Historical Posts
Genesis 04:01-07 – Who Has Control? – Audio
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Text: Genesis 4:1-7
Two brothers each had control over their sacrifice. Abel offered unto God a sacrifice that was well-pleasing unto Him. Cain, on the other hand, offered a sacrifice that was not respected by God. As Cain became angry, the LORD said to him, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it (Genesis 4:7).” Cain was made aware of what happens to all of us: sin’s desire is for all of us. However, we should rule over it! If we allow God to be in control, to rule over us, we will rule over sin.
I. Sin’s desire is for control of you.
A. Through one man, sin entered the world (Romans 5:12).
B. Sin has spread to all men (Romans 5:12; 3:23).
C. Jesus said that whoever commits sin is a slave sin (John 8:34).
D. Paul struggled with sin, as we all do (Romans 7:13-25).
II. You should take control, with God’s help, and rule over sin.
A. Sin should not have dominion over us (Romans 6:14).
B. We should not continue in sin because we have been dead to sin through baptism (Romans 6:1-2; 11-12).
C. David prayed that sin would not have dominion over him (Psalm 19:13), as another Psalmist did (Psalm 119:133).
D. Paul told Titus to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and instead to live “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age (Titus 2:12)…”
E. Peter encourages Christians to “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul (1 Peter 2:11).”
F. To overcome sin, one must exercise self-control (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:5-6).
III. If God rules over you, you will rule over sin.
A. We are to be dead to sin but alive to God (Romans 6:11).
B. We should put on Christ, making no provision to fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Romans 13:14).
C. If we do sin, Christ is our Advocate and propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:1-2).
Does sin rule over us? We should not allow sin to rule over us, but we should rule over sin! This is only possible when we put God in control and allow God to rule over us.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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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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The Age of Tolerance
Some Behave Line There is No Other Sin but Lack of Tolerance
If I had to describe this period in our history in two or three words I would say we are living in the “Age of Tolerance.” I believe there are vast numbers of people who are convinced that the worst sin in the world is the sin of intolerance. In fact, I am convinced that there are some who believe there is no other sin but lack of tolerance!
Judge Righteous Judgment
These are the people who are always quoting the words of Jesus, “Judge not that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), while ignoring another of His statements, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). I hasten to point out that the two statements are not contradictory. In the first He was confronting the hypocrisy of one who condemns others while being guilty of the same or greater sins himself. In the latter, His statement was an indictment of those who were quick to condemn Him as a law breaker for healing on the Sabbath, yet found no fault with circumcising a baby on the Sabbath. The Sabbath law did not prohibit doing good on the Sabbath. Judgment should not be hypocritical.
We Must Make Judgments
There is not an area of life where we do not have to make judgments. We must make judgments in the voting booth, the grocery store, the car lot, and even the clothes closet. We understand the need to make such judgments in every area of life but religion. Here we are told by socienty that it really doesn’t matter what religion we choose, and we dare not be critical of and must be have tolerance for the choices of others. Further, it is argued that moral and ethical matters are all relative. To suggest anything else is to be labeled as lacking tolerance and being judgmental.
Jesus Warned of False Teachers
If that is the case, then Jesus was was judgmental and lacked tolerance. He warned of false teachers whom he labeled “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). He then urged his disciple to examine their “fruit” to determine the validity of their message (Matthew 7:16-20). One cannot do that without making judgments. These judgments are not determined by our will, but by God’s word. When I say that adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are sinful, I am not judging! I am only repeating what God’s Word says (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). Cries for tolerance (acceptance) of sin will fall on deaf ears when we are attuned to the word of God. I am certainly not advocating that sinners be abused, maligned, or discriminated against. I am simply pleading for them to abandon their sin and embrace the Savior. Call me intolerant if you like. I have no problem with that label when it comes to sin. As Christians we must hate sin while loving sinners.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Antiquated or Outdated?
Is the Bible Outdated or Antiquated?
Times have changed since Jesus walked the paths of Galilee. How could his message be relevant in a modern, technological society? The Bible is outdated! You’ve heard the arguments before. At first these assertions sound plausible, but look more carefully. Is the Bible outdated?
Things aren’t that much different.
Sure, we’ve made enormous technological advances, but people are still the same, and we still have the same problems.
- From an Egyptian letter dated 256 B.C., someone wrote:
“I am in difficulty both summer and winter about my salary.” - Cicero, an astute Roman statesman (106-46 B.C.) observed:
“The first of June and nothing done by the Senate.” - Socrates (470-399 B.C.) complained:
“Athletics have become professionalized.” - And, one of the most interesting comments of all was made by Emperor Diocletian when he wrote:
“Who has not seen with his own eyes the present spirit which forces up the price of commodities to such a degree that human language cannot find words to express the transaction?”
