From jwquinn at sbcglobal.net Tue Apr 1 11:21:03 2008 From: jwquinn at sbcglobal.net (Jon W. Quinn) Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 11:21:03 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Expository Files 15.4; April, 2008 Available Message-ID: In our 15th year of publication (1994-2008) Expository Files - April 2008 **Our 172nd monthly issue** Expository Files is a monthly electronic journal dedicated to Biblical studies. It is edited by Warren E Berkley and Jon W. Quinn. This effort began with the January, 1994 issue and continues to this day. In addition to the four or so expository articles by different writers in each issue, there are special topical studies. In addition, each issue begins and ends with editorials by the editors. We have expository material from every book in the Bible, though there are still portions that are much more lightly covered than others. Thanks to our writers and our readers for making Expository Files such a success! ---------------------------------------------------------- Expository Files 15.4; April 2008 Co-edited by Warren E. Berkley and Jon W. Quinn ---------------------------------------------------------- This month's issue contains: In Due Season We Shall Reap The Front Page; 15.4 By Jon W. Quinn Full Of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom (Acts 6:1-6) By Jon W. Quinn What 1 Corinthians 10:13 Teaches About Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13 By John David Powlas True Religion Defined (Colossians 3) By Warren E. Berkley A Warning to Rich People Like Us (1 Timothy 6:17) By Jacob Hudgins The Bible's Format and Organization Topical Page By Jon W. Quinn Plan of Salvation When You Rely Only On The Word of God... The Final Page 15.4 By Warren E. Berkley ---------------------------------------------------------- EF can be found at the following places: http://www.bible.ca/ef/ Every issue - 1994 to present; every article; html; arranged by book; topic and/or issue; Search engine http://expositoryfiles.homestead.com/index.html 2004-2006 in html by issue; 1994-2003 in zipped self executable format for IBM http://www.geocities.com/w_berkley/ EF in PDF by issue; Sept 2003 to present ===== Jon W. Quinn jwquinn at sbcglobal.net Bradley Church of Christ Bradley, IL 60915 From preacherref01 at verizon.net Tue Apr 1 10:59:01 2008 From: preacherref01 at verizon.net (Thomas Thornhill) Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:59:01 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] REQ> Info on United Church of Christ Message-ID: <47F25BC5.5080606@verizon.net> Greetings brethren, Tom Thornhill from Bellflower, CA here. I am planning to preach about and indentify the United Church of Christ this Sunday and am requesting any info you might have. I am doing research at their website (very enlightening) www.ucc.org but I am looking for other info as well. Thanks in advance. I intend to post the completed lesson next week. Tom Thornhill Jr. 562-867-4416 www.roseavenue.org From mcmurray at Spiritbuilding.com Tue Apr 1 15:43:05 2008 From: mcmurray at Spiritbuilding.com (Carl (Mac) McMurray) Date: Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:43:05 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Is Anyone heading Overseas? Message-ID: Afternoon All, In the interest of more communication in the work of overseas evangelism we are making a couple of offers to be of assistance on my website, www.EvangelismUpdate.com. If you are trying to raise support we will post your intended trip time and needs along with your letter requesting assistance. If you would like two-way communication while preparing for your trip or while traveling, we will build a blog space for you to use on the site. Please feel free to use this service to announce your travel plans, seek support, inform supporters of how the trip is shaping up, staying in touch with text and pictures while traveling, and archiving the report for later reference. You can check out the page at www.EvangelismUpdate.com. If you?re interested just send your plans and/or letter along to me at mcmurray at spiritbuilding.com. There is no cost to you. I Hope it will help us all to learn a little more about the kingdom efforts in other parts of the world. Mac ?Man does not live by coffee alone, have a danish.? - Unknown http://www.spiritbuilding.com/BLOG/showBlog.php?blogID=1 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080401/19288ef3/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 1747 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080401/19288ef3/attachment.jpe From GLClair at aol.com Wed Apr 2 15:48:43 2008 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 16:48:43 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] HILLIARD BULLETIN for April 2008 Message-ID: HILLIARD BULLETIN Published by the church of Christ P.O. Box 96 ? 4840 Cemetery Road Hilliard, Ohio 43026 Phone: (614) 876-4089 ELDERS Owen Gary Brewer ? (614) 832-2569 John Buchanan ? (614) 893-3277 Preacher and Editor: Garreth L. Clair Phone: (614) 850-7252 =================================================================== Volume 10 Number 4 April 2008 =================================================================== WHAT IS NEXT? The most important thing that may occupy the mind of man is the events that may occur after physical death. Now, physical death happens to all living creatures, whether male or female; every living thing will eventually die. The end of man is the time in which he/she expires [I.e. physically dies]. When a person dies, that person will eventually turn to dust, the same as if they had never lived. The great problem for people today who are still alive is, ? What Happens After Death?? The evidence of physical death is present in every breath that a person takes. As I go from place to place in my travels, I have observed the burial places of many people. There are gardens of stone [I.e. burial sites] everywhere, these sites attest to the fact that men and women of all ages, sexes, and nationalities die and are buried somewhere. WHAT IS MAN?S PURPOSE? One of the great questions that continues to occur in man?s mind as he/she lives on the earth is, ?what am I to do and where am I to ultimately go?? Indeed, the questions that surfaces as people live from birth to the death bed is ?what is ahead after I die? is there life or some form of existence after I have expired? How many times in our lives have we contemplated this age-old question? Indeed, many times the answer to this question is elusive in our world because of the free moral agency [I.e. ability to make choices between two or more possibilities}. TO ANSWER THE QUESTION {I.e. to arrive at a conclusion} The answer that the humanist, atheist, and skeptic accept is; ?man is an animal just like a dog, sheep, monkey or lizard, when he dies he ceases to exist. ? This philosophy is the most prevalent mind set for humankind since the dawning of human existence. There is a degree of satisfaction for these people especially if they live and interact like a dog, a sheep, a monkey or a lizard. If this is all that mankind is and all is consummated at death there is nothing wrong with this concept that man has concocted from within his own mind [i.e. human wisdom has dictated this concept to them]. Yet, there is one thing wrong with this concept of man?s state after he dies; what if there is something after physical death? Indeed, whatever a person dies with as a resume of his/her past life they must ultimately face after death, if there is an after life. CAN I KNOW FOR SURE? While we may choose the life and end of the humanist, we will also experience the after-death existence predicated upon whatever conditions are prevalent in that state. While man cannot know what is after physical death for sure he can know that there is another view of death and the after death state of all humanity, Indeed, every person from the first man to the last man on earth will face a great trial after death sometime in the future of mankind. IS IT POSSIBLE? Is it possible that GOD EXISTS? Indeed, if God exist then everything is different for everyone who has ever lives on the earth; Adam, Eve, King David, The Sodomites of the plain cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the great flood is a reality, and everything in the Bible is true. As the apostle, Paul has stated well, ?What shall be the end of those that obey not the gospel of God?s son, Jesus Christ?? {2 Thessalonians 1:6-10, ?6 if so be that it is righteous thing with God to recompense affliction to them that afflict you, 7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire, 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: 9 who shall suffer punishment, (even) eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.? ASV WHERE IS THE EVIDENCE THAT IS IT IMPOSSIBLE? The truthfulness of the claim that God exist and that the Bible is given to man directly from God cannot be denied. To affirm that the Bible is not from God or that God does not exist is just as believable as the big bang theory atheists say brought the earth into existence from nothing. Indeed, how can a person believe that the theory of evolution is possible and deny that God exist and that the Bible has been preserved for man so that after physical death he/she may find a paradise to live in rather than accept that physical death is all that there is and that when man dies all is gone, everything is lost. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER PHYSICAL DEATH? The spirit leaves the dead physical body and returns to God. Eccl 12:6-7, ? 6 before the silver cord is loosed, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returned to the earth as it was, and the spirit returned unto God who gave it.? David was confident even in his day that the soul will survive through physical death as is shown in the Psalms: NOTE the following passages of Scripture: Psalms 16:10, ?For thou wilt not leave my soul to Sheol; neither wilt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.? ASV Psalms 25:13, ?His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the land. Psalms 30:3, ?O Jehovah, thou hast brought up my soul from Sheol; Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.? ASV Psalms 33:19-20, ?19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul hath waited for Jehovah: He is our help and our shield.? ASV Psalms 49:15, ?But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; for he will receive me. (Selah)? ASV Psalms 23:1-6, ?1 Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul: He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. 5 Thou prepare a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6Surely goodness and loving-kindness shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.? THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS A CASE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH - THE SOUL [i.e. SPIRIT] CONTINUES ON, THE SPIRIT IS CONSCIOUS DURING THIS PERIOD ACCORDING TO THE TEXT HERE IN Luke 16. Luke 16:19-26, ?19 Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: 20 and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 and desiring to be fed with the (crumbs) that fell from the rich man's table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham's bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they that would pass from hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us.? EDITOR?S COMMENTS: Verse 22, tells us that THE BEGGER WAS IN PARADISE AFTER HE DIED Verse 23, 24, tells us that the rich man was in a place of torments [plural] Verse 25, 26 tells us that the two souls {i.e. the rich man & Lazarus] were in the same state but were separated from each other by an impassable gulf [I.e. great gulf]. >From research through the years I am convinced that there is a place prepared by God to receive the soul [i.e. spirit] of each person, reserving them for the great day of judgment that will occur someday yet future; cf. Rev 20:13-15, ?13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, (even) the lake of fire. 15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.? John 12:48, ?He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spoke, the same shall judge him in the last day.? After the trumpet of God sounds, all that are alive will be changed, the dead small and great will arise, then death [i.e. the grave] and Hades will give up their dead, 1 Thess 4:15-5:1, ?15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.? ASV 1 Cor 15:51-53, ?51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.? ASV EDITOR?S CONCLUSIONS So far as I can understand the following are the events that will take place after physical death: 1. The eternal spirit returns to God - Eccl 12:7, ?and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.? 2. The soul is reserved in either paradise or torments in Hades [I.e. the unseen abode of all the dead of all ages] ---- Luke 16:19-26 [I.e. page 3] 3, The resurrection someday in the future - 1 Cor. 15:22-26 4. The assignment of the righteous and the wicked to their final [I.e. eternal abode] - Rev. 20:10-21?8 DO NOT TAKE A CHANCE! Determine to choose God?s Way You must choose whether to follow humanism or follow God in your life. You cannot make a choice after you have died; you must choose to serve God now before it is too late. The time that we have to make a decision is relatively short; let us make the decision before our time runs out. Let us make the decision to serve God today. ?Today is the day! --- _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) ? REBELLION ? [Defining the subject] Dictionary definitions and near synonyms relating to the word rebellion; we get a broad view of the wickedness of rebellion against God as we examine all these shades of meaning. 1) _Sedition. The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000._ (http://www.bartleby.com/61/24/S0212400.html) ...Conduct or language inciting rebellion against the authority of a state. 2. Insurrection; rebellion. Middle English sedicioun, violent party strife, from Old French... 2) _Rebellious. The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000._ (http://www.bartleby.com/61/63/R0076300.html) ...Prone to or participating in a rebellion: rebellious students. 