From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 3 07:22:12 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:22:12 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY...(5) Message-ID: <36d4.3f91075c.389ad284@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Wednesday morning to each and every one. May God bless you and yours. Here is another article on this particular study: THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY -- CHILDREN. (5) Sometimes there are problems with the discipline of the children. Why is it that some couples refuse to sit down and talk out their differences over the handling of certain parental respon- sibilities? Could it be that one or the other of them is determined that it will be done their way or not at all? I understnd that the man is the head of the family, yet at the same time I recognize that Eph. 5:21, says: "submitting yourselves one to another" also applies to his relationship with his wife, and not just hers to him. The woman was created as a help "meet" for man. That means complimentary and compatible in every way. If her opin- ion isn't worth anything, neither is his. When there is genuine submission, real concern for the desires and the wishes of the spouse, these kinds of problems won't prove to be problems for very long. For many of us, one of the happiest, as well as one of the most frightening, days of our lives was the day when the doctor said the test of pregnancy was positive and that there was a baby on the way. As we looked into the eyes of our spouse and held each other close, we knew that we were embarking on a new and exciting adventure in our lives. Do you remember the feeling? Do you remember the love you felt for that person with whom you had chosen to spend your life? Do you remember the feeling of responsibility, knowing that you were going to be bringing a new life into this world? Remember the countless hours spent in discussion about how you were going to rear that child, what you would and would not do? Oh, the innocen- ce of inexperience and youth! Remember the childbirth classes, the shopping, the showers, and all of the things that attend the impending arrival of a new addition to your family? What a blessing it is to be parents! The psalmist wrote in Psa. 127:3-5, "Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are the children of youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with their enemies in the gate." God's plan for the family is a wonderful thing -- one man and one woman together for life, being fruitful and multiplying, bring- ing children into the world. Within His plan God has provided for the physical, intellectual, the emotional, and the spiritual needs of the child. To summarize how God has provided for all of these needs, we can simply say, "the parents." The responsibility to provide for the physical needs of the child is found in such passages as 1 Tim. 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for thsoe of his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." When it comes to the intellectual, emotional, and spirit- ual needs of the child, such passages as: Deut. 6:6,7 and Eph. 6:4 show that God has placed the primary responsibility in these areas on the shoulders of the parents. When we choose to be- come parents, we choose to assume these responsibilities. If ever there is a situation where God would have us put the needs of others before ourselves, it is in the realm of parenting. Certainly when it comes to manifesting genuine care and con- cern for others, our children must be at the top of the list. Why is it that we are seeing more and more parents within the Lord's church acting like those in the world whien it comes to their children and their parental responsibilities? I truly believe with all my heart, that, barring death, a child has the God-given right to grow up with both parents involved in his necessities and his upbringing. Surely that truth is contained in our Lord's teaching concerning marriage in such passages as Matt. 5:32, "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, caus-eth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." God's intention is that marri- age is one man and one woman together for life. I truly believe that a child has the God-given right have all of his or her needs provided through the faithful fulfillment of their responsibilities by both parents working and living together. Yet more and more we are seeing parents fail in this area and the children are suffer- ing because of it, and it is happening within the church of the Lord as well as out there in the world. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS), From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 3 07:22:17 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 08:22:17 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) A LIFE OF FAITH Message-ID: <36da.3bfbbefa.389ad289@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. A LIFE OF FAITH When James A. Garfield stood at the graveside of the broth- er of Col. Robert Ingersol, he heard that noted atheist deliver the funeral oration, which lasted less than two minutes. Among the things said was this: "Life is a narrow vale between the cold and barren peaks of two eternities. We strive in vain to look beyond th heights, we cry aloud, and the only answer is the echo of our wailing cry. From the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead, there comes no word." What hopelessness and despair! How can onw go on when filled with that eating at his soul? Other atheists, facing death, have made similar statements. Hobbs declared, "I am taking a fearful leap into the dark." Mira- beau said, "Give me more laudanaum; I don't want to think of eternity." And Edward Gibbon, another noted noted atheist, de- clared, "All is dark." Another atheist, upon his death bed, said, "Oh God, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul." Contrast all these statements with the statement from the apostle Paul: "I know Him in Whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Tim. 1:12). And this word: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if to live in the flesh -- if this shall bring forth fruit from my work, then what I shall choose I know not. But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for it is far better: yet to abide in the flesh si more needful for yoru sake" (Phil. 1:21-24). A fulfilling life must be a live that is based upon faith in Christ Jesus and His Word. Faith is something other than one's self. We read in Heb. 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto Him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek after Him." A successful life will be based upon this truth: "Except ye believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jno. 8:24). But we must also have faith in our own strength and ability to accom- plish things as God helps us! Too many times we hde behind the excuse, "I am not able," or "I can't. " But Jesus declares, "All things are possible to him that believeth" (Mk. 9:23). We must have confidence that God is able to supply what we need to accomplish His purpose in our lives. The apostle Paul had this kind of confidence. As he express- ed it: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me; and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20). This kind of reliance upon faith enabled this same man to declare, "I can do all things through Him that strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:13). When, through faith, we place ourselves in God's hands, His strength and His power work in and through us. So, it is not just our own strength at work: "It is God Who worketh in you both to will and to work, for His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). And as Paul asks, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8: 31). His answer is: "We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us and gave Himself up for us" (Rom. 8:37). A succ- essful life is a life that is not based upon doubts, or upon self, but a life that is based upon faith in God, and the confidence and trust to put ourselves in His hands and to "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7). Then, we are truly "more than conquerors through Him that loved us." --------- Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 59, No. 5, Jan. 29, 2010. From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Wed Feb 3 14:16:36 2010 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 15:16:36 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> Worship and the Assembly Message-ID: Worship and the Assembly I. Introduction A. In popular thinking, the assembly and the idea of "worship" are intertwined 1. Assemblies are often called "worship services" 2. People speak of the "acts of worship" 3. Many people, if asked, would define "worship" as "going to church" B. Yet consider the following New Testament facts 1. In the New Testament, the assembly is never called a "worship service" 2. There is no passage in the New Testament that explicitly identifies any of the acts of the assemblies as "acts of worship" 3. The New Testament never describes the presence or actions of believers in the assemblies as "worship" C. How can this be? 1. If the New Testament never describes the assembly as worship, why is it so often called "worship" by so many people? 2. What kind of misunderstanding exists that has led to this situation? D. The battleground: the "worship wars" 1. This issue has become rather contentious 2. A difficult and confusing issue requiring word studies in Hebrew and Greek to make sense of situation 3. Unfortunate, but necessary because too many times people are arguing past each other, distorting Biblical truth by mixing Hebrew/Greek and English understandings of the various words used E. So that we may be workmen without need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth, let us venture into a study on "worship" (2 Timothy 2:15) 1. Let us consider the words being used in Hebrew, Greek, and English 2. Let us then investigate the relationship between the old covenant Temple and the new covenant Christian life 3. Then we will consider the relationship between "worship" and the assembly II. Word Studies: Worship, Proskunein, Latreuein A. In order to understand what has taken place, we must first understand what all the words in our discussion mean B. Worship in English (from Webster's) 1. To adore; to pay divine honors to; to reverence with supreme respect and veneration. 2. To respect; to honor; to treat with civil reverence. 3. To honor with extravagant love and extreme submission; as a lover. 4. To perform acts of adoration. 5. To perform religious service. 6. Comes from idea of "your worth ship," i.e. someone who is worthy of honor 7. For our discussion, we will focus on definitions #1 and #5 C. The difficulty: no Hebrew or Greek word that is precisely consistent with whole range of meaning of English "worship" 1. Or, to put it otherwise: the Hebrew and Greek words that are translated by "worship" in English do not really mean everything included by the English word 2. As we will see, similar to situation with "church" and ekklesia and "baptize" and baptizein-- English words include meanings that are not present in the Greek! D. Worship normally translates Hebrew shahach, Greek proskunein 1. shahach, from Brown-Driver-Briggs: to bow down, prostrate oneself 2. proskunein, from Thayer's: a. To kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence b. Among the Orientals, especially the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence c. In the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication 3. To prostrate (Webster's): a. To throw down; to overthrow; to demolish; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice; to prostrate the honor of a nation. b. To prostrate one's self, to throw one's self down or to fall in humility or adoration. c. To bow in humble reverence. d. To sink totally; to reduce; as, to prostrate strength. 4. To render obeisance (Webster's): A bow or courtesy; an act of reverence made by an inclination of the body or the knee. 5. Examples of shahach: Genesis 18:12, Genesis 37:7,9, Exodus 20:5, 2 Kings 5:18 6. Examples of proskunein: Matthew 8:2, Matthew 14:33, Matthew 28:9, Revelation 5:14, Revelation 11:16 7. Both shahach and proskunein primarily and fundamentally refer to the physical action of bowing or prostration-- hence, for our discussion, we will translate both terms as prostration, to prostrate 8. Prostration involving the physical action in every instance of term with notable exception of John 4:24 (to be addressed later) 9. Prostration always done before physical presence of superior, or, in some instances, when it is believed that God is present (cf. Acts 8:27, 1 Corinthians 14:25)-- only exception is Genesis 24:26-27 (48), but servant there is acknowledging the actions of YHWH, likely believes He is present 10. Prostration never used to describe any other action-- is an action in and of itself 11. Acts 8:27 and 24:11 parallel to Acts 20:7: purpose of going up to Temple was to prostrate themselves, other activities done, other activities as much prostration as Paul's preaching was "breaking bread" 12. In the NT, proskunein used mostly at the "bookends"-- Gospels and Revelation 13. Uses in between focus either on old covenant activities (Acts 8:27, 24:11) or the actions of unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14:25) 14. Prostration, therefore, is "worship" in the sense that as a physical action, it is done to show reverence toward a superior 15. Nevertheless, we do not prostrate ourselves as an act of the assembly, do not see such an act done in the assembly by believers in the New Testament E. Hebrew 'abad / Greek latreuein 1. 'abad in Brown-Driver-Briggs: to labour, work, do work; to work for another, serve another by labour; to serve as subjects; to serve (God); to serve (with Levitical service) 2. latreuein in Thayer's: a. To serve for hire b. To serve, minister to, either to the gods or men and used alike of slaves and freemen; in the NT, to render religious service or homage, to worship; to perform sacred services, to offer gifts, to worship God in the observance of the rites instituted for his worship; of priests, to officiate, to discharge the sacred office 3. Examples of 'abad: Genesis 25:23, Exodus 3:12, Exodus 20:5, Numbers 4:24, Numbers 18:21 4. Examples of latreuein: Matthew 4:10, Luke 1:74, Acts 27:23, Romans 9:1 (noun form), Romans 12:1 (noun form), Hebrews 9:1, 6 (noun form), Hebrews 9:14, 12:28, Revelation 22:3 5. 'abad and latreuein fundamentally refer to serving, whether in secular or religious forms, thus, we will define them in our discussion as "to serve" or "service" 6. Serving is seen in religious rituals, especially the ones surrounding the Temple 7. Yet the service offered is more than just religious ritual, but also includes serving God beyond the rituals 8. In Romans 12:1, idea that believers are to offer themselves as living sacrifices, and this is acceptable service to God 9. Thus, to serve and service certainly "worship" in the sense of performing acts of adoration and religious service 10. In fact, such would include all actions within the assembly! 11. But notice that it is not limited to the actions within the assembly and the act of assembling-- one serves God as much by obeying Him in everyday life as much as when engaging in the assembly! F. Other words defined by "worship" 1. sebomai: to revere, worship: Matthew 15:9 (Isaiah 29:13, y'irah, "fear"), Acts 13:43, 17:7, 18:7, 13, 19:27 2. leitourgein: to perform a work, including one of religious service: Acts 13:2, Romans 15:27, Hebrews 9:21 (noun form), Hebrews 10:11 3. threskeia: religious discipline, religion: Acts 26:5, Colossians 2:18, James 1:26-27 4. therapeuo: to serve, to heal: Matthew 4:24, Acts 17:25 5. All of these (and forms of them) refer to fearing God, doing religious work, or to serve-- thus are seen as "worship" G. So what does all of this mean? III. Prostration, Service, and Worship A. In our word study, we have seen what all of these words mean 1. shahach and proskunein refer to gestures of humiliation-- bowing or prostrating 2. 'abad and latreuein refer to service, secular, religious, ritual, and otherwise B. We can see how these words would be identified with the English "worship" 1. Prostration an act of worship indeed-- showing honor and reverence to a superior 2. Service also worship-- acts of adoration, "religious service" C. But where is the strong connection to the assembly or the acts of the assembly? 1. As we have seen, early Christians did not prostrate themselves in the assembly-- no command or example in the NT 2. Sure, one could define the acts of the assembly as service, for thus they are, but yet the New Testament does not explicitly say as much D. So how did "worship" come to exclusively refer to the assembly and the acts thereof? E. It did not come from the New Testament-- it came from the denominations! F. Easily demonstrable that concepts from the Old Testament Temple brought into New Testament assemblies 1. Quote from a Lutheran: The Christian church is to imitate the pattern in ancient Israel before Christ, where priests and levites were ministers in worship, taught the people, offered prayers and made sacrifices...In this way a Christian clergy came into being, alongside which the universal priesthood of believers was no more than a theoretical entity. Accordingly, the eucharist now understood as a sacrifice. And since the Old Testament law requires daily sacrifice, the Christian priest now offered the sacrifice of the mass every day. Sacrifice in turn needs an altar; church buildings were arranged liturgically and built accordingly. And just as at one time the tent of meeting was the place where Yahweh made himself present, so now Christ dwelt in the tabernacle which housed the transformed hosts. Since Israel had kept the sabbath, and the strict observance of feast days had been a confessional act, it was now important to hallow Christian festivals. The privileged and exclusive status of priests and levites in the Old Testament was transferred to priests and deacons, and the bishop now took the place of the high priest. Just as the eucharist was interpreted in terms of the Old Testament sacrifices, so baptism was interpreted as a rite of initiation after the model of circumcision. Nor were the financial aspects of these analogies ignored: tithes were given to Christian priests as they had once been given to the house of Aaron" (A.H.J. Gunneweg, Understanding the Old Testament:, 107f, as quoted in Gerstenberger, The Old Testament Library: Leviticus, 15-16). 2. Roman Catholic priest concept comes from separate group of priests in OT-- we reject that in new covenant (1 Peter 2:5, 9) 3. Concept of church building, cathedral, etc. as a "holy place" comes from Temple as place of God's presence in OT-- we reject this in new covenant (1 Peter 2:5-8) 4. Concept of Lord's Supper as equivalent to OT sacrifices also flawed (cf. Acts 20:7) 5. Sunday as Sabbath also rejected (Colossians 2:14-17, Hebrews 4:1-11) 6. We reject all of these, and rightly so! 7. But what about the idea of "prostrating oneself before God's presence"? 8. Where do we get the idea that God is somehow present in the assembly of Christians and not with Christians the rest of the time (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? 9. Where do we get the idea that God is present in a church building but not with us the rest of the time? 10. All of these ideas flow from imposing the OT Temple onto the new covenant, something condemned in Galatians 2:15-20, Colossians 2:14-17, and Hebrews 7-9 G. Thus, the concept that "worship" requires Christians coming together in the assembly and participating in the acts of the assembly derives from denominations imposing OT Temple concepts on the NT assemblies, and not from the NT itself! H. How has this been missed for so long by so many? 1. People all around us speak about the assembly as "worship" and "the worship service," for one, and we certainly do not want to get the reputation of being people who do not "worship" God! 2. It has been seductive to understand proskunein in more "spiritual" terms, more akin to latreuein, and then see how shahach is so tied to the Temple and the Temple observances, and thus attach all of this to the assembly I. Arguments Made Today 1. Many will define "worship" in terms of proskunein (specific action, reverencing God), and connect it to the assembly, even though the NT focuses on prostration as physical action and does not attach it to the assembly 2. Others will define "worship" in terms of latreuein (service, serving God), connect it to the assembly, but also to the rest of life, on the basis of Romans 12:1 3. Each group focuses on one of the definitions of worship in English (those focusing on proskunein, "worship" definition #1; those focusing on latreuein, "worship" definition #5), and then argue with one another 4. Both are wrong, both are right-- English "worship" includes both 5. And this is why there is so much confusion today-- "worship" means so many things that it becomes unproductive to use the term J. Hence, prostration should be prostration, service should be service, and the assembly should be the assembly! K. But what are the implications of all of this? Does this change the assembly at all? IV. Worship, The Temple, and Believers in Christ A. The big question: does all of this mean that we do not "worship" God today? 1. Again, we must define our terms 2. "Worship" as prostration/proskunein: no example in NT of any believer prostrating themselves to Jesus after He ascends and before He returns 3. In Revelation it is clear that we will prostrate ourselves before God and Christ when we are before them (Revelation 11:1, 14:7) 4. "Worship" as service/latreuein: we most certainly serve God, but such is never limited to the assembly-- it should involve our whole beings all the time (Romans 12:1) B. But how can this be? Why this major change if God is the same throughout the covenants? C. A fundamental distinction between old and new covenants at play: God's presence and the idea of the Temple D. Concept of Temple and God's presence in the Old Testament 1. Aptly explained in Hebrews 9:1-10 2. In the old covenant, a physical Tabernacle or Temple located in a specific physical location 3. God's presence, the Shekinah, present in the cloud of the Most Holy Place 4. God's ministers, priests and Levites, performed sacrifices, offered incense and prayers, sang songs and played instruments 5. All of those physical activities, as is prostration (cf. Colossians 2:14-17) 6. Prostration as directed toward presence of God in Temple (Psalm 5:7, 138:2), since that's where God's Presence was located E. In 70 CE, Temple destroyed; God's Presence no longer there F. Thus, to where would we bow down before God's Presence? G. Concept of God's Presence and Temple in the New Testament 1. Where is God's Presence in the new covenant? According to Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:22, 3:17, 2 Timothy 1:14, among other passages, in believers, collectively and individually! 2. And what is the image in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20, Ephesians 2:19-22, and 1 Peter 2:5-8? Believers, collectively and individually, as the Temple of God 3. All of the activities also internalized 4. Believers as the priests and sacrifices: Romans 12:1, 1 Peter 2:5 5. Believers' prayers as incense: Revelation 8:4 6. Songs sung, instrument of heart played: Ephesians 5:19 H. Therefore, all that was external and physical in the old covenant now internal and spiritual in the new covenant I. John 4:20-24 1. We now return to the one exception to the rule that proskunein refers to physical prostration-- John 4:24 2. Context: Samaritan woman wants to know which mountain she should go to prostrate herself before God-- Jesus says that day is coming when one will not go to mountain to prostrate before God, but as God is spirit, believers to prostrate themselves in spirit and truth 3. How do we prostrate ourselves (proskunein) in spirit and in truth? 4. Is it to do everything in the assembly with the right attitude and in the right way? That's not new or different; Israel was supposed to do that (1 Kings 12:27-33, Isaiah 1:10-17) 5. But consider what else we see in the New Testament: God's presence now internal, spiritual; the ministrations of covenant now also spiritual 6. Thus, Jesus is speaking about spiritual prostration according to God's revealed truth-- the prostration of the spirit before its God according to the standard He set forth 7. Functionally, it is true that this spiritual prostration becomes somewhat equivalent to the idea of spiritual service-- bowing down of spirit means to subject the mind, body, and soul to the will of God in all things, evidenced in service to God in life 8. Thus, those who truly prostrate themselves to God in spirit and truth are the ones who do not have to go somewhere to do so, but do so everywhere they are! 9. And when we again stand before our Lord, we will bow down to Him! J. Therefore, we see that the words of Jesus confirm what we have seen in the Apostles and their teachings: all of the physical trappings of the Old Testament religious system are now spiritual 1. Prostration, then, something that will come when we see the Lord 2. For now, we must subject our will to God our Father who dwells "in" us, however understood 3. There is no Temple that we "go" to-- we are the Temple! 4. The ministrations of the new covenant are accomplished all the time in every sort of context as the Christian lives his or her life (Romans 8:29, 12:1, 1 John 2:3-6) V. Worship and the Assembly A. So where does all of this leave worship in terms of the assembly? B. Isn't God present in the assembly? 1. Matthew 18:20 2. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:5-8 3. All of these speak to the idea that God dwells in the believers as a collective 4. Thus, God would be present in a special way in the assembly, and we are to "bow down" to Him and thus worship Him! 5. Yet the New Testament does not make this argument-- there is no passage that uses the idea of prostration or bowing down to God among believers in the assembly, and there certainly could have been 6. God is present in the assembly, certainly, but He is just as present with believers outside of the assembly (Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 7. We do not get the impression from 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22, or 1 Peter 2:5-8 that the collective assembly is only to be considered as a Temple of God when its members are assembled in local congregations-- God is present in His Temple the assembly at all times! C. Why the assembly if it is not explicitly and uniquely connected to worship? 1. God has specified the reasons for the assembly in 1 Corinthians 14:26 and Hebrews 10:24-25: encouragement and edification of the saints 2. This does not turn the assembly into a free-for-all; in fact, it should not change anything about the way the assembly is conducted 3. We are still serving God in the assembly, just as we have always been doing! 4. God has indicated that we are to come together to devote ourselves to the Apostles' doctrine, the Lord's Supper, preaching, singing, praying, and giving on the first day of the week (Acts 2:42, 20:7, 1 Corinthians 14:14-17, 16:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8-9, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16) 5. These are to be done to strengthen and build up the members! 6. In the rest of our lives we also go out and serve God according to His commandments (1 John 2:3-6) D. What do we call the assembly? 1. We can just call it what the NT authors called it-- the assembly (1 Corinthians 11:18, ekklesia) 2. We can ask people with whom they assemble, etc. E. What about the word "worship"? 1. "Worship," as we have seen, is a word like "baptism" and "church"-- it can express Biblical truths if used properly, but is often improperly used in the world 2. If we use "worship" to refer exclusively to the assembly and its activities, we are not using the word according to the way the New Testament uses it 3. If we use "worship" to refer to any form of service to God, including the assembly, we use it in the sense of "religious service" (latreuein) and it is Biblically legitimate 4. If we use "worship" to refer to prostration or bowing down physically, we use it in the sense of "reverence" (proskunein), and it is Biblically legitimate 5. We could also just refer to "prostration" and "service" and avoid the word "worship" to avoid confusion F. Therefore, we have seen that there is no need to change the assembly and its acts; instead, we should recognize that it represents a part-- an important part, but a part-- of our overall service to God! VI. Conclusion A. Thus we have examined "worship" and the assembly B. We have engaged in some word studies 1. Prostration - shahach and proskunein - referring to physical bowing 2. Service - 'abad and latreuein - referring to ministration 3. "Worship" can translate each legitimately when properly understood C. We have seen that the exclusive connection between worship and the assembly derives not from the New Testament but from the doctrines of denominations D. We have seen the major distinction in covenant-- the old had a physical location to go to prostrate before God, and the new has internalized and spiritualized those matters E. And we have seen that our actions in the assembly do not change-- instead, we can focus on the real purpose of the assembly and integrate the assembly into our overall lives of service to God F. Let us serve God properly in spirit and in truth at all times! G. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry / disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio [norwalkchurch.org] Homepage: deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ: 28317056 Y! IM: discipuliiesus Spiritual Manna A biweekly devotional for your life. http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/manna From dmartinbt at att.net Wed Feb 3 17:02:31 2010 From: dmartinbt at att.net (Don Martin) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2010 17:02:31 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] New material notice for Bible Truths Message-ID: <63A7B087F52D428787526D89D301C83F@533034B8A6DF4D9> Don Martin informing you of new material to Bible Truths: The new Current Truth for www.bibletruths.net is, "Save Yourselves." This is a detailed study of Peter's statement in Acts 2: 40. You may read this material in full by going to Bible Truths and entering through the door on the home page. When on the Site Map page, click on, "Current Truth" in the directory. Here is an excerpt from the article: "...In order to achieve any appreciable degree of thoroughness regarding the concept of "Save yourselves," it is needful that I inject and briefly examine the idea of monergism (Greek, idea of one and only one) and synergism (Greek, meaning joint or combined). In the full, yet, practical sense, monergists are considered as believing that "salvation" is altogether of God, man having no part at all to play, not even the providing of an agreeable will that is the result of their own submission to God and His teaching. Synergists believe man in some manner, at least, and in some way or ways, contributes in his salvation by providing an agreeable will, at a minimum. The wording and teaching of especially monergists tend to be ambiguous (many synergists also are characterized by conflicting language, rationale, and explanation). For instance, some popular monergists even say that they believe man must possess an agreeable will; thus, not sounding so exclusive of man's role. What some do not know is that most of these monergists go even deeper in their "Salvation by God alone" theology by asserting that the sinner who brings an accepting will only does so because God thus placed in him this will anterior to the original creation of the world. Of course, this same God, according to these monergists, withheld the placement of such a will in others. In both instances, this placement or lack thereof was totally independent and arbitrary of man. Hence, the human doctrine of fatalistic predestination (see addendum 1)...." Remember that after about one month, the Current Truth goes into the archives along with the hundreds of other articles. You can access these articles by clicking on, "Archives and Index" in the directory on the Site Map page. At the bottom of each Current Truth, you will find a "Questions" link. These are questions and answers pertaining to the Current Truth. The "Save Yourselves" material has also been put to PowerPoint. You may access the hundreds of PowerPoint files by clicking on, "PowerPoint Sermons" in the directory located on the Site Map page. These presentations are free for you to use. I also just published, "Allowing History to Teach Us." This material quotes from an article by David Pharr, which was published in the January, 2010 issue of the Spiritual Sword. The subject matter pertains to the Herald of Truth and related issues. You can read it by going once again to "Archives and Index" (you can also click on the "Archives" button on the home page) and clicking on, "The Herald of Truth" title on the Archives page (you may can use your browser to locate the title. Just do a "find on this page" and enter "Herald"). You can also locate material by using the archives search feature and by checking with the subject index on the archives page. Remember the Online Bible Study Course and the Online Greek Course are for your use. They are free and graded and are accessed from the Site Map and various navigation buttons found in Bible Truths. If the student desires, at the completion of the courses we attempt to find them a local church in their area and set them up with a local with whom to further study. If you intend to make use of Bible Truths, I recommend that you print out this page and keep it for a reference. When on the home page, why not simply make Bible Truths a "favorite," this will enable you to just click on the favorite and go straight to it. Cordially, Don Martin dmartinbt at att.net Check out our Web sites: http://www.bibletruths.net Ask and receive a Bible answer http://www.biblequestions.org Simply click on the URL to visit these sites. You may print out the material for teaching purposes, see the copyright provision on the home page of Bible Truths. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Feb 4 05:42:51 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 06:42:51 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "FOLLOW ME" -- MEANS FOLLOW THROUGH Message-ID: <1afa.75f51cfe.389c0cbb@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. "FOLLOW ME" -- MEANS FOLLOW THROUGH HOW WOULD YOUR CAR LOOK: -- If you put on a heavy coat of wax but didn't buff it? About as good as a pair of shoes would look that had a coat of polish on them but were never buffed. No matter how good the car or shoes may look underneath the wax and shoe polish, if you don't finish the job they will look din- gy. How would you feel if you took your car or shoes to a busin- ess that specialized in polishing such items and you received them back unfinished? Would you listen to the proprietor if he said, "I put on the polish like you ordered but I never go around to buffing and shining your shoes." Or the man with which you left your car to be washed, waxed and shined, and he offered it back to you having the wax on it but not having been buffed and shined? You would absolutely go ballistic in either case and refuse to pay for the work if it was not done by their following through to the end. When our Lord came to earth, He had a mission to accomp- lish. At age twelve, He astounded the teachers of the Law with his knowledge, but He wasn't finished. At thirty, He began preaching, healing, and laying the foundation for His spiritual kingdom, but he wasn't finished. By age thirty-three, though innocent and perfect in every aspect of His life, He was led away to Calvary and crucified as if He were a common criminal. Before breathing His last breath, He cried out, "It is finished," and shortly thereafter He died. Jesus had come to die for the sins of the world and he FOLLOWED THROUGH with the Father's plan for Him. Now, what if Jesus had taught truth, performed miracles and lived a godly life? That would all have been well and good, but He would still have had unfinished business upon earth. If He had not done so, we would still be in our sins and without hope and without God on this earth. Aren't you glad that He followed through to the end of His mission? All Polish And No Finish: -- Jesus insists that everyone in the world believe in Him and follow Him (Mk. 16,15,16; Matt. 28:18- 20). Too few are interested in becoming a Christian and far too many who are, fail to follow through with their commitment as Christians. Some make an excellent start. They believe fully that Jesus is God's Son, they are sorrowful for their sins, they gladly con- fess the name of Christ and are baptized into Him for the remiss- ion of their sins (Acts 2:36-38; Gal. 3:26,27). For a while, they attend all the services of the church, study their Bibles, pray often, help others and try to live a godly life. Then something happens. For some reason, they lose interest and eventually quit. They put the polish on the shoes, and the wax on the car, but they did not follow through and put on the finishing touches. How do you think the Lord feels about their case? Actually, He made it perfectly clear in the Parable of the Sower. There were three kinds of unacceptable soil and all had something to do with a failure to follow through. The hard heart hears the Word, but doesn't follow through with faith. The "rocky ground heart" hears, receives with joy, believes for a while, but when times get difficult, falls away. The "thorny ground heart" is chok- ed with the care, riches and pleasures of this life, "and brings no fruit to perfection" (Lk. 8:9-15). If you start following Christ, but don't follow through to the end, then you don't finish the job. One of the complaints the Lord had with the church at Sardis was, "I have found no works of your perfected before My God" (Rev. 3:2). Here was a congregation tht had a reputation for being alive and vibrant, but Christ said they were dead (vs. 1). He doesn't give the particulars, but apparently they engaged in activity, but they weren't finishing what they started. There was plenty of wax, but not enough elbow grease to put on the finish. It upsets the Lord when His people don't finish what they start. "If something Is Worth Doing...": -- It bothers us when folks don't follow through, doesn't it? A job delegated and returned only half done si disturbing. One of the things we try to instill in our own children is to finish what they start. When they are reward- ed after a half-hearted attempt sends a wrong message. How many Christians say they're going to do something and then fail to follow through? Everyone has good intentions and interrupted schedules, but what if it becomes a habit, something we're noted for? We will become undependable, unreliable and our influence for good will be adversely affected, and the Lord is not pleased. It is of great concern and consequence when someone fails toe finish The Race set before him. The Bible is clear that such will not be rewarded in eternity. "We are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end" (Heb. 3:14). "For you have need of patience, (persever- ance), that having done (finished) the will of God, you may re- ceive the promise. But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul" (Heb. 10:36,39). "And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Gal. 6:9). We can understand why God is disappointed in our failure to follow through. After all He has done to provide the forgive- ness of sins and hope of eternal life, it is only appropriate that we follow His Son all the way Home. What a waste to start and not finish. Christ says, "Follow Me," and that includes following through to the end, come what may, no matter what! ------------ Gary Ogden in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 12, December, 2008. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Feb 4 05:42:44 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 06:42:44 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY... (6) Message-ID: <1aee.ccb1912.389c0cb4@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Freinds, Jim Sasser here. A very good Thursday morn- ing to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is the sixth installmen on this particular subject: THINKING ABOUT THE FAMILY -- (6). "DO NOT SIN AGAINST THE CHILD" There is a passage that I would like to take out of context be- cause the wording of it fits this topic. It is found in Gen. 42:22 and is a statement Reuben made to his brothers concerning their ungodly treatment of their brother Joseph. He said: "Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child: and ye would not hear? Therefore, behold also his blood is required." When marriages deteriorate into unhappiness and discontent, or when they dissolve altogether and end in divorce, the children of those marriages are being "sinned against." A child should not be deprived of the constant presence of a mother or father. The child has the God-given right to both. A child should not have to listen to his mother and father fight. Children should never have to hear one parent try to convince them to choose him/her over the other. A child should never have to be used as a pawn in a power struggle between their two parents. I stood in a courtroom hallway and watched and listened as tow "divorce" lawyers (representing two "Christians) negotiating over the status of the children involved in the case. They were actually bargaining with one another as the parents sought to win the battle over custody, and the children were the pawns of bounty involved in the case. A child should never have to be deprived of one set of grandparents. There are times when a divorce is Scriptural, but even then it is brought about because of sin; and it is always the children who suffer. Even within a family that stays together there are ways that \the children can be "sinned against." In our modern society, it is often the case that both the mother and the father work our- side of the home. I know that there are circumstances that arise that might cause the necessity, in order to supply the very nec- essities of life -- food, clothing, and shelter for the children and the parents in the home. But there are many other situations where the primary purpose is not to provide the NECESSITIES of life, but to provide the LUXURIES desired. Therefore, the children often have the best of toys and electronic gadgets with which to play all types of games. They wear the nicest of clothes and have money in their pockets, late model cars to drive, and everything else of a material nature they disire. But they don't have their parents in the home to talk to and to be guided by. It certainly seems that money breeds the desire for even more money. Let me give you a common scenario that is often played out under such circumstances. There will be a married couple, both of them working outside the home and spending everything they make each week or month. Children come, but they are too far in debt for the mother to stop working outside the home, so the children go into a day care center to be cared for while the mother works. This is done very shortly after the child is born, a person is brought into the home to care for the infant until such time that the child can be put into the day care center. In either case a lot of money is spent for some one to care for these children. And so, the mother has to continue to work outside the home in order to pay for hired care givers. All of the overtime the parents can get is accepted by them in order to pay for the care givers. Both of the parents are constantly tired out by the end of the work day. Such tiredness brings about shortness of temper and the desire not to have to cook the meals and do the laundry etc. in the home. Therefore the family is carried out to restaurants to get their meals. It seems that the more money such couples have, the more they want. So it becomes a vicious circle, especially as far as the children go. When one credit card gets maxed out, another one is press- ed into service. Failure to pay the cards off fully each month brings about the exhorbitant interest fees that are charged against the accounts. Soon, the old house is not nice enough for this hard-working couple, so a new one in a nicer neighborhood, with humongous monthly payments is acquired. New cars are bought and added to the mix, and even though they might be- come salaried and move up in their companies they continue to spend and spend and dig themselves deeper and deeper in debt. They both are tired each evening when they get home from their work, and so they began to fuss among themselves, and they fuss with the kids, and what the kids really wanted more than any other thing, was a mom and dad that would spend a lot of quality time with them. In this common scenario, attendance at services and Bible classes becomes another limitation on their bulging schedules. So, instead of being an oasis of calm and spiritual refreshing of their live, such becomes another chore for them. Before long, the excuse is given, "I was just too tired to come," and sitting at home with their exhausted parents, those children are learning. But they are learning the wrong things. They are learning that secular work and the things more money will buy are more im- portant to their parents than serving God. They are learning that the physical comforts of life are more important. They are learn- ing that God fits into the equasion when it is convenient to do so. When this happens, the children are being "sinned against." It is sad, but true, that many times couples become more spiritual minded as they grow older and wiser. But, by this time, their physical productive energies have been basically shot, and their children have married and moved out to make their own homes. Leaving the dysfunctional home that they were made to live in in their younger maturing years. These older parents be- come more active personally in the services of the Lord. But what a heartache they are now having to live because of the absence of their children in the services of the Lord. Such child-ren were "sinned against" in the younger years and therefore were not brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Then they express a lack of understanding -- and ask: "How could this have happened?" Maybe it is because, when the children were little and the foundation of their lives were being laid, the parents were more concerned about the things that matter the least, and caused them to matter the most. The truth of Prov. 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." How many parents in this day and time follow this command from the Lord? (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From gharmon at idworld.net Sun Feb 7 13:53:40 2010 From: gharmon at idworld.net (Gary Harmon) Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 13:53:40 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Temple TX Congregation? Message-ID: <007601caa82f$3f5736d0$be05a470$@net> One of our visiting families is moving to Temple this summer. Is there a sound congregation(s) in the area? They have small children so a group with little ones would be nice. Vr, Gary H. Harmon, Jr. Treasurer Woodlawn Hills Church of Christ 1742 Bandera Road San Antonio, TX 78228-3805 210.657.1549h 210.884.6926c -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100207/35569c57/attachment-0001.html From richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com Sun Feb 7 18:02:24 2010 From: richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 17:02:24 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (2/7/10) Message-ID: <001201caa852$91fdbb70$b5f93250$@dot5hosting.com> San Juan Logo PNG.png Walking in the Light "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105) February 7, 2010 www.thetfordcountry.com --- INFORMATION Walking in the Light is published each week by Richard Thetford. You are encouraged to visit the web site at www.thetfordcountry.com and then click on "Richard's Home Page" to view numerous sermons, articles, radio program scripts, class material and other information. If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to "Walking in the Light," please send their name and e-mail address to richard at thetfordcountry.com. In addition, if you want to advertise for "churches looking for preachers" and "preachers looking for churches," go to www.thetfordcountry.com and click on the appropriate link. Fill out the easy form and your listing will be uploaded to the web site within 48 hours (usually the same day). --- CONTENTS "Understanding "THE GOOD" of Galatians 6:10" (Richard Thetford) SENTENCE SERMONS --- UNDERSTANDING THE GOOD OF GALATIANS 6:10 Richard Thetford Galatians 6:10 says: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." This passage of scripture has been used and quoted by people in an effort to justify the church doing everything and anything they want the church to do. And I mean everything from church-sponsored recreation (church kitchens, ball teams, church scout troops, sewing classes, singles and divorce classes, etc.) to church donations to the Red Cross, missionary societies, and colleges. Does Galatians 6:10 really mean all of this, or, are they just trying to justify what they want to do? It has been a "catch all" verse in denominations for many years and in the past several years in some churches of Christ. Let's answer three questions about Galatians 6:10. 1) What is "the good." 2) Who is commanded to do this good (local church or the individual saint)? 3) Will any accept the consequences if the good is unqualified? What Is The Good of Galatians 6:10? The word "good" means "good, profitable, generous, beneficent, upright, virtuous." It is used in mentioning things physical (Matt 7:11) and things spiritual (Luk 10:42). The good part in Luke's account is learning the word of God, not serving the physical things. Since the word "good" can mean either spiritual or physical good, what does it mean in Gal 6:10? Let's look at the context of this passage. Galatians 6:1 - Refers to spiritual good in restoring brethren. Galatians 6:2 - Refers to spiritual burdens (not talking about helping one carry a sack of groceries). Galatians 6:3 - Not physical but spiritual. Galatians 6:4 - Proving our spiritual work (not proving what a good fence you built). Galatians 6:5 - Spiritual (bear own burden). Galatians 6:6 - "Communicate" in this passage is from the same word translated "Fellowship." It is joint participation. When a teacher teaches the truth, you live the truth and you are having communication with the teacher in every truth that he teaches. It is not a passage that "proves" that one must pay the preacher. Galatians 6:7 - You reap spiritually what you plant spiritually. Galatians 6:8 - You'll reap spiritually what you sow. Galatians 6:9 - If you work spiritually then in due time you will reap spiritually. Galatians 6:10 - Do you think the apostle Paul after spending these nine verses stressing the spiritual things, would now switch and stress the physical? No. He is still discussing the spiritual good. It is true that verse 10 looks back to verse 6, but not in the way so commonly supposed, namely that in verse 6 we dispense material gifts to our teachers and now in verse 10 to all men in general and especially to our fellow believers. It is in fact quite otherwise: We are first to make ourselves participants with our teachers in all the spiritually good things they have to offer us. This is to be the source of our enrichment. Then we dispense our spiritual wealth to others with all tireless energy so that they may share it with us. We must conclude that the "good" in Galatians 6:10 then, is spiritual good. Who Is Commanded To Do This Good? Is it the individual or the church? We learn that it is the individual as we read further in the text. Verse 12 says: "As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ." Do you think they were trying to circumcise the individuals or the church? We can clearly see that this whole passage pertains to the individual. Note these key words: Gal 6:1 "if a man," Gal 6:2 "one another's," Gal 6:3 "if a man," Gal 6:4 "every man," Gal 6:5 "every man," Gal 6:6 "let him," Gal 6:7 "a man," Gal 6:8 "he that," Gal 6:9 "let us." Is this us churches or us individuals? Paul was writing this text so was Paul a church or an individual? Gal 6:10 says "as we.." We should be able to see that Galatians 6:10 is individual action and in spiritual matters. This is not to say that the church cannot teach or that individuals cannot help the needy, but this passage of Galatians 6:10 just isn't the passage that teaches it. Will You Accept the Consequences? If Galatians 6:10 is church action and good is everything in the world that is good, will you accept the consequences? If one teaches that Galatians 6:10 is church action and the good is everything that is good, will you get the church involved in all good in the world? We must be extremely careful in what we do in matters of religion. Individuals are to do good to all men in the spiritual realm in keeping with the context of Galatians 6:10. This passage has been perverted over the years to mean to "do good" is to have ball teams, recreational grounds, gyms, operate schools, teach math, science and history, have social parties, camp outs, retreats, rallies, etc. Our goal should be to help one another spiritually, doing good to all for the cause of Christ. Thoughts taken from "Truth in Love," Volume 1, Number 20, November 1975 (David D. Bonner) --- SENTENCE SERMONS The best way to escape evil is to pursue good. God's grace is always greater than our problems. You can never find a lost opportunity. The longest journey begins with a single step. Friends are made by many acts, but they may be lost by one. Action is the only true test of faith - not love. --- SERMONS Satan's Place (with PPT Charts) www.thetfordcountry.com --- cid:image003.gif at 01C9DCB3.EEF5E980 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 626-5558 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org MEETING TIMES Sunday Bible Study...........10:00 A.M. Morning Worship..11:00 A.M. Afternoon Worship..2:00 P.M. Wednesday Bible Study........6:30 P.M. (No Wednesday night Bible study November - February) Evangelist/Editor Richard Thetford Home: (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/20100207/33f861cd/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9271 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100207/33f861cd/attachment-0003.gif From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 8 04:32:23 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 05:32:23 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) IT CAN BE A LONELY WORLD Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Monday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: IT CAN BE A LONELY WORLD In Eccl. 4:8-12 we read: "There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labor; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labor, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail agianst him, two shall with- stand him: and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." In writing these words, Solomon was acknowledging a need that every person has -- the need for relationships. I am not talk- ing about romance relationships, but simply that man is a social being, and loneliness is one of the worst of human experiences. It is sad but true that we live in a cold, lonely world. Doors must be locked to keep out those who would injure or steal. I have know some folks who were practically imprisoned by fear, afraid to go out at night because they were alone. Others have experienced deep losses such as the death of a spouse or a di- vorce. It can be so difficult if one feels that he is alone. ( I certain- ly have felt the loneliness for the past ten years since my dear wife has passed on. I have lived in a big house alone. I have had visitors from time to time to come by and stay a few days with me, but the great majority of my time is spent alone. I get out each morning and walk about an hour in the Wal-Mart Store. I have made many dear friends there. But when that is over, I return again to my lonely home. I do a lot of reading, writing, etc. to keep myself busy with hopefully profitable things for myself and for others. But I know what loneliness is all about, JWS). Those who seek fulfillment and contentment in material poss- essions are ultimately going to find themselves lonely. Our soc- iety tells us that we will feel better and happier if we have enough things around us. If we have the biggest house or the latest model car, we will be satisfied. But I think of the Prodigal Son. He learned that someone with money and the mindset to spend it has a lot of fair weather friends that are more than will- ing to help him spend his money. But once the money is gone so are the fair wearther friends. How many times do we hear wealthy celebrities bemoan the fact that they can't tell if people want to be their friends because they like them, or because they like their money and prestige. It doesn't seem possible, but it is true that one can be surrounded by people and still be lonely. When people try to fill the void in their lives with sin, they will find that that won't fill the empty spot either. When all is said and done, they are still alone. Others seek to remedy loneliness by filling all of their time with hobbies and other interests, and many of those things are good. However, the truth of the matter is tht the only absolute answer to loneliness is found is serving God. (Truly, this has been a great source of help to me in over- coming my loneliness. I have endeavored to do as much as I can to teach and lead others to Christ. I have a daily five minute radio program, five days a week. I teach a Wednesday night class, I teach a Monday night class, I send out two teaching artic- les on the enternet every morning, six mornings a week. and I stand ready to fill any assignment the elders might call upon me to fill on Sundays and on Wednesday nights. So, serving God does help me to overcome much of my loneliness. JWS). After devoting himself to a search for happiness and content- ment in an attempt to find real meaning in life, Solomon's conclu- sion was, "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this the whole duty of man" (Eccl. 12:13). Only by fulfilling the very pur- pose for which we were created, to worship and serve God, will we find what we truly need. Even in the darkest hours as we lie awake in bed listening to the clock tick and wondering if the morning will ever come, the Christian can know that God has said, "I will will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb. 13:5). As a child of God, I am never, never alone. --- Adapted from an article by Greg Litmer in his daily devotional, That You May Grow Thereby. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 8 04:32:30 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 05:32:30 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THOUGHTS ON SOLOMON'S DIVIDED HEART (1) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. THOUGHTS ON SOLOMON'S DIVIDED HEART (1) "Wherefore Jehovah said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant" (1 Kgs. 11:11). Solomon -- althoug greatly blessed by God with wisdom, riches, and power -- turns from God. "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father" (1 Kgs. 11:4). What precipi- tated this display of his imperfect heart is very clear -- his wives turn him away. Kings seem to like to have the best and most of everything. Solomon, though wise beyond the wisdom of most other kings, is no exception. God blessed Solomon and his kingdom, but Solomon continues to look in directions other than to God's instruction. He loves many women; foreign women; some of his relationships stem from and result in political and social allian- ces with nations and peoples strictly opposed by God. "Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edom- ites, Sidonians, and Hittities; of the nations concerning which Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love" (1 Kgs. 11:1,2). As wise as Solomon is, he is not wise enough to heed God's reasonings and warnings concerning these foreign women. We like to think of Solomon as a good, righteous, and wise king. After all, he is the wisest man to live, he is given special blessings by God, and he is the son of David. Before God's gift of wisdom, Solomon really had started on the wrong foot. "And Solomon loved Jehovah, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt-offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar" (1 Kgs. 3:3,4). Solomon did ask for wisdom -- and God indeed blessed him in this way. Solomon had good intentions, but there is a great difference in having wisdom and in using it right. Later in life we see where his poor judgment leads. Since his heart was imperfect, he is described by a word we wouldn't normally associate with Solomon -- the word Evil. "And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and went not fully after Jehovah, as did David his father" (1 Kgs. 11:6). It is not just a matter of allowing his wives to pursue their false religions, but Solomon himself "goes after" these abomin- ations. God is faithful. He does not take the kingdom away from Solomon "for David My servant's sake," yet God does instigate a deterioration of Solomon's realm. "And Jehovah raised up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite" and also, "God raised up another adversary unto him, Rezon the son of Eliada." These leaders begin to erode the vastness of Solomon's empire. They remain a prick in Israel's side all of Solomon's days. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS) From kerux at bellsouth.net Mon Feb 8 08:10:18 2010 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (Kent Heaton) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:10:18 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] A>The New Testament Pattern Of Leadership (Kent Heaton) Message-ID: The New Testament Pattern Of Leadership (Kent Heaton) The apostle Peter reminds us that everything we need to understand the will of God has been revealed in scripture (2 Peter 1:3). This suggests that to understand the pattern of the New Testament church we only need to see what is revealed in scripture. The pattern of leadership is an important template that establishes the authority of how we model leadership today. In many churches leadership is seen in the pastoral system of one man management or rule. What does the Holy Spirit reveal about the New Testament pattern of leadership? Paul writes, "And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). The purpose of this organization is explained in verses 12-14 for the perfecting, working and building up of the body of Christ. We can see the different roles of leadership within the early church. Apostles were ordained of Christ and served a unique role in the infancy of the church. Prophets proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ as did evangelists like Philip (Acts 21:8). Included in the work of the church are those men called pastors. The term "pastor" is from the Greek use of "shepherd" (poimen). It suggests the agricultural aspect of the work of tending sheep and caring for their needs (John 10). Never is it used for what we find so prevalent in the religious organizations today. The term pastor has come to refer to a minister or preacher who oversees a church in a position of oversight. The scriptures never suggest this use and the New Testament pattern of oversight is clearly defined under a different heading. Peter exhorted his "fellow elders" in 1 Peter 5:1-4 and reminded them "when the chief shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away" (1 Peter 5:4). The word for "chief shepherd" is not two words but one and shows the relationship Jesus has with those men called "elders" (1 Peter 5:1). Peter explains the work of elders or shepherds (pastors) as tending the flock and exercising the oversight. A pastor is a shepherd that is also referred to as an elder. The historian Luke writes of Paul's meeting with the "elders of the church" from Ephesus in Acts 20:17-35. Again Paul uses language describing the work of elders as that of taking heed to " yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28). The pastor is the same as the shepherd, the elder and the bishop. Each term defines the work of the man who has been entrusted with the leadership of the local congregation. This can be likened to a man who is a son, a husband, a father and a grandfather; the same man yet different terms. The New Testament pattern of leadership never suggested a "one man rule." Throughout scripture the term elder is used more often. Call for them when sick (James 5:14); Paul left Titus in Crete to "appoint elders in every city" (Titus 1:5); let elders rule well (1 Timothy 5:17); be careful about bring accusations against an elder (1 Timothy 5:19); all of the "elders were present" (Acts 21:18); Paul "appointed elders in every city" (Acts 14:23); the question of circumcision was discussed with the "apostles and elders" in Acts 15. It is important to see that God established certain qualities for men who would lead His people and these are given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7. These are not suggestions but requirements! No man can be a pastor, bishop, overseer, shepherd or elder who does not meet these commands. Paul reinforced this directive to Titus when he said that he should "set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge" (Titus 1:5) and gives the qualities of the man who would be an elder or bishop. Every church that has one man (or women) as an overseer or "pastor" is not following the New Testament pattern of leadership. With all that is said about elders in the New Testament, where do you find elders in your church? Kent Heaton 206 NE Fourth Avenue Trenton, Florida 32693 352-463-6916 www.trentonchurchofchrist.com www.northfloridabiblecamp.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100208/dffd9d05/attachment-0001.html From gregsmith104 at hotmail.com Mon Feb 8 09:07:22 2010 From: gregsmith104 at hotmail.com (GREG SMITH) Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:07:22 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] FW: Evangelist evaluation Message-ID: From: gregsmith104 at hotmail.com To: biblemat at biblematters.net; biblemat at biblematters.com Subject: FW: Evangelist evaluation Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:55:13 -0600 From: gregsmith104 at hotmail.com To: biblemat at biblematters.com Subject: Evangelist evaluation Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:20:21 -0600 The men where I worship have decided to formally solicit input from the members concerning the work here. One element of that would be an evaluation of our evangelist. Some of the men have been asked to put together such a "form" to achieve that part of the work's evaluation. Along with that but separate from that would be input concerning the other elements of the work such as bible class curriculum, gospel meeting structure, etc. FYI, we do not currently have elders. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please respond privately. Thanks in advance, Greg Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. Get it now. _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft?s powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469226/direct/01/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100208/1cbf8f97/attachment-0001.html From shewemail at earthlink.net Mon Feb 8 12:12:40 2010 From: shewemail at earthlink.net (shewemail at earthlink.net) Date: Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:12:40 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Info request Message-ID: <4B705418.7090306@earthlink.net> Brethren, We are trying to find information which would be helpful concerning a family's effort to provide benevolent assistance to Haiti. What is needed is an agency which meets these criteria: 1. Must not be Catholic or any other "faith-based" mission or organization. (If there was a private effort among non-institutional brethren that would be acceptable.) 2. Must not provide any Abortion services or assistance to others who provide abortion services. 3. Must be able to be used to send money to Haiti (weekly or monthly) through February 2011. Our efforts to search for such an agency on the web have thus far been futile. Agape, James H. Shewmaker P.S. I am also still looking to relocate as a preacher. Any information concerning churches who are looking is appreciated. From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Mon Feb 8 23:50:28 2010 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 00:50:28 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> The Pharisees and the Sabbath Message-ID: The Pharisees and the Sabbath I. Introduction A. Let us consider the Pharisees and the Sabbath B. Even many who are not entirely familiar with the Bible know that Jesus and the Pharisees were often at odds C. Many of these conflicts centered on the Sabbath 1. As we will see, the Pharisees have very strict views of the Sabbath and what can be done upon it 2. Jesus exposes these views and demonstrates the distance between them and God's perspective on the matter D. Let us consider from Scripture what lessons can be gained from the Pharisees and the Sabbath II. Jesus vs. the Pharisees A. The Gospels record many interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees and similar religious authorities on the Sabbath B. Matthew 12:1-8 / Mark 2:23-28 / Luke 6:1-5 1. Situation: Jesus walking through grain fields on Sabbath; disciples were plucking heads of grain and eating them 2. Such is not stealing per Leviticus 19:9-10, but the effort expended by disciples in plucking grain heads and getting to the grain certainly seemed like work not to be done on the Sabbath! 3. Pharisees accuse disciples of doing what is not lawful on Sabbath 4. Jesus responds by citing example of David and his men eating the bread of the Presence in 1 Samuel 21:1-7, not lawful for David and his men to eat according to Leviticus 24:5-9 5. Sabbath as made for man, not man for Sabbath 6. Jesus as Lord of Sabbath C. Matthew 12:9-14 / Mark 3:1-5 / Luke 6:6-10 1. Same day and audience as before, according to Matthew 2. Man present in synagogue with withered hand 3. Jesus is asked, or asks Himself, if it is lawful to do good on Sabbath 4. Gives example of man lifting sheep out of pit on Sabbath-- humans as more valuable than sheep 5. Tells man to stretch out hand, heals it; Pharisees take counsel to destroy Him D. Luke 4:31-37 1. An example of Jesus in a synagogue casting out demon on Sabbath 2. No indication Pharisees are present 3. Note that there is no contention, just amazement E. Luke 13:10-17 1. Jesus teaching in a synagogue 2. Woman present, disabled 18 years, bent over 3. Jesus laid hands on her, freed her from disability 4. Ruler of synagogue indignant-- six days to work, be healed on those days 5. Jesus calls him out on hypocrisy-- everyone makes sure animals get watered on Sabbath 6. Woman bound by Satan 18 years now loosed on Sabbath to truly rest 7. Adversaries of Jesus put to shame F. Luke 14:1-6 1. Jesus at house of a Pharisee on Sabbath 2. One there with dropsy 3. Jesus asks them if it is lawful to heal or not, then asks who among them has son or animal that falls into well on Sabbath, will not pull them out 4. They do not answer Him; man is healed G. John 5:1-18 1. Man at pool at Bethesda, invalid for 38 years, unable to get chance to be healed 2. Jesus heals him on a Sabbath day 3. John indicates that Jews persecute Jesus because He healed him on Sabbath day H. John 7:21-24 1. Jesus probably speaking about healing of John 5 2. Speaks of command to circumcise on eighth day, done even when eighth day is a Sabbath 3. Yet some are angry for Jesus for making a whole man whole! 4. Need to judge with right judgment I. John 9:1-41 1. Healing of a man born blind 2. Jesus did this on a Sabbath (v. 14) 3. Pharisees certain that Jesus is a sinner because He "does not keep the Sabbath" (v. 16) 4. Denied that it could be an act of God because of it J. Thus we see Jesus interacting with the Pharisees in regard to the Sabbath K. What are we to learn from this? III. Contexts and Applications A. Understanding God's command 1. Before we consider what can be learned from these experiences, we must consider God's command in regard to the Sabbath 2. Exodus 20:8-11, based in Genesis 2:1-3: as God rested on seventh day, so Israel is to rest on the seventh day 3. They are not to do any work (Exodus 20:10), not even to kindle a fire (Exodus 35:3) 4. A day of "holy convocation" in Leviticus 23:3, hence tradition of assembling in synagogue for reading, devotion to God in first century-- a tradition in which Jesus participates! 5. Case study: man who gathered sticks on Sabbath day executed for working on the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36) 6. Nevertheless, Sabbath violated often in OT (cf. Nehemiah 13:15-22) 7. Prophets speak of profaning Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13-14, Amos 8:5ff) 8. They also exhort to people observe Sabbath (Jeremiah 17:21-27) 9. Therefore, it is clear that God commanded the Sabbath for a day of rest for the people, stopping normal work to devote themselves to God B. Traditions Regarding the Sabbath 1. We can see strong warnings about violating Sabbath in OT 2. So did the Pharisees and their earlier counterparts! 3. Therefore, to make sure that no one would stumble and violate the Sabbath law and incur destruction, a "hedge" built around Sabbath 4. Traditions bound upon Israelites with the force of law regarding really not doing anything on Sabbath-- not even spitting on ground! 5. Traveling on Sabbath day limited to about three-quarters of a mile (cf. Acts 1:12) 6. While the reasons behind the traditions are understandable, there remains no justification for binding them as law and using them as prism to judge others! C. Jesus and the Pharisees 1. As we can see, Jesus did not respect the traditions of the Pharisees 2. Easily could have waited to heal all such people on Sunday or some such thing 3. Therefore, divinely directed reason for these interactions-- God is sending a message! D. The Challenge: Tension Among Commands 1. The basis of the challenge presented by Jesus' actions on the Sabbath involve the tension that easily comes up among various commands God has given 2. God commanded-- and Jesus never argues with this-- that Israelites should rest on the Sabbath 3. But God also commanded Israel to love their neighbor as themselves (Leviticus 19:18) 4. God also commanded males to be circumcised on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3), and the eighth day will be a Sabbath day for many a child! 5. Therefore, what is to be done when God has commanded the Israelites to rest on the Sabbath but also to love their neighbor and to circumcise on the eighth day? 6. Jesus expects them to "judge with right judgment"! E. Priority: Doing Good 1. Jesus makes it clear by word and deed that doing good is of great importance 2. As He will say to Pharisees in Matthew 23:23, "justice, mercy, and faithfulness" as the "weightier matters of the law" 3. Therefore, even though one should be concerned to not work on the Sabbath, if mercy demands effort, than effort must be expended! 4. In reality, Jews already doing this-- circumcising on eighth day even when a Sabbath, watering animals, being willing to take animal or human out of pit on Sabbath F. Moments of Necessity 1. The one time when the Pharisees might have had a point involved the disciples plucking grain 2. Jesus recognizes this, and therefore appeals to necessity-- David and his men 3. According to letter of Law, David and his men unable to eat bread of Presence since they are not Levites 4. Because of necessity of situation, however, they ate at that time 5. Not used to justify future eating or the habit of eating 6. Likewise, if disciples had already prepared food but were plucking anyway, no justification, and Jesus Himself would probably rebuke them 7. But Jesus here appeals to necessity G. The Pharisees' Perspective Problem 1. Important for us to realize why Pharisees are condemned 2. Pharisees are not condemned for wanting to rest on Sabbath, carefully make sure that they do not violate Sabbath, or for highly esteeming God's law 3. Instead, Pharisees are condemned because they have majored so much in the minors that they believe Jesus a transgressor because He healed on the Sabbath 4. In so strictly legislating Sabbath, missed priority of commands of love, mercy 5. It takes a hardened, narrow-minded heart to get angry and hostile because someone uses God's power to help others on a particular day! H. So where can we directly apply these lessons? I. The assembly would be the most direct parallel 1. Just as man not made for Sabbath, but Sabbath for man, assembly made for man, not man for assembly (cf. Mark 2:27) 2. We are to assemble and encourage and edify in the assemblies and do as God has commanded, but should never build so many hedges around those actions that the life has been taken from them! 3. We must also "judge righteous judgment" and maintain a healthy sense of priority! J. We also have times when commands may be in tension 1. Assembling and doing good, following boss or country or following God, etc. 2. These are going to exist in new covenant just as they did in the old covenant! 3. We ought to learn from Jesus' interactions with Pharisees and do well to put justice, mercy, faithfulness, love as priority (cf. Luke 6:31, Romans 13:8-11) K. A note on moments of necessity 1. Matthew 12, etc., do show that Jesus teaches that there are moments of necessity when a provision of law is superseded 2. But this is no invitation to religious libertinism! 3. It is a moment of true necessity, not just any old infusion of "grace" over "law" 4. These situations cannot be properly used to justify engaging in practices that God has not authorized in Scripture, especially when there is no "necessity" L. Jesus therefore invites us to judge righteous judgment, to "major on the majors" and "minor on the minors," and act sensibly when commands come into tension IV. Conclusion A. We have seen the interactions between Jesus and the Pharisees on the Sabbath 1. Jesus does good and heals on the Sabbath 2. Pharisees are angered, believe Him a sinner who does not keep Sabbath B. We have seen what this is to show us 1. Existence of tension in commands 2. Importance of not just understanding letter of law, but also purpose and intent 3. Recognition that certain principles-- love, justice, mercy, faithfulness-- take precedent in life 4. When obligations come into tension, we must resolve it using righteous judgment C. Let us seek to make righteous judgment, show love and mercy to all, and be approved servants of God! D. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry / disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio [norwalkchurch.org] Homepage: deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ: 28317056 Y! IM: discipuliiesus Spiritual Manna A biweekly devotional for your life. http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/manna From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Feb 9 02:20:29 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 03:20:29 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) TELL HER Message-ID: <182.73e4f8ed.38a274cd@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morn- ing to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. It is getting close to Valentine's Day. The day when people express their love for one another by giving them beautiful cards and candies and other items with hearts on them. If we love someone truly, we should not have to have a special day in which to express such love. Following is a poem that seemingly expresses the idea of a husband telling his wife that he loves her. Hope you enjoy. TELL HER Amid the cares of married life In spite of toil and business strife; If you value your sweet wife, TELL HER Prove to her you don't forget The bond to which the seal is set; She's of life's sweets, the sweetest yet -- TELL HER When days are dark and deeply blue, She has her troubles, same as you; Show her that your love is true -- TELL HER There was a time you thought it bliss To get the favor of one kiss; A dozen now won't come amiss -- TELL HER Your love for her is no mistake, You feel it, dreaming or awake; Don't conceal it, for her sake -- TELL HER Don't act, if she has passed the prime, As though to please her were a crime; If ever you loved her, now's the time -- TELL HER She'll return, for each caress, A hundredfold of tenderness; Hearts like hers were made to bless! TELL HER You are hers and hers alone, Well you know she's all your own, Don't wait to "Carve it on a stone" -- TELL HER Never let her heart grow cold; Richer beauties will unfold, She is worth her weight in gold! TELL HER Taken from Reminisce Magazine, Feb/Mar. 2010. Author Unknown (Just yesterday, while looking through my ancient files, I came upon a long letter from my youngest son, written on the occasion of his entering college. Telling me what I had meant and continue to mean in his life. I had forgotten the letter that I had cherished so much down through the years. I make it my aim, even though my five children and their children and grandchildren are a long distance from me, located in Missouri, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kentucky and Florida, to express my love for them in calls to the five children's homes during the course of each week. My beloved wife and their mother has been gone for over ten years now. But I wish that I had told her more and more that I loved her, JWS). From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Feb 9 02:20:34 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 03:20:34 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THOUGHTS ON SOLOMON'S DIVIDED HEART (2) Message-ID: <184.316052ca.38a274d2@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the second and final installment on this particular study. Use to the glory of God. THOUGHTS ON SOLOMON'S DIVIDED HEART (2) Solomon si not the only one to whom God gives a message about the kingdom of Israel. A young man by the name of Jero- boam enters the drama. Now, the prophet, Ahijah, brings the message of God to Jeroboam: "And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field" (1 Kgs. 11:29). Ahijah uses his new garment to emp- hasize God's plan to Jeroboam. Upon rending the garment into twelve fragments, he makes the pronouncement: "Take thee ten pieces; for thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee" (1 Kgs. 11:31). God offers to build Jeroboam a "sure house" as He has done for David -- obedience and loyal- ty are the requirements -- the choice is Jeroboam's . "Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon" (1 Kgs. 11:40). "And Solo- mon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead" (1 Kgs. 11:43). The curtain is falling on the unity of a nation. The stage has been set for the new scene -- one of separateness, hostility, and division. Lessons To Be Learned From Solomon's Divided Heart: -- God blesses those who choose to follow Him. Though Solomon started out on the wrong foot by burning incense and offerings in the high places, he understood that God could provide the wisdom he needed to rule the people. he then submitted him- self to Jehovah and began worshipping in the proper way. He even built the temple for Jehovah in Jerusalem. When we sub- mit ourselves to God's Will and follow His instructions for salvat- ion, He will bless us with a life in Him and the promise of eternal life with Him in the hereafter. There Is No Such Thing As A Half-way Christian: -- Even though Solomon knew God and had David his father as an example, he did not fully follow after Jehovah. This failure on his part was characterized as "evil." His heart was divided between what he knew to be God's Will and the traditions of his wives. We cannot be divided in our hearts and be pleasing to God. One Can Choose To Leave God And His Blessings: -- Solomon chose to follow after the traditions of his wives rather than to re- main faithful to the God of heaven. Though Solomon was bless- ed with wisdom, far more than any other man upon the face of the earth at that time, he didn't use that wisdom wisely. Because of his choice and his actions, concerning the gods of his wives, God let him know that his kingdom would be divided. Christians can choose to leave God and His blessings, as mentioned in Eph. 1:1-14, just like in the case of Solomon, our choices and actions today have an effect upon our eternal future. Adapted from an article by Scott Richardson in The Jackson Drive Admonisher, Feb. 7, 2010. From terrywbenton at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 9 09:20:41 2010 From: terrywbenton at bellsouth.net (Terry W. Benton) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:20:41 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Ignatius' Concern for the Church of Christ Message-ID: <7F8D6E3358D847969CA512B6DCC2934A@TerryPC> Ignatius' Concern for the Church of Christ Ignatius wrote: Do not err, my brethren. 114 Those that corrupt families shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 115 And if those that corrupt mere human families are condemned to death, how much more shall those suffer everlasting punishment who endeavour to corrupt the Church of Christ, for which the Lord Jesus, the only-begotten Son of God, endured the cross, and submitted to death! Whosoever, "being waxen fat," 116 and "become gross," sets at nought His doctrine, shall go into hell. In like manner, every one that has received from God the power of distinguishing, and yet follows an unskilful shepherd, and receives a false opinion for the truth, shall be punished. "What communion hath light with darkness? or Christ with Belial? Or what portion hath he that believeth with an infidel? or the temple of God with idols?" 