The Bible is a book about men, not machines.
The Bible is a message from God to man. It addresses the one problem that has plagued every generation since Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit. That problem is SIN! Science and technology cannot solve it. But, Jesus offers a solution. He was “made to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). The world may have changed since Jesus traveled the roads of Palestine, but people are still the same.
As we enter a new age of technology in the 21st century, man must still confront the “age-old” problem of sin. The only solution will still be Jesus. He is “the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
Some may ask, “If the Bible is still relevant, why is there so much sin in the world, and why does it seem that religion has failed?” The answer is quite simple. The solution to a problem will only work when it is followed. The message of Christ is ignored by millions. Many of the major denominations make no effort to be governed by the Bible and its authority. They have succumbed to the pressures of compromise, but God’s word is uncompromising.
Christ, His Word, and His Church are as relevant as ever.
He is every generation’s only hope. Today, and every day, we must remember 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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That Should Have Been Me
Introduction
A. Sometimes we find ourselves on the outside looking in, thinking, “That should have been me!”
1) If only we had done something differently, we could have won
2) if we were the next in line, we could have been the lucky numbered customer
3) if it was a little farther over, it could have been worse.
B. It should have been me.
Body
I. The woman caught in adultery should have been stoned (John 8:3-12).
A. According to the old law, she should have been stoned (John 8:5; Leviticus 20:10-11).
B. Jesus did not stone her; rather, He forgave her (John 8:11).
II. The demon should have been cast out (Matthew 17:14-21).
A. The disciples should have been able to cast out the demon (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17; Matthew 17:16,19-20).
B. Jesus cast out the demon (Matthew 17:18).
III. Barabbas should have been crucified (Mark 15:6-15).
A. Barabbas was a robber (John 18:40; Acts 3:14).
B. Jesus was crucified instead (Mark 15:15).
IV. We should have been crucified!
A. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23; Galatians 3:22).
1) Our sins will find us out (Numbers 32:20-23).
2) The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).
B. Jesus did not sin (1 Peter 2:22-24).
1) He was offered once to bear the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28).
2) “He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).”
3) He who knew no sin became the sin sacrifice for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Conclusion
A. It should have been us who died on the cross because of our sins.
B. However, our blood would not cover our own sins. Only the precious blood of Christ could take away our sins!
C. It should have been each of us, but aren’t you glad it wasn’t?
Content by Richard Dillon
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Sober Facts About Sin
Think on these sobering facts about sin.
Clarence Macartney called it the “saddest word in the Bible and in human speech.” He was talking about the little word “sin.” Sin is the fountain of woe, the mother of sorrows, as universal as human nature and as eternal as human history. It can be labeled as “the cause of all war and violence and hatred and sorrow and pain.” Sin alienates from God, establishes fellowship with the devil, brings moral perversion, sears the conscience, and ultimately issues in death (Romans 6:23). There are some things that we all need to know about sin.
First of the facts about sin: it made to look attractive.
When Eve beheld the “forbidden fruit” she saw that it was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desired to make one wise (Genesis 3:6). What she did not see was sin’s true nature. It brought pain, suffering, death, and separation from God. Sins true colors are seldom seen until it is too late.
Second of the facts about sin: it is fun.
The writer of Hebrews commended Moses because he turned his back on the “pleasures” of sin (Hebrews 11:25). Anyone who would suggest that sin is not enjoyable simply does not understand how Satan works. Sin is not only made to look good, but brings some pleasure when pursued.
Third of the facts about sin: sin never produces everything it promises.
Sin may be enjoyable, but the pleasure is always short lived. In the words of the Hebrews’ writer, the pleasure last only for a “season.” A few minutes of “euphoria” may result in a lifetime of misery and pain.
Fourth of the facts about sin: sin is destructive.
The destructive effects of sin may be experienced both now and throughout eternity. Solomon observed that “the way of the transgressor is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Life is made more difficult because of sin in our lives. If it not dealt with, it will lead to eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).
Fifth of the facts about sin: there is forgiveness of sin in Christ, but the scars of sin still remain.
Jesus died to save men from the eternal consequences of sin. We never want to downplay the importance of His role. He is the giver of life. Through Him forgiveness is available to every man. But, though forgiven in Christ, the ghosts of a former life of sin may often linger to haunt us. The best advice for life was offered by the apostle Paul when he wrote: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Have you experienced forgiveness through Jesus Christ?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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A Voice from the Past
What can the voice from the past teach us?