2. of, relating to, or characteristic of a rebel or rebellion: rebellious behavior. 3. Resisting treatment... 3) _Insurgence. The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000._ (http://www.bartleby.com/61/46/I0174600.html) ...The action or an instance of rebellion; an insurrection.... 4) _Rebellion. The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000._ (http://www.bartleby.com/61/62/R0076200.html) ...Middle English, from Old French, from Latin rebellio, rebellion-, from rebellre, to rebel. See rebel.... 5) _Mutiny. The American Heritage? Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000._ (http://www.bartleby.com/61/21/M0502100.html) ...Open rebellion against constituted authority, especially rebellion of sailors against superior officers. Inflected forms: mu?ti?nied, mu?ti?ny?ing, mu?ti?nies To... 6) Rebellion against God (A combination of all the above) * Moses foretells of the calamity that will befall Israel because of their rebellion against Jehovah. Deut 31:27-29, ?27 for I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death? 28 Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands. * To King Saul of Israel God?s Prophet Samuel spoke to Saul and said, ? For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft??1 Samuel 15:23, ?23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.? ASV King Saul simply refused to do as God instructed him and did something of his own personal choosing, this said Samuel is rebellion. * Solomon, in his proverbs states a great truth about rebellion, Proverbs 17:11, ?An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.? ASV * Hananiah the prophet prophesied a lie and encouraged the children of Israel to believe it. As a result of the lie Jeremiah says to Hananiah, ? Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. --- Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will send thee away from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast spoken rebellion against Jehovah? Jeremiah 28:15-17, ?15 Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16 Therefore thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will send thee away from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast spoken rebellion against Jehovah. 17 So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.? ASV CONCLUSION: Rebellion is a quality of character that no true Christian wants to possess. The true Christian will always submit to God?s instruction in all things [i.e. to submit to God?s instruction is called ?being faithful.? ---- glclair at aol.com ? THE VALUE OF TRUTH ? If it were possible to make an estimation on the worth of truth, one could honestly say, ?truth is one of the great qualities that builds character?. Jesus in speaking of ?truth? says: John 8:32, ?and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.? John 17:17, ?Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.? John 12:47-48, ?47 And if any man hear my sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.? ASV **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080402/c2c78594/attachment-0001.html From tedwards at onemain.com Thu Apr 3 09:31:12 2008 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:31:12 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 3/30/08 Message-ID: <47F4A3E0.26119.BE1D15@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ March 30, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Innocence of Jesus (Bill Cavendar) 2) Peer Pressure (Bob Waldron) 3) A-C-T-S (David McPherson) ____________________________________________________ -1- The Innocence of Jesus by Bill Cavendar The Bible records six different trials that Jesus endured after He was seized in the Garden of Gethsemane. There were three Jewish trials: (1) Before Annas (Jn. 18:13,24); (2) Before Caiaphas, aided by a group of priests and the Sanhedrin (Mt. 26:57-68; Mk. 14:53-65; Jn. 18:14-28); (3) Before the Sanhedrin, near the dawn of day (Mt. 27:1-2; Mk. 15:1; Lk. 22:66-71). Then there was the first trial before Pilate (Mt. 27:1-2; Mk. 15:1; Lk. 23:1-7; Jn. 18:28-32). Pilate acquitted Jesus; the Jews made further charges against Him, so Pilate sent Jesus to Herod upon learning that Jesus was of Galilee (Mt. 27:11-14; Mk. 15:2-5; Lk. 23:3-7; Jn. 18:33-38). Before Herod, Jesus was mocked but not condemned as being guilty (Lk. 23:6-12). Before Pilate the second time, Jesus was sentenced to death at the instigation of the Jewish rulers, and was taken away to be crucified. During the two trials before Pilate, Jesus was proclaimed to be innocent seven times by Pilate, in Pilate's words and action. Consider these, please: 1. After his first conversation with Jesus, Pilate said, "I find no fault in this man" (Jn. 18:29-38; Lk. 23:4). 2. After Jesus returned to Pilate from Herod, Pilate said, "Behold, I, having examined him before, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod . . ." (Lk. 23:6-15). 3. After offering to release a prisoner to the Jews, and offering to scourge Jesus and then release Him, Luke records, "And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him . . ." (Lk. 23:22). 4. When he washed his hands before the multitude, declaring the innocence of Jesus, Pilate said, "I am innocent of the blood of this just person" (Mt. 27:24). 5. After Jesus had been mocked, whipped, and the robe put on Him, Pilate said, "Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him" (Jn. 19:4). 6. When Pilate gave permission for His crucifixion, he said, "Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him" (Jn. 19:6). 7. After Pilate learned of Jesus' claim to be the Son of God, he talked with Jesus for the last time. John records, "Upon this Pilate sought to release him..." (Jn. 19:7-12), thus declaring, in fact, the innocence of Jesus for the seventh time. Yet this moral coward, whose name has lived in infamy for, lo, these many centuries, delivered up to a felon's death the only truly innocent man who ever lived on earth, the only one who truly and legally deserved to live and not to die. But what of those moral cowards, men claiming to follow Him and to believe His claims and words, what of them? What is the difference between Pilate, the Roman, and John Doe, the Christian, who crucifies the Son of God afresh and puts Him to an open shame by sin, ugliness, bitterness, hatred, arrogance, transgression and apostasy (Heb. 6:4-8; 10:26-31)? What of them? -- Via Guardian of Truth XXIX: 3, p. 67, February 7, 1985 ____________________________________________________ -2- Peer Pressure by Bob Waldron Much of God's covenant with Israel of old dealt with human relations. Various and sundry laws pointed out how the Jew was to conduct himself among his peers. One of these admonitions was, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil" (Ex. 23:2). This was a very important decree; it showed the danger of peer pressure and pointed out very explicitly the dangers of being led astray by evil men. Peer pressure was an important factor in their lives; it has been from that time to the present. And perhaps as never before, peer pressure is an issue we have to wrestle with. A leading educator noted that peer pressure is the strongest influence exerted on young people today. He stated that in most cases it is twice as strong as the influence of home and family, and yields a far greater influence than religion. I share this educator's convictions. All young people want to be accepted by their peers. And if to do so means disobeying parents and selling out personal convictions, some are willing to do so just to be a part of the bunch. In dealing with young folks and their problem of peer pressure, we often quote and expound on 1 Corinthians 15:33 -- "Evil companionships corrupt good morals." I contend this is a very important verse dealing with this subject. This admonition does caution against the dangers of peer pressure being exerted by those who are void of spiritual convictions and virtues. Let us continue to warn our young people of the dangers of their associates that rob them of their virtues. But is all peer pressure centered in young people? Does this pressure cease when we become adults? Well, certainly at all stages of life there are peer pressures put on us by those with whom we mix and mingle day by day. The Bible is not silent on this matter. Men and women of God have always faced immense pressures in dealing with their peers. And when God has spoken, He has always done so with a stern warning against letting our associates rob us of our moral integrity. One of the most striking examples of this occurred in the life of Peter. Peter is one of our favorite Bible characters. He was truly one of Christ's most ardent followers. We hear him saying, "Even if I must die with thee, yet I will not deny thee" (Matt. 26:25). We hear him declare, "Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and death" (Luke 22:33). But on that fateful night of the arrest and mock trial of the Lord, Peter "followed afar off" (Matt. 26:53); he stood with the wrong crowd, the enemies of the Lord (Matt. 26:69). And upon being asked of his allegiance to Christ, he cursed, swore, and denied that he even knew Him (Matt. 26:69-74). Peter, when alone in a crowd of unbelievers who were the enemies of Christ, relented to peer pressure. What a lesson for the Christian today. I contend that when we are alone, with the wrong crowd, those with no regard for the Lord nor spiritual values, we are at the most vulnerable moment of our spiritual life. And so often, like Peter, the pressures from our peers lead to our downfall. There are numerous other examples in the New Testament on this subject. Peer pressure played a leading role in the rejection of Christ by the rulers of the synagogue (John 12:42, 43). The Scriptures tell us they believed on Him, "but because of the Pharisees they did not confess it, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the glory that is of men more than the glory that is of God." Likewise, peer pressure was the deciding factor in the heinous crime of Herod (Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:23). Herod feared and respected John, but his oath, along with "them that sat at meat with him" (his peers) prevented him from backing down on his promise, and resulted in the vile deed of having John the Baptist put to death. In this we see the influence and power of wicked men and the insidiousness of peer pressure. But there is another side of the coin of peer pressure. Not all the characters of the Bible collapsed under the pressure of their associates. Many stood, often alone, in the face of severe pressures put on them by others. Let us ever be aware of the immense pressures put on us by our peers, especially those with no regard for God and spiritual values. And let us profit from the mistakes others made and redouble our efforts to not yield to these peer pressures as they did. -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, February 24, 2008 ____________________________________________________ -3- A-C-T-S by David McPherson Christians are to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thes. 5:17). Some have trouble doing this simply because they forget what to do in prayer. The acronym "A-C-T-S" is one way to remember. A -- Adoration. Prayer is a time to adore/praise God. David prayed, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty..." (1 Chron. 29:11). Don't just ask things of God, acknowledge His awesomeness. C -- Confession. Prayer is also a time to confess sin. John wrote, "if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins..." (1 Jn. 1:9). One whose iniquities have separated him from God should exercise this privilege. Admit your wrongs! T -- Thanksgiving. In prayer, we should express our gratitude to God. It is "with thanksgiving" (Phil. 4:6), that our request are to be made known to Him. Do you appreciate the good things you have, love, and hope for? Tell God "thank you." S -- Supplication. This is where we make our requests. There are many things for which Christians ought to ask -- wisdom, peace, patience, opportunities to teach, etc. Brethren, don't forget to pray. -- via The Beacon -- Electronic Edition -- 1/24/06 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From preacherref01 at verizon.net Thu Apr 3 10:08:15 2008 From: preacherref01 at verizon.net (Thomas Thornhill) Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:08:15 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] "Are you a part of the United Church of Christ?" Message-ID: <47F4F2DF.3010809@verizon.net> Greetings brethren. Tom Thornhill Jr here from Bellflower, CA. WELL, here it is! A lesson I intend to present this Sunday morning (not with joy or malice, but because I believe it is needed. IF you look through this lesson and notice ANYTHING that is not accurate, please let me know. MOST of the information on this denomination was found at their website, www.ucc.org It is a busy site but with some time you can navigate it. Start with the "411" at the top and look at "Who are we" and "What we believe". Take care and let me know what you think! Tom Thornhill Jr. www.roseavenue.org 562-867-4416 /Sunday, April 6, 2008 am/ / / *?Are you part of the United Church of Christ??* The United Church of Christ (UCC) has been getting a great deal of press lately because it is the church that Senator Barak Obama is a member of. Because we identify ourselves as the church of Christ many of us have probably heard someone ask, ?Are you a part of the United Church of Christ?? The obvious answer to that question is NO! But because of its prevalence in discussions, I would like to take a few moments this morning to examine this denomination. We will notice its origin & philosophy as well as examine some of what it teaches. Note: Most of the information that I will be presenting today on the background of this denomination is taken from their official website, www.ucc.org . My purpose in presenting this lesson is to identify some reasons why it is not the ONE true church we read of in the Bible. I do NOT present this lesson with malice or joy, but as something I believe we need to be familiar with as we seek to ?