117 And in like manner say I, what communion hath truth with falsehood? or righteousness with unrighteousness? or true doctrine with that which is false? (from Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1-The Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians, Ch.16). Eusebius (Hist. Eccl. 3.36) places Ignatius' martyrdom in the reign of Trajan (A.D. 98-117). Ignatius of Antioch (born ? -- died (apparently martyred) ~110 CE in Rome) bishop of Antioch in Syria, is known mainly as the author of 7 letters that had exceptional influence in the early church. Ignatius recognized the validity of "the Church of Christ" and of men's endevours to "corrupt" the Lord's Church. He recognized that by "setting at nought His doctrine" and receiving "a false opinion for truth", that men will tend to corrupt the Church of Christ., and as a result they would go to hell. Ignatius knew the scriptures well on this point (Gal.1:6-10; 2 John 9-10). The Church of Christ then and now must not be corrupted. We must be members of the Church of Christ and we must be zealous to keep men from corrupting her. Ignatius was not inspired, but he knew the inspired writings, and he knew that Jesus shed His precious blood for the Church of Christ. Like, Ignatius, we must not be ashamed of the Lord's Church. Terry W. Benton www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com Back to Jesus Through Solid Bible Preaching (on Facebook) http://apps.facebook.com/causes/140495?m=8c3a5226&recruiter_id=25738628 Restore Undenominational Salvation and Service in Christ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100209/08c53d50/attachment-0001.html From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Tue Feb 9 14:43:29 2010 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:43:29 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> 1 Peter 3:8-17: Zealous For Good Message-ID: 1 Peter 3:8-17: Zealous For Good I. Base Text: 1 Peter 3:8-17 II. Understanding the Text A. Background 1. 1 Peter 1: great encouragement based in rebirth through resurrection and hope of salvation; value of salvation; imperatives to holiness, love 2. 1 Peter 2: sustained by God's message; Christians as Temple, spiritual Israel; honorable conduct before all people; call to suffer for doing right, as Christ has set forth as an example 3. 1 Peter 3:1-7: Wives to submit to husbands, focus on internal adornment of quiet, gentle spirit; husbands to honor wives, live in understanding way with them B. Summation of Conduct (1 Peter 3:8-9) 1. Peter transitions from speaking about servants, husbands, and wives, speaking of "the completion" or "finally" 2. He then sets forth the important attributes of a Christian 3. Unity of mind (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 2:1-2) 4. Sympathy (cf. Philippians 2:1-2) 5. Brotherly love (cf. 1 Peter 1:22-25, 2 Peter 1:5-7) 6. A tender heart (cf. Ephesians 4:32) 7. A humble mind (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:5) 8. Not repaying evil for evil, reviling for reviling (1 Peter 2:18-25, Matthew 5:39-48, Luke 6:27-36, Romans 12:17-21) 9. Rather to bless, having been called to be a blessing to obtain blessing (cf. Romans 12:14) 10. A succinct layout of the essential attributes of a Christian-- one who loves fellow man, seeks his benefit at all times, is willing to suffer injury and/or loss without causing injury in return C. Value of Doing Good (1 Peter 3:10-12) 1. Peter demonstrates the truth regarding the blessing by quoting Psalm 34:12-16 2. Same essential message as Peter in 1 Peter 2-3 so far 3. Peter may likely be developing his theme from this passage, at least in part 4. Tongue to be kept from evil, do not do evil but do good; seek and pursue peace 5. Eyes of God on righteous, turned toward their prayer; face against those who do evil 6. All of this used to explain, justify what has been seen in 1 Peter 1:22-2:2, 2:11-3:9 D. No Fear if Zealous For Good (1 Peter 3:13-17) 1. Peter then returns to his main theme as developed over past full chapter (1 Peter 2:11-3:12) 2. Who will harm you if zealous for what is good? 3. Could be seen as comparable question to Paul's statement that there is no law against fruit of Spirit (Galatians 2:22-24) 4. Perhaps may indicate that even if men will harm you, God will preserve you (cf. Matthew 10:28) 5. If nothing else, verse 14 certainly trending toward latter-- no real reason to fear if you are doing good, and one's soul should not be troubled 6. Instead, Christ to be sanctified as holy in the heart, and, as His disciple, prepared to make defense for hope; done with gentleness and respect 7. We should have good consciences so those who slander are put to shame (cf. 1 Peter 2:11-12, 18-19) 8. Principle already demonstrated consistently: better to suffer for doing good if necessary than to suffer for doing evil (cf. 1 Peter 2:18-20) III. Application A. The Christian Life 1. Peter provides a handy summary of the way to live in 1 Peter 3:8-9 2. A humble mind and tender heart-- essential foundations for other attributes 3. Brotherly love, unity of mind, sympathy-- allows for working together with others, desire to be of value and benefit to others 4. Not doing any evil or reviling, even when suffering, instead, to bless! 5. These all manifest in Jesus, essential if we are going to be Jesus' disciples 6. Not easy attributes to develop! B. Zealous for Good 1. Peter makes it clear that we ought not just do good, but to be zealous for it (1 Peter 3:13) 2. As followers of Christ, we must have passion for living as His servants 3. We must passionately seek after the benefit of others 4. A testament to the transformed life-- if our lives have been transformed! C. The Defense 1. 1 Peter 3:15 2. Important message-- we must be able to communicate to another why we believe as we do, why we have the hope we have 3. That defense to be given in the proper way, with gentleness and respect 4. Not arrogantly, or dismissive and caustic regarding other views 5. If one tries to use the Devil's tools to defend the truth, the Devil wins! 6. Our defense not just to demonstrate truth of Gospel but to persuade others to share in that hope! 7. If we win the argument but lose the soul in the process, have we really won? 8. As verse 16 shows, the defense of the faith not just oral, but also practical 9. Our conscience should be good and our deeds testify to the message we speak 10. The right words and the wrong behavior are perceived as hypocrisy! 11. We must have the right message with the right behavior if we are going to properly promote God's Word in our lives! IV. Conclusion A. We have seen 1 Peter 3:8-17 1. The proper attributes of a Christian: love, sympathy, humility, unity, blessing in all circumstances 2. Thus we must do if we want to maintain God's favor 3. No fear or trouble if we are zealous for good and do good 4. We must provide a defense for our hope in word and deed B. Let us therefore be zealous for good and to actively promote God's purposes in our lives in word and deed! C. Invitation/songbook Ethan R. Longhenry / disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio [norwalkchurch.org] Homepage: deusvitae.com AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ: 28317056 Y! IM: discipuliiesus Spiritual Manna A biweekly devotional for your life. http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/manna From terrywbenton at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 9 15:05:39 2010 From: terrywbenton at bellsouth.net (Terry W. Benton) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 15:05:39 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Adam Clarke Recognizes the Church of Christ Message-ID: <9F5F79EB7B714C3086620795919AC0BB@TerryPC> Adam Clarke Recognizes the Church of Christ Adam Clarke (1760 or 1762-1832) was a British Methodist theologian and Biblical scholar. He is chiefly remembered for writing a commentary on the Bible which took him 40 years to complete and which was a primary Methodist theological resource for two centuries. He reflects the early Protestant understanding that instrumental music was not appropriate and lawful in the church. Methodists gradually drifted from that understanding. Clarke understood that the churches of Christ in the Bible did not use them and they should not be used by Christians in worship to God. All through his commentaries he never recognizes the Methodist church as biblical, and his favorite way of describing the Lord's church was "the church of Christ". 1 Corinthians 12:13 [For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews, or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.] As the body of man, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one soul; so the church of Christ, which is his body, though composed of many members, is informed and influenced by one Spirit, the Holy Spirit; actuating and working by his spiritual body, as the human soul does in the body of man. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 Corinthians 3:3 Dichostasiai- divisions, refers to their conduct; as they could not agree, they contended until they separated from each other, and thus rent the church of Christ. Thus the envying and grudging led to strife and evil SPEAKING, and this led to divisions and fixed parties. In this state well might the apostle say, Are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Ye act just as the people of the world, and have no more of the spirit of religion than they. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 Corinthians 4:21 Those who despise their ecclesiastical rulers, will soon despise the church of Christ itself, neglect its ordinances, lose sight of its doctrines, and at last neglect their own salvation. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 Corinthians 7:29 [The time is short] These persecutions and distresses are at the door, and life itself will soon be run out. Even then Nero was plotting those grievous persecutions with which he not only afflicted, but devastated the church of Christ. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 John 2:24 [Ye also shall continue in the son, and in the Father.] Ye who are preachers shall not only be acknowledged as ministers of the church of Christ, but be genuine children of God, by faith in the Son of his love; and ye all, thus continuing, shall have fellowship with the Father and with the Son. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 1 Thessalonians 4:11 An idle person, though able to discourse like an angel, or pray like all apostle, cannot be a Christian; all such are hypocrites and deceivers; the true members of the church of Christ walk, work, and labour. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) 2 Peter 1:10 [Sure] Bebaian . Firm, solid. For your calling to believe the Gospel, and your election to be members of the church of Christ, will be ultimately unprofitable to you, unless you hold fast what you have received by adding to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, etc. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 14:22 [Confirming the souls of the disciples] The word disciple signifies literally a scholar. The church of Christ was a school, in which Christ himself was chief Master; and his apostles, subordinate teachers. All the converts were disciples or scholars, who came to this school to be instructed in the knowledge of themselves and of their GOD: of their duty to Him, to the church, to society, and to themselves.-After having been initiated in the principles of the heavenly doctrine, they needed line upon line, and precept upon precept, in order that they might be confirmed and established in the truth. Though it was a great and important thing to have their heads, their understanding, properly informed, yet, if the heart was not disciplined, information in the understanding would be of little avail; therefore they confirmed the souls of the disciples. As there must be some particular standard of truth, to which they might continually resort, that their faith might stand in the power of God, it was necessary that they should have such a system of doctrine as they knew came from God. These doctrines were those which contained all the essential principles of Christianity, and this was called THE FAITH: and, as they must have sound principles, in order that they might have righteous practices, so it was necessary that they should continue in that faith, that it might produce that obedience, without which even faith itself, however excellent, must be useless and dead. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 16:40 The first members of the church of Christ in this place were Lydia and her family; and the next in all probability were the jailor and his family. These doubtless became the instruments of bringing many more to the faith; (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 20:17 Those who were eldest in years, Christian knowledge, and experience, would naturally be preferred to all others, as overseers of the church of Christ. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 2:47 [And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.] Though many approved of the life and manners of these primitive Christians, yet they did not become members of this holy church; God permitting none to be added to it, but Tous soozomenous, those who were saved from their sins and prejudices. The church of Christ was made up of saints; sinners were not permitted to incorporate themselves with it. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 4:6 -Luke distinctly mentions all these, to show how formidable the enemies were against whom the infant Church of Christ had to contend. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 9:1 [Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter] The original text is very emphatic, Eti empneoon apeilees kai phonou, and points out how determinate Saul was to pursue and accomplish his fell purpose of totally destroying the infant church of Christ. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Acts 9:19 To this day we find that even the genuine Christian convert has a thousand things to learn; and for his instruction he is placed in the church of Christ, where he is built up on his most holy faith by the ministry and experience of the disciples. Without the communion of saints, who is likely to make a steady and consistent Christian; even though his conversion should have been the most sincere and the most remarkable! (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Chapter 16 (Romans) To the Christians at Rome the apostle commends Phoebe, a deaconess of the church at Cenchrea v. 1-2. Paul sends greetings to Aquila and Priscilla, of whom he gives a high character; and greets also the church at their house, v. 3-5. Mentions several others by name, both men and women, who were members of the church of Christ at Rome, v. 6-16. Paul warns them to beware of those who cause dissensions and divisions, of whom he gives an awful character, v. 17-18. Extols the obedience of the Roman Christians, and promises them a complete victory over Satan, v. 19-20. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Colossians 4:5 The church of Christ was considered an enclosure; a field, or vineyard, well-hedged or walled. Those who were not members of it, were considered without; i.e. not under that special protection and defense which the true followers of Christ had. This has been since called "The pale of the church," from palus, a stake; or, as Dr. Johnson defines it, "A narrow piece of wood, joined above and below to a rail, to enclose grounds." As to be a Christian was essential to the salvation of the soul, so to be in the church of Christ was essential to the being a Christian; therefore it was concluded that "there was no salvation out of the pale of the church." Now this is true in all places where the doctrines of Christianity are preached; (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Excursus on Baptism To say that water baptism is nothing, because a baptism of the Spirit is promised, is not correct. Baptism, howsoever administered, is a most important rite in the church of Christ. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Exodus 27:21 Reader, the tabernacle and temple are both destroyed; the church of Christ is established in their place. The seven golden candlesticks were typical of this church and the glorious light it possesses, Rev 1:12-20; and Jesus Christ, the Fountain and Dispenser of this true light, walks in the midst of them. Reader, hast thou that celestial flame to enlighten and animate thy heart in all those acts of devotion which thou professest to pay to him as thy Maker, Redeemer, and Preserver? (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Galatians 1:23 [They had heard only] As a persecutor of the church of Christ, I was well known; and as a convert to Christ I was not less so. The fame of both was great, even where I was personally unknown. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Galatians 5:12 And the whole passage is so parallel to that, 1 Cor 5:6-7, that I think there can be no reasonable doubt of the apostle's meaning: "Let those who are unsettling the church of Christ in your district be excommunicated; this is my wish, that they should no longer have any place among you." (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Luke 14:34 >From all this we may learn that the church which tolerates, encourages, and practices persecution, under the pretence of concern for the purity of the faith, and zeal for God's glory, is not the church of Christ; and that no man can be of such a church without endangering his salvation. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Matthew 13:47 By the net may be understood the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom, which keeps drawing men into the profession of Christianity, and into the fellowship of the visible church of Christ. By the sea may be represented that abyss of sin, error, ignorance, and wickedness in which men live, and out of which they are drawn, by the truth and Spirit of God, who cordially close in with the offers of salvation made to them in the preaching of the Gospel. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Matthew 9:18 When the inventions of men are put in the place of the ordinances of God, the true church of Christ is in great danger. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Philippians 1:27 For our citizenship is in heaven; but in this last verse he puts heaven in the place of the church, and this is all right; for he, who is not a member of the church of Christ on earth, can have no right to the kingdom of heaven, and he who does not walk worthy of the Gospel of Christ cannot be counted worthy to enter through the gates into the city of the eternal King. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Preface In the Book of the Acts we see how the church of Christ was formed and settled. The apostles simply proclaim the truth of God relative to the passion, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ; and God accompanies their testimony with the demonstration of his Spirit. What was the consequence! Thousands acknowledge the truth, embrace Christianity, and openly profess it at the most imminent risk of their lives. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Preface The enemies of the church of Christ which the Christians had then most to fear were the Jews, the heathens, and the false teachers. All these are overcome by Christ, and over them he triumphs gloriously. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Psalms 62:1 Will our modern performers on instruments of music in churches and chapels, pretend to the prophetic influence? If they do not, and cannot, how dare they quote such passages in vindication of their practice, which can be no better than a dulcet noise without its original meaning, and alien from its primary use? Do they indeed prophesy with harps, and psalteries, and cymbals? or with their play-house aggregate of fiddles and flutes, bass-viols and bassoons, clarionets and kettle-drums? Away with such trumpery and pollution from the worship and church of Christ! (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Note: The church of Christ still today does not pollute the worship and church of Christ with such things. But, churches of men, who seek to please their own desires are using them and many are now upset that the denominations have become nothing more than a Rock or Rap concert with religious overtones. Psalms 81:3 [Blow up the trumpet] Showpaar, a species of horn. Certainly a wind instrument, as the two last were stringed instruments. Perhaps some chanted a psalm in recitativo, while all these instruments were used as accompaniments. In a representative system of religion, such as the Jewish, there must have been much outside work, all emblematical of better things: no proof that such things should be continued under the Gospel dispensation, where outsides have disappeared, shadows flown away, and the substance alone is presented to the hearts of mankind. He must be ill off for proofs in favour of instrumental music in the church of Christ, who has recourse to practices under the Jewish ritual. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Psalms 92:3 [Upon an instrument of ten strings] Eusebius, in his comment on this Psalm, says: Psalterion de dekachordon, he tou Hagiou Pneumatos dia ton aistheterion pente men tou somatos, isarithmon de tes psuches dunameon, epiteloumene latreia . "The Psaltery of ten strings is the worship of the Holy Spirit, performed by means of the five senses of the body, and by the five powers of the soul." And, to confirm this interpretation, he quotes the apostle, 1 Cor 14:15: "I will pray with the spirit, and with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and with the understanding also." "As the mind has its influence by which it moves the body, so the spirit has its own influence by which it moves the soul." Whatever may be thought of this gloss, one thing is pretty evident from it, that instrumental music was not in use in the church of Christ in the time of Eusebius, which was near the middle of the fourth century. Had any such thing then existed in the Christian church, he would have doubtless alluded to or spiritualized it; or, as he quoted the words of the apostle above, would have shown that carnal usages were substituted for spiritual exercises. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Facts: 1. On Pentecost 3,000 were "informed and influenced by one Spirit" to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ FOR remission of sins (Acts 2:36-41). Thus, by one Spirit they were all baptized in water (Acts 8:33f; 10:47-48) in the name of the Lord, and were added to the one body of Christ which is the church of Christ. 2. The church of Christ is the body of Christ, which is scriptural. 3. Those influenced and informed by the one Spirit are never influenced and informed that they can join and support churches of men. 4. It is interesting that a Methodist theologian recognized that the one Spirit influences and informs people how to come into the church of Christ, but does not inform and influence one to join a Methodist Church. So, why would a person go where the Spirit never informed and influenced one to go? 5. It is also interesting that a Methodist recognized that instrumental music in the Old Testament foreshadowed a spiritual worship from the heart in the New Testament and were not suitable to be continued in the Lord's church, and, in fact, were not used as Eusebius attests and all history attests, and that in Adam Clarke's day even most all Protestants agreed were not appropriate in the spiritual sacrifices offered by the church of Christ. Those who do now appropriate such instruments show that they have not come into Christ, into His church, and become subject to the Head of the church. 6. Adam Clarke recognized the validity of having a church of Christ that did not entertain like the theatre or "play-house" or put on performances and shows like the play-houses of the world, nor use the Jewish system to justify their usage under Christ. 7. Adam Clarke did not think that the term "church of Christ" was denominational or inexpedient to use as some brethren are now saying, and he did not hesitate to call the Lord's church what it is: the church of Christ. Those who do not think they are a church of Christ should certainly refrain from claiming that they are. Those who know themselves to be in the church of Christ should not hesitate to say so. These lessons need to be re-learned in our modern age. Terry W. Benton www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100209/d4cb14a0/attachment-0001.html From jmickells at juno.com Tue Feb 9 21:42:06 2010 From: jmickells at juno.com (Jimmy R Mickells) Date: Tue, 9 Feb 2010 21:42:06 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Our Redemption Message-ID: <20100209.214206.2504.10.jmickells@juno.com> Our Redemption ?In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace? (Ephesians 1:7). This verse contains much information about our redemption. It should be of the utmost interest and concern to every person of what is said on this subject. The eternal destiny of each individual is determined, not only by their understanding of this matter, but also by their willingness to submit to the requirements made by God. Salvation is not just by grace, God also requires faith, and faith demands obedience (Eph. 2:8; James 2:24). The sphere of one?s redemption ? in him. The apostle had just revealed that every spiritual blessing one can have and enjoy was found in Christ (verse 3). If all spiritual blessings are in Christ, how many are outside of Him? None! It is only through Jesus that mankind can be saved. Peter said, ?Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved? (Acts 4:12). Notice how many times Paul uses the expression ?in Christ,? or some similar phrase in Ephesians 1 (vv. 1,3,4,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,15,20). We are not left to speculate or guess on how to get into Christ. The Bible gives us that important information. ?Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?? (Romans 6:3). The price paid for redemption ? His blood. This tells us that it cost Jesus His life. He willingly suffered and died so that you and I could live. What an incredible act of love and grace. Paul said, ?For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us? (Romans 5:7,8). Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). It took the blood of the sinless Son of God to redeem us from our iniquities. What a high price to pay. Clearly, this is an indication of how much God loves us and the value that is place on our souls. An explanation of redemption ? the forgiveness of sins. The word ?redemption? is defined as ?a releasing effected by payment of ransom; redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom; everywhere in the N. T. metaph., viz. deliverance affected through the death of Christ from the retributive wrath of a holy God and the merited penalty of sin? (Thayer?s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 65). Sin separates one from God (Isaiah 59:1,2). Paul, later in the book of Ephesians, reminded them of the fact they had been dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). For us to be set free from offenses of which we?re guilty, it required the death of Christ and the shed blood of the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The message to the Jews on Pentecost, ?Then Peter said to them, ?Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:38). No matter the sin, if one will believe and obey the Lord, he can be forgiven. The basis of redemption ? the riches of His grace. We certainly do not merit salvation. There is no way that we can earn our redemption. And we have no price with which to pay for even one sin that we have committed. It is by the grace of the Almighty Father in heaven that we can be the beneficiaries of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He does indeed require faith on our part. Yet even when we express our faith by obedience, if not for grace, we would still die lost. Notice in this verse that Paul used the word ?riches? to describe the grace of God. This means the abundance of that grace and goodness shown toward sinful men. What a truly amazing God that we serve. Want to be saved? Your redemption will be in Christ. He is the source of your salvation when you obey Him (Hebrews 5:8,9). Jimmy R. Mickells ____________________________________________________________ Diet Help Cheap Diet Help Tips. Click here. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=rp8rxRGijgGyC6rrhDgSUwAAJ1AqWLnxUT_Og0R1xxm43-TkAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYQAAAAAA= -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100209/394f18ee/attachment.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 10 02:20:48 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:20:48 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT Message-ID: <2313b.7c518af.38a3c660@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Wednesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT It was a dark and stormy night! How many times have you heard literary critics and English teachers ridicule that line as a means of introducing a story? But our focus today is upon a time that really was a dark and stormy night on the Sea of Galilee We find the account of this dark and stormy night in several passages of Scripture, primiarily in the Gospel Accounts: (Matt. 8:23-27; Lk. 8:22-25; Mk. 4:35-41). It is Mark's account that we will read at this time: "And the same day, when the even was come, He saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the ship. And there were also with Him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship. so that it was now full. And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. But the men marveled saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him? Don't you wish you could have been there? Two different words were used by the gospel writers to describe the storm that arose. Mark and Luke use the word lailaps. This is defined by Thayer as "never a single gust of wind, but a storm breaking from black thunderclouds in furious gusts, with floods of rain and throwing everything topsy-turvy." Matthew used seismas a word that can mean an earthquake, but is also a common word for a tempest with a storm of such volume causing a shaking or commotion. Both words are meant to emphasize the severity of the storm. The storm, which arose so quickly, raged about the small boat in which they were traveling. The apostles of Jesus, many of them experienced fishermen, feared for their lives. Yet in the midst of such a violent storm, Jesus slept. The apostles cried out, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" and "Lord, save us, we perish" and "Master, Master, we perish." I remember reading one man describe the apostles' reaction in the following way: What good is one's faith if he loses it instead of uses it? The storm blew their faith away for a while. If we can't lay hold of our faith when we need it most, hen what value is it? Jesus arose and said, "Peace, be still," and the wind subsid- ed and the sea became calm. The apostles said, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" I feel very privileged to be able to answer that question so many years later. This Man was Jesus, the Son of God. this was the One who said, "Let there be light" back in the days of creation, and there was light. The sea of life that I have sailed upon has not been without storms, adn if you are of any age at all, neither has yours. When the waves of despair and the winds of sorrow beat upon me at the death of my parents, the words, "Peace, be still" assumed a whole new meaning for me. I don't know what trials and difficult- ies you have faced and I don't know what may be causing tears to leave their traces on your cheeks, but I do know that whatever i is, as a faithful Christian the words of Jesus, "Peace, be still," can apply to whatever turmoil rages in your heart. One last point to consider, and I don't know if I thought of this myself or heard it somewhere else -- if even the wind and the sea obey Him, shouldn't we? ---- Greg Litmer in That Ye May Grow Thereby. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 10 02:20:54 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:20:54 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION (1) Message-ID: <2313c.6441029f.38a3c666@wmconnect.com> Brethrem and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the first installment of a study from my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND RE- JECTION (1). Heretofore we have reached the point in our survey of heav- en's plan for human redemption where it was presented for our acceptance or reprobation. There are but three conceivable re- actions anyone can exercise toward the proffered mercy of God as tendered by the Gospel. First, and happily, one may heartily accept by a full acquiescence and submission to the terms on which it is offered. Second, there may be an indifference born of apathy toward it which expresses itself in a passive rejection of the claims and appeals it presents. Third, and finally, there may be aroused an antipathy toward the Gospel which moves one, not only to reject it, but to assail and attack bitterly the Gospel system of truth, and, sometimes, personally those who espouse its claims. The second classification is the larger group numerically in our time, but in the period of the initial proclamation of the Gos- pel the other two group classifications were the more pronoun- cedly prominent. From the history of this movement, beginning with its inauguration to the close of the apostolic age, as related in the Book of Acts the reaction manifested by those to whom the Gospel was preached was a pronounced one of intense feel- ing generally of favor or disfavor, and rarely an attitude of uncon- cern and indifference. It could well be wished that such was characteristic of the public today toward the truth of the Gospel; this would tend to define the issues of life and death identified with the Gospel, and mark distinctly the differences between truth and error in the minds of people. Ours is a materialistic age, and is such because of the mater- ialistic mind which pervades society. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he we are told, and what is true of one is true of the many. We labor for the meat that perishes in preference to the desire to do the Father's Will, which the Master siad was His meat. We are more concerned with present security than eternal security and blessedness. Thus there is created an indifference toward the Gospel because of no desire for the blessings offer- ed through the Gospel. Consequently, in recognition of this con- dition and as a possible solution of the difficulties such presents some wish to attach to the Gospel appeal those elements of attraction and interest which are appealing to the fleshly mind. Such efforts shall but result in a carnalized Gospel, destitute of the power with which the original Gospel was invested, the pow- er of God unto salvation. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Feb 12 05:33:42 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:33:42 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER Message-ID: <1568.64a9f83f.38a69696@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Friday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is a quest- ion and answer from my files: QUESTION: -- Would you please explain Heb. 9:9,10; 10:47? Is it really true that there was no real forgiveness under the Law of Moses? ANSWER: -- There was the promise of forgiveness under the Law of Moses. And God keeps His promises. Note what is said in Heb. 10:23 "He is faithful that prom- ised." In Lev. 4:20 instructions are given to the priest regarding the offering for sin, with the promise: "And it shall be forgiven him." Solomon prayed to God and said, "When Thou hearest, forgive" (1 Kgs. 8:30). Over and over under the Law of Moses, Israel was thold what to do to seek God's forgiv- ness. And God promised to forgive them. God sent His Son into the world to become our sacrifice for sins. "For all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God set forth to be a propitiation, throu- gh faith, in His blood, to show His righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God" (Rom. 3:23-25). The Scripture speaks at length of that sac- rifice and what it accomplished for us: "Nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, entered in once for all into the holy place, having obtained eternal redem- ption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling them that have been defiled, sanctify unto the cleanness of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:12-14). Then the writer states, "All things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission...So Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many" (Heb. 9:22,28). But if the blood of Jesus Christ was necessary for the forgiv-eness of sins, what of those who lived and died under the Old Covenant, before Christ died? And what of the promises of God's forgiveness of them? The answer is found in the passage of the question given above, Heb. 9:9,10, "Which is a figure for the time present, according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshiper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformat- ion." So these sacrifices under the Old Law only "foreshadowed" the great sacrifice of Christ. They could not "make perfect" the worshipers. And again, "For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continual- ly, make perfect them that draw nigh...For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins" (Heb. 10:1- 4). All of these passages make it clear that without the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, upon the cross, there could be no forgiveness (or remission) of sins, under either the Old or the New Law. The sacrifices of the Old Law were "shadows" of the sacrifice of Christ -- that is, foretold by the prophets and typified that which was to come. But the blood of animals, which they offered for forgiveness, could not themselves, "take away sins" (Heb. 10:4). From what is said above, it should be obvious that the wors- hipers under the Old Law were promised the blessing of forgive- ness by doing what God required of them under that law. But ACTUAL forgiveness was dependent upon the shedding of the blood of Christ Jesus. "And for this cause He is the Mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the re- demption of the transgressions that were under the first coven- ant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Heb. 9:15). Notice that the blood of Jesus was shed to cleanse those who had lived under the Old Law as well as those who live under the New Law. Those who lived under the Old Law had the promise of God that they would be forgiven, and (Heb. 9:15) shows when and how that forgiveness came about. Having met the conditions God gave, they rested in His promise. In a sense, so do we. Our assurance that we are forgiven is found in His promises: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...Repent ye, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins...If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellow- ship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Jno. 1:7). Their forgiveness depended upon the blood of Jesus, and so does ours. But when they lived, the sacrifice of His blood was yet future. For us, the cleansing of His blood is a present reality. (When God makes a promise that certain things will take place, you can depend on that as though it had already happened. This is the case with the forgiveness of sins under both the Old and the New Laws. JWS). ------ Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes Vol. 59, No. 7, Feb. 12, 2010. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Feb 12 05:34:01 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:34:01 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION (3) Message-ID: <157b.78c1d87.38a696a9@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the third installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND RE- JECTION (3) Instances Of Gospel Acceptance (continued): -- Faith in Christ -- believing with all the heart that Jesus is the Christ was the inspir- ed preachers answer to this query, just how important is believ- ing in and obeying the requirements of the Law of Christ? So, it therefore follows that no one can be scripturally baptized with- out meeting fully the antecedent requirement of believing and repenting and confessing. The heart is the seat of reason, understanding and emotions as well as the volition fo man. To believe with all the heart would involve a full and responsive em- ployment of these several requirements in the light of all that is elsewhere expressly enjoined. It is feared all too often there is a lack on the part of many in meeting these conditions either in the total number or n sufficient degree respectively of each. There is a full and unreserved commitment of ourselves in the totality of our being, with every other interest and affection sub- ordinate and secondary thereto. While a wholesome regard for these prerequisites to baptism constitutes no absolute security against a subsequent apostasy by a convert, yet such does effect a decided reduction against the probabilities of apostasy. The instances of apostasy are suf-ficient to prove the possibility as well as the numerous writings about those Christians falling; yet the record of the gospel con- versions and growth of the church does not reveal the relative percentage of defections from the faith as is currently observed. The conversion of Cornelius affords one of the more conspi- cuous instances of the acceptance of the gospel of which we are informed. It is so from the distinguished character of this man, coupled with the unusually full account given us of the particulars, with the fact he was a Gentile. He has been often presented to audiences as a man of surpassing goodness of character by evangelists in our time, even though he was a sold- ier of the Roman army which position is regarded by many as incompatible with high moral or religious character. If he were a good man morally as a soldier before his conversion I am unable to see how such a relation would become immoral by his conversion. His benevolence toward the less fortunate and his devotion to God commends him to the consciences of all who admire these qualities of character. The good and honest heart of this man was not poisoned by prejudice, nor was it corrupted with an egotism of self-sufficiency and self-satisfaction. That opennes of mind was born of anxiety to be pleasing to God, and found expression in the avowed readiness to hear all things commanded of Peter from God. Was this man a true subject of the gospel? According to the reasoning of some he was not. In he estimation of the many he possessed a character before God and man which assures one of going to heaven. Was his relat- ion to God satisfactory, and was his worship pleasing to the Almighty? His sincerity of devotion and probity of conduct are unassailable by anyone. Even those who should know better have suggested he was not a sinner, and for that reason he was not commanded to repent. If so, I wonder why he was comman- ded to be baptized since both requirements are joined together as having the same design -- the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). But we are further informed by others he was not a sinner until he heard the gospel, and the hearing of the gospel constituted him a sinner rendering it necessary for him to then obey it to be saved. To this position there are several serious objections among whcih this shall be mentioned -- the Lord didn't so under- stand it for He told Cornelius to send for Peter who would tell him words whereby he and all his house should be saved. Too, Cornelius did not think he was saved for he immediately sent for Peter in response to this instruction. Finally it should be noted that this position would make the gospel the power unto damnation rather than the power unto salvation. Conversion signifies a change and this man needed to be changed from a state of guilt, whch created him an alien, to one of justification that established a relation of reconciliation and sonship to God. This was wrought by Christ through the gospel with Cornelius as well as all others who are responsive to it as was he. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From GLClair at aol.com Fri Feb 12 14:49:26 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:49:26 EST Subject: [Biblemat] News & Views from Cemetery Road church of Christ - February 2010 Message-ID: <11622.1660633c.38a718d6@aol.com> News and Views from Cemetery Road church of Christ Hilliard, Ohio ? February 2010 Editor: _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) The Great Hope of Humanity ?GOD? In the world today there are 6.9 Billion people living and seeking life, health, and prosperity. This large number of people consists of all nationalities, of many different positions on the ladder of success regarding food, clothing, income, and general quality of life. These people are diverse in many ways but there is one point where they mostly will agree; they desire a better and more abundant life and have a great desire to succeed in the living of life. The population of this planet has one hope that unites them; everyone has a desire for something better in a different life. You see; many people seek some form of divine aid; yet this seeking takes many forms and is pursued in many different ways as current and past history attest. The existence of many different religious movements in the world establish the fact that man is seeking God or some Supreme Being that will provide the hope that they cannot reach; they struggle but cannot attain happiness and contentment and many leave the world of the living with no hope; indeed, for that which they could not acquire during their lifetime. One of the amazing facts that man contends with in this present word is the multitude of religious movements; often teaching and worshipping a god in ways that are contrary to the way their neighbor seeks their god and the multiplicity of different religions only leads to confusion and doubt about the religious beliefs of millions of seekers today. Indeed, there is confusion on every side; consequently men are never serious about seeking the true God. You see; the true God is assessable by all who will seek Him in His Book (i.e. the Bible); Acts 17:24-30 - 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: KJV EXAMPLE: Many people today when youth is finally past began to seek meaning and their place in society and seek some form of provision. Many people leave high school and attend a college or university where they pursue a better life and a better resume hopeful of future work and opportunity to store-up funds for the better life and ultimately for the hope of a better and more productive life in the older years. Often this hope and expectation of better things does not work out; failure to learn and develop physically; health problems; family problems (divorce; death, disabled children); loss of loved ones that leave a devastating mental burden to bear; and many other obstacles in life that hinder and make the hope and desire of an earlier time seem impossible to attain. REMEMBER THIS: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:1 - 7 truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 8 but if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity. 9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. 10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiastes 12 - 1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shall say, I have no pleasure in them; KJV --- Death will come eventually to all living; therefore remember the instructions from Solomon here in Ecclesiastes. This example is similar to the religious life many people live who have hope of gaining the rewards of God; someday (Mark 10:17-21). Many of these have seen the need to serve God; and have started a life on the narrow path (Matt 7:13-14 - 13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. KJV) - but hardship of health, unhappiness in marriage and family cares; plus the stresses of a difficult work place and a desire for things that is greater than their income; brings distress and distress brings discouragement and discouragement brings depression and depression cause them to abandon their hope for heaven (Ps. 55:22 - Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. NIV) Indeed, many people have disappointments and calamity in their lives; yet they do continue to survive and they do continue to accomplish great things in life. This is also true of the Christian who understands and places God? s things first in their lives. The Christian who succeeds in attaining a happy resurrection will abide within the instructions of Almighty God via the Holy Scriptures. Do you follow God?s instructions? SURELY YOU KNOW THAT YOU OUGHT! Glc --- Friday, February 5, 2010 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100212/b1c52a20/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Fri Feb 12 15:08:27 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:08:27 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Teaching Article - PERSONAL WORK PRIMER Message-ID: <125d2.4017a815.38a71d4b@aol.com> NOTE FROM GLC The following material may be put into Power Point with great ease. I have used the material here in Hilliard, OH with good interest and encouragement. When I present the material I prepare class handouts of the complete study. ==================================================== PERSONAL WORK PRIMER PERSONAL WORK PRIMER This study deals with that part of the Christian?s relationship to other people. As the Christian interacts with others there will arise opportunities to encourage the person to pursue the lifestyle discussed in the New Testament (i.e. the lifestyle of the dedicated Christian). In this study may we look at the concept of personal evangelism, the dialogue and deportment of the Christian while discussing Bible matters. Our study today is not lengthy or is it all consuming but it gives us an idea of how and where to start with a discussion about Bible matters. [1] LAY THE FOUNDATION OF BIBLICAL AUTHORITY Establish with the person the authority of the BIBLE, Make sure that before you leave this first point of discussion you have established with the student the absolute reliability and accuracy of the Bible as a guide in all spiritual matters. Make sure that the student is aware of the many different translations of the Bible and make sure that the student knows the reasons why some translations of the Bible are inaccurate. [2] WE LIVE UNDER THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION TODAY: In this part of the study show that the Bible is divided into two parts the Old and the New Testament. Next - Show the three dispensations that are found in the Bible: 1-The Patriarchal ? from Adam to Moses 2-The Law of Moses ? From Mount Sinai to Acts 2 3- The Christian dispensations from Acts 2 until the second return of Christ [3] THE BIBLE LEADS US TO THE N. T. FOR GOD'S PLAN FOR MANKIND TODAY: In this part of your study show that the Patriarchal and the Law of Moses no longer are binding upon mankind. Show that the law of Christ or the Christian dispensation is now the method through which man is reconciled to God. Show that the establishment of the church (i.e. the Kingdom of God) was established in Jerusalem according to Acts 2:1-47. Finally in this session show that the Lord added the saved to the church for the first time in Acts 2:47. [4] HOW CHRIST RELATES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHURCH: Show that Christ died for the church - Acts 20:28 - Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. KJV Show that Christ loves the church ? Eph. 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; KJV Show that Christ is an advocate for the Christian - 1 John 2:1 - My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: KJV Show that Christ will save the church ? Eph. 5:23 - For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. KJV [5] WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED FOR MAN'S SALVATION FROM SIN? 1-God provides an acceptable sacrifice (i.e. Christ) ? Heb. 7:27 - Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. KJV 2-God provides grace (i.e. unmerited favor) ? Titus 2:11-12 - 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; KJV 3-God provides acceptance of the repented sinner - Acts 11:18 - When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. KJV [6] WHAT MAN CONTRIBUTES TO HIS SALVATION {1} 1-One hears the gospel - Rom 10:17, "So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." ASV 2-One then believes the gospel - Rom 10:17 - "So belief (cometh) of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." 3-One then repents of past sin - Acts 2:38 ? 4-One Confesses Christ - Rom. 10:9-10 ? 9 because if thou shall confess with thy mouth Jesus (as) Lord, and shall believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ASV 5-One is then Baptized - Acts 2:38 ? [7] WHEN MAN COMPLIES WITH THE DIVINE CONDITIONS FOR SALVATION FROM SIN, HE IS ADDED TO THE CHURCH BY JESUS CHRIST: Acts 2:47 Praising God, and having favored with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. KJV [8[AFTER BECOMING A CHRISTIAN, ONE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH: Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shall suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 1 Cor. 4:2 - Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 2 Tim. 2:11-13 - 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. KJV _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) Wednesday, February 10, 2010 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100212/f0bcfb6c/attachment-0001.html From ChurchmouseJD at netscape.com Fri Feb 12 16:40:13 2010 From: ChurchmouseJD at netscape.com (ChurchmouseJD at netscape.com) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:40:13 -0800 Subject: [Biblemat] preacher's site>inquiry Message-ID: <20100212144013.B5C31FC4@resin15.mta.everyone.net> An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100212/f00e104a/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Sat Feb 13 03:51:11 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:51:11 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN Message-ID: <882.73897c19.38a7d00f@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, JIm Sasser here. A very good Saturday morn- ing to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: GOD HAS SPOKEN A newspaper article reported Catholic efforts in prayers for unity among all "Christians." Of course, their desire is that all peope be unified under the authority of the pope and the rest of the Catholic hierarchy. If that were God's plan, the appeal would be praiseworthy. However, there are several reasons that such unity cannot be acceptable to God. True and proper unity must be based exclusively upon the Holy Scriptures. Jesus' prayer in Jno. 17 is that all of His discip- les may be "one as He and the Father are one." Teachings and practices derived from and based upon papal decrees and Cath- olic Church councils are not within the scope of Christ's reveal- ed authorization. When we read, understand, and apply the New Testament's teaching, we will be united with all others who read, understand, and apply New Testament teaching to their lives. One who obeys the Gospel of Christ does not thus become a Catholic; he becomes a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). One can be a faithful, fully supplied follower of Christ without ever hearing of the Catholic Church. Submission to papal authority is unacceptable for several reasons. First, the papacy itself is not Scriptural. Second, the hierarchy of the Catholic Church is not Scriptural. Third, the doctrines of the Catholic Church are, for the most part, unscript- ural. The deification of Mary, the veneration of "saints," the re- quirements of Catholic "sainthood," the elevation of human trad- itions to the position of authorized religious practices, and many other false teachings are all reasons that Christian unity cannot be based on Catholicism. God's Word is truth (Jno. 17:17). Christians live by that truth (Jno. 8:31,32). Truth has been revealed in the Scriptures so that people can obey it (Rom. 1:5). We need to pray that people may have opportunity to hear the truth, that they will understand and obey it, and live by its standard alone. This is the only basis of true Scruptural unity. --------- Gilbert Alexander. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Sat Feb 13 03:51:19 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:51:19 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION (4) Message-ID: <886.1e7ae07f.38a7d017@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the fourth installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND RE- JECTION (4) Instances Of Gospel Acceptance: (continued): -- Perhaps the most inveterate enemy of Christ who ever became obedient to Him was Saul of Tarsus. Appraised with respect to morality and integrity of conscience he presents as admirable a character as Cornelius, yet many regard him an evil man prior to his convers- ion. Whatever evil attached to him was not moral evil, nor was it designed and intentional on his part. Yet it was a most vicious and reprehensible form of evil; it was a devotion to error, and such devotion as prompted a persecution of the adherents of truth. Saul was one of those of whom the Lord spoke predictive- ly when He told His disciples that the time would come when those who would deliver them up to be tried and even put to death would think in so doing they were doing God service. He verily thought he should do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which things he did even to imprisoning both men and women. He was a blasphemer and persecutor and an injurious person, withal maintaining a conscience appro- batory of this course. However, when apprized of the true person of Jesus, his atti- tude was immediately and radically changed -- not with respect to right per se, but with respect to what was right. His capitulat- ion was full and unreserved: he sought to know what the Lord would have him do, and forthwith responded to the directive to go into the city where it would be told him that which he must do. There was no hesitation or recourse to consultation with flesh and blood. He was entering Damascus, not further to pers- ecute Christ but in the throes of remorse and pentetential angui- sh before the Lord. With unquestioning faith and sincere pentit- ence he heard Ananias tell him not to tarry but to arise and be baptized and wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord. His subsequent life is an abiding testimonial of the validity and integrity of hsi conversion. ---- (More will be posted on this subject Monday, the Lord willing, JWS). From wswalker310 at juno.com Fri Feb 12 19:34:23 2010 From: wswalker310 at juno.com (Wayne S Walker) Date: Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:34:23 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] hymn study, "Beyond the Gates" Message-ID: <20100213.083848.1408.2.wswalker310@juno.com> Week of 2/13/10 Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study. HYMN OF THE WEEK Weekly hymn studies ?BEYOND THE GATES? ? For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed? (Rom. 13:11) INTRO.: A song which looks forward to that time when we receive the eternal salvation of our souls promised by God to His people is ?Beyond the Gates? (#16 in Songs of the Church). The text was written and the tune was composed both by Rupert Cravens (1911-1983). I have not been able to find much of any information about this individual. The song was copyrighted in 1949 by James D. Vaughan Music Publisher, in their book Gospel Echoes, and after the copyright was renewed in 1977 it was owned by Spirit Sound Music Group. I did find that in the obituary of ?Rev. Christopher C. Knippers,? 76, a retired minister of the Church of the Nazarene, Sabine Parish, LA, in the Sabine Index, of Many, LA., on Apr 1, 1966, it is said that ?Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon, March 13, at the First Church of the Nazarene in Lawrenceburg [TN], with the pastor, the Rev. E. J. Osborne, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Rupert Cravens, with burial in Mimosa Cemetery in Lawrenceburg.? Another song, ?Are You Telling the Story,? with words by Jennie Wilson and music by Cravens, copyrighted in 1965 by M. Lynwood Smith Publications, was used in the 1978 Hymns of Praise edited by Reuel Lemmons and published by The Firm Foundation Publishing House of Austin, TX. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord?s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, ?Beyond the Gates? may currently be found in Songs of the Church, in addition to the 2007 Sacred Songs of the Church edited by William D. Jeffcoat and the 2009 Favorite Songs of the Church edited by Robert J. Taylor Jr. The song encourages us to think about the joys and blessings awaiting us in heaven. I. Stanza 1 reminds us that life is fleeting ?Beyond the gates of life so fleeting, There is for us a better home, A place where peace shall reign forever, And sighs and tears shall never come.? A. Life is fleeting, like a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away: Jas. 4:14 B. However, God has prepared for His people a better home: Heb. 11:16 C. It is a place where sighs and tears shall never come: Rev. 21:4 II. Stanza 2 reminds us that there will be no sorrow in heaven ?Beyond the gates, beyond all sorrow, Beyond the cares of earth?s vain store, We?ll have new joy beyond expression; Glad praise we?ll sing on heaven?s shore.? A. In heaven there will be no sorrow because death will then have been destroyed: 1 Cor. 15:26 B. We shall be beyond the cares of earth?s vain store since the earth and all of its works for which people labor with such care will have been burned up: 2 Pet. 3:10 C. Then we shall have new joy as we join with the redeemed of all ages to sing glad praise on heaven?s shore: Rev. 14:1-3 III. Stanza 3 reminds us that heaven will be a place of reunion ?Beyond the gates of all sad partings, Where grief and pain our hearts make sore, We?ll meet again our own dear loved ones, And see their welcome smiles once more.? A. There will be no partings, with their grief and pain, in heaven because there the righteous will enjoy eternal life: 1 Jn. 2:25 B. When Jesus comes, the dead will be raised and the living will be changed so that we shall meet again our own dear loved ones: 1 Cor. 15:52 C. Thus, we shall see their welcome smiles once more and with them ever be with the Lord: 1 Thess. 4:16-17 IV. Stanza 4 reminds us that we shall be in Jesus?s likeness ?Beyond the gates in Jesus? likeness, Forevermore, we shall live on; I want to meet you, Christian brother. I?ll look for you when morn shall dawn.? A. When the Lord returns, we shall be like Him: 1 Jn. 3:1-3 B. Again, we shall live on forevermore then because we shall have everlasting life: Matt. 25:46 C. Also, we should strive to help others meet us there by teaching them the gospel of Christ which is God?s power to salvation: Rom. 1:16 CONCL.: The chorus continues to emphasize the life immortal that we shall gain in that home on life?s fair morning. ?Beyond the gates, beyond the sunset, New life immortal for us waits; We?ll be at home on life?s fair morning, Beyond the gates, beyond the gates.? While we have many responsibilities here on earth, the truth is that our physical lives are intended primarily as times of preparation for what lies ?Beyond the Gates.? Brotherly, Wayne S. Walker 503 S. Jefferson St. Salem, IL 62881 home phone: (618) 548-6286 cell phone: (618) 292-2694 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 I have a Hymn Studies blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . In addition, 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. ____________________________________________________________ Get Free Email with Video Mail & Video Chat! http://www.juno.com/freeemail?refcd=JUTAGOUT1FREM0210 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100212/7e25cd7b/attachment-0001.html From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Feb 13 10:08:02 2010 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 10:08:02 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 005 Iss 007 Message-ID: <36DDC565EA4B4A4B91957C90B1882CA2@seansdesk> The Messenger 2010 Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 005::ISSUE 007: February 14, 2010 This Week's Article: Discovering Selflessness Introduction: The determining factor in our successful bonding as a family will come down to our willingness as individuals to look beyond self. Paul, in his discussion of brotherly love, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, tells us in verse 5, that one who practices brotherly love does not seek their own. This is the character of selflessness. It is important to have a sense of purpose and fulfillment in this life. In Christ we have both purpose to accomplish and fulfillment through the accomplishment of our given purpose. So we are set out on a search for greater commitment. We must be committed to doing God's will; committed to becoming a better servant; and committed to discovering the blessings of selflessness. Please read on and consider in more details some examples of selflessness so that we might determine how we can become selfless. Willing to Live the Paradox Today's world provides plenty of motivation for not trusting others and focusing on self. This pollution must be blocked from our hearts-since it is not the way of Christ. Jesus, in Matthew 10:39, teaches this great paradox: "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." To find fulfillment in one's self, one must deny self (Matthew 16:24)-this is the only way we find the true blessings of selflessness. We will never be benefitted as well if we resist God and focus on self. Paul is an example of this selfless living. He willingly persevered through great punishments for the gospel cause (2 Corinthians 11:22-27). Paul faced these challenges-come what may-because he knew the greater need beyond self (Romans 8:18; 2 Timothy 1:11-12). His motivation was not glory for self; it was for God and for us as Christians that he gave of self. The greatest example of selflessness is undeniably Jesus. We certainly understand His commitment to the Father (John 4:34; 5:30; 6:38). It is clear that even in the face of threat and harm Jesus denied self for something greater-He remained committed to God (1 Peter 2:20-23). Paul declares the extent of Christ's selflessness-even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:1-8). All of this for others not Himself (Romans 5:6-11) We Must First Be Committed to God As we continue to dig deeper we become aware of the brethren in Macedonia as an example of selflessness (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). Paul speaks of their generosity-they were willing to give beyond their ability (v. 3). Paul provides one point of background information to explain their zeal--they "first gave themselves to God" (2 Corinthians 8:5). When we get our hearts right with God we will gain the proper perspective toward all of our relationships. Paul clearly demonstrates a proper attitude toward self. We see this when we think about his expression of selflessness in Galatians 2:20. There he says, "No longer I who live but Christ lives in me". Then he commends selflessness to all of us in Colossians 3:1-4 where he says that we should give up the pursuits of this life's lust and focus on "Christ who is our life". When we live with a focus on pleasing God we will have a different view of selflessness. Our new perspective enables us to fulfill our role in practicing God's will. We will more eagerly work toward meeting the needs of our brethren (Ephesians 4:13-16) and our fellow man (Mark 16:15-16). We Must Be Willing to Serve In meeting the needs of brethren and others we must know that selfless servitude is a requirement of our role. Both as Christians (Matthew 16:24) personally, and as brothers or sisters in Christ mutually (Romans 12:9-15) we need to be servants. We have been blessed with fellow Christians who have set this example for us. Consider Epaphroditus who was such a servant (Philippians 2:25-30). He was willing to give, nearly to the extent of His life, for the furtherance of the gospel. Then also the three men whom Paul considers "sons". Timothy was a servant to the church; a willing minister of God's word (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Titus diligently served the Lord and the brethren-building them up and ensuring their complete scriptural organization-(Titus 1:4-5). Onesimus diligently served Paul while in prison (Philemon 10-13). Service is the way of selflessness--it is not easy but it is essential (1 Peter 5:6). Conclusion: The determining factor in our successful bonding as a family will come down to our willingness as individuals to look beyond self. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 tells us that one who practices brotherly love does not seek their own--this is the character of selflessness. With hearts determined to take on selflessness. We will have a greater commitment to God's will. We will become a better servant. We will discover greater blessings. To become a Christian is an act of selflessness. We must admit our need and look to some One greater to supply and we must humbly accept His supply. Are you ready to find the true fulfillment of a greater purpose in life? The secret of success is selflessness. ~tss If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward this copy to them and send their email address and I will add them to the list. Sean -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/a447d00f/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 3445 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/a447d00f/attachment-0002.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 7811 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/a447d00f/attachment-0003.gif From terrywbenton at bellsouth.net Sat Feb 13 15:55:27 2010 From: terrywbenton at bellsouth.net (Terry W. Benton) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:55:27 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] The Land of Israel Promise: Did it happen yet? Message-ID: <54786FEAABC54543B0C7108AAA72ED9D@TerryPC> The Land of Israel Promise: Did it happen yet? Premillenialists say that there are promises that Israel will go back to the physical land of Israel and get it back. Some think that it has mostly been fulfilled starting in 1948-49 when Israel was declared a separate nation again. It is interesting to watch the Premillenialists make his predictions about Israel. Meanwhile the Dome of the Rock, a Muslim holy place, still stands where the temple once stood and Israel is helpless to take it over. I think the promises of the land need to be revisited. So, let us look at the key passages in Ezekiel about the land of Israel. Ezek 11:17-21 17 Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord God : "I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel."' I'm convinced that the land of Israel is the heavenly land of the spiritual Israel. The term "Israel" was given when Jacob wrestled with God's Angel. It meant "successful wrestler with God". He was blessed because he wanted the blessing enough to wrestle with God for it. True Israel is the people who wrestled with God (Rom.2:28), desiring, wanting, and demanding (not willing to be deprived, and so insisting and appealing) to have His blessings. Those blessings, all of them, are in Christ (Eph.1:3). God began gathering His Israel into that land beginning in Acts 2. He gathered 3,000 on Pentecost and then thousands and thousands were added to the church daily. They were standing on a Rock (Matt.16:18), the Holy Ground of the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.1:3). They had come to the mountain that cannot be touched. They had come to heavenly Jerusalem, to the real Mount Zion, to an innumerable company, the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven - Heb.12:22-24. He has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph.1:3). He has raised us up together to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph.2:6). The Israel of God is the people in relationship with God in Christ. The land is the Rock on which we stand and grow and live (Matt.16:13-18; 7:23-24). 18 And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. 19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them,* and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord God . NKJV TB: Notice that even Ezekiel tells of the land where they will return is a place where they will "walk in My statutes". Those in Christ have one heart (1 Cor.1:10), and that is to do the will of God. Later, Ezekiel describes this land a little more: Ezek 34:13-16 13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. 15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord God . 16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.KJV Notice that in the land God had in mind He would be feeding them in "good pasture". Jesus is the Good Shepherd who feeds us in good pastures. It is in the HIGH mountains of Israel (people of God) is where the folds will be. The church is that exalted house in the high mountains of the true Israel of God. (Isaiah 2:1-4; 1 Tim.3:15). So, what land, and what high mountains? It is where God's house is (the church), and it is where we can be fed with God's judgment. The food is spiritual food, and the land where it is found is in a spiritual domain. It is truly our own land, and rivers of living water run here. But, let us consider more of what Ezekiel said about this land. Ezek 36:24-28 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.KJV Notice that when they come into their own land, it will be when God also sprinkles them with clean water. Heb. 10:22 addresses Hebrew people who have had their "hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water". So, Paul was writing to Jews who were living in their own land (the heavenly land, the Rock on which they stood and fed and obtained a clean conscience, in Christ Jesus). So, Ezekiel's prophesy is finding fulfillment in Christ. Where did Ezekiel say they would walk? "In My statutes". Jesus said to "dwell in Him" (John 15:1-6). That is land , an abiding place, a territory upon which to live and walk, and it speaks of the true Israel of God. What else did Ezekiel say about that land? Ezek 37:12-14 12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God ; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And ye shall know that I am the Lord , when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the Lord have spoken it, and performed it, saith the Lord .KJV Jesus spoke of two resurrections in John 5:24-29. He said the hour was coming when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and will live (v.25). Here He speaks of the resurrection from spiritual death. Some people are dead while the live physically. He said don't be surprised that He could do that because the day was also coming in which ALL that are in their graves would come forth literally (v.28).The 3,000 Jews on Pentecost were dead while they lived in the flesh. They heard Jesus' voice and came forth from the grave of condemnation and unbelief and they began to live. But, that was also when they would be brought to the the land of Israel. What land is that? It is the spiritual land of safety in Christ Jesus. You can't point to it on the map. The kingdom of God is not here, nor there, but is within. God placed His spirit in those 3,000 who heard the word and obeyed the gospel and they lived and were brought into the true land of Israel. This is where his people still take their stand on the solid Rock, and where they are fed abundantly with pleasant pastures and drink living water. Ezek 37:21-27 21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God ; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: 22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God. 24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. 26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.KJV Now notice the things Ezekiel is told about God's people in their own land. They would be cleansed. Jesus has done that. David will be king. Jesus is the anti-type of David. Jesus is David's Son, and the true King over the true Israel. Ezekiel was not speaking of literal David, but the greater David, Jesus Christ. Jesus is King and Prince for ever NOW. We have the covenant of peace NOW. We have the everlasting covenant NOW. God has placed us in our land. His tabernacle is here NOW (Eph.2:19-21; Heb.9:11). His tabernacle is with us NOW in Christ. So, the tabernacle is not made with hands, and the place where it stands is in the true Israel, not a physical location on a physical map, but the spiritual ground on which their faithful fathers had stood in relationship to God. The church is the spiritual Israel gathered in there own safe land. Notice again that Paul wrote to the HEBREWS about our High Priest, the "true tabernacle"(8:2), and a "better covenant"(8:6) and "new covenant"(9:15). Notice also that the Hebrews were told that while Abraham "sojourned" in the land of promise, he was really "waiting for the city that has foundations", whose builder and maker is God.(11:9,10). He said all the fathers of Israel confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth and declared plainly that "they seek a homeland"(13-14). They were looking for a better "heavenly country"(16). He tells them that they HAVE COME to the mountain that cannot be touched (12:18,22). It is a land that "cannot be shaken"(27). So, the land of Israel that was promised is in the heavenly places in Christ. It stands on the solid Rock of conviction in Jesus Christ the Son of God. So, once again, we cannot grant that God has yet a future plan for national Israel. They are simply not His people. The Israel God wants all people to bless is the church of Christ. The true Israel has indeed come into their own land. We wait to be delivered back to the Father where there is no competition with the cares of this world and where death will have finally ended (1 Cor.15:23-26). Here we have no continuing city, so we seek one to come (Heb.13:14). It is where Christ, our forerunner has entered for us, into the Presence behind the veil (Heb.6:19-20). Terry W. Benton www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/aef50465/attachment-0001.html From robertwater at gmail.com Sat Feb 13 17:18:04 2010 From: robertwater at gmail.com (Robert Waters) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:18:04 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] A) A REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT RELIGION Message-ID: *A REVIVAL OF AN ANCIENT RELIGION* Almost daily we are bombarded with dire warnings of "Global warming." Industry is shackled by the demands of environmentalists who use the courts and elected officials to forbid logging, mining, drilling for oil, building of dams. Farmers are denied water to irrigate their crops, the housing industry is crippled, etc., etc. You may think, this has nothing to do with religion but you are mistaken. Under the term "religion," Webster has "A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices... a cause, principles or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith." Under "religious" Webster adds, "of or relating to the divine or that which is held to be of ultimate importance." It is a mistake to limit "religion" in your thinking to Christianity, Judaism, etc. There are pagan religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that attribute spiritual power to things of nature. There is the ancient pagan worship of Nature that flourished in the ancient civilizations of Europe. Even atheists and various kinds of sceptics can be found in these latter groups. Thus a man who denies God, hates churches and rejects the Bible can be a zealous practitioner of religion with Nature as its First Cause. Many zealots of the modern environmental movement reveal by their words and deeds that their Cause has indeed become their religion. Syndicated columnist, Michael Barone, spotlights the religious aspect of the Environmental Movement in a recent article. He begins by observing, "They have distorted science in the interest of something that resembles religious dogma. "The secular religion of global warming has all the elements of a religious faith: original sin (we are polluting the planet), ritual (separate your waste for recycling), redemption (renounce economic growth) and the sale of indulgences (carbon offsets). We are told we must have faith (all argument must end, as Al Gore likes to say) and must persecute heretics. "People in the grip of such a religious frenzy evidently feel justified in lying, concealing good evidence and plucking bad evidence from whatever flimsy source may be at hand." (Science Corrupted by Climate Fanatics, Arizona Republic, Feb. 7, 2010). Nature Worship was the essence of the religion of the pre-Christian Celts of Europe and Great Britain. They attributed personality and spiritual force to trees, streams, mountains, rocks and animals and worshiped them. Interestingly, while they worshiped these inanimate objects, they oppressed, made war on and enslaved their human neighbors. In its youth, those who embraced Christianity saw and rejected the folly of the old paganism with its worship of nature. Eventually nature worship ceased to be accepted save by few eccentrics who were viewed as insane or witches. With the birth of what is called New-Age religion, we see a revival of the ancient paganism. To make it appear more respectable and to beguile prospects, its leaders have wrapped the their New-Ageism in Christian terminology. This blending of paganism and Christianity we call syncretism. New-Ageism and extreme Environmentalism branches of the same tree. Today, this ancient paganism is taught in our universities, promoted by our government, glorified by our media and accepted by many liberal denominational bodies as respectable. Add to this religious zealotry, the ever-present lust for money and power which accrue to leaders of religious cults and you will have the motivation that drives many of the environmental extremists of our day. They promote their cause with evangelistic zeal. If they cannot convert you they will coerce you by laws they can get passed, by punitive law suites or by intimidation and harassment. Some grow rich while doing so! Every Christian should respect the earth as the handiwork of Jehovah (Gen. 1:1). They should never wantonly destroy the creatures God placed on the earth with us. Yet, they should not feel guilty in using the resources of the earth for their lawful benefit. We use the trees to build our homes. We mine the depths of the earth for minerals with which to supply our needs. We use the power of rivers to provide energy and for irrigation. We farm the earth for our food. We use some creatures of the earth for food and for their skins. God made man to have dominion over the earth (Gen. 1:28). These are gifts He has provided us. We utilize the natural resources as good stewards of God's creation (I Pet. 4:10). When we hear the unreasonable, irrational claims and demands of the environmentalists, we should remember the Nature worship that underlies them. We should not allow them to deceive us or to control our lives. -John Waddey -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/37cb1b35/attachment-0001.html From crxtra at gmail.com Sat Feb 13 17:19:14 2010 From: crxtra at gmail.