Isaiah, a prophet of Israel and a voice from the past for us, seven centuries before Christ, warned his nation of impending disaster. 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 his society and our own.
First, this voice from the past described a people who loved alcohol and sought escape through 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 are hauntingly familiar. People are still looking for escape, but are not finding it. The voice from the past is still applicable today. 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 home, and the finest education money can buy. But, that which every parent needs to pass on to their offspring is neglected. Children are growing up without a spiritual foundation. The voice from the past teaches that only in God can we find the 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 in the eyes of the people (Isaiah 5:20). Again, the voice of the past applies to our culture today. 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 considered 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 harken again to the voice of the past. 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.
Do you want to make a difference?
Build your life on the solid foundation of Christ and then teach others.
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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I Did a Terrible Thing
Everyone has done a terrible thing at some point. We are all guilty.
Are there skeletons in your closet? Is there a terrible thing, or more than one, in your past which you want to keep in the past? Have you done things for which you are deeply ashamed? If we live long enough to discover the difference between right and wrong. Then, sin comes to be a plague on the soul of every man. The only exception I am aware of is Jesus. “He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22). Only He never did a terrible thing to anyone.
No one can honestly say, “I have never sinned!” We all have regrets. There are things in our past which we would undo if we could. I’m not interested in dredging them up, but I do want to acknowledge that the Lord has a remedy for them. It is His blood. It can forgive and wash away the guilt of every terrible thing we have ever done. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
The depth of God’s forgiveness is one of the hardest lessons in life to grasp, and one of the most important. God loves us! Christ died for us! His blood can cleanse us! He is no respecter of persons. His forgiveness is accessible to all, but on His terms, not ours. If we truly believe in Him, will repent of our sins, confess His name, and be baptized, His blood will cleanse, and He will add us to His church. As long as we walk in the light (are faithful to our commitment), His blood continues to provide cleansing. And, when we sin, doing another terrible thing, if we will confess those sins and seek His forgiveness, we will find it (1 John 1:7-10).
We are all guilty, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But, we all have access to the same remedy, His blood, and we can share in the forgiveness He came to provide. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
God’s love, mercy and grace are sufficient to save. Three names immediately come to mind – David, Peter, and Paul.
- King David, though called “a man after God’s own heart,” committed adultery, tried to cover it up, and then conspired to have the woman’s husband murdered. Yet, when he sought forgiveness, God granted it. Of course that did not mean that David avoided the consequences of his sin. He had to live with his mistakes, but God still forgave him.
- In a moment of weakness, Peter denied his Lord three times, but when he recognized his sin, he repented in tears. Christ forgave him, and did not remove the “keys of the kingdom” from his hands.
- As Saul of Tarsus, Paul was an ardent persecutor of Christians. He operated under the misguided belief that he was serving God when he hunted down, arrested, and brought to trial men and women whose only crime was believing in Jesus. When he discovered the truth and turned to Christ, he also found forgiveness (1 Timothy 1:12-16).
They each did a terrible thing, but God forgave them. If they could be forgiven, then so can we. Will you accept His forgiveness?
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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50 Shades of Facebook
You may have missed this in the news cycle, but the social-media giant, Facebook, made an interesting announcement last week. In the midst of so much controversy about granting special rights and privileges to homosexuals in America, Facebook has added a new feature to the “about” section of everyone’s personal profiles. In addition to the gender distinctions “male” and “female,” it is now possible to list oneself as any one of fifty other possible choices. Options like “transgender,” “cisgender,” “gender fluid,” “intersex” and “neither” are now available to users in the United States. As CNN put it in an article on their web site, “You don’t have to be a man or a woman on Facebook anymore.”
In an explanation posted on Facebook’s “Diversity” page, a spokesperson said, “When you came to Facebook to connect with other people, causes, and organizations you care about, we want you to feel comfortable being your true, authentic self.” The post then added, “An important part of this is the expression of gender, especially when it extends beyond the definitions of just ‘male’ or ‘female,’… So today, we’re proud to offer a new custom gender option to help you express your own identity on Facebook.” Facebook says that it worked with a group of leading advocacy organizations to come up with the new gender categories. According to Allison Palmer, a former GLAAD vice president, who worked on the project, “Facebook users from across the country have been asking for the ability to reflect their gender accurately, and today Facebook showed they have been listening.”
In light of the moral confusion reigning in today’s society, it is not altogether shocking than an influential web site like Facebook would submit to pressure from militant homosexual advocacy groups. As a part of their ongoing struggle against reality, many such groups have sought to redefine universally recognized terms in order to skew the discussion in their favor. The promotion of gender confusion is a tactic that has served them well. It does not win them many battles in the present, but will assure victory for them in the future. By confusing children about the issue of gender, the homosexual movement in America hopes to recruit more of the next generation to its cause.
