From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 1 02:33:01 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 03:33:01 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) PSALM 8 Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. PSALM 8 While guarding sheep in his youth, David must have looked to the stars and wondered at the majesty of their Maker. He must have walked with his family to the place of worship, sing- ing praises to God. Like David, many of us in our youth have glorified God sing- ing the grand verses penned by the poets. I am sometimes be- wildered how willingly we sing in great expressions of praise but seem to hesitate in our sermons to articulate majestic and magnificent admiration for God Almighty! David did not seem to be afflicted with that reluctance. I love old hymns, like this one: "Down at the cross where my Savior died, down where for cleansing from sin I cried, there to my heart was the blood applied: glory to His name!" (E.A. Hoff- man, 1878). And I love some of the new songs, like this one: "Father, we love You, we worship and adore You; glorify Your name in all the earth" (Donna Atkins, 1976). Or this one: "We will glorify the King of kings, we will glorify the Lamb; we will glorify the Lord of lords, who is the great I AM. Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty, we will bow before His throne; we will worship Him in righteous- ness, we will worship Him alone" (Twila Paris, 1982). But I have to say that I love the old Israelite Psalms the best because they come directly from the Holy Spirit: "O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth...When I consid- er Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mind- ful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" (Psa. 8). Psalm 8 is a beautiful hymn of praise that celebrates the char- acter of God through meditation upon the wonder and glory of the creation. The work of God's fingers includes the moon and the stars, themselves exemplary of the vast universe which He ordained. How glorious is our God! The text speaks of God's creation of mankind made lower than angels but crowned with glory and honor. But too often, we emphasize the exalted standing of man within the creation rather than to praise God who made him and give him his place above other creatures: "You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet" (Psa. 8:4-6). Do not miss David's point or misplace the emphasis. It is God who is to be glorified, no man. "To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Eph. 3:21). Psalm 8 is a seminal writing intended to excite further medita- tion upon the grand nature of its subject. It is cited at least four times in the New Testament, each time in praise and glory to God in and through the person of His Divine Son, Jesus Christ! In these passages, we find its ultimate fulfillment. He Is Our Creator: -- In Matt, 21L16, Jewish chief priests and scribes expressed resentment toward Jesus because the child- ren were praising HIm. Jesus reminded them of David's comm- ent that "out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise" (Psa. 8:2). Jesus was, of course, God the Son. He not only performed miracles on earth but through Him all things were created (Jno. 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). Even the young children praised His majesty. Never forget that when we praise the Christ, we praise God! He Is Our Savior: -- In Heb. 2:1-10 the Holy Spirit uses this great Psalm to bring us to "see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone." All things have been placed under the Christ, not under angels. This One "for whom are all things and by whom are all things" is superior to all others. We glorify Him because He has brought many others, even ourselves, to glory (vs. 10). He Is Our Ruler: -- To God alone belongs all original, innate auth- ority. Only God ultimately possesses the right to subordinate anything to anyone. He has given dominion over the material creation to man (Psa. 8:6). But an even greater fulfillment of this Scripture is found in the Gospel. In a special way, we are to glori- fy His name and the name of Christ because God has given to His Son superior authority over both the natural creation and the spiritual kingdom (Matt. 28:18). Paul said, "He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church" (Eph. 1:22). Paul also declared that His reign will contin- ue until all enemies including death are destroyed (1 Cor. 15:27). We glorify the Lord of lords who presides over the spiritual lives of all who submit to God's rule because He is our King! Psalm 8 begins and ends with this grand statement: O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth." Each day of our life should begin and end with that expression. Our wors- hip should begin and end with such expressions of praise. And...our very lives should begin and end in obedient complian- ce with His will -- understanding that more than the grandest words, our innermost spirit and our living actions glorify His name. -------------- Colly Caldwell in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 2, February, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080901/06e30e1a/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 1 02:32:47 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 03:32:47 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) JEHOVAH-JIREH 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 ancient files: JEHOVAH - JIREH As the patriarch journied northward toward the land of Mori-ah, his heart must have been sorely burdened with anguish and grief, unexplained to his companions. Every paternal instinct re- belled at the approaching ordeal, for every hope had been centu- red in Isaac, the son of promise. However, with a resolute faith in God the elderly man stifled every natural impulse, call his dearest treasure and bound the son upon a newly built altar. The "father of the faithful" stood willing to obey; the knife was poised, but God intervened, say- ing, "Now I know that thou fearest God." A ram which had been caught in the nearby thicket was substituted, and in his thanks- giving Abraham called the name of the place "Jehovah - Jireh," which means "God will see or provide," and four centuries later it was still said, "In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided." God will provide! How comforting it is to know that an omni- potent God watches from a celestial throne, observes the needs of His children and graciously provided for their necessities! "In the mount of Jehovah it shall be provided." According to tradition, the site of Abraham's test became the location of Solo- mon's temple and ultimately the Zion from whence went forth the new law. Since God's full revelation has now been made known, men are privileged to come to mount Zion, to drink of the living water, and to believe the Master's admonition: "Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." God will provide! -------------- Bill Humble in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June, 1952. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080901/70c7ba01/attachment-0001.html From thomasc at msu.edu Mon Sep 1 08:05:25 2008 From: thomasc at msu.edu (Craig Thomas) Date: Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:05:25 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S>God Is Not Message-ID: <20080901130526.6EC23BC17C@dumbledore.whizardries.com> God Is Not I. Introduction: 1. People have many different concepts of God, but God is not what many people think He is. 3. So, today, let?s consider some things ?God Is Not.? God is not II. Discussion: 1. A Respecter of Persons A. Whether they realize it or not, many indict God as arbitrary, capricious, despotic, tyrannical, and dictatorial. B. That?s exactly what Calvinism does when it teaches ?Unconditional Election.? C. Note one definition of ?Unconditional Election?: ?God?s choice of certain individuals unto salvation before the foundation of the world rested solely in His own sovereign will. His choice of particular sinners was not based on any foreseen response of obedience on their part, such as faith, repentance, etc. On the contrary, God gives faith and repentance to each individual whom He selected. These acts are the result, not the cause of God?s choice Those whom God sovereignly elected He brings through the power of the Spirit to a willing acceptance of Christ. Thus God?s choice of the sinner, not the sinner?s choice of Christ, is the ultimate cause of salvation.? (Bible Life Ministries; www.biblelife.org) D. There has never been a doctrine that is more false! (1) Such a doctrine would make God a respecter of persons which He is not! Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Acts 10:34-35 (2) Such a doctrine is not the way the Bible says God calls men to salvation (2 Thes. 2:13-14; Rom. 10:17; Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 8:11-15; Jas. 1:21; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). E. Make no mistake! God is not a respecter of persons; He requires the same of all men (Rom. 2:5-11). 2. Like A Man A. Many think God is like a man; e.g., the ?doting grandfather? view of God so prominent with many. (1) God is not human (Num. 23:19). (2) God is a spirit (Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:39). B. Thus, we must not make the mistake of believing God thinks like a man (Isa. 55:8-9). 3. Mocked A. Mock means ?to attack or treat with ridicule, contempt, or derision to challenge, defy; to deceive, delude, or disappoint.? (Dictionary.com) B. Job asked a question we all need to seriously consider, Job 13:9. (1) The answer is a resounding ?NO!? Gal. 6:7 (2) God means what He says! Heb. 1:1-2; 2:1-4 (esp. vs. 3) 4. The Cause of Confusion A. None can deny that great confusion exists in today?s religious world. B. But, it?s not God?s fault (1 Cor. 14:33). C. When confusion and division exist man is always the cause! 2 Pet. 2:2 Confusion is the result of: (1) Envy and self-seeking (Jas. 3:13-17). (2) False teaching (Matt. 15:7-9, 14, 12-13). D. Following God?s plan eliminates confusion and establishes unity (Psa. 133:1; Jn. 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Gal. 5:20; Eph. 4:1-6). 5. Tempted By Evil A. Man is tempted by evil, but God is not! Jas. 1:12-15 B. Remember, God is not a man (Isa. 55:8-9), thus, temptation in no way affects Him. (1) Satan tried (Matt. 4:1-11). (2) Man tried (Matt. 21-22 the 5 ?testings? of Jesus). (3) Yet, no sin (Heb. 4:15-16). 6. The God of the Dead A. Jesus said so in Matt. 22:32 (read and discuss context of Matt. 22:23-32). B. This has at least two very critical ramifications: (1) God is not dead, but alive! Jer. 10:10 (2) Materialists are wrong about the destiny of man! (a) Man does have an eternal soul/spirit (Gen. 1:26; Jn. 4:24; Lk. 24:39). (b) Our eternal spirit will reside in heaven or hell (Jn. 5:28-29; Matt. 25:46). 7. One To Forget A. Some think as time passes God will forget their sin (2 Pet. 3:3-10); we?ve seen that?s not true (Gal. 6:7). B. But neither will God forget our labor and travail (Heb. 6:9-12; 1 Cor. 15:58). 8. Ashamed To Be Called Our God A. What a glorious thought! Heb. 11:16; Rom. 8:16-17 B. Yet, some seem ashamed to be His children (Jer. 13:11; Rev. 21:1-4; Heb. 10:25). 9. Impatient A. We should be so thankful that God is not impatient (2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:4). B. But, God?s patience is not unlimited! Jer. 11:14; 2 Cor. 5:10 III. Conclusion: 1. I hope you are now aware of some things ?God Is Not.? 2. But, there is one final thing ?God Is Not.? 3. ?God Is Not? going to save you unless you ?obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ? and ?know? Him (2 Thess. 1:7-9; 1 Jn. 2:3-5). 4. Do you want to be saved or lost? Adapted from ?Some Things God Is Not,? in Gospel Meeting Sermons by Johnie Edwards, 1979, Faith and Facts, Indianapolis, IN "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) ************************************************************************* M M III Craig V. Thomas M M M M I Just a Christian (Acts 11:26) M M M M I 350 Pineridge Lane M M M M I Sandusky, MI 48471 M M M III E-mail: thomasc at msu.edu Phone: 810-648-5009 (home) Phone: 810-404-3402 (cell) ************************************************************************* "Perseverance is that quality of character that sees a thing through in spite of adversities and even though results are not immediately visible." John Witt "The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul." David O. McKay -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080901/ba596aa9/attachment-0001.html From jwquinn at sbcglobal.net Mon Sep 1 12:43:25 2008 From: jwquinn at sbcglobal.net (Jon W. Quinn) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 12:43:25 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Expository Files - September 2008 15.9 Now Available Message-ID: In our 15th year of publication (1994-2008) Expository Files - September 2008 **Our 178th monthly issue** Expository Files is a monthly electronic journal dedicated to Biblical studies. It is edited by Warren E Berkley and Jon W. Quinn. This effort began with the January, 1994 issue and continues to this day. In addition to the four or so expository articles by different writers in each issue, there are special topical studies. In addition, each issue begins and ends with editorials by the editors. We have expository material from every book in the Bible, though there are still portions that are much more lightly covered than others. Thanks to our writers and our readers for making Expository Files such a success! ---------------------------------------------------------- Expository Files 15.9; September 2008 Co-edited by Warren E. Berkley and Jon W. Quinn ---------------------------------------------------------- This month's issue contains: The Front Page; September 2008 You Can Be Better By Warren E. Berkley A Certain Rich Man: What Was The Problem? Luke 12:16-21 By Warren E. Berkley The Greatest Mission John 12:44-50 By Brady Cook A Letter From Jesus ?...written not with ink...? 2 Corinthians 3:2-5 By Jon W. Quinn What God Wants Us to Do Deuteronomy 10.12-13) By Wayne S. Walker Topic Page: Conveying The Message By David Smitherman Plan of Salvation By Jon W. Quinn Focusing on Focus Expository Files 15.9; The Final Page By Jon W. Quinn ---------------------------------------------------------- EF can be found at the following places: http://www.bible.ca/ef/ Every issue - 1994 to present; every article; html; arranged by book; topic and/or issue; Search engine http://expositoryfiles.homestead.com/index.html 2004-2006 in html by issue; 1994-2003 in zipped self executable format for IBM http://www.geocities.com/w_berkley/ EF in PDF by issue; Sept 2003 to present ===== Jon W. Quinn jwquinn at sbcglobal.net Bradley Church of Christ Bradley, IL 60915 From GLClair at aol.com Mon Sep 1 17:24:01 2008 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Mon, 1 Sep 2008 18:24:01 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] HILLIARD BULLETIN (A) for September 2008 Message-ID: HILLIARD BULLETIN Published two times each month by the church of Christ 4840 Cemetery Rd ? P.O. Box 96 Hilliard, OH 43026 Phone: (614) 976-4089 Preacher & Editor: Garreth L. Clair Phone: (614) 850-7252 Email: _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) ==================================================================== Volume 10 Number 9 (A) September 2008 ==================================================================== THE TRUTH - Editorial John 8:32, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." COMMENT ON VERSE: This passage of Scripture as recorded by John stresses the importance that J esus Christ attaches to understanding the value of "truth." Jesus indicates that the "truth" will make man free. Jesus did not leave us in the dark about what he meant when He said "the truth shall make you free"; He clearly indicates in the context that freedom from sin is acquired through understanding and applying "truth." John 17:17, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." COMMENT: ON VERSE: In this verse Jesus teaches us that the "truth" He encourages mankind to live by is the Word of God. The Word of God either oral or written may be understood in the text as applicable. Yet, today we do not enjoy oral, or inspired knowledge received directly from God but we do have the "WRITTEN WORD OF GOD" that is just as much God's Word and as if it were spoken orally (i.e., such as Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Elijah, etc.). Or given to us directly by inspired men (i.e., such as Moses, Solomon, Matthew, Mark, John, Paul, etc.). John 12:47-50, "And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejected me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak." (KJV) COMMENT ON VERSES: In these verses Jesus is teaching the eternal ramifications of man's failure to heed the teaching that comes from God. Jesus teaching in the 47th verse does not indicate that He will not be the Judge of all mankind in the last day but suggest that God's Word spoken, or written will be the standard of that judgment as the next verse suggest. In verse 48 Jesus tells mankind that the words that He speaks will be the standard of judgment in the last day. Then in verses 49, 50 He further establishes the source of His teaching and the validity of that source to present the absolute "truth." FURTHER COMMENT: There is nothing in this life of greater importance to mankind than a proper understanding of the nature of the Bible (i.e., the 66 Books of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures). Jesus Christ in the above context suggests to us that the Word of God (i.e. "the Bible") is the absolute TRUTH." We either accept that the Bible is truth or reject it. If we accept or reject the Bible as truth it will be reflected in the way we order our life, our lifestyle will tell everyone else around us whether we believe it or not. Our corner of the world will reflect our philosophy toward the validity of the Bible's message to us for either good or for evil, indeed; we will either be a Christian or a non-Christian. --- [Glc] January 2006 ? Revised IS THE PREACHER TOO OLD? By Garreth L. Clair Occasionally someone with a need to become important begins to spread a rumor that the preacher is too old to do his work and the congregation is suffering because of his age. This is just one of those tactics that the Devil uses to undermine the truth and the peace in a local congregation. Remember you will never see the Devil in person; the Devil appears in human form sometimes as a brother in Christ or even as an "angel of light" - cf. 2 Cor 11:14-15, "14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." There are no age limits for the ministers of the gospel; the New Testament and early traditions indicate that there were good men preaching the gospel into their very old age. We may also see in the Old Testament that most of the great heroes of the 11th chapter of the Book of Hebrews were old men who continued until they died. PLEASE LOOK AT THE WORK OF MOSES: Deut 34:1-8, 1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, 3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. 4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I swore unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shall not go over thither. 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knows of his sepulchre unto this day. 7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.? PLEASE CONSIDER CALEB: Joshua 14:6-13, 6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 And Moses swore on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. 10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance." (KJV) Indeed, we would do well to set at the feet of the aged ministers to learn of the great experiences that the older men have had with regard to their work over long years of faithful service. Therefore if a man is faithful, mentally alert, and able to speak clearly --- why should he stop teaching and preaching the gospel message to the lost and dying in this world and also in the pews of many church- buildings throughout the land? I have known of preachers with one arm, in wheel chairs, in their 80s, grey headed, and sometimes bald headed who worked harder and longer each day than most Christians half their age. As long as they are mentally and spiritually capable to perform, encourage them to keep up the good work. MORE INSTRUCTION REGARDING OLDER CHRISTIANS: Lev. 19:32, Thou shall rise up before the hoary head , and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. (KJV) Prov. 16:31, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." (KJV) Prov 20:29, The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. Prov. 23:22, Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.? THE BEST WAY TO FORM REBELLION AMONG THE PEOPLE: (Seek the advise of the young - and - do not listen to the aged faithful) 1 Kings 12:6-19, 6 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 7 And they spoke unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 8 But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 9 And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? 10 And the young men that were grown up with him spoke unto him, saying, Thus shall thou speak unto this people that spoke unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shall thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. 11 And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 12 So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. 13 And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; 14 And spoke to them after the counsel of the young men , saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. 15 Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. 16 So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. 17 But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. (KJV) A RECENT LETTER FROM AN AGED PREACHER: I have Reached A Milestone Now What? Ill health has forced retirement and so now what shall my life be - Shall I whine and complain a lot since my voice is taken from me? For some fifty years He allowed me to proclaim the salvation "in Christ:" And so I thought that?s what I?d do for the remainder of my natural life! But I have other talents as well - abilities not requiring a voice I can still read and I can write - So writing is another good choice! "The pen is mightier than the sword" Someone wrote long ago it?s so true God committed His word to written form - So why can?t I do the same thing too? Paul wrote "when you read you may understand." Writing of the salvation of the Jew & Gentile too some say I have the ability to teach via poetry so then that?s at least something that I can still do. --- Ephesians 3:1-6, 1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (KJV) --- By Kenneth E. Thomas ? 20 QUESTION: I have a question concerning Ecclesiastes 9:5. Does this verse teach that the person who passes has no more memory of the things on earth or what transpired in their life? Or does it teach we are soon forgotten after death? Thanks! Tom GENERAL CONTEXT: Eccl 9:5-6, ?5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.? ANSWER: It seems that Solomon is discussing those events that happen under the sun (i.e. occurrences that man experience while living on earth), prior to physical death (i.e. separation of the body from the spirit). Possibly, both statements in the question is what is meant by the way the 2 verses are presented in the K.J.V. --- _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) --- August 9, 2008 BUSINESS MEETING NOTES August 23, 2008 In a meeting of the men of the congregation five items were discussed and resolved; those items are listed herein: 1. It was suggested and agreed to send $1,000.00 to the storm victims in the Philippines. Brother Jerry Parks was consulted about the soundness of those requesting assistance and he returned a note to us affirming that they were good, sound, and needy. 2. It was suggested and agreed that those in the congregation might suggest sound preachers to come here to Hilliard and hold us a gospel meeting. Brother Clair will collect the suggestions and contact two of them each year for our future gospel meetings. 3. It was suggested and approved that when we have a short meeting ? the meeting will be conducted Sunday through Wednesday ? 4 days. 4. It was suggested and approved that Garreth Clair take notes and record the meetings for the record, for the membership, and for the authorities. 5. It was suggested and approved that we delete the fifth-Sunday program and return to our regular schedule of Sunday night service. ? _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) ? August 2008 IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP NECESSARY Some people tell is that it is unnecessary to be a part of an organized congregation to worship God acceptably. Following are some of the reasons why this philosophy is untrue: 1. Jesus built the church, Matthew 16:18, 2. Jesus cleansed the church, Ephesians 5:26, ?That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,? (KJV) 3. Jesus purchased the church with His blood, 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.? 4. Jesus washed the church, Ephesians 5:26, ?That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,? (KJV) 5. Jesus loves the church, Ephesians 5:25, ?Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;? 7. Jesus sanctified the church, Ephesians 5:26, ?That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,? (KJV) 8. Jesus is the foundation of the church, Colossians 1:18, ?And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.? (KJV) 9. Jesus glorified the church, Ephesians 5:27, ?That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.? (KJV) 10. Jesus is head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:22-23, ?22 and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.? 11. Jesus adds all the saved to the church, Acts 2:47 12. Jesus will save all that belong to the church, Eph. 5:23, _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) --- September (A), 2008 **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080901/921dea4f/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 2 03:10:32 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 04:10:32 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) THE SABBATH DAY Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my recent files: THE SABBATH DAY Many people are confused today about what they should do in relation to the Sabbath. Some feel the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, is still the day of worship. Some believe it is to be observed but that it is now the first day of the week. Others acknowledge Sabbath keeping to have been abolished and that now, under the Gospel, the first day of the week has a significan- ce all its own and bears no relationship to the Sabbath. With people having such diverse views, it is easy to see why there is a great deal of confusion surrounding the Sabbath. The only way to clear that confusion is to go to the Bible and see what it says. The Sabbath Was For Israel Only: -- During the Exodus from Egypt, God instituted the Sabbath for the Israelites, His chosen people under the Old Law. It is first mentioned in Exo. 16:23. The command to keep the Sabbath was one of the Ten Comman- dments (Exo. 20:8). God did not, as some suppose, require its observance at the time of the creation of the world. God commanded Israel to observe the Sabbath so that they would remember that while in Egypt they had no rest but that He had delivered them from their bondage and given them a day of rest (Deut. 5:15). It was to be sign between them and God so that they would never forget that it was He who had delivered them and sanctified them as a people for His own possession (Exo. 31:13-17). In that was a sign between Israel and God, a memorial of an event peculiar to the Jewish nation and a part of the covenant between them and God, one must conclude that only they were to keep it. If Jew and Gentile alike were to observe it, it would have had no real significance to the Jews. It would have made no sense for the Gentiles to keep it be- cause it would have had no meaning to them. They were never delivered from Egyptian bondage. Thus, they were never comm- anded to keep it or any other command contained in the Law God gave to Israel through Moses. The Jews, on the other hand, were to strictly observe it. They were not to work on it (Exo. 31:13-17; 20:8-11; 23:9-12; 34:21). They were not to gather, bake or boil any food (Exo. 16: 23-26). No fire was to be kindled (Exo. 35:1-3) and no sticks cou- ld be gathered for a fire (Num. 16:32-35). They were not to buy nor sell (Neh. 13:15-21). They were to bear no burden (Jer. 17:21,22). They were to travel only a "Sabbath Day's journey" (Matt. 24:20). (about 2000 cubits or 1000 yards, JWS). There was to be a holy convocation (Lev. 23:3) and the priests were to sacrifice two lambs of the first year without spot and blemish and two-tenths of an ephah of flour mingled with oil (Num. 28:9, 10). No one who seeks to bind the observance of the Sabbath to- day desires to keep it in its entirety. To attempt to keep any portion of it today, though, would put one under obligation to keep not only all aspects of the Sabbath, including its prohibit- ions against work and travel and its sacrifices, but also all com- mands contained in the Old Law. To keep the Old Law in one point makes one responsible to keep all of it (Gal. 5:3). To try to be justified by the Old Law today causes one to fall from grace (Gal. 5:4). Sabbath Observance Ceased: -- God intended the observance of the Sabbath to cease. As Jesus fulfilled the Old Law (Matt. 5: 17), it was taken out of the way and nailed to the cross (Gal. 5:1-4; Col. 2:14). It was taken out of the way so that Jesus could es- tablish His new law, the "perfect law of liberty" (Jas. 1:25). Since Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18), everyone must obey His law. It does not include any command to keep the Sabbath. Therefore, to keep the Sabbath today is to act without divine authority. Ceremonial Law vs. Moral Law: -- Many who would bind the Sab- bath today say that only the "ceremonial law" or the "law of Moses" was fulfilled and abolished by Jesus. They contend the "moral law" or the "law of God," the Ten Commandments con- tinues to have authority. The Bible makes no distinction between the "law of Moses" and the "law of God" or between the "ceremonial law" and the "moral law" because no difference exists. For example, Ezra 7:6 says God had given "the law of Moses" while 2 Chron. 34:14 states that the "law of the Lord" was "given by Moses." The entire Old Law has been taken out of the way and is not to be kept today. No one is to be judged "in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths" for those things were but "a shadow of things to come" (Col. 2:16,17). When one seeks to bind the things of the Old Law today, he severs any relationship he might have with Christ and falls from grace (Gal. 5:4). The only "Sabbath Rest" remaining for the children of God is the one awaiting them in heaven (Heb. 4:9). It is a time when they may "rest from their labors" (Rev. 14:13). ---- Gene Taylor via. Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 34, Aug. 24, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080902/2f6e1b0a/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 2 03:10:44 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 04:10:44 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) AN IMPASSE? Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. AN EMPASSE? Nearly all leading Protestant journals are giving much attent- ion to an ecumenical movement in which differences dividing religious groups would be dissolved or discarded. The Federal Council of The Churches of Christ in America and similar move- ments are concrete efforts directed toward union. On the other hand the Catholic Church is urging that all religious people come into it that religious unity throughout the world may be attained. The present pope on several occasions has urged this. Many Catholic journals are urging it frequently. The Protestant Plea: -- Several leading Protestant clergymen such as Bishop Oxnam are endeavoring to lead the various den- ominations into some sort of union. In a recent issue of The Christian Century, Henry P. Van Dusen, a Presbyterian and Pres- ident of Union Theological Seminary, had an article entitled "The- ological Education for an Ecumincal Church". He defines the phrase "ecumenical Christianity" as follows: "The ecumenical movement is the total effort of Christians of varied traditions and loyalties to join forces, in order more adequately to discharge their total task and fulfill their total responsibility throughout the whole world. The bifocal character of the ecumenical movement is suggested in this inclusive definition. It unites the enterprise of Christian missions and the effort for Christian unity." (The Christian Century, April 30, 1952, p. 521). Dr. Van Dusen goes on to say that many look forward to the day "when Christians will acknowledge membership simply in 'the Church of Christ', and even to the earlier day when they will hold provisional and intermediate membership in 'the Church of Christ': Lutheran, the Church of Christ: Methodist, the Church of Christ: Presbyterian, and so on. In loyalty to that goal, and as a concrete means to- ward its fulfillment, should we not all now train men for the "mini- stry of the Church of Christ,' and for not other?" (Ibid). Dr. Van Dusen urges that seminars gear their programs to fit into this movement. He, of course, recognizes the differences in doctrines and practices among the different denominations and comments on these as follows: "Finally, let us approach the most delicate of all subjects of theological study, the citadel of particularism and prejudice -- systematic theology. Theology should present always the universal Christian faith, would con- sider most distinctive and most important, and searching for truths lying within essential Christian faith never the teaching of a particular communion. It should deliberately employ text- books written by the theologians of all of each principal tradition pointing to what they themselves, the major traditons, as variant expositions of a common theme. It should also acquaint studen- ts with the cherished convictions which others have neglected and they have reclaimed. Systematic theology should be taught not primarily in order to nourish ecumenical Christians for the next generation, but because that is the true logic of Christian belief. But such teaching would, as a by-product, train ministers for the one universal church of Christ" (ibid., p. 522). This is a representative statement of the present Protestant plea with reference to unity in the religious world, but it is wholly inadequate as it ignores the one most important element. "Varia- nt expositions of a common theme" but multiply religious con- fusion. The "one universal church of Christ" which Protestant leaders want to see can only be realized by a return to the "old paths" marked out in the New Testament. The idea of one church they claim to get from the New Testament for as Van Dusen states, "We employ the same historic trinitarian baptism- al formula, given to us all from the days when the church was one and was intended never to be otherwise" (ibid. p. 521). Since they get their idea from the New Testament, why not go to the same source for the doctrine and practice essential to the achievement of unity? The protestant plea is not comprehensib- le enough as it fails to strike at the tap root of religious division -- a failure to go back to the Bible and it alone. Catholics cannot accept such an approach and their opposition to it is stated in the Record of Louisville, Ky. of Jan. 5, 1952, in these words: "There can be no super-church. Although there is, theoretically, nothing to prevent the formation of world-government accord- ing to the democratic process, a world-church created by the consensus of the people is not even theoretically possible. Such a thing would never be acceptable to the Christians, who believe that Christ Himself is the creator and sole originator of the true religion. In the viewpoint of these people the world-chur- ch already exists and has existed since the crucifixion, and the Church which Christ founded was truly eschatological, destined to embrace not only all peoples but all times as well." This thesis is essentially correct but in reality the Catholic Church violates it. The Protestant doctrine of "faith only" nullifies so much of the New Testament doctrine with reference to works that it is untenable. Also the belief in "variant expostions of a common theme" denies the oneness of revelation and the "faith once for all delivered unto the saints." Protestantism thsu must and will fall in its efforts to unite the Christianity world with its vague and unrealistic approach to the real basis of unity -- New Testament doctrine and practice. The Catholic Plea: -- The Louisville Record article quoted above observed that Protestants generally do not believe their own church to be the exclusive one but the Catholic is "imbued with this consciousness that his Church is the true Church of Christ." The writer goes on to state: "If, therefore, there can be no super-church, and there is no consciousness on the part of any single Protestant sect of being the sole true religion, how can unity among Christians ever be effected except by a return of all Protestants to the Catholic fold? There is no other road to unity, no other answer." The Catholic plea is that all come into it for the purpose of realizing unity. This plea is just as futile as that of the Protestants as it too, ignores certain fundamentals which are within themselves absolutely essential. Catholic doctrine with reference to infallibility, supremacy of Peter, apostolic succession, mariology, the sacraments and many other subjects are at such variance with the New Testa- ment that devotion to the revelation given by the "apostles and prophets" by the Holy Spirit demands we renounce them. The stress Catholics put on meritorious works as is demonstrated concretely in their doctrine of indulgences can not be accepted in the light of New Testament teaching concerning faith and the works that accompany it. Protestants can not accept such a system of works, doctrines which are not sanctioned by the Bible. The extent of the apostacy of the Catholic Church which occasioned the Revolt is within itself or should be a valid proof that unity can not be achieved in an institution that teaches and practices so much so contrary to the spirit and law of Jesus. The Catholic plea does not give the answer! The Bible Plea: -- Does this then mean that the world has come to an impasse with reference to religious unity? Not by any means. Catholics can not uphold their peculiar tenets by an appeal to the Scriptures only but must seek justification for them in tradition, the writings of the Fathers, decrees of councils and popes. Protestants can not stand on their peculiar belief in diversity and variant expositions. Catholics an meet effectively Protestant scholars and get the better of them because they deny the very basis of true unity and stand convicted in many instances of the same errors they charge to the Catholics, such as unscriptural practices. The real answer to unity lies in neither of the above pleas but in the plea upon which churches of Christ the world over stand. The impasse is removed when men determine to loose themselves from the binding fetters of denominational and human doctrines found outside the New Testament revelation. May the day soon come when with the vigor our plea demands, we as one man press the issue with the sin of division and its proponents on a thousand hills! ------------ Clinton D. Hamilton in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080902/27c9bf97/attachment-0001.html From Mikejohnson104 at aol.com Tue Sep 2 17:06:04 2008 From: Mikejohnson104 at aol.com (Mikejohnson104 at aol.com) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:06:04 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] B> Elon Challenger V- 10 Message-ID: The Elon Challenger ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST New Hope, Alabama Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18). Volume V Number 10 June , 2008 =================================================================== WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Mike Johnson Perhaps you are a member of the church of Christ, and you look at yourself as "mainstream" as it is sometimes worded. You know that there are also people meeting in town who are supposed to be members of the Lord's church, but you really don't know much about them. Perhaps you've asked an elder or one of your ministers about these people. They may have responded to your inquiry like this: "Oh, they're just a bunch of 'antis'; they are nothing but 'extremists.'" "Those people they are 'orphan haters.' They would let a poor little baby starve. We don't want to have anything to do with them." "Why, they don't 'believe in' having Bible classes, women teachers, and they are 'one cuppers.'" "They don't believe in Christians having fun." "They are a part of a movement which is dead. There are very few of them left." Many sound congregations are commonly dismissed by these misconceptions and distortions. A number of years have passed since the division of the 50s and 60s, and many have very little knowledge of the issues involved. Often, honest inquiries are simply dismissed by the easiest method a short, inaccurate, and prejudicial answer. Please consider these responses. Antis & Extremists Most all Christians are "antis" in some sense. Anti simply means "against," and most Christians I know, or know about, are at least "anti," that is "against," something. The term "anti," however, has commonly been used as a name of derision intended to incite prejudice, keeping people from fairly hearing issues which have caused disagreement. There was a division in the 1800s with those who eventually started the Christian Church. During this time, the term was employed by these brethren against those who stood for the truth on the issues of instrument in worship and the missionary society. The term was also commonly used during the 1950s and 1960s in connection with the orphan home controversy and is still employed by people today. Some today have heard this term but do not know exactly what an "anti" is. They just know that it is something bad. It is still easier for some to simply label people as "antis" rather than to answer objections being raised. Do we not have a responsibility to be anti false doctrine and sin? Consider some Biblical examples. On one occasion when Jesus was teaching in Galilee, He was confronted by some Pharisees and scribes who had come from Jerusalem (Mark 7). They criticized His disciples for eating with unwashed hands (a ceremonial cleansing with detailed procedures) which violated the "tradition of the elders." Jesus severely rebuked them calling them hypocrites, and He said their worship was vain, and they had laid aside God's commandments (6-9). Could the Pharisees have just dismissed Jesus by saying that he was "anti-traditions-of-the elders"? In I Timothy 1:3, Paul said that he left Timothy at Ephesus that he "mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine." When false doctrine came up at Ephesus, should Timothy have just kept quiet in his opposition lest he be called "anti"? Would it have been correct for the people to have dismissed his opposition by labeling him as an extremist? Paul opposed the false doctrine of Hymenaeus and Philetus who were teaching that the resurrection was already past (II Timothy 2:16-18). Did not Paul prove himself to be "anti" their new doctrine about the resurrection? Actually, all Christians must be anti false doctrine. We must stand against unscriptural innovations in the church. It is sad that some dismiss honest objections by brethren to various practices by simply applying prejudicial labels. Among those who have favored the church support of human institutions, and who have so freely used the label "anti" to describe others, many have gotten further and further away from the truth on many issues. Ironically, as some of these brethren stand in opposition to the latest innovations among them, their objections are being dismissed as they are now being labeled "the new antis." Orphan Haters A very significant issue in the division which occurred was the church support of human institutions such as orphan homes. Many were determined to bring orphan homes, operated by brethren, into the budget of the church. Many brethren could not conscientiously go along with the church making donations to human institutions. These brethren were usually forced to abandon the building where they had assembled for many years and had to start new congregations. This "method of benevolence," as it was called, was pushed to the point of division. Opposition to the church support of human institutions was on the basis of who is to do the work of the church (the church or a human organization) and on the basis of the scope of the benevolence of the church (limited or general). First, the church does have a responsibility in benevolence, but its responsibility is "limited." The early church helped "needy saints" (Acts 2:41-45, 4:32-37, 6:1-7, 11:27-30; Rom. 15:25-27; I Cor. 16:1; II Cor. 8:4, 9:1,12; I Tim. 5:16). The church was never intended to be a general welfare organization. Second, in the same way that the church is its own missionary society, the church is its own "benevolent society." The church, which may employ means and methods, is to oversee its own benevolent work. It cannot simply turn its money over to a human organization to carry out that which it is supposed to do itself. (See Acts 6:1-7 for an example of the church overseeing its own work in benevolence.) The church support of human institutions is not a question of HOW the church is to do its work but a question of WHO is to do the work. Sadly, rather than dealing with the issues, many resorted to emotional arguments. Frequently accusations were made that those who opposed the church support of human institutions would allow a little baby to starve before they would take one dime out of the church treasury to help it. It was said that these people hated little babies. I know of many who hold the position that I do (that churches can not support human institutions) who have adopted children. I know of no one who holds the same position that I do who would ever let a little baby starve if they were able to do anything to stop it. It was never a question of IF little children should be helped; the question was, and is, WHO should do the helping. Individual Christians have a responsibility to "do good" to all men (Gal. 6:10) and to "visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction" (James 1:27). Also, when the church engages in benevolence, within the realm that it is authorized, it is to oversee its own work; it is not supposed to turn that work over to some other organization. This would be wrong. Emotional arguments do not usually prove very much. These types of arguments are popular today in politics. Politically, conservatives are sometimes accused of wanting to starve little children, force old people to eat dog food, and force even deserving people off of welfare. This method of dealing with issues, religious or political, is certainly not new. Dave Miller, who believes that it is proper for the church to support human institutions, wrote a book called Piloting the Strait. In this book, he is decrying those who have left the truth on such issues as the role of women in the church, dedicating babies, the religious observance of Christmas, and fellowshipping denominations. Ironically, he says that those whom he opposes, those whom he calls religious liberals, call people in his "camp" "mean spirited," "legalistic," and "unloving." Many brethren are receiving the same kind of mistreatment that they dished out a number of years ago toward those who opposed church support of human institutions. This was not the proper way to deal with the objections of conscientious brethren in the 50s and 60s, and it is not the way to deal with them now. Bible Classes, Woman Teachers, & One Cuppers A favorite tactic is to try to group those who oppose the church support of human institutions and the social gospel with those who hold various unscriptural positions. People who believe that the church should not support human institutions and that the church should not be providing recreation are often grouped with those who think that Bible classes are unscriptural, feel that it is a sin for women to teach a class of children, and say that one container must be used in the Lord's Supper. Other fallacious positions are sometimes thrown into the mix. This is done to try and discredit them, to make them look like "fanatics" without actually dealing with any of the Biblical arguments. Many believe in such practices as the church support of human institutions and eating social meals in the church building, but stand in opposition to the recent trend for women having an expanded role in the church. Would these people like to be automatically grouped with those who are in error on this issue or on some of the other issues of today? We do ask for authority for all that is believed or practiced. Authority can come in the form of a direct statement or command, an approved example, or a necessary inference. We also believe in generic and specific authority, as well as aids in carrying out God's commands. Having Fun The statement that "these people" do not believe in having fun is said because of opposition to the church providing social meals and recreation. This does not mean that people having good, clean fun is opposed. Those called "antis" often get together socially, but do not believe that there is any authority for the church to provide fellowship halls (as they are called), family life centers, gyms, as well as vans and busses to transport people for recreation. The Bible teaches that the church has a threefold mission. It has the responsibility to teach the lost, as well as to teach its own members (I Tim. 3:15, Eph. 4:11-12, I Thess. 1:8-9). It also has a responsibility to help needy saints (Acts 11:27-30). Again, means and methods can be used to carry out these functions; facilities can be provided by the church to aid in performing these responsibilities. But, where is the authority for the church to provide facilities for recreation or for social meals? If a passage can be supplied showing that recreation and providing for social activities are the work of the church, then there would be authority for the church to provide facilities to carry out such work. The reason, for example, that there is authority for a church building is that the building is for the purpose of carrying out the work of the church. If a person can show that recreation is the work of the church, then there is generic authority for a fellowship hall. A few years ago a congregation hosted a concert featuring an Elvis impersonator. Many who defend the concept of a "fellowship hall" would be critical of this type of endeavor. On what basis are they criticized? The church which hosted the Elvis impersonator had the church providing a form of recreation. How is their form of providing recreation much different than many of the congregations who criticize them? Perhaps theirs is more blatant, but many congregations are doing basically the same thing as the churches they criticize when providing "church vans" for trips to Six Flags, gymnasiums, and by providing facilities for social meals. Yes, those who oppose the "social gospel" do believe in recreation but not as a work of the church. A Dead Movement A frequent response to questions about the "antis" is to say that they are a dead "movement"; or some have said that we are "drying up on the vine." A person, I suppose, is then to think, "Well, they can't be right if their movement is dead." What kind of logic is this? Popularity is certainly not the factor which makes a doctrine right or wrong. Truth is not dependant on the number of people who believe a particular doctrine (note John 6:35-66); truth is not determined by a "congregation count." It is determined by God's Word. A congregation who is practicing the truth is still right even if they are the only one in the world doing so. Although there are more congregations who believe in the church support of human institutions, practice the social gospel, and engage in various other such unscriptural practices than those who don't, those who oppose these practices are still doing quite well. For example, you might be surprised to know that there are over 2000 congregations in the United States listed in a recent directory of churches (published by the Guardian of Truth foundation) which stand opposed to "the church support of human institutions (orphan homes, hospitals, nursing homes, colleges, etc.), the sponsoring church arrangement, and church sponsored recreation." In some parts of the country, there are not as many congregations which have taken a stand for truth on these issue as in other parts, but the point is that those who oppose these things are far from "drying up on the vine" as it has been stated. The issue of how many congregations take a stand on one side or the other on these issues is really beside the point. As stated, the number of people/congregations or the numerical success or failure of congregations which believe a particular doctrine is not the factor to determine right and wrong. Truth is determined only by God's Word. Who Are These People? A few years ago, I received a call from a woman who had been receiving a publication from the congregation where I preach. This publication dealt with many of the issues in this pamphlet. She attended a congregation that she was at least somewhat dissatisfied with and one which, over the years, had gotten further and further away from the truth. After we had talked awhile on the phone, she drew the conclusion that the congregation where I preach is like the church used to be twenty or thirty years ago. I don't know everything that she meant by that statement, but I believe that I saw her point. A number of years ago, before the many innovations which are so prevalent came in, those congregations which called themselves churches of Christ, tried to follow the New Testament pattern. They were concerned about Bible authority for all that they believed and practiced, and if they could not "prove it by the Scriptures," they would not believe a doctrine or engage in a practice. Congregations were clearly distinguishable from the denominations. Sadly, many congregations have left the "old paths." We do not claim perfection, but we still demand Bible authority for all that we believe and practice. We still take very seriously the responsibility to pattern ourselves after the church of the New Testament. We urge all to do the same! __________ Trends . . . A recent survey of parents found that guaranteeing a good education for their children was the most important priority (39%). Second was helping their children to feel loved (24%). Trailing in third place was ? enabling them to have a meaningful relationship with Jesus? (22%). - via Barna Research Online from The Beacon Authority 6 AUTHORITY AND THE OLD TESTAMENT Mike Johnson One of the most vital questions involved in the study of Christianity is the question of supreme authority. During the life of Christ, this question was discussed as the chief priests and elders asked, "By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?" (Mt. 21:23) Authority is certainly needed, and we must recognize the importance of the authority of God, Christ, the apostles, the Holy Spirit, and God's Word. There are a number of passages in the Old Testament which emphasize the need for adhering to God's Word. These passages make it clear that we are to obey the instructions of God and not deviate from them in any way. An example of this is found in Deuteronomy 4. Earlier Moses had addressed the people and had given a survey of the events which had occurred in their history showing what God had done for them. In this chapter, he admonishes Israel concerning what they should do as subjects of God. Verse 1 says, "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you." It was not enough for them to "harken" to God's commandments; they also had to obey them. Many today are interested in religion, and might even enjoy a good sermon from time to time, but they have no desire to obey God. It is not enough just to listen to teaching from God's Word; we must also be willing to obey. Verse six points out that we must "keep" and "do" God's commandments. So, the law was not simply given "for their information" as they were expected to obey it. Verse two says, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." The NASB translates this "add to," nor "take away from." (Note Rev. 22:18-19.) An example is brought up in verse three where they had disobeyed the Lord and the result was that many were destroyed. Verse four says, "But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day." The Pulpit Commentary points out that the word used here "is expressive of the closest, most intimate attachment and communion" and that it is "frequently used of devotion to the service and worship of the true God." (p. 58) In Deuteronomy 5, Moses pointed out to the people the importance of strictly obeying God's commandments. It says, "Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. (v. 32-33)" God's Word is pictured as a highway from which a person is not allowed to deviate from in any direction. After Moses died, Joshua became the new leader of the people, and he also pointed out the importance of obeying God's Word. Israel was now on the verge of entering the land that God had promised them, and Joshua told them (Josh. 1:7), "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." In Numbers 22, Israel was about to battle Moab. Israel had been very successful militarily, and Balak, the king of Moab, was afraid of Israel. As a result, he tried to get Balaam to prophecy against Israel. Balaam, a greedy person (Jude 11), wanted to prophecy against Israel for the rewards which were offered. Nevertheless, Balaam stated it correctly when he said to the servants of Balak, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more." (22:18) Later, he told Balak that he could not go "beyond the commandments of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak" (24:13). We need to have the same attitude today that Balaam expressed toward the Word of God. Consider a few other passages which emphasize the need to adhere strictly to God's Word. Proverbs 4:26-27 says, "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 30:5-6 says, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." In Leviticus 18:4-5, God told Moses to tell the people, "Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statues, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord." Today we are no longer under the Old Testament (Col. 2:14). The Old Testament, however, is for our learning today (Rom. 15:4, I Cor. 10:11). God's Word had to be respected under the old law, and various passages in the New Testament make it clear that it must be respected today. What is your attitude toward God's Word? __________ "NO ONE CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS!" Charles G. Maples, Sr. Jesus affirms, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." There are two great rulers in the world; God and Satan. You are serving one or the other. WHICH? There are two great classes of people in the world; righteous and wicked. You belong to one of these classes. WHICH? There are two roads, leading to eternity; the narrow way and the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14). You are NOW on one of those roads. WHICH? There are two ways to meet death; some die "in the Lord" I Thess. 