learned by all. Although a prize will be given to each of the top finishers in each age group, everyone wins because they all have a better understanding of God’s word.
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.
Paul likens the Christian life to a lifelong race. Just as one runner receives the top prize in a marathon, so every Christian should run in a way that they may obtain a prize. In the early days, the winner of the Olympic events would receive an olive tree wreath on his head. This crown would perish. However, here Paul speaks of an “imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).”
Paul told Timothy that he has “fought the good fight, finished the race, and have kept the faith.” As a result, he would receive a prize, the “crown of righteousness,” which the Lord would not only give to him, but also to “all who have loved his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).” This “crown of righteousness” is also called the “crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).” As it takes a lot of hard work preparing for the Bible Bowl, it takes a lot of work preparing for Heaven. After becoming a Christian, one must endure temptation, be approved, and continue to live faithfully unto death.
Unfortunately, sometimes competitors may try to win by unethical means. Many forms of cheating have stripped some winners of their awards. As Paul told Timothy, one is “not crowned unless he competes according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5).” If we want to hold on to our prize and crown, we must compete according to God’s rules. The church in Philadelphia was told, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown (Revelation 3:11).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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What Went Wrong?
What went wrong with our nation?
The school tragedies in so many states have shocked and dismayed us. What would possess kids to do such terrible things? What went wrong? I don’t claim to have all the answers, but some things are obvious.
First, children are being fed a steady diet of violence on television and at the movies. Much of what they view is pure filth. The language is atrocious. Nudity and illicit sexual activity are common place. Violence has become more and more graphic. But, do I blame Hollywood for exposing our kids to this kind of garbage? No! What went wrong? I think the fault lies with parents who fail to adequately monitor their children’s activities, and especially what they watch on television.
Second, faith in God has been undermined by the teaching of godless evolution as fact. When kids are raised to believe that they evolved from lower life forms, it’s not surprising to see them act like animals.
Third, life in this country is cheap. How can kids who have been fed a steady diet of the pro-choice tripe, grow up with a profound respect for the sanctity of life? They do not!
Fourth, there is no sense of accountability. Rather than hold people accountable for their actions, we make excuses. What went wrong? People (including kids) are not responsible for bad choices. Instead, we blame the system. They are merely products of their environments. Government has let them down. The educational system has failed them. Poverty is to blame. They have a genetic flaw – it’s all because of faulty DNA. Until people are once again held accountable for their actions, there will be no incentive to make good choices.
Fifth, parents have neglected their parental duties. I suspect all the others are really by-products of parental failure. What went wrong? Where are the parents? For too many years, kids have been raising themselves. Parents are often so selfish and self-involved that they never think of the welfare of their own offspring. Marriages are crumbling. Homes are being destroyed. And, children are the ones who suffer most.
What this nation needs is not stricter gun laws, but more loving and caring parents (especially fathers) who are willing to take an active role in raising their children. Listen to the apostle Paul: “…fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). God’s plan from the beginning involved the union of one man and one woman in the loving bonds of holy wedlock for life. Children were to be reared in the home formed by this union. When God’s plan is circumvented, disaster is inevitable! Only by returning to God’s plan for the family can we truly address what went wrong. Are you following His plan in your life?
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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Cause to Weep
Until we all embrace God’s laws and live by them, there will be cause to weep!
The Bible speaks of tears being shed on many occasions. David had cause to weep when he learned of the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:33). The captives sat by the rivers of Babylon and wept as they remembered Zion (Psalm 137:1). Jesus was moved to weep as He made his way to the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus (John 11:35). He wept again as He looked upon Jerusalem and foresaw her impending destruction (Luke 19:41).
As I read each of the accounts mentioned in the previous paragraph, as well as others like them, I am reminded of something from the Psalmist’s pen. He wrote: “Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law” (Psalm 119:136). As I get older I understand more and more what the Psalmist meant, what caused him to weep.