Recently, there have been numerous reports of parents demanding access for their elementary school age boys to the girls restrooms and vice versa, because they assert that their children are “confused” about their gender. In middle school and high school, gender confusion has led some boys to be granted special permission to compete in girls sports and vice versa. Some parents have even sought to have their children surgically altered, because of gender confusion. At a time when children are vulnerable and need their parents to guide them, some parents are being influenced by homosexual propaganda to feed their children’s insecurities, rather than to help them understand and interact with society at large. We are becoming a nation of “enablers,” as we celebrate and encourage homosexual behavior, instead of trying to correct it.
I know that this is a controversial thing to say, but homosexuality is condemned in the Bible – just as fornication, adultery, incest and transexuality are condemned as sin. “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due” (Romans 1:26-27; NKJV). Notice that Paul described homosexual behavior as “shameful.” Today, it is precisely the opposite of that. “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The terms, “homosexuals” and “sodomites” are translated from a Greek term, which mean “submissive” and “dominant” homosexuals, respectively. Paul was anything but ambiguous in his condemnation of homosexual behavior.
I still have a profile on Facebook and I hope that I can use it to accomplish some good. The Internet, like other forms of media, can be used either to promote good or evil. It is up to us to decide which.
Content by Russell Kline
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Pure From Sin
Has your heart been made you pure from sin?
We all have questions that we may ask ourselves from time to time.
- “What did I come in here for?”
- “Where did I put that?”
- “What is on my to do list today?”
Some questions are asked every day for that day; other questions may be asked in retrospect throughout a lifetime.
- “What if I had chosen that job…?”
- “What if I moved there…?”
Perhaps some questions are best left unanswered. However, there is one question that we must ask, and honestly answer, for ourselves. This question has eternal implications and consequences.
Proverbs 20:9: “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?’” Solomon penned these words, and understood the importance of a clean heart before God. David pleaded with God that He would create a clean heart in himself, and would be cleaned from his sins (Psalm 51).
We need to have the same concern for the condition of our heart. We can cleanse our hearts and be pure from sin by drawing near to God (James 4:8). Jesus died on the cross for us, shedding His blood to cleanse us from our sins. By being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16), we can have a heart that is pure of sin. Only then can we say, “I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin.”
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 John 05:18-21 – Certainties of the Christian Faith – audio
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Text: 1 John 5:18-21
Introduction
1. In this last section of John’s epistle, we find him summarizing three facts or “certainties” that his readers should have learned – 1 John 5:18-21
2. These certainties of the Christian Faith relate to sin, the evil one, and the truth concerning fellowship with God and Jesus Christ
3. Each of these certainties is introduced by the words we know, and as we consider these three facts we shall begin each section in the same way
Body
I. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE BORN OF GOD AND SIN (1 John 5:18)
A. “WHOEVER IS BORN OF GOD DOES NOT SIN“
1. This statement, like the one in 1 John 3:9, can be somewhat troubling to the English reader
2. But as we noticed in the lesson on that portion of scripture
a. John has already affirmed that Christians sin – 1 John 1:8, 10
b. To say we have no sin is to lie, and to make God a liar
c. So John is talking about one who does not continuously practice sin
B. “BUT HE WHO HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD KEEPS HIMSELF“
1. John explains why the one born of God does not continuously practice sin, but it is difficult to know exactly what he means
a. Some translations have keeps him instead of keeps himself
b. This is because most translators believe he who has been born of God is a reference to Jesus
c. And yet in his epistle, the phrase born of God always has reference to the child of Christ, i.e., the Christian
2. Assuming that himself is the correct wording
a. It becomes clear that the individual bears some responsibility in keeping oneself from sinning
b. While it is true that we have help from God – 1 John 3:9
c. Our faith must cooperate with God’s power – 1Pe 1:5
d. Thus the charge to keep yourselves – 1 John 5:21; Jude 21
C. “THE WICKED ONE DOES NOT TOUCH HIM“
1. When we cooperate with God, Satan has no chance
a. When we submit to God, and resist the devil, the devil flees! – James 4:7
b. For God who is in us is certainly greater than the devil! – 1 John 4:4
2. Instrumental in our cooperation with God is allowing His word to abide in us – 1 John 2:14
3. Even as the Word was instrumental in helping Jesus overcome the temptations of Satan – “it is written…” Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
D. So the first certainty of the Christian faith is that one born of God does not treat sin lightly, and with God’s help is able to win the conflict with the wicked one.
II. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND THE WORLD (1 John 5:19)
A. “WE ARE OF GOD”
1. The Christian has been “born of God” – 1 John 5:1
2. The Christian is privileged to be called the “child of God” – 1 John 3:1-2a
3. Thus we are blessed to be “of God”!
B. “THE WHOLE WORLD LIES UNDER THE SWAY OF THE WICKED ONE“
1. Sadly, those in the world are not of God
2. For when one rejects Jesus Christ, they demonstrate who their father truly is – John 8:42-47
3. While they remain in their sins, they remain under the sway of Satan – 1 John 3:8, 10
C. Whose child are you?
1. Those who are in Christ have the assurance that God is their father.
2. Those not in Christ are still under the influences of Satan who has blinded them! – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
III. THE BASIS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE (1 John 5:20)
A. “THE SON OF GOD HAS COME AND HAS GIVEN US UNDERSTANDING”
1. Jesus has come to give us true insight concerning God
2. As John declared in his gospel: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” – John 1:18
B. “THAT WE MAY KNOW”
1. “…Him who is true“
a. Or as expressed in other translations: He is the true God
b. By true God [John] does not mean one who tells the truth, but him who is really God.
c. By coming in the flesh, Jesus has manifested the true God to us – John 14:7-9
2. “…and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ“
a. Jesus has also given us understanding about how we can be in God
b. It is through His Son, as we keep His words and His commandments, that we can abide in God – John 14:21,23
C. “THIS IS THE TRUE GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE“
1. Again, the expression “true God” is saying He who is “the real God“
2. With this declaration, John is also defining what eternal life truly is
a. It is to “know” Him who is true
b. It is to be “in Him” who is true, and “in His Son Jesus Christ“
3. In other words, eternal life (as defined by John) is that abundant life
a. Which comes from knowing the Father and the Son intimately
b. Which comes by having fellowship with the Father and the Son
4. So John intimated at the beginning of his epistle – 1 John 1:2-3
5. And so Jesus declared in His prayer – John 17:1-3
Conclusion
1. Here then are the certainties of the Christian Faith as summarized by John
a. “We know” the relationship between those born of God and sin
b. “We know” the difference between us and those of the world
c. “We know” the basis of fellowship with God and eternal life
2. May the First Epistle of John always serve to remind of these certainties, and may the last verse always remind us of the need for diligence: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” – 1 John 5:21
3. With his favorite term of endearment, John admonishes us to stay away from anything that would replace our devotion to the One True God
a. We may think that we are too sophisticated to succumb to idolatry
b. But as Paul pointed out time and again, anything that replaces God in our hearts is an idol – Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5
NOTE WELL: If there was no danger of being led astray, there would be no need for a warning!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Good Medicine for any Ailment
A merry heart is still good medicine!
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bone” (Proverbs 17:22).
We are what we think. Solomon said of man, “as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Attitude plays an important part in our lives. A good attitude is a key to physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Physically, many health problems are the result, either directly or indirectly, of anxiety. It has been estimated that as many as two-thirds of all patients who see physicians have symptoms caused or aggravated by mental stress. Headaches, high blood pressure, hay fever and a host of other health problems can be directly linked to emotional stress. The key to good physical health begins with good mental health. Use good medicine. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.“
Emotionally, the greatest threat to our wellbeing is depression. I have in mind the kind of depression which results from our outlook. We must avoid the negative gloom and doom thinking which leads to discouragement. I realize that we all have good days and bad days, but for some the bad far outweighs the good, at least in their own eyes. These folks feel bad when they feel good for fear they will feel worse when they feel better. “A broken spirit drieth the bones.“
Spiritually, sin is a cancer eating away at the soul. It finds its greatest nourishment in an evil heart. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). It was also Jesus who said that from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, and all things which defile a man (Matthew 15:19-20). What is needed is good medicine. In Christ we find a cure for the soul’s cancer (Romans 6:23).
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Here is the key to real physical, emotional, and spiritual health. A merry heart is still good medicine!
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Freedom
The Human Heart Longs for Freedom
Every 4th of July our nation celebrates Independence Day. I am grateful for the holiday and what it represents. I have difficulty imagining what it would be like to grow up in any other environment. It is the longing of the human heart to be free.
But, there is a freedom even more precious than that we know as citizens of the United States. It is the freedom we find in Jesus Christ. He said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Apart from Christ, all men are enslaved to sin. Sin is the great burden of man’s heart. We are helpless to remove it. We are condemned by it. Its consequences are both immediate and eternal. Paul cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). And then he proclaimed, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:25).