4:13ff), and others "die in their sins" (John 8:21). A wicked man once cried, "Let me die the death of the righteous..." (Num. 23:10). This was impossible! He was not LIVING A LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS! If he (or you/I) would die the death of the righteous, then he (you/I) must live in righteousness; and that by submitting his (your/my) life to the righteousness of God! (See Romans 6:16-18) To live the life of the wicked and disobedient leads one to die the death of the wicked! You WILL die one of these deaths. WHICH? There are two destinies awaiting all people when this life is over; HEAVEN or HELL. Hell is "...prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), and Heaven is prepared by the Lord for ALL WHO WILL PREPARE FOR HIS RETURN! (John 14:1-3). You/I will be in one of these, and that for ETERNITY! WHICH? YOU/I DECIDE! ___________ Evangelist: Charles G. Maples Sr. Phone-256-530-0772 Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson Phone -256-776-2223 **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080902/d0bd2a5e/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 3 04:59:34 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:59:34 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Wednesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is a question and answer from my files: QUESTION AND ANSWER QUESTION: -- Does God Guarantee Wealth? "I was watching TV and heard an evangelist tell everyone that God wants us all to be rich. If we will give, even when we don't have much, then God will bless us financially to the point of being wealthy. Is this right? ANSWER: -- There are several components to your question. By seeing how God created the world and prepar- ed it so people could live there, it seems to me that God does enjoy blessing His children. And, I don't think God created us in order to watch us be miserable. So, I think God does want to bless us in every way He can. And, God does want people to give money to His purposes. "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudging- ly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, 'He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness abides forever'" (2 Cor. 9:6-9). Notice several points that Paul makes in these verses. First, selfishness will not be rewarded, while generosity will be rewarded. When we sow bountifully (or give generously as we say it) then God will amply reward us. However, Paul doesn't say we will be rewarded with money. The bounty we reap (or, as we would say it, the blessings we receive) may not be financial, but spiritual, or familial. By giving generously to God's work we may discover the bounty we receive is more conversions, or people helped with food. These are great blessings, but they do not benefit us financially. Second, God wants our giving to be voluntary. God loves a cheerful giver who enjoys sharing what God has given him. What your televangelist seemed to be saying is that giving is a way to invest so as to have more income. That makes giving non-voluntary, and instead reduces it to another selfish act we do in order to get more for ourselves in return. Real giving never expects a return in kind multiplied in amount. Third, God will bless us with all grace abundantly. That is, when we willingly share our material goods with others, God will see to it that we have the grace we need in return that we might continue to share with others. And, if you look carefully, what God promises is that we will have enough for every good deed. That is, when we give generously, we will be in a position to do good for others. In other words, God will help those who help others to continue to be able to help others. But, we are told that we are to labor with our hands in order to have sufficiency for ourselves and to help others (Eph. 4:28). Finally, God does scatter abroad and does help the poor. But, the way God does that usually involves His children unself- ishly sharing what they have. So, God tends to the needs of the poor through us. His body of believers share the resources that come to them with those in need. It seems to me that the big mistake in the message of the tele- vangelist is the idea that wealth is somehow the magic solution to all of life's problems. God warns that this is not necessarily so. Take time to read: (1 Tim. 6:6-10). Riches do not guarantee happiness. Neither do they mean that you are special in God's eyes. Money is a tool that God gives us to use for His purposes. That is true whether we have lots of money or very little. As I close this, recall one other passage Paul wrote. Read: (Phil. 4:11,12). Paul was a godly man. Yet, there were times in his life he did without material things. He had learned how to get along with abundance. and how to be happy even in poverty. Unless you want to contend that Paul was failing in his pray- er life or was not giving enough to the Lord's cause, then you have to admit that great servants of God do go through hard times financially. This is not a reflection on their spirituality or prayer life. In fact it is in this context that Paul makes one of the great statements we remember him for: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Paul says he can face good times when he has sufficient means upon which to live, and the hard times wherein he is in need. Whatever the circumstances he found himself in, what mattered most to Paul was his relationship with Christ Jesus. The money was not what mattered to him, but in requesting Christians to give as they had prospered was not in order for him to receive more money to add to his account, but that God would add such to their account. (It seems to me, from what is known about the well-known televangelists, that they are truly living in rich surroundings of their own while begging from their listening audience for more and more. But when they are telling you that God will make you rich if you will only send some money their way, can not be varified. There are examples of people with only a few of this world's goods and a meager income, sending a portion of their meager goods to the televangelist, but they con- tinue to be poor. But the televangelists that receive these meag- er offerings from thousands of listeners become rich them- selves. JWS). ----- David Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 33, Aug. 15, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080903/e3e6718f/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 3 04:59:45 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 05:59:45 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL Years after the establishment of the church in the city of Jeru- salem, it became necessary for the apostles and the elders to come together and deal with the matter of whether Gentile con- verts were required to keep the law of Moses in the matter of cir- cumcision in order to be saved (Acts 15). Seventeen years later the church was being troubled again by teachers who had turn- ed from the gospel and were making unlawful applications of the law of Moses. Paul said they did not know what they were saying (1 Tim. 1:7). Many of the false, but popular churches of our day have come into existence and remain popular through ignorance and misuse of the Old Testament. Some of the practices that relig- ious leaders appeal to in the Old Testament in order to establish "their authority" are: burning of incense, polygamy, abstaining from meats, an earthly priesthood, spiritualism, premillennialism, infant church membership, mechanical istruments of music in the worship, salvation without baptism, and sabbath keeping. We still need to stress "study" that men may know how to "right- ly divide the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). People do not know and understand the great difference between the "law and the gospel." The text under consideration will help answer four vital questions: What Does The Gospel Have To Say About The Law Of Moses? In other words, what does the New Testament say about the Old Testament? Paul said that his remarks about the law were "according" to the gospel which he had received by inspiration as a "trust" from God (1 Tim. 1:11, cf. Gal. 1:6-12). The New Test- ament answers the following questions regarding the two coven- ants. (1) What were the covenants called respectively? They were called "the law" (Jno. 1:17; Heb. 9:1) and "the gospel" (Mk. 16:15; 2 Cor. 3:6). (2) Through whom were the covenants given? They were given through Moses (Jno. 1:17; 7:29) and through Christ (Heb. 8:6; 12:24). (3) What became of the law? It was taken out of the way (Col. 2:14; Heb. 8:13; 10:9). (4) With whom was the first law made? It was made for and with the Jews (Heb. 8:9). (5) Why was a new covenant made? The first was faulty (Heb. 8:7,8), unprofitable (Heb. 7:18), weak and could not give life (Gal. 3:21). The second was promised (Heb. 8:8), has better promises (Heb. 8:6), and better in all respects (Heb. 7: 22). It is more glorious (2 Cor. 3:6-11) and is eternal (Heb. 13:20). (6) To whom was the second given? It was given to all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). For What Purpose Was The Law Given? -- There is a negative and a positive reason stated in the text: "The law is not made for a righteous man..." (1 Tim. 1:9). To say that a Christian, one justified by faith in the Lord Jesus, must keep the law in order to develop his spiritual life is an unlawful use of the law. It is a per- version of the nature and purpose of the law (yes, even the ten commandments). Today, no one is under the law of Moses (in- cluding the ten commandments); Jew nor Gentile; saved or un- saved! Paul then tells us for whom the law was made. 1 Tim. 1:9,10 follows the same type of order of the ten comm- andments (cf. Exo. 20:1-17). That law stood against all sinners who would array themselves against their fellow man (command- ments 5-10). Two observations need to be made: (1) The seventh comma-ndment "thou shalt not commit adultery," Paul saw standing against all forms of fornication and homosexuality (vs. 10). (2) The eighth commandment, "thou shalt not steal," Paul saw standing against slave dealers (vs. 10). If it is wrong to buy, steal, and deal in stolen property, how could it have ever been right to buy, steal, and deal in stolen persons? "Wherefore serveth the law? It was added because of trans- gression till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Gal. 3:19). The law, including the ten commandments, was given by God to Israel as a means of opening their eyes to sin and its consequences till the Messiah should come as the grace and truth of God personified. The Messiah would come in fulfill- ment of the wonderful promise God made to father Abraham (cf. Rom. 7:4-25). Does The Gospel Contradict The Law Of Moses? -- The Seventh Day Adventists try to imply that since we teach we are no longer under the ten commandments that it is permissable to engage in immoral conduct. In this they are begging the question to cover up for their unlawful use of the law! The same God who gave the ten commandments (which constituted sound doctrine vs. 10) is the same God who gave the glorious gospel. Both stand against impiety and immorality. God did not condone im- piety and immorality before the law was given (see the cases of the flood and Sodom and Gomorrah), neither did He condone impiety and immorality of the Gentile nations during the Mosaic dispensation (see the cases of the Canaanites and Babylon). God does not condone impiety and immorality today! The Holy Spirit's work in this age is to "convict the world of sin, righteous- ness, and judgment" (Jno. 16:7-13) and whenever the sword of the Spirit is used, men are made to reason of "righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come" (Acts 24:25). "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness adn worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:11,12). Both laws deal with the same principles of piety and morality; therefore, there is no contradiction. Who Is Amenable To God's Holy Principles? --A study of the characters under consideration in verse 9, reveals that God intended the law even for those who had no intention of obeying it. The fact that some would be scoffers, opposers, and unbound by any authority did not stop God from giving them a law. To have a "hypothetical heathen" somewhere in the world practicing impiety and immorality with immunity is absurd (Acts 17:30,31; 2 Thes. 1:7-9). ---------- M. W. Kiser, via, The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 5, Sept/Oct. 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080903/3f4d41fd/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Sep 4 05:46:03 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 06:46:03 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) TO SUSTAIN THE DEAREST RELATIONSHIP 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 recent files: TO SUSTAIN THE DEAREST RELATIONSHIP We continue our series of articles on the question, "Why Be A Christian?" In previous articles we have pointed out that being a Christian requires dedication and commitment to God and His Will. Being a Christian requires sacrifice. Some people have concluded that being a Christian is not the easiest life one may live. And some may have wondered why anyone would want to be a Christian. To neutralize or do away with this false notion we have given two reasons already for being a Christian. The first one we gave was "To Wear The Grandest Name." The second one was, "To Meet The Greatest Challenge." In this article we shall give two more reasons. One should be a Christ- ian "To Sustain The Dearest Relationship." The greatest relationship that one can have is to be a child of God. The Bible teaches that if you are a Christian, you are a child of God. And may I say again, there is no relationship upon this earth greater than this. In Jno. 3:1, John wrote, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God..." You see, the Bible teaches that the Lord is our Shepherd. In Psa. 23, we read, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restor- eth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shad- ow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall foll- ow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me..." Not only is the Lord our Shepherd, but the Bible teaches us that we are citizens of an everlasting, eternal Kingdom. "Where- fore, we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with rever- ence and godly fear." In history I have read of many kingdoms. Powerful kingdoms of which many things could be said, but one thing can be said of all of them, they came to an end. But not so of the kingdom of which every Christian is a citizen. One more thing I shall notice in these articles on Why Be A Christian: One Should Be A Christian Because Of What God Has Done For Us. God has done and is doing so much for us. Sit down sometime and make a list of things God has done for man- kind. The one I shall mention here is, He has made it possible for us to be saved and to live eternally with Him. So, one should be a Christian, a child of God, in order to be saved. This is the only way. It is with great joy we herald this message to you. You can be saved and be among the great multitude that will worship God around His throne in Heaven. We are at a loss for words to describe the love that God had for us to make this possible. The Bible says, "God so loved the world..." If you are not a Christian you need to be. God tells us how we may become a Christian in the Bible. We would urge you to read the Bible, study carefully the accounts of conversions in the Book of Acts and come to Jesus while you have the time and opportunity. If we can be of any assistance in any way to help you become a Christian please let us know. ------- Cecil F. Cox in Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 35, Aug. 31, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080904/8e104eba/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Sep 4 05:46:16 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 06:46:16 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) A PLEA FOR NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my rec- ent files. Use to the glory of God. A PLEA FOR NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY The Restoration Of The New Testament Church: -- Instead of re- forming existing churches, we would go back behind all denom- inations, sects, creeds, and councils, and would restore the Christianity of Christ and the Apostles. The ideal of the New Testament church, guided by inspired teachers, should be our pattern today. Depravity: -- In Adam, man became separated from God by sin, and he must therefore be reconciled and redeemed to be saved. However, we suffer today only the physical consequenc- es of Adam's sin, such as suffering and physical death; and we will each answer to God only for our own personal sins spiritual- ly. Children, then, who die before reaching the age of accountab- ility are safe, for "of such is the kingdom of heaven." Man is cap- able of responding to God's love by obeying the Gospel. The Division Of The Word: -- Many churches today make no distinction between the Old and New Testaments. We must right- ly divide the Word of God to understand it (2 Tim. 2;15). A "New" covenant implies tht the "Old" is not longer in effect. "He taketh away the first that He may establish the second" (Heb. 10:9). "He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place been sought for a second" (Heb. 8:6ff). Most churches today recognize that they are no longer amenable to Moses' law, because they do not offer the animal sacrifices, nor practice the ancient Jewish ceremonies. But they overlook the fact that Christianity, through the fulfillment of the "Law of Moses", is actually a New and Separate Dispensation in which Christians are to be guided solely by the New Testament as their rule of faith and practice. The Old Testament is no longer valid and a source of guidance in Christianity. But a study of the Old Testament will show us how God dealt with peo- ple in the earlier dispensations: the Patriarchal and Mosaical. All are inspired of God, but the Hebrew writer tells us: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, Whom He has appointed Heir of all things, through Whom also He made the worlds." (Heb. 1:1,2). The Manner Of Conversion: -- The Holy Spirit, One with the Father and the Son, is active in the conversion of sinners, but the instrument or agent that the Spirit uses to convict the world in respect of sin is the Word of God, the gospel message. (The gospel, the written Word in the New Testament, is the power of God unto salvation to the Jew and also the Greek or Gentile, (Rom. 1:16,17) JWS). The sinner or alien cannot be passive, but when he hears the Word of God preached, he must believe, repent and be baptized for the remission of his past sins, (Acts 2:38). This is the way he will be saved from his past sins and enter into the kingdom of God's dear Son. It is in Christ that we are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We are added to the church of Christ, the body of Christ, by the Lord Himself, (Acts 2:41,47). This is done without any miracul- ous, mysterious direct operation of the Holy Spirit, over and be- yond what is said and taught by the New Testament. The Spirit of God operates through the written Word of the New Testament When we obey the gospel as is found in the New Testament we are indeed born of the water and the Spirit. We become a new creature in Christ. The Church: -- The only institution built by Christ as set forth by the apostles on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, under special guidance by the Holy Spirit, is established upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets --Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone -- is the church of Christ, made up of living stones, Christians, and is the only divine instit- ution wherein we must all be saved. Sects and so-called branch- es of the church are unscriptural and unapostolic and unaccept- able to God. To "denominate" and thereby "divide" the children of God is in opposition to the teaching of Christ in His prayer to the Father as is found in Jno. 17:20,21. It is also in opposition to what is taught by the inspired apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 1:10-13. We must strive to "Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Eph. 4:1-6. We are pleading for all believers to be Christians only, to work and worship as did the Christians of the first century as is exemplified in the New Testament times. The church of the New Testament consists of all those who have been baptized into Christ and thereby added to the church by the Lord Himself. Those who have obeyed the gospel of Christ, regardless of race, nationality, or language are members of the church of Christ as is found in the New Testament. The Lord's Supper: -- Following the establishment of the church in 33 A.D., we find that the disciples, Christians, continu- ed steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship and breaking of bread, Acts 2:47. The Lord's Supper as instituted by Christ Himself as is found in the 26th chapter of Matthew and the 22nd chapter of Luke, was for the purpose of remembering the death and suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ until He comes again. This supper was to be a part of the worship of the Lord every Lord's Day (Sunday) Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-30. The Lord's Day: -- This glorious day is not the Sabbath of the Old Testament, nor is it even the so-called "Christian Sabba- th", for there is no such thing known in the Bible. It purpose is different from the Old Testament Sabbath. It is a joyous day wherein we serve and worship the Lord in remembrance of His death and suffering on our behalf. It is our day of worship. The Worship: -- The essence of Christianity is the worship of the Lord as members of His church. It is a spiritual worship. The great emphasis given to religious pageantry, ritualism, and elaborate forms in many churches today cannot but detract and destroy the simplicity and purpose of the worship of God. The appeal in such is to the physical senses rather than the spiritual. So we do not use mechanical instruments of music in our wors- hip, which are not authorized in the New Testament. We are not trying to please ourselves but the Lord. Again, the New Testa- ent does not authorize, nor did the first church use the mechcal instruments of music in their worship. They sang, " psalms, hymns and spiritual songs..." (Col. 3:16). Let us stirve always to speak where the Bible speaks and to be silent where the Bible is silent. May God help us to live up to this high ideal in spiritual worship and service to Almighty God. May He use us humbly to call all men, not to us, but to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that all may be one in Him. --------------- Adapted from an article by J.D. Thomas via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 35, Aug. 31, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080904/8c834978/attachment-0001.html From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Thu Sep 4 12:33:34 2008 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 12:33:34 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] trying to find aa booklet Message-ID: <002c01c90eb4$5c9d88e0$06fea8c0@your4dacd0ea75> Can anyone help me? I am trying to obtain (purchase) about 6 copies of Charles Goodall's booklet, "The Same Hour Of The Night." I understand it is out of print but thought maybe someone might know where I could find a few copies. If so contact me: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net or call me 662-568-2960, or cell - 662-419-5378 Thanks. brotherly, Tommy Thornhill -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080904/60ec7185/attachment-0001.html From terrywbenton at bellsouth.net Thu Sep 4 21:43:09 2008 From: terrywbenton at bellsouth.net (Terry W. Benton) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 21:43:09 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] S>From Where Did All the Different Churches Come? Message-ID: Two really important topics: 1) From Where Did All the Different Churches Come? - is an honest look at what happened to cause religious confusion and division, and what each individual can do to be a part of the remedy to the problem and not be a part of the problem. Can we understand the will of God like they understood it in the first century and follow the same pattern of sound words to be undenominational and truly Christ-centered and obedient? 2) Daniel: The Prophet in Babylon #2 - A young man cast into a different culture from what he had been trained in is now challenged as to the validity of his faith in the one true Creator - God. Is your faith worth standing for when few others believe what you believe? Like a young person entering secular college away from home, in an environment that is hostile to holiness and faith in God, Daniel is in such an environment, but knows Who he believes in and why. Is it time for the young person to cast away his faith and try to fit in? Or, is it time to make up your mind to affirm the validity of the faith in God? Obviously Daniel had some serious tests before this new culture in Babylon, as our young people have in secular institutions of higher learning. What do you believe? What will you stand for? These lessons are very important. Please share this site with someone you love so that they can think about these important lesson and perhaps save themselves from this perverse generation (Acts 2:40). Go here and download the lessons: http://www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com/?PageID=2201&IsNav=true Terry W. Benton Visit: www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com Dan Billingsly vs. Terry W. Benton Exchange on the Four Gospels at: http://www.pinelanechurchofchrist.com/SiteFiles/157/Benton%20Billingsly%20Debate.doc -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080904/0edf9bfd/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 5 04:41:14 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 05:41:14 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) PSALM 127 Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. PSALM 127 The World's Most Important Career Is ... Motherhood! It can- not be compared with any other job. Non-stop without breaks or vacation days, it has no sick days or a "pay day." Yet it is the most important and rewarding job one can ever have. It's job description looks like this: teacher, cook, maid, social coordinat- or, chauffeur, dishwasher, coach, cheerleader, nurse, confidant, organizer, budget planner and juggler! I remember wondering if I would survive the chaos resulting from piles of laundry, a missing cat, a crying baby, another skin- ned knee, burnt toast, broken windows and an over-flowing toil- et when they all seemed to happen at once. with my Christian children now grown and married, I can say with conviction, "Yes, you not only can survive, but you can have joy and peace in knowing that you have raised your children in a God-centered home." Motherhood is a journey -- with joys, chaos, and excitement. There is nothing, however, more rewarding than to witness your child grow to age, confess Christ, mature as a Christian, and marry a Christian who will help him/her get to heaven. Worth it? Yes! Unless The Lord Builds The House: They Labor In Vain Who Build It: -- The Bible (especially Psalms and Proverbs) has much to say about parenting. Psalm 127 instructs us specifically on building a home and raising a godly family. The main idea of Solomon is that a godly home cannot occur apart from the Lord's blessing. Unless one's family is God-centered, your labor is in vain (Psa. 127:1). Today, most families are child-cente- red, as moms and dads rush from one activity or event to the next as parents try to squeeze one more thing into their already hectic schedules. The activity may be right in itself, but when many activities squeeze out time for spiritual training and for God, it becomes wrong. Balance And Boundaries: -- In (vs. 2) Solomon speaks of the im- portance of balance and boundaries. Without time for God, a parent's work is in vain. Working long hours without having time for training, teaching, praying and studying God's Word with the family will increase the chances that your children will be conformed to this world along with its consequences. I don't believe this verse de-emphasizes hard work but rather warns us of not prioritizing correctly. The mother/parent whose focus is on God, while working hard with set boundaries, can rest assur- ed God will take care of their family. I love vss. 3-5: "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord..." Our children are a gift on-loan for a small amount of time; therefore we need to make the most of every day in training them in the way they should go. Solomon tells us our children are like arrows in the hands of a warrior (vs. 4). Mothers -- we must study how to raise godly children in an ungodly world. Like the warrior, we must form, whittle, and shape the branch into an arrow. In other words, they must be trained at an early age to seek God, which involves daily instruction, moral correction, firm discipline and lots of love. The arrow must be carefully aimed at the target and then released. Timing is critical. Our children will only be successful if they are released at the proper time and in the right direction. And when we sent them forth into the world, we mothers must send them forth with a sense of their purpose, their mission, and using their God-given talents for the Lord's kingdom. Through the years I have struggled to keep the balance of mother-hood. I stayed on my knees praying for my children, for wisdom and discernment. I prayed for God to protect me from becoming a part of the "world's system" and losing my sense of mission. And I still pray. Daily. ------ Ann Hoke in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 2, Feb. 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080905/f2787d4a/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 5 04:41:06 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 05:41:06 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) I CONFESS! Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Friday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my files: I CONFESS! I confess I belong to that part of the United States' populat- ion identified as the "religious right" (expression to be said with a sneer or contempt in the voice). I am unabashedly religious, believing that one's life should be conducted with devotion to God and my moral and social values are decidedly conservative, i.e., to the "right." But it is becoming popular to characterize the "religious right" as a bunch of fanatical nutcases who are trying to put a stranglehold on social progress. We are supposedly responsible for whatever bad happens in this great nation of ours. Let me tell you about myself. I still think that it is wrong to lie and deceive, regardless of what power or position one may have in society (Eph. 4:25). I believe that it is wrong to cheat my fellowman in business (Eph. 4:28). I see very little difference be- tween the man who steals from me by means of dishonesty in a business transaction and the thug who holds me up at gunpoint The dishonest businessman merely hides behind the appearan- ce of respectability, but he is a thief just the same. I believe that character is crucial, both in public and private life. I believe that life is a gift from God (Psa. 127:3) and abortion is the taking of an innocent human life. Abortion displays selfish- ness and an astonishing lack of natural affection and is an abom- ination in the sight of our Creator (Prov. 6:17; Rom. 1:31). I be- lieve that God makes parents responsible for raising their child- ren -- not the government, schools, the church or Little League (Eph. 6:4). I believe in the appropriate discipline of children in the molding of character, including the spanking of a child who refuses to accept instruction or correction (Prov. 13:24; 19:18; 22:15). I prefer to see the tears of a disciplined child than to have to read about how he shot his classmates at school. I des- pise the physical abuse of children. I believe that adultery and fornication ought to be cause for shame (Heb. 13:4) and not rewarded, financially or otherwise. Homosexuality is not simply an "alternate lifestyle," it is unnatur- al behavior and a sin (Rom. 1:26-28). I believe that the poor should be helped, but the lazy should go without (Eph. 4:28; 2 Thes. 3:10). I believe in personal accou- ntability, that each person should be held responsible for his/her actions, including those who commit their injustices against others in the name of religion. I believe that it is fitting that indiv- iduals are rewarded for hard work, but I don't believe that wealth gives anyone the right to break the laws of the government. I be- lieve that punishment under the law should reflect the serious- ness of the crime. I confess to holding all of these values, but I deny that such values will destroy this nation or impede the progress of society. In fact, if our country is to remain great and free, we must return to these values (Prov. 14:34). -------- Allen Dvorak via Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 27, July 6, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080905/c5ea1e9d/attachment-0001.html From richardson9 at charter.net Fri Sep 5 08:09:08 2008 From: richardson9 at charter.net (richardson9 at charter.net) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 6:09:08 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Children's Bible songs Message-ID: <20080905090908.FI8U2.652831.root@mp16> Brethren, I'm looking for a booklet and/or recording of children's Bible songs which brother John Clark put together years ago. If anyone knows where I can get a copy of the booklet and the recording, I'd greatly appreciate the help. Thanks. brotherly, Dan Richardson From wswalker310 at juno.com Thu Sep 4 17:39:23 2008 From: wswalker310 at juno.com (Wayne S Walker) Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:39:23 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] hymn study, "Just as I Am, Thine Own to Be" Message-ID: <20080905.094918.3576.0.wswalker310@juno.com> Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study. "JUST AS I AM, THINE OWN TO BE" "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him" (Jas. 1.12) INTRO.: A hymn which offers several reasons why people, especially young ones, should give their lives to Jesus so that they can receive the crown of life is "Just As I Am, Thine Own to Be." The text was written by Marianne Hearn, who was born on Dec. 17, 1834, at Franingham in Kent, England. A member of the Baptist Church, she lived in Farningham, Northampton, and Gravesend. Her literary work was done chiefly in connection with a religious newspaper, the Christian World, whose staff she joined at its beginning. Her contributions to the Christian World were collected in several books, including Lays and Lyrics of the Blessed Life in 1861, Poems in 1865, Morning and Evening Hymns for the Week of 1870, and Songs of Sunshine in 1878. Also, she edited the Sunday School Times. "Just As I Am, Thine Own to Be," which was apparently a poem for young people in imitation of Charlotte Elliot's "Just As I Am, Without One Plea," first appeared in the 1887 book The Voice of Praise, published by the Sunday School Union of London, England. The tune (Dunstan) was composed for it by Joseph Barnby (1838-1896). Barnby is credited with several well-known tunes such as those for "Hail, Gladdening Light," "Now the Day Is Over," and "When Morning Gilds the Skies." The music was produced in 1892 and first published with the words in 1893. Some five or six other hymns by Hearne were once popular, but this is her only one to survive today in common usage. She died on Mar. 16, 1909, at Barmouth, Wales. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, "Just As I Am, Thine Own to Be" did not appear and is not found in any to my knowledge. However, it has been used in a large number of denominational hymnals in my collection, many of which have only the first four stanzas. The song explains why it is so important for a young person to come to Jesus. I. Stanza 1 tells us that Jesus is our Friend "Just as I am, Thine own to be, Friend of the young, who lovest me, To consecrate myself to Thee, O Jesus Christ, I come." A. Coming to Christ is an acknowledgement that we are bought with a price and, therefore, are not our own but belong to Him: 1 Cor. 6.20 B. It is a pleasure to belong to Christ because He is truly a Friend and showed His love by laying His life down for us: Jn. 15.13-15 C. Therefore, it should be our desire to consecrate ourselves to Him as living sacrifices: Rom. 12.1-2 II. Stanza 2 tells us that we have vows to pay to Jesus "In the glad morning of my day, My life to give, my vows to pay, With no reserve and no delay, With all my heart I come." A. The glad morning of one's day refers to remembering the Creator in the days of his youth: Eccl. 12.1 B. This giving of one's life to the Lord is represented as paying ones vows to Him: Eccl. 5.4 C. This should be done with no reserve and no delay but with one's entire heart, soul, mind, and strength: Mk. 12.30 III. Stanza 3 tells us that we should serve Jesus with all our might "I would live ever in the light, I would work ever for the right; I would serve Thee with all my might, Therefore, to Thee I come." A. Those who would belong to God must walk in the light: 1 Jn. 1.5-7 B. They must also work ever for the right by practicing righteousness: 1 Jn. 3.7 C. And they must serve God with all their might: Eccl. 9.10 IV. Stanza 4 tells us that we ought to be the best that we can be "Just as I am, young, strong, and free, To be the best that I can be For truth and righteousness and Thee, Lord of my life, I come." A. One reason that God wants young people to serve Him is because of their strength: Prov. 20.29 B. Therefore, He wants them to be the best that they can be by learning to bear the yoke of obedience in their youth: Lam. 3.27 C. Even young people should stand for truth and righteousness because only the truth can make anyone free: Jn. 8.32 V. Stanza 5 tells us that we must hold our faith dear "With many dreams of fame and gold, Success and joy to make me bold, But dearer still my faith to hold, For my whole life, I come." A. It is not necessarily wrong to have "dreams of fame and gold" because all need to earn a certain amount of this world's wealth to meet their needs and provide for their families: 2 Thess. 3.6, 1 Tim. 5.16 B. Nor is it necessarily wrong to have dreams of "success and joy" since even in the things of this life God wants His people to do well and enjoy themselves: Eccl. 11.9-10 C. However, a person's faith should be dearer than any of these things because it is by faith that we must walk to please God: 2 Cor. 5.7 VI. Stanza 6 tells us that Jesus offers a crown to the victor "And for Thy sake to win renown, And then to take the victor's crown, And at Thy feet to cast it down, O Master, Lord, I come." A. Whatever renown we might win must be for Christ's sake: 2 Cor. 4.5 B. If that is our aim, then we can hope to take the victor's crown: Rev. 2.10 C. Yet, even then, we shall acknowledge that we owe our victory to Jesus as symbolized by casting our crowns at HIs feet: Rev. 4.10 CONCL. In years gone by, most churches had "hymnals" for the adults in worship services and "Sunday School songbooks" for the children in their classes, and "never the twain did meet." However, over time, many of the "Sunday School songs" for young people found their way in to the "adult hymnals" (not always without protest). It is certainly good for young people to learn and sing the great hymns of the faith, and it is also good for adults to know and sing spiritual songs that will encourage the youth. Today, unfortunately, the songs which seem to appeal to youth so much are "praise choruses" that often repeat the same words several times to a catchy tune with new age harmonies. However, in the past, good, solid, substantive hymns were written with young people in mind, such as this one which exhorts a young person to come to Christ saying, "Just As I Am, Thine Own to Be." Brotherly, Wayne S. Walker 9024 Amona Dr. Affton, MO 63123 home phone: (314) 638-4710 e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com website: www.defenderoftruth.com Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com. And if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ . In addition, I have a Hymn Studies blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . Also, since this has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them with Yahoogroups. ____________________________________________________________ Click to make millions by owning your own franchise. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m6iR0WU0atM8SAWViwGkrm9eWxpSG2h2KnOrpYbgnobQJkY/ From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Fri Sep 5 09:56:59 2008 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 09:56:59 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Buckhorn Teacher 9-07-08 Message-ID: <000801c90f67$a6e47d10$06fea8c0@your4dacd0ea75> THE BUCKHORN TEACHER "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2.Tim.4:2 Buckhorn church of Christ - Thomas Thornhill - editor. 13675 Hwy 341, Randolph MS 38864-9117. Tel. 662-568-2960. Cell 662-419-5378. E-mail thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Vol.7 September 7, 2008 No.8 Last Sunday I preached on "Mark, my son," 1.Pet.5:13, a lesson dealing with how John Mark redeemed himself after making mistakes. This week, in one of the periodicals I receive, I came across the following article on the same subject. It is worth reading, so here it is. It was written by David Holder and published in Focus Magazine. GETTING BACK ON TRACK Have you ever dropped the ball? I'm not talking about sports; I'm talking about life. Have you blown a chance to do something significant? Most of us understand failure. We've been there. And what we experience in life generally, we sometimes experience spiritually. Things are not always what they should be, or what we want them to be, between us and God. Can we shake bad habits, get out of the spiritual doldrums, or escape sin? Is there any help or hope available? Yes, there is. I can show you someone who fell hard and, in time, fully recovered. From his experience, we may learn how to get back on track. The scene is the Garden of Gethsemane. Soldiers came to arrest Jesus. One disciple lashes out with a sword. In a matter of minutes, His friends and followers flee into the night. "And a certain young man was following Him wearing nothing but a linen sheet over his naked body; and they seized him. But he left the linen sheet behind, and escaped naked" (Mk.14:51-52). It has long been supposed that this "certain young man" was Mark, the writer of the Gospel bearing his name. This is a reasonable conclusion. Only the fleeing man would know the details and might write about the event in such an indirect way. When Jesus the Lord was unjustly arrested, Mark rather scandalously escaped into the night. This is not the last time Mark ran from responsibilities. If he was Jesus' fleeing follower, in time he made strides in the right direction. Several years later, Mark was helping the apostle Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel (Acts 12:25; 13:5). They preached in several cities on the island of Cyprus, but when Paul and Barnabas left to preach elsewhere, Mark returned home (Acts 13:13). When it came time to set out on a second preaching tour, Paul would not agree for Mark to go along because he had earlier turned back (Acts 15:36-40). Was Mark establishing a pattern of running from responsibilities? Do you identify with him in some way? For reasons that seem good at the moment, a husband or wife runs from responsibilities of marriage. A parent deserts his children. A church member decides he or she can't keep up with the demands of serving God. Life is not always easy and simple; we are not always capable of dealing with the conflicts and struggles we encounter. At times we want to run away. Mark felt this way at least twice. But you need to know that failure is not the end of Mark's story. Several years later, Paul, who earlier refused to take Mark on the second preaching trip, called Mark one of his fellow workers who was an encouragement to him (Col.4:10-11; Phile.24). Near the end of Paul's life, the apostle wrote affectionately of Mark to Timothy: "Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service" (2.Tim.4:11). Wait a minute! What do we have here, a man who recovered from two spiritual failures? Yes, we do. Mark became a useful, effective Christian, and a friend and brother to an apostle of Christ. Mark wrote an action-packed Gospel with special emphasis on Jesus' disciples. Mark's own life and work say "You can follow Jesus. And if you falter or fail, Jesus will patiently help you back on track if you want Him to, Spiritual recovery is possible. I know." Do you need to get back on track to follow Jesus again and more faithfully? You can. Ask Mark -.David Holder, Focus Magazine - Vol.6, No.6, March/April 2002. davhold at aol.com DOES GOD SEND PEOPLE TO HELL? While discussing the subject of "Hell" with a lady acquaintance one day, she said to me, "I just can not conceive of a merciful God sending one to Hell to suffer eternally." We readily agreed with her. God doesn't send people to Hell. He didn't prepare Hell for man, and man has no business going there. However, we reminded the lady acquaintance that this by no means dictates that a person won't go to Hell. People will go to torment of their own free will - God does not send them. The fact is, God has done all possible to keep people form going to Hell. He even gave His own Son to suffer in the flesh and die on a cross in an effort to keep people out of Hell. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He prepared the way to Heaven, and now exhorts the sinner to turn from his evil way and walk in the light. Now, it is up to the sinner to avail himself of the means that God has given to escape the power of Satan and the confines of Hell. The next move is the sinner's and if he does not make that move he alone is to blame. The apostle Peter said, "God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2.Pet.3:9). In the first chapter of Acts we have a good example of a person destroying himself in spite of all anyone could do. Peter, I speaking of Judas, said: "Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place." Notice, Peter said Judas "went to his own place." The place Judas went to was not God's place, for God had nothing to do with his going there. It was Judas' own place because Judas had prepared that place himself by his conduct in this life. God didn't send him, he went of his own free will. If a man is eventually lost he cannot accuse God, for God's will is, that he not go to torment. Man goes to Hell himself while all Heaven is pleading with him not to go. Yes, we choose our own destiny. God has placed before man two ways - one leads to Hell, the other to Heaven. We are left to make the choice ourselves. Jesse M Kelly - Preceptor, p.12 - Vol.57, No.6, June 2008. Sentence sermons: The fact that a person talks godly does not mean he walks godly. Following Jesus is not an escape from life - it is life. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080905/3b38ff7b/attachment-0001.html From texasjeffssmith at mac.com Fri Sep 5 11:55:54 2008 From: texasjeffssmith at mac.com (Jeff S. Smith) Date: Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:55:54 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Class>Peculiar People Message-ID: I have this morning completed and published a new class book to my website at www.ElectronicGospel.com . Peculiar People is a study of the many distinctive elements of churches of Christ and the people within them. There are 13 lessons in all. The first 12 lessons contain a page of textual instruction followed by a set of questions; lesson 13 is a review of the series. PECULIAR PEOPLE LESSONS 1. Introduction 2. The Real Jesus 3. Jesus Built His Church 4. Baptism for the Remission of Sins 5. A Rose By Any Other Name 6. As Often As You Observe the Lord?s Supper 7. Preachers, Pastors, Teachers and Popes 8. Melody in the Heart 9. Taking A Holiday 10 .The Church and the Kingdom 11. Social Gospel 12. No Creed But Christ 13. Review PECULIAR PEOPLE INFORMATION HTML Preview: http://tinyurl.com/54ta86 PDF Download: http://tinyurl.com/6x4677 Also, we have begun netcasting our worship services and Bible classes here at Woodmont. If you are unable to make it out for worship, but can get to a computer, you can watch us live at 9:30 and 5:00 on Sundays and at 7:30 on Wednesday evenings, Central Time. Woodmont Live: http://tinyurl.com/6zu7dk Jeff S. Smith Jeff Smith is the preacher for the Woodmont church of Christ and publisher of ElectronicGospel and its weekly podcast. Jeff is also the Program Director and Head Coach of Burleson Youth Association Buddy Ball. The contents of this email are personal and private. Please do not forward this communication, in whole or in part, to anyone without my express consent. Follow me on Twitter. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080905/185ecd42/attachment.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Sat Sep 6 03:58:17 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 04:58:17 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN Message-ID: 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 recent files: GOD HAS SPOKEN A dozen sirens wailing a warning of a coming tornado can- not save the lives of those who do not heed. Warning that a dam is beginning to break under the pressure of floodwaters cannot save a city of ten thousand living directly below the dam if they do not heed and seek higher ground. The blaring of the horns of a train bearing down on an intersection cannot save motorists who ignore it and are smashed by trying to cross the tracks. Is there no grace? Is there no mercy? Yes! The warn- ings are the form of deliverance from peril, but grace and mercy do not profit those who do not make use of them. God has spoken! He has offered good things and warned mankind of mortal peril. He has set in place a way of salvation from spiritual death and eternal punishment through His graci- ous gift through Jesus Christ. He has said that all who believe Him, heed His Word, and obey His Son's commandments will be delivered from certain death in sin and will be given eternal life (Heb. 5:8,9; Matt. 7:21-24; Mk. 16:15,16; Rom. 2:5-11). But God's warnings have not profited those who have not heeded His commands to stop, to flee from peril, to seek the safety in Christ. Many warners tell their hearers that belief alone will save them, that they are saved before they obey the warn- ings or even without obeying the warnings; therefore, the warn- ed ones feel safe though their destruction is imminent (1 Thes. 5:1-3). Many people isolate themselves from God's warnings by refusing to read His Holy Scriptures, by refusing to listen to the Truth presented by means of radio, by refusing repeated invitat- ions to attend the assemblies where the Truth is taught, and by refusing even to discuss the Scriptures with Christians who are seeking to help them. Neighbor, God's warning is ever-present. Are you reading it, listening to it, and obeying it unto salvation? The way that leads to life eternal must be taken and traveled (Matt. 7:13,14). ----------- Gilbert Alexander. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/c7d923b5/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Sat Sep 6 03:58:26 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 04:58:26 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) WHAT BIBLE PASSAGE TEACHES MONOGAMY? Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. WHAT BIBLE PASSAGE TEACHES MONOGAMY? Monogamy is the marital rule of having only one spouse. Polygamists say that a person can have more than one spouse at the time, such as Muslims practice. The teaching of the Bible on this subject will be considered in a moment, but first, let's look at the need for Bible teaching in this matter. In the late 1800's the territory of Utah petitioned Congress for statehood in the union, but were denied for over twenty years until Mormon leaders renounced the practice of polygamy. The recent events out in Texas involving a commune occupied by Reformed Mormons brought state officials in, not to "crack down" on polygamy, but simply for the welfare of the children. Today's governmental authorities seem to steer clear of any in- volvement in the marital lives of individuals. Their avoidance of marital issues may be because the task is just too big! So many couples are simply "living together," are divorced, or have children without being married. How can all these sinful relationships be corrected by the government? But here is the crux of the problem for our present study: if the government is "hands off" in marital matters, how long will it be before polygamy is recognized as legitimate? We already are faced with outrageous judges granting the right of marriage to homosexuals and lesbians. What will hold them back from granting plural marriages to Muslims and Mormons? Now, back to the Bible question -- what Bible passage teach- es monogamy? First, when Jesus was asked about the practice of divorce, He pointed back to "the beginning," and that God made one woman for one man, and that the "two" should become one flesh (Matt. 19:3-9). Monogamy must have been the rule, becau- se the narrative of Genesis makes a note of the unusual behav- ior of Lamech. "And Lamech took unto him two wifes..." (Gen. 4: 19). Second, in the New Testament the Corinthians are told "Let every man have his own wife, and every woman have her own husband." (1 Cor. 7:2). That "wife" is singular, and that "husba- nd" is singular. The epistles are written to Christians, the new people of God, to give them direction in moral and spiritual matters. The Old Testament had been nailed to the cross. The old ordinances about wives, husbands, divorce, and marrying the wife of a de- ceased brother were nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). We must rely on the teachings of the apostles and Christ on the subject of marriage. Again, note the sinmgular "wife" and the singular "husband" "For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the Head of the church..." "He that loveth his wife loveth himself." (Eph. 5:23, 28). Third, marrying another constitutes adultery. "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." (Rom. 7:3). So the wife is bound to one man. Fourth, "Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry anot- her, committeth adultery against her." (Mk. 10:11). Now, if divorc- ing and remarrying is committing adultery, what if a man simply marries a second wife? Yes, that second marriage would consti- tute adultery also, because it adulterates God's plan for marriage from the beginning. In this regard, Christ has elevated woman more than any other force in history, by simply recognizing that she has rights too. When the apostles heard Jesus on this subject, they said, "If the case of the man be so with a woman, it is not good to marry." (Matt. 19:10). In other words, if a man can't divorce his wife for just any cause his responsibilities toward her become apparent. She is not to be discarded at the man's whim or dis- pleasure with her. They are married "for better or for worse." The woman has a permanent place at her husband's side. Jesus has been the great power of women, even as He teaches them to submit to their husbands. Finally, note that we must look at what the New Testament teaches on this subject -- not at what it does not teach. "But it doesn't say that a man can't have several wives at once." Poly- gamy is in the same category as circumcision for the Gentiles, to which the apostles said, "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commandment..." (Acts 15:24). Neither Christ nor the apostles ever gave their approval of polygamy, while both approved monogamy. We must abide within the things taught in the doctrine of Christ (2 Jno. 9-11). Perhaps there will be a great challenge on this point in the future, because of the way things are progressing in this direct- ion at this time. (Our culture at this time accepts any and every perversion of the law of Christ on the matter of marrying, divorcing, living to- gether in fornication, practicing homosexuality, lesbianism and even bestiality. People are divorcing for any and every cause, remarrying at will, etc. Not realizing that God's will is for one man to have one woman in marriage and that that marriage can- not be broken except that one party in the marriage commits adultery and the the other is innocent of the matter. Under such circumstances, the innocent party has the right to remarry but the guilty party does not. So, people, who have divorced for any other cause and have remarried are living in adultery, and adult- erers have no place in the kingdom of God. People living in any sexual perverted way, whether it be adultery, polygamy, homo- sexuality, fornication, will not be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven unless and until they repent of such activities, com- pletely separating themselves from such perversion. JWS). --------- George Hutto in Tidings, Vol. 23, No. 7, July, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/10fb7336/attachment-0001.html From Mikejohnson104 at aol.com Sat Sep 6 06:48:11 2008 From: Mikejohnson104 at aol.com (Mikejohnson104 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 07:48:11 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] B> The Elon Challenger Vol 5 No. 11 Message-ID: The Elon Challenger ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST New Hope, Alabama Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18). Volume V Number 11 July, 2008 =================================================================== FAITH IS USELESS, WHEN . . . Charles G. Maples, Sr. ...It will not move you to OBEY the Lord's commandments. The "chief rulers" of John 12:42 BELIEVED in Jesus, but their faith wasn't strong enough to move them to CONFESS Him; as we must, according to Romans 1 0:9-1 0. Jesus said, "He that believeth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Every Old Testament character listed in Hebrews eleven, as demonstrating soul-saving FAITH, had faith which moved them to OBEY, and we are told that in Jesus' OBEDIENCE on the Cross, "He became the Author of eternal life TO ALL WHO OBEY." (Heb. 5:8f) ...It will not SUSTAIN you in time of TEMPTATION. When Jesus was tempted by satan (Matthew 4)). He, on each occasion, answered, "It is written." John assures us in I John 5:4 that, "This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our FAITH." We are assured that "God is faithful, and that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond that we are able to bear; but will with every temptation, provide a way of escape." (I Corinthians 10:13) We must have faith that is strong enough to confidently believe that! If your faith will not serve as a SHIELD, warding off the darts of Satan, then it is USELESS! ...It will not keep your heart CENTERED ON THE CHRIST! When Peter, paying more attention to the churning waves around him than to his Lord, began to sink, Jesus exclaimed, "O thou of little faith..." (Matthew 12:29-31). When your faith is such that you are so unconcerned about Christ and His Cause that you can willfuly forsake the assemblies of the saints; where He has promised to be (Matt. 18:20), it is useless! ...It does not make you "BIG" enough to forgive some petty wrong committed against you. We are to pray, in faith, "...forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt. 6:12, 15) If your faith is so weak that it will stand in the way of the Father forgiving your sins, then it is useless! ...It will not cause you to courageously contend for the Truth. Every child of God is charged to "earnestly contend for the faith..." (Jude 3) When the early disciples were told to "speak no more in the name of Jesus," their faith moved them to "speak boldly" the unsearchable riches of Christ. The apostle Paul says, "we BELIEVE, and therefore SPEAK." (2 Cor. 4:13) If your faith will allow you to keep silent about THE FAITH, then it is useless! ...It will not keep you "FAITHFUL unto death." (Rev. 2:10) "The crown of life" is only for those who are FAITHFUL unto the end of their life; even if they should; because of their faith, have to die! The apostle Paul was confident of "the crown of righteousness," because he had "fought the good fight...finished the course...kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:6-8); and you will notice that he adds that such was "not for (him) only, but also to all who love His appearing." If your faith will allow you to become "unfaithful," then it is useless! IS YOURS A USELESS FAITH? I beg you to seriously and prayerfully think on this! A WEAK faith can be INCREASED by a DILIGENT and PRAYERFUL STUDY of the Scriptures; and that with a DETERMINATION to put into PRACTICE every TRUTH that you learn! __________ CHURCH GROWTH The following is from a poll taken of several church groups. It reflects the importance of the story from last week's bulletin entitled Don't give up asking people to church services." It takes individual effort to reach those not in Christ. -1% occurs from "walk ins." -1% results from special crusades or evangelistic programs. -2% occurs from the general visitation by the preacher. -3% occurs from people finding a special or unique need in a congregation. -6% occurs because the church has a good or popular preacher. -7% occurs because the congregation has good children's and adult Bible classes. -10% occurs because the church offers pleasing social programs. -70% occurs from members inviting their friends, relatives or other people in their daily life. from Walking in the Light ___________ DENOMINATIONALISM Stan Cox A quick perusal of the yellow pages reveals a plethora of churches to choose from: Advent, African Methodist, Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Baptist (ABA, Bible Fellowship, Independent, Missionary, Primitive, Reformed, Southern, Sovereign Grace), Catholic, Christian, Christian Science, Church of God, Mormon, Nazarene, Greek Orthodox, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, and Unitarian Universalist. And these are only a few. We live in a religiously pluralistic society. Today it is possible to find a church suited to every mind set and personal preference. Men seem to be pleased with this "buffet" approach to religion. This writer once attended a baccalaureate service where a Protestant preacher prayed to God in this fashion: "God, I thank You that there are so many churches that exist today, where each of us can find opportunities and churches that we are comfortable and pleased with, as we offer worship to You." The sentiment is often heard that upon salvation one should "attend the church of his choice." Others say you should find a "Bible believing church," though all the churches listed above would make such a claim. For centuries "Christendom" has been divided. It has been this way for so long, many have come to believe this is as it should be. But, what does the Bible say? Is it possible to reconcile the present multitude of churches with Jesus' prayer in John 17? "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" (John 17:20-21). The quick answer is no! But, let's examine the phenomenon known as denominationalism. How It Got Here On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Palace church, in Wittenberg, Germany, and challenged the Catholic leadership to religious debate. The Catholic church had become a monstrosity of tradition and superstition (see article 3), and had thwarted the efforts of reformation from within the institution. Though Luther did not initially intend to break with Catholicism, his challenge to debate any or all of the 95 theses with Catholic representatives marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Others joined him in the movement, which gained such momentum as to blossom into what we see today. It is important to note that the desire of these men was to reform the Catholic church. It was not their purpose to restore the church to the pristine simplicity revealed in the New Testament. The sale of indulgences and other corruptions were too much to take for these reformers, and they felt compelled to change some aspects of church doctrine. Luther and others had an aversion to the Catholic's dependence upon works of merit, and formulated the doctrine that we are saved by "faith only." This doctrine is almost universally held among Protestant denominations today. The attempts of these reformers, though laudable, fell far short. Though they achieved some success in their reforms, they did not restore the doctrine, work and worship of the church as God established it in antiquity. As such, the churches they established are but pale imitations of the glorious institution for which Christ died. Please note how the present practice of denominationalism violates clear injunctions in scripture. The Prayer of Jesus It is significant to note that the principal desire of our Lord, expressed in his prayer to the Father in John 17, was that future disciples would be unified rather than divided. This beautiful sentiment is expressed in verses 20 and 21, "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." This desire is inclusive of all who name the name of Christ. In other words, 2000 years after His words, Jesus still desires of us that we might be one. This unity cannot be realized within the structure of denominationalism. So long as men are content to embrace divisive doctrines and practices, the world is hindered from believing. The creeds of men and multiplicity of churches indicate division and confusion rather than the unity for which Christ prayed. While some call for ecumenism, and have great "unity meetings," they then retreat to their distinctive styles of worship and conflicting teaching. Unity cannot be achieved by "agreeing to disagree," or by "disagreeing without being disagreeable." It can only come if we "all speak the same thing" (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10). "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3). The status quo of denominational affiliation is contrary to the beautiful sentiments expressed by our Lord in his prayer to His Father in Heaven. You Are Still Carnal Older individuals may remember when the "denominator" in a mathematical fraction was called the "divisor." The term "denominationalism" is defined by Webster as "the emphasizing of denominational differences to the point of being narrowly exclusive: sectarianism." This definition is helpful, though it fails to fully explain the danger of the practice, and to differentiate between division that is desirable, and that which is condemned by God. Jesus Himself was divisive. He said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to `set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law"' (Matthew 10:35). Truth divides, as it separates those who will be saved from those who will be lost. "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). However, division among those who name the name of Christ is wrong. Paul wrote, "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?" (1 Corinthians 3:2-4). The division that exists when those who claim to know Christ differ in worship and doctrine can in no way be justified. It is carnality, or worldliness, and a shame to those who practice it. One Body The church is described in scripture as the body of Christ. Using that illustration, we see a single head (Christ), on a single body (the church). This is as it should be. It would be a monstrosity to have a body with multiple heads. Too, it would not be natural to see one head attached to multiple bodies. But, this is an accurate description of the present claim made by the denominations. Christ as head over many bodies, each with distinct doctrines, government and practices. Ephesians 4:4 says there is "one body," and we need to be content with this Bible truth. A Plea Others have seen the incongruity of denominationalism. "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace..." (1 Corinthians 14:33). This is one reason for the proliferation of "non-denominational" churches. However, these churches fail in two areas. First, they themselves teach religious error, making them a sect (notwithstanding their claims to be non-sectarian). Second, they attempt to bring unity not by obtaining agreement in doctrine and practice, but by "agreeing to disagree, without becoming disagreeable." This is not Biblical unity. Paul wrote, "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" (1 Corinthians 1:10). The proper means of obtaining unity is by agreeing to the one standard, which is God's word. Lay aside all creeds of men, follow the divine standard, and withdraw yourselves from those who walk disorderly. Respect the authority of scripture, and refrain from "teaching as doctrine the commandments of men" (cf. Matthew 15:9). Paul exhorted Timothy, "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 1:13). When a group departs from truth, and the departure results in division, the fault lies with those who do not "abide in the doctrine of Christ" (cf. 2 John 9). So many claim to love Jesus, and yet they work and worship with religious organizations whose origin and creeds are from men. These churches do not do the work of the Lord, and they do not respect the authority of Christ. They are self-willed and presumptuous in their teaching and practice. Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15). Watchman Magazine, June 2002 ___________ EVERYBODY, SOMEBODY, ANYBODY AND NOBODY Submitted by Somebody There was an important job to be done and everybody was asked to see if they could do it. Everybody was sure somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but nobody did. Somebody got real angry about that because it was everybody's job. Everybody thought anybody could do it, but nobody realized everybody wouldn't do it. So everybody blamed somebody ... when actually nobody asked anybody... from Walking in the Light ___________ Authority 7 ADHERENCE TO THE NEW TESTAMENT Mike Johnson Previously, in our discussion of the subject of authority, the importance of adhering to God's Word and not deviating from it in any way, was examined from the standpoint of the Old Testament. In this article, we will examine the same concept from the New Testament. Jude (v. 3) told the early Christians that they should " . . . earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." The meaning of the Greek word here means to fight or to contend strenuously in defense of. Vines defines it as, "to contend about a thing, as a combatant...to contend earnestly." The word "faith" that is used here, that we are to contend earnestly for, is used in the objective sense. It refers to the system of faith, i.e., the sum of all that we are to obey and believe (note also Acts 6:7, I Tim. 4:1, Phil. 1:27). Thus, we are to firmly stand on God's Word; we are to defend the truth against attacks from false teachers, and obviously, we are to adhere to it ourselves. How do we do that? Do we accomplish this by teaching the doctrine that people can believe anything they want? Do we "contend earnestly for the faith" by adding to and taking away from God's Word? No, Jude 3 is obeyed by demanding of ourselves and others the necessity of following the pattern of the New Testament. We obey it by demanding Bible authority for all that is believed and practiced. In Galatians 1, Paul said that he marveled that the Galatians were so "soon removed" unto "another gospel." He also pointed out that there were some who had troubled them and had "perverted" the gospel of Christ. Then (v. 8) he warned them, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." The word translated "accursed" (KJV) is the word "anathema." This is a very strong word and refers to being delivered to divine wrath or destruction. If the apostles, an angel, or "any man" (v. 9) preached a different gospel, Paul said, "let him be accursed (or anathema)." There is only one gospel, and this gospel cannot be changed. Authority from God's Word is essential for any belief or practice, and we have no right to pervert the teaching of God's Word. Consider another warning found in II John 9-11. These verses say, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." It is very clear from these verses that we stand condemned if we teach or practice anything that is contrary to God's Will. If we transgress and do not abide in the doctrine (or teaching) of Christ, then, simply put, "we do not have God." If we do "abide in" the doctrine of Christ, then we do have God. We also stand condemned if we bid "Godspeed" to a false teacher. A person who teaches and practices false doctrine is not abiding in the doctrine of Christ, and they do not have God. Thus, it is extremely important to abide in the teaching of God's Word. Revelation 22:18-19 says, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." It is clear that the writer has specific reference to the book of Revelation in these two verses. Would this principle apply only to the book of Revelation? Can we "add to" or "take away from" other books of the Bible? Certainly not! If we are not allowed to "add to" or "take away from" one book of the Bible, it would stand to reason that we cannot "add to" or "take away from" any book of the Bible, especially in light of the teaching of such passages as Galatians1:6-10, Jude 3, and II John 9. Consider the following example. The Bible teaches that the Lord's Supper consists of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. To add potatoes as an element of the Lord's Supper would be wrong as that would be adding to God's Word; to take away the fruit of the vine from the Lord's Supper and just have the unleavened bread would be wrong as that would be "taking away from" the Scriptures. How much can we "add to" or "take away from" God's Word and still be acceptable to God? Is just a "little" error acceptable? I Peter 4:11 says, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. . . ." The Bible also teaches that the Word of God will be the standard by which we are judged when Christ returns (Jn. 12:48). Christ will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30-31), and we will be judged according to our deeds (II Cor. 5:10, Rom. 2:6). The facts should motivate us to abide by the teaching of God's Word. The various New Testament passages show us that God's Word must be our authority today. It is essential that we have authority for all that we believe, teach, and practice. Can you prove what you believe and practice by the Word of God? # ___________ When you invite trouble, it is usually quick to accept. ___________ Evangelist: Charles G. Maples Sr. Phone-256-530-0772 Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson Phone -256-776-2223 **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/381388ff/attachment-0001.html From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Sep 6 10:06:53 2008 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 10:06:53 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 030 Message-ID: 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 030:: September 07, 2008 ARTICLE ONE: Our Greatest Resource ARTICLE TWO: Confidence in God Article One: Our Greatest Resource What is the greatest resource of growth and continued stability in this congregation? Our greatest resource lays in a group among us who have, in many places, been subjugated to a lesser importance over the years. This group is very important for the future of this congregation. In fact, they are our future in this place. Our greatest resource is our young people. We are blessed with many "young people" here in our congregation. Let's take the time to search the scriptures and discover what God has said to young people specifically. This doesn't mean that any of the older ones can check out; the things we will cover will be beneficial to you as well. We are going to seek the information that will make us wise. As the saying goes, "By knowledge not age comes wisdom". It is interesting however that we equate youth with foolishness and many young people prove it true. This is not a rule and it must not be your rule. You don't have to be old in order to be wise. The information is ready for you to receive today so that you can be wise as quickly as your next decision. Let's open our Bibles and consider the words of God to the young people. Be Young and Happy You are only young once. There are wonderful things about being young. A time when responsibilities are few and abilities are many. One responsibility we must always remember is to our Creator-God. (Ecclesiastes 11:9) God wants you to rejoice in your youth. Look to His advice for you. "Let your heart cheer you": Enjoy the time of your life when your abilities are many and responsibilities are few. "Walk in the ways of your heart": Chase your dreams see what you can achieve. "Walk in the sight of your eyes" See what good things the world holds for you. There are things in this life that are profitable and not all of the world is bad. Seek that which is good and use it well. God's advice also includes this statement that we must not forget. He says, "However, know that God will bring into judgment every action". We will all answer for the things done in the body whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Finding your place in life and enjoying all the good that life has to offer are both good as long was we place them in proper priority. The priority = God first (Matthew 6:33) all other things after God. This is a great strategy for success. You will not fail in this life if you apply yourself to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Praise God Now, Don't Wait Ecclesiastes 12:1 "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth". The Bible is full of admonitions to praise God and the young are also subject to those admonitions (Psalm 148:7-13). When we are young we seem to be able to devote hours and hours to the things we enjoy. Our energy reserves seem to never run out when we are doing things we like to do. It is this energy that God deserves to be given toward praising Him. Even though few recognize this when they have it the energy of youth is the energy of diligence. We need to apply that desirous energy to diligently study (2 Timothy 2:15), diligently serve (2 Peter 1:10), and diligently wait on our reward (2 Peter 3:14; 1 Peter 1:6-9). God desires our praise. If you do not know how to Praise and Glorify God consider the words of the Psalmist. Psalm 104:31-35, Psalm 111: 1-10, and Psalm 146. Have you praised God lately? God is worthy of our praise: it is God who is able to bless us beyond all expectation (Ephesians 3:20). It is God who created us and who sustains our lives (Acts 17:24-28). It is God who has seen fit to give you a mind and a choice that is yours (Genesis 1:27) with the hope that you would freely choose to find and serve Him (Acts 17:27). Trust God Always God will not fail you. The Bible makes an everlasting statement as part of the context in 1 Corinthians 1:9. Paul makes this statement three times in his letters to the Corinthian brethren. No matter where, when, or how you are: "God is faithful". He is faithful in His promises (Titus 1:2). This is absolutely essential to know when we consider Paul's second use of this statement. 1 Corinthians 10:13 "God is faithful in providing a way of escape.". Temptations are common to all people. Someone else has been where you are! You can refuse the temptation! God is faithful-will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able. He will provide a way of escape. No matter what it is that you are facing there is a way out if you open your eyes. Earlier we were reading in the Psalms. Consider the resolve and assurance that the Psalmist knew because of God (Psalmist in 118:1-8). Verse 6: "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Then we need to turn to Paul's inspired letter to the Roman brethren: Romans 8:31, "What shall we say to these things? 'If God is for us, who can be against us?'" Trust God; He is all in all. If you lose everything in this life but do not lose faith in God you have lost nothing at all. Conclusion: The most consoling verse in scriptures to one who seeks God may well be, "casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you." The All Powerful Great and Holy, Almighty God of Heaven cares for you! Seek that care. Open up to Him. Share every concern of your heart with Him. Focus on the last point of this lesson.never forget: Trust God. When it seems like you have no one, trust God. When life is giving you a rough round, trust God. When it seems like there is no other way but to sin, refuse that sin, and trust God. If we can keep the young faithful to God, faithful service will continue in this place for years to come. Do you trust God? Have you put Him first in your life? We will fail if we don't. Human education, social popularity, and money cannot get you into Heaven. Put God first and those things in their own place, are you ready to set your life in order today? ~tss Article Two: Confidence in God Have you ever known any one who makes promises that you simply cannot trust? How many of their failed promises did you have to experience to learn their word was no longer of any value? It is important to know that someone's word is his or her bond. In fact, Jesus instructs us to make all our words truthful in Matthew 5:33-37. There have been many promises made to you and me. Those promises were made by God to each of us. His has promised things that no one else can promise. So this is the situation that we are faced with, you and I have been given many promises; promises so grand and glorious that they are well beyond our imagination's ability to see even in our dreams. But if they cannot be trusted they are simply just words. The question we face-"Is God worthy of our trust?" Is He worthy of our confidence? Let's examine God's track record of promise making and keeping, in order that we might evaluate His reliability. Abraham-In Days of Old God made some promises, that defied logic, to a man named Abraham. These promises were for things that were beyond Abraham's imagination. One of many promises: You will become a great nation (Genesis 12:2). For this to happen Abraham would have to have many children and, as of yet, he had none and he was 100 years old and his wife was 90 (Genesis 17:17). This was a spectacular promise Abraham had to choose to trust. He left his family (Genesis 12:4-5). He bore a son with Sarah and called his name Isaac (Genesis 17:19). He had a son, so everything was set in order for the course of action that could lead to the successful fulfillment of the promise. The greatest challenge to that trust was yet to come and is recorded in Genesis 22:1-2. Abraham trusted God: He set out for the mission (22:3-4). He confidently instructed the men that "they" would return (22:5). He, without doubt, trusted in God (22:8). Abraham was a man who trusted in God. As he saw it God had not and would not fail him (Hebrews 11:17-19). Abraham's trust was known to God (James 2:23). Paul-In The New Testament Paul received some promises from God that demanded a complete change of direction for Paul. Paul was a prominent man: Educated, socially respected (feared), politically influential, religiously-zealous (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:4b-6). When he truly became aware of God's will he was given some promises that he had to choose to trust. The promises, simply were not part of Paul's plan; the things he was offered were certainly things he had never imagined. In Acts 9:6 he was directed to change his immediate plans, in order that he might have his life-plans changed, "Go into the city, and you will be told what you must do". What he "must do" was change: his cause and his direction. For Paul to divert from his journey's purpose would be against his orders from the high priest. Paul had to trust to the point of giving up his journey's purpose. The promises continue for Paul in Acts 9:15-16 we read, "He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles". Paul is now promised that God had chosen him to go to the Gentiles. In order to obey this promise he has to turn his back on the teaching that had been instilled in him from birth. Yes, Paul was given promises that he, in order trust and accept, had to completely change His life and set his life on a different course. Paul put his confidence in God. He chose to trust the Lord and immediately began to preach Jesus the Christ as the Son of God (Acts 9:20). Paul faced many hardships in this life: The greatest challenge Paul faced was in the carrying out of the message. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 records for us a list of some things that Paul suffered for Christ simply because he was teaching Christ's doctrine. One might be tempted to question God after this constant resistance-Paul chose to trust God (Romans 1:16; Philippians 3:13-14). He went through situations that we, thankfully, cannot compare our hardships with. His confidence-his trust-was in God (Romans 8:14-18). You and I-Today How about you and I? Are we confidently trusting and obeying God today? We have received many promises from the same God who promised Abraham and Paul. Those men chose to trust God. In the face of struggles, through which many would realistically fail, they chose to trust and obey. We have been given promises today not unlike the ones Paul or Abraham received. We have been promised things that defy logic and are well beyond our imagination but must be trusted. To list all of our promises we fail to supply enough paper. By considering a few we should rejoice to know that we have been promised freedom from our sins through the gospel plan of salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). We must trust and obey to receive our freedom. We have been promised the greatest possible life here, through the doing of God's will (Galatians 5:22-25; James 1:21-22). To have that great life we must trust and obey. We have been promised a home in the perfection of Heaven. Where the glory of God illuminates the never-ending day (John 14:1-6; Revelation 21:23) after we have done the will of God (Hebrews 10:35-39). To enter that home we must trust and obey. Conclusion: Is God worthy of your confidence? God is a promise maker and a promise keeper (Titus 1:2). God will never fail you! His promises are yours to have, if you will trust and obey. Are you ready to trust and obey? ~tss If you are enjoying The Messenger and you know someone else who would like to receive it. Please forward it to them or send me their email address and I will add it to the list. Sean -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/a2dc3fec/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2886 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/a2dc3fec/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9535 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/a2dc3fec/attachment-0001.gif From jmickells at juno.com Sat Sep 6 11:13:40 2008 From: jmickells at juno.com (Jimmy R Mickells) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 11:13:40 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Be Reconciled Message-ID: <20080906.111341.3932.3.jmickells@juno.com> ?Be Reconciled? ?Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ?s behalf, be reconciled to God? (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). There are a good number of things that are said to us in these three verses about reconciliation. The word reconcile is defined as ?properly denotes to change, exchange (especially of money); hence, of persons, to change from enmity to friendship, to reconcile? (Vine, p. 942). Man?s need of reconciliation is obvious. His sins have separated him from his God (Isaiah 59:1,2), making him an enemy. Paul said, ?But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life? (Romans 5:8-10). This reconciliation or making of peace between God and man comes only through Christ; ? who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ? (2 Corinthians 5:18). Notice in the book of Colossians, the writer says, that it was what Jesus did on the cross, the giving of His life and the shedding of His blood, that through this means we can be reconciled. ?For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight? (Colossians 1:19-22). God?s chosen method to instruct mankind about this offer of peace and reconciliation is through the preaching and teaching of His word. Paul said that the Lord had given him and the apostles ?the ministry of reconciliation? (2 Corinthians 5:18). In verse 19, he said that God ?has committed to us the word of reconciliation.? The gospel message is God?s power to salvation (Romans 1:16). When preached in its purity and simplicity, it will move men and women to be obedient to it, thus they can be reconciled unto our Heavenly Father (Acts 2:36-41). Reconciliation is only accomplished by man being forgiven of his sins; ?that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them ? (2 Corinthians 5:19). The word imputing is defined as ?to take into account, to make an account of; metaphorically to pass to one?s account, to impute? (Thayer, p. 379). Whose sins are not imputed or charged against them? It is the person who has been forgiven of those sins and reconciled unto our Lord. Look at the words of Paul in the book of Romans, as he quotes Proverbs 32:1,2, ?Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin? (Romans 4:7,8). For one to be reconciled unto God there is something that the individual must do. Paul said, ? we implore you on Christ?s behalf, be reconciled to God? (2 Corinthians 5:20). God did His part, through His grace, in the sending of His Son to die on the cross to reconcile us to Himself (Romans 5:8-10). Yet there are some things that we must do to be saved as well. There was a preacher in Nashville, who wrote an article in the local paper, which said there is nothing for one to do to be saved, Jesus did it all two thousand years ago. He certainly did His part; but He did not do ours. Peter was asked by those in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, ? Men and brethren what shall we do? (Acts 2:37). They were told to, ? 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). Do you want peace? You can be reconciled to God just like those men and women in the New Testament. Why not humbly submit to the Lord?s will and be saved. He is the source of salvation to all those who will obey Him (Hebrews 5:8,). Jimmy Mickells ____________________________________________________________ Click here for free information on nursing degrees, up to $150/hour http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3nEnldjXiDDmzHPFWaT2zvZ74nHhynLaR8AGCRJA2CVgfkF2/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/41134bc5/attachment.html From crxtra at gmail.com Sat Sep 6 14:55:17 2008 From: crxtra at gmail.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:55:17 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> Who Gets the Glory? Message-ID: <000001c9105a$7d329da0$7797d8e0$@com> From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. Editor: Steven Harper September 7, 2008 Who Gets the Glory? The disciple of Jesus Christ, by definition, is not the one; he or she is a follower of Christ and, as such, cannot claim any right to glory [disciples follow, and submit to, a Master]. They are told to be humble in the sight of God (Jas. 4:10), so that denies any right to claim personal glory. They are even commanded to "count others more significant than yourselves" (Phlp. 2:3) and "Clothe yourselves.with humility toward one another" (1st Pet. 5:5), so even amongst themselves disciples cannot make any claim to a right to glory. You might not think so, the way some disciples or professing believers behave before the world. The fact is, the inspired writers have revealed to us who should get the glory. Paul described Him as the one "who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20) and then said, "to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever" (v. 21). It should be noted here that Paul urged them that God was to be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus - and in nothing else and no one else. This is an important point worth noting and to which we will refer later in this article. But the apostle Peter also said to the disciples, "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies" (1st Pet. 4:11). And why? He continued: "--- that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever." I must emphasize Peter's inspired words here that remind us [1] glory belongs to God, and [2] that is done when we do and say things in the way God has established. Furthermore, we see that Jesus Christ is deserving of glory because of the great sacrifice He made for us. When John wrote of Jesus, he said, "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 1:5, 6). Later, in the heavenly vision, John writes of how "the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb" (5:8) singing praises to Him (v. 9), then joined by "the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands" (v. 11) as they said, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (v. 12). From just this scene, we should readily admit that Jesus, too, is deserving of all glory and honor for that great sacrifice. Because of that great sacrifice, God "has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phlp. 2:9-11). God glorified the Son with the glory He once had when in heaven (cf. John 17:1-5), and all that God would receive glory from Him, too, by the things He has done. He established Christ to be head over the church "that in everything He might be preeminent" (Col. 1:18); that means He alone is to have glory in the church. Certainly, no man could claim any reason for glory on the level of Christ! As disciples, we are the ones who should be first to glorify God. We glorify Him in body and spirit when we refrain from indulging in our fleshly desires and use our bodies instead for His service and work (cf. 1st Cor.6:20/Rom. 6:13); we can also glorify God by offering up our bodies as living (Rom. 12:1) or literal (Phlp. 1:20) sacrifices; and, as was shown earlier, we glorify God when we speak as if God was speaking and by doing things in the way He established (cf. 1st Pet. 4:11). But we most commonly glorify God with our lips [coming from the heart] as we offer up our words and songs of praise to Him. Beyond just faithful disciples, though, even those who are not yet believers will glorify God when we are doing the good works we should be doing (Matt. 5:16) and living a godly life (1st Pet. 2:11, 12). And it is here when man most often gets things wrong or invents new ways to 'glorify God' when, in reality, it will not be God who gets the glory at all. For example: When Man Elevates Himself. God does not get the glory when man elevates himself to positions reserved for Christ, and Christ alone. One religious group claims to have a man who serves as one with "full, supreme, and universal power over the whole church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered" [the Pope, as head of the Roman Catholic Church]; another religious group has recognized a series of mortal men as its head [LDS]; another group submits to a 'Governing Board' of unnamed individuals in Brooklyn [the Jehovah's Witnesses]; and many other denominations elect and replace their leaders on occasion by popular vote. Does God get the glory in these arrangements? Certainly not! It is men [and for some, women] who get the glory! Somehow - for some reason or another - man has forgotten "that the head of every man is Christ" (1st Cor. 11:3) and, because of this, God is not glorified. When Man Establishes Other Institutions To Do the Work of the Local Church. If you recall, Paul wrote that glory was given to God "in the church and in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 3:21). The church, as he wrote earlier in the same letter, was "the fullness of Him who fills all in all" (1:22, 23), meaning it completes the plan of God, that it is complete, and that there is no need of further additions or 'helps' invented by man. But man, apparently, fails to recognize or admit this important fact. Man, ignoring the reality of the completeness of the Lord's institution, has decided that God needs his help and so he establishes schools where men will make sure the Bible is taught 'correctly', orphans' homes and homes for widows to take care of the responsibility of visiting "orphans and widows in their affliction" (Jas. 1:27), and missionary societies and institutions to spread the gospel around the world because they believe God's established way of accomplishing the work is insufficient, too restrictive, or simply out-of-date. It matters not one whit whether these human institutions are funded from the local church's treasury or not; the fact is, they are unauthorized. Does God get the glory in these institutions? Superficially, yes; just as God is 'glorified' in the denominations when they practice error and lift their arms and claim it is 'to the glory of God.' Friends and brethren, saying God is glorified does not make it so. God is glorified when we do things His way. When Man Elevates Tradition or Creeds. In the first century when Christ walked among men, the Old Law was held in high esteem in word only; the reality was, the religious leaders were following tradition more than the word of God (cf. Matt. 15:3-9). In all reality, their traditions had become their creed! Since the Day of Pentecost when the gospel was first preached, man has created and written more and more creeds to 'explain' and 'clarify' God's already-revealed word to man and the result is not unity, but confusion. Does God get the glory in these traditions of men and in the creeds? Again, only superficially. While some creeds even say God's word alone is their rule, keep in mind that those words are written as part of their creed book - words written by uninspired men! Man is glorified, but not God! And traditions are no better at giving God the glory, either. When we defend 'what we've always done' over what God's word plainly teaches, we are glorifying our own intelligence and our own practices, but God is not glorified! Friends and brethren, my plea is simple: Glorify God! If I may borrow the words of the psalmist, "You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you [disciples], glorify Him, and fear Him" (Psa. 22:23). Do this not just in mind or just in word, but in reality. Do the will of the Lord, speak as the oracles of God, and submit fully to Him. -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080906/4ab00d2c/attachment-0001.html From disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Sat Sep 6 19:17:03 2008 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 20:17:03 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Good News for Norwalk: Volume III, Number 36: September 07, 2008 Message-ID: Good News for Norwalk For I am not ashamed of the good news, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16) A publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Volume III, Number 36: September 07, 2008 --------------------------------------------------- 1 John 1:1-4: The Word of Life That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life (and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us); that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: and these things we write, that our joy may be made full (1 John 1:1-4). John begins his first letter with no welcoming message per se; instead, he begins the letter like he began his Gospel: speaking concerning the Word of life. John speaks regarding "that which [is] concerning the Word of life." Much is made of the Word of God as revealed in the Bible, and this is natural and understandable. But John here speaks of the incarnate Word, that which was from the beginning, with God and being God, and active in the creation (John 1:1-3). This Word becomes flesh (John 1:14). We recognize that John is speaking about Jesus, but he does so in a very powerful way. Christianity is unique among religions because, at its heart, it is centered on a Person. Jesus is the Word. He Himself, in the flesh, is God's message to mankind. God has taken on flesh, has walked among mankind, and has provided the true light from Heaven (John 1:4-5, 14). Judaism is about the Torah; Islam is about the Qu'ran; eastern religions are often about meditation or ritual. Christianity, while having the Bible, is still about Jesus, the incarnate Word of life. This emphasis is seen constantly in John's Gospel and later in his letter (cf. John 6, 1 John 2:3-6, 4:11). Eternal life is in the Son, the Word of life (1 John 5:10-12). Everything is centered on Jesus. And this Jesus is no mere phantasm, no "seeming" person. He was truly God in the flesh. John heard, saw, looked upon, and touched the Word of life (1 John 1:1). He did this not by touching a book or by man's work on stone or wood, but by being present with and experiencing the manifestation of "the life," Jesus in the flesh (1 John 1:2; cf. John 1:14). He testifies to Jesus as a witness of His glory and power-- testimony is a central piece to John's themes, both in his Gospel and letter. His message to Christians comes with authority-- the authority of one who saw Jesus and heard the message of God from His lips (1 John 1:1-2). And this is why he writes-- he proclaims the message to Christians that he heard from Jesus so that Christians can have fellowship with him, as he has fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3). Fellowship is the Greek word koinonia, and it indicates joint participation, association, a sharing. The message of Jesus is something in which we believe and then participate together in our common goal. One cannot be a believer in Jesus Christ while having no association with others who believe, as John will continue to make clear (1 John 1:7). By writing the message and having Christians hear it and have fellowship with him and with God, John's joy is "made complete" (1 John 1:4). Let us join together in a common faith in the message of Jesus so that God's and our joy may be made complete! Ethan R. Longhenry evangelist at norwalkchurch.org --------------------------------------------------- The Word of Life In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not (John 1:1-5). And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus therefore said unto them, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:53-54). --------------------------------------------------- The church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio Thank you for reading the electronic version of our bulletin, Good News for Norwalk. If you live in Norwalk or happen to be traveling in the Norwalk area, we would certainly love to have you visit one of our assemblies! Our location: 386 North Edgewood Drive (just off US 250 just north of Norwalk's city limits) Norwalk, Ohio 44857 Our assemblies: Sunday morning assembly: 10:30am Sunday evening assembly: 6:00pm Our Bible studies: Sunday morning Bible study: 9:30am Wednesday evening Bible study: 7:00pm --------------------------------------------------- For More Information If you have any questions or comments about anything you have read here, or desire more information, please contact our evangelist, Ethan Longhenry, at evangelist at norwalkchurch.org. Good News for Norwalk is a publication of the church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio, for the promotion of God's truth in our world. For more information about the church of Christ in Norwalk, please visit our website at norwalkchurch.org. 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 Sign up for Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From thomasc at msu.edu Mon Sep 8 07:04:12 2008 From: thomasc at msu.edu (Craig Thomas) Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:04:12 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S>Saved If Message-ID: <20080908120414.96320BC197@dumbledore.whizardries.com> Saved If 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 I. Introduction: 1. Many believe man plays no role whatsoever in his/her own salvation; salvation is entirely through God?s grace. If such were true, all would be saved! Titus 2:11; Matt. 7:13-14 2. On the contrary, a number of times the Bible unequivocally indicates salvation is conditional by using the ?biggest little word in the Bible?; that word is ?if? (e.g., 1 Cor. 15:1-2). 3. Let?s consider today that we are ?Saved If ? We are saved if we II. Discussion: 1. Obey The Gospel A. Obedience to the gospel is essential! Rom. 10:1610:13 (i.e., obeying the gospel is equivalent to ?whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.?) B. What does it mean to obey the gospel? Rom. 6:16-18 Hear (Rom. 10:17), Believe (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6), Confess (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37), Repent (Acts 17:30; Lk. 13:3), Baptism (Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:37-38; Gal. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41, 47) C. If you don?t obey the gospel you are going to hell it?s as simple and as blunt as that! 2 Thess. 1:7-9 2. Keep In Memory The Things Preached A. Paul said if we don?t we?ve ?believed in vain?! 1 Cor. 15:1-2 B. Notice the order: gospel (Rom. 10:16), preached (Mk. 16:15; Col. 1:23), received (Acts 2:41), obeyed (Acts 2:41), saved from past sins (Acts 2:38, 41, 47), stand (1 Cor. 15:1-2; Eph. 6:10-18), saved eternally (Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:7-8). If we ?keep in memory? the things preached (i.e., hold on to). C. We constantly need to be reminded of these things (1 Tim. 4:6; Rom. 15:15; 1 Cor. 4:17; 2 Tim. 2:14; 2 Pet. 1:12-15; 2 Pet. 3:1-2; Jude 5). 3. Hold Fast A. The Hebrew writer addresses this in Heb. 3:6. B. There are several things we are admonished to ?hold fast firm to the end?: (1) To ?that word which I preached to you? (1 Cor 15:2; 14:37; 1 Thess. 4:1-2; 1 Jn. 2:3-5). (2) To ?good? (1 Thess. 5:21). (3) To ?the pattern of sound words? (2 Tim. 1:13). (4) To ?our confession? (Heb. 4:14; Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27). (5) To the ?confession of our hope? (Heb. 10:23; 1 Cor. 10:13). (6) To ?My name? (Rev. 2:13; Phil. 2:9; Col. 3:17). (7) To ?what you have? (Rev. 3:11; Lk. 9:62; 2 Pet. 2:20-22). 