Tears should come to our eyes and we should weep as we gaze upon the moral decline which has swept through our land. Long held standards of decency and morality have crumbled before us. A few decades ago the prospect of abortion on demand, the acceptance of homosexuality, the staggering rates of illegitimacy, and the brutal violence of today were unthinkable.
There is cause to weep when we see man’s inhumanity to man and the staggering toll in human lives. In Africa and the Middle East, thousands have died and continue to die, innocent victims of man’s brutality. Right here in our own country violence claims lives daily. Some see what is happening and blame God, but the fault is not His, it is ours!
The restraints of space will not permit a detailed listing of all the problems which fill our land and bring tears to our eyes. Now I simply must ask, “What is the real cause for our tears?” The Psalmist gives us the answer. It is because men do not keep God’s law (Psalm 119:136)! What a different world it would be if only men would acknowledge God and honor His commands.
We may not be able to change the world, but we can change ourselves. We must adopt God’s laws as our own, and live by them every day. Then, and only then, can we begin to make a difference in our community and the world. Until we all embrace God’s laws and live by them, there will be cause to weep!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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What Has Happened to America?
What has happened? Immorality is America tearing it apart. There is but one solution.
Are you troubled by what you see and hear in our country? I am! I keep asking myself, “What’s happened to America?” The country I knew as a boy is no more. Violence, vulgarity, drinking, drugs, illicit sex, pornography and a host of other problems pollute the land.
I am not saying that there were no problems when I was a youngster, but at least then they were still recognized as problems. Divorce was much rarer. People worked to keep their marriages together. Most babies were conceived after the wedding, and those who were not were usually born after the wedding. Now kids are having kids in record numbers and marriage is not even in the picture.
Values are warped now in America. One evening I sat down to watch the news. The first story regarded a new law to protect abortion clinics and to restrict protests by anti-abortion advocates. The story was slanted in favor of the pro-abortion forces and against the anti-abortion movement. The fact that there would be no protests if America simply stopped killing innocent babies never entered the picture. But what really upset me was what followed. The next two stories involved the alleged mistreatment of animals. In one it was argued that carriage horses in New York City were not being properly cared for, yet the horses shown in the segment all looked in good health and were receiving what appeared to be excellent care. The mayor still thinks horse drawn carriages should be outlawed. The other item involved a wrestling bear which was supposedly being mistreated. As far as I know, the bear won every match. It, too, was well fed and received proper care. Naturally, however, it was clear we should feel sorry for the animals. The mistreatment of animals cannot be tolerated by an enlightened society. It’s alright to kill our babies, but don’t abuse an animal! Now, I’m not in favor of abusing animals, but there is something desperately amiss when people in America oppose the mistreatment of animals and support the wholesale slaughter of the unborn. We have a serious problem!
It’s not hard to figure out what has happened to America. And, there is but one solution. In the words of Solomon, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Are you living a righteous life before God, having had Jesus remove your sin?
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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Do the Right Thing
In the fifteenth Psalm, King David posed an important question: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1). In essence, he was asking, “Who will be in Heaven?”
In response to his own question, the psalmist listed almost a dozen qualities that are consistently found in everyone who will one day walk the streets of gold. The first two of those qualities are of immediate concern, in this article.
“He that walketh uprightly,” is one who journeys through life with his head held high, because his sins are forgiven and he has nothing to fear (Hebrews 10:19-22).
“…and worketh righteousness” refers to one who consistently does the right thing, when he is confronted with a choice between right and wrong courses of action (Romans 6:16-18).
Every day, God’s children are confronted with temptation to sin, and must choose to do the right thing, in order to go to Heaven (1 Corinthians 10:13). We must learn to do the right thing, in every situation, if we want to go to Heaven.