Sunday is the Lord’s Day. Christians will gather around the world to remember His sacrifice and the freedom it made possible — freedom from the condemnation of sin. “There is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1, 2).
The cost of freedom is never cheap. The blood of many a native son has been shed to provide and maintain our freedom. Even now our young men and women in uniform are putting themselves in harms way and giving their lives that we might be free. Yet, to secure our deliverance from sin required an even greater sacrifice — the blood of God’s own Son.
The freedom we enjoy as citizens is ours by birth. The freedom we have in Christ is ours by choice. It is truth, believed and acted upon, which secures for us the freedom Christ provides. Have you been set free from the bondage of sin? Do you believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God? Have you repented of your sins? Will you confess His blessed name? Will you be born again (baptized)?
As the bells of freedom ring throughout our land may they also remind us of the greater freedom we have through Christ.
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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Your Sins Will Find You Out
Don’t go to your grave thinking that your sins can be safely hidden.
There is a misconception common to all men. It is the belief that your sins can be hidden from God’s sight. Moses assured the Israelites that it could not be done when he warned, “be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). There may be times when we can deceive others, but God is never fooled.
Achan learned this lesson when he hid some stolen goods in the floor of his tent and thought no one knew. The problem was, God knew, and Achan and his family perished (Joshua 6:18-7:26). Ananias and Sapphira learned a similar lesson when they tried to lie to God. But, God knew their hearts. They died! We have no secrets from the Lord. “All things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do” (Hebrews 4:13).
Time cannot hide your sins. They may appear safely buried like a murdered corpse, and the grass may grow over the grave, but resurrection awaits. Your sins, no matter how carefully concealed they may be, someday they will be exposed! Don’t go to your grave thinking that your sins can be safely hidden. Every thought we think, every word we speak, and every deed we do (good or bad) is known by our Heavenly Father (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Matthew 12:36).
Sin has been, and will always be, man’s greatest problem. All of us are guilty (Romans 3:23). Two alternatives are before us. We can confront the problem and with God’s help overcome it, or we can continue to pretend that the problem does not exist. You can’t hide your sins from God, none of us can, but you can be cleansed by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18, 19). There is hope in Him. “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
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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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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FOF – The Problem of Sin – audio
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Foundations of Faith |
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· Why Should I Have Faith When Evil And Suffering Are In The World? |
The Problem of Sin
Introduction
1. “Sin” is the most horrific word in the Bible and in human experience! It is sin that imperils our souls and makes our rescue from Hell so necessary. It is sin that causes such pain in the heart of God.
2. Dr. Karl Menninger, in his book, Whatever Became Of Sin, takes preachers to task for soft-pedaling when it comes to the subject of sin, and then adds that a preacher “cannot minimize sin and maintain his proper role in our culture.” Of course, any effort to minimize sin is to minimize the very reason why Jesus came from Heaven to earth – to save us from our sins.
3. Although there is a time and place for preachers to talk about specific sins, there is also a time and place to help the church understand the larger issue of sin’s gravity.
Body
I. How is sin to be defined?
A. Let’s pursue a blended approach (academic and practical) to defining sin:
1. The primary words for sin in the original language revolve around two main concepts:
(1) To sin is to “miss the mark” (as when a player aims for a goal and misses, or when an archer shoots an arrow and it falls short of the target). And then
(2) To sin is to “transgress” (as when a player steps out of bounds on a field/court of play).
2. So the basic idea of sin is easy to grasp. Sin involves a person straying off course or failing to achieve a goal.
B. Now there are a couple of ideas that need to be understood about sin that make this both a deeply spiritual issue and a relationship issue that, if not remedied, places us in the grip of Hell itself (and deservedly so)!
1. If sin is missing the goal or straying off course, then there must be a pre-determined boundary or goal: Romans 4:15; 1 John 3:4
2. Sin is more than just external behavior; it arises from the attitudes, the motives, and the will of each human being: Matthew 15:18-19; Jeremiah 17:9
C. Adding to this: The situation is even worse because the problem of sin is universal (Romans 3:9-18, 23).
II. This raises a question that is tremendously important: Why do we sin?
A. It is my guess that the cause of sin among human beings bears a relationship to the origin of sin (which we read about in Genesis 3:1-8). Paul cited this connection in Romans 5:12-21. How were we infected by Adam’s sin?
B. Some are of the opinion (and they teach it as the truth) that all of Adam’s offspring (including you/me) become sinners by inheritance; that we are sinners by nature; that we are hopelessly and totally depraved (hence the idea of total depravity).