/give a defense for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear/? (1 Peter 3:15). *I. ** The History of the UCC* a. A fairly young denomination. Began on June25, 1957 with the union of two protestant denominations: ?The Evangelical and Reformed Church? and ?The General Council of the Congregational Christian Churches? (which included some churches of the ?Disciples of Christ?). Historically it points to the fact that each of these denominations also formed by merger of two denominations. b. According to Wikepedia.com (online encyclopedia) the 2007 yearbook listed some 5,518 congregations with approximately 1.2 million members. *II. **Organization of the UCC* a. It has its own constitution called, ?Constitution of the United Church of Christ? which is available at their website. It is interesting to read but also telling which describes its structure and affiliation with other bodies. b. The basic unit of the UCC is the congregation or local church. Each congregation is free to worship and work in a way it seems fit. c. However there is also a hierarchy which is appointed by local churches and their ?ordained ministers?. It consists of Associations (Local churches, ordained ministers, licensed ministers, etc. who can vote within a geographical area), Conferences (consisting of associations and other local churches) and a General Synod (which is described as, ?the representative body of the United Church of Christ?.) These bodies discuss affairs and ordination of ministers in local churches as well as other things. *III. **Teachings of the UCC* a. */The church also has its own creed/* called a statement of faith in which they outline key beliefs. In addition to this they openly accept the creeds and statements of faith of others throughout the centuries. On their website you can find the ?Apostle?s creed, Nicene creed, the Heidelberg Catechism, Augsburg Confession of faith and others. Concerning these they say they are ?valued in our church as authentic testimonies of faith.? b. */There are many things they teach that are true - /*God in 3 persons, Jesus Christ was crucified and is rise, emphasis on the local church, a desire for unity, the priesthood of all believers, the need for love, etc. In fact they have adopted a mantra stated some 200 years ago which says, ?/In essentials ? unity, in non-essentials ? diversity, in all things ? charity/.? http://www.ucc.org/about-us/what-is-the-united-church-of.html That is a true statement when we understand that compromise is NOT acceptable. BUT some truth is not enough! c. */There are also many things they teach that involve error./* i. _Emphasis on unity in diversity._ */God WANTS UNITY! John 17:30-31, 1 Corinthians 1:10, etc, but unity cannot come at the cost of truth!/* In the UCC, not every congregation is in agreement on every subject. In fact one of their biggest emphasis is diversity in beliefs. On a page that describes what they are about they place emphasis on ?testimonies of faith rather than tests of faith.? */A test of faith would be something that you would draw lines of fellowship over ? such as God?s plan of salvation, proper worship, the authority of scripture, etc. Consider 2 John 9-11. /*?The unity of the church is not of its own making. It is a gift of God. But expressions of that unity are as diverse as there are individuals. The common thread that runs through all is love.? (ibid) The UCC teaches that ?/As individual members of the Body of Christ, we are free to believe and act in accordance with our perception of God?s will for our lives. But we are called to line in a loving, covenantal relationship with one another ? gathering in communities of faith, congregations of believers, local churches/.? (ibid.) One of their symbols is a large comma (red or black) which symbolizes this doctrine of acceptance of everyone. http://www.ucc.org/god-is-still-speaking/ The idea of the comma is to say, ?Don?t put a period where God put a comma.? Which was taken from Gracie Allen (of Burns and Allen ? entertainers). */In fact the intent is to say that we cannot reject anyone AND that we need to ignore their lifestyle (including what we perceive to be sinful conduct). The problem with these statements is that it does not hold one accountable to the truth of God?s word ? Galatians 1:6-9. /* */ ii. /*_Emphasis on the term covenant_. The term ?covenant? is important. When we obey the gospel we enter into a covenant (a binding agreement) with our Lord to follow and obey Him. But in the UCC, ?Covenantal Relationships? has reference to more than one?s relationship with Christ and perhaps other members of a local church. It also has reference to churches, associations and conferences recognizing one another even if they disagree. In an article describing the autonomy of local churches it says, ?but it also is called to live in a covenantal relationship with other congregations for the sharing of insights and for cooperative action under the authority of Christ.? (ibid.) What this means is that while a congregation stands by its own beliefs it is to still work with congregations with which they do not agree. */In essence, unity-in-diversity./* iii. _Pro-homosexual_. In 1985, the General assembly voted to accept homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. One of the ?firsts? they boast of is ordination of the first openly gay persons into ministry in 1972 (Rev. William R. Johnson). Today, More than 700 UCC congregations have engaged in a program called, ?Open and Affirming? (ONA) which supports and teaches acceptance of homosexuality. The LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) ministry is a ministry of the UCC. */The scriptures condemn homosexuality/*. 1 Cor. 6:9, Romans 1:26-27 iv. _Ordination of women as pastors_. Another point of pride at their website is the ordination of the first woman pastor. They mention the appointment of Antoinette Brown in 1853 (Congregational Church). Note: They consider a part of their heritage the history of the churches that merged to form the UCC. In their General Synod which includes a board of 5 members, 3 of them are women, two of which have the term Reverend attached to their name and the third is Associate General Minister (Edith Guffey). */The scriptures condemn in passages such as 1 Timothy 2:11-5, 1 Corinthians 14:34,35/* */ v. /*_Two sacraments_. *//* */1. /*They teach both baptism and the Lord?s Supper as important. In fact they call them sacraments. ?an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that conveys and inward, spiritual grace through Christ.? (Wikipedia.com) This term is NOT found in scriptures and both are acts of OBEDIENCE rather than mere signs of God?s grace to us.*//* */2. /*_Baptism._ While baptism is treated as important, they do not specify how or when it is to be done. In fact, baptism can be in any form (sprinkling, pouring or immersion) and can include infants or adults. Also, at the discretion of a local congregation, they accept baptisms from any previous place. On their ?What we believe page? they say, /_?We believe that all of the baptized 'belong body and soul to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'_ No matter who ? no matter what ? no matter where we are on life's journey ? notwithstanding race, gender, sexual orientation, class or creed ? we all belong to God and to one worldwide community of faith. All persons baptized ? past, present and future ? are connected to each other and to God through the sacrament of baptism.? (ibid)/ */The problem with this is obvious. In scripture, baptism is FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS (Acts 2:38) and only offered to those who are capable of understanding and belief (cf. Mark 16:16 ? note the order, 1 Peter 3:21 ? ?the answer of a good conscience?, etc.). In Acts 19:1-5 we read of a group of individuals who were baptized again because the reason for their first baptism was not acceptable. /* */3. /*_The Lord?s Supper_ - it is to be offered to all and conducted at the discretion of the local congregation. */Scriptures regulate when (Acts 20:7) and how it is to be offered (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)./* */4. /*_NOTE ?_*/ their constitution and belief statements on these and other subjects are vague and open to liberal interpretation, which is obviously intentional/* */ vi. /*_God still speaks._ By that they mean that God?s word is not complete and there are still prophets. In fact, their ?What we believe page? states ?/We believe that the UCC is called to be a prophetic church/? (ibid). In their constitution it says, ?/There is yet more light and truth to break forth from God?s holy word?It declares that the study of the scriptures is not limited by past interpretations, but it is pursued with the expectation of new insights and God?s help for living today/.? http://www.ucc.org/about-us/what-is-the-united-church-of.html */That statement sounds good on the surface, but the intent is to say that you can interpret scripture ANY WAY you want to. Scriptures teach that the word of God is complete (Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-9, 2 Peter 1:3, etc.) and to be respected as it is written (1 Peter 4:11, 1 Corinthians 14:37)./* */ vii. /*_Acceptance of denominationalism_. The primary goal of the UCC is to achieve unity (at virtually any cost - TT). In addition to their broad constitution which provides many different ways for a church to be recognized by the UCC, including ?any denomination which? unites with the United Church of Christ? (Constitution), they also seek ways to be united with other denominations and churches. AS a result the UCC is members of United Council of Churches, World Council of Churches, World Alliance of Reformed Churches ? these councils (alliances) are multi-denominational councils. In addition to this they have direct ties (Ecumenical partnership) with Aliance of Baptists, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Methodist Church, AME churches, International Council of Community Churches, etc. http://www.ucc.org/ecumenical/ecumenical-partnerships-and.html */I mention these because they demonstrate how willing the UCC is to compromise doctrinally for unity. The Bible condemns the denominational concept of Christianity (1 Cor. 1:10-13), etc./* *IV. **Lessons to learn from this study* a. _Just because a church calls themselves by a Bible name does not make it so_. What makes a church the TRUE church is what it does, INCLUDING its name. Matthew 7:21-23 clarifies this. b. _The real danger: The appearance of truth_. The danger of this religion is that some of their core beliefs are based upon truth, but they have veered from that truth, in some instances to the extreme. For example: The emphasis on local congregations is good and scriptural, BUT what about anything that goes beyond that? WHERE is the authority? Where do we find associations, Conferences and a General Synod in scripture? Also their emphasis on unity is important ? BUT not at the cost of truth! 1 Thess. 5:22 tells us to abstain from every appearance (form) of evil. If some is evil we are to avoid it. 2 Timothy 3:5 describes the self-willed man who has ?a /form of godliness but denying its power. And form such people turn away/.? c. *_NEVER_*_ dismisses the importance of scriptural authority_ for what we do and that which promotes unity. Colossians 3:17 ? do all in the name of the Lord. 1 Peter 4:11 ? speak as the oracles of God (not man or man?s wisdom). d. _Why we call ourselves the church of Christ?_ i. It is NOT a denominational title. Let us understand we do not intend to use the term as an official title of churches on earth. ii. It is a scriptural description of who we are. We are the congregation of Christ?s people here in this location. The term is used in Romans 16:16. iii. Because we are! At least, we strive to be the one true church as much as we can. Matthew 16:81 ? Jesus spoke of building His church. It is HIS and thus we must strive to keep it His by doing His will. Thus we can see some information about the UCC. Much more could be added to these things. It is my hope that we now understand more about this denomination and that we can give a defense when people ask us. We are certainly NOT affiliated with this denomination, NOR ANY of its congregations in any way. Let us always strive to speak ONLY where the Bible speaks and be silent where it is silent. 