The Right Thing Is Usually Not Easy to Do
In almost every moral/ethical dilemma we may face, the right thing to do is not going to be the easiest thing to do. As a matter of fact, the right thing to do is usually inconvenient, and problematic. By way of contrast, the wrong thing to do is typically the easiest way out of a dilemma. It is almost always the choice that promises to make light work out of the heaviest difficulties.
The difference between the right and wrong ways to handle a dilemma is best illustrated in the Savior’s teaching on the difference between the way to Heaven and the way to Hell. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth to life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The way to Heaven is difficult and fraught with obstacles, but the way to Hell is easy and much less difficult to navigate.
The Right Thing Is Usually Unpopular
As Jesus state in the preceding verses, “many” will choose to follow the way to Hell and “few” will follow the way to Heaven.
When confronted with a choice between doing what is morally right and doing what is morally wrong, most people choose to do wrong – often because that is what everyone else is doing.
This is why the Bible discourages us from using popularity to justify our actions. As the Lord advised the people of Israel, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Exodus 23:2).
It was the majority of people who perished in the great flood (Genesis 6-9), and the majority of people who shouted for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (John 19).
Just because a particular course of action is popular – it does not necessarily follow that it is the right thing to do. The right thing is not usually the popular thing to do.
The Right Thing Offers Few Worldly Rewards
Many times, when confronted with a dilemma, doing the right thing is not easy, because it offers us no personal gain. We are a society of mercenaries, who are more interested in how we may profit from a situation than in suffering a personal loss for the greater good.
Yet, the Word of God urges us to be self-sacrificing and to place the good of others ahead of our own advancement (1 Corinthians 6:7). We must imitate the example of our Lord, who came to Earth, not for His own good, but for ours (Mark 10:45).
Simply because a given course of action is advantageous to us – it does not necessarily follow that it is the right thing to do.
These spiritual principles could be applied to any sinful act. Take lying, for example. Some of the reasons why it is so tempting to lie, when confronted with a situation in which telling the truth might not be so advantageous to us, are because it is easy to tell a lie, it is something that most people do every day, and it can save us from personal embarrassment. The problem with lying, of course, is that it is a sin, which will surely condemn us to eternity in Hell (Revelation 21:8). Like any sin, lying can carry with it some dire consequences, which can have a lasting negative effect upon our lives on Earth (Galatians 6:7,8).
Verily, it is always better to do the right thing, than to do the wrong thing, in any situation.
Content by Russell Kline
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Moral Integrity
We Christians must stop apologizing for our moral position and start making our voices heard…
A. W. Tozer has written: “One of our great tasks is to demonstrate to the young people of this generation that there is nothing stupid about righteousness. To do so, we must stop negotiating with evil. We Christians must stop apologizing for our moral position and start making our voices heard, exposing sin as the enemy of the human race and setting forth righteousness and true holiness as the only worthy pursuit for moral beings. I have no doubt that historians will conclude that we of the twentieth century (should the Lord tarry) had intelligence enough to create a great civilization but not the moral wisdom to preserve it.”
There are only two approaches to ethics and morality.
Either we believe that right conduct is based on some authoritative standard, or we believe that morality is entirely relative — that there are no fixed standards of right and wrong.
If we do not accept some standard as authoritative in regard to moral and ethical issues, then we are put in the position of making those decisions for ourselves. The Bible describes this attitude when the historian wrote concerning the period of the Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). As you might imagine, chaos was the result.
For the Christian, the Bible is our standard for right and wrong.
On its pages we discover what is authorized, approved, and desired by God in the heart and actions of His people. Some things are always right and some things are always wrong! Right and wrong are not determined on the basis of what is easiest, brings the most pleasure, or feels best in a given situation. Proper moral and ethical conduct is prescribed on the pages of God’s word. With the Psalmist we should exclaim, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
The Bible offers the only basis upon which we may make morally and ethically sound judgments.
We would encourage you to:
Examine it carefully,
Believe it fully,
Obey it completely,
Live it daily.