C. But there are a several problems with this idea. I will mention some of them briefly:
1. Paul wrote: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” (Romans 5:12) Paul did not say: “Death spread to all men, because Adam sinned”, but “because all sinned.” My sin is what brought death into my life as a consequence of sin!
2. Paul said (Romans 5:19): “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.” If righteousness comes conditionally (by way of influence) – and it does – why not unrighteousness (or sin)?
3. Paul said we are made sinners by Adam’s offense (so there’s a connection to be sure), but he never says how we are made sinners. Several scriptures (including Romans 1:18-32 and Ephesians 2:1ff) indicate that we become sinners by allowing ourselves, through varying degrees of consciousness, to fall under the influences characteristic of a sinful environment (which was introduced into the world by Adam)!
4. The impression of a sinful environment on the mind has proven to be a powerful influence (shaping our thoughts and personalities from even our earliest years).
– Still, the Bible places the onus responsibility for your sin on you: Ezekiel 18:4; James 1:12-18; 1 John 2:1.
– We have no one to blame for our sin but ourselves!
D. Some of the wrong things people believe about sin:
1. One of the ideas that people have is that all human beings are basically good (in their hearts). But consider: Matthew 18:1-5; 19:14; Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; John 2:24-25; Romans 7:18
2. Another idea contends that we must sin because we are human (on the basis that no one is perfect).
– One of the problems with this is that it fails to recognize the way the Bible deals with the subject of sin (which is primarily a decision of the will to transgress God’s law).
– Another problem with this idea is: If our humanity is inescapably tied to sin, then salvation from sin must include salvation from our humanity. But Jesus didn’t come to dehumanize us. Instead, He appealed to our humanity (our will; our autonomy) in order to save us Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 23:37.
E. So here’s the conclusion I believe the evidence demands: The vector of the fall (in Genesis 3) has been entirely negative! One writer said it this way: “Sin, at bottom, is as simple as it is dreadful: sin is simply telling God to “buzz off”! He claims us for Himself, and we say, “Leave me alone!”
III. What are the consequences of sin?
A. The worst and most serious consequence of our sin is our estrangement from God!
1. To be a stranger to God is to be dead to God (Ephesians 2:1).
2. Isaiah 59:1-2; Psalm 51:4; Romans 5:6-11; Matthew 25:41
B. A second consequence of sin is our estrangement from others!
C. A third consequence of sin is our estrangement from ourselves (Hebrews 3:13; Luke 15; John 8:34). Someone said once: “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.”
IV. No sermon on the subject of sin would be complete without a discussion of the remedy for overcoming sin!
A. Acts 8: Philip preached Jesus to an Ethiopian official from Isaiah 53
B. To overcome sin, a person must first recognize his/her own personal sin and personal guilt (Psalm 51; Acts 8; 1 Timothy 1:15).
C. And then steps must be taken – as directed by God – to have your sins expiated (or satisfied; or atoned for)! Jesus Christ came into the world to do this (Gal.4:3-7), and the effects of His sacrifice come to us on the basis of an obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 3:21-26)! This is the essence of the gospel! See also Mark 16:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 John 4:19. This is the only remedy God has provided for the problem of sin.
D. Several years ago, Wendell Winkler came out with a book called Studying Sin Seriously. In this masterful book he highlighted a number of aids that we can utilize in overcoming temptation and sin! Among them:
1. We can use the Bible to help us overcome sin (Psalm 119:9; John 17:17; Psalm 119:11).
2. We can utilize prayer in overcoming temptation and sin (Ephesians 6:13-18; Matthew 6:13).
3. We can also cultivate a reverential fear of God in our desire to overcome sin (Exodus 20:20; Proverbs 3:7; 2 Corinthians 5:11).
4. Regular self-examination will help us to overcome sin (2 Corinthians 13:5). Also, be careful about who our friends are (1 Corinthians 15:33). Also, knowing that God is watching us, and that we will give an account of our lives before Him (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Conclusion
1. The problem with sin is that it will keep you out of Heaven. Even worse than that, you will find yourself in Hell forever.
2. Do you want to defeat the problem of sin in your life? Then adopt one simple disposition: Humility before God! See Luke 18:13.
3. Your Savior is imploring you to turn from your sin!
– Do it to avoid Hell!
– Do it to allow the Lord to make you fit, by His grace, for Heaven!
– Finally: James 4:7-10
Content by Brian Giselbach
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Joshua 07 – Covetousness – audio
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Text: Joshua 7:10-13, 19-26 (Reading by Steven Winland)
Achan is Aching! The Sin of Covetousness.