2 Peter 2:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:1-4. Think about it. From dmillwee at bak.rr.com Thu Apr 3 12:05:22 2008 From: dmillwee at bak.rr.com (Dick Millwee) Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 10:05:22 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A: Bulletin Article Message-ID: <000a01c895ac$e76182a0$6401a8c0@P4Desk> Brethren: Below is an article that will be in our bulletin this Sunday. You are free to use or modify it if you so choose. "WHAT IS TOLERATED TODAY BECOMES ACCEPTED TOMORROW" Many years ago I read a quote that I found it to be true. This was the quote: "What Is Tolerated Today Becomes Accepted Tomorrow". Whoever said that said a mouthful and hit the nail on the head. Let me give a couple of examples. In 1939 a movie was made that had one curse word in it. History tells all that moral leaders and church pulpits all over our country raised a sustained cry against it being released for public showing and almost succeeded in their efforts. However, Hollywood turned a deaf ear to the protests and patiently waited until the hubbub died down. After the protest became old news, Hollywood released the picture, "Gone With The Wind". Forty years later, in 1979, Hollywood produced and released a movie that had only one cures word in it (the same word used in Gone With The Wind) and parents all over the land breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Finally a movie that we can let our children go see." It was "Star Wars".This gradual "toleration creep" has lead to most of the movies released today being filled with vile, filthy language that would have made drunken sailor blush in 1939! In 1953, a new magazine was about to be released for publication and a volcanic protest by churches and various organizations erupted. The publisher and court officials turned a deaf ear to the protests and, hence, "Play Boy" magazine became an American institution. This lead to publications of similar magazines. This, in turn, motivated Hollywood to begin releasing movies of a vivid sexual nature which lead to the necessitation of a rating system. Over time there has been "rating creep" so that what used to be X rated is now R rated, R rated is now PG 13 rated and PG13 is now rated G. The slow graduation of "Toleration Creep" has desensitized us to the point we are now accepting as O.K. that was tolerated with anxious misgivings a few year ago. Sadly, many Christians have become so desensitized to this media filth that they, with their money and attendance, have succumbed to this "wile" of the devil. God tells us through the apostle Paul "...do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but, instead, expose them" (Eph 5:11). It is sad to see many Christians (even though it bothers them) allowing their children to watch TV.V. programs and moves that promote this moral filth. The danger for their children, for the most part, is that they will feel it is acceptable for Christians to do this because their parents did not speak out against it or restrict them from involving themselves with this moral tragedy when they were in their formative years. Sadly, in some cases, the children learn by example when they see their parents rent or buy these movies and play them on their DVD sets at home. "Be not deceived, for whatsoever we sow that is what we shall reap" (Gal 6:7,8). Brethren, young and old, let us take the high road of God and take a stand against these things. Let's not succumb to this Moral Creep. Beware, it is a device of the Devil to ensnare our souls. Dick Millwee Dick Millwee - Bakersfield, California dmillwee at bak.rr.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/f76e294d/attachment-0001.html From kthomas at ntslink.net Thu Apr 3 15:12:03 2008 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 15:12:03 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, My Character And My Reputation Message-ID: <47F53A13.00001D.03184@KENSCOMPUTER> My Character And My Reputation By Kenneth E. Thomas Reputation Is what other people think about us Our character is what we inside really possess The Christian needs to manifest good in both Then one may by God?s grace be eternally blessed! Good character leads to making right moral decisions Decisions that govern our response both to God & man The person who has built up a sense of good character Will behave himself properly as a godly human being can! Does your character agree with your reputation among men? Are you really and truly what your peers think about you? Don?t be found out on judgment day standing before Christ That what people thought you were by reputation wasn?t true! I am speaking the truth before my God and I do not lie My reputation before men and God and my character say I Must be in harmony and in keeping with God?s revealed will Or as for me I must know beyond doubt I?m not ready to die! (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11; Romans 2:4-11; Rev. 20:12-15; Romans 14:12; Hebrews 9:27-28; John 5:28-29). Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7017/pekin_ch.html 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/766659c0/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 151 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/766659c0/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/766659c0/attachment-0005.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/766659c0/attachment-0006.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 16287 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080403/766659c0/attachment-0007.gif From mcmurray at Spiritbuilding.com Fri Apr 4 10:04:10 2008 From: mcmurray at Spiritbuilding.com (Carl (Mac) McMurray) Date: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:04:10 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Needing info on Sudan Africa Message-ID: I have been contacted by a converted muslim that is now preaching and requesting bibles and/or money for bibles. Does anyone know of any way or anyone that I can contact to get info about Sudan and/or Kenya to verify his claims or the claims of his friend that is a Bible dealer? Thank you for your time, Mac ?Man does not live by coffee alone, have a danish.? - Unknown http://www.spiritbuilding.com/BLOG/showBlog.php?blogID=1 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080404/3503d88d/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 1747 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080404/3503d88d/attachment.jpe From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Fri Apr 4 23:14:37 2008 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 23:14:37 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Buckhorn Teacher 4-6-08 Message-ID: <003c01c896d3$916880b0$06fea8c0@your4dacd0ea75> THE BUCKHORN TEACHER "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2.Tim.4:2 Buckhorn church of Christ - Thomas Thornhill - editor. 13675 Hwy 341, Randolph MS 38864-9117. Tel. 662-568-2960. Cell 662-419-5378. E-mail thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Vol.6 April 6, 2008 No.23 MAN'S NEED FOR BIBLE AUTHORITY - No.18 MAKING APPLICATION OF THINGS PREVIOUSLY LEARNED. The following may be boring to some, but it is always good to remind brethren why we do what we do in our religious practices. A question often asked by visitors, unfamiliar with the church of Christ, when they see the Lord's Supper being served on the first day of the week, out of curiosity ask "Do you do this (eating the Lord's Supper) each week?" The person asked replies, "Yes." The visitor may then ask, "Why?" If you were the person being asked, how would you answer the person? Could you explain to them from the scriptures why the Lord's Supper served every first day of the week is scriptural? You should! Here is the way I would answer the question, applying the principles previously taught in this series of articles about Bible authority, i.e., by the use of statements, commands, apostolic examples and necessary inferences. First, I would explain that, as with all religious beliefs and practices, no single scripture provides all the details for the observance of the Lord Supper. We must take all that is said about the practice and put them together to determine what God expects us to do. David wrote "The entirety of your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever" Ps.119:160. So to learn why, when and how often the Lord's Supper is to be eaten all the applicable scriptures must be used. This will form the pattern for what God has authorized Why do we partake of the Lord's Supper? By the command/statement of Jesus. He established this memorial the night He ate the Passover with His disciples Matt.26:26-29; Mk.14:22-25; Lk.22:19-20. Later, Paul wrote about this event in 1.Cor.11:23-26, and noted that Jesus took the bread (unleavened), and after giving thanks He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you' do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." The statement "this do" indicates that the observance of the Lord's Supper was not an option or a suggestion. Rather, it was an imperative, a command to be followed by all. And it was, for when the church was established on the day of Pentecost it is said "they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread (another name for the Lord's Supper t.t.), and in prayers" Acts 2:42. >From the above scriptures we learn by command and statement that the disciples of Jesus are to remember His death by partaking of the Lord's Supper, but we still don't know when and how often it is to be done. So, let us continue our search for the answers. When do we partake of the Lord's Supper? Some 25-30 years after Pentecost we find an example showing that the observance of the Lord's Supper had become an established practice. From the example in Acts 20:6-7 we can establish by an approved apostolic example the first day of the week was the day Christians assembled to eat the Lord's Supper. In Acts 20:6 Luke states when he and Paul came to Troas they "stayed seven days" v.6. At the end of this stay He and Paul assembled with the saints at Troas to partake of the Lord Supper. This was done on the first day of the week for Luke writes "Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread (eat the Lord's Supper) Paul ready to depart the next day, spoke to them ." v.7. From this example in Acts 20:7 we find disciples/Christians assembling on the first day of the week to take the Lord's Supper. Since Paul partook with them at this time it becomes an approved apostolic example to follow as the day on which saints assemble to eat the Lord's Supper. This is the only example in the NT where we find the disciples assembling to partake of the Lord's Supper. Since no other day is found, the conclusion is that this must be the day God has approved for His people to eat the Lord's Supper, a memorial to Christ's death. This approved apostolic example gives us Biblical authority to eat the Lord's Supper on this day. But how often is it to be done? The frequency of observance, (how often it is to be done), is also found in Acts 20:7, not by statement but by necessary inference. Note the context. Paul, in spite of a rushed schedule to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost Acts 20:16 takes time to tarry seven days in Troas. Why? To me the only logical reason for him doing this is found in Acts 20:7. He and Luke wanted to assemble with the brethren at Troas to eat the Lord's Supper. By remaining in Troas until the first day of the week to assemble with the Christians to partake of the Lord's Supper one can infer they knew that the brethren assembled on a regular basis to do this and they wanted to be with them for that occasion. But this alone does not establish that the brethren did this every first day of the week. Paul could have tarried for some other reason unstated. But was it a coincidence? I think not. What makes Acts 20:7 a necessary inference for the Lord's Supper to be observed each first day of the week is the presence of the little word "when" in the phrase "when the disciples came together." When is a stylistic cue word, an adverb of time denoting a regular procedure of frequency or regularity which a reader would be expected to understand. It would be something that is to be practiced "each and every time" the occasion arises. I believe Acts 20:7 necessarily infers in the verse that "every time there is a first day of the week disciples are to come together to eat the Lord's Supper. God has implied this in His word, and man necessarily infers this is what God wants. He wants His people to assemble each and every first day of the week to remember His Son's death and to proclaim it "till He comes" 1.Cor.11:26. I know this has been a lengthy article on how to apply necessary inference. But, I hope it helps to illustrate what I have been writing about. In the next issue I will show another example of necessary inference from the lesson of the Good Samaritan Lk.10. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080404/6b847ac9/attachment.html From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Tue Apr 1 20:37:18 2008 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 21:37:18 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> Sexual Immorality Message-ID: http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html Sexual Immorality I. Introduction A. Proverbs 2:1-11, 16-20 B. Proverbs 5, 6:23-35, 7 C. The proverbs author shows great concern for sexual propriety 1. These are major sections of the beginning of the book! 2. Many times the author goes to great lengths to express how this is wisdom, something for which the son must prepare himself 3. What is he so worried about? D. The sin of sexual immorality is no worse or better than other sins before God, but represents a significant stumbling block for mankind 1. Paul mentions it first in many sin lists: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:19-21 2. A great concern in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 5:1, 6:13-20 3. The only legitimate reason for divorce: Matthew 5:32, 19:9 E. Since the Scriptures speak so much regarding the sin, it is good for us to consider it 1. What is sexual immorality? 2. What makes it sinful? 3. How can we avoid it? F. Let us investigate the matter II. What is Sexual Immorality? A. The concept of "sexual immorality" is vague 1. Difficulty comes from trying to convey a Greek word that is not easily rendered in English 2. Greek: porneia ("pornography") 3. There is no word in English that properly conveys the meaning of porneia 4. Old meaning: fornication; such now refers almost exclusively to pre-marital sex 5. "Sexual immorality" popular, but could be misleading: porneia does not refer to every kind of sexual sin (lust et al goes under aselgeia, lasciviousness) 6. Best understanding: sexually deviant behavior-- actual sexual conduct that goes against the sexual norm B. How can we define "sexually deviant behavior"? 1. The Greek term, in general, refers to conduct like fornication, adultery, pedophilia, incest, homosexuality, and bestiality 2. But to truly establish what is deviant behavior, we must understand what acceptable behavior is 3. Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 9, Hebrews 13:4 4. The sexual norm is sex between a man and woman whom God has joined together 5. We can see, therefore, that all other sexual conduct beyond this relationship is illicit sexual intercourse, that is, porneia or sexual immorality C. Aspects of porneia / sexual immorality 1. Sexually deviant behavior can take on many forms 2. Deviant behavior contrary to nature: bestiality, homosexuality 3. Deviant behavior transgressing marital commitment: adultery 4. Deviant behavior transgressing proper relationship boundaries: pedophilia, incest, bigamy, polygamy, polyandry, rape 5. Deviant behavior that reverses God's intentions for a relationship: fornication, sexual play D. Such is the nature of sexual immorality III. Why porneia is Sinful A. What is it that makes sexually deviant behavior deviant? B. Throughout time, man has continually rebelled against God's sexual boundaries 1. While there is general agreement of the wrongfulness of much of what is called sin, there is often little agreement in the realm of sexuality 2. People today just cannot see what is wrong with things like fornication or homosexuality, especially if the parties involved "love" each other 3. Other sexual sins, like adultery, may be officially frowned upon but committed by many 4. After all, where is the harm with many sexual sins? C. There is understanding about the wrong present in some sexual sins 1. Most understand that pedophilia is a horrendous evil, quite devastating and destructive to its innocent victims 2. The same is true of rape 3. Bestiality is also understood as an abomination 4. The pain and suffering that adultery causes demonstrates its error D. Porneia is sinful because it "misses the mark" of God's intentions for sex 1. hamartia, Greek word for sin, means to "miss the mark" 2. As we have seen, God intends for sex to be enjoyed between a man and a woman whom He has joined (Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 9) 3. Sexual desire was part of the creation, something with which God blessed man 4. It was called "very good", and is not evil (Genesis 1:31) 5. What is evil and not good is the misdirection, misapplication, or excess of sexual desire 6. Thus fornication and multiple partners are wrong 7. Sex cannot fulfill its proper function if there is no commitment-- no joining by God 8. If God has not joined two persons because one or both are improperly divorced, then the sexual act is adultery (Matthew 5:32, 19:9) 9. If a man or woman attempts to have multiple wives or husbands, they abuse the "two becoming one flesh" concept involved in a monogamous relationship, God's intentions from the beginning (Genesis 2:24) E. Porneia is a sin against the body 1. 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 2. It is true that with some forms of sexual sin, "no one else" is hurt 3. Yet Paul indicates how porneia is a sin against the body, a defilement of God's temple 4. As Christians, we have been bought with a price, and we are not our own-- therefore, we are to glorify God in our bodies 5. We cannot glorify God in our bodies if we are defiling it sexually! F. Many aspects of porneia are sin because they violate God's intentions for nature 1. Romans 1:24-27 2. Species are to mingle with their own kind-- bestiality is therefore aberrant 3. Sex is designed to facilitate procreation-- pedophilia and homosexuality are therefore aberrant 4. Inbreeding leads to genetic abnormalities-- incest is therefore aberrant 5. That which is aberrant is against God's purposes and is sin! G. Porneia often leads to intense suffering and pain 1. Adultery may be pleasurable for the moment, but it destroys families 2. Fornication may seem like fun, but the loss of innocence without proper commitment often leads to guilt 3. The humiliation and suffering of victims of rape and pedophilia is great 4. If it's so right and good, why does it cause such pain and suffering? H. Porneia reflects a lack of positive qualities: self-control and sobriety 1. Our society is to be condemned for its wantonness and lasciviousness 2. There is little concept of self-control in terms of sexuality 3. Thousands are intoxicated by sexual desire, and society feeds that desire with every sort of temptation 4. Porneia is quite often the result of a lack of sexual self-control and of mental intoxication with sexual desire, contra 1 Peter 4:7, Galatians 5:21-22 5. As Paul indicates in 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, sex is not a necessity, even if we think it to be! I. Thus we can see the sinful nature of porneia / sexual immorality IV. Avoiding Porneia / Sexual Immorality A. Seeing the great evil of porneia, how can we avoid it? B. Keep sex in its proper place 1. Going back to Proverbs 5:15-19 2. Be satisfied with the one with whom God joined you 3. If you can focus on that one alone, you will do well C. Flee temptations 1. Too often we feel the need to stand up to temptations 2. In terms of sexual temptation, however, there is no shame in running away! 3. Genesis 39:11-12: Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife 4. 1 Corinthians 6:18: thus Paul commands it 5. If you run from the source of temptation, you will not succumb to it! D. Avoid temptations 1. Consider James 1:14-15 2. All temptation begins with being enticed 3. If we do not put ourselves in the position of being enticed, we will fare better! 4. There's no gold star for seeing how close you can get to temptation and avoiding it 5. Proverbs universally warns one to stay away from sexual temptation 6. Proverbs 2:16, 6:23-26, 7:4-5 7. Indeed, Proverbs 6:27-28 is wisdom: if you get too close to the fire, you're going to get burned! E. Focus on righteousness 1. This is all well and good, but quite difficult in a sex-saturated age 2. We cannot just avoid the evil-- we must be filled with the good 3. Consider Philippians 4:8-- let us mentally dwell on the holy, not the unholy 4. Titus 3:8: let us be devoted to doing good things and not have time to sin V. Conclusion A. porneia / sexual immorality a difficult issue today 1. It has been a stumbling block for as long as man has existed 2. No society has been immune from the plague of sexual deviance B. Even if society's standards are lax, let us remember the source of truth 1. God has established that sex is to be enjoyed by a man and woman whom He has joined together 2. All other sexual behavior is deviant, and therefore porneia C. Let us flee from sexual immorality! D. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry/ disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio [http://www.norwalkchurch.org] Homepage: http://www.deusvitae.com AOLIM: Deus Vitae/ ICQ#: 28317056 MSN Messenger ID: deusvitae/ Yahoo! Messenger ID: discipuliiesus Matthew 10:25a (ESV): "It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master." Renewed in Spirit http://www.renewedinspirit.org an interactive online spiritual publication for those seeking the Kingdom From GLClair at aol.com Sat Apr 5 20:35:18 2008 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 21:35:18 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] SERMON - Consider God's Plan Message-ID: CONSIDER GOD?S PLAN God has not left man with no plan where he might correct the sin in his life. From the Bible we know that all become sinners whenever they reach the age of accountably ? cf. Rom 3:23, ?for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;?{ASV} Whenever one reaches accountability he/she is capable of making a choice between good and evil; most of the time temptation to commit trespass against God?s instruction is easier for a person than to stay steadfast in God?s instruction. Jeremiah says of man and his condition; Jer. 10:23, ? O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.? {ASV} Many people today are confused about where to turn when they think about being religious; there are 100s even 1,000s of religions telling them to come to our church, be saved by touching the TV set, be saved by uttering the sinners prayer {i.e. whatever that is}, yet others tell us to pray for salvation and yet another religion says just follow your leaders. No wonder! Many are confused about religion and what is salvation from sin and how do we acquire salvation. The question is answerable: The answer is nearer than we think, if you have a Bible in your home you may be able to find out about God, Christ, the church of Christ, and many other questions you will find answers to in its pages. Please notice and consider some facts from the Bible that will aid you in a good understanding of these religious puzzles. 1. CONSIDER THE GREAT COMMISSION: The great commission was given by Jesus Christ to His apostles after he arose from the tomb; the commission contained instructions and necessarily implied salvation from sin to those who heard and complied with the conditions declared by Jesus; Matthew 28:18-20, ?18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.? ASV Mark 16:15-16, ?15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.? ASV 2. WHAT JESUS CHRIST DID NOT SAY: Whatever a person does not say often reveals a great deal about the subject. The silence of the Scriptures [i.e. the voice of God] must be respected. Religious people wherever they are have no Divine right to alter, add, or subtract from what the Bible says about any subject. A. ?He that believeth and is baptized shall not be saved? THIS SUPPORTS THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF ATHEISM B. ?All people may be saved, and then they may believe and be baptized? JUSTIFYING THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION {i.e. all will be saved} C. ?He that believeth and is saved may be baptized? JUSTIFYING THE FAITH ONLY [i.e. believe only] SALVATION D. ?He that is baptized in infancy and later believes shall be saved? JUSTIFYING THE DOCTRINE OF INFANT BAPTISM CONSIDER THIS: If the Bible does not teach it; it is not acceptable to God. God will condemn anyone who alters the intent of the authority of His Written Word. {2 John 9-11} ?9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting: 11 for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works.? ASV 3. WHAT JESUS CHRIST HAS SAID: A. ?He that believeth? 1) In the Divinity of Jesus Christ [i.e. as the Son of God] John 1:1 2) With an unashamed faith Matthew 10:32-33 B. ?And is baptized? 1) ?for the remission of sins? Acts 2:38 2) ?In the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit? Matt 28:18-20-Acts 2:38 {i.e. by/through Jesus Christ?s authority. 3) ?in the likeness of Jesus Christ?s death? Rom 6:4 C. ?Shall be saved? 1) from all sins --- Acts 2:38 --- ?And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.? ASV CONCLUSION: As we study and involve ourselves in the teaching process with regards to others we must be careful that as we teach others about the Biblical truths; we do not misguide anyone. Remember the Biblical teaching that Jesus offered about the Pharisees in Matt 15:13-14, ?13 But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. 14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind , both shall fall into a pit.? ASV _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) April 4, 2008 **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/4609b9ba/attachment-0001.html From richardthetford at msn.com Sat Apr 5 23:07:38 2008 From: richardthetford at msn.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 22:07:38 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (4/6/08) Message-ID: Walking in the Light "For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light." "The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple." "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...." (Psalm 36:9; 119:130; 1 John 1:7a) April 6, 2008 www.thetfordcountry.com --- INFORMATION: My WEB Site www.thetfordcountry.com has just been updated to include the articles and sermons listed below. All the sermons posted each week to my web site are in .pdf format. The PowerPoint charts are also included with ALL the sermons that are posted to the web site. To access the sermons page, visit the site and click on "Richard's Page" and then click on "sermons." Please visit the "Reference Works" links page for updated links to various Bible study resources. If you are a newcomer to the area or wanting information concerning the San Juan church of Christ here in Montrose, Colorado, then click on the San Juan church of Christ Web Site at www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org. Thank you for visiting my web site and as always, your comments are welcome. If you know of someone that would like to receive the "Walking in the Light" electronic bulletin each week, please send an e-mail message to Richard at Thetfordcountry.com with their name and e-mail address and I will add them to the list. --- CONTENTS: "Our Personal Responsibility" (Richard Thetford) "Unscriptural" (Norman E. Sewell) "Evidence of Pardon" (Richard Thetford) SENTENCE SERMONS --- OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Richard Thetford Christians have a serious responsibility to ensure that we continue to do only those things in which God has authorized. The apostle Paul said: "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom 14:12). Knowing that we will stand before God in judgment, we better make sure that we are doing ALL of the Lord's will. Fathers today need to have the same kind of attitude that Joshua had when he said "...