Your life will be richly blessed.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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No Big Deal
Do you remember the story of Kelly Flinn? If not, Kelly Flinn was the Air Force’s first female B-52 pilot. She was the “poster woman” for women in the military, but her career came to a crashing halt when the news broke of her impending court-martial for:
- Adultery
- Lying
- Failure to obey orders.
In an effort to avoid court-martial, Flinn sought and received a general discharge from the Air Force.
Some thought she got off too easy.
They believed she should have been court-martialed. Others argued that she was unfairly singled out because she was a woman. And, many on both sides seemed to think that too big a deal had been made out of her adultery. There were calls from many to rewrite the standards regarding sexual conduct.
It was a sad commentary on the state of morality in our nation.
Far too many people in this nation were neither bothered nor troubled by what she did. Adultery, lying, and insubordination are relatively minor things, they argued. Everybody does it! Why pick on poor Kelly Flinn?
This cavalier attitude toward morality is the result of decades of indoctrination in:
- Evolution
- Atheism
- Agnosticism
- Humanism
In the minds of many people, there simply are no moral standards any more.
Anything goes. Who are we to say that anything is necessarily right or wrong? This thinking reaches into the highest levels of government and the media. I am grateful the Air Force understood the difference between right and wrong, but I can’t help but wonder if that would still be true today. So many things which were once acknowledged to be sinful are now openly embraced, including adultery, homosexuality, abortion, and gambling, to cite just a few examples.
Right and wrong are not arbitrary issues.
The Bible offer clear guidelines from the Creator as to acceptable and unacceptable conduct. We all suffer when those rules are ignored.
Isaiah wrote: “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20). We would do well to heed his warning.
— Roger
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Moral Integrity
A. W. Tozer has written: “One of our great tasks is to demonstrate to the young people of this generation that there is nothing stupid about righteousness. To do so, we must stop negotiating with evil. We Christians must stop apologizing for our moral position and start making our voices heard, exposing sin as the enemy of the human race and setting forth righteousness and true holiness as the only worthy pursuit for moral beings. I have no doubt that historians will conclude that we of the twentieth century (should the Lord tarry) had intelligence enough to create a great civilization but not the moral wisdom to preserve it.”
There are only two approaches to ethics and morality.
Either we believe that right conduct is based on some authoritative standard, or we believe that morality is entirely relative — that there are no fixed standards of right and wrong.
If we do not accept some standard as authoritative in regard to moral and ethical issues, then we are put in the position of making those decisions for ourselves.
The Bible describes this attitude when the historian wrote concerning the period of the Judges: “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). As you might imagine, chaos was the result.
For the Christian, the Bible is our standard for right and wrong.
On its pages we discover what is authorized, approved, and desired by God in the heart and actions of His people. Some things are always right and some things are always wrong!
Right and wrong are not determined on the basis of what is easiest, brings the most pleasure, or feels best in a given situation. Proper moral and ethical conduct is prescribed on the pages of God’s word. With the Psalmist we should exclaim, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
The Bible offers the only basis upon which we may make morally and ethically sound judgments.
We would encourage you to examine it carefully, believe it fully, obey it completely, and live it daily. Your life will be richly blessed.
— Roger
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
Return to the Home Page
Is The Bible a Lewd Book?
Some time ago the Associated Press (Brooklyn Center, Minnesota) reported that Gene Kasmar, an atheist, had filed a petition with the Brooklyn Center Independent School District in which he argued that the Bible was unfit for the eyes of children. In the petition Kasmar stated that “the lewd, indecent and violent content of that book are hardly suitable for young students.” He further charged that Bible passages “have no historical, scientific, literary, artistic or political value.”
The Bible deals with moral and ethical problems
No one who has read the Bible would deny that it deals with such topics as sex, incest, prostitution, and a host of other moral and ethical problems. However, there is a sharp contrast between what the Bible reveals on these issues and what our modern culture accepts. The Bible calls these things sin. In the values clarification culture of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s sin was erased from the English vocabulary. In a society where right and wrong no longer exist, the Bible clearly poses a threat. Thus, the real motive for attacking it.