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:19:14 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> The Spiritual Focus of the Church Message-ID: <000001caad02$f6fc4c30$e4f4e490$@com> The Spiritual Focus of the Church Many religious errors exist simply because men do not comprehend the spiritual nature of the Lord's kingdom, the church. Some religious organizations, in fact, teach that Christ came to set up an earthly kingdom but, because He was rejected by the Jews, chose instead to establish the church [dispensational premillennialism]. Those who do so are demonstrating a willful ignorance of Scripture that teaches us the church is, in fact, what Christ came to establish and that He never intended His kingdom to be earthly, or material, in nature (cf. John 18:36). Even when directly asked by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom would come, Jesus pointed them to the spiritual nature of it when He answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you" (Luke 17:20, 21). When John the Baptist was preparing the way of the Lord, it is said that he preached, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" (Matt. 3:2), and Jesus delivered that same message when He began preaching and teaching (cf. Matt. 4:17). If we honestly consider the meaning of the phrase "at hand" as it is used in that context [and other passages, such as 2nd Tim. 4:6 and Rev. 22:10], we can understand that John and Jesus spoke of something that would occur soon - not in 2000+ years! Jesus also plainly said, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power" (Mark 9:1). Now, did that happen, or are there some really old people somewhere on this earth? Logic would lead us to conclude that the events of which Jesus spoke happened within the normal lifetime of those standing there when He spoke those words; if that did not happen, then Jesus was a liar, but if it did happen [and the Bible teaches that it did], why do some still await the kingdom? The simple answer is, some still preach about or are waiting for this earthly kingdom of Jesus because they misunderstand - just like the Pharisees - the nature of the kingdom, the church. It is frustrating to hear professing believers talk anxiously about the fact that they await the "coming kingdom" of Jesus, but it is not a new thing. At the end of Jesus' time on earth - right before He ascended back into heaven - He was asked by the ones closest to Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). It seems that many disciples (Luke 24:21) and even the apostles misunderstood the nature of His kingdom - until the Holy Spirit later revealed to the apostles more fully the plan of God and an understanding of why Christ had come to earth; when that was revealed to them, they correctly preached that Jesus had already received the kingdom and was already sitting on the throne, in heaven, not Jerusalem (cf. Acts 2:30-36). It is possible that this misunderstanding of the nature of Christ's kingdom has caused many to see the work of the church in a material [rather than spiritual] way, focusing on physical and material needs, rather than the spiritual needs, of those who profess to be seeking and/or following Christ. Some, apparently, believe that it is the primary duty of the church [either on a local or a universal sense] to take care of the physical, material needs of anyone and everyone, but what does the Scripture say? Is it the primary task of the church [whether on a local or universal sense] to look out for these needs, or is it something else - something vastly more important? To fully and properly answer the question, we must first take a look at the work and words of our Lord and Savior, our Master, Jesus Christ, whom we claim to follow and whose life ours should imitate (Matt. 10:24, 25). We also must consider what is said in Scripture about the church [the body of believers] and how they are viewed by God. Combining these two things, we may understand what should be the primary focus of the church, the body of believers - the saved. First, let us note that Jesus plainly told us He "came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10). Scripture also tells us God "sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1st John 4:10). From just these two passages, we can clearly see the primary purpose of Jesus coming to this earth was to save us from our sins and to remove God's anger from us, who were all guilty of sin. Let us note that He was not sent to earth to remove all physical pains, cure all those who were sick, to ease all political tensions, to bring justice to everyone who had been wronged, or to feed all who were hungry. His primary reason for coming to earth was to die for our sins and offer salvation to all men. But let us also note that while this was His primary purpose, he did do more than just die for our sins. We read of many occasions where Jesus did feed the hungry (Matt. 14:13-21), did heal many who were sick (Matt. 8:16), did chastise those who oppressed the poor (Matt. 23:14), and He urged His followers to consider the needs of others as a way of life (Matt. 5:42). Certainly, the teachings of Jesus point all disciples to a life of service to others and selflessness, and when we do what we should be doing, as His disciples, then God will be glorified (Matt. 5:16). Let us note that these expectations and commands are directed at us, individually, and not as the collective body we know as the church. We will be judged as individuals for having done or not done these things, not as a church. Consider also how God views the church, the body of believers and all those who are true disciples of Jesus Christ. First, let us note that God's people are supposed to be spiritual people; Paul chastised the Corinthians for being too spiritually immature and acting rather as carnal, fleshly people instead (1st Cor. 3:1-4). The people of God are to also be considered a spiritual house, or dwelling place. Peter said we "are being built up a spiritual house.to offer up spiritual sacrifices" (1st Pet. 2:5). It is not a material dwelling place, it is not materially- and earthly-minded, but spiritual in nature and in focus. Paul called us "a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:21-22). When we consider further that His house is identified as the church (1st Tim. 3:15), we must admit and confess that the church itself is spiritual in nature. Its focus is spiritual because its nature is spiritual. When we also consider that our blessings are spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), that our worship must be in spirit (John 4:24), and that our fight is a spiritual fight (Eph. 6:11-13; 2nd Cor. 10:3-6), surely we must admit that the church [that is, the body of believers], by God's design, is spiritual in nature and, thus, should have a spiritual focus. Churches - or even individual disciples - that forget this and begin focusing on material matters have strayed from their primary focus and are no longer doing the work God intended, no matter how sincere or well-intended the effort. So, does the church, then, have no consideration whatsoever for material, physical things? Do disciples or churches ignore or simply "pass by on the other side" when they see a physical need? Of course not, but we must do all things according to the pattern God has given us. Local churches can take an active role in benevolence, helping out its own where they were (Acts 2:44, 45; 4:32-35; 6:1-6) and to saints in other locations (Acts 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25-27), and individual Christians must help when able (1st John 3:17; Matt. 5:42). There are some things the body of believers [the church] may do as a collective body in a particular location and some things individual disciples must do, and each must do its part that the other is not taking on the responsibility of the other (1st Tim. 5:16). But these things are not the primary focus of either the individual disciple or the church [whether in a local sense, or talking about "the church" as inclusive of all believers]. While we must certainly be compassionate and caring and willing to look out for the interests of others (Phlp. 2:4) and be concerned for their physical needs, we should care most of all for their souls - their spiritual needs. When Jesus came to this earth, He came to save us from our sins - not so He could make this world a better place so we can live here without fear of harm, poverty, sickness, or even death. Let us, as God's people, be caring enough to help others whenever we have opportunity because the world must see the love of God in us that He may be glorified; but let us also love others enough to act with the greatest concern for lost souls and their spiritual condition. Even if we fed the world, eradicated poverty, healed all diseases, ensured justice for all, and guaranteed the safety and earthly happiness of all men, without the gospel message, they would still be lost in sin. Let's focus! -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/e3c266f7/attachment-0001.html From ronmilliner at yahoo.com Sat Feb 13 21:07:34 2010 From: ronmilliner at yahoo.com (Ron Milliner) Date: Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:07:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biblemat] February Issue of Nation Watcher Message-ID: <753434.41349.qm@web65414.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> The February issue of Nation Watcher is available at: www.nationwatcher.com Ron -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100213/2623bdab/attachment-0001.html From richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com Sun Feb 14 20:04:16 2010 From: richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2010 19:04:16 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (2/14/10) Message-ID: <001b01caade3$8c39a550$a4aceff0$@dot5hosting.com> San Juan Logo PNG.png Walking in the Light ?Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path? (Psalm 119:105) February 14, 2010 www.thetfordcountry.com --- INFORMATION Walking in the Light is published each week by Richard Thetford. You are encouraged to visit the web site at www.thetfordcountry.com and then click on ?Richard?s Home Page? to view numerous sermons, articles, radio program scripts, class material and other information. If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to ?Walking in the Light,? please send their name and e-mail address to richard at thetfordcountry.com. In addition, if you want to advertise for ?churches looking for preachers? and ?preachers looking for churches,? go to www.thetfordcountry.com and click on the appropriate link. Fill out the easy form and your listing will be uploaded to the web site within 48 hours (usually the same day). --- CONTENTS ?Singing to Praise God? (Richard Thetford) ?Salvation is a Process? (Matthew H. Allen) ?The Bigness of Forgiveness? (Selected) ?Praying for Patience? (Selected) SENTENCE SERMONS --- SINGING TO PRAISE GOD Richard Thetford Do you enjoy singing praises to God? Singing is a required and important part of our worship to God. It is through the praises that we sing that we get the opportunity to teach and admonish one another. Paul wrote: ?Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord? (Col 3:16). When God?s Word dwells within us RICHLY, we will express our joy to God in the teaching and admonishing of one another in song! We know that we are not to entertain men with our singing, but rather we are commanded to sing to praise God. The Hebrew writer said: ?I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You? (Hebrews 2:12). When we sing to God we must sing with the spirit and understanding. Paul wrote to the Corinthian brethren and said to them: ?What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding? (1 Corinthians 14:15). We must also sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16). Singing is a vital part of our worship to God. When we sing praises to God with the proper spirit and understanding, with grace in our heart, then our song service will be joyful, meaningful, and able to teach and admonish one another. But if we don?t have the proper attitude and prepare ourselves to sing to God, then our song service will be dull and not able to lift each other up. Let?s all strive to prepare ourselves to give God and each other our very best in our song service! --- SALVATION IS A PROCESS Matthew H. Allen Have you ever thought about the number of terms associated with salvation? When we speak of salvation, we are referring to a process by which mankind is delivered from eternal punishment in hell. ?Redemption,? ?sanctification,? and ?justification? all describe different aspects of salvation. In scripture, salvation is described as a process. When a person is convicted by the gospel, realizes their condition outside of Christ, and moves to respond to God?s terms of grace, scripture says they are saved. We might refer to this part of salvation as ?deliverance.? When we respond with faith, repentance, confession, and baptism, God delivers us from the grasp and ownership of Satan. Not only have Christians been delivered or ransomed from their former trespasses and sins, but they continue to be saved while anticipating the final reward of heaven. We are preserved for salvation on the final day as long as we are committed to working out our salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). While we live in this life, we are being sanctified. Sanctification is the process of becoming holy, 1 Peter 1:15-16. It is time spent in living for God, being completely dedicated to Him, where we are transformed and renewed into God?s kind of person (Romans 12:1-2). During this time, we do not remain sinless, but upon realization of sinful activity, we have the responsibility to confess and seek forgiveness from God (1 John 1:8-10). Finally, the scriptures also speak of a future salvation. This is the future deliverance of believers at the end of time. Peter writes about a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:5). This salvation can be viewed as a future deliverance from the wrath of God, which will be executed on the ungodly at the end of the age (1 Thessalonians 1:10). It is also interesting to study how the Holy Spirit uses the word redemption to describe what will happen at the return of Christ. In Romans 8:23, Paul writes: ?And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.? What does Paul mean by ?the redemption of our body?? At the return of Jesus Christ, our bodies will be freed from their physical limitations. We will put on a spiritual body and become as He is (1 John 3:12). The Christian can trust in God to be raised to his salvation...or life eternal! This hope is through Christ. Paul taught that it is Jesus who was given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God?s own possession, to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:14). --- THE BIGNESS OF FORGIVENESS Selected IT IS: ?Understanding ? ?Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.? (Luke 23:34) ?Merciful ? ?Then the Lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.? (Matthew 18:27) ?Forgetful ? ?And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.? (Hebrews 10:17) ?Numberless ? ?How oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Not until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.? (Matthew 18:21-22) ?Helpful like the sandal tree that perfumes the axe that lays it low ? ?Bless them that curse you, and do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.? (Matthew 5:44) ?God-like ? ?For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive.? (Psalms 86:5) ? From the book: Making the Most of Life (Leroy Brownlow) --- PRAYING FOR PATIENCE Selected A young man visited an aged saint and asked him to pray that as a young man he might become more patient. The older man agreed to pray. The two knelt together. The older man of God began to pray: ?Lord, send this young man tribulation in the morning, and send him tribulation in the afternoon, and tribulation in the evening ? The young man nudged the elder, saying, ?No, not tribulation, patience!? ?But,? said the old saint, ?It is tribulation that works patience.? That?s what the Bible tells us. ?If you would know patience, you must have tribulation? (Rom 5:3). --- SENTENCE SERMONS Christ did not come to make life easy, but to make men great. He who is poor in faith will bankrupt hereafter. What a person does is the result of what a person is. A truth worth uttering is a truth worth remembering. The gem can not be polished without friction, nor man without adversity. The best thing to do with evil is to overcome it with good. --- SERMONS Does Everyone Have a Right to His Own Belief? (with PPT Charts) www.thetfordcountry.com --- cid:image003.gif at 01C9DCB3.EEF5E980 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 626-5558 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org MEETING TIMES Sunday Bible Study .........10:00 A.M. Morning Worship 11:00 A.M. Afternoon Worship 2:00 P.M. Wednesday Bible Study .. .. 6:30 P.M. (No Wednesday night Bible study November ? February) Evangelist/Editor Richard Thetford Home: (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... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9271 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100214/d4dfd535/attachment-0003.gif From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 15 06:12:41 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:12:41 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND REJECTION (5) Message-ID: <1917.2f16dbf3.38aa9439@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the fifth installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN ITS ACCEPTANCE AND RE- JECTION (5) Instances Of Gospel Rejection And Opposition: -- The interest created by the healing of the lame man presented a great oppor- tunity to preach Christ to a large and attentive audience. While many of them which heard believed, the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees were grieved that they taught through Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Growing out of this conflict, with the threatenings and brief imprisonment of the apostles, opposition reached the point where the reaction to the gospel became criminal. In Acts 5:33 we read that: "When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them." On Pentecost they too were cut to the heart with the same teaching and they cried out: "What shall we do?" but not so on this occasion. The Same word was preached in both instances, and in both occas- ions, the world reached the heart of the hearers. In neither instance was a spirit of disinterestedness manifested, but a most intense concern was displayed by both groups. The react- ion, however, was of contrary extremes; and the explanation is found to be in the different condition and attitude of the hearts respectively pierced by the same Word of God. In this latter case the gospel exerted no molifying influence to melt their hearts in pentitence, but rather further excited through the help of the prejudiced condition of their hearts the evil passions of hate adn violence. They took cousel to slay these men solely because they were preaching that which was contrary to their own religious philosophy and constituted an indictment of them as sinners. Truly then is the gospel of Christ a savor of life unto life and death unto death. The fury of the enemies of righteousness reached the ultima- te in the death of Stephen, who had charged them with always resisting the Holy Spirit as had their fathers before them in ston- ing the prophets and killing those who were sent unto them. In- timidation through threats having failed to disuade the apostles from preaching in the name of Christ violence became the final resort. the truth of the gospel is incorruptible and therefore im- perishable -- and consequently eternal. A failure to recognize the truth through partisan prejudice led to a vain and persistent effort to destroy it in destroying its adherents and advocates. Christians were pursued even unto strange cities by blind zeal- ots of error bent on exterminating Christianity if at all possible. The cause of truth continued, however, to grow and prospel des- pite all the opposition it encountered. But all to whom it was pre- sented did not yield to its demands and respond to its appeal. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS), From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 15 06:12:35 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:12:35 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) FOUL LANGUAGE: A SIGN OF THE TIMES Message-ID: <190e.556b6e80.38aa9433@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Monday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an artic- le from my files: FOUL LANGUAGE: A SIGN OF THE TIMES I was ten years old in 1982 when I went and saw Steven Spielberg's science fiction blockbuster, E.T. It was the first time I remember hearing foul language. To make matters worse, it was a teenager in the movie that said it. While I was shocked, my parents were horrified. Over the past 25 years, however, its use has beome commonplace. Every language -- ancient or modern -- has a list of "bad" words. Typically, these are slang terms or racial slurs that are intended to offend and malign. An arsenal of physical gestures is also available to the would-be hurler of insults. As American culture grows increasingly godless and decad- ent, public standards have been lowered consistently. It's almost laughable to hear about the firestorm created over Clark Gable's use of a curse word in the final scene of the 1939 movie, Gone With The Wind. Television today regularly uses foul language during prime time. Last generation's programs have been replaced by sit- comes that push the envelope. Today's plots are packed with promiscuity and perversion. The hip-hop movement is perhaps the greatest media influ- ence on America's demoralization. Rappers such as Snoop Dog, 50 Cent, and Akon are young men who, while in their 20's made millions of dollars by spewing filth-ridden lyrics. They have influenced an entire generation of young people. Their variety of hip-hop-Gangsta rap-glorifies profanity, violence, promiscuity and drug use. Know That It's Wrong: -- The Christian is not to use foul langua- ge. Because "Your life is hidden with Christ, in God." Paul says, you must "put off filthy language out of your mouth" (Col. 3:18). He also says we should -- "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Eph. 4: 29). Words that are putrid (Col. 3:8) and rotten (Eph. 4:29; 5:4) are unfit for the mouth of a Christian. Even euphemistic alternat- ives are unacceptable for those who profess godliness. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Even an occasional curse word is a peek at a soul that is grappling with serious moral issues. When we consume verbal and visual garbage, it corrupts our hearts and finds expression in our actions. Be An Example: -- The first curse word or abscenity is hard to utter -- but then it gets easier. Eventually, like the Israelites of old, we will forget how to blush (Jer. 6:15). Children first learn from their parents what is right and wrong. It is not enough for us to tell them: "adults can talk like this, but kids can't." It is not enough to ask them to "do as I say, not as I do." It is not enough to say, "You know, I only use that word when I get really angry." Your example is too powerful. >From you they learn what is acceptable behavior -- including hy- pocrisy. Check Up On Your Kids: -- My wife, Melanie, is a school teacher. Recently, at a school function, an edited version of a popular song blared through the loud speakers. But the kids knew the words, and so they sang them anyway. Children as young as 11 and 12 years of age sang their hearts out each time the pro- fane-laden chorus was repeated. Check your child's ipod. Do you know what songs they are downloading and listening to through their earphones? Check the ring tones on their cell phones, too. If they are keeping com- pany with the likes of Eminem, Homer Simpson and Paris Hilton, then they will be corrupted by them (1 Cor. 15:33). And while you're at it, remember to monitor the movies they go see, too. Spend time with your children. The breakdown in the family is the number one reason for the corruption of American culture and morals. You can't be responsible for everyone else's moral education, but you are responsible for your children's Bible bas- ed upbringing. Since I Was Ten Years Old: -- I have, unfortunately, heard more foul language. As our society has become increasingly desensi- tized by popular music, movies and most TV programs, including news and sports, I hear people using foul language in public places like Wal-Mart. My daughter is now ten yours old. But while I can't change the world for her, I can teach her that we are living in a world that is not our home. Ultimately, we don't belong here because "our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior" (Phil. 3:20). ------ Marc Hinds in The Gospel Power, Vol. 17, No. 1, Jan. 2010. From gregsmith104 at hotmail.com Mon Feb 15 07:28:50 2010 From: gregsmith104 at hotmail.com (GREG SMITH) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 07:28:50 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] War Question Message-ID: Can a government wage war? Why or why not? Can a christian participate in war? Why or why not? Can a christian be a police officer? Why or why not? I am involved with 4 other brethren in a discussion and would like some additional thoughts or the benefits of others study on these matters? Please respond privately. Thanks in advance. Greg _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/201469228/direct/01/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100215/d0b6643f/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Mon Feb 15 08:49:06 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:49:06 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Article 1 - Broken and damaged Families ... Message-ID: <5377.26471d8e.38aab8e2@aol.com> Broken and Damaged Families May be Corrected By Following God?s Family Values Number 1 INTRODUCTION TO STUDY The following study will involve several submissions to Bible mat as well as to my personal files. I will provide the continuation as practical. Whenever all of the submissions have been received they may be put into a spiral bound booklet study guide for Bible class use. --- _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) Many people are born into families that have long been poor and left to themselves for generations. Many people worldwide fall into this category; that is also true of many families in America today. In many families over time; social diseases, crimes against others that are week and against those that are followers of and have pursued Godliness increases due to a lack of education and resources. The problem that we mention is complicated; yes but many of the problems that families face are by-products of living without any consideration for God and the things that Godliness brings to each family and each member of the families that pursue God and the lifestyle God reveals via His Book (i.e. the Bible). In the following study please examine the facts that I have assembled from a lifetime of observation and faithfulness to God?s instructions. GOD'S FAMILY VALUES Garreth L. Clair One of the great problems to social betterment and a return to reason in America and the rest of this world have to do with the re-establishment of God's Family Values. Recently I observed the following quotation in a national publication that ask the question "Who's Family Values?" Indeed, one person's family values are as good as another person's opinions about family values. The issue is not anarchy that currently exists with regard to family values but what God has assigned for the family unit that HE has brought about and that HE approves. You see, "it is not in man that lives to direct his own steps" as the prophet of old has so well stated. Only God knows what kind of Family Values will accomplish the good needed to build happy and healthy (i.e., in mind and body) family units. Those happy and healthy family units that God approves are then the force that will build healthy and happy nations and honorable and just governments. As long as men and women disregard the instructions from the Creator, we can expect the moral and ethical circumstance in our nation and the world to continue. The only salvation for mankind in the coming years will be a return to God's Family Values that are revealed in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Before you dismiss this introduction to our continuing dialogue relating to family values and accepted lifestyles according to God's written Word please read Romans 1:16-32 very carefully TEXT FOLLOWS: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness; 19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, (even) his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves: 25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due. 28 And even as they refused to have God in (their) knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: 32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them. ASV) _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) --- Monday, February 15, 2010 Part Number 2 Will follow soon ... -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100215/63fa8592/attachment-0001.html From jmickells at juno.com Tue Feb 16 11:35:48 2010 From: jmickells at juno.com (Jimmy R Mickells) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:35:48 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Old Way Isn't Only Way Message-ID: <20100216.113548.2936.8.jmickells@juno.com> ?Old Way Isn?t The Only Way? The words above are the title of an article recently written in The Tennessean newspaper in Nashville, Tennessee (Sunday January 31, 2010). It discussed a number of things related to doctrinal practices among churches of Christ. The writer said, ?Since the late 1800?s, Churches of Christ, one of Tennessee?s largest faith groups, have believed their approach to church ? singing without instruments in worship, interpreting the Bible literally, taking Communion weekly and banning women from church leadership ? was God?s way.? It was further stated, ?In recent years, congregations like Otter Creek have adopted a more progressive view of their faith. They?ve added instruments to church services on Sunday nights and during the week.? The use of instrumental music in worship service was the main point discussed in this story. The real issue is does one have Bible authority for the use of instrumental music in worship service unto the Lord? We can?t serve God just anyway we desire and still please Him. In the conversation Jesus had with the Samaritan woman in John 4, He said, ?But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth? (vv. 23 & 24). Our worship must be from the heart and according to the truth. If it lacks either of these elements, it would not be acceptable to Him. There are three ways to establish and apply Bible authority; by a statement or a direct command, an approved apostolic example, or by something being implied from the text. Please carefully consider this controversy (instrumental music) to see if the use of such in our worship service is authorized by God. Can we establish from the New Testament that the early church was sanctioned to use such? Can we find a statement or a command for the use of a piano, organ, or even a five piece band (which some are using today)? If it is there, I have never read it. That was one thing conspicuously absent from this article in The Tennessean, no Scripture cited for the use of such. I find a number of verses that command us to sing. Look at Ephesians 5:19, ?speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.? Here is a list of other New Testament verses that mention singing, Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13; Revelation 5:9; 14:3; and 15:3. Is there an example of a New Testament church that ever used an instrument as they worshipped God in song? Not that I have read about! The church at Colosse was instructed to, ?Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord? (Colossians 3:16). They were told what to sing, psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; admonished how to sing, with grace in their hearts. Not only was their song service to be directed toward the Lord, it was also to teach and encourage one another. When examining the New Testament, is there a passage that would imply the instrument is authorized? Where would it be? Some contend the word ?melody? (Greek ? Psallo) used in Ephesians 5:19 implies the use of the instrument. W. E. Vine defines this word as, ?primarily to twitch, twang, then, to play a stringed instrument with the fingers, and hence in the Septuagint, to sing with a harp, sing psalms, denotes in the New Testament, to sing a hymn, sing praise; in Ephesians 5:19, ?making melody?? (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 740). Thayer, in his Lexicon, gives a very similar definition to this word. Those at Ephesus were told what to pluck or twang; it was the heart strings as they sung those psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the Lord. In the New Testament it simply meant to sing, not to play. Adam Clark, a Methodist preacher and writer of Clark?s Commentary, said, ?Music, as a science, I esteem and admire: but instruments of music in the house of God I abominate and abhor? (Clark?s Commentary Vol. IV, p. 684). Charles Spurgeon, a famous Baptist preacher, was quoted as saying, ?I would as soon attempt to pray to God with machinery as to sing to Him with machinery.? You can see from these quotes that even those among some of the largest denominations in our nation, in days gone by, rejected the use of instrumental music in worship service. Why? Do you think they recognized there was no Biblical authority for such? I believe so! The use of instruments in our worship, is it progressive or digressive? It might be progressive in the eyes of men, but it is digressive in the eyes of God. We better be concerned about pleasing God, not others. Paul said, ?For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ? (Galatians 1:10). Jimmy R. Mickells ____________________________________________________________ Banking Click here to find the perfect banking opportunity! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/c?cp=RvpwTGSxtSfIWWC5sZzYuAAAJ1AqWLnxUT_Og0R1xxm43-TkAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAXeAAAAAA= -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100216/eb4b0282/attachment-0001.html From tthornhill06 at yahoo.com Tue Feb 16 15:55:22 2010 From: tthornhill06 at yahoo.com (Tom Thornhill) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:55:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biblemat] Request: Info on church problems Message-ID: <844664.79891.qm@web50902.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Greetings Brethren, I have a request for whatever materials or recommended resources you might have on dealing with problems among brethren. I have begun a series of lessons to remind us of steps we can take to prevent and deal with problems. It will be a detailed and lengthy study. Secondary to the Bible, one of my resources is a book by E. Glen Barnhart, "attitudes and reactions to congregational problems" (Florida College Bookstore), but I am looking for other SOUND material (i.e. I don't want the stuff that tells us to compromise doctrinal differences) to add to my studies. Thanks in advance, as always. Here is my introductory remarks to this series to give you an idea of what I am looking for. I will post these lessons as they are presented from time to time. And eventually, they will make it to our website, www.roseavenue.org, Lesson number 1 is in another post. Thanks again Tom Thornhill Jr. 562-867-4416 (home) 562-833-8730 (cell) Bellflower, CA 90706 Sunday, February 14, 2010 pm ?Can?t We All Just Get Along?? The title of this lesson is a phrase that became popular a few years ago based upon divided reactions to the way someone was treated. It has become the mantra of so many who want to see unity. And honestly, it ought to be the desire of everyone that we can all just get along. However, what is usually meant when this saying is used is a call to set aside differences for the sake of unity. In other words, it is a call to COMPROMISE. While such may be acceptable and even preferred in the secular world, when it comes to serving God we CANNOT just set aside the clear teachings of the Bible for the sake of unity. Compromise of doctrine is unacceptable to God. It always has been and always will be. BUT, that does not change the fact that God wants us to be united. He wants us to get along with one another. NO where is that more true than in the local church! In fact, it is KEY to long term survival and doctrinal soundness. It is the key to peace. Sadly, unity is lacking in many local churches. When there is division and strife in the Lord?s church things are NOT as they ought to be. And, without exception, when such attitudes exist, brethren are NOT acting like they ought to. SOMEONE is sinning and often everyone involved has some fault in the issues at hand. Do you ever wonder why brethren can?t get along? Why is it that some divisions seem to be inevitable? The broad answer is one of three options: 1) We don?t know everything the Bible tells us about unity; or 2) We do know what the Bible says but we THINK that our circumstance is the exception and thus we seek to justify setting aside the Biblical pattern for unity and dealing with problems. 3) We do know what the Bible says but we don't care and are going to do what we want anyway. It is with this in mind that I want to begin an ongoing study of Biblical unity and how to deal with problems in our midst. From time to time, throughout this year we are going to be addressing the elements of Biblical unity. These include: ? What is TRUE Biblical unity? ? What is fellowship? (We are brethren) ? Godly attitudes that promote unity (love, humility, patience, etc.) ? Ungodly attitudes that destroy unity (selfishness, pride, bitterness, envy, stubbornness, etc.) ? The need for self-examination (Am I a part of the problem? Am I a part of the solution?) ? The need for forgiveness when I am wronged ? Controlling the tongue! (How many problems are caused or made worse by what we say?) ? It?s not about me (the importance of thinking about my brethren) ? How to treat each other as brethren ? How to go to one who you believe to be in error or that you have a problem with ? How to respond when someone comes to you with a problem ? Matters of Christian liberty (When can we differ?) ? Discussing doctrinal differences ? Dealing with divisive brethren -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100216/5b6fb9f7/attachment-0001.html From tthornhill06 at yahoo.com Tue Feb 16 15:57:54 2010 From: tthornhill06 at yahoo.com (Tom Thornhill) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:57:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biblemat] Sermon: Can't We All Just Get Along? (1) Message-ID: <996507.3176.qm@web50901.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Brethren, Here is lesson 1 of an ongoing study. The outline is detailed. Lessons will be presented about once a month unless I see a need to increase the time frame. Tom Thornhill Jr www.roseavenue.org Sunday, February 14, 2010 pm ?Can?t We All Just Get Along?? The title of this lesson is a phrase that became popular a few years ago based upon divided reactions to the way someone was treated. It has become the mantra of so many who want to see unity. And honestly, it ought to be the desire of everyone that we can all just get along. However, what is usually meant when this saying is used is a call to set aside differences for the sake of unity. In other words, it is a call to COMPROMISE. While such may be acceptable and even preferred in the secular world, when it comes to serving God we CANNOT just set aside the clear teachings of the Bible for the sake of unity. Compromise of doctrine is unacceptable to God. It always has been and always will be. BUT, that does not change the fact that God wants us to be united. He wants us to get along with one another. NO where is that more true than in the local church! In fact, it is KEY to long term survival and doctrinal soundness. It is the key to peace. Sadly, unity is lacking in many local churches. When there is division and strife in the Lord?s church things are NOT as they ought to be. And, without exception, when such attitudes exist, brethren are NOT acting like they ought to. SOMEONE is sinning and often everyone involved has some fault in the issues at hand. Do you ever wonder why brethren can?t get along? Why is it that some divisions seem to be inevitable? The broad answer is one of two options: 1) We don?t know everything the Bible tells us about unity; or 2) We do know what the Bible says but we THINK that our circumstance is the exception and thus we seek to justify setting aside the Biblical pattern for unity and dealing with problems. 3) WE do know what the Bible says but we don?t care and intend to do what we want anyway. It is with this in mind that I want to begin an ongoing study of Biblical unity and how to deal with problems in our midst. From time to time, throughout this year we are going to be addressing the elements of Biblical unity. These include: ? What is TRUE Biblical unity? ? What is fellowship? (We are brethren) ? Godly attitudes that promote unity (love, humility, patience, etc.) ? Ungodly attitudes that destroy unity (selfishness, pride, bitterness, envy, stubbornness, etc.) ? The need for self-examination (Am I a part of the problem? Am I a part of the solution?) ? The need for forgiveness when I am wronged ? Controlling the tongue! (How many problems are caused or made worse by what we say?) ? It?s not about me (the importance of thinking about my brethren) ? How to treat each other as brethren ? How to go to one who you believe to be in error or that you have a problem with ? How to respond when someone comes to you with a problem ? Matters of Christian liberty (When can we differ?) ? Discussing doctrinal differences ? Dealing with divisive brethren Like so many topics we discuss, many of these subjects are not new, but we all need to be reminded of these things as we strive to be the true church that Jesus prayed for and shed His blood to purchase. Doctrinal soundness is important when it comes to being the church of Christ we read of in the New Testament (and we understand this), but SO IS the attitude we ought to have toward one another. In many ways, the latter will have greater impact on our ability to reach those within our community, because the way we treat each other is what they will observe first. So let us begin this important study that can affect the future of this congregation AND our individual souls as well. In our lesson today, by way of introduction, I want to begin by noting 5 things necessary for TRUE Biblical unity! I. The need for unity! a. John 17:20-21? our Lord?s prayer before His betrayal and crucifixion was one of true unity. He prayed, ?I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.? Be reminded again of the degree to which He desired unity among us ? ?as You, Father are in Me??John 13:35 (NKJV) b. John 13:35? ?By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.? c. Philippians 2:1?4 , ?Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.? d. Ephesians 4:1-3, ?I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.? e. 1 Corinthians 1:10, ?Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.? f. Many more verses could be added to these AND these are worthy of further examination. We will address them in more detail in our next lesson. II. Necessary steps to achieve Biblical unity If we are to achieve godly unity and get along with one another as we ought to, there are some key elements that are necessary at the foundation of our discussion. These are elements that are non-negotiable in reaching our goals. To set aside any one of them could derail the process. 1. Respect for God?s word a. We are interested in TRUE unity. That means we must respect His standard. The reason there is so much religious division in the world today is a failure to respect His standard. b. The same is TRUE in our midst. Where there is division, SOMEONE has failed to respect God?s instructions! c. We understand the need to apply God?s word in doctrinal matters! We demand ?book, chapter and verse? for the work, worship, organization and teachings of the church, and rightly so. Do not His instructions also apply to our attitudes and actions toward one another? d. Psalm 119:105, ?Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.? e. 2 Pet. 1:2-4, His divine power has given to us ?all things that pertain to life and godliness.? f. In God?s word, we find the Christian attitude, the ungodly attitude, the call for unity, the sin of division, examples to follow and to avoid, how to deal with problems and every other aspect of this subject. The question is WILL WE RESPECT WHAT HE SAYS? g. Psalm 119:11, ?Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.? h. Don?t think beyond what is written! (1 Cor. 4:6) Don?t add to it or take away from it (Rev. 22:18-19). 2. Honesty ? a. This is another key element to unity. So often unity cannot be reached and problems cannot be solved because we are not completely honest in our dealings. What do I mean by this? Rather than approaching an issue with complete honesty we tend to twist the events in our favor. When we veer from straightforward answers to our problems and begin attacking the one who brings it to our attention, are we being completely honest? When we begin making excuses to justify or WEAKEN the seriousness of our errors are we being totally honest? When we fail to tell the WHOLE story are we being honest? When we seek to blame others to mask our weaknesses and problems are we being totally honest? b. If you want REAL and lasting unity with your brethren, it will begin with YOUR honesty! I will say again, where there is division, envy and strife, I will GUARANTEE that someone is not being totally honest! And it has to begin with ME! I have to do my part before I even start to think about the other person. Consider Matthew 7:1-5 where Jesus spoke of judging one another. This text is a used DISHONESTLY by many to get out of making tough decisions and to accuse others who call their actions and motives into question. However, there is a TRUTH in this text we MUST face: Read Matthew 7:3?5 says, ?And why do you look at the speck in your brother?s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ?Let me remove the speck from your eye?; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother?s eye.? NOTICE how before you even begin to deal with your brother?s fault, you have to FIRST be honest with yourself! c. 2 Peter 1:5, ?But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge?? Notice at the founding of building on our faith is VIRTUE! It is the Greek word ARETE which means, ?moral excellence? (Vine?s). The word that comes to my mind is integrity! If we don?t have integrity we will probably not be totally upfront as we deal with problems with ourselves and our brethren. d. Proverbs 20:7 says, ?The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.? e. As we study about dealing with problems we need an open mind. That will only be there if we are TRULY honest! 