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Josh 24:15). When we first decide to do the Lord's will (Matt 7:21; 6:33), then we are on our way to being the kind of responsible individuals that God would want us to be. For What Are We Responsible? We are responsible for several things and these include but are not limited to knowledge, faith, words, teaching, conduct, influence, and stewardship. God may have overlooked the ignorance of long ago but He now commands that all men repent and be determined to follow Him (Acts 17:30). We are also responsible to gaining faith and the only way to do that is by "hearing" the word of God (Rom 10:17). James 2:14 says: "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?" One that has a genuine Bible faith is one that will prove his faith by his actions (works). Since we will give an account for the things we say (Matt 12:36-37), it would behoove us to ensure that we say only those things that would be pleasing to God. We show that we are responsible when we become obedient to those who have rule over us (Heb 13:17). Our conduct is another area in which we can show how responsible we are. If we do those things in which we know are good and pleasing to God, then we are practicing our responsibility toward Him (James 4:17). Then of course our influence shows whether or not we have learned our personal responsibility (Rom 14:12-13). May we all strive to learn individual responsibility so we can be pleasing to God in all aspects of our life. --- "UNSCRIPTURAL" Norman E. Sewell We often use terms like "liberal" and "conservative" to describe attitudes and ideas in the political realm, and similar attitudes in regard to the Bible. We generally understand their meaning, especially in politics, but it seems they are not always understood in matters regarding scripture. And different people use such words as "conservative" in a relative sense. They refer to themselves as conservative simply because others are more liberal than they are. Just as the term "anti" was used years ago to refer to those who were against certain practices, liberal and conservative are sometimes used more to prejudice than to accurately describe a person's stand. Could there be a better way both to understand, and to express our concerns over practices we think to be wrong? And, what makes certain practices wrong in religious matters? What makes a practice right or wrong is whether it is approved of God or not! This should be the only concern - does God accept this action or does He reject it? If any action is accepted by God we should be able to determine that easily and quickly. All that would be required would be for us to find some reason in the Bible to do the thing suggested or planned. Failing to find some Bible reason (generic or specific) to do it we should then consider it not approved by God. Only by what God has revealed can we possibly know what He wants. Scriptural is not really a term found in the Bible, yet it describes an important principle. Webster's Dictionary says of the word, "pertaining to or contained in the Bible" and then adds the words "scriptural authority." For a thing to be scriptural it must be found in the scriptures in some way. If we can't find that thing described in scripture in some way we can honestly say it is "unscriptural" or without scriptural approval. While words like "liberal" and "conservative" are sometimes prejudicial and open to definition, "scriptural" and "unscriptural" seem more clear. Problems may still be encountered in the process of determining what is approved and what is not, but each thing can be tested by comparing it to SCRIPTURE. Some will always want to argue, "The Bible doesn't say not to," but the test still stands. Can we find it in the scriptures or not? Paul wrote that "no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11b). Any attempt to claim we know what God approves apart from what the Spirit has revealed fails by the same test. If the Holy Spirit didn't reveal it, in some form, then we have no way of knowing that God approves. So, as we try to convince friends that their religious practice is wrong, wouldn't it be better to use a term like UNSCRIPTURAL, meaning, you can't find it in the Bible? --- EVIDENCE OF PARDON Richard Thetford Does having a "good feeling" about something prove that it is acceptable to God? The apostle Paul is a very good example of this. In Acts 23:1, he thought he was right when in actuality he was wrong. "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day" (See also Acts 26:9). Feelings are deceptive and therefore cannot be relied upon as something that is an evidence of pardon. Only by DOING God's commandments can we have assurance that He will keep His promises (Isaiah 55:6-7). No one can question God's willingness and power to pardon those who obey Him. In 1 John 2:3-5 it says: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." Our feelings may not be correct. God's Word is correct. Salvation is gained by those who obey His commands (Heb 5:9). --- SENTENCE SERMONS "God brings people in deep water, not to drown them, but to cleanse them." "Keep both feet on the ground and you won't have far to fall." "No one knows of your honesty and sincerity unless you give out some samples." "The devil is never too busy to rock the cradle of a sleeping saint." "If you aren't big enough for criticism, you are really too small for praise." "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." "Some folks look ahead, some look back, but most folks look confused." "A Bitter world cannot be sweetened by a sour religion." "A lot of people waste too much sympathy on themselves." "Every moment you are angry, you lose one minute of happiness." --- SERMON NO SERMON (Spring Gospel Meeting with Norman E. Sewell) Sermons can viewed at my web site: www.thetfordcountry.com --- Meets at: 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-8116 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE SUNDAY Bible Study....................10:00 A.M. Worship.........................11:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY Bible Study......................6:30 P.M. Evangelist Richard Thetford (970) 626-5558 E-Mail: Richard at Thetfordcountry.com Web Site: www.thetfordcountry.com --- RICHARD THETFORD 1491 Canyon Drive Ridgway, CO 81432 (970) 626-5558 E-Mail: richard at thetfordcountry.com Web Site: www.thetfordcountry.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/0c5c8fa3/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2950 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/0c5c8fa3/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 14927 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/0c5c8fa3/attachment-0003.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 154 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/0c5c8fa3/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 7674 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/0c5c8fa3/attachment-0005.gif From harperwest at yahoo.com Sat Apr 5 23:13:21 2008 From: harperwest at yahoo.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 21:13:21 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> A Fruitless Search Message-ID: <000601c8979c$8d7f4640$0401a8c0@Steven> From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. Editor: Steven Harper April 6, 2008 A Fruitless Search Not long after Elijah had been taken up in a whirlwind (2nd Kings 2:11), Elisha crossed over Jordan to the place where the prophets of Jericho were waiting (v. 14). When they came to him, they asked Elisha if he would send all 50 men to search diligently for Elijah, believing that God may have simply placed Elijah in another location, either on a mountain or valley (v. 16), but Elisha said that they should not go. When they persisted to the point of shaming him, Elisha finally commanded that they go and they did so for three days, but without success (v. 17). When they returned to Elisha, he scolded them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" (v. 18). As diligently as they searched and as hopeful as they might of been of finding Elijah, the search was fruitless and a waste of time - Elijah would not be found anywhere on earth, for he had been taken to heaven. A little more than 900 years later, we find two women went to the tomb of a Man who had recently been buried after He had died by crucifixion (Matt. 28:1). When they arrived at the tomb, they found that the stone sealing the tomb had been rolled away and when they entered the tomb, they found the body was gone (Luke 24:2, 3). Two men standing nearby said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (vv. 5, 6). They went back to other disciples to tell them of what they had found, but they did not believe (vv. 9-11). Peter (v. 12) and John (John 20:2-6) ran to the tomb and Peter went in first and found only the burial cloths lying by themselves, and John also then entered and saw and believed. I am sure the incredulity of what the women had said was part of their unbelief, but what did Peter and John expect to find when they got to the tomb? If they went to find the body of Jesus, it wasn't there because He had arisen! In both cases just described, there were individuals looking for someone they would not find. In each case, the search - no matter how diligent - was useless; they were not going to find the one for whom they searched! In each case, someone said the search was useless, but a search was made nonetheless. In both cases, the searchers discovered that what was told them was true and there was no need for a search. In both cases, the searchers should have saved themselves the time and effort and simply listened. But why is it that some just cannot believe without seeing for themselves? Why is it that some persist in looking for the thing that simply cannot be found? Today, we have many supposed 'Bible scholars,' arch?ologists, and men of high degrees who are searching every inch of soil in the region of Israel and Palestine, every book of antiquity, the biological structure of every living plant or creature, every square centimeter of the universe, and every word in the Bible to find some fault, some inconsistency, some evidence in nature that infallibly proves the recently-contrived theory of evolution, and some incontrovertible evidence that God does not exist. And why do they search so diligently? Why do they spend billions of dollars [including billions of your tax dollars] to find these things? They do not want to believe what someone has already told them. But lest we think that this is only a problem among those who do not espouse any faith in God or His ways, let us consider some things for which even religious men search today and the fact that these searches are just as fruitless. Just as with the examples given at the beginning of this article, many people could save a lot of time and effort if they would simply listen to what God has said in His written word, the Bible. Some Are Looking For God's Special Intervention to Save Them. Back in Arkansas - the root of all charismatic denominations - many people I talked with had been taught [and believed] that they should at some point expect to see some 'blue light in the field' [literally] and experience some 'stirring' in their body that was a sign God had worked salvation in them. When asked about their 'salvation experience,' they would all say in some way or another that it was 'better felt than told' [i.e., they could not ever describe it]. Those who had not yet had this 'salvation experience' were pressured into making some sort of public confession of sins that hindered the Holy Spirit from working on their hearts, and they diligently looked for that moment. Sadly, some are so convinced that this is how God works salvation that they pray intensely for hours, deprive themselves of food and water and sleep, and begin to doubt their own spiritual sincerity when it does not happen quickly. Some, never having had the experience, give up on God entirely when it does not happen. Unfortunately, many are still being taught this false expectation and are still being told by their close friends and family that it has already happened to them, further heightening the expectations - and disappointment when it still does not come. Many could save themselves a lot of time and effort by just picking up the Bible, reading the examples of conversion in the book of Acts, and following that. It is there that we find the gospel being preached, the gospel believed, men who were willing to repent, and men who were then baptized into Christ - the point where God does the work of salvation (cf. Col. 2:12, 13). And then there are those who expect God to make special intervention for them on Judgment Day, though they have never lifted a finger to obey His will during any time of their life on earth. Let us be clear on this: When a man stands before Christ on Judgment Day, it will be to "receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2nd Cor. 5:10); there will be no 'second chance' for salvation. If we have not obeyed while here on earth, we will face the wrath of God (2nd Thess. 1:8). Some Are Looking For Scripture That Says They Do Not Have To Do Anything. This could certainly apply to those who believe salvation is all in God's hands, but I speak of those who are true believers, but who see how little they can do for the Lord after they have obeyed the gospel. They will often be heard saying, "That's the preacher's job," or, "I'm too busy," or, "Let someone else do it," or, "Where does it say I have to go on Wednesdays?" The most effort they ever put forth is in trying to find some Scripture that says they don't have to do anything! Shouldn't we be searching for something better than that? If you happen to be one of those brothers or sisters who pleads for the 'right' to do nothing for the Lord, I must plead with you from Scripture that tells of our Savior's great love for you and how much He was willing to give for you (cf. Eph. 5:2), and I ask what you are willing to give in return. Instead of searching diligently to find out how little you can do for the Lord, how about searching for more work? We need more workers (Matt. 9:37, 38)! Instead of asking where does it say you 'have' to do these things, why not talk about what you want to do for the Lord? Instead of using work or family or vacations as an excuse to miss the worship assembly, why not prove you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33) by being here every time the doors are open? Won't you join with those who search for the heavenly home? -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/2b8850f5/attachment-0001.html From wswalker310 at juno.com Sat Apr 5 21:26:50 2008 From: wswalker310 at juno.com (Wayne S Walker) Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 21:26:50 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] hymn study, "One Step at a Time" Message-ID: <20080406.063722.2892.1.wswalker310@juno.com> Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study. "ONE STEP AT A TIME" "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5.7) INTRO.: A song that asks for God's help to walk by faith and not by sight is "One Step at a Time" (#70 in Hymns for Worship Revised, #210 in Sacred Selections for the Church). The text was written by Thomas J. Shelton, who was born somewhere in the state of Kentucky in June of 1849. A minister associated with churches of Christ in the late 1860's, he desired to imitate the campaigns of revival evangelist Dwight L. Moody and his song director Ira D. Sankey. There is no record as to exactly when or under what circumstances this hymn was produced. The tune (Rosecrans) was composed by James Holmes Rosecrans (1844-1926). A native of Berne, NY, whose family were members of the church of Christ, Rosecrans studied music at the Baxter University of Music in Friendship, NY. After teaching school for two years, he joined the Fillmore Brothers Music House of Cincinnati, OH, and contributed to their Sunday school song collections. In all, he published over twenty collections, produced a great deal of sheet music, and composed tunes for several songs, such as "There Is a Habitation." In the 1870s and 1880s he worked a music director for Shelton's evangelistic campaigns. "One Step at a Time" first appeared in 1880 in Joy and Gladness published by James Henry Fillmore. It became quite popular after being included in the much used 1887 New Christian Hymn and Tune Book also published by Fillmore. Rosecrans conducted singing schools in many states. In addition to his music work, he was a minister of the gospel for many years. In 1884 he was an evangelist in the state of California and later was associated with evangelistic efforts in Texas, also serving as professor of music and Bible at Carton College in Bonham, but eventually returned to New York. In 1881, Shelton was with the Milton church in Pike County, IL, but by March of 1891 had migrated to Little Rock, AR, where he preched and published a paper called The Christian. >From there he went to Denver, CO, where he preached, published a couple of books, and eventually died on Mar. 6. 