Introduction
A. Achan and other examples of covetousness:
1) Achan, the son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, did something that made the LORD angry: he coveted the garment, silver, and gold of the Babylonians. He greatly desired something that did not belong to him. Then he took it and hid it. As a result of disobeying the LORD, he died (Joshua 7:1, 10-13, 19-26)
2) Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard, and Jezebel killed him so Ahab could take it (1 Kings 21).
3) David coveted Bathsheba and had her husband killed so he could have her (2 Samuel 11).
B. Have you desired something strongly that belonged to someone else?
1) Did you want it so bad that you would do anything to get it, even at the cost of others?
2) Did you want more and more of something, and can never get enough?
3) Did you want it more than wanting God?
Body
I. Covetousness is sin.
A. The 10th commandment stated: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21).”
B. The prophet Micah pronounced woe to those that devise iniquity; they covet fields and take them by violence, and oppress men (Micah 2:1-2).
C. The LORD said covetousness is iniquity (Isaiah 57:17).
D. Jesus said that covetousness comes from within, and defiles men (Mark 7:21-23).
E. Those that practice covetousness are deserving of death (Romans 1:29,32).
F. Covetousness is idolatry; a Christian must no longer covet (Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:3).
G. A covetous person has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:10).
II. How should a Christian respond to covetousness?
A. Jesus said to beware of it (Luke 12:15).
1) False prophets exploit people by deceptive words and by covetousness, and will be punished (2 Peter 2:3).
2) False prophets have a heart trained in covetous practices (2 Peter 2:14).
B. The wise man wrote, “The desire of a lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare (Proverbs 21:25-26).
C. The Psalmist wrote, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness (Psalm 119:36).”
D. The wise man also wrote, “A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days (Proverbs 28:16).”
E. Have no fellowship with covetous people (1 Corinthians 5:11).
Conclusion
A. “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).’”
1) Paul did not covet; rather, he was content with what he had (Acts 20:33-35; 1 Thessalonians 2:5). He worked for it!
2) Paul warned Timothy that the time would come when men would love themselves and other things more than God (2 Timothy 3:1-2). He earlier told him that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), as were the Pharisees (Luke 16:14).
B. Not coveting and all other commandments are summed up in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Romans 13:9).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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Ephesians 05:08-14 – Walking in the Light – audio
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Text: Ephesians 5:8-14 (reading by Don Treadway)
Introduction
A. Light and darkness are complete opposites.
1) It is impossible to have both at the same time.
2) In fact, just a little light will cancel out a great bit of darkness.
B. Spiritually speaking, sin is often equated with darkness and righteousness with light.
Body
I. We were once walking in darkness.
A. There is no one that does not sin (1 Kings 8:46).
B. All have sinned and have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
C. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).
D. God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5,6).
E. The world was in darkness, and did not receive the Light (John 1:5-13; 3:19-21).
II. We have been called out of darkness.
A. God called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
B. The Lord called Paul to the Gentiles, turning them from darkness to light (Acts 26:15-18).
C. We are called by the power of the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).
D. By obeying it, we:
1) die to sin [darkness]
2) are buried with Christ in baptism
3) are raised to walk in newness of life [light] (Romans 6:1-7)
III. We must now walk in the light.
A. By becoming sons of God, we are sons of light and day; we are no longer of night nor darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
B. We must walk in the light as God is in the light (1 John 1:7).
C. Jesus commands us to let our lights shine before men (Matthew 5:16).
D. Light has no fellowship with darkness (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
Conclusion
A. Are you in the dark?
B. Come to Christ, the true Light!
Content by Richard Dillon
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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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Look What I Found
The book of Ecclesiastes is full of things Solomon has learned. He wishes to share his wisdom with his readers. His wisdom came from God, and thus includes many things we all need to know. Throughout his book, Solomon tells things he has “found.” One thing he has found existed in the very beginning, and still rings true today.
Ecclesiastes 7:29: “Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” When we look at the big picture, we realize that God is perfect; we are not. In the beginning, man was created perfect… then he sinned.
God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:27). However, man had the choice to obey God or not, and man gave in to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (Genesis 3:6-7), and thus sinned. From that point on, man has devised many schemes! It wasn’t very long until “every intent of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).” Thus, God was sorry He made man, and caused the great flood to get a fresh start.
When man sinned, he became separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Think about this. Who moved? It was man who moved, and not God! Yet, even though man moved away from God, God made it possible for man to return to Him. Even though Adam sinned and later died, like all of us will, Jesus Christ did not sin and overcame death. Through Jesus Christ, we can be reconciled to God (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). Have you found Christ yet? You will find Him by hearing God’s Word, the Bible.
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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