The Bible offers a fair and accurate account of life and society
It reveals both the strengths and weaknesses of its chief characters. The story of King David is an excellent example of this. Men do bad things. The Bible does not deny this. But, in the Bible, when men do bad things, they are not called good.
Liars, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, murderers, etc. are charged with sin and urged to repent. Those who engage in sin must turn from their wicked ways. As God said to Israel through the prophet Ezekiel: “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” (Ezekiel 33:11).
As long as the world stands there will be those who seek to destroy the influence of the Bible.
The Bible will, however, endure long after its detractors lie silent in the grave. As the Psalmist wrote: “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89).
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Joshua 01:09 Moral Courage – audio
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Text: Joshua 1:9
Introduction
A. The most interesting stories in Reader’s Digest are those of the heroism of “average” people in life threatening situations.
B. Most people have more physical courage than they realize.
C. But the man who would not hesitate to risk bodily harm to save someone’s life will often be unwilling to risk ridicule to save someone’s soul.
D. Moral courage is rarer than physical courage — but it is much more important.
Body
I. MORAL COURAGE SOMETIMES REQUIRES PHYSICAL COURAGE.
A. True and deep commitment to the Lord is not without its physical dangers – Hebrews 11:32-38
B. Our very lives may be required of us – Revelation 12:11
C. Paul’s attitude serves as a good example – Acts 20:22-24; 21:10-14
D. It is not impossible that such courage might be required of us today.
II. MORE OFTEN, THOUGH, WE ARE THREATENED BY INTANGIBLE DANGERS
A. Peter, the physically courageous, shows that it is possible for a person to have considerable physical courage and still lack moral courage – Matthew 26:33; John 18:10
1. Peter denied the Lord three times – John 18:15-18, 25-27.
2. And years later, he showed a similar lack of courage in the Gentile controversy – Galatians 2:11-16
B. Satan knows very well the kinds of things we are most afraid of:
1. Embarrassment
2. Being “labeled”
3. Unfriendliness
4. Minority status
5. Loss of social esteem
6. Rejection
7. Hostility
C. Knowing our personal fears, Satan threatens us at those points, knowing that we will do nearly anything he says to avoid suffering those things.
D. If we give in to such pressure and deny Christ, we place ourselves among those who confess Christ only when little is at stake.
1. But Christ asks us to lead a life, in word and deed, which confesses Him regardless of the danger – Luke 12:8-9
2. We are not to hide the truth about our identity any more than He did – John 18:3-9
3. To be ashamed of Christ is to be lost – Mark 8:38
III. THE COURAGE WE CAN HAVE IS GROUNDED IN THE TRIUMPH OF GOD OVER EVERY EVIL
A. It is through Christ, and only through Him, that we can “do all things” – Philippians 4:13
1. John 14:27-28
2. John 16:33
B. There is no need for fear – 2 Timothy 1:7
C. It is a victorious Savior whom we follow – Revelation 19:11-16
Conclusion
A. It is the overcomer through Christ who will enjoy heaven – Revelation 21:1-7
B. But cowardice can damn our very souls – Revelation 21:1-8
C. If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31; 35-39
D. We are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us”- Romans 8:35-39
E. There is more joy in one moment of integrity and moral courage than there is in a lifetime of bowing to the pressure of evil.
F. The softest pillow upon which we may rest our heads at night is that of a courageous conscience.
G. What is there in your life today that requires courage?
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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1 Peter 01:13-16 Christians Must Be Pure And Holy
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Text: 1 Peter 1:13-16
Introduction
- The word pure means something that’s unmixed, free from pollutants, or foreign substances which contaminate it. If you have something that’s unpure and you want to make it 100% pure, there must be a process to remove the impurities to make it pure. You and I are like a diamond in the rough that needs refining because all have contaminated ourselves with sin – Romans 3:23. If you’re lost and defiled by sin or have fallen from God’s grace, you need to be purified by obeying the truth of the Word of God – 1 Peter 1:22-23.
