[Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 015

Sat Apr 12 21:22:20 CDT 2008

      T

he Messenger 2008

Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ

306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059   731-627-3514

Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan

VOLUME 003::ISSUE 015 :: April 13, 2008  

ARTICLE ONE:   Truth and Assumption

ARTICLE TWO:  Open to the Truth

Article One: Truth and Assumption

Assuming is often a dangerous thing. Assumption is not accepted in most areas of life. We do not want our Doctors to assume we are healthy. We do not want our mechanic to assume the wheels will stay on. But then how many people simply hand their souls over to "someone's assumption" of what is right in religion everyday? We need to get past assumptions.      

The Bible teaches only one truth and we can know that truth. In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes the Father accept through Me." The Bible provides only one gospel; any other is ".not another" (Galatians 1:6-9). The Bible instructs us by only one doctrine (2 John 1:9 "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in THE doctrine of Christ does not have God"). These things must be understood but also we must understand that we can know the truth (John 8:31-32). Let's look at some of these "assumptions" according to what the Bible really says.

Many Assume that TIME Makes a Practice Right.

The reliance on traditions is very important to many. Sometimes it is family tradition:

"Mom and Dad believed" or "Grandma and Grandpa believed". Consider this, if they always believed and practiced something other than the truth you can't make it less wrong by repeating their mistakes. This is a simple case of what Jesus calls, "the blind leading the blind" (Matthew 15:14). If they did not search the scripture to prove their beliefs but chose to follow them anyway; they shut their eyes to the truth. If you then declare that you will follow them you have closed your eyes as well.

Sometimes it is traditions in their religious group. There are groups today that deny the Bible and use their own traditions as authority. If you ask members of different groups why they do certain things, a common answer would be, "We have just always done it that way".

In Matthew 15:1-9 Jesus condemns these false practices of tradition over truth. He declares that this worship is "vain" [empty] when they "teach as doctrines the commandments of men". If something transgresses God's will today then it will not fall in line tomorrow. Consider the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3. If traditions were acceptable why did Christ command them to repent or else? 

Many Assume that FEELING Determines the Truth.

There are those that have assumed that religion is a "feeling". Many seek and enjoy the conjured atmospheres of certain "religious" places-large cathedrals with its robes, regalia, dimmed lights, maybe incense or candles.  There are others who are seeking the rush of live bands and strobe lights to make them "feel" motivated.

The pattern of worship in the New Testament is simple: Matthew 28:19 "Go and teach." not "bring the feeling". Feeling is heavily marketed today. Dynamic speakers stand up with tear laden messages and the audience just eats it up. Where is the gospel? Poems and testimonials are not "preaching Christ and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2). 

The apostle Paul warned of times when people would not stand for the truth. In 2 Timothy 4:1-4 he said, "They will heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears".

If we preach anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ we will be accursed (Galatians 1:1-9). The preaching of "Christ" as recorded in the New Testament was presented in such a way as to bring a humble response not a loud rock concert. There are three words that focused the purpose of proper preaching: convincing, convicting, and converting.

Some Assume Truth Changes With The Times

Many think times have changed; people have changed. This is not true. People have not changed we still have the same basic needs and the same basic desires. We have come a long way technologically but we are still just humans. 

Sin has been around since the Garden. The sins committed in cities like Corinth and Rome in the first century would make the most brazen of our age blush. Sin has not changed: it has always followed the same pattern: The record of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 shows the same pattern of temptation as in the record of Matthew 4:1-11 and the statements of 1 John 2:15-17. Temptation comes in three forms: "Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life". There is no sin that falls outside of one of those categories-not then, not now; not ever.

The Bible is never-changing. The Scriptures themselves declare their permanence even as Jesus says in Matthew 24:35 "heaven and earth will pass away but My word will by no means pass away." The Bible was, and is, the power of God to salvation. It was enough to convert, cleanse and save those in Corinth (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 "you were washed, sanctified and justified"). It is still the only source of salvation today"(Romans 1:16 It is "the power of God unto salvation"). 

Conclusion: What man "assumes" has very little to do with truth. Traditions do not make truth. Feelings do not define truth. Time does not change the truth. 

The truth is real, consistent, and sure; it has been around for a long time and it is still as powerful today as ever. The truth is what you can safely place your trust in. Do you want to be saved? You can be saved according to truth today! On the back of this bulletin there is a chart that outlines the plan of salvation. Please take the time to read it and the passages that it refers to and please obey God today. ~tss

Article Two:  Open to the Truth

            Truth is a never changing fact even in an ever-changing world. Truth, by definition, is absolute and without question. It is puzzling how today's world, on a whim, can disregard definitions of words like "truth". Many, today, believe that truth is entirely relative, or subjective. In other words, you have your truth and I have my truth, and everybody is happy. Whenever we come up with mixed answers we must find a resolve; we must find a standard of what is right and base our judgments on that standard. The standard we recognize is the Word of God-the Bible.