3. Prayer ? a. One thing that can help us resolve problems is beseeching the help of God. b. We cannot overemphasize the importance of prayer in our lives. c. James 1:5says, ?If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.? d. James 5:16 says, ?The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.? e. Philippians 4:6-7,?Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.? f. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our cares upon Him because He cares for you g. Let us appeal to God in our prayersto help us open our minds to what He tells us in His word! Pray that He will help us to be totally honest as we confront our problems with ourselves and with one another. Pray for wisdom as study and seek to properly apply His word. Pray for His help for us to be honest to ACCEPT what we can change! Pray that we will have proper attitudes toward one another. Pray for unity! 4. Humility before God a. Like integrity, we need humility before Him. While this will be dealt with more extensively at another time, it is mentioned here because it is a pivotal attitude to resolving conflict and coming face to face with our own faults and failures. b. How many problems could be almost instantly resolved if we possessed a humble spirit? How many problems are caused or made worse because of arrogant pride? How many passages of scripture are ignored or twisted because of sinful pride? c. Romans 12:3 says, ?For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.? d. Romans 12:16, ?Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.? e. 1 Corinthians 13:4, ?Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;? f. 1 Peter 5:6, ?Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,? g. IF everyone would possess a humble spirit, there is no telling what problems could be resolved. 5. Spiritual maturity a. The final element we want to notice tonight is spiritual maturity. Countless problems go unresolved or become worse simply because we refuse to grow up! We fail to come face to face with the REAL issues behind our own problems because we are spiritual babes. b. Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:11 said, ?When I became a man I put away childish things.? Yes he was talking about the cessation of spiritual gifts, but it was based upon a life changing principle. Paul said he needed to GROW UP! c. Hebrews 5:12-14points out how we need to reach a point of spiritual maturity so that we can ?by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.? d. 2 Peter 1:5-11 describes the ?Christian graces? ? faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. It also what we will be like if we fully develop these in our lives. With maturity we will be able to ?never stumble?. e. 1 Corinthians 3:1-2finds Paul describing brethren who were divided and consuming one another. He said, ?And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ?I am of Paul,? and another, ?I am of Apollos,? are you not carnal?? Paul was telling the, GROW UP! f. Brethren: Dealing with problems requires maturity. That is why leaders have to demonstrate a good measure of it. It takes maturity to be humble and honest. It takes maturity to admit faults and do the difficult and often painful things. It takes maturity to want what God wants for me more than what I want for myself. It takes maturity to think about others more than yourself. It takes maturity to understand and be willing to dig deeper to find answers in God?s word. g. May we all seek to grow up spiritually. IF we do, there is no telling what we can accomplish. And thus we can see some elements that are necessary to promote true unity and deal forthrightly and completely with whatever problems we have with ourselves and with one another. It is my prayer that this study will make me a better person and preacher and that it will draw us closer to one another as the Lord?s church here in Bellflower. Ultimately, may it draw us closer to God! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100216/bd72828e/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 17 05:24:41 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:24:41 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) SMILE, YOU'RE ON CANDID CHURCH Message-ID: <18b7.15b21c03.38ad2bf9@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Wednesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: SMILE, YOU'RE ON CANDID CHURCH We Sometimes Say: "It'd Be Funny, If It Weren't So Serious." Judah's King Jehoshaphat asked Israel's King Ahab: "Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of him?" Ahab replied, "There is still one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he does not prophe- sy good concerning me, but evil" (1 Kgs. 22:7,8). What are we in this "Following the Lord" business for any- way? If God's man is blunt, straightforward, and often hurtful in the things he demands, what are we to do? Pack up our things and head for home? It'd be funny, if it wasn't so serious. A new church forming in our area sends out an advertise- ment proclaiming a "non-juidgmental atmosphere," in order to attract new-comers. So what does that mean? In such a place will one ever hear the truth preached? Will someone ever hear the Word of God pressed home in its searing honesty? If we preach the truth of the Bible, we are going to hurt peo- ple's feelings. We are going to step on toes. We are going to proclaim the fact of sin in the lives of everyone, thus the fact of guilt. And with guilt comes shame. And with shame, hopefully,the sorrow of repentance. Truth will cause people to feel bad before truth can offer the pardon that makes them feel good. Truth sifts people. It judges right from wrong. The sad reality is that a lot of Ahabs still abide in the world: "That preacher never says anything good about me and I hate him for it." It'd be funny, if it weren't so serious. John A. Broadus tells the story of his being a student at the University of Virginia. Trying to convert a friend of his, he wrote him a note in Greek: Hen se hysterei (one thing you lack). They are words of Jesus in Mk. 10:21 addressed to the rich, young ruler -- a religious, moral man who was blissfully unaware of the idol he worshipped. Broadus' plea to his friend won the day. It was not said in rancor, or delivered in spite. But it was blunt. And it was true. And it winged its way to its mark, hitting the bulls-eye. Why are we in this "following the Lord" business anyway? Are we being candid with ourselves? Can we stomach the frank- ness of the Word of God? It'd be funny, if it weren't so serious. --------- Chuck Durham, in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 12, Dec. 2008. (Adapted from Dade Ralph Davis, The Wisdom And The Folly, pg. 321). From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 17 05:24:50 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:24:50 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" (1) Message-ID: <18bd.787cec82.38ad2c02@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the first installment of this particular study under this heading. Use to the glory of God. "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" (1) "THERE IS ONE BODY" : -- As the apostle Paul wrote to the Eph- esians, he was imprisoned by the Romans. From a long distan- ce away, he writes to the Ephesians, telling them to be walk wort-hy of the calling by which they were called. They were to do this by being united in the teaching of the Gospel (Eph. 4:1-3). He lists seven things by which and in which they could and should be united. He says: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all Who isover all and throu- gh all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6). In this first study we will be focus- ing on the one Body. If you read the Book of Acts, you will not find different kinds of churches. There was only one. In the first century there was no concept of denominations. There was no sense that believ- ers could divide into smaller sects and teach and worship differ- ent things in different ways. All of these were foreign to the early church. Paul's argument to the Ephesians is simple. Get along and remain united, because, there is only one body you can be- long to. Some today object to this, claiming the many choices of churches is a good thing. But what does the New Testament say about the matter? What Does Jesus Say About The Matter? -- Jesus prayed to His Father that His followers might be one as He and His Father are one. (Jno. 17:20,21). However, even earlier He had taught His disciples that He was going to create one body out of the many disciples, diverse individuals, "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own, and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold, I must bring them in also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall be- come one flock with one shepherd" (Jno. 10:14-16). Here Jesus is talking about uniting both Jew and Gentile into one body, the church, whereby all would be a part of the saved, the one body of Christ. Jesus makes two important points relating to this body, this church: Jesus Is The One Who Saves, Not We, Ourselves: -- Jesus would lay down His life for the sheep. The sheep would respond to His sacrifice by following His voice, His leading. This tells us that Jesus was the source of salvation for His peo- ple. Therefore, it is Jesus who said: "I will build My church" (Matt. 16:18). And, it was the Lord Who "was adding to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). The bottom line is that it is the Lord Who saves, the Lord who builds His church, the Lord Who adds us to His church, when we obey the first principles of the oracles of God. That is why Paul could speak of one body. Jesus built one church and adds all the sav- ed to that one church or body. (So, the church, the body of Christ, is made up of all the individuals that have obeyed the Gospel, and thereby have been added by the Lord to His body, JWS), Jesus Calls Us Into That One Body That He Purchased With His Own Blood: -- Acts 20:28. Jesus says that His followers will be- come one flock with one shepherd. He woud bring people who were not in covenant relationship with God, (the Gentiles) and join them to those who were in covenant relationship with God, (the Jews) into a new fellowship that would supercede all the old divisions that were prevalent at the time. When we think we can start new churches, with new names and new actions, we are leading people away from the flock Jesus created. What Do The Apostles Say About This Matter? -- In a lengthy passage, Paul talks of this process of bringing different groups (Jews and Gentiles) together into the One church. He says: "Therefore remember, that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh who are called 'Uncircumcision' by the so-called 'Circumcision,' which is performed in the flesh by human hands -- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and were without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and hath broken down the barrier of the dividing wall (the law of Moses) by abolishing in His flesh the enemity, which is the Law of Commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make of the two one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enemity 'And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in the one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and pro- phets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stond, in Whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in Whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit" (Eph. 2:11-22). Paul tells us three things about the one body. (We will continue this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS), From GLClair at aol.com Wed Feb 17 06:48:09 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:48:09 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Article - Broken and Damaged Families May be Corrected... Message-ID: <2cff.344c69f7.38ad3f89@aol.com> Broken and Damaged Families May be Corrected By Following God?s Family Values Biblemat - Number 3 ========================================= "GOD'S FAMILY VALUES" -- LESSON 2 I. THE FAMILY UNIT: At the outset let it be understood that the information in the following study comes from the teaching of the Bible on the "FAMILY" and "FAMILY VALUES." God clearly stresses the importance of the "FAMILY" and "FAMILY VALUES" throughout the Bible, God is therefore the author (i.e., originator) of the "FAMILY and of "FAMILY VALUES" The nature of the family unit is not an accident, God designed the family unit to consist of one man and one woman for life: Genesis 2:18-25, 18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Romans 7:1-3, 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 1 Corinthians 7:39, 39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. The facts revealed in the three references just read are God's law on the subject of the "FAMILY UNIT" from the creation. Yet, God has given one exception to His original law regarding this subject. The one exception is sexual unfaithfulness of one of the marriage partners, either the husband or the wife. Please observe the following Scriptural references that establish this as factual: Matthew 19:9, 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, (i.e., all sexual immorality) and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Man must never break up a scriptural marriage for any cause; if the "FAMILY UNIT" breaks up at all it must be because of the adultery of one of the marriage partners. either the woman or the man. Marriage must be considered a lifelong contract between two people (i.e., a man and a woman) and the God who created them. Understanding the seriousness of marriage and divorce is surely incentive to stay married. CONSIDER THIS: The Scripture does give one reason for divorce (i.e., Matthew 19:9), yet the innocent party in the marriage may remain with the guilty spouse if it is possible. In many cases where one of the partners in a marriage has been unfaithful to their vow, the innocent party may forgive the guilty spouse thus keeping the marriage intact. If the innocent spouse cannot forget or abide under the stress, God allows that one to put away the guilty adulterer. It is always best to keep the marriage partners together, if possible. If everyone would follow God's prescription for the family, there would be few divorces; there would be very few "one parent families." It is true that there are many problems that arise in the life of those that seek God's value system in marriage but find themselves living as a single parent due to no fault of their own, more will be discussed on this problem later in the study. THIS FIRST POINT IS IMPORTANT, WITHOUT A HEALTHY RESPECT FOR GOD'S INSTRUCTIONS SOCIETY CANNOT OVERCOME ITS PRESENT COURSE TOWARD A COMPLETE BREAK DOWN IN "GOD'S FAMILY VALUES." Jeremiah's instruction to the people of his day about their inability to live right according to their own wisdom is very timely even for those of us living today, note the following reference: Jeremiah 10:23, 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (KJV) _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) February 17, 2010 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100217/f4caee54/attachment-0001.html From dmartinbt at att.net Wed Feb 17 09:36:51 2010 From: dmartinbt at att.net (Don Martin) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:36:51 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] "Allowing History to Teach Us" Message-ID: <8BF8536EAB81431F9FD2D134FD443B17@533034B8A6DF4D9> Don Martin with an article from the archives of www.bibletruths.net Allowing History to Teach Us (The Herald of Truth) We learn from history and even present events that it appears man will forever arrogate to himself authority in his mortal thinking that belongs only to God (cp. Isa. 55: 8, 9). Alas, man also appears to be oblivious to history, often repeating the mistakes of the past, notwithstanding a declared desire to do better. It was the Spanish author and Philosopher George Santayana who said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (ca. 1902, cp. Eccl. 1: 9ff.). In addition to our short memory, we also seem bound to make our thinking indecisive and unclear by mixing and mingling incongruous thoughts, ideas, and concepts, thus arriving at wrong conclusions and unscriptural practices. The January 2010 issue of the Spiritual Sword publication, a production of the Getwell church of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee, addressed the theme of "How a Church Changes." David Pharr wrote on, "Changes in Leadership" and made some good, biblical points on how a church changes due to a change in its leadership or eldership (pgs. 19-23). Author Pharr made an interesting statement in his article. Before I consider the statement by Pharr, I might point out that one design of the Spiritual Sword from its inception has been to defeat those who simply believe that the local church is to do its own work in preaching the gospel and edifying the saved (as we read in the New Testament) without the group organizing of local churches, attempting to provide joint effort and centralized oversight, and the support of human institutions such as orphan homes and colleges. Pharr wrote thus of the Herald of Truth: "We believe in the scripturalness of congregational cooperation and the right of churches to financially support and endorse programs which are under the auspices of other congregations. Without such cooperation there are opportunities for good works that otherwise might be left undone. Still, the biblical polity is for autonomous congregations. Cooperation does not mean surrendering responsibility. One of the benefits of autonomy is that no single congregation need be swept up in any general brotherhood apostasy. The fundamental error of the missionary society in the eighteen hundreds was not that churches wanted to cooperate in evangelism but that an organization was formed which presumed to speak for the brotherhood. We have seen in our own times how cooperative efforts have gone afoul, as for example Herald of Truth, as well as in the case of certain schools. Leadership vigilance is not transferable. Every cooperative project needs to know that supporting churches are paying attention." While we are encouraged at Pharr's statement, ".We have seen in our own times how cooperative efforts have gone afoul, as for example Herald of Truth, as well as in the case of certain schools," we continue to be dismayed at efforts to justify other unscriptural efforts and the pooling of resources. Pharr seems to only condemn the abuses of the Herald of Truth and not its parasitic existence. Allow me to return, now, to exploring the Herald of Truth, as such. During the latter 1940's, James Williford and James Walter Nichols began to think of ways that they could improve on the simple New Testament pattern of churches preaching the gospel. In 1947, Williford and Nichols set up a five-radio station network in Iowa and Wisconsin using the name Herald of Truth. Little did they know that their brainstorm would become famous and a major source of division among churches of Christ. The embryonic concept of the Herald of Truth was presented on a cold, windy February 3, in 1952 to the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas where two thousand had assembled to consider and effect the production of the first nation-wide broadcast of the Herald of Truth. The Herald of Truth sought to provide "another" way of cooperatively preaching the gospel without the missionary societies. However, the Herald of Truth constituted an unscriptural cooperation of local churches and an eldership (Abilene) that sought to oversee the work of thousands of local churches of Christ. Two things happened as a result of the formation of the Herald of Truth, local churches lost portions of their autonomy (cp. Acts 14: 23), and through the Herald of Truth organization and influence, a number of local churches were adversely affected, both doctrinally and morally. The Herald of Truth constitutes an aberrant missionary society, the essential difference being it has a board of local elders overseeing their work instead of a board of simple directors, etc. A number of so called "conservative" ("non-institutional") brethren, those associated with the Guardian of Truth Foundation, have also sought, I might mention, to ignore history and have a human organization that is attempting to function as a local church in preaching the gospel. In this case, they provide their human board of directors, president, treasury, etc. We believe in the scripturalness of congregational cooperation, allowing the New Testament to define, modify, and limit such "cooperation." It is not only simplistic for the promoters of the sponsoring church arrangement, foreign church cooperation to preach the gospel, and human entities functioning as local churches to charge, "anti cooperation," it is highly prejudicial! Pharr and some others seem to realize, at lease to some extent, the lesson of history. During New Testament times, churches (collective action) were involved in preaching the gospel. In fact, the local church is, ".the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3: 15). The church in Antioch "sent forth" Barnabas and Saul on their first preaching trip (Acts 13: 2ff.). The church at Philippi "sent once and again" unto Paul's necessities while he preached in Thessalonica (Phili. 4: 15, 16). While Paul preached in Corinth, he was supported by multiple local churches (2 Cor. 11: 8). The fact and way in which churches supported preachers is clearly established and is obviously meant to be a pattern for the Lord's church today. Notice, a church or churches sent directly to the preacher, not another church or a separate organization. Also notice not only the total absence of any separate organization such as a missionary society or a totally human institution serving as a local church, but also the fact that not one time do we read of a local church serving as a receiving or sponsoring church in the matter of preaching the gospel (see addendum 1). The biblical truth of the matter is, the eldership only has oversight where they serve, not over another church or churches (I Pet. 5: 2). If ever a local church had been a sponsoring church, it would have been the church in Jerusalem, where the gospel began (Acts 2ff.). Yet, that local church with its elders never functioned as a sponsoring church in the effort of proclaiming the gospel. Each local church with its overseeing eldership did its own work and acted independently (Acts 14: 23, I Pet. 5: 1,2, see addendum 2). In closing, I ask the question, "Why cannot we learn from history?" As to the nature of the work and functionality of local churches of Christ, why does it appear so difficult for some brethren to practice the autonomy of the local church as seen in the New Testament and why does the thinking of some become so convoluted and mixed up when it comes time for the application of autonomy to local churches, using as rationale, "Look how much more we can accomplish by consolidating our efforts"? Alas, while David Pharr in his article in the Spiritual Sword expressed justified concern about such brotherhood efforts as the Herald of Truth, it does not go far enough in showing how the Lord's church of the First Century preached the gospel without the modern combining of resources and the assignment of "brotherhood oversight" to one centralized eldership (a practice subsequent to apostolic times that would become a main feature of Catholicism and then, later, denominationalism). (Be sure to read, "The Herald of Truth") Addendum 1: It is contended that the benevolence of Acts 11: 27-30 serves as an example and authority for a local church or churches sending to one church and the elders of the receiving church thus acting on behalf, if you will, of the contributing churches. However, there are some serious flaws in such an attempted model and analogy. First, without attempting to notice all the dissimilarities, Acts 11 involves benevolence for needy saints that was too great for the churches in Judaea to individually meet and not the work of preaching. The decided difference between benevolence and preaching is that benevolence is more of a one time act, time limited to the existence of the need (cp. I Cor. 16: 1, 2). Whereas, preaching is assiduous or ongoing, thus providing more opportunity for power struggles and abuses. Addendum 2: The autonomy, self-governing and functioning, of the local church is one of the many clear characteristics of the early local church as established by Jesus and the apostles. Historian Lyman Coleman wrote: "These churches, whenever formed, became separate and independent bodies, competent to appoint their own officers, and to administer their own government without reference to subordination to any central authority or foreign power. No fact connected with the history of these primitive churches is more fully established or more generally conceded, so that the discussion of it need not be renewed at this place" (Ancient Christianity Exemplified, pg. 95). From terrywbenton at bellsouth.net Wed Feb 17 14:56:33 2010 From: terrywbenton at bellsouth.net (Terry W. Benton) Date: Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:56:33 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] What Jews and Premillenialists Should Have Known Message-ID: <52BBEA3C048C4D7CB947029EA0CDC53F@TerryPC> What Jews and Premillenialists Should Have Known The Jews and Premillenialists have one major mistake in common. They both make the big mistake of believing that Jesus came to set up an earthly kingdom and failed. Both groups hold the same errors for the same reasons: a preconceived notion about the nature of the king and kingdom, and a failure to consider all that the prophets had said about the king and His kingdom. A Time of Reformation >From reading the Old Testament it is clear that the Messiah would bring in some major reforms. Things would not be like before. The Jews and modern premillenialists overlook some critical points about how much of a reform would take place. There would be a change of law, a change of priesthood, a change of covenant, and a Gentile inclusion. Consider some prophesies that should have given the sense of a complete reform that was very unlike the system they knew even under their greatest king, David. 1. David said His "Lord"(someone higher than David) heard from "The Lord" that David's Lord would be a "priest forever" (Psalm 110) and that "His people" would be volunteers in the day of His power. So, the people under the Messiah would not be mere Israelites in the flesh who were imposed upon by virtue of their birth, but would have a new priesthood in Him and they would be His people by way of choice (volunteers) not birth. Obviously, the time of reformation would mean major changes in the very structure and layout of God's people. 2. The house of Judah and the house of Israel would enter a new covenant that was very unlike the Sinai covenant (Jer.31:31f). The covenant would be "written in their heart" and by this means God would be their God and they (those who have this new covenant written in their heart) would be His united people. Notice that unlike the Sinai covenant where you were born into the nation and then taught your relatives to "know the Lord" as they grew up among each other. The period of reform that Jeremiah speaks about would be totally different. Those whom you would call neighbors and brothers in this nation would know the Lord first and that would be why they were your neighbor and brother and share the covenant and nation with you. The common things that would be shared among "God's people" would be that they all already "know the Lord" and don't need to teach each other to know the Lord as in old Israel, and they would also share the forgiveness of sins that would not be "remembered again" as in the yearly atonement system. Thus, a yearly remembrance would not be a part of this system. Apparently, there would be a provision that made the repeated day of atonement unnecessary (Jer.31:31-33). 3. The physical temple in Jerusalem would no longer be needed. The reason for "My people" sharing a redemptive forgiveness where sins are remembered no more (Jer.31) should have been seen in Daniel's picture of the time of the Messiah. God's Redemptive Plan For Israel is stated in Daniel 9:24 : Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. Jeremiah and Daniel picture the same thing. A time of reformation what would bring a finish to transgression and an end of sin so that the repeated day of atonement would not be needed or a part of the time of reformation. Isaiah 53 should also be figured into this time of reformation to explain what was really happening to the Servant of God who was the Messiah as they were cutting Him off. He was wounded for our transgressions, not His own. Summary of What God Will Accomplish Daniel 9:24 Finish transgression Make an end of sin (kattat) Make atonement for iniquity Bring in righteousness Seal up prophesy Anoint most holy place This is the time of the Messiah in the first century, and does not look into our future, but the days that were future to Daniel and those with him in Babylon. They looked for the age of the coming Messiah (to them) to do all of the above things. What was the time-frame for these things to be accomplished? The 70 Weeks of Years (490 years) are seventy sevens. Daniel 9:25 So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Seven weeks: 49 years (Jerusalem rebuilt) from the time of the decree to rebuild. This happened in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Sixty two weeks: 434 years (Messiah). This figures to the time of Jesus Christ. Wise men were able to calculate from Daniel's prophecy exactly when the Messiah should come. Wise people were not disappointed either. Foolish people were disappointed. Daniel 9:26 Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, [ and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.] The 70th Week After the 7 weeks (49 yrs) and the 62 weeks = into the 70th week. What happens into the 70th week (after the 69 weeks)? ? Messiah cut off = crucified Daniel gives a parentheses explaining a judgment that will come upon Jerusalem for this wicked deed of cutting off the Messiah prince. Then (70th week) he will confirm a covenant with many for one week. Remember it is the new covenant that Jeremiah said would be different and that would be written in hearts to bring out God's people from those who were not. 3 ? years of ministry of Jesus was a teaching time of new covenant and new kingdom teaching for the Jews. Middle= Jesus dies on the cross - ends sacrifices and offerings by His substitutionary death 3 ? years -apostles preaching exclusively to Jews. Thus, Jesus and His apostles were revealing and confirming this new covenant with the house of Israel and Judah in the 70th week of Daniel's prophecy. Dan 9:26-27 26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; [And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. ] 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate." NKJV On the WING of the 70 Sevens is an extension from the body of those 70 sevens. The Wing of "Abominations" is an extension of time shortly after the abominations involved in cutting off the Messiah. On the wing of doing those abominable things to the Messiah and cutting Him off, something else will happen. The Abominations of cutting off Messiah An Extension off of those 70 Sevens: The period of the fall of Jerusalem came on the wing of abominations at AD 70 The Consummation = the end of the Jewish Law and Temple System It was destroyed by Titus, the Roman General, and his armies in AD 70 It has never been rebuilt The whole system had been so destroyed that the priesthood has been lost for good Daniel 9:27 And he will make a firm covenant with many for one week, but in the middle of the week, he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate. Jesus said this prophecy of Daniel would be fulfilled in THAT Generation - Matt.23:36-38; 24:15,34 Working Backward 490 - 33AD = 457BC Decrees we know of: In 457 B.C. Ezra led a group back to rebuild Jerusalem by the King's edict (Ezra 7:6,7; 9:9). In 445 BC Nehemiah led a group to actually repair the walls by permission of Artexerxes Longimanus? ? Daniel's Prophecy Came True The 490 Years Brought ALL that was Prophesied An extension or WING also would happen in THAT Generation, extending us to AD 70 How could a mere man using human wisdom have predicted all these things? Daniel's Prophecy Was Completely Fulfilled as to the 490 Years Was also fulfilled as to the extended "wing" of those abominations Jesus applied the prophecy of Daniel to the fall of Jerusalem - Luke 21:20-22 That fall was to happen in "this generation" that Jesus was speaking to- Matt.23:36; 24:34 This happened in that generation at AD 70. Thus, ALL of Dan.9:24-27 was fulfilled. The time of reformation then would be a time when the temple of Jerusalem would not be needed. The Messiah would rule well without it, and the sacrificial system it offered would not longer be needed. The priesthood it offered would no longer be needed. All of these things were in the picture that Jews and moderns premillenialists have overlooked or distorted. Jesus began His reign exactly as planned. The Hebrew writer shows that the old system has been replaced. Jesus was the prophesied Prophet, Priest, and King. The time of reformation did not need the carnal, earthly system of physical Israel. (Heb.9:1-17). The prophecy of Jeremiah had come true (Heb.8-10). The only thing that had not yet occurred, but was soon to happen as Hebrews was being written (10:24-25), was the things that would happen on the "wing" of those abominations, the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It was still about 3 years away as the book of Hebrews was being penned. But, the covenant had been confirmed with many, and the church was composed of those people who had become volunteers in the day of His power. The church is the "gathered" of Old Testament prophecy. The land restored is the land of God's holy volunteers who are in the "heavenly places in Christ" (Eph.1:3) and they are "gathered together in one all things in Christ"(1:10). We are a spiritual, holy nation (1 Pet.2:9). We have come to Mount Zion, the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem in this holy spiritual land of spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Heb.12:18,22-24). We cannot come to the heavenly Jerusalem without walking in the heavenly places around it. The time of reformation does not have a physical temple made by hands, or a physical Jerusalem or a physical land. The kingdom was spiritual. The prophecies were made clear by Jesus: "My kingdom is not of this world" and it does not ask for His servants to fight for the king or the land over which He would reign. We who know the Lord are in the kingdom (Col.1:13). Those who are still in the dark about it (Jews and premillennialists and all other unbelievers) have not been born again so they can see it (John 3:1-16). They have not been translated out of darkness and into the kingdom of God's dear Son. They still look for an earthly kingdom and it is they who will ultimately be "Left Behind" (and that itself is amazing. He makes foolish the wisdom of the world!). As they talk of being "left behind" and missing an earthly kingdom, they are missing the only kingdom God will ever have here. They are getting "left behind" now. The church is now gathering the saved in the spiritual kingdom that will be taken back to God in the last day (1 Cor.15:23-26). Jesus is reigning now. The last enemy to put down is death itself. If you are not now in the church of Christ, you are not in the kingdom of God's dear Son, and you will get left behind and cast into outer darkness. The time of reformation is NOW (2 Cor.6:3). Terry W. Benton www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100217/0e51b2d7/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Feb 18 05:00:21 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:00:21 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" (2) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the second installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" (2) (The One Body). Jesus Removes The Barriers: -- The old law of Moses was a wall between the Jews and Gentiles. So, Jesus took it out of the way, removing the law and allowing Jews and Gentiles to come together. The goal of the one body was to remove the issues that divide people. So, race, nationality, gender and age no long- er matter in terms of salvation. While the religious world will tell you to find a church that looks like you and thinks like you and worships likeyou, Jesus died to add you to His one church, where all those distinctions are removed. The problem with creating more churches and calling them denominations is that they build walls, they don't tear them down. Jesus died to build His church. He tore down the things that kept Jew and Gentile apart. Do you really think He doesn't care if we rebuild those walls between us? Jesus Creates Peace: -- There had been enmity, or hostility, be- tween Jews and Gentiles. Jesus came and brought peace. Peace to those near (the Jews -- already in covenant relation- ship with God) and those far off (Gentiles -- outside he covenant relationship). Jesus didn't come and create two churches, one for Jews and another for Gentiles. While people fuss over issues and divide the body, Jesus died to bring peace between people, no division. Jesus Adds To His Church: -- As Paul finishes this passage of Scripture, he speaks of a building being constructed by the Lord We are he individual parts of that structure. But notice, as the Lord builds, He doesn't start other structures. There is only one body. You are either in it or you are not. If you are in it, you are a part of the only church you need to be part of. If you are in any other church, you are not in the Lord's one body. We Major In Minors: -- When we choose to divide the body of Christ into various sects, we make some serious mistakes. Not- ice what Paul says about doing this: "Now I exhort you, breth- ren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you may be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, 'I am of Paul,' and 'I of Apollos,' and 'I am of Cephas,' and 'I of Christ.' Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or wre you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:10-13). The Corinthians wre focus- ing on their preachers. And, they were some pretty good preach- ers around them at that time. But, by focusing on preachers, they were missing the Christ. That is, they were majoring in min- or matters. These preachers didn't matter, they were servants of the same Lord. It was the Lord that matters. When we divide the body of Christ over the various interpretations of scholars, we are making the same mistake. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing. JWS). From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Feb 18 05:00:16 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:00:16 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) "WE EXULT IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD" Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Thursday morn- ing to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: "WE EXULT IN HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD" OR "IN HOPE WE HAVE BEEN SAVED" Perhaps you recognize the dual title of today's subject. "The first is from Rom. 5:1,2 where Paul wrote, Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand: and we exult in hope of the glory of God." The second part of the title is found in Rom. 8:24,25 where we find, "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for why does one for what he sees? But if we have hope for what we do not see, with persverance we wait eagerly for it." We must never make the mistake of under-valuing hope in the life of a Christian. Hope is what enables us to rejoice, it is what makes it possible for us to exult when properly understood In our day and time hope can be viewed as being relatively weak more of a wish than anything. But that is not how the word is used in the Scriptures. It most certainly speaks of the desire for the thing "hoped" for; but it goes beyond that to a confident ex- pectation. The Dictionary of New Testament Theology says of the noun and verb forms of "hope" : "In the NT the words never indicate a vague or fearful anticipation but always the expectat- ion of something good." The Dictionary of New Testament Theo- logy says of "hope" : "Thus elpizein means expectation with the nuance of counting upon..." Concerning the verb, Thayer writes in Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament; "In a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and full of confid- ence." Of the noun he writes, "Always in the N.T. , in a good sense: expectation of good...and in the Christian sense, joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation." So, because of hope, we who are Christians do not fearfully await judgment for ourselves. We joyfully look forward to it, ex- pecting salvation. One fellow wrote of it this way, "If your father was away on a long trip, you would look forward to his return. If he had written you a letter assuring you of his deep and unchan- ging love, you would exult in the thought of his return. If you loved him, knowing of his love for you, you'd be ecstatic about his return. You wouldn't be wringing your hands full of anxiety over his coming. You migth even wring your hands over the - delay in his coming." I like that. --- Greg Litmer in That Ye May Grow Thereby. From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Feb 20 12:43:44 2010 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:43:44 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 005 Iss 008 Message-ID: <7649859E3D584EBBB8598BB7435266A7@seansdesk> The Messenger 2010 Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 005::ISSUE 008: February 21, 2010 This Week's Article: Discovering Happiness As we travel through this life, it is a great blessing to discover that happiness is a choice. We can have a level of happiness independent of our surroundings or immediate influences. The beauty of this is that we can know happiness instead of continually looking for some ideal of happiness that may or may not exist. God enables our choice by His many motivations. There are too many people who play the "I will be happy when" game. This usually starts at an early age and continues into adulthood. The idea that I will be happy "when" or "if", "this" or "that" happens is really impossible to satisfy. When Christians find this being their habit they will struggle to discover the joy of heart that is available in Christ (John 15:11; 1 John 1:4) How happy should we be? Is there a limit? Jesus said that he wants our joy to be full-not partial, but full. Let's go to the Bible to consider in greater detail some true reasons for choosing and having present happiness. The Better Way of Life Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am THE way, the truth and life". This statement shows the exclusivity of Jesus' doctrine. Not only its exclusivity but also its certainty; we can know the true way. He continued to say, "No one comes to the Father through Me." Consider all of the confusion involved in religion today. This is certainly leading to the problems that people perceive in the Bible, but are actually in the fault is in those who misapply. The truth can be known (John 8:31-32). The truth provides for an empowered life here and now (Galatians 5:22-23). When we understand that the Bible holds the plan for empowered living right now, we need to be eager for the word (2 Timothy 2:15): Eager to study (1 Timothy 4:13-16); eager to use the word properly (Ephesians 5:8-10); eager to apply the word (James 1:22); eager to show ourselves approved of God (Matthew 7:21). We need to be eager to find the joys of righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The Freedom from Sin An opportunity of reunion with God is joyful knowledge. On the other side: sin is sorrow. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; Revelation 21:27). Sin enslaves sinners (John 8:34 "Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin"). Sin is a place of sorrow and darkness. God makes joy available because God makes salvation from our sins available. According to Romans 5:6-11, God has offered us hope when we were without hope. We are able to change from "without hope" to "justified, saved, and reconciled". Jesus invites us to relief from the burden we carry as sinners in Matthew 11:28: "Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden, I will give you rest". The joy rooted in our relief. Great joy is a result of knowing that we have been set free from the sin that once enslaved us (Romans 6:17-18). Jesus paid the debt of our sins. The price was paid with blood (Hebrews 10: 12-22; 1 Peter 1:18) and through Him we are provided our way to the Father (John 14:6). The Hope in Eternity We have already expressed that Joy is long-term. Heaven may be many years away for us. The joy of knowing that Heaven is our home and we will be welcomed there is a cause of great joy. Jesus explained that He would come again to gather us (John 14:1-3); we would go to a prepared place. Our prepared place is a place of eternal life in the presence of God (Revelation 21:27), and a place of rest (Revelation 14:12-13). The promise of heaven is what brings us joy even in times of trial (1 Peter 1:3-9). Joy is enduring and true when we find the joy that God supplies. Conclusion: Happiness is a powerful tool for our lives. Being happy will help us remain courageous through hard times. Joy will help us in times of temptation. We know that God is the source for our true joy and we will not want to jeopardize that joy by sinning. Another great empowerment of happiness is that others will see us and desire to have the same. True deep down happiness only comes from knowing God and following His word. If we follow His word our joy will be full and we can help others find the same joy. We can improve our lives and have happy hearts. ~tss If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward this copy to them and send their email address and I will add them to the list. Sean -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100220/f1cdd0ec/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 3445 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100220/f1cdd0ec/attachment-0002.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 7811 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100220/f1cdd0ec/attachment-0003.gif From Pappy01 at suddenlink.net Sat Feb 20 16:31:02 2010 From: Pappy01 at suddenlink.net (Terry Sanders) Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:31:02 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] S>Important Days (and more) Message-ID: <0CE3EC52C7FF458686C9490E3F1DE530@mccru59fc7f4na> I have recently updated my web site for sermons. I have not done so for a while. Computer problems. I have pasted in an outline below. URL for website is in signature at bottom of this post. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Important Days Introduction: There are a number of days in our lives that have special significance. Birthdays and anniversary days will probably be right at the top of anyone's list. Today we will look at some very significant days in the New Testament that are also very important days. I. The Day Christ Was Crucified. A. Jesus is our sacrifice. B. Jesus died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). 1. To deliver forgiveness (Eph. 1:7). 2. To redeem (Col. 1:14). 3. To pay our debt (1 Peter 1:18-19). II. The Day Of Christ's Resurrection. A. Different reactions. 1. Discovery (Matt. 28:1-6). 2. Disbelief (Mk. 16:11, 13-14). 3. Confusion (Jn. 20:11-16). B. The ultimate victory (2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:9, 14). III. The Lord's Day. A. When the church gathers together (Acts 20:7). B. Acts of participation (Acts 2:42; Eph. 5:19). C. Mutual exhortation (Heb. 10:25). D. Fellowship (Rom. 12:5). IV. The Day Of Judgment. A. A determination of eternal destiny (Matt. 25:46). 1. All will appear (2 Cor. 5:10). 2. All judged accordingly (Rom. 2:6). B. Different reactions. 1. Terrible day for some (Matt. 13:41-42). 2. Joyous day for some (Rev. 22:20). 3. Mutual reaction of all (Rom. 14:11-12). V. The Day Of Salvation. A. Today is that day (2 Cor. 6:2). B. What we are commanded to do: 1. We must obey Jesus (Heb. 5:9). 2. He tells us to believe in Him (Jn. 8:24). 3. He tells us to repent (Lk. 13:3). 4. He tells us to confess (Matt. 10:32). 5. He tells us to be baptized (Mk. 16:16). 6. He tells us to observe His commandments (Matt. 28:20). Conclusion: This is an important day. It has a connection to all of the days we have mentioned in the sermon. Is it your day of salvation? If so, do it now! Terry Sanders 108 Dandridge St. Tuckerman, AR 72473 Home page: http://duezzy2.brinkster.net/home.html Church page: http://tuckermancofc.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100220/56f6a878/attachment-0001.html From crxtra at gmail.com Sun Feb 21 00:27:58 2010 From: crxtra at gmail.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:27:58 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> The Duty of the Follower Message-ID: <000001cab2bf$048c4640$0da4d2c0$@com> The Duty of the Follower We are in the midst of a study about spiritual leadership in the Lord's church, in the home, and in the world, and have studied why we need leadership [and effective leaders], some principles about leadership that should be understood and that should characterize all leaders, and some factors in all leadership that affects how well one leads. In that last lesson, we touched on the one who follows as one of the factors, but we might get the idea that all the emphasis is on the leaders and little on the ones following. Such should not be the case because the followers of spiritual leaders also have important duties and responsibilities, some of which will obviously affect how well the leaders lead them. But before we get into these things, I want to first emphasize the need for all followers to not do these things blindly and without question. Every disciple has the inherent responsibility of searching the Scriptures to see if what they are being taught is true (cf. Acts 17:11) and that the way in which they are being led is actually the way to eternal life and not the path to destruction (Matt. 7:13, 14). John warns us to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1st John 4:1); anyone who claims to be a spiritual leader should be willing to be put to the test because truth has no fear of being tested and it is our souls that are at stake. One great failing of brethren has always been that, from time to time, some have trusted leaders without question and have been led astray, or leaders have demanded they be trusted without question and led them astray. Either one or both of those situations will most certainly guarantee error will be taught and followed. When elders tell churches, "You just need to submit and trust us," we should begin to get worried! When preachers tell the members, the listeners, or those who read his articles [or even elders], "You are misunderstanding what I am saying" when the error he is propagating is clearly understood - watch out! Part of the problem is that some leaders begin by leading in the right way, but slowly stray off the path without anyone taking note and, one day, the followers open their eyes and notice they are far off the path of truth and righteousness and don't know how they got there. We must be alert and we must not shirk our responsibility as followers to do our duty. Now, what is our responsibility to the leaders? Esteem Them Highly. (1st Thess. 5:12, 13) Often overlooked in the consideration of our responsibility to those who lead us is this passage. Note what Paul says: "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work." Whether an elder, deacon, evangelist, teacher, or our parents, this passage should apply to how we treat those who lead us. According to God's inspired word, these positions of leadership are due respect; that being true, we, as followers, owe them that respect. And just like certain offices of authority in the secular realm, the respect is not necessarily to the person, but for the position. [Yes, we should show all people respect, but this article is about those in positions of authority over us.] While we may not like Barack Obama or George Bush for their political decisions, we are still responsible for showing both men respect for the office they hold, or held (cf. 1st Pet. 2:13-17). In spiritual matters, respect for those who lead us is necessary that others may see in us the proper demeanor of those who have submitted to God. If the world sees us disrespect those who have positions of authority within the church, what must they think about our attitude toward those in authority in earthly matters? What would they think about our attitude toward submission to Christ? The reality is, if we do not show respect to men who have authority over us in spiritual matters, we will likely not have true respect for Christ's authority, either. Let us truly "esteem them very highly" for the work they are doing in the Lord's kingdom, for their spiritual guidance, and for their dedication to the work of leading souls to the Lord and down the path to eternal life. They deserve it. Obey Them. (Heb. 13:17) Here, the writer tells the disciples of the first century, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." While many have used this passage to teach us about our responsibility to the elders [correctly so, I believe], the application should not be applied so narrowly, for these words apply to anyone who leads us in spiritual matters. Elders are most certainly worthy of our obedience, but so also are deacons, evangelists, teachers, and even our parents because they all have a part in our spiritual instruction and guidance and our obedience to them in these matters is what allows them to "do so with joy and not with grief." When we refuse to submit or obey, it is then that contention, strife, and division often is the result and souls will be lost - not saved. We should consider this matter seriously the next time we are tempted to challenge their authority or resist their efforts to lead us in God's ways. But if we have in our minds that what they are teaching us and where they are leading us is for our spiritual good [with the aforementioned verifications], then we will assist them best by submitting and obeying, rather than constantly resisting and challenging their leadership. A church will have peace, brethren will be looking out for one another and looking for ways to edify one another, and much work will be accomplished when all parts are doing their share. A body that has just one part that is stubborn and resists cooperation with the rest of the body will spend more time trying to make things right than actually accomplishing anything of value. But anyone who has been in a position of leadership [even just as a parent] knows how much easier it is when the followers obey and submit; strife ceases, love reigns, and all who are involved can spend more time on getting things done than in trying to get the body to work together. Follow Their Faith. (Heb. 13:7) The writer of Hebrews also noted that Christians should "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." The first admonition here is that disciples "remember" [keep in mind] those who lead them. In particular, the writer is speaking of those who had taught them the word of God; that could be elders, but it could also be teachers, evangelists, and [hopefully] their parents! Whoever it was, though, they should be kept in mind and they should especially "consider the outcome of their faith" - the end result of how they lived and what they taught. If they indeed taught the word of God, forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life would be the outcome; isn't that worthy of consideration? I believe so! But do we think about that when they are leading us? Likely not. But ones who have taught to us the word of God are worthy of our consideration because of [1] their spiritual interest in us and in others, and [2] the example of spiritual faithfulness they are giving us. It is for this reason the writer then exhorts the reader to "imitate their faith." Why not? If it leads us to heaven, why would we want to follow any other way? Consider our premier example, Jesus Christ, and how He led the way to heaven by His words and deeds (cf. Heb. 12:1-3). He, as our forerunner (cf. Heb. 6:19, 20), has shown the way to heaven and if we want to one day be where He is, we must follow in His steps. Likewise, for those godly leaders who have taught us God's word and who are constantly making efforts to keep us in the paths of righteousness, we would do well to follow their steps and truly "imitate their faith." The outcome of their faith is not only their own salvation, but likely the salvation of many others who saw their godly example and its end result and chose to follow them, too. The Greek word translated as disciple, when literally translated, means a learner. We all, as disciples, should learn from those who lead us and teach us God's ways and we should take the time to consider where their life leads them, where they are leading us, and where we want to go, spiritually speaking. If it is heaven we seek, then let us imitate the faith of our faithful leaders, esteem them very highly, and let us obey them when they are teaching us God's will. When we do so, we will likewise be following the steps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, ending at the throne in heaven. "Follow Me." (Mark 2:14) -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100220/411e8a10/attachment-0001.html From richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com Sun Feb 21 20:11:06 2010 From: richard at thetford.dot5hosting.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:11:06 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (2/21/10) Message-ID: <000c01cab364$b65ab5a0$231020e0$@dot5hosting.com> San Juan Logo PNG.png Walking in the Light "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105) February 21, 2010 www.thetfordcountry.com --- INFORMATION Walking in the Light is published each week by Richard Thetford. You are encouraged to visit the web site at www.thetfordcountry.com and then click on "Richard's Home Page" to view numerous sermons, articles, radio program scripts, class material and other information. If you know of someone who would like to subscribe to "Walking in the Light," please send their name and e-mail address to richard at thetfordcountry.com. In addition, if you want to advertise for "churches looking for preachers" and "preachers looking for churches," go to www.thetfordcountry.com and click on the appropriate link. Fill out the easy form and your listing will be uploaded to the web site within 48 hours (usually the same day). --- CONTENTS "The Triumphs of Faith" (Richard Thetford) "Sabbath Made for Man" (Robert F. Turner) "Limited, or Unlimited Benevolence" (David D. Bonner) "Then.He Preached Jesus to Him" (Lalo Enriquez) SENTENCE SERMONS --- THE TRIUMPHS OF FAITH Richard Thetford In the sports world we know that the individuals that excel in their individual sport may someday enter the "Hall of Fame". Well, Christians also have their heros that are solidly planted in the "Hall of Faith". The Hebrew writer defines faith as "...the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Heb 11:1). The eleventh chapter of Hebrews shares some beautiful examples of those God fearing individuals from long ago that excelled in goodness and are now entered in the "Hall of Faith" in this chapter. In verse 4 we see where "By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain...". Do we give God the best we have each day of our lives? We read of great names such as Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel. Look at those names. Great names in Old Testament history for us to grow and learn from today. Over time, this was a great line up of God's people. They are now entered in the book of Hebrews because of their great faith in God. Of all of our heros today there is none better than these. These are the ones that we need to pattern our lives after. Worldly heros can not help us get to heaven but the names in this chapter are ones that if we showed the kind of faith in our daily lives like they did would surely help us get there. But all these great people "died in faith without receiving the promises..." (Heb 11:13). We have the greatest gift of all - Jesus Christ our Lord! God has promised us that if we do his will that we will receive life everlasting (Matt 7:21). Have faith - and do God's will! --- SABBATH MADE FOR MAN Robert F. Turner As Jesus' disciples walked through a grain field on the Sabbath, they plucked grain, rubbed the husk from it, and ate it. Jesus healed a man's withered had on the Sabbath (Luke 6). The Pharisees had been looking for an accusation to bring against Him, and were furious when He said He was Lord also of the Sabbath -- and went right ahead with His good work. Jesus could have claimed authority to act as He did (some think this is the explanation); while others see a justification of His actions on the basis of the Pharisee's hypocrisy. I do not believe He argued their sin made His "sin" (?) Acceptable. But He did point out that Temple needs outweighed Sabbath laws (Matt 12:5), and cited extreme hunger and human needs (in David's case) as outweighing other ceremonial rules (Mark 3:25-26). The key for all this may be Mark's citation of Jesus's saying, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 3:27). Genuine submission to divine authority, obeying as best we can each detail, is a good thing highly recommended by our Lord (Matt 23:23). This supposed violation of the Sabbath does not argue that man's subjective judgment of "good" can set aside the laws of God. At the same time, God is not worshiped with men's hands, "as though He needed any thing" (Acts 17:25). The details of worship and service are given for our benefit -- are made for us, not we for them. It is possible for us to reduce the kingdom of God to particulars; to "meat and drink" (Rom 14:17) or tithe of "mint and anise and cummin" while we omit the weightier matters. It is difficult for us to teach the importance of assembling to sing, pray, and partake of the Lord's Supper without becoming slaves to the acts per SE, rather than to the God who is worshiped in these things. I think Jesus did not lessen the importance of the Sabbath (to the Jew) but enhanced it, by making it a tool of God that could be used for man's greater good. "I will have mercy and not sacrifice" (Matt 12:7), does not negate commands to sacrifice, but demands more of man than externals. Article Taken From "Plain Talk", Volume 18, Number 9, November 1981 --- LIMITED, OR UNLIMITED CHURCH BENEVOLENCE? David D. Bonner About ten years ago when I lived in Portland, Oregon I phoned the state headquarters of the March of Dimes for the state of Oregon, located in Portland. I asked the purpose of the March of Dimes and was told the purpose of the March of Dimes is to fight 1) polio, 2) birth defects, and 3) arthritis. I then asked another question, about heart disease, to find out if the March of Dimes organization would help fight heart disease. I was told, NO. I then asked if the March of Dimes would feed a starving orphan. I was told, NO. The person with whom I was talking told me that ONLY the three things mentioned above are SPECIFIED in the charter of the March of Dimes and if they use ANY of their money for anything not specified in their charter, they would be misappropriating the money. The person told me that there are other organizations for other good works. NOBODY expects the March of Dimes to do anything other than the three things specified in its charter. No one gets mad when the Heart Fund doesn't fight cancer or when the Cancer Fund doesn't fight heart disease. And, nobody calls such organizations "DO NOTHINGS" when they don't care for orphan children, either. Why? Because all people know the purpose of such funds. But, you just let the church be the church and do the work of the church and some are greatly offended. You just name any "GOOD WORK" (2 Timothy 3:16-17 - not the kind the Bible furnishes the church unto but the kind some people want the church to do anyway) that the church is not engaged in and some will think that the church just isn't doing anything and is a bunch of DO NOTHINGS or even ANTI. Why? Because people don't look at the church as a SPIRITUAL INSTITUTION which has the primary obligation to fight SIN but rather as a social club and perhaps a community service organization to serve all the fancies of anyone and everyone in the community - be they SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, PHYSICAL, OR ANY OTHER. When, and only when, people begin to look at the church for what it is will they ever understand why the Lord's church doesn't do everything they would like to see done. What is the Church? The church primarily is a SPIRITUAL INSTITUTION with a spiritual work to perform. The church is the manifold wisdom of God, or the institution in which God's manifold wisdom is known (Ephesians 3:11). If you want to see the wisdom of men, look at their organizations, works, etc. If you want to see the wisdom of God, look at His church. The Work of the Church 1. Sounding out the Word of the Lord in every place is the work of the church (1 Thessalonians 1:8). This is preaching the gospel. 2. Worship is the work of the church (John 4:24; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 14:15). This is edification (building up). All agree on these two. What is the Work of the Church in Benevolence? Does the church operate in the field of LIMITED BENEVOLENCE (just care for certain ones) or does the church operate in the field of UNLIMITED BENEVOLENCE (care for all the world's needy)? If the church is to care for all the need in the world then.. 1. It has an impossible task for Jesus said, "Ye have the poor always with you.." (Matthew 26:11). 2. What does 1 Timothy 5:16 teach? "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relive them, and let not the church be charged." Does this not teach that there are some who need to be ""relieved" whom the church is not to relieve? Yes. If the church is limited in the ones it feeds, what are the BIBLE LIMITS? 1. There are nine scriptures on the subject of the church caring for the needy. The chart below gives these nine Scriptures - please study them. 2. Study the chart carefully to see what was the practice of the apostolic church. Is this the practice of the church of which you are a member? 3. Is it any worse to pervert the WORK of the church than the worship? Or the worship than the work? Some would have great CONCERN if a piano were added to the worship yet go along with many UNSCRIPTURAL ADDITIONS to the WORK. Why? You can plainly see from the chart below, that all the Scriptures in the Bible on the subject of CHURCH BENEVOLENCE have the church caring for SAINTS. If the church ever relieved any who were not SAINTS (Christians), the Bible is silent on it. When we argue that it is wrong to have a piano in worship, we argue based on the silence of the Scriptures. We claim that the only kind of music God authorized is VOCAL and instrumental music stands condemned for a lack of authority. The same is true with GENERAL BENEVOLENCE. The bible authorizes the church to care for SAINTS. There just isn't any authority for the church to care for others. The church operates in the field of limited benevolence. That benevolence is limited to those saints in each church who have no other source of relief. What Happens to Others Who Need Help Who Aren't Objects of Relief From the Church? 1. What happens to colleges that need money? 2. What happens to hospitals, social clubs, schools, cancer funds, etc. that need money? 3. What happens to political parties that need money? Friends, only when people start thinking of the church as a SPIRITUAL INSTITUTION can they realize that the church isn't supposed to do anything in the world that may need to be done. The INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN can do anything that is good as an individual. He can donate to the cancer fund. But the church can't. He can help anyone. But the church can't. One of the reasons for trouble among brethren today is in the fact that many are taking things such as recreation, secular education, physical betterment, general benevolence, and a host of other things that are clearly works individuals can do an are charging the church with such. The Bible teaches that the church should NOT BE CHARGED (1 Timothy 5:16) with certain things. We have Bible Scriptures for the church to relieve needy saints and to send to needy churches so they can care for their own needy saints (see chart on previous page for the Scriptures) but where in all the Bible did any church send to an UN-NEEDY CHURCH? We need to ensure that we are practicing Bible church autonomy and ensuring that we can prove all that we do with book, chapter and verse, while respecting the silence of God. --- THEN.HE PREACHED JESUS TO HIM Lalo Enriquez So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him." (Acts 8:34-35) The focal point of all New Testament preaching must be Jesus Christ. In the New Covenant scriptures preachers of the gospel endeavored only to tell the story of Jesus. Paul said, "I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:1-2). While this preaching involved many themes, principles, commandments and doctrines, its central focus was always the Lord and His death, burial and resurrection: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). They knew that in learning about Jesus, of His love and about what He did for us, would awaken in man a new awareness of God and His eternal purpose. Man would also become aware of self, and he would gain a new eternal perspective about life itself. Look what it did for the apostles. The things they learned and experienced about Jesus transformed theme from weak ordinary men, into spiritual giants. Fears were cast off. In just 30 years they "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). The "gospel was preached in all the (known) world" (Colossians 1:5-6), "to every creature" (Colossians 1:23). In our efforts to know Him and live by His examples of love, sacrifice, and doing good, we in the 21st Century will also benefit. It will transform us into a new creation. All things will become "new, old things will pass away" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Every aspect of life will be improved. Right answers will begin to fall into place. Spiritual tranquility will be realized. And finally, eternal life and salvation will be assured. --- SENTENCE SERMONS He who is a Christian in little things is not little. Man has the opportunity but not the right to do wrong. Past experience should be a guide post, not a hitching post. Praise makes good men better and bad men worse. Many people who claim to be neutral soon show which side they are on. It is easy to tell one lie; it is hard to tell but one. --- SERMONS The Social Gospel (with PPT Charts) The Blessings of Being in Christ (with PPT Charts) www.thetfordcountry.com --- cid:image003.gif at 01C9DCB3.EEF5E980 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 626-5558 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org MEETING TIMES Sunday Bible Study...........10:00 A.M. Morning Worship..11:00 A.M. Afternoon Worship..2:00 P.M. Wednesday Bible Study........6:30 P.M. (No Wednesday night Bible study November - February) Evangelist/Editor Richard Thetford Home: (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/20100221/e12c7d6c/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 69751 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100221/e12c7d6c/attachment-0002.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/png Size: 176596 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100221/e12c7d6c/attachment-0005.png -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9271 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100221/e12c7d6c/attachment-0003.gif From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 22 01:33:44 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:33:44 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) ANTIOCH (ACTS 11:19-26) Message-ID: <17175.7ea53adc.38b38d58@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Monday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an art- icle from my files: ANTIOCH (ACTS 11:19-26) MANY CITIES WERE NAMED ANTIOCH IN THOSE DAYS: -- But none other was as large and importan in the first century as was Antioch of Syria. To distinguish this location from other "Antio- chs," it is also known as "Antioch on the Orontes" or "Antioch by Daphne." The city was about three hundred miles north of Jerusalem, and it was a city of about 200,000 people this time. It had been growing fro nearly three hundred years by this point of time history. Like so many other cities by the name of Antioch, this one was founded by the Seleucid ruler, Seleucus Nicator, and nam- ed for his father, Antiochus. He founded the city about 300 B.C. >From the founding, Antioch was a supremely important city. He founded the city with the intent of having it as his capital; after the battle of Ipsus, he had become sole master of Syria, He also founded and fortified Seleucia to be the port for his new capital. He settled many Jews in this city from the start. They were governed by their own ethnarch and allowed to have the same political privileges with the Greeks. The early inhabitants of the city of Antioch were these Jews, Syrians, and Greeks from the Seleucid monarchy. Each brought elements of their culture and religious background. As the Romans took control and moved into the city, they likewise brought in elements of their religion. Politically speaking, the city declared for Caesar after Pom- pey fell and then for Augustus after the battle of Actium. Rom- ans then began to move in to Antioch and the Roman emperor put the city on a path of growth and adornment once again. The city became the capital of the Roman province of Syria and the third largest city in all of the empire. It became known as "The First City of the East" or "Queen of the East." The mixed religious background actually fostered the spread of the Gospel of Christ. The large and flourishing Jewish community offered a prime place for the teaching of the gospel as it spread from Jerusalem. The interest of the Gentile populat- ion in things "religious" as well as their acceptance of diverse religious ideas, gained an even wider audience for the spread of the Word of God. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST IN ANTIOCH: -- Some from the Jerusalem church, when scattered by the persecution of Christians, and the stoning of Steven, Acts 8:4, we are told they went everywhere preaching the Word. Some went as far as Antioch (Acts 11:19). These spread the Gospel among the Jews who were already there. From Acts 11:20, it seems that some came from Cyprus and Cyrene at a later date and preached the Gospel to the Greeks. A most remarkable thing is next stated: "And a number believed and turned to the Lord" (Acts 11:21). This church at Antioch became a great church. At about this time, or soon after, the hub of Christianity seems to shift from Jerusalem to Antioch. Eventually, all three of the recorded miss- ionary journeys of the apostle Paul had begun at Antioch. WHAT MADE THE CHURCH OF THE LORD SO GREAT IN ANTIO- CH? -- This church was great for a number of reasons. It was great because of the great instructions which took place there. We don't know the names of those who did the groundwork in the Antioch church (Acts 11:19,20). But later on Barnabas was sent there by the church at Jerusalem because they had heard of the great growth that had taken place there (Acts 11:24). Then, after Barnabas arrived upon the scene and had seen the grace of God at work in the church there, seeing the need for even more teachers and helpers in the teaching program of the church there, he went down to Tarsus and brought Saul of Tarsus, Paul, to work with him (Acts 11:25,26). Both Barnabas and Saul worked together there for a year, converting both Jews and Gentiles. Upon accomplishing much along this line and building up the church mightily, the Lord saw fit that the memb- ers of the church there would be called by the name Christians. (Acts 11:26). There were many other teachers and preachers in the church there (Acts 13:1). Peter even made a trip or two up to Antioch from Jerusalem (Gal. 2:11). The teaching program of the church at Antioch seemed to be very strong. After a year of work there with the church, the Holy Spirit told the church to separate unto Him Barnabas and Saul for the work that He would lead them in. So, they began the first of three journeys they went on for the purpose of spreading the Gospel through- out many other lands, especially among the Gentiles. This was actually what the Lord said that his calling of Saul was to fulfill. The church at Antioch was strong because of the kind of people who made up the church there. They were willing to hear and believe (Acts 11:21,24). Furthermore, these people wanted to be right. When the circumcision problem was brought to the Antioch church from those who came from from Jerusalem, they sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to check up on the matter. They did not want to be involved in sinful things (Acts 15:2). When they found out what was right in the matter, they were con- tent to follow the message brought to them by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 15:31). The church was also greath because of her works (Acts 13: 1-3). Is it any wonder then that the Lord chose these people, in this congregation to be the first ones that were officially called Christians? (Acts 11:26). THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED TO MAKE ANY LOCAL CHURCH GREAT: -- Is it possible for a church of God's people in any given location to be great today? Not only is it possible, it is expected! The same things that made the group at Antioch great will make any group great today. Any group of Christians who are actively engaged in the study and spread of the gospel will be great -- just like in Antioch. Any group of Christians composed of those willing and ready to list- en and make application of God's message will be great -- just like in Antioch. Any group of Christians who are active in the works outlined by the Lord will be great -- just like in Antioch. Will we, here at this congregation, study, make application of what we learn, and work as did those at Antioch? If so, we will have a strong, thriving congregation. Is that what you want? I hope so. ----- Adapted from an article by Scott Richardson in The Jackson Drive Admonisher, Feb. 21, 2010. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Feb 22 01:33:52 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:33:52 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (5) Message-ID: <1717c.7c3d76f2.38b38d60@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the fifth installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (5) ONE SPIRIT FOR THE COMMON GOOD: -- "But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:7). The Spirit acts to build up the common good. All the talents God offers us are designed to build up the body of Christ This is why it is so silly to think that God would want many chur- ches. Can you imagine the one Spirit building up many different churches with different names and practices? The one Spirit builds up the one body, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Also, notich carefully that the gifts we have are not ours. They are given for the benefit of the church. That is why the Corinthians were so wrong. They took their gifts and used them to compete, trying to prove they wre the better Christians. Paul says that is a misunderstanding of any talent God gives. When God blesses us, He does it so we can bless others, in this case, building up the body of Christ. ONE SPIRIT PUTS US INTO THE ONE BODY: -- "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:12,13). Again, the Bible is clear. There is on body and everyone is baptized by that one Spirit into that one body. It is impossible to conclude that many differ- ent, competing, or contradictory churches is what God intends. The Spirit directs us to be baptized in water for the remission of our sins, so, that thereby the Lord adds us to His body, the church of the Lord. We are not baptized in the Spirit, but we are commanded to be baptized in water for the remission of our sins. This command comes through and by the Holy Spirit. We are not added to the church of our choice, any more than we are given the gift of our choice. We do not get to choose the doctring we like best, we listen to the Spirit of truth. We do not get to choose what commands we will keep. If we love the Lord, the Spirit of truth will compel us to keep His commandments, all His commandments, even the ones we do not fully understand the reasons therefor, or are not sure about. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD RENEWS US: --"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and re- newing by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The renewal of the Spirit is accompanied by the washing of regeneration, or rebirth. This is the moment in which God gives us new life through the blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:4). This is the new birth that Jesus spoke of in Jno. 3:5, the birth of water and the Spirit. In baptism we are re- newed to walk as children of God, born into the one family of God, the church of Jesus Christ. And, we have all we need in this new birth. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS POURED OUT GENEROUSLY: -- "By the renewing by the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3:5,6). When God forgives us in the washing of rebirth. He does so richly, or generously. God doesn't give out His grace in small portions. He gives His undeserved mercy in generous, rich portions. That means that no matter what you have done, God and His Spirit can cleanse you and lift you up. None ofus need worry that God's grace won't cover our sins. God is generous with His mercy. (More will be posted on this particular subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From GLClair at aol.com Mon Feb 22 07:26:58 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:26:58 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Broken and Damaged Families ... Message-ID: <3867.2049d2a8.38b3e022@aol.com> Broken and Damaged Families May be Corrected By Following God?s Family Values Biblemat - Number 4 ================================================= "ACCEPTABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE ALLIANCES" (Living together arrangements) LESSON 3 The nature of the "FAMILY UNIT" as described by God in the Bible does not allow for so called, "alternate life styles." God has established the family unit to consist of one man and one woman for life, with the addition of children as possible; this is God's design for the "PROPER FAMILY UNIT." Since God has the absolute right to establish the pattern for the family unit, man must not deviate from that pattern, to do so brings the wrath of God upon the transgressors. II. UNACCEPTABLE, SO CALLED, ALTERNATE LIFE STYLES: Today many in society have adopted a view that sex between two men or two women is acceptable and should be considered a normal life style (i.e., an alternate life style). This false view is pressed on the premise that each person has no control over their sexual preferences that persons are born to be either homosexual or heterosexual in their sexual preferences. This explanation is the most prevalent in contemporary society (i.e., discussed on daytime TV. talk shows, radio talk back programs, newspapers, tabloids, etc.). The view advocated by many leaders in our society today completely ignores the teaching of the Bible on the subject. Ignoring the Bible is the only way to justify this wickedness in our society - the Bible soundly condemns all forms of sexual perversion, please observe the following Scriptural passages in this connection: Genesis 1:27, 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV) Genesis 2:21-24, 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (KJV) CONSIDER THIS: These references show that God created the woman for the man. God called them man and woman (i.e., Adam and Eve). It is not irrational reasoning to suggest that if it had been possible for man's natural inclination to choose another man for a mate and Eve's natural inclination to choose another women for a mate God would have provided two men and two women in the creation process. This did not happen in creation because God created the woman for the man -- man was never created to naturally desire a man and woman was not created to naturally desire another woman. God has always condemned sexual relations between same sexes and also with other living creatures (i.e., animals), please observe the following Scriptural reference that establish the above view: Leviticus 18:22-23, 22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. 