- When you obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, you are sanctified & holy. You have been separated or set apart from the world and evil and consecrated to God for His purpose. In John 17:17, Jesus teaches us we’re sanctified through the truth of the Word of God.
Saints Must be Pure, Without Spot or Wrinkle, Shining as Lights in the World
- To free yourselves from the pollutants of sin and to be pure, without spot or wrinkle, Jesus died, was buried, and was resurrected for the forgiveness of your sins – John 3:16; John 3:36. This started the refining process, but you must be willing to complete the process by taking heed to God’s Word to be cleansed, and made pure – Psalm 119:9-11.
- The challenge for Christians is to live a pure life, while we are being surrounded by individuals that love evil – 3 John 11. This is why we need to increase teaching and practicing Christian morality. In James 1:27, we are admonished to visit those that do not have fathers and widows, and make sure we are unspotted from the world. In Philippians 2:12-15, we are reminded to work out your own salvation that we might be pure, shining as lights.
- Did you know that if you want to see God, you must have a pure heart? In Matthew 5:8, Jesus teaches the pure in heart shall see God. This is why we need to think and mediate on holy things that we might be about doing the holy things of God – Philippians 4:8.
God has Called You to be Holy Because He is Holy
- In 1 Peter 1:13-16, Peter exhorts the dispersed Christians to be holy. However, many people may perceive in their heart that it’s impossible to be holy.
- Holiness is not dependant upon being morally perfect. Being holy or sanctified is based on your obedience to God to be saved and to be set apart or separated from the world, to be consecrated or dedicated to God for His purpose – 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
- Being holy means being separated from evil. A Christian cannot be holy or sanctified if they’re trying to blend in with being politically correct or in that gray area. A line has to be drawn. You must stand with God for the truth – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, the Bible describes Christian’s as the temple of God which is holy. Did you know, Christian’s are to give their lives as a sacrifice to God which is to be holy – Romans 12:1.
- Taking time to be holy will make your life better (Husbands, Wives, employee’s and employer’s) – Colossians 3:18-25. In conclusion, God is holy ( 1 Peter 1:16); God’s son Jesus is holy (Mark 1:24); God’s Spirit is holy (John 14:26); When Jesus comes back, will you be found holy in Christ?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
1 Kings 21:01-16 Thou Shalt Not Steal
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Text: 1 Kings 21:1-16 – Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:15
Introduction
- The word steal comes from a Greek word (Klepto) in which we derive the English word “kleptomania” which denotes a persons obsessive need to steal, or those known to have “sticky fingers”. One is guilty of stealing when they seize the property of another unlawfully, and appropriate it to one’s own use or purpose.
- The Bible teaches you that stealing is a transgression of the law, it is disobeying God and one sin that can lead to your eternal destruction – Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28.
- Many in the world today do not believe or conceptualize stealing as a harmful wrong done against God and mankind, but it is a deadly poison, it will prevent you from inheriting the kingdom of God – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
Stealing Originates from Coveting and Greed – 1 Kings 21:1-4
- The spirit of stealing begins when your desire to have something that does not belong to you, trigger thoughts, strategies, and ways to obtain something in an unlawful, deceptive, or conniving way – Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10.
- The Word proclaims when Ahab told his wife Jezebel, Naboth would not sell him his vineyard, Jezebel proceeded to obtain this land for her husband by wicked means – 1 Kings 21:5-14. She set up two false witnesses against Naboth to say he blasphemed God and the king, and he was stoned – 1 Kings 21:11-14.
- After Naboth was stoned to death, Jezebel told Ahab to take the vineyard for a possession. But Elijah the Prophet told Ahab that evil would come to him and his house and his wife Jezebel would be destroyed – 1 Kings 21:17-24.