4. Continue In The Faith A. Notice Paul?s admonition in Col. 1:21-23. B. But some do not continue in the faith; instead they err from the faith. (1) Through worldliness (1 Tim. 6:10; 1 Pet. 2:11; Phil. 3:18-19). (2) Through false teaching (1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 2:17-18; Gal. 1:6-9). C. We must abide in the truth (Jn. 8:31; Acts 2:42; Jn. 16:13; 1 Cor. 14:37). 5. Walk In The Light A. Some say that light means lovethey love everything and everybody! But, ?what saith the scriptures?? 1 Jn. 1:7 B. To walk in the light is to walk as Christ walked obedient to the word (Psa. 119:105, 130; 1 Jn. 2:6; Jn. 5:30;14:23-24; Matt. 7:21-23). 6. Abide In The Doctrine Of Christ A. John says so in 2 Jn. 9. B. The doctrine of Christ is the teaching of Christ; not just the teaching about Christ (i.e., who He is) as some try to limit the expression (cf. Matt. 16:12; Jn. 18:19). C. Also, some want to make a distinction between ?gospel? and ?doctrine? in a vain attempt to sidestep 2 Jn. 9 (1 Tim. 1:10-11Rom. 1:16). 7. Add To Our Faith A. Peter tells us to give ?all diligence? to ?add? some things to our faith (2 Pet. 1:5-11). B. Notice that our ?entrance? ?into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? depends on our addition of these characteristics to our faith (2 Peter 1:11). C. Are you being ?diligent to make your call and election sure? (2 Peter 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:5). 8. Endure To The End A. Endurance is undoubtedly a condition of salvation (Mk. 13:13; Rev. 2:10; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). B. The Hebrew writer addresses our need for ?endurance? (Heb. 10:35-39). C. How do we gain spiritual ?endurance?? Heb. 12:1-2 III. Conclusion: 1. Is salvation conditional or unconditional? (Briefly reiterate points.) 2. We must never forget that we shall only reap eternal life ?if we faint not? (Gal. 6:9). 3. Are you working ?out your own salvation with fear and trembling?? Phil. 2:12 4. Begin today by obeying the Lord; by obeying His gospel (Heb. 5:9; H-B-C-R-B). Adapted from ?Saved If,? in Gospel Meeting Sermons by Johnie Edwards, 1979, Faith and Facts, Indianapolis, IN "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) ************************************************************************* M M III Craig V. Thomas M M M M I Just a Christian (Acts 11:26) M M M M I 350 Pineridge Lane M M M M I Sandusky, MI 48471 M M M III E-mail: thomasc at msu.edu Phone: 810-648-5009 (home) Phone: 810-404-3402 (cell) ************************************************************************* "Perseverance is that quality of character that sees a thing through in spite of adversities and even though results are not immediately visible." John Witt "The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul." David O. McKay -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/d7436c9e/attachment-0001.html From richardthetford at msn.com Sun Sep 7 20:25:02 2008 From: richardthetford at msn.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 19:25:02 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (9/7/08) Message-ID: Walking in the Light "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105) September 7, 2008 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 --- CONTENTS: "The Man of God" (Richard Thetford) "Social Drinking" (Floyd Thompson) SENTENCE SERMONS --- THE MAN OF GOD Richard Thetford In 1 Timothy 6:11 Paul tells Timothy: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." The man of God must have his mind set on removing the things of the flesh as Paul describes in Galatians 5:19-21 and set them on the spiritual as he points out here to Timothy and earlier to the Galatians in 5:22-23. It does not take an outsider long to recognize that an individual that practices these spiritual things is different, that they are a "man of God!" How To Become A Man of God Before we can become a man of God we must be born again. In John 3:1-6 a man named Nicodemus visits Jesus, understanding Him to be a teacher from God. Jesus answers his question and says "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jesus goes on to make this very plain in verse 5 and then says "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." We learn from these verses that before we can become a man of God (born of the spirit), we must be baptized (born again). Then the man of God will grow in faith and knowledge into a perfect man, the fullness of Christ (Eph 4:13-15). Everyone that truly realizes the importance of being "in Christ" will then live their life as an example before others knowing that they are now a man of God! The Duty of the Man of God This article started by showing what Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11. In verse 10 he stated how we are to flee from covetousness and then pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness of verse 11. That is the man of God's duty! But not only those things. The man of God will live a life in such a way as to confess Christ daily (1 Tim 6:12; Matt 10:32). We further learn that our duty involves keeping the commandments of God without spot (1 Tim 6:14). That is a tall order, but one that is necessary for every person that professes to be a Christian. A devoted Christian will not waiver concerning God's commands to us. It is the duty of the man of God to ensure that the commandments of God are kept "without spot." In addition, 1 Timothy 3:17 says: "That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." It is the man of God's duty to ensure that all good works authorized by scripture are being accomplished. We might pause here to reflect, and ask ourselves, "am I doing my duty as a man of God?" Are we really taking up our armor and fighting the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12)? Remember, we always have an audience that is watching us, learning from the things that we do. Therefore, as a Christian we have a serious responsibility to God to ensure that we are doing our duty both in word and in deed. SOMEONE IS WATCHING Someone is learning from you today, They look at your life as you go your way. They see the things you do as daily you walk, They take in what you say when they hear you talk. They may try to imitate the life that you live, Are the things they get from you what you really want to give? Do you reflect Christ's life in all you say and do, Are you truly an example for that someone watching you? ---Ellen Kyle The word of God will furnish the man of God (the Christian) unto all good works and make us complete (2 Tim 3:17). In addition, if we will do God's will acceptably and continually (1 Tim 6:14), then we will have eternal life with Him (1 Tim 6:12)! --- SOCIAL DRINKING Floyd Thompson Many times in trying to justify social drinking people will use as a "defense" Paul's admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5:23, which says, "use a little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities." I think this passage has not been thoroughly discussed until we recognize that Timothy was a total abstainer, even to the point of hurting his health. Then the question would be, "why did Timothy totally abstain?" I think I can answer that with one word - "influence." Another expression in this verse is "use a little wine." To me the connotation is "use, as you would a medication." I get a totally different picture from the two words "use" and "drink." Most translations bear out this concept. Wine, used to relieve stomach disorders, would be good for Timothy. As a beverage for feeling "high," not recommended at all." --- SENTENCE SERMONS If you hold the truth lightly, you are likely to let it slip. The trouble with little sins is they cause people to be lost! Truth profits only if its is properly used. The city of happiness is in the proper state of mind. If a person is right on the inside he will be right on the outside. The universe points to the God of whom the Scriptures speak. Some people give unto the Lord a tenth - of what they ought to give. You can go higher than the moon if you listen to and follow God's instructions. One does not necessarily know music just because he toots his own horn. --- SERMON The Twelve Spies (with PowerPoint Charts) www.thetfordcountry.com --- 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 626-5558 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE Sunday Bible Study..........10:00 A.M. Worship......11:00 A.M. Wednesday Bible Study......6:30 P.M. Evangelist/Editor Richard Thetford Building: (970) 249-8116 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/20080907/646576fa/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2950 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080907/646576fa/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9316 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080907/646576fa/attachment-0005.gif From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 8 04:43:59 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:43:59 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) WHAT TO GIVE THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY 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 recent files: WHAT TO GIVE TO THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY Charles Spurgeon used to tell the story that, during the reign of Nero, there was a great shortage of food in Rome. There was plenty of food in Alexandria Egypt, and ships laden with grain often came from that city. But Nero had ordered the ships to bring back only sand to be sused in the arena. When hungry people gathered at the dock to await the shipment, they were miserably disappointed. People needed wheat, not sand. Then one of the merchants spoke to the shipmaster and said, "Take thou good heed that thou bring nothing back with thee from Alexandria but wheat; and whereas aforetime thou brought in the vessel a measure or two of sand, bring thou not so much as would lie upon a penny this time. Bring thou nothing else, I say, but wheat, for these people are dying, and now we must keep our vessels for this one business of bringing food to them." In the religious world of today, sand is being shipped by the boatload to the spiritually hungry. The san comes in many forms. Churches offer such things as recreation programs, fell- owship meals, entertainment events, political forums, day care centers and organized observances of man-made holidays. Apparently the feeling is that people who are lost and dying in sin can somehow be saved by softball and soccer, pot roast and potato salad, Christmas candy and Easter eggs. Jesus said "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that pro- ceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Nowadays, most people think it odd when they hear of a church that doesn't offer sand. "Faith-based initiatives" have gained a lot of acceptance and praise in recent years; but the truth is that the phrase "faith-based initiative" is nothing more than political code for churches offering the world every kind of aid except the one thing that could truly make an eternal differ- ence in people's lives -- God's Word. Churches, politicians and the nation at large have failed to understand both the mission of the church and the needs of the lost. In the New Testament, the church at Thessalonica under- stood both, and they were commended for it. "For from you the Word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place" (1 Thes. 1:8). We need to make sure that the church is dedicated to no bus- iness other than carrying the only food that starving people need -- the bread of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. No sand! At this point, some of us might be feeling smugly self-right- eous. We might be tempted to boast that the church that we are a part of would never offer sand to the spiritually hungry. "We have no recreation programs or carnal community outreaches!" Sadly, some who would make such a boast have no spiritual community outreach either! While they are not giving the hungry what they do not need, they are also failing to give them what they do need. There is little or no attempt being made to take the bread of life to the star- ving. Our mission is not merely to prevent sand from being taken to the hungry, it is to take bread. Let us load the ships and set sail! Ask a neighbor to study the Bible with you. Invite friends to our gospel meetings. Be on the lookout for opportunities to share God's Word day by day. ----- Steve Klein via, The Eastside Enlightener, Sept. 7, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/b4d083b4/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 8 04:44:15 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:44:15 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) WHAT SAVES US FROM SIN? Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. WHAT SAVES US FROM SIN? We are not saved by one thing to the exclusion of all others, for there are many factors that work out our salvation. Rather than focus on just one passage that speaks of our being saved, we must learn the truth of what Jesus said: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). Anything which God declares is nec- essary to salvation in certain passages of Scripture must be im- plied in all other passages which speak of salvation. Honest people must recognize that we are governed by "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." We can't "pick and choose" which commandments of God to obey. Array- ing one Scripture against another is rebelling against God, for He gave all the Scriptures. As the apostle Paul wrote, "When ye received from us the word of the message, even the Word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also worketh in you that believe" (1 Thes. 2:13). In other words, if you read it in the Scriptures, it is God's truth. And we dare not try to make one of God's truths contradict another of His truths. So, what does the Bible teach about it? What saves us? Well, actually, there are several things. But let us be careful, when we find one of them, to not deny any of the other things which God names. There are probably thirty or more things that the Bible says saves us from sin. But let us look at just seven of them in this article. We Are Saved By God: -- "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:3,4). Yes, God is our Savior. But by what does He save us? Specifically ment- ioned in this text is "knowledge of the truth." So, we are also involved in the process. God expects us to learn His Word, and mold our lives by it. Thus, God saves us by instructing us in His Will, and showing how we are to respond. Paul wrote, "God, being rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace have ye been saved)" (Eph. 2:4,5). So God saves us by His love and His grace. This is shown in the sending of His Son to die for us: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have eternal life... But we behold Him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God He should taste of death for every man" (Jno. 3:16; Heb. 2:9). We Are Saved By Jesus Christ: -- The angel announced to Jose- ph before the birth of Jesus, "Thou shalt call His name Jesus; for it is He that shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). And again, we read in God's inspired Scriptures: "Though He was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which He suffer- ed; and having been made perfect, He became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal salvation" (Heb. 5:8,9). But through what means does Christ save us? He saves us by His blood: "Ye were redeemed not with corr- uptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ" (1 Pet. 1:18,19). And again: "But God commendeth His own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from the wrath of God through Him" (Rom. 5:8,9). We are also saved by the death of Jesus and His resurrection (Rom. 5:10; 4:25). The apostles told the Jewish council, "He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the Head of the corner. And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved" (Acts. 4:11,12). We Are Saved By The Holy Spirit: -- The Scripture says, "Ye were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:11). Christ saves us with the gospel (Rom. 1:16), and He shows exactly how that gospel was deliver- ed to us. He said to the apostles, "But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you...Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He shall guide you into all the truth"(Jno. 14:26; 16:13). Jesus explained just how complete the guidance of the apos- tles really was: "He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that re- jecteth you rejecteth Me; and he that rejecteth Me rejecteth Him that sent Me...for the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to say" (Lk. 10:16; 12:12). Read again, as God explains how the Spirit guided the apostles: "Who among men knoweth the things of a man, safe the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were free- ly given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words" (1 Cor. 2:11-13). Thus, the Holy Spirit saves us by the words which the apostles delivered. We Are Saved By Grace: -- "By grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Eph. 2:8,9). No one can "earn" salvation, no matter what he does nor how much he does. Like Jesus said, "Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprof- itable servants; wehave done that which it was our duty to do" (Lk. 17:10). Notice that carefully. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). And even if we were to do everything we are supposed to do, God does not "owe" you anything! If we are saved, it must be by the grace of God. We Are Saved By Faith: -- We are "saved by grace through faith." The grace is God's part. Faith is our part. God says, "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" (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said it this way: "Except ye believe that I am He, ye shall die in your sins" (Jno. 8:24). In Jno. 3:16, we read: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever be- lieveth on Him shouldnot perish, but have eternal life." And Jesus promised, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be sav- ed; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned" (Mk. 16:16). The apostle Paul echoed this theme through all the book of Romans, as he wrote of our being justified by faith (Rom. 5:1,2,8- 10). But faith that saves is not "faith only." It is "Faith which works by love" (Gal. 5:6). In fact, the Lord's Word informs us, "What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? ...Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself...Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (Jas. 2:14,17,24). Yes, we are saved by faith. But we are not saved by faith only. We Are Saved By Repentance: -- We have all "sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). So Jesus said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all in like manner perish" (Lk. 13:3). On the day of Pentecost, people were convicted of their sins and asked, "What shall we do?" God's answer was: "Re- pent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins" (Acts 2:38). To repent simply means "to change one's minds and then change one's actions by turning from sin to God. But in the Scriptures, it carr- ies with it the intention to do an about-face and live differently. The apostle Paul, preaching in Athens, told those Gentiles, "The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now He commands men that they should all everywhere repent" (Acts 17:30). You see, when one learns that God loves him and wants him to live here so that he can live with God forever, he naturally repents. As Paul put it, "Godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation" (2 Cor. 7:10). And Peter, preaching to the Jews in Jer- usalem, said: "Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). That is why Jesus said, "Except ye repent, ye shall perish." If we were saved by "faith only" than repentance would not be a factor in our salvation. We Are Saved By Baptism: -- Jesus made it clear in the Great Commission, when He told the apostles: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that be- lieveth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned" (Mk. 16:15,16). That seems very clear to me. Yet people will argue with it and say that baptism has noth- ing to do with salvation! The problem is really very simple: they don't really believe the Lord Jesus! When God, by the mouth of Peter, told people "Repent ye and be baptized" (Acts 2:38), we then read, "They then that received his word were baptized" (vs. 41). You see, when they accepted God's Word, they were baptiz- ed. The same thing is true today. When anyone hears the gos- pel of Christ, and believes, he will be baptized, because he wants to be saved. Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus to persecute Christ- ians, was stopped by the Lord Jesus Christ. When Saul asked what to do, the Lord answered, "Enter into the city and it will be tod thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). Saul then spent three days and nights praying. Jesus then sent a disciple named Ananias to Saul to tell him, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on His name" (Acts 22:16). It was evident that Saul had believed, for he had called Jesus "Lord" and then spent three days praying. But he wasn't saved yet, for he still had sins that needed to be "washed away." Some boldly declare, "Baptism cannot save anyone." But the apostle Peter wrote of the salvation of Noah in the ark, "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God" (1 Pet. 3:20,21). That forever answers the argument that baptism doesn't save. The Bible says that it does. The Bible says, "Are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" (Rom. 6:3). How important is it to be "in Christ"? Listen again to what the Bible says, "God...hath blessed us with every spiritual bless- ing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). (We need to look at one other Scripture on this subject, Gal. 3:26,27. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." JWS). We are not saved by just one thing. God saves us, Christ saves, the Holy Spirit saves, grace saves, faith saves, repent- ance saves and baptism saves. We are not saved by one of these to the exclusion of the others. It takes all of them to accomplish our salvation. --------- Clem Thurman, in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 28, July 11, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/93b9d1a5/attachment-0001.html From dmartinbtbq at comcast.net Mon Sep 8 09:46:26 2008 From: dmartinbtbq at comcast.net (Don Martin) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 08:46:26 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] The Law of Moses (question/answer) Message-ID: <002301c911c1$acc287c0$6401a8c0@533034B8A6DF4D9> Don Martin with question/answer number 2, 600 since July 18 and it comes to us from Australia: Hello Alex, Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions. Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org Please check out Bible Truths http://www.bibletruths.net Go to the archives section of these sites for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page, scroll down and enter. While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible Study Course" in the table. Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go there. You asked: Are we as Christians, required to keep the Mosaic Law? Reply: The Law of Moses as a system is not binding on Christians (2 Cor. 3: 3-18). In fact, if the Christian today simply looks to that system for salvation, they are "fallen from grace" (Gal. 5: 1-4). One reason for this is the absence of the provision of grace being immediately part of the Law of Moses. One basic design of the Law of Moses was that of theocracy (combining of the civil and spiritual) and there is no provision for such a system today (Rom. 13: 1-7). The law as such also had many features; such as the Levitical Priesthood, food restrictions, and civil regulation that cannot and must not be duplicated today. This is not to say, though, that there were moral codes and laws within that system that are totally without application and influence today. We find many of these laws stated in the New Testament, usually having attendant and modified spiritual teaching (cp. Matt. 22: 37-40, Jas. 2: 10-12). For a more detailed answer, you are encouraged to read, "A Study of Moral Law" found in www.bibletruths.net When on the home page, enter through the door and click on, "Archives and Index" in the directory. When on the Archives page, scroll down to the Subject Index Box and click on, "A Study of Law." Here is an excerpt from the article: "In this study, we shall attempt to biblically explore the concept and reality of "moral law." One often encountered objection is, "You never find the language 'moral law' in the scriptures; therefore, there is no such thing as 'moral law'!" The Bible student must realize that there are terms often used that do not verbatim reside in the scriptures. Such, I admit, should indicate caution (cp. I Pet. 4: 11). However, how about such terms as "trinity"? While the word "trinity" is not found in most translations, the concept of a triune Godhead is observed (cp. 2 Cor. 13: 14). Let us, then, with open minds explore the scriptures to determine if the concept of moral law is present and if so, what does it mean. One wrote, "Moral Law is based on the premise that there is such a thing as right and wrong, and there are some things that you 'ought' to do, and some things that you 'ought not' to do." "Moral law," I submit, is axiomatic, inborn, ingrained, inherent, intrinsic, and of a truth, indigenous. "Moral law" is static and always right; hence, not subject to culture, subjectivism, or any dispensational influence....." Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the home page in Bible Truths). Cordially, Don Martin From kerux at bellsouth.net Mon Sep 8 13:07:28 2008 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (Kent Heaton) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:07:28 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] A>Jesus Wept (Kent Heaton) Message-ID: <1DF1AF309BDF4FAC87E7CFE1FCCA6A66@D2381J91> Jesus Wept (Kent Heaton) Crying comes from a deep emotional bonding of heart, soul and mind in grief over the loss or hurt of someone precious. Shedding tears of sorrow is an overwhelming sadness that surrounds the heart of one bowed down in anguish. The death of a parent brings life-long heartaches of precious memories. When a mate dies the grief is nearly too much to bear. A child's death is the most tragic of all and inconsolable. Our lives are acquainted with grief; how can we comprehend the Son of God weeping? Jesus had been called to the home of Mary and Martha whose brother, Lazarus was sick unto death (John 11:1-6). The Lord tarried a few days before beginning the journey and upon arrival was told that Lazarus had died and had been in the tomb four days (John 11:17). "When Jesus therefore saw [Mary] weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to Him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept" (John 11:33-35). How can we imagine the Son of God weeping? In the gospel of divinity declaring "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2); and yet He was crying. This was not the first time Jesus cried. As with all humanity He had shared in the grief of death. His earthly father who took Him in as his own son (Luke 3:2) had died before His ministry. In the thirty years before He had seen death in friends, neighbors and families. But here Jesus stands as the Son of God and tears are flowing down His cheek. Our Lord was showing His compassion for the human frailties that so often invade our lives. Jesus wept because of His love in human terms for Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He felt the same sting of pain we feel when our loved ones die. The voice is quiet, the hands lie folded in rest, the heart that beat the warmth of love is now hollow and the face is pale in the veil of death. All of the joys of life are taken from our spirit when death takes our loved one. Jesus felt this pain in the death of Lazarus. Jesus wept because of the tragedy of death. It was not meant to be. Death came as a result of sin when God prohibited man from living in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24). Every monument raised to honor a loved one in death is a testimony of the penalty for sin. The sadness of death is the sting of death. Our Lord knew why He had come and He understood clearly His path was pointing to His own death on the cross. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus wept because He truly cared for others. Our hearts are not as tender to the death of others because we share none or little relationship to their lives. Jesus wept because he was not only a friend of the family of Lazarus; He was a friend of everyone on earth. His death on the cross would be a single act of love for every person from Adam to the last baby born on earth. He cares for each one - He cares for you and He cares for me. It is hard to imagine that God has a name for every star (Psalm 147:4) and yet His Son weeps for every person and the struggles they face daily (Hebrews 4:15). Thank God Jesus wept. Kent Heaton 207 NE Fourth Avenue Trenton, Florida 32693 (H) 352-463-6916 (O) 3793 (C) 352-283-3889 www.trentonchurchofchrist.com NEW: AUDIO FILES www.northfloridabiblecamp.com If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. (Ronald Reagan) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/13759bb6/attachment-0001.html From ZekeFlores1 at cs.com Mon Sep 8 13:39:13 2008 From: ZekeFlores1 at cs.com (ZekeFlores1 at cs.com) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:39:13 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] Article, Sermons, Website Update Message-ID: Be Holy Zeke Flores While going through some notes I had made as a new Christian, I came across a message written at the top of one of the pages by my daughter Heather when she was a teenager: "Hi Dad! Be Holy!" As I read it I chuckled at the memory of life as a new Christian trying to live a lifestyle that was so foreign to any I had known. I stopped chuckling when I realized that being holy is not just something that happens overnight when Christ is put on in baptism, but rather a life-long struggle to overcome sin and be more like the Savior who gave His own life for us. Read the rest at: http://www.angletonchristians.com/page9.html Also from the website, you can download the latest sermon in a series titled "We're Different" You can download sermon text (in RTF format) or an audio sermon (in WAV format). Zeke Flores Kiber Street church of Christ Angleton, TX www.angletonchristians.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/2c062c10/attachment-0001.html From Mikejohnson104 at aol.com Mon Sep 8 18:35:28 2008 From: Mikejohnson104 at aol.com (Mikejohnson104 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 19:35:28 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] B> The Elon Challenger V - 12 Message-ID: The Elon Challenger ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST New Hope, Alabama Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18). Volume V Number 12 August, 2008 =================================================================== AUTHORITY 8 THE SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES Mike Johnson What should be our attitude regarding the silence of the Scriptures? What should be done regarding those situations about which the Lord says nothing? These questions pertaining to the silence of the Scriptures are very important. Disagreement on how to regard the silence of the Scriptures has caused much division over the years. If we could agree on how to regard the silence of God's Word, we could do much in achieving unity among religious people. There are two different approaches which are taken toward the silence of the Scriptures. One view is that when the New Testament is silent, man is then at liberty to act as he pleases and can do whatever he wants to do in the service of God." This might be called the "permissive" approach. According to this view, we can do anything not specifically forbidden, and everything is acceptable unless God has said, "Thou shall not." The other view might be called the prohibitive view. Those who take this view would say that man must only do what is authorized in the New Testament. The law of exclusion prevails with this view as the unmentioned is not authorized. Where do we find the answer to the question of how we should view the silence of the Scriptures? The answer must be found in God's Word itself. We cannot answer this question from our own opinions or from the writings and views of men. God has given us the Scriptures which actually reveal what our method of interpretation should be. To begin with, consider how Noah had to regard the silence of the Scriptures. In Genesis 6:14-15, Noah was told to build an ark out of gopher wood. Further, the ark was to be three hundred cubits long, fifty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. Could Noah have used oak to build the ark? God did say that he could not, but obviously this would have been wrong. God specified that the ark had to be made of gopher wood which meant that all other types of wood could not be used. God did not have to say don't use oak, pine, or maple. When God specified what he wanted, all else was eliminated. Could Noah have changed the dimensions of the ark? After all, God did say don't make the ark three hundred and fifty cubits long. God didn't have to. When he said to make the ark three hundred cubits long, every other possible length for the ark was ruled out. Noah had to respect the silence of God. Another important Old Testament example is the case of Nadab and Abihu. We learn from Leviticus 10 that these two priests offered "strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not." As a result of their sin, verse 2 says, "And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord." It appears that they got the fire which they offered from the wrong source rather than the "altar of burnt offering" (16:12). Because God had not commanded the fire which they used, it was sinful for them to use it. Nadab and Abihu would have been wrong to argue that their sacrifice was acceptable because God had not prohibited them from using this other source. When God specified the fire that he wanted, all other sources of fire were eliminated. These priests should have respected the silence of God. Consider also the case of Naaman in II Kings 5. Naaman was a "captain of the host" in the Syrian army. He was an honorable man who was highly regarded by his king, but he had leprosy. He was told about a prophet in Samaria who could heal him so he went and found this prophet a man named Elisha. To be cured of his leprosy Elisha told him to dip seven times in the Jordan River. At first, he refused to do what the prophet said, reasoning that the rivers of Damascus were better than all the waters of Israel. Finally, he was persuaded to do what Elisha told him to do and was cured. It is clear that Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan if he wanted to be cured no other rivers were suitable. God, through Elisha, specified the river to wash in so, because of God's silence, all other rivers were eliminated as being acceptable. God did not have to say, "Wash in the Jordan River to be cleansed," and then in order to eliminate other rivers say, "You can't wash in this river or that river and be cured." Further, Naaman had to dip seven times in the Jordan River to be cleansed. Could Naaman have dipped five times and still be cured? God didn't say "don't dip five times." NO, when God specified that Naaman had to dip seven times, other amounts were eliminated. In the New Testament, consider Hebrews 7. Here we find a discussion of the priesthood of Christ. Under the old law, a person had to be of the tribe of Levi to be a priest. Christ, who was of the tribe of Judah, was not a priest under the Levitical system. Although of the tribe of Judah, Christ is our priest today. This change in the priesthood is used to show that the old law was no longer in effect. To illustrate the point of our discussion, consider verse 14 which says, "For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning the priesthood." Why was Christ unable to be a priest under the Levitical system? A person had to be of the tribe of Levi; Christ was of the tribe of Judah and concerning the tribe of Judah, Moses had said "nothing." Judah was eliminated as being an acceptable tribe for a priest under the Levitical system because of the silence of God's Word. God did not have to say that Levi was the tribe one had to be a member of and then name all of the other tribes saying that they were unacceptable. When he specified Levi, all others were eliminated. Many people today, if they had been there, would probably have erroneously said that one could be a priest if he was of the tribe of Judah because, after all, Moses did not say you could not. (At least, that is the type of reasoning often used today to justify certain religious practices.) Consider Acts 15 where there is a discussion of the question of circumcision. There was a controversy in the early church because some had gone out from Jerusalem teaching that the Gentile converts had to be circumcised. After a discussion in Jerusalem, a letter was sent out to the churches stating, "Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, "Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment." (v. 24) These false teachers were wrong because of the silence of the inspired teaching. "No such commandment" had been given, so it was wrong to require circumcision. The false teachers would have been wrong if they had tried to justify their teaching by saying that God did not say that it was not required. These people had added to God's Word (Rev. 22:18-19). In Hebrews 1, there is a discussion of the superiority of Christ over angels. Verse 5 says, "For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?" No angel had the right to claim to be the Son of God. The superiority of Christ is seen as the statement of verse five was directly said to Him, and it was not said to an angel. God's silence (in not making this statement to angels) meant that they do not have this honor. Consider a few examples from everyday life to illustrate further this point. In cooking, if a recipe calls from four eggs, it is not necessary for it to state "don't use five eggs." The fact that it says four, eliminates all other numbers. When we give our phone number to people, we don't have to say all of the numbers that it is not. We don't have to say, "don't invert the order." When we name a child, we don't have to say what the child's name is not only what it is. Zechariah, in naming his son, only had to write that his name is John. (Lk. 1:13, 60, 63) He did not have to say that his name is not George. In worship services, the song leader, after announcing the hymn number to the congregation does not have to then say what the number is not. If he says that we will sing hymn number 33, all other hymns are eliminated. All of the above examples are obvious. A spiritual application for today can be made to the Lord's Supper which was instituted by Jesus (Mt. 26:26-28), We learn that the elements of the Lord's Supper are to be unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Jesus did not say don't use ham and eggs as the elements for the Lord's Supper. Would it be wrong to substitute ham and eggs as elements for the Lord's Supper? Obviously it would be wrong because Jesus specified what he wanted, thus ruling out all else. The Bible also teaches that baptism is a burial in water (Rom. 6:1-4, Col. 2:12, Acts 8:36). The Bible does not say "don't use sprinkling for baptism." However, it doesn't need to because when a burial is specified, any other form that man might come up with is wrong. Using sprinkling for baptism instead of a burial in water (as the Bible specifies) is wrong because of the silence of the Scriptures. There are many religious groups which use instrumental music in their worship. The Bible, however, specifies that we are to sing (Col. 3:16, Eph. 5:19, I Cor. 14:15). When God specified singing, all other forms of music were ruled out. Sometimes people will say, in trying to defend the addition of instrumental music to their worship, that God did not say, "don't use it." He did not have to; God said what He wanted. Remember, Christ did not say, "don't use ham and eggs for the elements of the Lord's Supper." Yet, most understand that He did not need to, having already specified what he wanted the elements to be. In the same way, the specification of "sing" as the type of music to use today in worshiping God eliminates "playing." This same principle can be applied to many other Bible subjects. God has specified the work of the church (teach the lost, teach Christians, help needy saints); the way that the church takes in money (Christians giving on the first day of the week); the organization of the church (local autonomous congregations overseen by elders); who is to be baptized (penitent believers); and the day to partake of the Lord's Supper (the first day of the week). The Bible does not have to say that the church is not to be involved in providing recreation and entertainment. It does not have to say that the church cannot be involved in business to make money. The Scriptures do not have to say that it is wrong to have someone who might be called a bishop overseeing several congregations. It does not have to say that baptizing infants is wrong or that it is wrong to partake of the Lord's Supper on Saturday. In all of these areas, God has specified what He wants, so all else is ruled out. Consider a final illustration. Let us say that you send your son to the store, give him twenty dollars, and tell him to buy milk and eggs. The son returns having spent the change on candy, ice cream, and soft drinks. Would the son be wrong? Yes, especially if you had told him, "when I send you to the store you are allowed to buy only what I tell you." The son could not successfully defend himself by saying that you didn't say don't buy soft drinks, candy, and ice cream (or everything else that the store has). No, when you specify what you want, all else is ruled out. You don't have to say don't buy this or don't buy that. If we can understand this principle, we can understand the importance of God's silence as it pertains to the subject of authority (Rev. 22:18-19). __________________ "BE CAREFUL . . . !" Charles G. Maples, Sr. "CAREFUL;" this is a word/an expression, often found in the word of God! There is a prevalent attitude in "the religious world" that God is not really "concerned about details in matters that have to do with our worshipping and serving Him; that "just as long as one is sincere," He will be pleased with them! This is certainly NOT what is conveyed in both instructions and examples in the word of God! In addition to the numerous times that we find the expression, "be careful," if we consider a couple of incidents in the Old Testament, we surely see the importance of "Carefulness" in our conduct before Him! There is the case, recorded in Leviticus 10 of two priests who, when burning incense before God, took the fire from somewhere other than that authorized by Him, and He caused fire to consume them! When on one occasion David sought to move the Ark of God, he decided to move it on an ox cart, and when it was about to fall from the cart, a man by the name of Uzzah touched the Ark (as God had forbidden any man to do!), to prevent it from being damaged, God killed him there! In neither case were those people "Careful" to follow God's instructions! (And, remember that "these things were written for our learning..."[Romans 15:4] One thing we should certainly learn is, WE must "be careful," in our efforts to please Him! Webster defines the word "careful" as, "showing close attention to details of execution or performance...involving thoughtfulness, painstaking efforts... cautiousness in avoiding errors." In defining the word "phrontizo," used in Titus 3:8, W.E. Vine says it means, "to consider; to be thoughtful..." In this and following studies on this theme, I use an expression from the Inspired pen of the apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:15), "...I will be CAREFUL to ensure that you...have a reminder of these things..." And the THINGS to which I wish for us to give careful attention will be things which we shall, in the light of Ezekiel 22:26, call "Holy Things." First, let us consider the HOLY WORD of God, which is given to us by His Holy apostles and prophets, "as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21; cf. I Cor. 2:13, 16) 1 - We must "be careful" to LEARN His Word. We must have a genuine desire to KNOW the will of the God, "..in Whom we live and move and have our very being!" (Acts 17:28) Our Savior declares, "If you continue in MY WORD, then you are truly my disciples, and you shall KNOW THE TRUTH, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31, 32) This requires that we approach His word with "open hearts and receptive minds," as was true of the Bereans of Acts 17:11. We must be willing to "give attention to reading...meditate on these things...give ourselves entirely to them..." (I Tim. 4:13-15) In this we must BE CAREFUL, that we not learning some distorted version of His Word! As in the days of the apostles, there are those who "twist" the Scriptures (2 Pet. 3:16). There are those who "pervert the gospel of Christ."(Gal. 1:6ff) There are those who do not hesitate to "add to" and/or "take away from" what God has guided Inspired men to write! (And note that in this, as well as in 2 Peter 3:16, this is "to their own destruction!" - and so would it be to OURS! if we learn from them!) 2 - We "must BE CAREFUL to DO as the Lord (our) God commands us, (we) must not turn to the right hand or to the left!" (Deut. 5:32) [It is worthy of note that we find the caution, "Be Careful" fourteen times in the book of Deuteronomy; and most often as it had to do with their attitude toward the Word of God!] In Deut. 8:1 God's people were warned, "Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe..." We cannot please God with "partial obedience," as that offered by King Saul (and rejected by God!), as we read in I Samuel 15. James warns us against "partial obedience" in James 2:10! We are reminded that Christ is "the Author of eternal salvation unto all those who OBEY Him." (Heb. 5:;8f) This obedience must be WITH CAREFULNESS, that our obedience is ONLY to His Truth, and that such be "from the heart." (Romans 6:17-18) Only then can we "cease to be servants of sins, and become servants of righteousness." (ibid) Our Lord reminds us, "If you KNOW these things, blessed are you IF YOU DO THEM." (John 13:17) Those who shall be permitted through "the gate into the City (Heaven - cgm) will be "do His commandments." (Revelation 22:14) 3 - We must BE CAREFUL to "...HANDLE ARIGHT THE WORD OF GOD." (2 Timothy 2:15 ASV) We must "handle" it with Reverence; keeping in mind that it is not made up of the words of men, but [2 Cor. 2:17] To array one Scripture against another; some times, in attempt to prove "the Bible contradicts itself!" is to mishandle His word, and will surely bring the wrath of God! To argue that God's word teaches something which it does not; such as "salvation by faith only;" is to mishandle His Word, and, again will surely stir God to wrath! When Job's "friends" falsely accused Job, that all of his problems were the result of his disobedience to God, He condemned their actions with, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends; for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."(Job 42:7) They had MISREPRESENTED God; as men so often do today, when they are NOT "CAREFUL" in their use of, and attitude toward that "Holy Thing," His Inspired Word! In Matthew 7:22, 23, Jesus warns that some will stand condemned at the Judgment, because of a lack of CAREFULNESS toward His word; be- ing judged by Him as "lawless!" Again, I say, we MUST "BE CAREFUL with God's Holy Things! (to be continued) __________________ GOD HAS SPOKEN Gilbert Alexander The inspiration of the Scriptures is clearly claimed by the Scriptures. "All Scripture is give by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16). "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Rom. 15:4). "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual words" (1 Cor. 2:13). "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of God" (1 Cor. 14:37). "No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21,22). God spoke to the fathers by the prophets and has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, that word being confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God bearing them witness "both with signs and wonders with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit" (Heb. 1:1,2; 2:3,4). If the claims of the Scriptures are false, none of them are authoritative, but constitute a book made up by deceit and falsehood. On the other hand, if the claim of the Scriptures is true, then all of it is true, and people cannot rightly pick and choose what they will accept. Can you imagine the wickedness of a world devoid of the principles of morality, righteousness, integrity, respect for human life and the rights of individuals, and the purpose of life and hope for humanity as taught in the Scriptures? If the Scriptures are not inspired of God, then we have a world devoid of divine guidance, and the utterly corrupt people have the same basis of authority as that of the most righteous people. Do you believe that they have equal authorization? How long will people continue to vacillate? What will you believe and practice? __________________ You needn?t say much about what you do-your work speaks largely for itself. ___________ Evangelist: Charles G. Maples Sr. Phone-256-530-0772 Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson Phone -256-776-2223 **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080908/83bbeea2/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 9 03:55:35 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 04:55:35 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY (1) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the first of two articles to be studied on this subject as they are found in my ancient files. Use to the glory of God. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY 1 The Catholic doctrine of the primacy of Peter and the Roman See was set forth in the following decree of the Council of Florence in 1439: "Also we decree that the holy apostolic See and the Roman pontiff has a primacy over the whole world; and that the Roman pontiff himself is the successor of St. Peter, the prince of the apostles, and is the true vicar of Christ, and head of the whole church, and the father and teacher of all Christians; and that to him, in the person of the blessed Peter, our Lord Jesus Christ has committed full power to feed, rule, and govern the Universal church, according as is contained in the acts of gen- eral councils and in the holy canons" (Quoted in The Novelties Of Romanism, by Collette, pgs. 251,252). Did Rome have such precedency from the beginning of the church? Did the Lord ordain that the bishop of Rome should be supreme head of the whole church? The purpose and scope of this article will be to trace the developments during six centuries that led to the full grown ecclesiasticism in 606 A.D. It will be seen that the Catholic hierarchy resulted from a gradual depart- ure from the New Testament pattern. In order to see this in its true light, it will be well to get before us a picture of the organiz- ation of the New Testament church. The New Testament church was very simple in its organizat- ion. When people obeyed the gospel, the Lord saved them and added them to His church (Acts 2:47). All of thse were members of the one body, over which Christ is the supreme head (Col. 1: 18; Eph. 1:20-23). This is the only organization that the New Testament reveals for the church. There are no earthly headqua- rters, no kind of ecclesiasticism or system of superior organizat- ions. In each local congregation there were elders or bishops ( a plurality) and deacons (Acts 14:23; Phil. 1:1). Each congregat- ion was autonomous -- that is, free to conduct its own affairs under the oversight of its bishops, subject only and always to the authority of Christ the Head. In the local congregation there was a plural of bishops, the term "bishop" referring to the same person as "elder." (Titus 1:5,7) shows definitely that there was no distinction between an elder an a bishop. In the second century one of the elders in a local congregat- ion came to have more power and influence than the other elders, and soon came to be designated as "the bishop" of that congregation. Thus "bishop" was made a title of higher rank than "elder." The other elders were considered subordinate to this one bishop in the local church. Very soon this bishop's power and influence began to ex- tend beyond the local congregation to a territory or district, and he was called a bishop over a diocese or a diocesan bishop. In the latter part of the second century councils began to be held, and usually the bishop of the diocese in which the council was held would preside over this meeting. He usually lived and pre- sided in a large city, so to distinguish himself from other dioces- an bishops he was given the title of Metropolitan Bishop. Five of these came to be known as Patriarchs. These five wre in Alex- andria, Jerusalem, Antioch, Constantinople, and Rome; they were considered superior to all other bishops. It is important to notice that the organization did not yet have one supreme head over the whole church. Things at that time were headed in that direction, but the ecclesiasticism was not fully developed. Gradually, in stair-step fashion, the hierarchy was growing. The condition was far different from the New Test- ament order, but the organization had not reached the form that the Catholic Church has today. The pattern of development to- ward the present form, which development was a departure from the original organization of the church, was on this order: first, a distinction between "Bishop" and other elders in the local church; second, the Diocesan Bishop; third, Metropolitan Bish- ops; fourth, Patriarchs. As already stated, there were five of these Patriarchs, one in each of the five most influential cities of that time. The struggle for influence and power finally narrowed down to an issue be- tween Rome and Constantinople. In this struggle, as we shall see presently, Rome finally won by having her bishop proclaim- ed the universal head of the church; however, this came after a long, hard struggle. There is abundance of historical evidence that the Roman bishop was not from the beginning considered superior to the other bishops, and certainly that he was not look- ed upon as the one supreme head of the church. (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080909/14fcf3ad/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 9 03:55:27 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 04:55:27 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is a quest- ion and answer from my files: QUESTION AND ANSWER QUESTION: -- Why do churches of Christ not use mechanical instruments of music in their worship? ANSWER: -- Churches of Christ, since the times of the apost- les, have not used mechanical instruments of music in worship. The reason is very simple: it is not authorized in the New Testament Scriptures. Those who lived under the Old Testament used instrumental music, offered animal sacrif- ices, burned incense, and burned candles. The same law permit- ted polygamy, had the penalty of death for many offenses, and could not grant forgiveness of sins. Why choose part of the Old Testament, while rejecting all the rest of it? God foretold that the Old Testament was to be replaced with a New Testament (Jer. 31:31-34). This passage is quoted in the New Testament in (Heb. 8:7-13). Take time just here to read both of those passages of Scripture. The Old Testament was "taken out of the way and nailed to the cross" (Col. 2:14), it was "abolished in His flesh" (Eph. 2:15), and "disannulled" (Heb. 7:18). Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Testament (Heb. 9:15), and "He took away the first, that He might establish the second" (Heb. 10:9). Now, what could be plainer than that to an open and receptive heart? Christ has re- moved the Old Testament, given through Moses as mediator, by His death on the cross. He has established the New Testament, sealed by His Own blood, by which we, both Jew and Gentile, are to live and worship and thus inherit the blessing of God in Christ. The idea of going back to the Old Testament to authorize cer- tain things is not new. When Paul wrote to the Galatian church- es, this was a major problem, and he dealt with it clearly. Some might argue that removing the old law is against God, but God answers clearly: "If righteousness came by the law, then Christ died for nought" (Gal. 2:21). Why, then, was the Old Testament law given? God answers that in (Gal. 3:19, "It was added becau- se of transgressions till the seed should come." It is clearly stat- ed that "the Seed is Christ" (Gal. 3:16). In other words, the law was given only to the Jews and was to last only until Christ should come. In fact, the Old Testament was designed to be "a schoolmast- er to bring the Jews to Christ" (Gal. 3:24). When Christ came there was no longer a need for a schoolmaster to bring the Jews to Christ. When Christ came and gave Himself as an everlasting sacrifice for sins for all people everywhere, then there was no longer a need for the Old Law given through Moses. Paul in his writings to the Galatians said, "Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law, ye are fallen away from grace." (Gal. 5:4). When one seeks to justify mechanical instru- ments of music in worship by the Old Testament, he is severing himself from the grace of God which came through Jesus Christ. As to why any church whether it be a denomination or a church that calls itself of Christ uses mechanical instruments of music in their worship, there is a simple answer: They have for- saken the faith which comes through a study and obedience of of the Gospel of Christ, (Rom. 10:17). Our plea has always been that we should be governed by the authority of the Word of God as it is found in the New Testament. Paul said that he was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ because it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also the Gentile, (Rom. 1:16,17). There is no authority for mecha- nical instruments of music in the worship of God to be found in the New Testament. Those that use the instrument, know that. For if they could find such authority in the New Testament, they would have produced such centuries ago. The truth is that not everyone who claims to follow Christ is actually doing so. And those who practice things not authorized in the gospel of Jesus Christ do not belong to Him. There are many other things that are practiced by denominations, causing themselves to be referr- ed to as denominations, such, meaning differing in doctrine and thereby naming themselves by different names, adding to and taking from the New Testament, adding mechanical instruments of music to their worship, wearing of robes and articles of cloth- ing to draw attention to themselves, calling themselves by names not authorized in the New Testament, Reverend, Pastor, etc. which only belongs to God or to certain qualified people. No person has the right to call himself Reverend this is a term used only once in the Bible and has reference to God. They also take away from God's Word by refusing to be baptized for the remission of their sins, by not partaking of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week (Sunday). John says of such people, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us" (1 Jno. 2:19). John went on to say: "He that goeth onward and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abid- eth the doctrine hath both the Father and the Son. If one comes to you and bringing not this doctrine, give him no greeting nor invite him into thy house. For if thou invite him into thy house thou will be partaking on his evil doctrine." (2 Jno. 9-11). Our prayer is as the prayer of our Lord found in Jno. 17:20-23. Also is as Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, commanded in 1 Cor. 1:10. If mechanical instruments of music in worship were authoriz- ed in the New Testament, it would have been very easy to pro- duce the Scripture of Scriptures that authorize such. John Calvin wrote more than four hundred years ago: "Musical instru- ments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suit- able than the burning of incense, the lighting of candles and the restoration of the other shadows of the Jewish Law." We live under the authority of the New Testament. Our lives, our worship, our hopes are defined in the New Testament. Be- cause the New Testament does not authorize mechanical instru-ments of music in worship, nor burning incense, nor lighting of candles, nor animal sacrifices -- church of Christ do not practice any of these things in our worship to God. ----- Adapted from an article by Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 28, July 11, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080909/b15565bc/attachment-0001.html From tedwards at onemain.com Tue Sep 9 11:32:47 2008 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:32:47 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 8/24/08 Message-ID: <48C65EDF.9885.F0056C@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ August 24, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Brotherly Kindness (2 Peter 1:7a) (Mark Copeland) 2) Making Your Own Orange Juice (Steve Klein) ____________________________________________________ -1- Brotherly Kindness (2 Peter 1:7a) by Mark Copeland It is evident from previous articles in this series that growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ involves a spiritual construction project. By adding to our faith such graces as virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness, we are slowly becoming more like our Lord. This is in keeping with God's predetermined plan that we be conformed to the image of His Son (cf. Ro 8:29). Equally important to spiritual growth is the development of brotherly kindness. Together with love, it adds a focus to our spiritual maturity that is outward (and not just inward and upward), for it affects how we act toward other people. The Definition of Brotherly Kindness The Greek word for brotherly kindness is transliterated "philadelphia," a compound involving two words: "phileo" (love) and "adelphos" (brother). It literally means "the love of brothers." As used in the New Testament, "philadelphia" describes the love which Christians cherish for each other as brethren (Thayer). Romans 12:10 reveals that it is through brotherly kindness that we can have "kind affection" toward one another. It is brotherly kindness, therefore, that provides a true sense of family in our association as members of the Lord's body. The Demand of Brotherly Kindness Without sincere love for brethren, the apostle John wrote that any claim to love God or even to know God is impossible (1 Jn 4:7-8,20-21). If we truly desire to grow in our knowledge and love of God (including our knowledge of Jesus Christ, the focus of this series), then it is essential that we develop brotherly kindness. Jesus also made love for brethren an identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples (Jn 13:34-35). Right doctrine is certainly important (2 Jn 9), but the world pays little attention to what they may perceive as minor doctrinal differences. What people do notice is love in a world filled with hate, especially when such love is observed among individuals who come from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds. Any attempt to proclaim New Testament Christianity, therefore, will fail to appeal to those in the world unless it is accompanied by a visible demonstration of true brotherly kindness among Christians. Unity among brethren is also very important as indicated in the prayer of Jesus (Jn 17:20-23). The unity made possible through the cross of Christ is maintained as we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ep 4:3). Crucial to that endeavor is "bearing with one another in love" (Ep 4:2). There will be times when brethren sin against one another, but where brotherly kindness prevails there will also be forbearance and forgiveness. This provides time for repentance and reconciliation necessary to remain united. Unless we develop brotherly kindness, churches will be prone to split at the earliest indication of conflict. The Development of Brotherly Kindness As implied in our text, brotherly kindness is a virtue that must be developed. Fortunately, we have assistance from God Himself. When we first obey the gospel, our souls are purified so that sincere and fervent love of the brethren is now possible (1 Peter 1:22-23). We are then taught how to love one another by God Himself (1 Th 4:9-10). The Father teaches us the meaning of love by the manner in which He offered His Son as the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn 4:9-10). The Son also demonstrated true love by freely offering His life for us (1 Jn 3:16). The more we reflect upon the love and sacrifice of Jesus, the more we are able to understand the true meaning of brotherly kindness. As Jesus said, "as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (Jn 13:34). I find two other things are helpful to developing brotherly kindness. First, spend time with your brethren. The more I am around people, the more I come to know them personally, the more I share experiences (both good and bad), the easier I find it to "fall in love" with them. It is not much different than with one's own physical family. I had no choice who my three physical brothers would be. But as we experience life together our love and appreciation for one another deepens. I find it to be the same with my brethren in Christ. The second thing is to pray fervently for your brethren, especially those with whom you may have a personality clash. It is hard to remain angry or maintain a strong dislike for someone when you spend time praying for them. As you pray seeking God's love and forgiveness for yourself, it becomes so much easier to love and forgive others. The Display of Brotherly Kindness In our relationship as brethren in Christ, brotherly kindness will manifest itself in various ways. A brother who is strong will be considerate of his brother who may be weak (Ro 15:1). Where a brother may have liberty in Christ, he is willing to limit that freedom if it is beneficial to the spiritual well-being of his weak brother (1 Co 8:13; Ga 5:13). It is also brotherly kindness that will lead one to be cautious about judging a brother or what they say about them (Ja 4:11-12). Brotherly kindness will also lead Christians to truly care for one another, to warn the unruly, to comfort the faint-hearted, to uphold the weak, to be patient with all (1 Th 5:14). Yes, it is brotherly kindness that will prompt us to pursue the things that make for peace and the things by which we may edify one another (Ro 14:19). As we give thought to what it means to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, what it means to grow spiritually, may we appreciate the importance of developing that Christ-like spirit of love for the brethren! "Let brotherly love continue" (He 13:1). -- Via The Expository Files, November 2000 ____________________________________________________ -2- Making Your Own Orange Juice by Steve Klein Leroy Eims writes the following about driving with his family from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa, Florida: "As far as the eye could see, orange trees were loaded with fruit. When we stopped for breakfast, I ordered orange juice with my eggs. 'I'm sorry,' the waitress said. 'I can't bring you orange juice. Our machine is broken.' At first I was dumbfounded. We were surrounded by millions of oranges, and I knew they had oranges in the kitchen -- orange slices garnished our plates. What was the problem? No juice? Hardly. We were surrounded by thousands of gallons of juice. The problem was they had become dependent on a machine to get it. Christians are sometimes like that. They may be surrounded by Bibles in their homes, but if something should happen to the Sunday morning preaching service, they would have no nourishment for their souls. The problem is not a lack of spiritual food -- but that many Christians haven't grown enough to know how to get it for themselves." Keeping your Bible study skills in good working order is indeed a lot like maintaining the ability to squeeze oranges to make your own juice. If you don't use the skill, you'll lose the skill, and you may forget that you ever even had it (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14). Here's what studying the Bible for yourself has in common with making your own hand-squeezed orange juice: * You are sure of the source. When you are brought a glass of orange juice at a restaurant, you have no idea where it came from or what kind of oranges were used to make it. Even so, when you merely read or hear what someone says about the Bible, how can you be certain that God is the source? But when you read the words of an inspired apostle or prophet for yourself, you know that you are getting divine truth direct from the source. In Ephesians 3:3-4, the apostle Paul points out that the Scriptures he wrote came by "revelation" from God; he promises that "when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." In 1 Corinthians 14:37 Paul declared, "The things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." * You know its purity. A lot of orange juice that you buy is actually made from concentrate. Water and other things are added to it. It's not really PURE orange juice. A lot of so-called "truth" that has been reconstituted by preachers isn't pure either; it has been mixed with human error. But God's word (like fresh squeezed OJ) is 100% pure. The Psalmist declares, "Your word is very pure; therefore Your servant loves it" (Psalm 119:140). Proverbs 30:5 states, "Every word of God is pure." We are to desire God's word in its pure and unadulterated form (see 1 Peter 2:2). * You can take your time and enjoy the product with confidence. Like enjoying a glass of fresh squeezed juice to the last drop, when we study for ourselves, and know that we've got God's pure word, we can savor it thoroughly -- like the Psalmist who said, "I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes" (Psalms 119: 47-48). * It takes work. Squeezing oranges by hand is a lot of hard work; so is studying your Bible for yourself. In all reality, that is why a lot of people do neither. It's too much work. But if we want juice and truth that are from the right source, 100% pure, and can be enjoyed with confidence, we'll put forth the effort. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). My hope is that none of us will forget how to squeeze oranges or study God's word for ourselves! -- Via The Bulletin of the Church of Christ at New Georgia, August 3, 2008 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From tedwards at onemain.com Tue Sep 9 11:36:29 2008 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:36:29 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 8/31/08 Message-ID: <48C65FBD.5944.F368AF@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ August 31, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Philemon's New Brother in Christ (Philemon 1-25) (Jon W. Quinn) 2) To the Work (Steve Klein) ____________________________________________________ -1- Philemon's New Brother in Christ (Philemon 1-25) by Jon W. Quinn There is a short letter in the New Testament often overlooked. But putting some thought into its message will gain some fine and noble insights to some principles relating to our association together with one another, as well as the working of God's providence in the affairs of men to advance His purpose on the earth. This letter is addressed to Philemon, a Christian, in whose house the church may have met. "Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philemon 1:1-3). It is a letter of commendation of a servant (slave?) of Philemon, who had left his master. This was considered a great crime in the Roman world, often punishable by death at the master's discretion. The servant turned out to be Onesimus (vv. 10-22). In his letter to the church of Christ at Colossae, Paul also referred to Onesimus as a "faithful and beloved brother" (Colossians 4:9). Runaway Onesimus was converted by an imprisoned Paul, and had become a Christian. That fact is one of the basis upon which Paul makes his appeal to Philemon: "I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment" (Philemon 1:10). Paul suggests that Onesimus would be even more profitable to Philemon because he is now a brother in Christ: "...who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart" (Philemon 11,12). Paul urged Philemon to receive Onesimus back even as he would receive Paul himself (vs. 17). Onesimus may have wronged Philemon when he left (perhaps theft in taking money from the house to make his get-away) and so Paul offered to repay the damages (vv. 18,19). Finally, Paul informed Philemon that his kind reception of Onesimus would make Paul very happy (vv. 20-21). Consider some things we learn in this first century event. Equality in Christ In the world, all things are not equal. Some are richer, prettier or smarter than others. We come from different places, and have differing opportunities. But in Christ we are brethren, equal in the eyes of the Lord. The richest man is considered no more or less a child of God than the poorest. It is true that Philemon had temporarily lost a servant, and this may have brought him some hardship; but now he had gained a brother for eternity. Only the most carnal, selfish person would not understand this to be a wonderful blessing. Recall what had been written to the churches of Galatia: "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:26-29; see also James 1:9-11). There simply is no room in the kingdom for arrogance of one brother or sister over others. Jesus said, "But Jesus called them to Himself and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many'" (Matthew 20:25-28). Philemon had lost a servant for a little while, but had gained a brother for eternity. Stimulating Others to Love and Good Deeds Paul saw an opportunity for Philemon to make a good choice and grow in his faith. Rather than come down hard on Philemon by commanding him what to do with Onesimus, he encouraged him by appealing to his spiritual values and characteristics. We, too, should consider carefully how to best accomplish similar good in our brothers and sisters today. The Scriptures say, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24). Notice that Paul did not merely encourage Philemon to do the right thing, but to do the best thing. And we can well imagine Paul carefully choosing his words so as to encourage the making of the best choice on Philemon's part. He "considered how to stimulate" Philemon to "love and good works." The Scriptures urge us to "...encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13). Paul's letter to Philemon is not heavy-handed. He seeks to win Philemon's heart. That should always be our aim, and choosing our words and actions needs to be based on a careful consideration on how to best accomplish encouraging one another unto greater discipleship. Do The Right Thing Because You Want To Do It It is no great thing to do the right thing when forced to do so. It is not enough to give what we ought to give in a grudging way. The Bible says, "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Philemon would benefit greatly in doing what Paul was pleading for him to do in receiving Onesimus back as a brother. It is truly a more blessed thing to give than to receive. We all have opportunities to give and to grow in the joy of the Lord. God's Providence Paul suggests something about the providence of God. He says, "For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord" (Philemon 15,16). Providence is not something that is readily discernible. It is God working behind the scenes to answer prayers and to do his work. Paul suggests that perhaps it was part of God's plan to bring Paul and Onesimus together in Rome and not just coincidence. Maybe God had a hand in all that. We don't know for sure. Paul didn't either and so uses the word "perhaps." But when opportunity arises, it is good to ponder: "Perhaps God has put me here right now for a purpose, and I need to choose to do the right thing." Some things are not just coincidences. Some things are meant to be. -- Via The Expository Files, September 2004 ____________________________________________________ -2- To The Work by Steve Klein We all need to be reminded, at least occasionally, to do the work God expects us to do in His service, and to do it consistently. Local churches are frequently handicapped by members who are simply not committed to doing their share of the work on a regular basis. One very pleasant way of reminding one another of our duties is by "admonishing one another in Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16). The words of the song To The Work, written by William Doane, do just that. This spiritual song reminds us that . . . "We are Servants of God" We are not put on this earth to serve ourselves, but to serve our God. Fearing God and keeping His commandments is our whole duty (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Peter, James, Jude and Paul all identify themselves as "servants" of God in their epistles (Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1). This is how they saw themselves. As we follow this apostolic example, we will also see ourselves as servants of God. "There is Labor for All" Jesus observed that "The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few..." (Luke 10:2). There is plenty of work for all those who are willing to labor. Don't wait for someone to tell you what to do. Take the initiative. Find work that needs doing and JUST DO IT. Like an ant which has "no captain, overseer or ruler" yet works diligently, we too should be "always abounding in the work of the Lord" even when no one is looking over our shoulder or cracking the whip behind us (Proverbs 6:6; 1 Corinthians 15:58). "Work in the Strength of the Lord" God supplies the strength we need to do the work He expects us to do. We should be "fruitful in every good work" as we are "strengthened with all might according to His glorious power" (Colossians 1:10b-11a). The trust the Psalmist expressed in God's ability to strengthen him should be our trust as well: "For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall" (Psalms 18:29). Near the end of His life on earth, Jesus could truthfully say to His Father, "I have finished the work which You have given Me to do" (John 17:4). How many of us will be able to say the same when our lives draw to a close? God has given us all work to do in His service. Are we accomplishing it? In Nehemiah's day, when God's people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the work got done because "the people had a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6). If the work gets done among God's people today it will be for the same reason. -- Via The Bulletin at the Church of Christ in New Georgia, August 10, 2008 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From dmartinbtbq at comcast.net Tue Sep 9 18:28:46 2008 From: dmartinbtbq at comcast.net (Don Martin) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 17:28:46 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] "Where Did You Get That From?" (Neo-institutionalism) Message-ID: <002a01c912d3$cebc0dc0$6401a8c0@533034B8A6DF4D9> "Where Did You Get That From?" (Neo-institutionalism) By Don Martin Not only is the above title bad grammar, but it often serves as deflection and defeats having an honest look at a matter that needs examination and exposure. Many times, Baptists have said when their position that water baptism is non-essential to salvation is mentioned, "Where did you get that from?" Some Muslims say regarding their posture pertaining to Jesus not being the sinless Son of God as taught in the scriptures, "Where did you get that from?" In most cases, it is evident that these mentioned Baptists and Muslims are fully aware of their teachings and positions, but, "Where did you get that from?" serves to reduce if not exhaust the pressure being applied on them regarding their false doctrine. Instead of them being the purveyors of error, as they are, you now become the bad guy. Your bad guy status is established by charging you with implied misrepresentation and their pretended innocence in teaching such. One issue among us that instead of going away is gaining momentum and steam and appears now here to stay is the neo-institutionalism practice. I say "neo-institutionalism" knowing that it is not new, it has been around a long time. In fact, one compromise some made was, "If you will agree not to promote church supported institutions, then we will agree to not say anything about privately supported institutions." Such institutions as privately supported missionary societies and orders that provide Christians a corporate means to pool their resources to preach the gospel, for instance. First, it should be apparent to all on both an intellectual and practical level that the provision observed in the New Testament for Christians to pool their resources to corporately preach the gospel is the local church circumstance. The church is, "...the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Tim. 3: 15). The example of corporately preaching the gospel is the local church (Acts 13ff.). God has provided structure and oversight for the local church to supply order and to attempt to avoid corruption (Acts 14: 23, I Pet. 5: 2ff.). God's plan is simple, avoiding external power sources and clique producing machinery. "Where did you get that from?" is often heard when it is pointed out that there is an entity among us that serves as the collective means for Christians preaching the gospel, an entity that is clearly not the local church seen in the New Testament. Yet, the evidence for such cannot be hidden or denied. Such organizations have simple and obvious manifestations of the corporate preaching of the gospel by their coming together to have preaching. When it is noted that such organizations themselves provide the means of this preaching, the response if often, "Where did you get that from?" Notwithstanding, even the preaching opportunities are advertised as being conducted by the privately supported entity. Concerned and thinking brethren mention how that such practices irrefutably involve Christians performing collective action in the aberrant institution and they are met with, "Where did you get that from?" In my personal debates with some of the promoters of privately supported institutions that are doing the work God has assigned to the local church, they have even used the old argument, "Just because we are functioning under the heading of the institution does not mean it is collective action, we are simply performing individual action in a collective setting." Yet, when they are quoted word for word, they often respond, "Where did you get that from?" When we warn that instead of having the structure and oversight that God has appointed for His organization, the local church, collectively preaching the gospel, they have their own treasury, a board of directors, vice president, and president, they say, "Where did you get that from?" Yet, such a fact is present for all to see. When the truth is presented as to their unauthorized public worship situation, being done through and in their foundations, entities, and organizations, they deflect with, "Where did you get that from?" "We are just Christians in business together." When it is pointed out that such organizations typically advocate and practice unity-in-diversity by using men who believe and teach error, explaining that since it is not the local church, they can do what they want, they say, "Where did you get that from?" Notwithstanding, all one has to do to see this practice in action is open their eyes and look. I have personally questioned preachers who have been invited to join such orders and have asked them how they can directly become a part of such entities, knowing how some teach error, even some of the leaders, perhaps president, and they have made this reply, "But they are not a local church and since they are not, the regulation seen in the scriptures do not apply to them!" My heart has been broken as I have watched men for whom I had experienced respect become a part of such machinery and then watched them compromise doctrinal purity in order to remain a part of such workings. I even had one young preacher who in spite of warnings, joined one such organization defend in debate with me one of the high ranking foundation members who advocated multiple causes for divorce. This was sad to witness, especially since this preacher at one time taught against multiple causes for divorce! I continue to be asked, "Don, where are such entities among us, where did you get that from?" The most obvious privately support order that meets the above characteristics and definitions is the Guardian of Truth Foundation. In response to this, some have retorted by saying, "As long as the treasury is not involved in a believed sinful practice, such should not be dealt with on a large measure and to do so is sin!" When I mention this mentality, very carefully quoting the proponents of this reasoning, the response is, "Where did you get that from?" I predict as many brethren bury their heads in the proverbial sand and refuse to deal with this issue, more such foundations and entities will appear. Notwithstanding, God's simple way is always not only the only authorized way, but it is the way that will work, having as few possible occasions for abuse as possible. Since 1980, I personally have observed sickening politics, power struggles, and efforts to control the "brotherhood" exerted by such entities. I end this by saying what I know from experience some will say regarding what I just mentioned, "Where did you get that from?" Cordially, Don Martin dmartinbtbq at comcast.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 disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com Tue Sep 9 19:56:50 2008 From: disciple_of_iesus at hotmail.com (Ethan R. Longhenry) Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 20:56:50 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S:> "Things Like These" Message-ID: http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html "Things Like These" I. Introduction A. Human beings have a tendency to push the limits 1. Always seeking to reach greater heights 2. Go further, faster, better, harder B. Positives and negatives 1. It has led to great technological development 2. Records keep getting broken! 3. Yet it has also led to greater depravity 4. New questions, ethics, etc. get raised C. Human predilection to limit pushing is also seen in the realm of sin 1. Humans take boundaries and try to see just how close they can get to the edge! 2. Human capacity for justification and rationalization great 3. If something that one really wants can be redefined or justified in some other way, well and good! 4. Thus, when sin is defined narrowly, humans get right to the edge of what is sin 5. They may try to redefine the behavior to commit it without conscience pangs D. God is well aware of this tendency! E. Hence Galatians 5:21: "things like these" 1. As Paul concludes the list of the "works of the flesh," he speaks of "things like these" 2. Even things akin to the works of the flesh are works of the flesh, and fall under the same condemnation! F. What does Paul mean by this? 1. What do we gain from it? 2. What does it mean for us? G. Let us consider the matter from Scripture II. "Things Like These" A. "Things Like These" indicate that Paul has not provided an exhaustive list of sins 1. The fruit of the Spirit seems fully contained (Galatians 5:22-24) 2. Indeed, all good things can be seen in these categories 3. Nevertheless, Paul is not pretending that every sin that could be listed is listed B. Nevertheless, all sin is akin to the "works of the flesh" 1. Paul speaks of the "things like these" 2. Other sins will be like, or akin to, what we see in the works of the flesh 3. Sins have similar traits! C. It goes to show that redefinition will not work! 1. We cannot change the name of a practice and make it okay! 2. Likewise, we cannot reduce the text to a legalistic base and justify whatever is not explicitly condemned by Paul D. Indeed, this text has great meaning for us III. The Meaning of "Things Like These" A. It means that we must use discretion 1. God has not listed every sin that could take place! 2. Humans have always been good at coming up with new ways to sin (Romans 1:30) 3. As humans find new ways to sin, the old standard will still show its true nature! 4. This requires us to use our brains and think, and compare like with like B. It means that we must recognize things the way God sees them 1. Romans 14:23, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 11:1 2. From these passages, we understand that the Bible authorizes everything that is good 3. If it's not authorized in the Scriptures, it cannot be a good work! 4. If there is no basis upon which to justify it by the Scripture, it is sin! 5. Therefore, while many would say that whatever is not condemned is justified, the Bible teaches us the exact opposite: whatever is not justifiable is condemned! 6. This is not the way that humans naturally want to act or go! 7. Nevertheless, as Christians, we must hold ourselves to God's way of looking at things! C. It means that we must be honest with ourselves 1. If we are going to soberly consider a given action, whether it is right or wrong, we must not allow our judgment to be tainted by our desires 2. We must be honest with ourselves and our motivations for our actions 3. Do they really all measure up to what God would intend? D. How does this work? IV. "Things Like These" in Action A. When we have a matter of dispute, we must soberly consider the matter according to the works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:17-24) B. We can choose some examples and consider them C. Use of cocaine 1. The Bible says nothing about the use of cocaine 2. Yet when we read in Galatians 5:17-24, we see sorcery condemned, and sorcery involved illicit drugs and being controlled by something other than God 3. We also recognize that the use of cocaine is contrary to self-control and goodness 4. Therefore, we determine that cocaine is a "thing like" sorcery, and thus condemned D. Gambling 1. The Bible says nothing about gambling 2. When we consider what gambling is and what motivates gambling, we discern that gambling is a covetous practice, done with the attempt to gain more in games of chance than one deserves to gain 3. Likewise, those that facilitate gambling do so to profit off the greed of such persons 4. We know from Ephesians 5:5 and Colossians 3:5 that covetousness is equated with idolatry 5. Therefore, we recognize that gambling is a "thing like" covetousness and idolatry, and thus condemned E. This is the type of discernment that we must use regarding all kinds of practices 1. Are they akin to the works of the flesh? 2. Or do they rather manifest the fruit of the Spirit? F. If we are convicted that the Scriptures authorize the practice, we can proceed G. If we have no such conviction, it is sin! IV. The Greater Point A. The greater point in understanding can be derived from the whole context: Galatians 5:17-24 B. Conflict of Spirit and Flesh 1. Paul speaks of the conflict between desires 2. The godly desire of the spirit to do what is right 3. The devilish desire of the flesh to satisfy its lusts C. The Spirit must win the battle! 1. We must devote ourselves to manifesting the fruit of the Spirit 2. If we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh D. How shall we win? 1. Crucifying the flesh and its passions (Galatians 5:24) 2. Fleeing from sin (1 Corinthians 6:18) 3. Find the means of escape from temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) E. It is a battle that we can overcome and win... 1. ...but only if we set our minds to do so! 2. We must determine to no longer walk in the flesh, but walk by the Spirit! 3. The essence of repentance! F. If we have the mindset we ought, we will avoid sin 1. We will not get as close to the edge as we can! 2. We will altogether stay away from the boundaries! 3. We will flee from and escape temptation! 4. But we must make the diligent effort to do so! V. Conclusion A. While humans want to push boundaries, God has established a better way B. Just because something is not explicitly condemned does not make it right! C. We must crucify the flesh and its passions, and walk by the Spirit D. Let us follow after God and do His will! E. 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 Sign up for Good News for Norwalk! goodnewsfornorwalk-subscribe at norwalkchurch.org From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 10 05:10:21 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:10:21 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY (2) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the second part of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY (2). The Council of Nicea, 325 A.D. the first ecumenical council, decreed that the bishops in the different provinces would be of equal rank and authority, that each one would be free to conduct his affairs independent of any other province or bishop. In the Council of Chalcedon, 451 A.D., a decree was passed giv- ing to the See of Constantinople equal rank and authority with the See of Rome. The 28th canon of this council stated that "equal precedency" should be given to Constantinople and pointed out that Rome had been given precedency by the Fathers "because it was the imperial city." It was argued by those who wrote the decree that since the seat of the imperial government had been transferred to Constantinople, this honor of precedency should at least be shared by that city as well. This shows that whatever "honor" of "superiority" the bishopric of Rome had come to possess at that time, was based upon trad- itional sentiment toward the capital city rather than upon divine right. This decree of the Council of Chalcedon precipitated a long and bitter controversy between the two bishiprics, which contin- ued for one hundred fifty years before Rome finally succeeded in being recognized as supreme. The climax to the struggle came in 606 A.D., when emperor Phocas, a usurper on the civil throne in Constantinople, crowned the bishop of Rome, Boniface III, the first universal head of the church. This event was ironical. A bishop of Rome was now declared to be universal bishop, when two of his predecessors had severly condemned such a title as profane. The details of this are interesting and enlightening. In 588 A.D., John the Faster, the bishop of Constantinople, assumed the title of Univer- sal Bishop of the church. Pelagious II was bishop of Rome at that time, and he was astonished at John's boldness. He said this: "Regard not the name of Universality which John has un- lawfully usurped to himself, for let not of the Patriarchs ever use this so profane appellation. You may well estimate what mis- chief may be expected rapidly to follow, whenever among priests such perverted beginnings break forth; for he is near respecting whom it is written, He himself is king over all the sons of pride." Two years later, in 590 A.D., Gregory the Great succeeded Pelagius II in Rome. He, too, bitterly denounced the action of John the Faster in Constantinople. Here are some of Gregory the Great's statements: for if a single patriarch be styled univer- sal, the name of Patriarch is take from the others." Again: "To consent to the adoption of that wicked appellation is nothing less than to apostatize from the faith." Gregory also said this: "I, indeed confidently assert that whosoever either calls himself, or desires to be called, Universal Priest, that person, in his vain elation, is the precursor of Antichrist, because, through his pride he exalts himself above the others" (Novelties of Romanism, Collette, pp. 3,4,5). It is significant to notice that Pelagius II and Gregory the Great did not claim that John the Faster was usurping some- thing that belonged to the bishop of Rome; they said that no bishop, in Rome, Constantinople or anywhere else, should be called universal bishop. Pelagius II said, "...let none of the Patri- archs ever use this so profane appellation." Gregory the Great said: "No one of my predecessors (nobody before this in the Roman bishopric...F.V. ) ever consented to use this so profane appellation." Remember, Gregory the Great was a bishop of Rome. He is listed by the Caholics in their list of Popes. He certainly is good authority on the question of whether or not the bishop of Rome had, until that time, been considered the supreme head of the church. He testified that such was not the case and said that the "adoption of that wicked appellation (by any bishop, anywhere, F.V.) is nothing less than to apostatize from the faith." In 606 A.D., as already related Boniface III, who was the succ- essor of Gregory as bishop of Rome, was given the title of Universal bishop of the church. The circumstances of this inci- dent are sordid, but they are of interest and significance to the student of church history. They show how a struggle for supre- macy over the entire church was climaxed by Rome in an unrighteous political deal, in which the bishop of Rome "sold out" to a murderous usurper on the imperial throne. Phocas had come to the imperial throne in Constantinople through treachery and murder. He had slain Maricius, his pre- decessor, with his family. Cyriacus, who was bishop in Constan- tinople at that time, refused to endorse such murderous conduct and unrighteous usurpation; he would not place his blessings upon Phocas as the rightful ruler. Phocas, in a spirit of vindictiv- eness, turned to the bishop of Rome for approval of his claim to the throne. He knew there was rivalry and jealousy between the two bishoprics -- that of Constantinople and that of Rome. So here the shrewd politician was captalizing upon a situation, using a religious leader to serve his own selfish interest and to get himself entrenched in the position he had gained by foul means. But the bishop of Rome, Boniface IIi, was not being duped. He had his own selfish interests and saw in the situation an opp-ortunity to play the emperor against the bishop in Constantinop- le and thus gain for Rome the supremacy that had been sought in the long struggle between the two Sees. The deal was made. Boniface III recognized Phocas as emperor, and Phocas in turn crowned Boniface III as supreme head of the universal church. Since that time, the bishops of Rome have made the pomp- ous claim of supremacy over the entire church, professing to be successors to Peter, who, they say, was the first bishop of Rome and the first universal head of the church. According to the testimony of two of their own "predecessors" they wear a "profane appellation" and have apostatized from the faith. All who know the teaching of the New Testament on the organizat- ion of the church have seen greater evidence that such is true. ---------------- Frank Van Dyke in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080910/2a2dc88d/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 10 05:10:12 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:10:12 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) TRUTH Message-ID: 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: TRUTH Can one "Know" what God wants us to do? Is it possible to understand the Bible? Why are there so many different ideas, ways, doctrines, and churches? If one is sincere and honest, will God save him? Friends and Neighbors, these are excellent questions that deserve answers, in view of the facts taught in the Holy Bible. Thank you ahead of time for your interest and time to read and study these matters. Can We "Know" And Understand What God Wants Us To Do? -- YES! God gave us His Will, Law, the Roadmap that leads to heav- en. Certainly He was capable of giving precise and understand- able instructions. He is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33 But more specifically, John tells us we can KNOW the truth that can and will make us free (Jno. 8:32). Later in his gospel account he clearly states the Word of God is truth (Jno. 17:17). Paul told the Ephesians that it is possible to understand the Will of God (Eph. 1:18; 5:17). Consider WHAT God has told us to do. It is not complex. It is not overwhelming. It is not necessary to read the Greek lang- uage, have a Ph. D. degree to be able to grasp truth, but it is sim- ply essential to read, learn, and know truth. Is It Possible To Understand The Bible? -- YES! Understanding is based on reading the RIGHT book, with an OPEN MIND, and ACCEPTING the truth, without prejudice or previously formed opinions. Confusion arises when many put their own ideas, opinions and preferences on what is found on the pages of Scripture. Three blind men wanted to know what an elephant looked like. One walked up to and touch the trunk and thought "So this is what an elephant looks like, a long pole-like animal." Another walked up to the broad side of the elephant and thought, "An elephant is like a wall." The third touch a leg of the elephant and naturally concluded, "The elephant is similar to a tree." Were they wrong? They had some facts, some truth, but nto the com- plete picture. The application is simple. We must "rightly divide" the truth (2 Tim. 2:15). As we read the Bible, it is most important to know WHO is speaking, TO WHOM it is spoken, and WHEN it was spoken. To illustrate this: if we opened the Bible to read and learn what we must do today to be saved, what if we opened to Genesis 6? where God was speaking to Noah, telling him to build an ark, to be saved from the impending flood. What are we to conclude? Certainly, it is not God's desire for people today to build an ark. The account in the history of man is given that we may learn how God dealt with man in times past (Rom. 15:4), but obviously we are NOT required to build an ark today, because God also promised Noah that He would not destroy the world with water again. To become a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, saved from our past sins, our Lord tells us in the New Testament various things we mus do. After HEARING the Word of God (Rom. 10:17), we must BELIEVE. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). If we do not believe that Christ is the Son of God, we will all likewise perish (Jno. 8:24). Can we under- stand this? Certainly! Upon believing, we must turn, change, no longer living in sin. The Bible calls this turning, repentance. Lk. 13:3 tells us to REPENT or we will perish. Can we understand this? Definitely! We are to CONFESS our faith in Christ (Matt. 10:32,33) or Christ will not confess us before His Father. Is this difficult to understand? Not at all! Peter tells us that BAPTISM doth also now save us (1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism is the final step required to put one into Christ, into His church, for which He died (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Gal. 3:26,27). Acts 2:38 tells us all to be baptized for the remission of our past sins, in order to be saved from those sins. Can we understand this? With no intention of insult, the fact is, one is either incapable of understanding, or help is required to misunderstand. If One Is Sincere And Honest, Will God Save Him? -- The facts are undeniable. If God is Holy, just, fair, and good, He MUST save ONLY those who do His Will (Matt. 7:21). To be sincere is necessary for certain. But one could be traveling the wrong dire- ction and be sincere "thinking" he was going to reach his destin- ation. One could be honestly doing something wrong, contrary to the laws of the land. Does that make it right and acceptable? No! PLEASE, study and learn what the Bible requires of each and everyone of us. None are perfect. We are all still learning and growing. We can know God's Will. We are able to under- stand it. We can obey our Creator. We can go to heaven! It is left up to us and to the mercy of God. Why not obey Him today? ---------- Eugene Brittnell in The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 4, July/August 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080910/d5aa27a3/attachment-0001.html From GLClair at aol.com Wed Sep 10 09:23:45 2008 From: GLClair at aol.com (GLClair at aol.com) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:23:45 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] Article-Children leaving the faith Message-ID: Why is it Happening? (Children Leaving the Faith) The great question that surfaces today in many Bible class discussions is; ? What about the children who have left the church?? indeed, in possibly every congregation in the land there are families who have attempted to raise-up their of-springs as Christians. Many of these have seen disappointment and discouragement as many of their children begin to leave home and involve themselves in the world and its condition. One of the shocking factors about these unexpected events by many parents is their absolute inability to understand where something went wrong in their child-rearing plans for their children. Many parents are totally in shock when their children turn to the world and its charms when they leave home. I have seen good, faithful, parents weep over their children?s disregard (i.e. rejection) of their parents training when they leave home; some even before they leave home. Parents cannot deal with this problem when it happens because of love for their children and shock at why? They rejected the parent?s attempts to instill godly qualities in them. Some parents take their children to assemblies of the congregation from the time they are born. These same parents continue to take the children to assemblies with the hope of instilling within their heart the love and respect for God and the things of God that they appreciate and attempt to make a part of their lives ? cf. Matt 6:33; etc. Where does the blame for this situation lie? ARE THE PARENTS TO BLAME? Many times in my experience I have seen some in the congregation who are immediately pointing the finger at the parents. I am not sure this is always right! Sometimes I suppose that parents are hypocrite but that is just my opinion. I cannot definitely say that the child is a worldly sinner because the parents have failed in their life or in their example for the children or even to say that these parents were not faithful enough themselves and because of this fact the children have rejected the ?right way? of holiness. Yet, we must examine ourselves as parents; have we been as faithful in this matter as we ought to have been? The Scriptures teach parents: DO NOT PROVOKE YOUR CHILDREN - Eph 6:4, 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Col 3:21, 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged HAVE YOU DISCIPLINED YOUR CHILDREN AS YOU OUGHT - Heb 12:9, 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (KJV) HAVE YOU PERSONALLY SET WITH YOUR CHILDREN AND EXPLAINED THE GOODNESS, KINDNESS, LONGSUFFERING, AND TERRORS INVOLVED IN DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD? (I.e. instructed them patiently) - 1 John 2:13-15, 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abided in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (KJV) IS THE CHURCH TO BLAME? One of the factors that may have contributed to the child?s rejection of the church and their up-bringing may have been a failure of the congregation?s teaching program for the young. A great amount of concern ought to be brought to bear upon the teaching program in each congregation throughout the land. The elders or those responsible for Bible classes ought to be very serious about the quality of the teaching materials in each of the Bible classes --- from the pre-school to the adult classes. The material used for the classes ought to be scrutinized by the elders or those responsible for the teaching materials used. IS THE CHILD TO BLAME? Probably the most overlooked area by many Christians and family members whenever a son or daughter leaves to church for the glitter and glamour of the world is the child and his/her right of choice. You see, all children develop friends and acquaintances while in the secular school system. These associates may become more influential than the parents or the church. Whenever children are overcome by their peer?s power of persuasion; the problem of change will take place in them depending upon the power of influence exerted by their friends. This influence will eventually overcome their good judgment and perhaps cause them to turn against what they have been taught is the right. Whenever this takes place the child?s free-will (i.e. ability to choose between good and evil) may lead them away from their home and church training. I do not know at what time a child reaches the age of accountability (i.e. the point in life when their choices will determine their relationship with God) but this I do know; THERE IS A TIME WHEN EACH PERSON BECOMES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHOICES THEY MAKE (i.e. become accountable to God for their sins): Please note the following Biblical references; Jeremiah 10:23, ?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) Ezek 18:19-20, 19 Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. 