23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Deuteronomy 27:21, 21 Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen. (KJV) 1 Corinthians 6:9, 9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Romans 1:27-28, 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (KJV) SEE ALSO Leviticus 20:13; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:27-2:3 CONSIDER THIS: The above verses of Scripture completely condemn the life style of the homosexual, lesbian, etc. Because these verses are in the Bible and are easily understood by the casual reader all those who practice a so-called "alternate life style" reject the Bible completely. These people know that the Bible condemns them and rather than repent of their sin they deny the Bible. FURTHER CONSIDERATION: Since God condemns homosexuality, etc., it would be unjust of God to condemn the ones who practice it if they were unable to stop doing it. God is not unjust; it is contrary to God's nature to show respect of persons. The homosexual possesses "free-moral-agency"; he like all sinners can repent and cease the practice of sin. So long as the homosexual persists in the practice of that sin he is lost, lost in the spiritual sense -- if he dies without repenting of that sin he will be cast into "GEHENNA" at the last day. The homosexual is simply practicing sin and all who die in their sin will be eternal condemned by God (John 12:48). FOR FURTHER STUDY: Rom. 1:18-2:6 should be carefully considered by the student in a study of this subject, this passage clearly shows God's disfavor with those who practice this sin in past ages (i.e., Sodom and Gomorra, etc.). Homosexuality and sex with other living creatures is not acceptable to God, it is a practice of sin and Christ will eventually judge all who continue in it as transgressors. God is just, the homosexual that will turn to God on His terms will be saved from their sin and will enter heaven if they remain faithful till death, cf., Revelation 2:10b -- but the Bible teaches that no practicing homosexual is acceptable to God while continuing to live that sin, cf., Rom. 1:24-32. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100222/6c1aef4f/attachment-0001.html From kerux at bellsouth.net Mon Feb 22 13:25:19 2010 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (Kent Heaton) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:25:19 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] A>Build The Temple First (Kent Heaton) Message-ID: Build The Temple First (Kent Heaton) Seventy years had passed and the city lay in ruins. Its walls were broken down and the gates burned with fire. Nehemiah would refer to the once majestic Jerusalem as a city lying in "waste" (Nehemiah 2:17). Cyrus king of Persia, stirred up in spirit by the Lord, decreed that the people could return from the land of captivity to their home in Judah (Ezra 1). Along with 5,400 articles of gold and silver taken from the temple seven decades earlier, the captives made the long journey to Zion. The year was 536 B. C. Worship was restored at Jerusalem and the restoration of the Temple began (Ezra 3). The foundation was laid with great ceremony and old men weeping for the glory of the first Temple. Resistance to the building arose and work stopped nearly sixteen years. Finally in 520 B. C. the rebuilding of the Temple began in earnest and completed in 516 B. C. (Ezra 5). Nehemiah would come later and the walls of Jerusalem would be rebuilt in fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15). It should not be lost on the student of scripture that unlike the wisdom of men, the walls of the city were not first built but rather the Temple. The walls of the city were built ninety-two years after the first group of captives returned. What we find in the wisdom of God is that strength and power comes first from the Lord. The Temple represented the protection of Jehovah upon the people; the walls represented the protection of the people by the people and for the people. First they needed to restore the worship to God before seeking to build walls of stone. Restoration begins first in building the Temple, then the walls. In our life, restoration begins in building the temple of the heart before the work of building the walls of our lives. Often we seek to build walls of protection without the help of God and we struggle and fail. We have missed the point of Haggai 1:4 - "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" We cannot long serve God without establishing on our heart the temple of God. The walls of our life offer no protection. What gave the city of Jerusalem security were not the walls of stone but the stone of Zion. "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;' whoever believes will not act hastily" (Isaiah 28:16). The heart must first be restored to proper worship and the temple of God's grace must be established upon the foundation of our lives. Wisdom begins with the heart being established with trust in God and not trust in men. Building the temple is affirming the presence of the Lord. The temple is a place of holiness and purity. It is a place of security and safety. The captives first put their trust in the Lord. Their faith and courage in the face of discouragement led them to build the Temple of God. Our faith and courage will lead us in the challenges of life to build the temple of God upon our hearts. There will be opposition to the building the temple of God upon our hearts as there was in the captive's days. With the power of God we can overcome and succeed in setting up our own "Ebenezer" (1 Samuel 7:12) as the stone of help. Building the Temple first sought the help of God first. Let us build our temple of faith to the Lord. The walls will come later. First, build the temple. Kent Heaton 206 NE Fourth Avenue Trenton, Florida 32693 (H) 352-463-6916 (O) 3793 (C) 352-283-3889 www.trentonchurchofchrist.com Articles, audio and information www.northfloridabiblecamp.com 2010 CAMP OPEN FOR REGISTRATION -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100222/8c84ec0b/attachment.html From PatDonahue at bellsouth.net Mon Feb 22 17:11:20 2010 From: PatDonahue at bellsouth.net (Patrick Donahue) Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2010 17:11:20 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Ezekiel 18:20 versus The "Original Sin" Doctrine Message-ID: <007501cab414$58c08cc0$0a41a640$@net> Ezekiel 18:20 reads The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. This verse asks and answers the question of the "Do we inherit original sin from Adam?" issue: Does the son bear the iniquity of the father? The following is God's answer to that question: v.19 When the son hath done that which is lawful & right, ... he shall surely live v.20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die v.20 son shall not bear the iniquity of the father v.20 the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him And so I don't inherit the sin of my biological father (nor the sin of Adam), and neither did Seth inherit the sin of Adam. God says "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father." The Calvinist and almost all denominations say just the opposite. Patrick Donahue www.BibleDebates.info -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100222/8abb43ec/attachment.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Feb 23 05:16:34 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:16:34 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) MATTHEW 5:27-37 Message-ID: <16f0.2e59353b.38b51312@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morn- ing to each and everyone. May the Lord bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: MATTHEW 5:27-37 As I begin to focus my attention upon Matt. 5:27-37, another passage of Scripture comes to my mind. It is Hab. 2:20: "But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent before Him." Most of the problems that have arisen concerning the passage in Matt. 5 would be avoided if individuals would simply recognize that God is God, and what He says is truth. God can- not be fooled by semantics, and His Word is nto to be manipulat- ed to one's own advantage. Jesus introduces the subject of adultery by referring to the seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exo. 20:14). The Law of Moses focused upon the act itself, and even called for the death penalty to be given to those involved. Jesus focused on the source of the act -- the heart. He spoke of one who "looks on a woman to lust for her" as having committed adultery with her already. But where? In his heart. It is one thing to merely glance at a woman, perhaps even acknowledg- ing that she is pretty and pleasant to see. It is another thing entirely to gaze upon her, longing for and fantasizing acts of sexual immorality with her. A classic example would be the way that David looked upon Bathsheba in 2 Sam. 11:2. There have been those who have sought to use Matt. 5:28 to divorce their spouses even when the physical act of adultery has not been committed. Such sophistry is beneath the faithful child of God. Paul Earnhart rightly described the sin of vs. 28 as "the calculated cultivation of the desire to possess one to whom you have no right." In vss. 29,30 the Lord emphasizes the seriousness of avoid- ing any such sins of immorality in the heart. He is speaking figu- ratively, not literally. The point is that man would be better off spiritually to be rid of these most useful parts of the body than to have them lead him into such sins of the heart. Recognizing that Jesus is speaking mataphorically, I appreciate how Harold Fowler put it in The Bible Study Textbook Series, "Better maim- ed then damned." As we move on to vss. 31 and 32, there is no need for me to address hjow thoroughly studied and debated these verses have been. The Lord's statement in vs. 21, "And it was said, Whoever sends his wife away, let him give her a certificate of di- vorce" comes from Deut. 24:1. A discussion of the various views of the rabbinical schools of the time is not germane to this article. What we do need to consider is vs. 32. When all of the arguments of one kind or another have been made, when all of the articles and books have been written, what our Lord's teach- ing boils down to is simply this: "The man who divorces his wife without Scriptural cause is an accomplice to her adultery if she remarries. Fornication alone gives a person the right to di- vorce his spouse and remarry without sin. The one who marries a wrongly divorced person becomes an adulterer" (Kenneth L. Chumbley, The Gospel of Matthew, pg. 105). In vs. 33 our Lord said, "Again, you have heard that the anc- ients were told, You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord." I have not been able to find the exact wording of the traditional teaching Jesus mentions here in the Old Testament. More then likely Jesus was giving a summary of the Law's teaching concerning the making of oaths from such passages as Lev. 19:12, a verse of Scripture that gives every indication of seeking to regulate an already prevalent practice. The problem was in the application of the regulation of the Law. Apparently the scribes and Pharisees saw the teaching fo the Law concerning oaths as permission not to be entirely truthful when one was not under an oath. What a shame and perversion of everything the Bible has to say about being truthful. In vs. 34 our Lord was not prohibiting the taking of oaths but lying and deception. All deceitful subtleties, lies, and ungodly semantics are show to be exactly what they are by the observat- ion that Jesus makes. There was not, and is not, a single thing which a person can swear that is not ultimately tied to God and His power. Who created the heavens? Who created the earth? Who created man and by Whom does Jerusalem stand? How foolish it is to think that one can play games with God or some- how manipulate Him. It is the responsibility of every child of God to be truthful, period. It does not matter if a person is under oath or not, for God is fully aware of every word he speaks, and there is no excuse for any word to be less than the truth. Yes must mean yes, and no must mean no. ------ Greg Litmer in That Ye May Grow Thereby. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Feb 23 05:16:41 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:16:41 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (6) Message-ID: <16f7.69c4803.38b51319@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the sixth installment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (6) THE ONE SPIRIT (CONTINUED): -- The One Spirit Avoids Quarr- els. "But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worth- less. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self- condemned" (Titus 3:9-11). As Paul finishes this great passage on salvation and the new birth, he reminds us that those of us with this one Spirit should not seek out or engage in the fusses and quarrels that often characterize the denominational proc- ess. That is why Paul admonishes Titus to avoid such behaviors. A man who is factious, demanding his way and his thinking dom- inates other believers, he is not behaving as if he has the Spirit of Truth leading him. That is why as believers we need to pay close attention to the little fusses we can engage in. The are un- profitable and worthless. If we are led by the Spirit, such actions will not take place. Just What Does It Mean, In Practical Terms, To Be led By The One Spirit? The process of salvation is simple. Take time to read what Luke tells us when the apostles came to the invitation given by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-39). There are three practical things that come from this invitation: We Need To Repent. This people realized they had crucified the Son of God. They were broken, saddened, and guilty. They cry out to Peter and the other apostles: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter begins his answer with their obligation to repent of their past sins. They needed to admit they were guilty as charged. They needed to admit they had gone the wrong way. They needed to admit that they needed a Savior. They needed to turn from all their past values and thinking. Peter would say the same to us today if he was in our midst. Give up on your thinking on how many churches there are. Think like God thinks. Give up on thinking any way is as good as any other way. Let your thoughts be guided by the One Spirit. That will bring about true repentance. Then, We Need To Be Baptized In Water, For The Remission Of Our Past Sins: -- The second thing that Peter mentions on this occasion is being baptized for the remission of ones past sins. This is not the popular line of our day, especially among the maj- ority of denominational churches. Still, if you have repented, giving up on your prior thinking and your practices that are in opposition to what Peter is preaching on this occasion, then you will be happy to be baptized for the remission of your past sins. This is what they did on Pentecost, they gladly received his words and were baptized to have their past sins removed from their lives, as Saul of Tarsus was told to do by Ananias. (Acts 22:16). Now, you may say you love the Lord and are happy with your church and way they do things. But, if you love the Lord, you will keep His commandments, including this one of being baptized for the remission of your past sins. If the Spirit of Truth is important to you and want Him to guide your life, you will listen to what He said through Peter on the Day of Pentecost. That is what 3,000 people did on that day. And that is what you and I have to do in this day. We have to be baptized in water for the remission of our past sins. The Third Thing Mentioned On This Occasion Was The Receiv- ing Of The Holy Spirit, The One Spirit: -- I suppose this is the amazing part of this. Peter says we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized into Christ. This gift is the guarant- ee, or down payment on our salvation, it starts us on the road to salvation, and if we keep up with the terms, or contract, with the Holy Spirit, we will wind up owning an eternal place with God in heaven. Remember, there is only One Spirit to receive. That One Spirit is given (not earned) in our being baptized for the re- mission of our past sins. It is not simply a trophy I claim because I have done so well, but it is the gift given because i have repented of my past sins and have been baptized into Christ. Then, in that moment I experience the renewal of the Spirit and the washing of regeneration in my life. In that moment I am born of the water and the Spirit. In that moment, I become part of the one body, the church, of Christ. Where Do You Stand At This Time? -- Have you done those things that we have studied? If not, prove your love for the Lord by obeying Him in all these things mentioned. He stands ready to forgive you. He stands ready to give you of His Spirit the down-payment on your salvation. You can have it all even today if you will do what the people on Pentecost did. Why not be saved today? ------ (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From tthornhill06 at yahoo.com Tue Feb 23 21:35:08 2010 From: tthornhill06 at yahoo.com (Tom Thornhill) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:35:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biblemat] Article: NCAA Bans "Eye Black Messages" Message-ID: <666420.66696.qm@web50903.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Greetings Brethren, Here is a short article based upon recent events. Tom Thornhill Jr. www.roseavenue.org NCAA CONSIDERING BAN OF EYE BLACK ?MESSAGES? You many not follow college football, but if you do, you probably know that University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow used to always put a scripture on the ?eye black? under his eyes when he played. I recall commentators looking up the scriptures and quoting them weekly. It was done more as a novelty than anything, else. But NOW, the NCAA is considering a ban of any writing on EYE BLACK. Why? I find it interesting that this decision comes on the heels of someone who professes to believe in Jesus! I can imagine the complaints as people were ?offended? that someone dared to force their faith on them. Have we become that sensitive as a nation, that one cannot even mention God because it might offend someone? Friends, this brings up a VERY serious concern. As a nation, every year we are drawing further away from God and sustainable moral standards. People DON?T want you to even mention God , and especially Jesus, in their presence . This is the very attitude that led to the crucifixion of Jesus. John 3:19?20 says, ?And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.? When God is finally outlawed from our vocabularies and this nation, we need to prepare to stand for the truth even in face of trials and tribulations. The day is coming sooner than we expect UNLESS we stand up for our freedoms right now. Don?t hide your light under a basket (Matt. 5:14-16) and don?t be ashamed to confess your Lord (Matt. 10:32-33). Our nation is constantly thinking of ways to restrict our religious freedoms. We just need to be creative and find ways to profess our faith while we still can. ?Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will be really find faith on earth?? Lk. 18:8 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100223/f3f88666/attachment-0001.html From tthornhill06 at yahoo.com Tue Feb 23 21:36:29 2010 From: tthornhill06 at yahoo.com (Tom Thornhill) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:36:29 -0800 (PST) Subject: [Biblemat] Article: Tiger Woods Makes A Statement Message-ID: <622490.86445.qm@web50904.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Here is another short article, written shortly after Tiger made his statement. It deals with the seriousness of marriage. Tom Thornhill Jr. www.roseavenue.org TIGER WOODS MAKES A STATEMENT! On Friday, February 19, 2010, Tiger Woods made a nationally televised statement in which he admitted his infidelity to his wife and family. Immediately after his statement, media of all sorts began questioning his sincerity in his actions. Did he mean it? Or was he just sorry he got caught? To such questions I say that only time will tell. Nevertheless, there are many lessons to consider from events such as this? reminders of the lure of sin, how do you deal with forgiveness, and the greed of exploitation, etc. But there is an observation I want to give more serious consideration to. Both before and even after this statement, many of the women he cheated against his wife with have come forward and made statements. I cannot help but question their motives?whether or not they are seeking fame and perhaps some worldly benefit. I cannot judge motives, but I DO know that our media is having a field day with it. Here is my concern! Tiger is trying to save his marriage. At least that is what he says? and I want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Why? BECAUSE I VALUE MARRIAGE! I believe that we ought to go to extreme lengths to save every scriptural marriage. Hebrews 13:4 says, ?Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers, God will judge.? Malachi 2:16 says that God hates divorce. We know that God only allows divorce and remarriage for infidelity and even that is limited to the innocent spouse. (Matt. 19:9) What our media is doing by exploiting those involved, including giving air time to all his affairs, endangers this marriage and CHEAPENS the sacredness of this institution from God (Matt. 19:4-6). Have no part with ANYONE who seeks to trivialize the sacredness of marriage. Sadly, that includes some of my brethren. TATJR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100223/87eab83c/attachment-0001.html From PatDonahue at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 23 20:02:51 2010 From: PatDonahue at bellsouth.net (Patrick Donahue) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:02:51 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Limited Atonement versus II Peter 2:1ff Message-ID: <005701cab4f5$7e0b08c0$7a211a40$@net> II Peter 2:1ff reads ? 1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in d?a?m?n?a?b?l?e heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 4,9if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to h?e?l?l, and delivered them into chains of darkness, ? reserved unto judgment; ?The Lord knoweth how to ? reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. These ?false teachers? were "bought" by the Lord (Jesus, 1:16), that is, He died for them: ? I Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23 bought with a price ? Revelation 5:9 redeemed us to God by thy blood (also Revelation 14:3 and 4) ? Matthew 20:28 to give his life a ransom for many ? Matthew 26:28 this is my blood ? which is shed for many for the remission of sins These ?false teachers? became lost: ? bring in condemnable heresies, bring upon themselves swift destruction ? denying the Lord ? pernicious ways, covetousness, feigned words, make merchandise of you ? their condemnation (stronger word in KJV) slumbereth not ? reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished ? servants of corruption Therefore Jesus' atonement is not limited to the elect/saved ! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100223/ab7e2b1c/attachment.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 24 05:38:43 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:38:43 EST Subject: [Biblemat] A) CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD Message-ID: <248d5.110b873f.38b669c3@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Wednesday morning to each and every one. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD (Romans 10:8-13) In regards to salvation, there are many different ways people will tell you to follow. If you were to ask most people the quest- ion of what to do to be saved, most would answer that you just need to believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Let's consider one of the most "popular" passages used to promote this false teaching: The World's View Of Romans 19:8-13: -- Take time just here to read this passage of Scripture. At face value, this passage seems to include everything necessary to be saved: Believe in Jesus and His resurrection, confess Jesus as Lord, and who- ever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. In many religious circles, this is the passage used to prove to others the need to say, what they call, "the sinner's prayer." Essentially this is a confession that one is a sinner, that they can't save themselves, and that they want Jesus to be their Sav- ior. You will likely notice in reading this passage that it says not- hing about praying a prayer as a means to this end. Much of this speculation revolves around the idea that "calling on the name of the Lord" must mean saying a prayer. Consider with me this phrase while looking at the context of this passage of Scripture: Let Us Look At The Context Of Romans 10: -- Many today read the Bible just like it was a text book written specifically to them. It must be understood that there was an author and a specific audience addressed. Before we can understand what it means to us, we really must come to an understanding of what it meant to the audience in the first century. Throughout the first eleven chapters of the Book of Romans one of Paul's primary objectives was for the Jew to understand that Gentiles were also fellow partakers of Christ. Under the Law of Moses, the Gentiles were formerly not accepted. Under the Law of Christ they are. The Jews needed to understand that this was prophesied about even in Old Testament times. In Rom. 9:25,26, Paul quotes from the prohet Hosea: He says: "I will call those who were not My people, 'My people.' And her who was not beloved, 'beloved.' And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, 'you are not My people.' There they shall be called sons of the living God." (Hos. 2:23; 1: 10). Christ is the end of the Old Law (Rom. 10:4). Now, there is no partiality with God (Rom. 10:12,13). Vs. 13 states: "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved," is actually a quotation from the Old Testament prophet (Joel 2:32). The apostle Peter quotes from Joel 2:28-32 at the beginning of his sermon in Acts 2. Joel 2 talks about the promise of the Spirit and Peter said he was talking about those things taking place on Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21). You will notice that Acts 2:21 is the same as Rom. 10:13. This was all said as an introduction to the first gospel sermon that Peter delivered on the first Pente- cost after the resurrection of Christ. At the end of Peter's sermon, the audience asks Peter and the other apostles what they needed to do. Peter had talked to them about Jesus being the Messiah, the Son of God. The Jews had put Jesus to death. Being pierced in their hearts, the people wanted to know that they needed to do (Acts 2:37). Peter did not command the Jews to believe in Jesus and say the sinner's prayer. He did not tell them to just audibly call out Jesus' name to be saved. Instead, he told them to: "repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38). There Is Another Passage That Talks About Calling On The Name Of The Lord: -- In Acts 22, the apostle Paul recounts his own conversion to the Jews in Jerusalem. He tells them about his trip to Damascus to punish Christians. He talks to them about Jesus appearing to him, striking him blind and telling him that he would be told in Damascus what he needed to do. Then Paul talks of Ananias, the one who was sent by the Lord to in- struct Paul as to what he must do. In talking about Ananias' words to Paul, he was told: "And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Calling on the name of the Lord was equivalent to being baptized and washing away your sins. What About The Application Of Romans 10:8-13? -- So what do we do with this passage of Scripture? Yes, we must believe in Jesus, along with His death, burial, and resurrection. Yes, we must confess with our mouth what we believe in our heart, that Jesus is the Son of God, take note of: (Acts 8:37; Matt. 16:16). These are not the only things involved in our salvation how- ever. Rom 10 says nothing about repentance but we know this is necessary (Lk. 13:3; Acts 17:30). We must also be baptized in water for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38; Mk. 16:16). This is what washes away our sins (Acts 22:16). Salvation is for all. There is no one who cannot be saved. Rom. 10 teaches us that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. "Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." We are to be obedient to His wishes. Peter explained it on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Paul explained what he was told to do and he obeyed Acts 22. Won't you take the opportunity to be saved in the same way? Why not look into your spiritual life before God today? You can find all that you need to know in order to be saved from your past sins. 2 Tim. 3:16,17. The New Testament is Christ's Law to men today. Study it, believe it, obey it. ----- Shane Williams in The Lilbourn Light, Vol. 10, No. 9, Jan. 2010. From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Feb 24 05:38:51 2010 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:38:51 EST Subject: [Biblemat] S) "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (7) Message-ID: <248e0.4509a6c1.38b669cb@wmconnect.com> Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the seventh install- ment of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. "KEEPING THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT" (7) We have been studying a passage of Scripture found in Eph. 4:1-6. In this passage Paul tells the Ephesians what they must believe and obey in order to have the unity required by the Lord. >From what Paul says, unity is obviously one of God's priorities. We should be unified because there is one body, not many, there is one Spirit, not several. And, in our study beginning to- day we see that there is one hope of our calling. I am not sure of what heaven will look like. I am not sure that that any of us can truly grasp the splendors of heaven as we are still in this life. But I do know that heaven will be a place harmony and community. There will be countless thousands of souls praising God together. And, so we can all understand, there is only one heaven. There will not be a heaven for one group and another place for a different group in a place called heaven. All the redeemed of all the ages will be in God's pres- ence in that place prepared for the faithful. It is a place hoped for by every faithful Christian upon the earth today. Note What Jesus Said: -- "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come agains, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (Jno. 14:1-3). In this passage of Scripture, Jesus says three great things concerning our hope: There Is A Place Prepared For All The Faithful Children Of God: -- Jesus is looking into the faces of troubled disciples. The Lord has told them He is leaving them, and that has them upset and uncertain about the future without Him. So, to reassure them, Jesus promises that there is a place prepared for them. The Lord Himself is going to that place to get everything ready for their coming. The good news is that this promise is to all faithful Christ- ians. All of us have a hope of heaven. Every one of Jesus' foll- owers wil be there. No one will be left behind, whether dead or living when the Lord comes again to receive His own. Heaven Will Not Be Limited For Space -- There Will Be Room For One And All That Serve The Lord Faithfully In This Life: -- Jesus adds that there are many rooms in that place that He will go and prepare. This is, there will be room for all the saved of all the ages of mankind upon the earth. Some religious groups contend that only a few will be saved to the extent they will be in heaven with the Lord. They contend that those that will be able to be in heaven in the presence of the Lord are only 144,000 as is mentioned in Rev. 7. But Jesus says there will be plenty of room in heaven to house all that prepare themselves to go there. You won't have to worry about being turned away because there will be no more room (in the Inn, as it were). Yes, there will be room for each and every person that has prepared himself to go to heaven. Heaven Will Be A Special Place For A Special People Because Of The Presence Of The Lord: -- This is what makes heaven so special. It is not the place per se, but the presence of the Lord will be the Light for all. Jesus says that He will come and take us to where He will be. Won't it be wonderful there? What makes heaven such a wonderful place is the Lord who saved us will be there to greet us and be with us forever. When Paul speaks of that great hope, he has in mind the presence of Jesus. That is what he said about his own death: "But I am hard-press- ed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better" (Phil. 1:23). Truly, it will be special and wonderful to see and be in the presence of Jesus. Notice how Paul puts it: "But we do not want you to be unin- formed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, witht the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words" (1 Thes. 4:13-18). He tells us two important things about our one hope: We will look at those two things in our next study on the one hope. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). From robertwater at gmail.com Wed Feb 24 06:06:16 2010 From: robertwater at gmail.com (Robert Waters) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 06:06:16 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] A) ELITISM Message-ID: *ELITISM * The word "elite" conveys two different meanings. There are those who are the choice part of the whole. Thus we have elite companies of soldiers, scientists or musicians, etc. Then there are those who think of themselves as elite as compared to their peers. They may or may not be superior, but they think they are and they act in a way that reflects that belief. We describe their behavior as "elitism." In common conversation we rarely use the word in a complementary way. When we see people of the world, who fancy themselves as elite, we shake our heads, take note of their arrogant pride and dismiss them as a bag of hot air. But when we see fellow-Christians exhibiting an air of elitism we should pity them and try to help them see themselves as the sinners they are. We should encourage them to seek the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5). * Some feel superior to others because of their wealth and material possessions. * Some affect an elite attitude because of their extensive knowledge. * Others do so because of their educational attainments. * Those who have exceptional talent may develop an elitist attitude. * Those who are in an important position or office are easily tempted to be elitist. * Others assume an air of elitism because of the past glories of their family, their school or their company. Whatever the case, you can be sure that the Christian who sees himself as elite is still an immature child with shallow faith and lacking experience in the word of righteousness (Heb. 5:13). A number of other terms come to mind when we seek to describe an elitist: snob, high-brow, arrogant, superior-acting, big-headed, prideful, strutting. One noted preacher was described by a peer as the only man he knew who could strut while sitting down. Elitism has no place among disciples of Christ. Jesus is our mentor and example. While He, by right, could have claimed a superior station among men, he "emptied himself, taking the form of a servant...he humbled himself..." (Phil 2:7-8). We are to imitate him (I Cor. 11:1) and follow his steps (I Pet. 2:21). Rather than imagine our self to be in an elite class, we are to be servants of others (Matt. 20:27). Rather than expecting others to wait on us, we must be willing to wash their feet (John 13:13-14). Rather than proclaiming or projecting our greatness, we must deny our self and follow Christ (Matt. 16:24). Rather than seeking, claiming or demanding honor for self, our desire should be that others be given the honor (Rom. 12:10). Rather than exalting our self we must mortify the sinful pride that craves such attention (Rom. 8:13). If anyone should every think of us as elite, let it be because we have excelled leading the lost to Christ, in serving others and that we have loved and served our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt.22:37) . When we wish to evaluate our attainments and success, we must not compare our self with other Christians, but with the Master himself. When that we do, we will blush with shame and bow our heads confessing that we, like Paul, are the chief of sinners (I Tim. 1:15). Then we will cast off our elitist attitude as a filthy garment unsuited for a servant of the great Jehovah. -John Waddey ** * * *TotalHealth.bz* *Focus On Truth * -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100224/e33daf20/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Wed Feb 24 10:20:38 2010 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 11:20:38 EST Subject: [Biblemat] Article - Broken and Damaged .... Message-ID: <2c92f.2c6f50ca.38b6abd6@aol.com> Broken and Damaged Families May be Corrected By Following God?s Family Values Biblemat - Number 5 =============================================== THE "ONE PARENT FAMILY UNIT" LESSON 4 In family relationships there arises the "one parent family" for one reason or the other from time to time. This is not the ideal family situation yet there are times when it does occur. The "one parent family" is not necessarily displeasing to God; there may be justifiable circumstance for the existence of the "one parent family." In this third lesson in our series I present the teaching of the Bible on this continuing occurrence (i.e., the "ONE PARENT FAMILY UNIT") in our society today. THE "ONE PARENT FAMILY UNIT" Whenever "FAMILY VALUES" are discussed the reality of the "ONE PARENT FAMILY" inevitability arises. It is apparent to the casual observer that the one parent family is here to stay. Because of the reality of the one parent family the subject has to be addressed by those of us who constitute the church of Christ. The one parent family has become a fixture in every community in America today. Whenever one searches the Scripture it is clear, there are at least three ways that the "ONE PARENT FAMILY UNIT" can exist with the approval of God, please note the following chart: 1. At the death of either the father or the mother in a family where children are a part of the "FAMILY UNIT." In such a case the surviving parent would be greatly handicapped in accomplishing all the things that the family might require. Yet the "one parent family" could please God by living, as God would have him/her to live and proceed to raise the children according to God's instructions. 2. The adultery of one of the parents may create a "ONE PARENT FAMILY" if the innocent party puts away the adulterer according to instructions in Matthew 19:9. In such a case the innocent party would continue to please God by serving Him and raising the children according to His instructions. 3. In the case of rape, a child is brought into the world and the father of the child is either unknown or will not marry the victim. In this case the laws of God have again been violated by one of the parents (i.e., the father); as a result a "one parent family" may be brought into existence. In such a case the mother (i.e., victim) may please God by continuing to live according to God's instructions and raise the child according to His instruction as well. In this case, (i.e., pregnancy resulting from rape) several problems are created that need to be resolved. One of the problems is the child itself and another is the mother's health and well-being. I will freely admit that I do not have all the answers to these problems but wisdom and experience dictates to me that abortion is not an option, perhaps adoption is. CONSIDER THIS: In each of the cases mentioned in this study, the probability that the single parent will eventually marry is extremely likely. Whenever a single parent considers marriage, he/she would do well to consider marring another Christian. The child of God should heed the instructions of the Holy Spirit in this matter, please observe the following Scriptural reference: 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as 17 God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV) If at all possible -- Christians ought to marry Christians. _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) 2-24-2010 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20100224/7acf5dcd/attachment-0001.html From robertwater at gmail.com Wed Feb 24 10:55:20 2010 From: robertwater at gmail.com (Robert Waters) Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:55:20 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Discover the 90/10 Principle Message-ID: Greetings to the list, Below is something I got off the Web and adapted some. Enjoy. RW * * *Discover the 90/10 Principle* The 90/10 Principle can change your life by changing the way you react to situations. What it means is: 10% of life is made up of what happens to you, but 90% of life is decided by how you react. This means we really have NO control over 10% of what happens to us. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction. Do not let people fool you. YOU can control how you react. Let us use an example: You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. What happens next will be determined by how you react. You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, your turn to your wife and you criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus. Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 45 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed limit zone. After a 15-minute delay and a $60.00 traffic fine, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you realize you forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible and it continues to get worse and worse. You look forward to going home. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter. Why? It was all because of how you reacted that morning at the breakfast table. What caused the bad day? Did the coffee cause it? Did your daughter cause it? Did the policeman cause it? Did you cause it? The answer is, you caused it. You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened: Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: ?It is okay, honey, you just need to be more careful next time.? Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt. You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window and see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early and cheerfully greet the staff. What a difference! There were two different scenarios. Both started the same. Both ended differently, but why?. The difference was your reaction. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life (the coffee). The other 90% was determined by YOU--your reaction. Millions of people are suffering from underserved stress, trials, problems and headaches. We all must understand and apply the 90/10 Principle. It can change your life! Enjoy it. It only takes willpower to give ourselves permission to make the change. Absolutely everything we do, give, say, or even think is like a boomerang. It will come back to us. If we want to receive, we must first learn to give. This reminds me of the Golden Rule that Jesus gave to the world: ?Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.? Adapted from material by Stephen Covey -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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