1929. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the song appeared in the 1925 edition of the 1921 Great Songs of the Church (No. 1) and the 1937 Great Songs of the Church No. 2 both edited by E. L. Jorgenson; the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1), the 1948 Christian Hymns No. 2, and the 1966 Christian Hymns No. 3 all edited by L. O. Sanderson; the 1963 Abiding Hymns edited by Robert C. Welch; and the 1963 Christian Hymnal edited by J. Nelson Slater. Today it may be found in the 1971 Songs of the Church and the 1990 Songs of the Church 21st C. Ed. both edited by Alton H. Howard; the 1978/1983 Church Gospel Songs and Hymns edited by V. E. Howard; the 1986 Great Songs Revised edited by Forrest M. McCann; the 1992 Praise for the Lord edited by John P. Wiegand; and the 1999 Into Our Hands edited by Leland R. Fleming; in addition to Hymns for Worship, Sacred Selections, and the 2007 Sacred Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat. This hymn speaks of the consecration that we need to walk in the steps of Jesus. I. Stanza 1 reminds us that we need to walk in the steps of Jesus "One step at a time, dear Savior; I cannot take any more. The flesh is so weak and hopeless, I know what what is before." A. The steps that we need to follow have already been taken before us by our perfect example who showed us the way: 1 Pet. 2.21 B. One reason we need to follow Him is that the flesh is weak and hopeless: Matt. 26.41 C. Another reason we need to follow Him is that we simply do not know what is before us: Jas. 4.13-14 II. Stanza 2 teaches us that walking with Jesus means walking by faith not by sight "One step at a time, dear Savior; I am not walking by sight. Keep step with my soul, dear Savior; I walk by faith in Thy might." A. Those who are not walking by sight are those who deny themselves, take up the cross, and follow Jesus: Matt. 16.24 B. In this way, He will keep step with our souls and be with us until the end of the age: Matt. 28.20 C. Walking this way requires living by faith in His might that we might not draw back but endure: Heb. 10.36-39 III. Stanza 3 talks about the need to look at Jesus during our walk by faith "One step at a time, dear Savior; O guard my faltering feet! Keep hold of my hand, dear Savior, Till I my journey complete." A. As we walk by faith, we do not look at the world around us but at "Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith," who alone can guard our faltering feet: Heb. 12.1-3 B. We must also keep hold of the Savior's hand, figuratively speaking, by obeying Him in all things: Heb. 5.8-9 C. And we must continue doing this throughout life, being faithful until we complete our journey in death: Rev. 2.10 IV. Stanza 4 points out how important Christ's word is as we walk with Him "One step at a time, dear Savior; Thou knowest all of my fear. One word from Thy heart, dear Savior, And heaven's mansions appear." A. This life is filled with things that can bring fear to our hearts: Matt. 10.28, 2 Tim. 1.7, 1 Jn. 4.18 B. However, it is the word of the Lord which is preached by the gospel that can quiet our fears: 1 Pet. 1.25 C. It is also this word that opens heaven's mansions for those who walk by faith: Jn. 14.1-3 CONCL.: The chorus adds the importance of hope to faith in our walk with Christ. "One step at a time, dear Savior, Till faith grows stronger in Thee; One step at a time, dear Savior, Till hope grow stronger in me." Of course, the phrase "Till faith grows stronger in Thee" points to Jesus as the object of our faith, while the phrase "Till hope grows stronger in me" points to us as the subjects who need this hope within us. As we run the race that is set before us, may we always look to Jesus and say, "One Step at a Time." Brotherly, Wayne S. Walker 9024 Amona Dr. Affton, MO 63123 home phone: (314) 638-4710 e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com website: www.defenderoftruth.com Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com. And if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ . In addition, I have a Hymn Studies blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . Also, since this has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them with Yahoogroups. From kthomas at ntslink.net Sun Apr 6 14:27:59 2008 From: kthomas at ntslink.net (kenneth Thomas) Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 14:27:59 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Fractured Bible Stories Message-ID: <47F9243E.000003.00196@KENSCOMPUTER> Fractured Bible Stories The 12 Opossums The following was submitted by a "liberal" no doubt for he speaks of being a leader in "Junior Church" whatever that is supposed to be??? However the extent to which the Bible events are misconstrued and fractured is an example of how many people, including adults, often "twist the Scriptures to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:9-16), as opposed to "Handling aright the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Kenneth E. Thomas "One of our favorite jobs has been leading junior church. We try to do more than Baby-sit our church?s beloved little ankle-biters during their time in our special junior church facility. We aim to give them a solid background in biblical history. At end of each year, we give them assignment never fails to elicit some intriguing responses. In case you're a little foggy on your biblical history, let our junior church students help you with complete overview of Bible, compiled from their essays: In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says, 'The Lord thy God is one,' but I think He must be a lot older than that. Anyway, God said, 'Give me a light!' and someone did. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from Garden of Eden. Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars. Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel. Pretty soon all of early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something. One of the next important people was Noah who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check. After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat. Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs mice, lice, bowels, and no cable. God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then He gave them His top ten commandments. These include don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's bottom (the Bible uses a bad word for bottom that I'm not supposed to say. But my Dad uses it sometimes when he talks about the President). Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother. One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua, who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town. After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me. After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don't have to worry about them. After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of the New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn, too, because my mom is always saying to me, Close the door! Were you born in a barn?' It would be nice to say, 'As a matter of fact, I was.') During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount. But the Republicans and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead. Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven, but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution. There! Now you understand it. Kenneth E. Thomas Pekin church of Christ 1451 Valle Vista Blvd. Pekin, IL 61554 http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/7017/pekin_ch.html 1 (309) 347-3582 - Office 1 (309) 347-5645 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080406/4190cf5e/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 151 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080406/4190cf5e/attachment-0004.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 251 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080406/4190cf5e/attachment-0005.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080406/4190cf5e/attachment-0006.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 33792 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080406/4190cf5e/attachment-0007.gif From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Apr 5 22:38:35 2008 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 22:38:35 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 014 Message-ID: <002c01c89797$b4174960$6466a8c0@sean1a4c1f786> T he Messenger 2008 Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 731-627-3514 Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 003::ISSUE 014 :: April 06, 2008 ARTICLE ONE: It's Not Easy ARTICLE TWO: The Bitter Fruit of Folly Article One: It's Not Easy Introduction: The longer we live the better our memories become. We tend to magnify everything that we have accomplished or endured. As Christians we can sometimes over simplify the transition from sin to salvation when we think that everyone should simply throw of the shackles of their past just as we did and do what is right-right now. The truth be known; this transition is not easy. There are many factors that provoke resistance against conformity to truth and conversion. Things that are hard to understand unless you are experiencing Sthem. Things, however, that can be overcome. It Is Not Easy to Deny the World The world, as an influence, is strong. The reason for this is simple-"human pleasure" is the center of its trap. All human passions if uncontrolled can become addictions-we can become mentally and physically bound to those hungers. Some people are swallowed up and destroyed in their addictions. >From the time of the "Garden" Satan has used the motivation of "nobody can tell you what to do; just do what you want" (Genesis 3:1-5). When this desire for "freedom from God" is fed with worldliness it is often hard to tame. Sadly, even more so for those who have tasted the truth and then stray to the world (Hebrews 6:4-6). It is not easy to deny the world but we are instructed by God to do it. Ephesians 1:17-32 teaches us to not live like the rest of the world (vs. 17-19) because Christ's way is different-and better (vs. 20-21). We are to put off the old patterns, the sins of our past (v. 22). By changing our mind we change our actions (v. 23) to the better actions of "true righteousness and holiness" (v. 24). Our life must not contain lying-rather speaking only truth (v. 25)-or unresolved anger (v. 26). We must guard ourselves from temptations in (v. 27). No more stealing. No more vain words. With all these proper changes we seek to not jeopardize our salvation (v. 30). Our conduct is to be cleansed (vs. 31-32). Are the "rules" of God's will a burden? They are not designed to be (James 1:25 "perfect law of liberty"). They are what is best for you: A better life here and now (Galatians 5:22-23); a better way (John 14:6); a better future (Revelation 21:20-27). It Is Not Easy To Walk Away From Past Belief If we have been raised to believe "two plus two" equals "four" we are certainly going to be very hesitant to believe any other end result of that equation. Why won't we change what we believe on this matter? We test the equation and the answer "two" is correct in every way-it passes all the tests therefore we will not accept any other answer. Let's change the scenario to this: You were raised to believe that becoming a Christian is accomplished by simply "acknowledging Jesus as your personal Savior". Someone then teaches you that belief in Jesus must also be met with repentance and baptism in water for the remission of sins. It is not easy to accept and conform to this new knowledge. What we must do is put it to the test: The Bible is the only source of information concerning salvation. We must go to the Bible and test the equation. We must see which concept passes all the tests. First century conversion examples are an appropriate test. Acts 2:22-42-these people were not Christians-they were Jewish. They encountered the gospel of Jesus Christ as Peter preached (vs.22-36). Upon hearing the gospel they believed the message (v. 37). The message of the gospel contained instructions to "repent" and "be baptized for the remission of their sins" (v. 38). They followed those instructions and became Christians (v. 41). They also continued in the practice of truth (v. 42). Knowing this we can see that there is more than belief and "acknowledging Jesus" to be saved. Two more examples to test by: Acts 8:12 these people were not Christians they were Samaritans. They encountered the gospel as Phillip preached. They believed the gospel (v. 12) and to act on their belief they were baptized (v. 12). Now consider Acts 8:34-39 the Ethiopian Eunuch