Instead of Stealing, Trust God to Supply Your Need
- Jehovah God let’s us know He owns the earth and everything in it – Psalm 24:1-2; Psalm 50:10. Therefore you and I need not to worry about things we need in life or feel we need to steal something that belongs to someone else. Because in Philippians 4:19 God says “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
- When you commit your life to God, you must learn to live in whatsoever state God places you in, whether it be luxurious/modern or poor/primative – Philippians 4:11-13. If you’re in Christ what reason do you have to steal, since you already have all spiritual blessing which are in Christ – Ephesians 1:3.
- If you’re a Christian and are a truly godly person you already have salvation, joy, peace, longsuffering, and love which is great gain because God own everything and has give us all things to live a godly life – 1 Timothy 6:6-10.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
Sin’s Destructive Nature
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Introduction
- In 1 John 3:4, the Sword of the Spirit describes sin as the transgression of the law. When we know what God says, and decide to do something else, this is sin, transgressing God’s law – James 4:17. The penalty for sin is death – Romans 6:23. The Bible says, all have sinned – Romans 3:23.
- Sin is the destructive tool of the devil and his angels, through lies and deception, designed to keep sinners separated from God by hiding, covering up, and misrepresentation the truth of the Word which makes man free – John 8:31-32. Let us make sure we are not deceived by the destructive nature of sin – Hebrews 3:12-13.
The Destructive Nature of Sin has Changed the Societal View of Morality
- In Mark 4:14-20, Jesus gives an explanation of the parable of the sower. In three of the four scenarios, the Word of God that was sown in man’s heart became unfruitful. Why? Because Satan does his best to make sure the seed doesn’t get into good ground – When one receives the Word of God, and is fruitful.
- In times past, fifty years ago and beyond, certain things and behaviors were not acceptable in society because they were deemed to be sinful in a country founded upon Christian and Biblical principles. But now these same sinful behaviors are acceptable because the deceitfulness of sin has destroyed many’s conscience of what is right and wrong.
(1) Co-Habitation (Fornication) – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
(2) Discipline – Proverbs 22:6, 15
(3) Immodest dress – 1 Timothy 2:9-10 - In 2 Timothy 3:13, the Bible teaches evil men will grow worse and worse. And this will challenge the Christian to live a holy life in a society that is unholy.
Sin is Destructive, but God has Prepared a Remedy
- Man is guilty of sin, and he had nothing of value that could atone for his transgressions, therefore his penalty would be death. Man had a debt he could not pay, but God gave man mercy through Jesus – Ephesians 2:4-5. God loved us and provided a way for our sins to be paid through the shed blood of His Son – John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
- If you are obedient to the commands of the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can have victory over sin and death – 1 Corinthians 15:57-58.
- To detract from Satan’s attacks of the truth, Christians must uphold, defend, and fight for the truth of the Word of God – Jude 3.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
James 04:13-14 This is Your Life – powerpoint
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Text: James 4:13-14
You were born into the world without sin
You became accountable
You have the freedom of your moral choices
- You can deny God or acknowledge Him
- You can deny Christ or confess Him
- You can follow the teachings of men or God
- You can walk after the flesh or after the Spirit
- You can go back into the world or remain faithful
You will give an account of your choices!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Headed Our Way
Legalize same-sex marriage?
If I’m not mistaken, nine states and the District of Colombia have now legalized same-sex marriage, and if the Ohio Freedom to Marry Coalition has its way, Ohio will be added to the list. An effort is currently underway to secure enough signatures to get the issue on the ballot in 2013. Then, if enough people can be persuaded to vote for the change, it will become law.