20 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. (KJV) 1 John 3:4-9, 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (KJV) CONCLUSION: We must ever be alert to the possibility that our parental training is correct and our example of right is real? otherwise we may be contributing to the future downfall of our children, We must also as a faithful child of God with the congregation we attend consider the churches? teaching program for our children. We must be willing to talk to those in charge of teaching and class arrangement on behalf of our child?s learning about God and Godly living. We must be willing to be used ourselves in the teaching plans of the congregation if need be for the spiritual education of our children. We must also be aware of the associates that our children are involved with at school and during their leisure time while they are growing and learning about life at home. We must always be aware of the fact that our children have a mind of their own and that each passageway from infant to adult is filled with good and bad; that our children need us to help them through all of these passages until we have finished our course ? cf. 2 Timothy 4:6-8, ?6 For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.? (ASV) _glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com) Wednesday, September 10, 2008 **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080910/0daf00e7/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Sep 11 05:20:33 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:20:33 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION 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 recent files: THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE LOCAL CONGREGATION It is often affirmed: "The church, as God gave it, is sufficient to do the work God gave it to do." No gospel preacher would question the truth of this proposition. While we all pay our pro- fessed respects to the above, it does not follow that we either understand or agree on what is involved. Several topical divisio- ns of this "slogan" suggest themselves: 1) God gave the church 2) God gave the church to be a certain way, 3) God gave the church its work, and 4) The church is sufficient to accomplish its divine assignment. 1. God Gave The Church: -- This is true whether we are discuss- ing the local or universal church. However, our interest in this particular article centers in the local congregation. To the read- ers of this paper it is not necessary to dwell at length in proving that God gave the church or brought it into being, i.e., that it is divine in its orgin. I would define the term "church" as it is used in the New Testament in connection with God and Christ or spiritual matters: those who are saved viewed as a collectivity. As certainly as salvation is of God, the church is of God. What- ever is said to have done to save man He is also said to have done to save the church. A saved person is the "unit" and the "church" is the collectivity of the units. The saved person is "sanctified" (1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 5:26); a saved person is saved by "the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; see also 1 Cor. 6:11), but the church is also cleansed by the "the washing of water by the word." (Eph. 5:26). The sav- ed person is redeemed or purchased by the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18,19; Eph. 1:7 etc.), but the church is purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28). View in this light, God certainly "gave" the church as to its units or parts. II. The Work Of The Church: -- Our proposition recognizes that God gave the church its work. From this we would agree that a distinction exists between the church and the work of the church. Having seen that God gave the church and that the church (collective noun) is those who are saved viewed as a col- lectivity, then it must follow both simplicity and force that the work of the church is "collective" work or action. The local con- gregation represents a phase of activity in the lives of the memb- ers who constitute it. What they do "together" or collectively is not all they are required to do as servants of God. Many duties are individually performed, as opposed in thought to what is done collectively. From Phil. 4:15,16 we observe that the church had fellowship with Paul. At the same time it is clear from the pronoun "ye" that the Philippian saints had fellowship. From this I would necessarily infer that the Philippians had fellowship with Paul by acting collectively in sending to his need. In this it would be true that the church (collectivity) had fellowship and "ye" had fellowship because the "ye" constituted the collectivity or church at Philippi. We speak of the local church as being given by God for the reasons 1) God gave the church (collectivi-ty) by supplying the parts (saints) and 2) ordaining the offices and relationships necessary for them to act collectively, i.e., "bis- hops," "deacons," etc. (Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1). While the church universal is a collectivity as certainly as the church local, it does not perform any collective duties adn therefore does not have organization of its parts (saints) in that particular. The church local is a collectivity and functions collectively. Collect- ive action therefore is the special and peculiar function of the local church. Therefore, I identify "the work" of the local congre- gation 1) agreement, 2) oversight or supervision and 3) pooling of resources and/or abilities/ God has provided for each of these among His people and authorizes the field or action that is to be performed. III. God Gave The Local Congregation To Be Independent: -- This is a conclusion based upon what is known of the organizat- ional structure of the local church (collectivity). Each collectivity (church) has its own elders, etc. (Acts 14:23); they can function only over the flock in which they serve (1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:28). Since each local congregation is independent in its function (col- lective action) there can be no scheme or arrangement by which the local churches (collectivities) form yet another collective (org- anization) or make the local collective (church) action depend- ent upon what is done by another church (collectivity). This will throw some light on why the New Testament affords not one instance of authority for expenditure of congregational funds beyond wages and alms, both of which are complete works within themselves. Anything beyond this makes the contribut- ing church (collectivity) depend upon the receiving church to take action in reference to those funds to accomplish the work proposed. By the same token it makes the receiving church dependent upon the sending or contributing church to supply resources for the work. It is this "dependent" aspect of the work or program being undertaken. (Herald of Truth affording a splen- did example of a situation in which the work of preahing the gos- pel on the radio via national scope is dependent upon an inter- dependent arrangement of congregations. The exchange of funds between congregations in this is neither wages nor alms. IV. The Sufficiency Of The Local Congregation: -- Since God gave the local congregation (both its units and organizational structure) and made it to function in collective duties He assigns then it is capable of performing its work. The power and wisdom of God guarantees this proposition. One does not have to prove the ability of the church to perform a certain task if it be shown that 1) God gave the church and 2)gave the church the assignment. To deny this would be to deny the power or wisdom of God, or both. V. Conclusion: -- Since the work of the local collectivity (church) is collective action then any assignment of God authorizing coll- ective action of God's people is the proper sphere or action for the local church. Since God designed it for this very purpose it can accomplish all such assignments without 1) forming other collectives or 2) making several collectives (congregations) inter- dependent. And acceptance of the "sufficiency of the local con- gregation" is acceptance of this truth: any contrary, a denial...... W.L. Wharton via The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 4, July/August , 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080911/206d7f00/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Sep 11 05:20:46 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:20:46 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) PSALM 40 Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is another study from my files on the Psalms. Use to the glory of God. PSALM 40 Admit it, there is something that puts a song in your heart. Maybe it's closing the deal at work that puts you in a higher tax bracket. Maybe it's the much deserved and long anticipated pro- motion. It could be that certain look from someone special that causes your heart to flutter, a smile to form, and the emotions to burst forth in a favorite song. These are the days when everythi-ng is right and life is good. "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing" (Jas. 5:13). It is one of the most natural reeactions known to man. Cheer, however, is not the exclusive possession of Christ- ians. The heathen rejoice when life is good and the wicked, too, sing songs of love. Further, there are more noble reasons to sing than merely because life is going your way. What sets the child of God apart and makes him different? What songs do we sing? Psalm 40 answers these questions. >From Problems To Praise: -- (vss, 1-3). David was in a state of crisis. The specific incident is not identified, only metaphorically described as "the pit of destruction" whose bottom was made of "miry clay" (vs. 2). This seems to be some incident in the after- math of his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11). David certainly was no stranger to trouble and the kind of trouble he faced during this period would threaten to steal a song from the stoutest heart. David, with faith unwavering, put his fate into the hands of the Almighty and "waited patiently for the Lord" (vs. 1) who lifted him form the miry clay of uncertainty and insecurity and placed his feet upon solide ground. An attitude of gratitude filled his heart with praise as he said, "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God" (vs. 3). When praise is on the heart, it soon issues forth from the lips. >From Self To God: -- (vss. 4,5). David exclaimed, "How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust..." (vs. 4). Life should never be about your and me -- but always about God. The Lord inclined His ear to David because He saw in him a re- flection of His own heart (Acts 13:22). "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (Jas. 4;6; Psa. 40:4b). David sang, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer" (2 Sam. 22:2). The Lord had delivered him from the beasts of the wilderness (1 Sam. 17:37). He delivered him from the hand of the giant of the Philistines. He delivered him from Saul, Absalom, and from other enemies and threatening circum- stances. David's experience with God's deliverance put a song of praise on his heart and on his lips. >From Ritual To Righteousness: -- (vss. 6-10). David learned a lesson that his predecessor never learned (vs. 6). "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams" (1 Sam. 15:22). It's not that God didn't want sacrifices when such was needed, He did. God wanted him (and us!) to have His law in our hearts and delight to do His Will. David's Psalms reflect a spirit of joy in serving the Lord. It is out of the sheer delight of doing God's Will that David "proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation" (vs. 9). He was unashamed to publicly profess his faith. David was never one to keep his relationship with God a private matter. He spoke of Him to whomever would listen. People tend to talk and sing about the things they enjoy. When you delight in doing the things of God, your conversation will be peppered with referenc- es to Him, His Word, and His Blessings. >From Sin To Salvation: -- (vss. 11-17). David believed in a God of compassion, even toward the sinful. "For evils beyond number have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, and my heart has failed me" (vs. 12). This may not be the picture you envision when you think of David; a man of sin, broken hearted, dispirited, facing consequences too horrible to imagine. No one understood the consequences of sin better than did he. After Uriah's murder, David's life was never his own again. Though penitent, many things, once under his control, were now out of control. Threats from within and without caus- ed him uncertainty and insecurity -- and he knew why! David prayed for God to aid him quickly. His enemies were real, dangerous, and seeking to destroy him (and perhaps the nation as a whole). Knowing that God had delivered him from danger in the past, David trusted that He would dliver him again. He affirmed, "You are my help and my deliverer," and humbly prayed, "Do not delay, O my God" (vs. 17). He Gives You A Song: -- Have you been there? Has "life" happ- ened to you? Hard times? Troubled marriage? Kid on drugs? Lost your job? Do you have enemies? Do they say bad things about you? There is a message in this Psalm for everyone. God Listens: -- He has delivered many in the past. If He deliver- ed David from Goliath, Daniel from lions, Shadrach from the fire, and Jonah from the belly of the whale, He can deliver you. You Can Sing: -- even in the midst of trouble. Not all songs are prompted by emotional highs. Not all songs are about earth's joys. These songs transcend life's circumstances. God can be praised form both the pit of discouragement and the peak of vic- tory. You Can Share:-- God intends for His message of deliverance to be shared. David declared, "I have not hidden your righteous- ness in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness..." (vs. 10). Have you kept God's message in your heart, selfishly conceal- ing it while others around you are in need of deliverance? In the words of Alton Howard: He gave me a song, to sing about, He lifted me from sin and doubt. Oh praise His name, He is my King, A wonderful song He is to me. ---- Jim Deason in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080911/8a05b183/attachment-0001.html From Mikejohnson104 at aol.com Thu Sep 11 19:18:30 2008 From: Mikejohnson104 at aol.com (Mikejohnson104 at aol.com) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:18:30 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] B> The Elon Challenger V 6 No. 1 Message-ID: The Elon Challenger ELON CHURCH OF CHRIST New Hope, Alabama Seeking to challenge your interest in things spiritual & eternal (Eph. 6:10-18). Volume VI Number 1 September, 2008 =================================================================== WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM "THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST?" Phillip Owens Peter summarized all that Jesus endured surrounding His death and events that preceded as "the sufferings of Christ" (I Pet. 1:11). We generally think about the unimaginable pain He underwent while on the cross and well we should because such was almost beyond endurance. However, Jesus also endured much before He was nailed to the cross. This would include but not be limited to at least the following: 1. The agony in the garden: sweat became as it were great drops of blood (Lk. 22:44). 2. They bound Him (Matt. 27:2). 3. They slapped Him (John 18:22). 4. They struck Him and reviled Him (Luke 22:63-65). 5. They mocked Him and beat Him (Luke 22:64). 6. He was up all night undergoing insults, etc. 7. They stuck a crown of thorns on His head (Matt. 27:29). 8. They spat on Him (the Son of God!) (Matt. 27:30). 9. They smote Him on the head with a reed (Matt. 27:30). 10. They ridiculed Him by bowing down in "worship" (Mark 15:19). 11. They scourged Him (Jno. 19:1) and then they took the scarlet robe off Him (Matt. 27:28). 12. They nailed Him to the cross imagine driving nails into your hands and feet (Jno. 20:25). 13. Suffered from thirst on the cross (Jno. 19:28). Occasionally some ask that if the death of Jesus was necessary to satisfy God's justice in allowing sinners to go free, while at the same time punishing sin so as to maintain God's righteousness, why did Jesus have to suffer such a dreadful death? Why could He not have been simply executed without the attached pain and agony that preceded it? The answer in part may be in Isaiah 53. "Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all" (vss. 4-6). In other words, Jesus took for us the punishment we deserve because of our sins. But one may ask why sin deserves such terrible punishment? For one reason, it is because God's character is infinitely good and righteous. Sin is a transgression of God's law I Jno. 3:4). God's law reveals the goodness and righteousness of His character. Therefore as God's creatures, to violate God's law (sin) is to rebel against the very nature and character of our Creator. This makes the truth that God can not dwell where sin is understandable. Further, because sin is rebellion against Him, it deserves punishment. Again though, why the unusual and agonizing pain of execution by crucifixion? Why not have Him beheaded or stoned to death? In our country's justice system, penalties for crimes vary depending on the severity of the crime. When true justice is served the penalty for a crime will be commensurate to the crime committed. That is why one convicted of murder in the first degree premeditated murder, receives a more severe punishment than one convicted of murder in the second degree non premeditated killing resulting from an assault in which death is a possibility. What do we learn from this? Since Jesus was "wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed, and Jehovah hath laid on him the iniquity of us all," God intended to teach us a lesson as to how dreadful, terrible and horrible sin really is to Him and how it ought to be to us!! The nature of the suffering and death of Christ describes the atrocious nature of sin. Another verse in the same chapter bears on this idea: "By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due? (vs. 8). The "stroke" Jesus received was what we were "due." Again, "Yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin " (vs. 10). Question: Since the penalty for sin demanded such intense suffering and agonizing death on the part of a completely innocent person Jesus, how ought we to look at any sin anyone commits, including committing a sin ourselves? A joke? Something to laugh at? Not that serious? Who cares? No one will find out? Not that big a deal? Hardly!! Our attitude should be the same as the psalmist: "Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way." And "Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; And I hate every false way" (119:104,128). This applies to unauthorized worship and works in which many churches engage themselves. The question, "What do we learn from 'the sufferings of Christ?'" is also extremely personal. Think about this the next time you are tempted to wear something immodest, use some vulgar or gutter expression, drink, smoke, covet someone or something, look upon someone to lust after him/her, lose your temper, forsake the assembling of the church, or any other sin. Think about its cost, its punishment, and hate it! Its cost to God and Christ should make us loathe, despise, and detest it with all that is within us. __________ Bible Authority 9 DIRECT STATEMENT Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that we are governed by direct commands (along with approved example and necessary inference), but, in addition, there are other kinds of statements which do not actually occur in the command form but they still serve as our guide. These statements actually have the same force of authority as a direct command. Consider the various types of statements which serve as our authority today. Declarative Statements To begin with, there is the declarative statement. A declarative statement is one "which states that something is or is not the case, that a particular object has a certain property or that it does not have that property, or that a certain state of affairs exists or does not exist." For example, a restaurant owner who is trying to sell a large number of rib eye steaks might say to his servers, "whoever can get at least 100 people to order the rib eye steak during the next week will receive a bonus of $50.00." The owner does not give a command, but he makes it clear that a certain achievement (selling one hundred steaks) is essential to gaining a particular blessing (the fifty dollars). A college administrator might say to the incoming freshmen, "In order for you to receive the Bachelor of Arts degree from this college, you must complete at least one hundred and thirty semester hours of class work with a grade point average of 2.5." In the strictest sense, the administrator has not given a command. Yet clearly he makes two achievements essential to getting the B.A. degree from the college. Thus, his statement would have the force of a command at least for the student interested in graduating. Consider a few Biblical examples of declarative statements: Mark 16:16 says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." This is a declarative statement and does not contain a direct command. (A direct command is found in verse 15.) Although verse 16 is not a command, it has the same force as a command; it implies an obligation for those who wish to be saved belief and baptism. Matthew 7:21 says, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Again, this verse is not a direct command, but it has the same force as a direct command. It tells us what must be done to "enter into the kingdom of heaven," revealing an obligation for all men. I John 1:7 points out, "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Although not in the form of a direct command, this verse demands that we walk in the light just as much as if it had said, "Walk in the light." Matthew 5:1-12 - The beatitudes are also simple declarations, but the obligation is certainly clear for us to be poor in spirit and to be meek, to hunger and thirst after righteousness, etc. If we want to receive the blessings associated with each, we must be as Jesus said. The Interrogative Another type of direct statement is the interrogative. An interrogative statement is one which asks a question. Some questions are asked to gain information, and some questions are asked to give information. Saul said, on the road to Damascus, "Who art thou Lord?" Saul asked this question to gain information. Consider now some examples of interrogatives which were designed to give information I Kings 8:21- Here Elijah said to the people, " . . . How long halt ye between two opinions?" Elijah was not asking this question to gain information; he was asking it to give information. He, by this question, was demanding that the straddlers take a position. Acts 22:16 - Ananias asked Saul, after his experience on the road to Damascus, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Ananias was not asking for information, but he was demanding that Saul not wait any longer in obeying the gospel. I Corinthians 1:13 - Paul asked, "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" By asking this series of rhetorical questions, Paul is actually giving the information that Christ is not divided; Paul was not crucified for them, and they had not been baptized in the name of Paul. This section of Scripture is teaching that followers of Christ should strive for unity, and no one has the right to call himself after anyone who has not been crucified for him or into whose name he has not been baptized (v. 12) Acts 10:47 - In connection with the conversion of Cornelius, Peter asked, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" Peter was not asking for information, but he was giving the information that Cornelius and his family (Gentiles) were proper subjects to be baptized just as penitent believers among the Jews. Peter did not command, "You Gentiles must be baptized in water just as the Jews must." Instead, he asked the above question which would have the same effect as if he had commanded it. There are some actions which are authorized by more than one kind of statement. Consider that baptism is shown to be essential by a direct command, or imperative (Acts 2:38), a declarative statement (Mk. 16:16), and by an interrogative or question (Rom. 6:3). Love for the brethren is shown to be essential by a command (Heb. 13:1), a declarative statement (I Jn. 3:14), and by an interrogative or question (I Jn. 3:17). The Hortatory Statement Another type of statement is the hortatory statement. This is a type of statement which expresses a strong wish or desire, and puts forth binding obligations on people living today. Consider Romans 5:20-6:2. Apparently, a false position in Paul's day was that grace is good; where sin abounds, grace abounds; thus, one may continue in sin. Verse one says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" He answered this with the hortatory statement, "God Forbid." He is saying, "Oh, that such would never come to pass!" Paul sets forth a prohibition, through a hortatory statement, condemning the position of continuing in sin that grace may abound. Other examples of this type of statement are found in Romans 6:15 and Romans 7:13. The Conditional Statement The final type of declarative statement for consideration is the conditional statement. This is sometimes called an "if/then" statement. There is the condition and the consequence. The conditional statement expresses the object, or state of affairs, which will be gained provided that the requirements of the conditions are complied with. In I Corinthians 15:12-20, there are a number of these "conditional" statements. The main point is "if there is no resurrection of the dead (the condition), then Christ was not raised from the dead" (the consequence). Paul also states in these verses a number of consequences which would be the case if Christ was not raised from the dead. The last example is Romans 7:2-3: "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. 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." If a wife is married to another man while her husband is alive, (then) she would be an adulteress (the exception of Matt. 5:32, 19:9 is not under consideration here). But if her husband dies and she married another man, then she would not be an adulteress. Other examples of conditional statements are found in Romans 8:12-13 and Romans 8:17. We are clearly governed by direct statements from God's Word today. The direct statement is one of the forms of Bible authority. Do you give heed to the statements of God's Word? Do you use them for your authority? __________ "BE CAREFUL...HOLY THINGS" Charles G. Maples Sr. (continued) In Deuteronomy 5:1 God admonished Israel to "...learn (His) statutes and judgments... and BE CAREFUL to observe them." As noted in our previous study on this theme, Webster defines "careful" as "showing close attention to details, thoughtfulness, painstaking efforts ... cautiousness in avoiding errors." Contrary to the thinking of most religionists of our time, it is of Eternal Importance that we apply those principles in every consideration of the Salvation of our Eternal Souls that our Creator and Savior has prepared for us! Among God's "Holy Things" (Ezekiel 22:26), about which we must exercise "carefulness" is His Salvation, that He offers to sinners! We are reminded in Jonah 2:9 that "Salvation is of the Lord." From the time that man sinned, God planned salvation from sins (Genesis 3:15). He provided that salvation through the gift of His Son (Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:7; etc.). When men wish to know how they may obtain His Salvation, they must turn to His Inspired Word for the answer! They must "be careful" that the answer they receive in God's answer! As was true in Ezekiel's day, the "priests" (teachers) of our time do not hesitate to "Profane (His) Holy Things!" Those who propose to teach the Word must "be careful" to give only God's answer; found only in God's "Holy Scriptures!" (2 Timothy 3:15). A loose and careless answer to the question, "what must I do to be saved?" is often, "It makes no difference, as long as one is sincere." We wouldn't dare to so deal with prescriptions of medications for our physical beings! The apostle Peter warned that men would "twist" the Scriptures, "to their own destruction!" (2 Peter 3:16), and the apostle Paul warned of those who were "perverting the gospel of Christ!" (Galatians 1:6-9) By such; and even a casual, careless handling of the Scriptures; men give many varying answers to this Eternally Important Question! Jesus warns, "..take heed (be careful-cm) WHAT you hear" (Mark 4:24), and in Luke 8:18, "...take heed (be careful) HOW you hear!" SOME "CARELESS" ANSWERS The Universalist teach that "All will be saved." But even a casual consideration of such Scriptures as Matthew 7:13-14 indicates that God's answer is that most will be lost! And, of course, if that doctrine were true, then it was useless for God to send His Son, and for Him to die that terrible death on the cross! Calvinists teach that "Salvation is Wholly of Grace," offering such "proof texts as Ephesians 2:5, but God's answer is that Christ "...became the Author of eternal salvation to ALL WHO OBEY HIM." (Hebrews 5:8f) Yes, salvation is "by grace," (Ephesians 2:5, 8, 9), but neither those Scriptures, nor any others, Inspired by God, teach that it is "wholly of grace." On the contrary, "careful" handling of the Word of the Savior tells us that, "...not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) Some of the same teachers contend that "Salvation is By Faith Only." God's Inspired Word tells us that it is "NOT by faith only!" (James 2:24) By the Savior we are told that "..he who BELIEVES and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved..." (Mark 16:16) And, see again Hebrews 5:8f. Those people on Pentecost, who were "pricked in their hearts," by the conviction that they had murdered the Son of God, and wanted to know what they "must do," were told by the Inspired apostle to, "...repent and be baptized, everyone of you, for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38) Saul of Tarsus was told to "... arise and be baptized to wash away your sins..." (Acts 22:16) If the question, "What must I do to be saved?" is asked by the child of God, Calvinists will answer, "Once you are saved, you're always saved, and cannot be lost!" Surely that does not come from a "careful" handling of the Word of God! Much of the New Testament is given to warning the child of God that he/she must "..be careful to observe" (Deuteronomy 5:1) God's instructions as to HOW we are to LIVE, that we might finally "...have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gate into the City." (Revelation 22:14) It is to this "manner of life" (2 Timothy 3:10) that we will plan to direct our thinking in our next study of this theme of "CARE-FULNESS." (to be continued) ___________ For God to be with us, we must abide in Christ. ___________ Evangelist: Charles G. Maples Sr. Phone-256-530-0772 Evangelist & Editor: Mike Johnson Phone -256-776-2223 **************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080911/7aadbc19/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 12 04:26:33 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:26:33 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE CHURCH OF CHRIST Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my ancie-nt files. Use to the glory of God. THE CHURCH OF CHRIST It is not right to insist that people become members of a church that is not Scriptural. Jesus said, "Every plant, which My Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up" (Matt. 15: 13). The Lord does not force people to refrain from establishing churches. Neither does he force people to either enter or remain outside the church. However, He does provide such a plain instruction concern- ing His church that there is no reason for any failing to recog- nize it, or to realize that salvation is in it. It is useless for us to turn to the pages of the Old Testament to learn about the church established by Christ. Christ came to fulfill the Old Testament Scriptures and thereby "take them out of the way" (Col. 2:14). All the promises and deeds of Christ are found recorded in the New Testament. There are some prophec- ies in the Old Testament that no doubt refer to the establishing of the church, but we are interested only in the facts. Jesus promised He would build His church. "I will build My church" (Matt. 16:18), were the very words He used. This prom- ise was made to His disciples. In the nineteenth verse He used the term "kingdom of heaven" referring to the same institution. This church was going to be built while some of those disciples were yet alive. "There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power" (Mk. 9:1). This limits it as to time of establish- ment. There is no possibility of its being in the future, since it was promised while some of them were yet alive. Peter said, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). Here Peter is no doubt talking about God's judging the world, but he establishes a truth which it is well for us to remember, what the Lord has promised He will fulfill. We have read where He promised to build His church during the lifetime of some of His disciples. Our task is to find this promise fulfilled. The second chapter of Acts is a record of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, as promised; of the first gospel sermon, preached by Peter; of the first inquiry concerning obey- ing Christ; of the answer given; and of the first additions to the church. "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:47). Those who were added to the church had been baptized in water for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:37, 38). Hence the promise of Christ that He would build His church during the lifetime of some of those disciples was fulfilled and three thousand of them were baptized (Acts 2:41) and added by Christ to His church (Acts 2:47). "The body of Christ" is a term used by Paul in referring to the church. "And hath put all things under His feet, and give Him to be the Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all" (Eph. 1:22,23). He also refered to ti as the "church of Christ." At the close of this letter to the Romans he said, "The churches of Christ salute you." Of course, he was referring to different congregations in different locations. Of course, there could not be "churches of Christ" unless there was a church of Christ. However no reason- able being wants to deny that the church built by Christ is the "church of Christ." It is called the "family of God," the "house- hold of faith," "the church of God," the "church of the firstborn," and several other titles. It is perhaps referred to as "the church" more than any other of these names. That is easy to see since modern denominations were not even in existence at the time. If only one church existed in a city today, you would hear it refer- red to as "the church." Unless there was some definite thing to teach, it would be useless to say more. But since denominat- ions have been established it is wise to use some of the other names given it, so that people may know we are not talking of one of the denominations. That is why you hear it called the "church of Christ" more often than anything else. That is what it is. This title is understood more clearly than any other in the midst of many churches. It is Scriptural (Rom. 16:16), therefore it is perfectly right to use it. Members of the church of Christ, by faithful living, (Rev. 2: 10), can expect to be saved eternally. Jesus promised to save His church. "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" (Eph. 5:23). Now since the church is "the body of Christ" (Eph. 1:22,23), and He is the "Savior of the body" we have His promse to save His church. Because we know "the Lord is not slack concerning His promises" (2 Pet. 3:9), we believe He will save the faithful members of His church. Add to His promise to save this body, the statement in Acts 2:47, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" and there will be no doubt at all in your mind concerning salvation being in the church or body of Christ. Repentance and baptism were necessary to have ones sins forgiven and to be added to the church of Christ (Acts 2:38-47). The forgiveness of sins was not promised without obedience to these commands. When these commands were obeyed, it was not necessary for anything else to be done in order to become members of the Lord's church, for the "Lord added them." Hence there was no voting done by the congregation, and no joining done by the individual. (One who was baptized into Christ, the universal church, had to join himself to a local congre- gation, just as Paul tried to join himself to the church at Jerusal- em, in order to work together as a collectivity, JWS). The sinner repented and was baptized. The Lord added him to the church and promised to save him as long as he was faithful to the teach- ing of the gospel. The promises of the Lord are still true. He did build His church. He added people to it. He will add people to the same church today when they "repent and are baptized for the remiss- ion of their sins." ---- Cleon Lyles in Gospel Light, Feb. 12, 1948 republished in The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 4, July/August 2008, -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080912/bc7708a2/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 12 04:26:21 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:26:21 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) GOD HAS SPOKEN Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Friday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an artic-le from my recent files: GOD HAS SPOKEN Does the New Testament teach that Christ has ONLY ONE CHURCH? Well, let us look and see. Jesus promised to build His church (singular) (Matt. 16:18). As King of kings, He has a kingdom (singular) (Col. 1:13). The New Testament calls the church the body (singular) of Christ (Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18). Christ is the Savior of the body (singular) (Eph. 5:23). Using the shepherd-flock metaphor, the New Testament teaches that Christ is the One Shepherd (Jno. 10:11); and there is one flock (Jno. 10:16). Christians are Christ's sheep, and faithful sheep follow only their one Shepherd -- Jesus Christ (Jno. 10:4,5). Us- ing the human body metaphor, the New Testament teaches that Christ is the Head, that the body is made up of many members, yet there is BUT ONE BODY, and Christians are individually members of it (1 Cor. 12:12-20,27). The Apostles of Christ were sent forth to preach the gospel to all the world. The one gospel was revealed by Christ and the Holy Spirit, Who guided the Apostles into all truth (Jno. 16:13). The message was the same, whether spoken by Paul, Peter, John, Apollos, Barnabas or any other. There was not another gospel (Gal. 1:6-9). The one gospel produced the one body of children of God, whoever the preacher was (1 Cor. 3:21-23; 15:1-11). The Apostles did not start thirteen different churches with different doctrines and practices. The gospel (singular) is the seed of the kingdom (Matt. 13:18-23), and that pure seed produc- es the same kind of fruit, whoever does the planting. As you look at all of the differing religious bodies of denominationalism, ask yourself what produced them. Surely different kinds of seed have produced different kinds of plants. What makes one a Methodist, a Baptist, a Presbyterian, a Catholic, a Mormon, an Adventist, etc.? What passages in the New Testament tell any- one how to become a part of any of those bodies? If you obey the teaching of the New Testament alone, you will be a Christian and thus a member of the Lord's church (singular). ---------------- Gilbert Alexander. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080912/66d85f08/attachment-0001.html From preacherref01 at verizon.net Fri Sep 12 13:31:18 2008 From: preacherref01 at verizon.net (Thomas Thornhill) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:31:18 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Req> Premillenialism quotes about the church Message-ID: <48CAB576.8050105@verizon.net> Greetings brethren, I am in the midst of a series dealing with premillenialism. I am wanting to address the relationship of the church and kingdom knowing that premillenialists make a distinction. What I am looking for is QUOTES that the church was an afterthought or temporary substitute for the kingdom until He returns. Do you know of such quotes? Thanks in advance. Tom Thornhill Jr. Bellflower, CA www.roseavenue.org From tedwards at onemain.com Fri Sep 12 15:59:15 2008 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:59:15 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 9/7/08 Message-ID: <48CA91D3.10059.1C533F@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 7, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Central Place of Attitude (Philippians 2:1-4) (Warren E. Berkley) 2) The End of the World (Irvin Himmel) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- The Central Place of Attitude Philippians 2:1-4 by Warren E. Berkley If your attitude is not right, I don't think you can fix anything else! Everything else in your life depends upon attitude: Your participation in worship; Your responsibility to your spouse and children; Dealing with people; Handling temptation; Enduring suffering; Being properly related to other Christians. If your attitude is not right, you cannot effectively handle, or deal with or fix anything else. It is as Solomon wrote in Prov. 4:23, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." If we will develop good focus and clarity about attitude, that will put us in position to properly approach every other aspect of practical life. Just look at the words and phrases packed into this little paragraph: love, affection, mercy, and joy and then, consolation in Christ; comfort of love; lowliness of mind. Further, observe what is forbidden: selfish ambition and conceit. This is about attitude, and this attitude of unselfish humility is essential in order to please God, follow Christ, have personal peace of mind, and to live in harmony with others. We cannot be united with each other until we are first united with Christ. Our relationship with God through Christ is the basis of our good relationship with each other. And when we address the subject of unity, we need to be sure we work from the right place, and the right place is in Christ. If I'm living in Him, and you are living in the same place, we will be able to be united in attitude. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself." Earlier in Philippians, reference is made to preachers who may deliver the right message but their motives are wrong. Back in 1:16, there is the reference to preaching Christ from selfish ambition. Teaching from this text I recently said: For a man to think about elevating himself above another is never a right thought! I said -- For a preacher to worry about why some other preacher has more attention, or more praise or acclaim? There is never a time when that kind of thinking is justified. Now, here in Phil. 2:3, we are back to that and it is exceedingly important for every one of us to get this. "Selfish ambition or conceit" just has no good place in our attitude. Never a time... Never a place... Never a circumstance... No occasion ever, when we should be driven by selfish ambition or conceit. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit...." "Nothing!" Just forget it! These immature, selfish attitudes can never be justified. And I think we all realize, where there is selfish ambition and conceit, people don't get along and the Lord's work is not done. Isn't that right? You show me a group of people where there are power plays . . . battles for personal prestige . . . rivalry . . . desire for recognition -- it is ugly; there is discord, division, and tension people can see and feel. Selfish ambition kills churches, dishonors the cause, makes people sick, and offends God. So let's make up our mind, we will have no part in it! I need to make a specific choice. You need to make a specific choice that you will not have a parade in your own honor and that you will not exalt yourself and look down on others. You will not praise yourself, boast, or act in any conceited way. We need to learn what good attitudes are in keeping with the gospel of Christ, then evaluate ourselves, review that teaching, and determine personally: we will do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. See more about this in Jas. 3:13-18; Eph. 4:1-3; 1 Cor. 3:1-3 and Matt. 18:1-5. "...in humility, consider others better than yourselves" (Phil. 2:3b). Now let's be honest, sometimes we come to a passage in the Bible like this, and our first thought may be, "That doesn't really mean that! That has to be an exaggeration. There must be some interpretation, figure of speech, literary form, something!" Honestly, sometimes we seem to want to unload the Word, taking the power away. While there is such a thing as hyperbole, I'm convinced -- in this context -- looking now at the last phrase in verse 3 in Philippians 2, we need to let this stand, and be challenged by it: "...consider others better than yourselves." If we try to take something off of this or minimize it through some sophisticated explanation, I think we're going to wind up putting ourselves above others, and arranging ourselves above others will take us away from everything this passage says about genuine humility. Add verse 4 for further explanation: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Our selfishness may not be well concealed. We talk about ourselves . . . We get upset when people don't pay attention to us . . . We expect people to treat us in a certain way, and we are almost defensive before we meet people -- wondering if they will give us the attention we believe we need. We may have our greatest interests directed to what people can do for us, rather than what we can do for them. Self-centered preoccupation is just not very graceful. Our good brother, Walton Weaver, helps us with this in his commentary: "But Paul says the Christian must esteem others better than themselves, not merely view them as equals. This is to be done, not because it is the natural thing to do, but because as Christians we are commanded to do it. Jesus in his example showed it is the proper thing to do, and he taught that it is the mark of true greatness ... It was for this reason that the apostles commanded it. True unity among brethren is impossible without humility on the part of each Christian" (p. #77, Truth Commentaries, Philippians, by Walton Weaver.). -- Via Expository Files 15.1; January 2008 ____________________________________________________ -2- The End of the World by Irvin Himmel Among many religionists there is an expectation that Christ will come again and reign on earth. Some believe that the eternal abode of the righteous will be on the same globe which we now inhabit, following a remodeling, renovating, and purifying. Many are anxiously awaiting a utopian world of tomorrow -- a perfected terrestrial dwelling. All I know about the future is what is plainly revealed in the Bible. I invite you to consider a passage that describes what is in store for the material world when Jesus makes his second appearance: 2 Pet. 3:10. The Day of the Lord The expression "day of the Lord" may be found in various passages, and it does not always refer to the same event. The Old Testament prophets spoke of a time of Jehovah's pouring out divine wrath as the "day of the Lord" (Isa. 2:12; Jer. 46:10; Joel 2:1; 2:31; Mal. 4:5). The reference might be to an invasion from a foreign power, a time of captivity, or any execution of judgment. When Peter writes, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night," he is looking ahead to the time of Christ's coming. This statement is included in Peter's reply to the scoffers who say, "Where is the promise of his coming?" (v. 4) He shows that the same divine power that made the earth a suitable dwelling place for man (verse 5) and that brought the flood (verse 6), keeps the heavens and earth in store, "reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (verse 7). Then he shows that God does not consider time in the same way that men think of it, so time does not cancel the divine promise (verses 8, 9). Christ will come suddenly and abruptly. As men in Noah's time were not expecting the flood, "so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Warning that he would come unexpectedly, Jesus said, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." He compared his coming to the unexpected approach of a thief, again warning, "Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matt. 24:36-44). Peter advances the same thought in our text, saying the day of the Lord will come "as a thief in the night." The Heavens Shall Pass Away In that great and notable day, "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise." The Bible speaks of "heavens" in different senses: (1) the celestial realm where God dwells, Christ reigns, angels live, and the righteous shall inherit eternal life (I Kings 8:27; Matt. 6:9; Psa. 2:4; 103:19; Heb. 8:1; 2 Cor. 5:1); (2) what we call outer space, the region where the sun, moon, and stars are located (Psa. 8:3; 19:1); (3) the firmament or atmosphere just above the earth (Gen. 1:6-8). Peter's statement obviously does not apply to the eternal heavens but only to the heavens that may be considered as part of the material world. The Greek word translated "pass away" (parerchomai) means to "disappear, vanish, perish" (Analytical Greek Lexicon). Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." This presents a contrast between what is destined to disappear and what is destined to remain (Matt. 24:35). When Jesus comes in that final day, the heavens which belong to the temporal universe will vanish. The Elements Shall Melt In addition to the passing away of the heavens with thunderous roar, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat." By "elements" is meant the primary materials out of which something is composed or formed. Thayer defines stoicheia ("elements") as "any first thing, from which the others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise... 1. the letters of the alphabet as the elements of speech ... 2. the elements from which all things have come, the material causes of the universe . . ." (Greek-English Lexicon). All of this means that the basic ingredients that are the constituent parts of the temporal universe shall melt. The word for "melt" in verse 10 is a form of luo, translated "dissolved" in verses 11 and 12. The word for "melt" in verse 12 is from tekomia. The first word means "to loose," or "to break up, demolish, destroy," or "to dissolve something coherent into parts, to destroy" (Thayer). The second word means "to become liquid, to melt; to perish or be destroyed by melting" (Thayer). So Peter is saying the elements are going to be broken up, demolished, or destroyed by melting. The Earth and Works Shall Be Burned Up "Burned up" translates a form of katakaio, meaning "consume by fire" (Thayer). This is the word used in Acts 19:19 where it is reported that the people of Ephesus brought their books of magic and "burned" them. The books were not purged or renewed by fire; they were consumed. (Two or three ancient manuscripts use a word in 2 Pet. 3:10 meaning "discovered" or "laid bare," instead of "burned up." Thayer says this reading is "strange but improbable" (P. 261). "Burned up" is well supported by ancient manuscripts and fits the text better.) Note what is going to be burned up: the earth and the works that are therein. This includes all the works of nature -- the towering peaks, rolling hills, winding streams, extended plains, forests, mighty oceans, peaceful valleys, underground mineral deposits, springs and lakes, rocks and caves. It includes all the works of man -- expensive homes, sprawling cities, lovely parks, fertile farms, beautiful gardens, enormous skyscrapers, dams and highways, art and books, machines and merchandise, stocks and bonds, money and jewels, weapons and tools. The earth and all the works that are in the earth shall be consumed. The passing away of the heavens that are a part of the material universe, the melting of the elements, and the burning of the earth will take place on that great day. This will be the end of the temporal world. The termination of the physical order of things is inevitable. Peter promised a new dwelling place for the righteous, described as "new heavens and new earth" (verse 13). This new home is not the old remodeled and made over. The righteous will dwell in spiritual bodies (I Cor. 15:44), not flesh and blood bodies, in that new habitation. John says, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." The temporal world is for the physical man; the new habitation will be for the glorified man (Rev. 21:1). -- Via Truth Magazine, XV: 38, pp. 8-10, August 5, 1971 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes Due to Hurricane Gustav, we have not been able to assemble at the church building on Myrtle Street, since our last service on August 31. A large, falling tree did major damage when it broke through the roof over the auditorium. We also had additional roof damage over the class rooms, due to the strong winds, which led to more water damage. Fortunately, however, all of the members made it through the storm okay -- though most of us were without power for several days. For at least the next two Sundays (September 14 & 21), we will be assembling in the meeting room of the Hampton Inn (at 201 Rushing Road) in Denham Springs. If you are going to be in our area and would like to attend our services, we will be meeting there at our regular times for Sunday: 9:15 (Bible class), 10:00 (morning worship), and 4:00 (afternoon worship). If coming in on I-12, use exit 10 for Denham Springs. Turn north at the end of the exit ramp onto Range Avenue. Then drive the short distance to Rushing Road, where you'll make a left. Hampton Inn will be on the right, soon after you make that turn. Feel free to come and be with us. We would enjoy having you! ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Fri Sep 12 20:13:19 2008 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:13:19 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] James and Tommy Hamilton's mother Message-ID: <250A86DC2E8642CC91B4B980349FD2FB@your4dacd0ea75> Dear brethren, For any who might wish to know, Frances Thompson, the mother of James and Tommy Hamilton passed away this morning at 8:57 AM in Little Rock AR. Funeral arrangements are still pending, but will probably be next weekend. I'll send another e-mail when I find out. If you would like to contact James, his address is 5210 Boone Rd. Bryant AR 72022. The home phone is 501-778-5705. James' cell phone is 501-303-0465. His wife, Ellen's, is 501-303-0464. His e-mail is jhhamilton2001 at yahoo.com Tommy Hamilton teaches as Florida College, Temple Terrace, FL, and he can be contacted there. I do not have his home address. I am James's father-in-law and if wish to contact me, e-mail me and I may have more information. brotherly, Tommy Thornhill thornhill1 at frontiernet.net -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080912/d8505398/attachment.html From wswalker310 at juno.com Fri Sep 12 15:53:39 2008 From: wswalker310 at juno.com (Wayne S Walker) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:53:39 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] hymn study, "Leave It There" Message-ID: <20080913.085105.2644.1.wswalker310@juno.com> Wayne Walker here with another weekly hymn study. "LEAVE IT THERE" "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee..." (Ps. 55:22) INTRO.: A song which exhorts us to cast our burdens upon the Lord and let him sustain us is "Leave It There" (#235 in Sacred Selections for the Church). The text was written and the tune was composed both by Charles Albert Tindley (1851-1933). Born at Berlin, MD, the son of slaves, he taught himself to read and write at age seventeen and worked as a church custodian while attending night school and studying by correspondence course. Eventually, he became minister with the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA, the same church where he had been janitor before. Known as one of the founding fathers of American gospel music, he produced around fifty hymns. Perhaps his best known song is "We'll Understand It Better By and By" which is found in a few of our books. Another beloved favorite of his, "Nothing Between," has also appeared in several of our books. His hymn "I'll Overcome Some Day" was the basis for the American civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome" which was popularized in the 1960s. "Leave It There" was published in 1916. One day a church member who was a constant worrier visited Tindley. After listening to the fellow for a while, Tindley told him, "My advice to you is put all your troubles in a sack, take them to the Lord, and leave them there." After the copyright was renewed in 1944, it was assigned to the Hope Publishing Co. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord's church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the only one that I know of where the song may be found is Sacred Selections. The song mentions several specific burdens that we should take to the Lord and leave with Him. I. Stanza 1 talks about poverty "If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold, And you have to get along with meager fare, Just remember, in His word, how He feeds the little bird; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there." A. Sometimes the world withholds of its silver and its gold, as it did with the apostle Peter: Acts 3:6 B. At such times, we may have to get along with meager fare, even as the apostle Paul knew how to be abased, hungry, and suffering need: Phil. 4:12 C. However, the Lord has promised to take care of His people just as He takes feeds the little bird: Matt. 6:25-26 II. Stanza 2 refers to pain "If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain, And your soul is almost sinking in despair, Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there." A. There are times when even God's people suffer pain and health problems: Phil. 2:25-26, 2 Tim. 4:20 B. Such sickness can even cause our soul to be sinking in despair, which is why Christians who are sick are told to call for the elders of the church so that the elders can minister to their spiritual needs during their illness: Jas. 5:14-15 C. Jesus knows our pain and can heal; yet even if He does not heal, He will give grace needed to endure whatever thorns in the flesh we may suffer: 2 Cor. 12:7-9 III. Stanza 3 speaks about enemies "When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail, Don't forget that God in heaven answers prayer; He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through. Take the burden to the Lord and leave it there." A. Every child of God has enemies of some sort or another in this world: Ps. 6:6-7 B. However, we have a God in heaven whose ears are open to His children's prayers: 1 Pet. 3:12 C. Therefore, we can look to Him to lead us safely through any persecution: Matt. 5:10-12 IV. Stanza 4 tells of old age "When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on, And your body bends beneath the weight of care, He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there." A. Old age is part of the process leading to death when we return to the dust from which we came, as God decreed following the introduction of sin into the world: Gen. 3:19 B. Often, old age is accompanied by problems which causes the body to bend beneath the weight of care: Eccl. 12:1-7 C. However, God has promised those who serve Him that He will never leave them in old age but go with them to the end: Isa. 46:4 CONCL.: The chorus continues to remind us of the imprtance of taking our burdens to the Lord. "Leave it there, leave it there, Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there; If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out. Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there." Life upon this earth is filled with many different kinds of problems, and Christians are not exempt. We often have to deal with the burden of want, bad health, persecution, and loss of youth, but the Lord has promised that He will guide, sustain, comfort, and provide, if we will bring Him our burden and "Leave It There." Brotherly, Wayne S. Walker 9024 Amona Dr. Affton, MO 63123 home phone: (314) 638-4710 e-mail: wswalker310 at juno.com website: www.defenderoftruth.com Notes: Other hymn studies are available at the Defender of Truth website. Also, some of my previous hymn studies are now included in book that I have written entitled Songs of Zion. It can be ordered from the publisher by calling 1-800-423-2484 or going to www.faith-facts.com. And if you would like to receive a similar daily hymn study by e-mail, you can join the Hymn of the Day list by sending a blank e-mail to hymnoftheday-subscribe at yahoogroups.com or subscribing from the Web at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday/ . In addition, I have a Hymn Studies blog at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hymnstudies/ . Also, since this has been called to my attention, I now feel it necessary to include this disclaimer with each message. As owner of this list, I have nothing to do with the ads and links that Yahoogroups sends out with the Hymn of the Day posts nor do I have any control over them. I do not necessarily approve of them and I do not always endorse those who have placed them with Yahoogroups. ____________________________________________________________ Find precision scales that can weigh anything. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3mPT4HDZhYtiO6owKruNkEFnIoPxRR68ahlYcOijrm6TJmr6/ From tssullivan at charter.net Sat Sep 13 22:07:04 2008 From: tssullivan at charter.net (T. Sean Sullivan) Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 22:07:04 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] The Messenger Vol 003 Iss 031 Message-ID: <46AF04555A0D4B62AD08938DA18BA67D@sean1a4c1f786> T he Messenger 2008 Published Weekly by Main Street Church of Christ 306 West Main Street, Newbern, TN 38059 731-627-3514 Bulletin Editor: T. Sean Sullivan VOLUME 003::ISSUE 031:: September 14, 2008 ARTICLE ONE: Part of the Plan: Belief ARTICLE TWO: Part of the Plan: Repentance Article One: Part of the Plan: Belief Introduction: Part of the plan of salvation is "belief". "Belief" and "faith" and interchangeable words and the Bible declares, ".without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Belief is the essential motivator: It is individual: you cannot believe for anyone, nor can anyone believe for you. It is to be based on God's revealed will alone (1 Corinthians 4:6 "do not think beyond."). It must be knowledge and action. We need to consider the role of belief in the plan of salvation, let's open the scriptures together in order to more accurately know "belief". What Causes Belief? Belief is informational. We are presented with ideas that we in turn accept or reject. With this information we are must be careful to know that rejection does not mean exemption (John 12:48). Belief is a free choice, however, because of this freedom to choose many have chosen false conclusions and doctrines to place their belief. The same freedom allow for both teachers and students to be wrong in their beliefs. Is there any hope of believing only the truth? Yes-there is a standard (John 8:31-32). False teachers can, and must, be tested (Acts 17:11; Galatians 1:6-8; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; Revelation 2:2). The gospel holds the power of belief. Belief is powerful. Humankind can accomplish amazing feats when the set their minds to believing they can. The gospel is the trigger that brings belief in the plan of salvation (Romans 1:16-17). We encounter information in the gospel that is not found from any other source. God loves you enough to consider your need for hope and life. To provide that hope He provided His Son's life, which was sacrificed for no other reason that to give you the opportunity of salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28). It is God's love that should provoke our own response. God does not threaten us into acceptance of His rule. He entreats us with loving kindness to open our eyes and our hearts to the truth that improves our lives and provides our Heavenly hope. Belief, without action, Dies There is too many who claim to "know what the Bible says". Without action this knowledge merits nothing. In the Day of Judgment we will not get by with saying, "I should have"-we need to take action (2 Corinthians 5:10). Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-24). Justification is found by "doing the will of the Father" (Matthew 7:21). If you know that Jesus Christ is the Savior you need to take action to make His salvation your own. Saul of Tarsus came to the knowledge of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God (Acts 22:6-10). This knowledge did not save him-he was still lost in his sins. It is when we followed the instructions, foretold by Jesus, from Ananias that he was saved (Acts 22:16; Acts 9:18). Do You Believe? Do you believe Jesus? Notice the question? It is not "Do you believe IN Jesus?" it is, "Do you believe Jesus". Jesus is the Son of God, proven by many signs and wonders (John 20:30-31). Jesus paid the price of our salvation (Hebrews 9:22-28). He has established a plan of salvation (Mark 16:16). If you believe with all your heart: now is the time for action (Acts 8:35-38). There is no tomorrow in Heaven, act like there is no tomorrow to prepare for Heaven (2 Corinthians 6:2). Conclusion: A willingness to listen is the first step toward your salvation. Hearing the information and obeying it is your next step. Belief is part of the plan. God has provided the information and it is understandable. You can know the truth and do it. God desires your success! Are you ready to change your life today, if you believe, act on that belief right now. Do not stay on the first step, move ahead to your salvation. ~tss Article Two: Part of the Plan: Repentance Part of the plan of salvation is repentance. Even though we may hear this word often and even use it ourselves.Do we understand what it means? We must understand that the action of repentance is key to pleasing God. There have been some strange ideas in regards to repentance. Some have thought it is penance. They inflict suffering upon themselves as payment for their wrongdoing. The wages of sin cannot be paid this way (Romans 6:23). Some have thought it is reporting. They have become so used to confessing their mistakes that they simply feel better about their wrong-doing when they report it to their brethren. We need to know what real repentance is. The English word repent: From the 13 century meaning: "regret for sins or crimes." Our words "regret" and "repent", in archaic language the two were the same word. All this being said we conclude that repent means to "regret and sorrow over wrong doing". We need more than a language lesson lets search the scriptures and come to a better understanding of repentance. What Is Repentance? Repentance is the determination to change. It is both physical and mental. The willingness, however, dies without being followed by the action. Real repentance is demonstrated for us in the parable of the Prodigal (Luke 15:11:24). A man's son decided to pursuit his own desires and left his father (vs. 12). His wander-lust brought him to wasteful prodigal living (vs. 13-16). He then realizes his mistake and desires a change: This is the beginning of real repentance. He first recognized his error (vs. 17) and then, determined to change; removed himself from the sinful activities (vs. 18-19). In his case he had to give up his lifestyle and completely change his life. He acted on his determination by returning to his father (vs. 20-21). This record is an important demonstration of our own repentance. At some point in our lives we turn from God's will to pursuit our own (Romans 3:23). The sin in our lives enslaves us (John 8:34; Romans 6:16). We must desire to change our lives and then take action on that desire. We cannot continue in our sin, we cannot stay where we are at, we must return to God. First we must realize that we have sinned and are in sin. Literally "come to our senses, return to sane thinking". Then we must remove the sin from our life. This may require a change of dwelling or change of habitat (the places you frequent). This may require a whole change of lifestyle. Then we must return to the Father (God). Either by becoming a Christian (Acts 2:38). Or, by returning to faithful service as a Christian (Acts 8:22). Truly Repenting We cannot play with important things like repentance. True, real, or proper repentance is directly related to our forgiveness. Acts 2:38, "What shall we do. Repent and be baptized". Acts 3:19, "Repent therefore and be converted". Luke 13:1-5 "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish". 2 Peter 3:9 "all should come to repentance If we do not stop the sinful activity then being forgiven is useless. Once we return to the sinful activity our forgiveness is no longer valid. True repentance is visible. John the Baptizer called for the "fruits of repentance". Matthew 3:5-10 "Visible fruit". Not only say. "I have repented" but you show it; make it apparent. Example: "You repent of using the Lord's name in vain or cursing then you must quit using those words and others will not hear you say those words." True repentance is not a magic wand. You cannot keep repentance in your pocket to pull out and wave over you sins as you commit them. It is a determinate action that we use to show ourselves desirous of being forgiven. A Commitment to God, Self, and to Others Repentance is a personal action before God. When we realize that sin is a rebellion against God (Lawlessness 1 John 3:4). We should understand that repentance is the opposite action-it is the returning back to God from the rebellion of sin. When we repent we re-commit our life to doing God's will. We must continue to hold up our end of that commitment; if we do God will forgive (Acts 8:20-22; 1 John 1:9). We also make a commitment to our self to stop sinning. We have sinned-given in to temptation (James 1:13-15). Repentance is a renewed commitment to stand strong against temptation. It is a renewed committed to seeing and using God's help (1 Corinthians 10:13). We determine to put off the old man of sin and death (Ephesians 4:22). In repentance we also make a commitment to others. Sins effects others. When we have sinned against our brethren it can disrupt all of our lives. We have to approach others just as we would approach God to ask for forgiveness. The commitment to repent must be the same as well. Then we must know that it will take time and effort to bear (make visible) fruits of that repentance. Conclusion: Have you sinned? Yes, if you are at the age where you are accountable to God, you have. Are you bearing fruits of repentance? Have you truly repented? Returned to the Father put away the things of sin in your life? If you have then rejoice in and maintain that repentance. If you haven't then right now is your opportunity to start. Is there a sin that you need to repent of so that God will forgive you? Again, repent today; make it known to God that you know you have sinned and that you are striving to put it out of your life. Remember though it is a commitment: to God, to yourself, and 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 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080913/c5ce1ea5/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2886 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080913/c5ce1ea5/attachment-0001.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9535 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080913/c5ce1ea5/attachment-0001.gif From crxtra at gmail.com Sat Sep 13 22:59:16 2008 From: crxtra at gmail.com (Steven C. Harper) Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:59:16 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] A> Judging With Righteous Judgment Message-ID: <000601c9161e$43350d30$c99f2790$@com> From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. Editor: Steven Harper September 14, 2008 Judging With Righteous Judgment The world's favorite Bible passage must surely be Matthew 7:1, where Jesus said, "Judge not, that you be not judged." This verse is most often cited when someone points out a sin in the life of another and the accused one is then quick to reveal the depths of their Bible knowledge by citing this one verse - though they often do not actually comprehend its proper meaning and application. Now, even brethren feel compelled to use this as a defense [in reality, a diversion] when their sin or worldly behavior has been revealed. The fact is, Jesus was not forbidding judgment completely - just unrighteous judgment. He made that apparent when He then said, "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you" (v. 2). Basically, Jesus is saying we should not judge others with a measure of judgment we would not want for ourselves. But Jesus also went on to say, "Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (vv. 3-5). In this illustration, we should note a few things that are often overlooked when we get in a hurry to redirect attention off of our sins and onto the supposed faults of another. First, Jesus said we should consider our own faults [which are sometimes bigger] before noting the faults of others. In this world, it is common for us to note how "terrible" some people's behavior is, but fail to notice our shortcomings. Often, the faults of others seem "major" while ours are only "minor" - at least in our own opinion. Jesus urges us to take a look at self before we take a look at others. Second, we should note that Jesus did not forbid judging altogether. In the illustration of the mote and beam, please note that He said we should take care of self first and then take care of our brother. After we have honestly examined ourselves, it is then acceptable to note the fault of another - but not just to point it out. Which brings us to the next point: Finally, Jesus said we should not just point out this fault in our brother, but we should then help him get rid of it! Again, in the illustration of the mote and beam, Jesus said we should take the beam out of our own eye so we can see clearly to "take the speck out of your brother's eye." It is not enough for us to simply note the faults of others; the only reason we should even note the fault of another is to help them get rid of that fault! Sometimes, we are so intent on pointing out the faults of others that we forget to do the more important task of helping them to rid that fault from their lives. Friends and brethren, that is often the sole difference between being a fault-finder and one who is an edifier! If you're looking for faults in others, you will probably find some; but Christ reminds us a greater effort should be put forth in helping one another to eliminate faults. What good would we be to the world if we simply pointed out each other's faults, but did nothing to rid those faults from our lives? We can claim no honor in just being able to list our faults or the faults of others; honor comes when we strive to rid them! But let us again consider the matter of whether or not Jesus forbade judging. From this context - if read in its entirety - we can see that what Jesus was forbidding was unrighteous judgment, not all judging. In fact, we find that on another occasion Jesus said, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). Jesus neither forbade nor exhorted His disciples to get involved in making judgments, but clearly taught that whatever judgments they did make had to be righteous judgments; their judgment was to be neither hypocritical nor unrighteous. But what is "righteous judgment"? If we are called upon to make judgments or if we are in situations where judgment is demanded, how is it to be done so it meets the definition of "righteous"? Let's consider a few things that will help us to better understand: First, when we are called upon by the circumstances of any given situation to make a judgment about spiritual matters, the judgment we make cannot be based on our own standards. Personal opinion has no part in spiritual matters and all opinion is equally useless. The standard by which we will be judged is the words of Jesus Christ (John 12:47, 48), so that is the standard we must use when making judgments about spiritual matters. A policemen who pulls you over cannot write you a ticket because he personally thought you should get one; he speaks and acts by the authority of the laws of the land in which he lives and works; in the same sense, we cannot impose our personal judgments on others, but must speak "as one who speaks oracles of God" (1st Pet. 4:11). Second, we cannot make inconsistent judgments or judge with partiality; by that, I mean we cannot judge one more strictly than another when both are guilty of the same error. In order for judgment to be called "righteous," it must, of necessity, be fair and just. Of course, circumstances must be considered, but fairness must be the basic foundation of all judgment. Brethren who rightly condemn those who teach error must be willing to condemn their friends who teach error, too. When we apply a harsher judgment on one because he is not in our 'circle' of friends or judge another more leniently because he is, then we have judged with unrighteous [hypocritical] judgment. Third, we cannot make judgments based on outward appearances; that is stated explicitly by Jesus in John 7:24. I am sure we have all been in situations when we would not want to be judged by our outward appearances at the time; we should consider that the same could be true of the one whom we are about to judge! Things are not always as they appear and the wise writer tells us, "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame" (Prov. 18:13). If we have not heard or seen all the facts, and make a judgment anyway, we are truly foolish - but we are also unrighteous judges (Jas. 2:1-3). Fourth, we cannot make judgments merely as a response to someone judging us. The sad fact of life is, some brethren will make judgments about others only because the brother had said something that convicted them of sin and they, in return, sought to temper their guilt by now accusing their accuser of sinister intentions or - as we have already seen - they feel compelled to remind the accuser, "Judge not, that you be not judged." Such childishness is shameful when we hear it from those of the world; how much more so when our own brethren resort to such! When others convict us of sin, we would do well to follow the example of David who, in answer to Nathan's conviction, simply replied, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2nd Sam. 12:13), and we must resolve to make the necessary corrections. Our light will not shine any brighter when we blow out someone else's. Fifth, If we must judge, we should judge with mercy, for "judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy" (Jas. 2:13) This goes back to the earlier statement of Jesus that reminds us we will be judged with the same measure of judgment we have used on others (cf. Matt. 7:2). I cannot speak for you, but I am positive that we will all desire mercy when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Finally, we must judge righteously - with no regard for possible consequences. Sadly, some withhold judgments because they know they fear losing favor, fear physical threats, or fear financial loss. In each of these cases, the standard [the words of Christ] is not what decides, but the consequences. Friends and brethren "right" is "right" regardless of what follows; judgment based on consequences cannot be called "righteous"! Yes, some may suffer because of righteous judgment, but it will still be righteous. If we must judge, judge with righteous judgment. -- Steven Harper -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080913/15ad1e61/attachment-0001.html From thornhill1 at frontiernet.net Sun Sep 14 07:56:21 2008 From: thornhill1 at frontiernet.net (thomas thornhill) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:56:21 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] funeral for Frances Thompson Message-ID: <6FF4DDBFBD4B40C0968FB39623894A7F@your4dacd0ea75> For those interested, this is a follow up post concerning the death of Frances Thompson, mother of James and Tommy Hamilton. She passed away Friday morning. The viewing will be at the Beebe Funeral Home, Beebe, AR from 3 PM til - After the viewing, the body is to be cremated, and a memorial service will be held the next day at 11 PM, Saturday at the building of the 65th street church in Little Rock AR. The family solicts your prayers during this time of mourning. brotherly Tommy -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080914/1cde3f21/attachment-0001.html From richardthetford at msn.com Sun Sep 14 16:38:47 2008 From: richardthetford at msn.com (Richard Thetford) Date: Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:38:47 -0600 Subject: [Biblemat] Walking in the Light (9/14/08) Message-ID: Walking in the Light "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105) September 14, 2008 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 --- CONTENTS: "The Conversion of Saul" (Richard Thetford) "Knowing the Lord is a Pursuit" (Selected) "Is It A Letter From You?" (Bob Pulliam) SENTENCE SERMONS --- THE CONVERSION OF SAUL Richard Thetford The book of Acts chapters 9, 22, and 26 tell us of the conversion of Saul, known later as the apostle Paul. By learning about Saul and his conversion we can learn what we must do in order to be a Christian. What kind of man was Saul? When he was talking to young Timothy and explaining that Jesus came into the world to save sinners he added: "of whom I am chief" (1 Tim 1:15). He clearly admitted that he was beyond a doubt a sinner before God. Before we can be converted to the Lord, we must first recognize as Saul did that we are a sinner (Rom 3:23). Saul knew he was a sinner even though he came from a very good ancestry (Phil 3:5), and had a great education (Acts 22:3). So just because we might have a wonderful family background and a great education, that alone can't save us. No matter how well known our family is and no matter how much college and other schools we have attended and completed, we still must acknowledge we are in sin and need God's help. What Was Saul's Great Sin? But what was Saul's great sin that moved him to tell Timothy that he was chief among sinners? He explains in Acts 22:4 that he was involved in persecuting Christians. There it says: "I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women." He felt bad that he had delivered Christians up to be killed and thrown into prison. He did this, but he did this ignorantly. He told Timothy "although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1 Tim 1:13). Saul's mistake was in regard to religion, he thought that he was right, but in fact he was very wrong. In Acts 26:9 he said: "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities." Paul later admitted before anyone that would listen that he was wrong in what he did. He further stated that when he was doing these things contrary to God's will that "I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Gal 1:14). And all the time that he was zealously persecuting Christians he did so in all GOOD CONSCIENCE (Acts 23:1; 24:16). What can we learn from Saul's great sin? We should learn that a person may think he is right, be zealous, have a good conscience and yet still be WRONG! Until we are willing to open up the Word of God and read what we MUST do in order to be saved, with an honest and open heart, then we too might very well be guilty of doing sin, yet in good conscience. Remember "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17). We will never know what it is that we are SUPPOSED to do if we do not read it. We can never gain Bible faith, if we don't read it! Saul Becomes an Apostle and a Christian Let's take a moment to carefully distinguish between the things that made Paul an apostle and the things that made him a Christian. The things that transpired in Acts 22:6-9 is what allowed Paul to call himself an apostle. The text says: "Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? So I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me." In this reading we can understand that Jesus appeared specifically to Paul (verse 9), not to any other. He understands and explains that this event happened because he was chosen to be a "witness" for Christ. The scripture says: "Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard" (Acts 22:14-15). Saul became a Christian when he OBEYED the voice of the Lord. In Acts 9:6 it says: "So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Why did the Lord tell Saul to go to Damascus and see a man named Ananias? Because that work had been committed into the hands of men. Why was it that Ananias did not tell him to believe? Because Saul was already a believer at this point. Why didn't Ananias tell Saul to repent? Because he was already penitent. So what was it then that Saul was told to do? In Acts 22:16 it says: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Saul was not saved, was not a Christian, until he was baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27). That is the only way his sins could be washed away. The very same way that the sins were washed away (forgiven) on the day of Pentecost when Peter preached the first sermon. At that time Peter commanded the people: "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). We can learn a valuable lesson from Saul. When he learned the truth - he OBEYED and was baptized. Have you leaned the truth, OBEYED, and been baptized? Tomorrow may be too late! --- KNOWING THE LORD IS A PURSUIT Selected Healthy relationships do not just happen. Rather, they require cultivation, time and maintenance. Hosea, a prophet of the Old Testament, understood this principle and told Israel it was possible to really know God if they were willing to expend the time and energy to do so. He said, "Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD. His going forth is established as the morning; he will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth" (Hosea 6:3). Jesus would add later that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we would be filled. Our relationship with the Lord must be developed as we learn more about Him. It should be cherished, carefully pursued, and preserved. --- IS IT A LETTER FROM YOU? Bob Pullium Dear Preacher, I found your note on the door the other day. I just imagine that you came by to see why we were not at the services last Sunday. Well, I feel that I should explain so there will be no misunderstanding. You know that one thing we will never do is miss church without some kind of a real good reason. Last week was the birthday of the sister of my wife's sister-in-law (by her first marriage). We never miss attending any birthday in either of our families. So we just had to be out of town. We left here in time to go to worship over there, but they had early services at 10:30. Is it scriptural to have them earlier? Well, anyway, we did not get to go that morning. We planned to return early enough to make the evening services, but the children raised such a ruckus that we stayed until 7:00 PM. The services started over there at 7:30, but we had to leave in order to keep from staying out too late with the kids. Preacher, it would do you good to be out on the road on Sunday morning sometimes. It would give you some idea as to how careless the world is about worshiping Christ. Many of the people we passed had boats behind their cars. Now you know they could at least have gone to services first. Think of all the money they spent for motors, boats, and supplies. I wonder if they ever thought of giving some of that money to the work of the Lord? Don't worry about us; I'm convinced that we should leave our contribution here at home. We gave the new members across the street our $2.00 to put in for us. I hope that they see it pays to be a regular and liberal giver and attend the services regularly. We will see you Sunday. Oops, I forgot! Deer season opens next week. But after that we will see you every Sunday. Sincerely, I.M. Weak --- SENTENCE SERMONS Sometimes silence is not golden but yellow. It is easy to see the faults of children - IF they belong to someone else. Before you try your hand at something, make sure you try your brain. Great trials are often necessary to prepare us for great responsibilities. If you help someone up the hill, you will find yourself closer to the top. Contentment comes not so much from great wealth as from few wants. Untold thousands are lost almost every day - untold! God truly instructs those who take time to listen to His Word. A great mind is always a generous one. --- SERMON Is Your Jesus Who You Think He Is? (with PowerPoint Charts) www.thetfordcountry.com --- 1414 Hawk Parkway, Unit C Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 626-5558 www.sanjuanchurchofchrist.org ASSEMBLY SCHEDULE Sunday Bible Study..........10:00 A.M. Worship......11:00 A.M. Wednesday Bible Study......6:30 P.M. Evangelist/Editor Richard Thetford Building: (970) 249-8116 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/20080914/5e3b01f1/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 9304 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080914/5e3b01f1/attachment-0005.gif From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 15 05:51:03 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:51:03 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) VESSELS UNTO HONOR AND VESSELS UNTO DISHONOR 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 recent files: VESSELS UNTO HONOR AND VESSELS UNTO DISHONOR Paul writes to the young preacher, Timothy, and urges him to flee immorality so that he might be a "vessel unto honor." His reference is to Timothy's person or body and how he should en- gage in honorable conduct (2 Tim. 2:20,21). The word "honor" means what is of "value" or "worth." Something that is precious was considered "honorable," wheth- er it was a gold vessel or a life of righteousness. Paul speaks of homes that have gold or silver vessels that are viewed with "honor" and wooden and earthen vessels that are described by the word "dishonor." He is comparing the two bowls with a life of purity and a life of sin. The first is considered a "vessel" of honor the other a "vessel of dishonor." Vessels of honor are disciples who are sanctified in Christ and have purged themselves of evil. They then are "meet for the master's use," meaning they are suitable to serve in the kingdom of Christ. Such a one is "prepared unto every good work." When men in Christ fosake sin, they live honorable lives and as vessels of honor God can use them in the good work of His kingdom. Where Paul speaks of "vessels unto honor," he als writes about "vessels of dishonor." The term "dishonor" suggests that such disciples are of no value in the kingdom. They are not suitable and prepared to be involved in the kingdom business of life in Christ. He also writes of this matter to the church in Thessalonica. There he speaks of "fornication" and the "passions of lust" that were prominent in the world of Gentiles. Thessalonians, as Cor- inthians and Gentiles in general, at one time engaged in lusts of the flesh with no regard for moral uprightness. When these Gentiles obeyed the gospel, they had to learn the "will of God," which Paul describes as "your sanctification." The word "sanctified," as the word "holy," meant to withdraw from or set oneself apart from sin. And it included the dedicat- ion of oneself to purity and righteousness. Purity and righteousness meant for a man to "possess him- self of his own vessel in sanctification and honor" (1 Thes. 4:3-7). The honorable life meant to put away moral uncleanness so that they were not seen by God in judgment as a vessel unto dis- honor. ----------- L.A. Stauffer in Son Rays, Vol. 30, No. 23, Sept. 7 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/9d6d72ea/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Mon Sep 15 05:51:12 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:51:12 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF MARRIAGE (1) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF MARRIAGE The night I knew my wife and I were destined to a life togeth- er was when we sat alone in a car and solemnly vowed that the most important goal in our lives was first to to go Heaven, and secondly, to go there together. I cannot tell you many of the de- tails of our courting days, (she can) but this is one night that stands out in my memory as a vivid moment. I can tell you the make of the car, what night of the week, and exactly where on the campus we were parked. Up to this time we had played the games people play; experienced tht usual break-ups and conse- quential make-ups; generally handling our relationship as frivol- ously as a yo-yo. But something happened this night (it had been developing all along, only we were too immature and self- centered to notice) that took our one-on-one relationship, and changed it into a one-on-one commitment. We were suddenly awed by the knowledge that God, Who placed the solar system into being and keeps it from flying apart, was also holding our lives in place at the core and if He would remain there, would keep us from flying apart. We didn't know then what a heavy impact this knowledge would have on our lives, on our life together. We had not learned the bedrock prin- ciple out of which the greatest degree of intimacy and love in marriage would evolve. Unfortunately, many couples in, and most out of the church never learn this key of keys to marriage at its best. I want to share it with you, although you are single at this moment, because if there ever is a time when that condition will be subject to change, I pray you will keep this principle as a prerequisite for marriage. A married couple must be held toget- her at the center by a holy love which is stronger than their own. Charlie Shedd, noted marriage counsellor, said it this way: "That couple who understands that their union is for Someone greater than the two of them has discovered the secret gate to marriage at its best." At the human level, marriage is a uniting of two persons into a bond of oneness. They become one in purpose, in interest, in flesh, in economics, in a familiar group, in name. The intimacy which is enjoyed by this couple interlocks their beings into a bond which overcomes their separateness. The horizontal union is a beautiful thing. If you can make a visual picture of a man and woman joining hands, you see a horizontal, unbroken line. All the interaction, communication which flows back and forth along this line is necessary and essential for them to main- tain a healthy marital situation. At any point, however, one or both of them could break this line by refusing to keep the harm- onious giving and taking continuous. For example, when a hus- band and wife communicate fully about all activities of their day, they stay current and knowledgeable about the other. If, how- ever, one partner decides to withhold a part of his experience, the line weakens at one link. If that is a volatile area, like per- haps finances, or sexual feelings (to name only a few), the con- sequences of that weak link could become a break in the line. A deep commitment between two lives will not stand long with a break in this line before the relationship suffers or fails. If I could name the one factor that accounts for more marria- ge break-ups than any other; it would not be infidelity, sexual incompatability, money problems, or religious differences. It wouild be because of a lack of communication. The horizontal line that binds a marriage together is the blending of thoughts and feelings which are openly expressed by each person in the relationship. A couple who exist, however, solely for their own gratificat- ion even if it is based on an unselfish interest in the other; is not experiencing a full and complete life together. The horizontal line is vital and must be maintained; but in the fuller expression of their intimacy there is a vertical diminsion that leads to the Heavenly throne of God. No single factor does more to give a marriage joy or to keep it both a venture and an adventure in mutual fulfillment than a shared commitment to spiritual discov- ery. I believe that the single most important and necessary ele- ment of marriage is spiritual intimacy. I mean the sense of a vital relationship with that which transcends our brief, fragile exist- ance. I mean a relationship with the realm of value and meaning and love at its ultimate best. This need for spiritual intimacy includes a basic need for a sense of "at homeness" in the universe, with myself, with"us." (More will be posted on this subject tomorrow, the Lord willing, JWS). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/77d02206/attachment-0001.html From jmickells at juno.com Mon Sep 15 12:13:03 2008 From: jmickells at juno.com (Jimmy R Mickells) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:13:03 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Unless You Are Converted Message-ID: <20080915.121304.3812.4.jmickells@juno.com> ?Unless You Are Converted? ?At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ?Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?? Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ?Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me? (Matthew 18:1-5). There are a number of things that we can learn from this text that can benefit us as the people of God. Let me suggest a few things in hopes that each can draw closer to our Lord and be of greater services to Him. The disciples wanted to know who was greatest in the kingdom. Jesus didn?t say that you had to be a great general like King David. Neither did He say that one had to posses the wisdom of Solomon. He does not need to build an ark, cross the Red Sea, fight the Philistines, nor rebuild Jerusalem. Yet he must humble himself and become as a little child if he is going to be a part of the kingdom. Greatness, in the eyes of God, involves service (Matthew 23:11). Those that will be a part of the kingdom, achieving greatness before the Lord, are those that will humble themselves and be the servants of others. It is not about exalting self and others serving me. Humbling one?s self and becoming as a little child is a part of true conversion to the Lord. The word ?converted? is defined as ?metaphorically to turn one?s self from one?s course of conduct, i.e. to change one?s mind? (Thayer, p. 591). Vincent, in his word study, says, ?The word converted has acquired a conventional religious sense which is fundamentally truthful, but the essential quality of which will be more apparent if we render literally, as Rev., except ye turn. The picture is that of turning round in a road and facing the other way? (Word Studies in the New Testament, p. 103). Instead of one looking for greatness, at least in man?s eyes, he seeks to serve and the Lord will exalt him. Are you humble enough to recognize the need you have for salvation that is offered only through the Lord? If you are meek and lowly, through faith, repentance, confession, and baptism God by His grace will save you. These verses expose the false doctrine that one is born a sinner. One would not need to be converted and become as a little child (if the child is born a sinner); he would already be like the child (a sinner). The wise man said, ?Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes? (Ecclesiastes 7:29). Sin is a transgression of the law. Listen to the words of John, ?Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law? (1 John 3:4; KJ). For one to become a sinner, he must first transgress the law of God. Which law has a new born baby transgressed? A child is not guilty of sin because his father disobeyed God. ?The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself? (Ezekiel 18:20). Every man, woman, and child suffer the consequences of the sin committed by Adam, but none bear his guilt. Let me illustrate what I mean with an alcoholic dad and his family. The family of such a man suffers because of the choice that he made to be a drinker of alcohol. They are not guilty of his sin because of his choice, but suffer because of it. The same is true with each of us; we are not sinners because of Adam?s sin, but we do suffer because of his choice. We become sinners when we violate the commands of God. Every person that is accountable before God is a sinner and is in need of forgiveness (Romans 3:23). We need to turn from our sinful course of conduct and be obedient to the will of the Lord (Acts 3:19). May we humble ourselves, be converted and become as a little child, serving God and our fellow man the rest of our life. Want to truly be great? Then serve! Jimmy Mickells ____________________________________________________________ Click for free quote on refinancing your mortgage. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3m3eQu2MhnESyZ6j9kGka6KLjSjgvKvfsdWgESdNVmzwLs1W/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/3ac6d820/attachment-0001.html From kerux at bellsouth.net Mon Sep 15 13:58:41 2008 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (Kent Heaton) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:58:41 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] A>He will lift you up (Kent Heaton) Message-ID: <43E1270376694AA29F5DD5635CD23DF7@D2381J91> He Will Lift You Up (Kent Heaton) Many are the trials borne upon the shoulders of the people of God. The path is long and the way is difficult when serving the King of Kings. Life brings its sorrows, its burdens, it turmoil. The hands grow tired and the knees weak from the heat of the day. As the war rages furiously for the heart of man, the promise of our Father leads us forth as a banner of hope and victory. As thirst in a dry land we long for relief and help in our time of trouble. The trumpet calls forth the message, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10). What greater joy can the child of God have than to know the mighty hand of the Father will lift us up (1 Peter 5:6)! Do you grow tired? Are you weary? Can you see the Father coming to lift you up? Our Father is not unaware of our burdens. He pleads with us to let Him be the center of our lives to allow Him to lift us up. We stumble and fall through our weakness but He has promised to lift us up. Sin does not have dominion over us (Romans 6:14) yet we fail Him. The Beloved apostle John reminds us of God's love for us, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). From the filth of our sin He lifts us from the mire. Through our confession He lifts us up anew with the cleansing of His wonderful grace. David knew all too well this lesson. His sin with Bathsheba wrought a host of misery bringing the man of God to a "broken and contrite heart" (Psalm 51:17). In his shame he declared to Nathan the prophet, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2 Samuel 12:13). Jehovah God reached down and lifted David up and restored his soul. David writes, "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Psalms 32:1). The king of Israel humbled himself and the Lord lifted him up. The trials of life bring us down and burden us. With age come more burdens that almost overwhelm us in our challenges faced daily. Friends forsake and disappoint us and we fail them. Loved ones are taken. Hopes and dreams are dashed. Our faith is challenged on every level and we cry out for help. In our cries we humble ourselves before the Lord and He lifts us like a weeping child and comforts us in the bosom of His love. "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Imagine the Maker of the world cares for me. He knows my every need (Matthew 6:8). He fills my cup to overflowing (Psalm 23:5). He lifts me up when I humble myself to Him. The Lord will lift us up when we bow before Him. We cannot receive these blessings if we refuse to fall before Him. He will not lift up those who lift themselves up before Him. God seeks those who hearts are humbled by the majesty of a Father's love. The Father lifted up His Son on a cross to draw all men to Him (John 12:42). William Law wrote, "Humility is nothing else but a right judgment of ourselves" (Christian Perfection, 1726). At the height of our pride we are but infinitesimal dust before the Creator. And yet on this small blue marble of a world called Earth He cares for me. He knows when I fall and through the vast reaches of the void between my heart and His love; He reaches down and picks me up. Thank you Father for your hand of mercy, your strength of love and your promise to abide with me as I abide with you (John 14:23). Lift me up when I fall. Let me humble myself before you that you may show your power in my life. Kent Heaton 207 NE Fourth Avenue Trenton, Florida 32693 (H) 352-463-6916 (O) 3793 (C) 352-283-3889 www.trentonchurchofchrist.com NEW: AUDIO FILES www.northfloridabiblecamp.com If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. (Ronald Reagan) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/b7949208/attachment.html From thomasc at msu.edu Mon Sep 15 15:30:30 2008 From: thomasc at msu.edu (Craig Thomas) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:30:30 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] S>Saddest Words in the Bible Message-ID: <20080915203030.E97C5BC19B@dumbledore.whizardries.com> Saddest Words In The Bible I. Introduction: 1. Nobody likes to hear sad words, but the Bible contains a long list of sad words. 2. There are many important lessons we need to learn from the saddest words in the Bible. 3. Let?s carefully consider the ramifications from some of the saddest words from the Bible. II. Discussion: 1. ?Some Mocked?: Acts 17:32 A. Comment on Acts 17:16-34; read vss. 30-32a. B. It is truly sad when people make light of the resurrection of Christ. C. For the resurrection of Christ is the most important event in history! (1) It declared Jesus was God?s Son (Rom. 1:4; Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23; 1 Cor. 15:13-19). (2) Through the resurrection we are promised judgment and called to repentance (Acts 17:30-31). (3) It is through the resurrection that we are ?justified? (Rom. 4:24-25; Rom. 6:5-6). (4) Baptism saves by the resurrection (1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12). (5) Through the resurrection we are ?begotten to a living hope? (1 Pet. 1:3). 2. ?We Will Not Walk Therein?: Jer. 6:16 A. Discuss the situation in Jer. 6 and read and discuss verse 1610. B. Unfortunately many today have the same attitude as these people (Jer. 6:10). C. The validity of our claim to be God?s people requires us to walk in the ?light? of His word (Psa. 119:105): (1) ?walk[ing] newness of life? (Rom. 6:4). (2) ?in the light? (1 Jn. 1:7). (3) ?by faith? (2 Cor. 5:7; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Gal. 1:6-9). (4) ?worthy of [our] vocation ? (Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:5; Lk. 9:23). (5) ?in love? (Eph. 5:1-2). (6) ?honestly? (1 Thess. 4:11-12). D. How sad for us, or anyone, to say, ?We will not walk therein.? 3. ?Who Concerning the Truth Have Erred?: 2 Tim. 2:17-18 A. Read and discuss 2 Tim. 2:17-18. B. Unfortunately many who obey the truth err, or fall away from it! C. How do brethren err from the truth? (1) Succumb to the allure of riches (1 Tim. 6:10; Lk. 8:14; Lk. 12:16-21). (2) Succumb to the allure of fleshly desires (1 Cor. 10:6-8; 9:24-27). (3) Succumb to false doctrine (Gal. 1:6-9; 1 Jn. 4:1, 6). (4) Succumb to spiritual laziness (Rev. 2:10; Heb. 5:12; 10:25-31). D. Regardless of the cause, those erring from the truth are lost (Gal. 5:4; Jas. 5:19). 4. ?Concerning the Faith Have Made Shipwreck?: 1 Tim. 1:19-20 A. Read and discuss 1 Tim. 1:19-20. B. A shipwreck (e.g., on 4/15/1912; 1,517 souls lost on the Titanic!) is a disaster, but making ?shipwreck? of one?s faith is even a greater disaster (Matt. 16:26). C. How do so many make ?shipwreck? of their faith? (1) Faith made ?shipwreck? by false teaching (2 Tim. 2:17-18; common in today?s ?PC? world! 1 Jn. 4:1, 6). (2) By ?depart[ing] from the faith? (1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:3-4; Jer. 6:10, 16). (3) By denying the faith (1 Tim. 5:8); failing to discharge our responsibilities. (4) By casting off one?s faith (1 Tim. 5:12); sensual desires stronger than desire to serve Christ. 5. ?And the Door Was Shut?: Matt. 25:10 A. Think of how sad it must have been when the door on the ark was shut! Gen. 7:16 B. Read and discuss Matt. 25:1-13. (1) Those who were ready went in. (2) The others made a start, but failed to enter because they did not remain ready. C. Unfortunately the majority will find the door shut (Lk. 13:23-30). 6. ?Depart From Me?: Matt. 25:41; 7:21-23 A. Many will hear those chilling words! B. Who? (1) Those failing to use their talents (Matt. 25:30). (2) Those who are not benevolent (Matt. 25:41). (3) Those not entering through the ?narrow gate? (Lk. 13:22-30). (4) Those who are ?bloodthirsty? (Psa. 139:19; Prov. 6:17; 2 Kgs. 24:3-4). (5) Those who are ?workers of iniquity? (Psa. 6:8; Matt. 7:21-23). C. Discuss 2 Thess. 1:7-9; could one hear any sadder words than these? 7. ?Go Thy Way For This Time?: Acts 24:25 A. Those are the words of Felix after hearing a gospel sermon (Acts 24:22, 24-25). B. Sadly, many people are like Felix: (1) So close to the truth, but so far way! (2) He heard the truth; Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, temperance, and judgment. (3) As far as we know Felix never had another opportunity to obey (vs. 27). C. We never know when our last opportunity for obedience will come! Jas. 4:14; Jer. 15:6; Rom. 1:28; 2 Cor. 6:2 8. ?Almost?: Acts 26:28 A. Consider Agrippa?s words to Paul, ?Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.? (Acts 26:28) B. Circumstances leading to Agrippa?s words (Acts 26:1-29). C. Words are the basis for the song we sing entitled, Almost Persuaded (Philip P. Bliss, 1871): ?Almost persuaded? now to believe; ?Almost persuaded? Christ to receive; Seems now some soul to say, ?Go, Spirit, go Thy way, Some more convenient day On Thee I?ll call.? ?Almost persuaded,? come, come today; ?Almost persuaded,? turn not away; Jesus invites you here, Angels are ling?ring near, Prayers rise from hearts so dear; O wand?rer, come! ?Almost persuaded,? harvest is past! ?Almost persuaded,? doom comes at last! ?Almost? cannot avail; ?Almost? is but to fail! Sad, sad, that bitter wail ?Almost,? but lost! D. Agrippa believed (Acts 26:27), yet failed to obey! Many ?believers? will be lost (Jn. 12:42; Matt. 7:21-27). E. Almost is but to fail! (1) Can you imagine on the judgment day saying, ?I was almost a Christian,? or ?I was almost faithful as a Christian?? (2) Like Felix, we never read of Agrippa having another chance to obey (2 Thess. 