only knew the practice of the Old Law. He was searching the scriptures (vs. 30-34). He was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ (v. 35). He desired salvation and was instructed in the way of salvation by Phillip (vs.36-37). He obeyed-upon the confession of his belief in Jesus as the Son of God, he was baptized (vs.37-38). Not one of these examples showed the concept of simply accepting Jesus as one's personal Savior. The test proves the need for belief, repentance, and baptism. Even though the idea of "more involved in salvation" may be new to you, it does pass the test and should be accepted. It is not easy to leave behind things that we have always believed. However we are instructed to, "to test all things; hold fast what is good"-do what is right (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We must evaluate every teaching; testing it as to its "goodness" and its accordance to God's will. It Is Not Easy To Admit The Need For Salvation: There are a lot of different factors that can play a role in this situation. Some are embarrassed that others will know that they have sinned. This can be embarrassing but reality is we already know since Romans 3:23 states that we all have sinned. Some may think: "I have waited too long", "I should have obeyed earlier in life, now it is embarrassing to admit the need". It is never too late until you are dead (Hebrews 9:27). Swallow you pride and do what you know you should. If I am baptized I will lose my family. Many will suffer this way; Jesus was aware that this would happen to some (Matthew 10:36-39; Mark 10:28-30). The reality is that obedience to the gospel is necessary. Matthew 7:21-23 declares that only those who do God's will, will enter Heaven. God is able to save you-His power to save is the Gospel (Romans 1:16). God has spoken so that we might listen and do (James 1:17-25). Conclusion: We need to: deny the world and live for God. We need to deny false beliefs and seek God's will in all things. We need to stop stalling and admit our need for salvation. The problem is that not one of these things is easy. This one fact must be considered: What will cost me more: staying the same or obeying God today? God has prepared a reward beyond measure for those who do His will (Hebrews 11:6). God has also prepared a punishment beyond measure for those who refuse Him (Matthew 25:30). Are you willing to do something that is difficult but incredibly rewarding? The gospel plan of salvation is yours to do right now. Will you? ~tss Article Two: Bitter Fruit of Folly On April 16, 2007 a young man began a shooting rampage in a dormitory and then an education building on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. During this tragic event 32 innocent lives were taken; then the gunmen took his own life. Just eight short years ago on April 20,1999 two young men entered their own high school in Littleton, Colorado and began what was then the deadliest killing spree among young people-when 15 people were killed and 24 were injured. Between these two occurrences: Nine more similar incidents were written in the pages of history in California, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington State and even Tennessee. These tragedies were all carried out by young students. Are these just random events or are these events the fruits of modern influence? Perhaps if we can see some underlying circumstances we might be able to make some corrections for our own families and those around us. Looking For a Point of Blame There are those who want to simply resign this to an "irrational act"; one that cannot be rationally understood. In these horrible situations one cannot help but ask this simple question, "Why?" To what or whom does the blame for these events belong? Certainly the bulk of the guilt of these horrifying crimes belongs to the perpetrators. But is there a root cause behind these and other echoing tragedies? Is it guns, parents, the school system, the internet, the media, the lack of security in our schools? With some liberty to further observe our modern world there may be a better understanding of these events. There is a growing lack of respect for God in our country-a common lack of respect for God's word from the Government down to the general public. Society seems to be determined on tearing down any reminders of God and promoting laws that would perpetuate His ban. What has brought society in general so far away from God? Many things may be pointed out but let me suggest that our points in this lesson are prime culprits in what we are tasting today-the bitter fruits of folly. Some blame God for problems-take the time to consider these facts: God provides righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17) and is about peace (Philippians 4:9) and strongly desires for all souls to be saved (Matthew 28:18-20). God provides truth (John 17:17). Knowing these facts we also know that God is not to blame for these, or any, tragedies. God does not promote carnality (2 Corinthians 10:1-6; Ephesians 6:10-12). The removal of God: removes righteousness (Romans 3:10-12) and truth (Romans 2:5-10). Removing God leaves us with no standard of right or declaration of wrong. Without God there is no ultimate answering for our decisions (2 Corinthians 5:10). This is the necessary conclusion of all teachings of men that are void of God. Humanism Is a Point of Blame Humanism is the elevation of man to the ultimate being in this universe; it is the total refusal of God as the Creator or the Divine Loving Provider that His is. Humanist ideas are not new (Romans 1:20-25). This very popular idea leads all of its adherents to the necessary conclusion that humans are not answerable to anyone. What can we do? We must now, and always, realize the facts of Psalm 100:3 "Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture." Cherish the Bible-God's communication with us (Hebrews 1:1-2; 3 Timothy 3:16-17). The Humanist Manifesto can be quoted saying, "It is time that we put away the restraints of the past quaint idea that there is a God". They would teach that it is foolish to believe in a Higher Being. They say it is unreasonable and unintelligent. The truth is."The fool says in his heart there is no God" (Psalm 14:1). The word of God is perfect (Psalm 19:6-11), everlasting (Matthew 24:35), the guide for every soul, and the standard of each one's judgment (John 12:48). Evolution Is a Point of Blame The removal of God is of course joined with a discarding of His book-the Bible. Without God's answers we are left with man's guesses. The promotion of evolution is a root behind many modern problems. If evolution is true and we are here by chance and circumstance only: then we ultimately answer to no one but our self. The ideals of right and wrong are completely subjective and dependent upon one's own view. All these points being considered, the only realistic conclusion is that human life without much value. In fact, one might sum life up as being only as valuable as the primordial ooze from which we first began to evolve. The truth is evolution is at best a guess, an assumption, and a hypothesis. It cannot be proven. Evolution has never once been reproduced in a lab and therefore does not have a scientific right to be validated as a theory-let alone the "fact" that so many claim. At no time has man ever found solid evidence to support the wild guess of evolution. What can we do? We must teach that God created us (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1-3) with purpose. We are hear to rule the earth (Genesis 1:26); to seek our Creator (Acts 17:27) and to worship Him (John 4:23-24). We are here to find God and do His will by our own free choice. In the fulfillment of these points of purpose we also find God's rewards (Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 11:6). We must consistently teach that God places a high value on human life. He always has (Genesis 9:6 Take a life; your life should be taken). We must teach that God places a high value on the human soul. God gave His Son for our souls (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). Conclusion: Humanism is not new; we read about Humanists in Romans 1:20-25. The root of the "problems" that we now seeing is one thing: Godlessness. This is the problem that rises up in a society that thinks too highly of its own intelligence. It is ironic because through the pursuit of higher thinking most rest on foolish conclusions. We must teach both the young and the older that God is. God is our Creator. God will judge. By promoting the truth about God we may be able to build again that which has been destroyed by the teachings of Godlessness. We also must continue to teach that God's way will end problems and human conflicts. God loves His creation and has given His only Son for them. That brings us to the ultimate message that we must share with you today. Turn to the back of this bulletin and read God's plan of salvation. Consider the progression of points and the scriptures that support each need. Then please obey God today. ~tss If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list. Sean -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/5803d3c6/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2886 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/5803d3c6/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9535 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080405/5803d3c6/attachment-0001.gif From glclair at sbcglobal.net Sun Apr 6 18:56:56 2008 From: glclair at sbcglobal.net (GARRETH CLAIR) Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 16:56:56 -0700 (PDT) Subject: [Biblemat] Biblemat Digest, Vol 18, Issue 217 Message-ID: <709658.1519.qm@web83202.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Real good material Shaurn, keep up the good work. ----- Original Message ---- From: "biblemat-request at biblematters.net" To: Garreth Clair Sent: Sunday, April 6, 2008 6:03:01 PM Subject: Biblemat Digest, Vol 18, Issue 217 Send Biblemat mailing list submissions to biblemat at biblematters.net To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://www.biblematters.net/mailman/listinfo/biblemat or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to biblemat-request at biblematters.net You can reach the person managing the list at biblemat-owner at biblematters.net When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Biblemat digest..." **** * Bible Matters, Digest Mode, mailing list * http://biblematters.net/mailman/listinfo/biblemat * Send postings to: biblemat at biblematters.net * List owners: Mike Hughes (mike at mikealrhughes.com, http://www.mikealrhughes.com/), Mickey Chandler (mickc at churches-of-christ.com, http://www.churches-of-christ.com/) ***** Today's Topics: 1. The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 014 (T. Sean Sullivan) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2008 22:38:35 -0500 From: "T. Sean Sullivan" Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 014 To: <"Undisclosed-Recipient:;"@dumbledore.whizardries.com> Cc: Bible Matters Mailing List Message-ID: <002c01c89797$b4174960$6466a8c0 at sean1a4c1f786> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" T he Messenger 2008 Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 731-627-3514 Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 003::ISSUE 014 :: April 06, 2008 ARTICLE ONE: It's Not Easy ARTICLE TWO: The Bitter Fruit of Folly Article One: It's Not Easy Introduction: The longer we live the better our memories become. We tend to magnify everything that we have accomplished or endured. As Christians we can sometimes over simplify the transition from sin to salvation when we think that everyone should simply throw of the shackles of their past just as we did and do what is right-right now. The truth be known; this transition is not easy. There are many factors that provoke resistance against conformity to truth and conversion. Things that are hard to understand unless you are experiencing Sthem. Things, however, that can be overcome. It Is Not Easy to Deny the World The world, as an influence, is strong. The reason for this is simple-"human pleasure" is the center of its trap. All human passions if uncontrolled can become addictions-we can become mentally and physically bound to those hungers. Some people are swallowed up and destroyed in their addictions. >From the time of the "Garden" Satan has used the motivation of "nobody can tell you what to do; just do what you want" (Genesis 3:1-5). When this desire for "freedom from God" is fed with worldliness it is often hard to tame. Sadly, even more so for those who have tasted the truth and then stray to the world (Hebrews 6:4-6). It is not easy to deny the world but we are instructed by God to do it. Ephesians 1:17-32 teaches us to not live like the rest of the world (vs. 17-19) because Christ's way is different-and better (vs. 20-21). We are to put off the old patterns, the sins of our past (v. 22). By changing our mind we change our actions (v. 23) to the better actions of "true righteousness and holiness" (v. 24). Our life must not contain lying-rather speaking only truth (v. 25)-or unresolved anger (v. 26). We must guard ourselves from temptations in (v. 27). No more stealing. No more vain words. With all these proper changes we seek to not jeopardize our salvation (v. 30). Our conduct is to be cleansed (vs. 31-32). Are the "rules" of God's will a burden? They are not designed to be (James 1:25 "perfect law of liberty"). They are what is best for you: A better life here and now (Galatians 5:22-23); a better way (John 14:6); a better future (Revelation 21:20-27). It Is Not Easy To Walk Away From Past Belief If we have been raised to believe "two plus two" equals "four" we are certainly going to be very hesitant to believe any other end result of that equation. Why won't we change what we believe on this matter? We test the equation and the answer "two" is correct in every way-it passes all the tests therefore we will not accept any other answer. Let's change the scenario to this: You were raised to believe that becoming a Christian is accomplished by simply "acknowledging Jesus as your per