Proponents of same-sex marriage argue that this is a civil rights issue
In their judgment, religion should play no part in the matter. Further, they say that politics or personal views on morality are also irrelevant. They argue that all American citizens should be entitled to the same rights. Correct me if I am wrong, but don’t we all have the same rights already. Every man has the right to take a wife, and every woman has the right to take a husband. The fact that a small segment of our population wishes to demand an additional right to a union contrary to nature, is not a civil right but a moral matter.
Morality is not on the minds of many people
A sizable portion of the electorate, without giving serious consideration to what is at stake, will no doubt accept the civil rights argument. Sadly, morality is not upper most on the minds of many people. They reason, as long as it doesn’t affect them personally, who are they to tell someone else what they may or may not do? I can’t help but wonder at what point society will say “enough is enough!” Once same-sex marriage is embraced, the floodgates will open. The proponents of plural marriages will assert their civil right to multiple marriages. Others will assert their civil right to marry their cat. Another will claim it their civil right to marry a child. Yes, some will say that this is all nonsense, but advocates for these ideas are already out there.
Homosexuality is not a civil rights issue, but a moral issue
There is no homosexual gene. No one is compelled to engage in homosexual activity any more than they are compelled to engage in heterosexual activity. Adultery and fornication are just as sinful as homosexual activity. And, yes, homosexuality is clearly condemned in Scripture (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10). I understand that the world places no value on the word of God, but surely Christians do!
God has spoken with clarity and force
Please understand, I have no animosity toward homosexuals or anyone else, but God has spoken with clarity and force regarding this issue. Homosexual conduct is sinful. No amount of human reasoning can change that. If asked to sign a petition or given the opportunity to vote on the matter, I would hope we would stand for what the Bible teaches, even though it is counter to modern culture.
— Roger
MAY 6, 2012
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Biblical Morality
Our postmodern culture argues that the Bible is an outdated, irrelevant text
Our culture, therefore, argues that it is wrong to appeal to the Bible as an authoritative standard for morality. Robert Williams, in his book, Just As I Am: A Practical Guide to Being Out, Proud, and Christian, offers the following argument in defense of homosexuality: The point is not really whether or not some passage in the Bible condemns homosexual acts; the point is that you cannot allow your moral and ethical decisions to be determined by the literature of a people whose culture and history are so far removed from your own. You must dare to be iconoclastic enough to say, “So what if the Bible does say it? Who cares?” (page 128).
People have a problem with authority
Sadly, Mr. Williams echoes the sentiments of a lot of folks when he dismisses the moral relevancy of Scripture. People have a problem with authority, especially Biblical authority. Folks want to be religious, but they also want to be free to do as they choose. This is not something new. It was said of the children of Israel in the days of the judges, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25).
For the iconoclast truth is whatever he wants it to be
An iconoclast is somebody who challenges or overturns traditional beliefs, customs, and values. For the iconoclast truth is whatever he wants it to be. Anything in the Bible which is objectionable is declared to be culturally irrelevant. The argument is generally framed as follows. The Bible is thousands of years old. The fastest Moses, Jesus, Paul ever traveled was five or six miles an hour. Today, we can board a plane and fly anywhere in the world at six hundred miles an hour. How can the Bible possibly be relevant in our modern, highly technological world? The answer is pretty simple. A man can lust, covet, or slander his neighbor at six hundred miles an hour just as easily as he can at six miles an hour. Make no mistake, our world is far more technologically advanced than the world of the Bible, but people are still the same.
Is any truth in the Bible no longer true?
The Bible anticipated the iconoclasts and their attacks on the integrity and relevancy of Scripture when it asserted: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Is there a part of the Sermon on the Mount that doesn’t resonate today with the honest reader? What truth in God’s ancient book can be demonstrated to no longer be true?
Either the Bible is the word of God or it isn’t
It claims to be inspired, authoritative, all-sufficient, and by implication inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Those claims can be defended. Therefore, to reject what the Bible says about morality or any other matter is to reject the authority of the Creator Himself. Biblical morality may not be popular, but it is right!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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