            How does this idea of "subjective truth" stand in the light of the Bible? We could draw out many different passages to use as a text but Matthew 7:21-23 seems to hit this argument the best since we are dealing with people who want to serve God according to their own will. So, how does that stand up in comparison to the clear teaching of Matthew 7:21-23? In this passage the people were very religious; they were religious about Jesus. They certainly believed that they were right and truthful in their conduct. Jesus, however, points out that they were not doing the truth. According to Jesus, "truth" is "doing the Heavenly Father's will" not your own.

            We apparently cannot decide what is acceptable to us and then expect that God will adjust Himself to come to us. The fact is: God created us with the desire that we should find Him and worship Him-that we would go to Him (Acts 17:27). He also in fact revealed His will to us: So that we would follow His will not our own (Hebrews 1:1-2; James 1:17-22). It is that revealed will that gives us the standard of absolute truth (John 17:17), the directions toward true salvation (John 8:31-32; John 14:6), and the standard by which we will be ultimately judged (John 12:48).

The scriptures declare that truth is specific. We are told that truth is absolute and also necessary for salvation. Every one of us here today should desire salvation and therefore the absolute truth.

We Need Open Eyes to See The Need For Truth.

            One of the hardest people to honestly look at is our self. We need to open our eyes to the reality of our own condition-lost without Christ. Before one will change they must see the necessity of that change. Before one will obey God they must first realize that they are lost and that they need to be saved. So where are you? 

            Every person, who has reached a place of accountability, needs the salvation that is found through the obedience of the truth (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Jesus quotes Isaiah's prophecy concerning this lack of sight (Matthew 13:14-16). His final proclamation is, "Blessed are your eyes for they see." (v.16). 

            When we open our eyes to the Gospel it opens our understanding. Truth causes a reaction just as it did when Peter preached in Jerusalem (Acts 2). Just as it did when Philip preached Jesus to the Eunuch (Acts 8). Just as it did when Ananias preached to Saul of Tarsus in Damascus (Acts 22:12-16). One who is willing to admit their sins and lost condition will truly understand the importance of salvation.

We Need Open Ears to Hear The Truth

            Once we realize where we are our work is not over, neither is God's help. God has delivered the required knowledge. When we see that we need to find God, He continues to help by giving us direction. We must open our ears to both hear and listen to what He says. In His word we find the message of salvation. We learn that we must be obedient to God's will alone (Matthew 7:21). We learn that we must change our lives to conform to the example of His Son (1 Peter 2:21-23). We learn that we must maintain this change through continual faithfulness all the days of our life (Hebrews 10:35-39). All of these things require a willingness to actually listen-open ears.

            Jesus used a fitting statement upon finishing a parable, He said, "He that has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 13:9). In other words, "you have ears so. use them." We must be willing to open our ears to the truth. There are times when this is not as easy as it sounds. There are passages that challenge us to change our life, and that is difficult at best. Consider Romans 12:1-2, which instructs us to change from being like the world to being different than the world. A similar passage would be 1 John 2:15-17, which instructs us to deny the world and the things of the world. This is not easy especially for anyone who has grown accustomed to worldly things. But Jesus' finishing statement would fit into both of these passages: "He that has ears to hear, let him hear". If we desire the benefits of the truth, we will open our ears to the Word.

We Need To Open Our Mouth with The Truth

            We have looked into our selves to see that change was needed in our life. We have opened our ears to hear the truth and actually proved we were listening by making the necessary changes in order to live the truth. We are now bound ethically to share the truth. When is the last time that we spoke the name Jesus outside these walls? Have we been telling anyone at work or others in our family what Jesus has done in our life? Have we explained how we heard the gospel-the good news of salvation? Have we explained what we did and are doing to obey that gospel? Have we told them that it is available for them? We must be aware of the souls in need around us.

            Once we understand the peril of sin and the hope of salvation through Jesus we will not be able to ignore the fact that others need to know. Our eyes should look upon sinners with great concern (Matthew 9:36). That concern should be taken further and we should strive to bring them to repentance and salvation (2 Peter 3:9). By talking to others about the Gospel we give them an opportunity to share in the greatest gift (Romans 5:8) and we may save a soul from eternal condemnation. 

Conclusion: Do you desire the truth this morning? The truth is a never changing standard even in this ever-changing world. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Are you looking for the freedom that Christ promises? Open you eyes, and your ears to the truth. Once you have obeyed, then you can join our voice in sounding the message of truth to others. ~tss

If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list.   

Sean

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