1:7-9). F. ?Almost? happens to many people everyday (e.g., gospel meeting flyers). III. Conclusion: 1. Don?t ever allow any of these sad words to be legitimately applicable to you! 2. If any of these sad words are applicable to you; you can change that today by obeying the Lord N-O-W! Remember, ??Almost? cannot avail; ?Almost? is but to fail; Sad, sad that bitter wail?Almost,? but lost!? Adapted from ?The Saddest Words In The Bible,? in Gospel Meeting Sermons by Johnie Edwards, 1979, Faith and Facts, Indianapolis, IN "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58) ************************************************************************* M M III Craig V. Thomas M M M M I Just a Christian (Acts 11:26) M M M M I 350 Pineridge Lane M M M M I Sandusky, MI 48471 M M M III E-mail: thomasc at msu.edu Phone: 810-648-5009 (home) Phone: 810-404-3402 (cell) ************************************************************************* "Perseverance is that quality of character that sees a thing through in spite of adversities and even though results are not immediately visible." John Witt "The greatest battles of life are fought out daily in the silent chambers of the soul." David O. McKay -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/122c8012/attachment-0001.html From gregsmith104 at hotmail.com Mon Sep 15 15:32:32 2008 From: gregsmith104 at hotmail.com (GREG SMITH) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:32:32 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Shepherding the flock Message-ID: As a congregation here we are making a renewed commitment to look after one another better as a whole. With approximately 150 in attendance regularly it is a sizable task in the absence of elders and deacons. I would love feedback, as detailed as you wish to get, as to how other congregations accomplish this work. I know of some that have attendance taken at every service and then a group each week will meet to commit to the work of contacting any that were not there. Another has the members divided into groups that meet at least once a month that basically concentrate on anyone in their group that they know is absent or has a need of any kind.I would also be interested in anything you may have tried that was not successful so we don't spend our time experimenting with something that has already been proven to be unfruitful for someone else.Look forward to hearing from ya'll.Thanks in advance. Greg Smith _________________________________________________________________ Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns!550F681DAD532637!5295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_domore_092008 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/5361341a/attachment-0001.html From myhan at cox.net Mon Sep 15 22:08:12 2008 From: myhan at cox.net (Bob Myhan) Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:08:12 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Looking for an email address Message-ID: <002e01c917a9$744ec140$b1b9b946@desktop> Am trying to contact Gilbert Alexander by email. Bob Myhan 3901 Northside Drive, Apt. 2L Macon, GA 31210 www.foresthillschurchofchrist.com Get InstaVerse FREE http://www.wordsearchbible.com/InstaVerse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080915/f7e7a18a/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 16 03:44:23 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:44:23 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) WHAT ABOUT ORIGINAL SIN? Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Tuesday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an artic- le from my recent files: WHAT ABOUT ORIGINAL SIN? Original sin, otherwise known as, "Inherent Total Depravity," is a popular doctrine among most religious organizations today. The idea of original sin teaches, "The natural man is enslaved to sin, he is a child of Satan, rebellious towards God, blind to truth, corrupt and unable to save himself or prepare himself for salvat- ion." Moreover, "man is wholly defiled in all parts of the soul and body from birth," Basically, original sin teaches that human beings are born with sin and unable to separate themselves from it. This sin is inherited from Adam and Eve who became sinners in the Garden of Eden and were cast out of the garden because of their sin. They were the original forebearers of us all. Total depravity, however, is foreign to New Testament Christ- ianity. During the first two and a half centuries, Christians taught that children were born innocent, as white as the driven snow. Original sin was not taught until the fourth century. Histo- rically speaking, this doctrine was created 250 years too late to be an original teaching of God, therefore, it is no part of the origi- nal doctrine of Christianity. We must stand against this teaching by first proclaiming the truth about sin. By definition, sin is an act, "that which is done wrong, a violation of the divine law of God" (Thayer, pg. 31). Add- itionally, sin is a transgression of the law of God, a failure to do what God has commanded, all unrighteous behavior (1 Jno. 3:4; Jas. 4:17; 1 Jno. 5:17). The Bible teaches that men cannot be guilty of sin until they break the law. Furthermore, God's Word reveals the guilt of sin cannot be transferred from one person to another (Ezk. 18:1-24; Jer. 31:27-30; Deut. 24:16; 2 Chron. 25:4; 2 Kgs. 14:6; Gal. 6:5; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12). The truth concern- ing sin is that no one is guilty of sin unless they are disobedient to God's Word. Secondly, we must explain the true nature of children. Jesus told His disciples that unless one becomes like a little child, they will by no means enter into the kingdom of God (Mk. 10:15). From this statement, we learn that little children possess the qualities required to enter the kingdom of God. Now, unless sinners can enter the kingdom of God, which tehy cannot do, Jesus teaches that little children are without sin, they are not found, because they have never been lost. They are not saved but are in a safe condition having never been lost (Lk. 18:15,16; Psa. 106:37,38; 1 Cor. 14:20; 6:9; Rev. 20:8; 22:15). Finally, we must demonstrate that men have free-will and the ability to obey God. Man is created with free-will; the ability to choose right and wrong. Adam was created a full grown person not as an infant child. He had the abilities from the beginning to hear and understand the Will of God for him. An infant that is born into this world in the natural process that God has instilled in mankind, does not have the ability to hear, read, and under- stand the Will of God for him. He must over a period of time grow into an accountable person, once he is accountable to God, he must obey God's Will or he will be lost in sin (Matt. 22:3; Lk. 7:30; Jos. 24:15). Full-grown men and women have the abili- ty to learn and obey the Will of God (Jno. 7:17; Rev. 22:17; Hos. 5:15). From these two points, we learn that man has the ability to choose and obey or else disobey the Will of God. In connection, the doctrine of original sin is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. Historical evidence shows that inherent total depravity originated from man in the third century A.D. and is no part of the teaching of God. As Christians, we must take a stand against this doctrine as well as all other man- made doctrines. ----- Adapted from an article by Jason Schrader in Son Rays, Vol. 30, No. 23, Sept. 7, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/02dad9fd/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Tue Sep 16 03:44:34 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:44:34 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF MARRIAGE (2) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the second part of the study on this particular subject. Use to the glory of God. THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF MARRIAGE (2) Every human being is born with a physical body and a spirit- ual soul. The body craves for food, moisture, air, the right balan- ce of vitamins and chemicals to sustain life. The soul also has needs. When the soul exists without God, there is a void in that person, a place of emptiness that nothing can fill. This void may be expressed as a "a groping for more meaning to life," "insecur- ity," "exaggerated confident demeanor," "lack of moral values," "inability to sustain a meaningful relationship." The person may not even be aware of what is missing, but the soul of that person will grope and struggle as long as there is life within the body for the Eternal Being for which the soul was created in the first place (Rom., 8:19,20; "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; for the creation was subject- ed to futility, not of its own will but by the will of Him who subject- ed it in hope." God created us as independent agents, able to choose or reject God as a dweller in our soul. If He had chosen to create us as robots (as was His right), we would serve Him automatically and rigidly. But where is the love or satisfaction in that kind of service? Since we are created in the image of God we can readily realize how miserable would be that kind of relat- ionship. Say you marry a robot: she kisses you when you push one button, cooks a gourmet meal with the turn of another swit- ch, and at your bidding, recites words of love and affection. Would you really feeled loved, accepted, needed? No person can exist with that sort of insensitive creature. So it is with God; He did not choose to create us with automatic responses to Him, but with the ability to choose Him at our own will. There- fore at the center of our being is an empty core waiting for the only Being worthy of existance therein. 1 Cor. 3:16, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" When we invite God's Spirit into our life, He fills the void, sets our lives aright, and this fulness of the Spirit of God gives us a peace in our soul that enables us to be at peace with the Universe. That is the at home- ness that we must experience if we can successfully interlock our life with another life. God is "at home" in our soul, I am "at home" with myself; I can then invite another to interdwell my "home' with me. A "help meet" that God has prepared for me. If you will recall the visual image we mentioned at the start of this lesson, of two people with joined hands forming a continuo- us horizontal line; I now ask you to add to that picture a line ex- tending from above which joins God's hands with the other hands of the couple. Now the couple is complete, the communi- ction between the partners now adds a new vertical dimension which enhances their bond and completes the circle of love. So deeply personal is the live of the spirit within us that when we are able to share this aspect of our life with another we are sharing the most tender and precious kinship we experience So delicate is the life-line of union The Prophet said: "Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of life can contain your hearts." When we can safely place our trust and hearts into the hands of God, then we have taken the necessary step that will bind us for eternity. How do you maintain this vertical element in marriage? The same way you sustain the horizontal -- communication. Comm- unication with God. It is an old cliche but more often than not -- true: "The family who prays together stays together." No more than a man and woman could consider themselves one and inti- mate creatures who never talked to one another; could a couple consider their relationship witht he Father a healthy loving bond without communication with Him. The links that bind our Triad of Unity are all dependent on this one factor: I give of myself openly and fully to my mate, and to my God; I receive openly and fully God's presence and love, and that of my mate's. I like to recommend to couples who come to me for initial counseling that they make a contract or pact to set aside some time each day when they can look Godward t.ogether. I do not necessarily feel this needs to be time of praying outloud together, that is often awkward and embarrassing so that it is easy to give it up after a few attempts. Having a special time we can close out life's mundane, nagging problems; and regain our spiritual peace and unity, keeps the marriage on the Heavenly plane where it belongs. I hear some sociologists asserting that one solution to the in- creasing marital breakdown of our times is to make divorce hard- er. That is not the answer. It is to make marriage what it should be. And what it should be is a sacred triad relationship between the Lord and you and your mate forever and ever. When you find the person who makes you want to give up your singleness and become a couple, remember to look first for the spiritual unity of your souls, then God's richest blessings will flow on you and yours abundantly. ------ Gary R. Beauchamp via The Sower, Vol. 53, No. 2, March/April, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/ed3af2ea/attachment-0001.html From kthomas at dnet.net Tue Sep 16 15:18:42 2008 From: kthomas at dnet.net (Kenneth E. Thomas) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:18:42 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Sermon, Coming To Jesus Message-ID: <48D014A1.000003.03816@KENSCOMPUTER> This is my first attempt at writing since a stroke messed up my eyesight I got new glasses this morning. It is still difficult to see but is enough better that I can write and soon I believe I will be able to drive. Thanks for your prayers! Coming To Jesus By Kenneth E. Thomas That many are the religious people who are familiar with the idea of "coming to Jesus" I may say without any fear of needing correction. I cannot say the same about the understanding of many concerning "how one comes to Jesus" I am sad to say. The fact that all accountable human beings need desperately to "come to Jesus" is to every Bible believer a fact which none will deny since "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), and since "the wages of unforgiven sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Jesus Has extended The Invitation To Every (accountable Being when He said in (Matthew11:28-30)" Come unto Me, all ye who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest . Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls." He was speaking of lifting the burden of unforgiven sins, "soul rest" if you please Some Things Involved In Coming To Jesus Not only did Jesus affirm, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me,"(John 14:6). He also said, "No one can can come to Me except the Father who sent Me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day," Many are those who stop reading at verse 44. But notice with me the next one: "It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught of God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned of the Father comes to Me." (John 6:44-45) It should be obvious to any right thinking person that "hearing and learning" about Jesus (and His gospel) are prerequisite to "coming to Jesus." One should therefore not be surprised in the least to learn from the "Great Commission" passages as given by Christ to His chosen apostles, that these elements and more are found clearly stated. Men must be taught and come to know the God of the Bible. In His prayer to the Father Jesus prayed as follows: "And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3). See also what the Hebrew writer wrote about the New Covenant as opposed to the Old, "6: But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 7: For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8: For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10: For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their lawless deeds (sins KJV) I will remember no more" (Hebrews 8:6-11). As the apostles began to carry out the worldwide commission given them by Christ, when they encountered those who had no knowledge of the one and only true God and His Son Jesus Christ, this became the beginning point of their sermon, at least this was true in the case of Paul at Athens, Greece. "16: Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17: Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18: Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.19: And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? 20: For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21: (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) 22: Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23: For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. 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: 31: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:16-32). . Let?s read them one by one (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:45-49). Suffice it to say, unless one has complied with the conditions for salvation as given by Christ in the "Great Commission", that this one has not "come to Jesus!" As one reads each account of his worldwide commission given by Jesus to His chosen ambassadors which was to last till the end of this last age of time, the steps leading to conversion follow a logical pattern which breaks down into the following-men must: Hear the gospel-Believe its facts-Repent of past sins and error and be immersed for the remission of past sins in order to become a convert to Christ and a member of His blood bought church, See the following cases of conversion to Christ. 1). Some 3000 Jews on Pentecost day=(Acts 2:22-47) 2). More Jews (Acts 3:11-19). 3). Some Samaritans=(Acts 8:5,12). 4). A former sorcerer= (Acts 8:13). 5). A Queen?s treasurer= (Acts 8:26-39). 6). Saul of Tarsus=(Acts 9:1-6; 22:16). 7). A business woman=Acts 16:14-15). 8). A heathen jailor=(Acts 16:16-34). This was some 600 plus years before Roman Catholicism was born and some sixteen hundred years before Protestantism was known to man that sincere people by the thousands heard, believed and obeyed the commands of Jesus as given in the great comission and became simply and only Christians, members of the church that Jesus died to bring into being, If men today are taught what they were taught, believe what they believed, they will become what they became, if not, please tell me why not? Kenneth E. Thomas 221Rolling Acres Trail Franklin, North Carolina 28734 http://www.geocities.com/kethomas_2000/index.html Email: kthomas at dnet.net 1 (828) 349-3514 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/f259d854/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/f259d854/attachment-0002.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 17694 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/f259d854/attachment-0003.gif From listbox at claytons.net Tue Sep 16 10:28:48 2008 From: listbox at claytons.net (Terry Clayton) Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 08:28:48 -0700 Subject: [Biblemat] Shepherding the flock In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: To Greg and the List; Personally I don't know how it can be done. I do think that churches avoid putting in elders because of two main reasons. 1st they are waiting for the Perfect Man to come and worship with them to be an elder. There are no perfect men. How would the early church have survived without elders? These references from the ESV show an important issue that I believe shows the absolute necessity of elders. Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:22-24 (in Context) Acts 14 (Whole Chapter) Acts 15:2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. Acts 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. Acts 15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. Acts 15:22 [ The Council?s Letter to Gentile Believers ] Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, Acts 15:23 with the following letter: "The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Acts 16:4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 2nd it appears we do not appoint people to be elders as we have been required. Preachers know the qualifications. We know the men, we often know their weaknesses as well so it is up to us to "appoint" elders in every church. But preachers fall down on their job as well because they are afraid to appoint elders waiting for those perfect men to show up. Titus 1:5 [ Qualifications for Elders ] This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you? And then of course there is the problem of telling those who don't qualify to run the church that they don't qualify. John said he would take care of that when he came. And when he came I bet he did! I was not a perfect choice as an elder. I have issues. But I think you would find the congregation is glad I am an elder now. In fact they put me up twice because a brother passed away. But I know I have grown in the work, I now enjoy the work and if I ever moved to another congregation (grandchildren might cause me to.) I would not hide the fact that I have served as an elder. And don't confuse the work of deacons with that of elders. They are very different. Terry Clayton listbox at claytons.net John 3:36 Those who believe in the Son have eternal life, but those who do not obey the Son will never have life. God's anger stays on them." On Sep 15, 2008, at 1:32 PM, GREG SMITH wrote: > **** > * Bible Matters mailing list > * http://biblematters.net/mailman/listinfo/biblemat > * You are subscribed as: listbox at claytons.net > * Send postings to: biblemat at biblematters.net > New Forum addresshttp://www.network54.com/Forum/602460 > Join Bible Matters Group for forum at - http://www.network54.com/Group/158452 > > * List owner: Mike Hughes (macmikeal at me.com, http://www.mikealrhughes.com > , > Mickey Chandler (mickc at churches-of-christ.com, http://www.churches-of-christ.com/) > ***** > As a congregation here we are making a renewed commitment to look > after one another better as a whole. With approximately 150 in > attendance regularly it is a sizable task in the absence of elders > and deacons. I would love feedback, as detailed as you wish to get, > as to how other congregations accomplish this work. I know of some > that have attendance taken at every service and then a group each > week will meet to commit to the work of contacting any that were not > there. Another has the members divided into groups that meet at > least once a month that basically concentrate on anyone in their > group that they know is absent or has a need of any kind. > I would also be interested in anything you may have tried that was > not successful so we don't spend our time experimenting with > something that has already been proven to be unfruitful for someone > else. > Look forward to hearing from ya'll. > Thanks in advance. > > Greg Smith > > > Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live. > Learn Now _______________________________________________ > Biblemat mailing list > Biblemat at biblematters.net > http://www.biblematters.net/mailman/listinfo/biblemat -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080916/a8eab3f9/attachment.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 17 03:22:36 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:22:36 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) IN GOD WE TRUST? Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is a study from my files. Use to the glory of God. IN GOD WE TRUST? Turn on your radio to any local talk show and before long you will hear somone complaining that God is being removed from society. Without a doubt this person will site such examp- les as the removal of "In God We Trust" from our money, the un- constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance because of the phra-se "One Nation Under God," the removal of the Ten Command- ments displays from public buildings, or the prohibition of pray- er in public schools. Many Christians have "rallied 'round the flag" of the fight to keep God's name in the consciousness of America by keeping God's name on our money, on our walls and on our lips. But is this the fight in which Christians should be engaged? Is the purpose of the church to fight for the public display of God's name? Or is the fact that God's name is being removed from our society merely a symptom of a greater illness? If a doctor addresses the symptoms of hsi patient's disease but never diagnoses the problem, he is at best incompetent, at worst irresponsible. The same is true with our current societal sickness. God being removed from our society is but a symp- tom of a greater illness. If our efforts merely "cure" the sympto- ms then have we really accomplished anything? The illness is that people have not given their hearts to Him and this is manifested by the symptoms of removing all traces of God from society. What then does God want from us as a nat- ion? God Wants His Name On Our Hearts, Not Just On Our Walls: -- As Moses' life is coming to a close, he relates the words of God to the Israelites: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart" (Deut. 6:5,6). Moses follows this statement with commands to teach the law diligently to their children and write the law on the door- post and gates of their homes (vss. 7-9). If His law does not dwell in our hearts then the practice of writing His name on our doorpost and gates yields nothing. For generations God's name and laws have been written on the doorpost and gates of our country with little results because they are not written on the hearts of the people. Christians should fight to write the name of God on the hearts of the people, not merely on the walls of our country. God Wants Us To Not Only Honor Him With Our Lips But With Our Hearts: -- In rebuking the Pharisees of His day, Jesus quot- es the prophet Isaiah: "These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me" (Matt. 15:8,9). God doesn't want our lip-service by just the minting of His name on our money, or the posting of command- ments, or the recital of the pledge. God wants our hearts! Don't be fooled by the devil. If we engage in the fight to keep God's name in society without the people of the nation first giving God their hearts, then we only exacerbate the illness. (I think that we must keep God's name before the people of the world in order to get them to accept Him and thereby change their lives and actions. Of course, just putting God's name out in public on walls and billboards will not accomplish a complete change in people's hearts, but our actions and teachings of His Word at every opportunity afforded us, will be an effort to bring them to Christ, JWS). God Wants Us To Obey His Voice And Then He Will Be Our God And We His People: -- Our nation exists in a paradox. Some would call us a "Christian nation," yet immorality permeates our society. Does the placing of God's name on our money, our walls or in our schools make us a "Christian nation"? From Jeremiah we learn God's thoughts: "Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you" (Jer. 7: 23). If this nation is to ever be comsidered a "Christian nation," then we must heed the voice of God and walk in His ways. We must write His name and law on our hearts and draw near to Him in worship with more than our lips. Only in so doing will He bless us. Our efforts should not go to secure God's name in our national emblems. Our efforts must go toward securing God's name in the hearts of our friends and family. When we direct our efforts to curing the illness, the symptoms will take care of them- selves. ---------- Adapted from an article by Clay Gentry in Biblical Insights, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/4cebb47f/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Wed Sep 17 03:22:25 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 04:22:25 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) CORE VALUES Message-ID: 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 recent files: CORE VALUES The "core" of an apple or other kinds of fruit is its central or innermost part. "Core" is also used metaphorically to denote "the central, innermost, or most essential part of anything" (Ran- dom House Dictionary). The core of man is his soul, his spirit, his heart. This is the inward man that reasons, is moved by emotions, and wills to act in certain ways. This is, we might say, the control center of the being that God created in His own image (see Gen. 1:26,27). The "value" of something describes its "relative worth or im- portance" (Random House Dictionary). It can refer to the mone- tary value attached to a coin or paper denomination. It can also reflect the worth of some material item of merchandise. But in an abstract way value is attached to principles or standards for human behavior, whether religious, moral, or ethical. When men speak of a person's "core values," they point to the essence of his thinking, his beliefs, his convictions -- the views about life that control him, that motivate him. Why, for ex- ample, are people devoted to God and walk by faith and live relig- ious and moral lives of righteousness and holiness? Why do some people hang out at bars, use filthy and vain speech, and engage in lascivious and immoral behavior? The answer to these questions is -- because of who they really are! These practices simply reflect their "core values" -- what in their innermost being, in their essential person they con- sider to be of importance or worth. The "core value" of man, un- like an apple or peach, is not fixed and unchangable by some instinct or inherent law of nature. Men are different from the rest of earthly creation. They can reflect, weigh, and analyze ideas and views to determine what is good or what is bad. When they conclude that there is a God who is holy, righteous, pure, and perfect (see 1 Pet. 1:15,16; 1 Jno. 3:3-7; Matt. 5:48); when they see God as their Creator with the right to set the standard of be- havior for man; when they know that this standard of right and wrong is revealed in the Bible -- then they understand what has "value" and what the "core" of their being should be. What man, the creature, must then do is fill his soul with the Word of truth and shape his mind with righteous and holy princi- ples. As God's law to Israel was written in stone, so His new covenant will must be engraved in man's heart so that the core of his being is formed after the likeness and perfection of God Himself (see Heb. 8:8-13; Eph. 4:20-24). This can only come through study, meditation, and faith. When man walks by faith the "core values" of eternal truth will control his behavior and people will know he really is of God. --------- L.A. Stauffer in Son Rays, Vol. 30, No. 23, Sept. 7, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/7b7b9083/attachment.html From nesewell at windstream.net Wed Sep 17 09:45:43 2008 From: nesewell at windstream.net (NESewell) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:45:43 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Definition of Evangelical Message-ID: <48D11817.000003.20304@CRDESKTOP> Brethren: Norman Sewell here. I was asked yesterday to define the word evangelical, as in "Evangelical Christian." I had to tell the man, unfortunately, that I really didn't have a clear definition. I know the idea goes back as far as Martin Luther, but I still don't have a clear, simple definition. If you can help me with this I would appreciate it very much. nesewell at windstream.net From kthomas at dnet.net Wed Sep 17 11:07:38 2008 From: kthomas at dnet.net (Kenneth E. Thomas) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:07:38 -0500 (Central Daylight Time) Subject: [Biblemat] Poem, Appreciating God's Blessings Message-ID: <48D12B4A.000008.01672@KENSCOMPUTER> Appreciating God?s Blessings By Kenneth E. Thomas Every good and every perfect gift Comes down from the Father of lights He Is the one in whom we live and move And it is in Him that my soul delights! The most precious gift He ever gave Was His own Son who died for me So my soul could be saved from sin From bondage in sin set me free! This freedom comes by the gospel Which is His power to save the lost Christ gave it this mighty power By dying on the old rugged cross! Not only by dying did He save me It is because He also arose from the grave Then when I was baptized into His death That was the moment my soul was saved! (James 1:17; John 3:16-17; Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 151-4; Romans 6:3-6; Galatians 3:26-29; Acts 2:37-38; 1 Peter 3:20-21; acts 22:16) Kenneth E. Thomas 221Rolling Acres Trail Franklin, North Carolina 28734 http://www.geocities.com/kethomas_2000/index.html Email: kthomas at dnet.net 1 (828) 349-3514 - Home -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/3a98b458/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 289 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/3a98b458/attachment-0002.gif -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 17694 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/3a98b458/attachment-0003.gif From kerux at bellsouth.net Wed Sep 17 15:43:05 2008 From: kerux at bellsouth.net (Kent Heaton) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:43:05 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Unity quote Message-ID: <8D0AC033D74F474F89AFFF879E81BAD2@D2381J91> A clergyman was once asked whether the members of his church were united. He replied that they were perfectly united - frozen together. (Old Farmer's Almanac, 1865) -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080917/4544658d/attachment.html From shewemail at earthlink.net Wed Sep 17 11:55:25 2008 From: shewemail at earthlink.net (shewemail at earthlink.net) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:55:25 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] Definition of Evangelical In-Reply-To: <48D11817.000003.20304@CRDESKTOP> References: <48D11817.000003.20304@CRDESKTOP> Message-ID: <48D1367D.3070509@earthlink.net> Brother Norman, This is a very difficult question for anyone to give a definitive answer. The modern usage of the term "evangelical" has very little to do with Lutheranism, although some might argue that the WELS denomination MIGHT be considered evangelical in the modern sense. Among those who teach "baptism for the remission of sins" and who oppose the instrument, there are some who are ultra-liberal such as Shelly, Lucado and Fudge. (Lucado actually denies the necessity of baptism.) There are "conservative institututionalists" such as Jim Waldron (had to use the first name there - so no one would think I was slandering Bob.) and there are those who believe as I do in the sanctity of the Lord's ownership of the local treasury. Well if we liken the Mainstream Protestants to Lucado, Shelly and Fudge - and if we can endure being compared to the Fundamentalists just for the sake of this analogy (I don't like the comparison, either.) then the evangelicals are comparable to those who engage in all aspects of institutionalism but still think that Shelly, Fudge and Lucado - are off their rocker. However, the Evangelicals are beginning to splinter apart. Just as many of the offspring of the institutionalists of the 50s and 60s are now engaged in things that their parents would have opposed, so also the evangelicals are going off in all directions. For several reasons, I can never recommend that a Wikipedia article be taken as definitive (for example, read sometime what they say about us) - however, their articles are frequently somewhere within the vicinity of verisimilitude. (laughter) Here is the link to Wikipedia's article on "Evangelicalism" - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelicalism If anyone was annoyed by my comparison of the pre-millennialistic, politically active, faith-only, recreation-sponsoring and institutionally supporting fundamentalist protestants - I assure you that I do NOT consider their views to be even on the same continent as mine, metaphorically speaking. Hope that this helps, brother Norman. James Shewmaker From wrglom at netzero.net Wed Sep 17 23:46:32 2008 From: wrglom at netzero.net (wrglom) Date: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 23:46:32 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] Define Message-ID: <01d501c91949$8b0f6a00$dd69153f@yourrvlnhr6v8d> Please define the WORD 'intercongregational' as is used among faithful brethren in the last 50 years? Thanks in advance. O'Neal Martin wrglom at netzero.net Norton AV Controlled ____________________________________________________________ Click here to compare prices and features on point of sale systems. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/fc/Ioyw6i4s0e6hTDOKjOjToWFlIchgZ3XZL9FLlLAGWWAphYCMV9Whq4/ From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Thu Sep 18 04:23:04 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:23:04 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) GOD'S WILL IS THE SAME 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 recent files: GOD'S WILL IS THE SAME God's will is the same. What I mean by that is that God's will is the same as it was yesterday. It has not changed. It is the same as it was last week...last month...last year. It is the same as it was a thousand years ago. God's law has not changed in all this time. Jude 3 says, "Beloved, while I was very diligent to write toyou concerning our common salvation, I found it necess- ary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Observe here Jude exhorted these to "contend earnestly for the faith." "The faith" he said, was "once for all delivered." In defining the word translated "once" in this passage, J.H. Thayer in his Greek-English Lexicon says, "once, one time" and further discusses the word by saying, "used of what is so done as to be of perpetual validity and never need repitition, once for all." (pg. 54). The same word is used in Heb. 9:28, we read, "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many;..." Christ will not come again and again to offer Himself for our sins. He did that once and it is of perpetual validity and it does not need to be done over and over. So, God has revealed "the faith" to us "once" and He will not come again and again to reveal more of His will to us concerning our salvation. He did it once and His word is of perpetual validity and it does not need to be done over and over. So, in view of this we do not look for any new doctrines. He will not add to what He has given and will not take away any- thing. He has already given His Will. His Law has not changed. This is not to say that God's Law has never changed. It has! In Heb. 7 we find a discussion of the priesthood of Christ...The text shows that Christ was not a priest of the "Levitical Priesthood". Under it the people received the Law of Moses. It is pointed out in Heb. 7 that Jesus was of the tribe of Judah and in verse 14 says "...of which tribe Moses spake nothing of the priesthood." So, verse 12 says, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law." Someone may ask, "How do you know that this new Law we have in the New Testament will not be changed? There are several reasons: 1. A Change Is Forbidden: -- Gal. 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." 2 Jno. 9 "Whosoever trans- gresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." 2. Eternal Life Is Found In The Words Of Jesus Christ: -- "From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Jno. 6:68. 3. We Will Be Judged By The Words Of Jesus Christ: -- "He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." Jno. 12:48. Do not expect to meet these "latter day revelations" of man in the judgment. 4. And As We Have Already Noticed, The Faith Has Been "Once And For All Delivered To The Saints." Look again at Jude 3. According to this verse, God will not reveal to man any new doc- trines. There will be no latter day revelations. In spite of all that God has said (and in this short article we have not exhausted what the New Testament teaches on this matter) there are new doctrines and laws that men have originat- ed and taught. But on this road we dare not travel. ----- Cecil F. Cox in Gospel Power, Vol. 15, No. 36, Sept. 7, 2008. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080918/326ee6e6/attachment.html From myhan at cox.net Thu Sep 18 10:51:06 2008 From: myhan at cox.net (Bob Myhan) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:51:06 -0400 Subject: [Biblemat] THE FOURFOLD WILL OF THE SOVEREIGN GOD Message-ID: <000701c919a6$5ccbdea0$b1b9b946@desktop> THE FOURFOLD WILL OF THE SOVEREIGN GOD INTRODUCTION: Does God make all decisions? Can an individual know the will of God? Can the will of God be defeated? Are such things as tragic accidents and deformed infants the will of God? The answer to these questions depends on what one means by "the will of God." At least five words, involving three separate and distinct ideas, are used in scripture to express God's will in its various aspects. Without going into detail as to the exact words, themselves, the ideas are desire, permission and purpose. THE IDEAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires man to be and/or do as the ideal. B. God desires that no human being ever sin, even one time (Gen. 2:15-17; 1 John 2:1). C. God desires that all men believe in, love and obey Him always. D. This is why man was created (Gen. 1:27-31; Eccl. 7:29; 12:13). E. To deny that this is the ideal will of God is to impugn the holiness of God. F. Man can-and does-defeat the ideal will of God (Rom. 3:23). THE INCIDENTAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God permits, as incidental to His "ideal" will. B. God permits man to exercise free choice. That is, He expresses His desire, and allows man to choose whether or not to comply. C. God permits men to sin, though He neither causes nor approves of sin (Gen. 2:15-17; 6:5-6). 1. Man is free to sin or not to sin, as he chooses; to deny this is to deny the free moral agency of man. 2. To deny the free moral agency of man is to make God a respecter of persons, in punishing some and rewarding others (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34-35). 3. If God's ideal will (what God desires man to be and/or do) is realistic, then man can choose not to sin. 4. If man cannot choose not to sin, then God's ideal will is unrealistic. D. God also allows but does not necessarily cause physical, psychological and emotional suffering. E. God permits such for man's ultimate spiritual benefit (Psalm 119:71; Rom. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7). F. Man cannot defeat the incidental will of God, for whatever occurs is allowed by God to occur. THE ULTIMATE WILL OF GOD A. This is what God purposes to do ultimately and eternally. B. It is God's purpose to eternally bless the righteous and to eternally punish the wicked (Matt. 25:46; Rev. 20:10-15; Rom. 11:22; 2 Thess. 1:6-9; John 5:28-29). C. Thus, "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor. 5:10). D. Man cannot defeat the ultimate will of God! E. Man can choose his actions, but he cannot choose the consequences of his actions. God has predetermined the consequences. THE CIRCUMSTANTIAL WILL OF GOD A. This is what God desires of man, given the circumstance of man's sins. B. Man having sinned, God desires repentance (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 17:30). C. Even though sinners deserve death (spiritual death; eternal separation from God), it is God's desire that man, while living on earth, would [in loving faith and obedience] accept God's merciful offer of salvation through the gift of His Son (Rom. 6:23; John 3:16). D. Man can-and does-defeat the circumstantial will of God (Acts 24:25; 26:27-28). 1. If God's grace is irresistible, all will be saved (1 Tim. 2:3-4). 2. Some will not be saved (Matt. 7:13, 14; 1 Cor. 1:18). 3. If God is not willing to save all, He is a respecter of persons. 4. God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11; Acts 10:34-35). 5. Therefore, God is willing to save all, but some will not be saved. CONCLUSION: Thus, whatever happens in this life is the incidental will of God, in that He permits but does not necessarily desire it to occur. And only that which will happen in eternity is the ultimate will of God. Some aspects of His will can be defeated, but His ultimate will cannot. Bob Myhan 3901 Northside Drive, Apt. 2L Macon, GA 31210 www.foresthillschurchofchrist.com Get InstaVerse FREE http://www.wordsearchbible.com/InstaVerse -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080918/e825afe8/attachment-0001.html From tedwards at onemain.com Thu Sep 18 15:27:56 2008 From: tedwards at onemain.com (tedwards at onemain.com) Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:27:56 -0500 Subject: [Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 9/14/08 Message-ID: <48D2737C.9479.1842954@localhost> ____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ September 14, 2008 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) What God Wants Us To Do (Deuteronomy 10:12-13) (Wayne S. Walker) 2) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- What God Wants Us To Do Deuteronomy 10:12-13 by Wayne S. Walker During the early days of this earth's history, God spoke to all mankind in some way through the heads of families. However, as He began to carry out His scheme for the redemption of mankind, He chose the descendants of Abraham, the nation of Israel, as His own peculiar people through whom the Messiah would come to bring salvation. God sent the Israelites down into Egypt during the days of Joseph in order to preserve them from famine, but when a new Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph and the Egyptians enslaved his people, God raised up Moses to deliver them from Egyptian bondage, lead them through the wilderness, and bring them to the borders of the promised land. While they were waiting in the plains of Moab just east of the Jordan River for the time when they would cross over and conquer Canaan, Moses gave a series of speeches to remind them of what God had done for them and to prepare them for their new home. These speeches are recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, which means the second giving of the law. In Deuteronomy 10:12-13, Moses said, "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, too serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?" The heading in the New King James Version calls this "The Essence of the Law." We recognize that these words were spoken to the nation of Israel, not to us, and that the law which contained them is NOT God's law for us today. Yet, the Old Testament Scriptures are preserved for our learning, and this passage states some general principles that are still true. In simple, easy to understand terms, these verses explain what God wants us to do. "Fear the LORD your God" Though derived from same basic root meaning of awe and terror, there are two senses of the word "fear." One is a feeling of being afraid or scared, and the other is a state of deep reverence and respect. When God tells His people to fear Him, the word is being used in the second sense. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge..." "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..." (Prov. 1.7, 9.10). Anyone can gain bits and pieces of knowledge, but the only way to have proper understanding concerning the knowledge of this world that brings true wisdom is to begin with reverence and respect for the God who created it and us. What does fearing God mean? In Eccl. 12.13-14 Solomon concluded his search for meaning to life by saying that we are to "fear God." But how do we show that we fear God? It is by keeping His commandments; Moses will talk more about that later, but this is an essential part of fearing God. Yes, we certainly should be afraid of what would happen if we disobey God (Heb. 10.26-30). However, God's people do not obey Him just because they are afraid or scared of being punished but because they have an abiding reverence and respect for God because of who He is and what He's done. Such reverential fear will guide and control everything that we do. "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear" (Heb. 12.28). Moses told Israel to fear God, and we need to fear God too. "Walk in all His ways" We all know that the literal meaning of the word "walk" is to locomote by means of the legs and feet. However, we often use it as a general figurative to refer to a person's way of living and doing things. Thus, throughout the Bible, the term identifies a person's conduct, behavior, or manner of life. Both Enoch and Noah "walked with God" (Gen. 5.24, 6.9). God told Abraham, "Walk before Me and be blameless" (Gen, 17.1). Therefore, using the idea of walking in this sense, everyone basically has two choices. Some people choose to walk in the ways of this world, which is in actually walking the way that Satan the tempter wants us to do. Paul wrote about those who "walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Eph. 2.1-2). Because all have sinned, each of us has chosen to walk this way at one time or another. Many continue to travel in the ways of the world, but a few decide to change and walk in all the ways of God. "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 Jn. 1.5-7). To walk in the light simply means to walk in all of God's ways, just as Moses told the Israelites to do. "Love Him" In an earlier part of this second speech, Moses had already pointed out the importance of loving God. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength" (Deut. 6.4-5). The Israelites were to love the Lord with all heart, soul, and strength, and then in the succeeding verses to teach their children to love God. Again, while this was written in the Old Testament law, Jesus said that it's the greatest commandment. "Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?' Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment'" (Matt. 22.35-38). Thus our Lord Himself put His divine stamp of approval on the idea that the most important thing that we can do is to love our God. However, as in the case of fearing God, we must ask, what does loving God mean? Is it just having a tingly, emotional feeling when we think of God? "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 Jn. 5.3). Again, we shall note that Moses has more to say about keeping God's commandments, but it is interesting to note that this is the acid test for both fearing God and loving Him. This leads to conclusion that what Moses says here is not five different, separate things that God wants us to do, but that he uses five separate terms to identify different aspects of the same thing, namely the kind of attitude that God wants us to have, and that includes loving Him. "Serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" The word "serve" basically means to work for and wait on. Families, especially wealthier ones, used to have, and some still do, servants who would cook for them, bring their food, clean their houses, tend their grounds, and so on. For example, Abraham had many servants, the oldest of whom he sent to find a bride for Isaac (Gen. 24.1-6, 34). So when the Bible says that we are to serve the Lord, this is the background of the word. We are to work for Him, wait on Him, and do what He tells us to do. However, we have to remember that because God is what He is -- divine, almighty, and infinitely wise -- He does not need our service. There is really nothing that we can do for Him that provides for His needs. Rather, He wants us to serve Him because that is what WE need to do. Because we are created beings, we are going to serve someone or something; and as we mentioned in our discussion of walking, it is either going to be the things of this world or God. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt. 6.24). Some think they can serve both God and mammon, which refers to the things of this world, equally, but Jesus says we cannot -- either one or the other will capture first place in our service. One word that is sometimes translated "servant" is also translated "slave" (in the ancient world, many times household servants were actually slaves), and again we're either going to be slaves of sin or slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6.13-18, 23). So we can choose to serve sin, but the wages of that service is death, or we can choose to serve God, who in return gives us eternal life. "Keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes" We have already talked about the importance of keeping the Lord's commandments as it relates to fearing and loving Him, but now Moses specifically says that God wants us to keep His commandments and His statutes. Why? The purpose of God's commandments and statutes isn't to take all the fun out of life or to trip us up so that He can gleefully cast us into hell. "When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is the meaning of the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD our God has commanded you?' then you shall say to your son:...'And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day'" (Deut. 6.20-25). God's commandments are for our good. God is our Creator. He knows what is best for us. And He has given us commandments and statutes that are in our best interest. We see this in the physical realm. Those who continually break the commandments of the civil law live in shame, have to keep on the run and hide, get a bad reputation, are often in jail or receive other punishment, and sometimes suffer an early and tragic end to their lives. However, those who keep the commandments of the civil law do not have to worry about all these problems. Consider what David thought of God's commandments. "Trouble and anguish have overtaken me, yet Your commandments are my delights" (Ps. 119.143). "You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are truth" (Ps. 119.151). Yet, someone says, "all these passages are in the Old Testament and talk about the commandments that God gave to Israel." "Besides," someone else says, "Christianity is more than just keeping commandments." And it is certainly true that being a Christian involves more than just keeping certain commandments. But Jesus Christ does have commandments for His people today and says, "If you love me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14.15). As we noted previously, we simply cannot fear the Lord or love the Lord without keeping His commandments and His statutes. Conclusion In short, Moses is trying to encourage the people of Israel to obey God. No, we do not necessarily obey the specific statutes of the old covenant, but God still wants us to obey Him and, in fact, commands us to do so, plainly telling us that the wonderful spiritual blessings which He has for us, both in this life and in the next, are conditioned upon our obedience to His Son. "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:8-9). Have you obeyed His word? Are you continuing to obey His will? Remember the Bible tells us that everything which God wants us to obey is "for your good." -- Via Expository Files 15.9; August 2008 ____________________________________________________ -2- News & Notes As mentioned in last week's bulletin, due to Hurricane Gustav, we are not able to assemble at our location on Myrtle Street. But for the time being, we are meeting at the Hampton Inn at 201 Rushing Road and will continue to do so for at least the next 6 months. The meeting room accommodates us well, and it is easy to find. Just use the Denham Springs exit (exit 10) off of I-12. It will put you on Range Avenue. Then go north on Range for about a stone's throw to the first major intersection, where Rushing Road crosses Range. (You'll see on the corners a Shell station, a Chevron station, a Circle K, and a Starbucks.) Turn left (on Rushing Road) and go just a few tenths of a mile. Hampton Inn will be on the right. Our Sunday services are at 9:15 AM (Bible class), 10 AM (worship), and 4 PM (worship). If you will be in our area, we would be glad to have you with us. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST (Now meeting at the Hampton Inn at 201 Rushing Road) (formerly met at 1022 Myrtle Street) Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________ From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 19 04:45:42 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:45:42 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] S) ATHEISM'S FAITH AND FRUITS (2) Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. Here is the second part of this particular study. Use to the glory of God. ATHEISM'S FAITH AND FRUITS (2) IV. Fruits Of Atheism: -- It is a fact, which unbelievers themselves acknowledge, that ideas have consequences, and that these consequences are the unfoldment of these ideas and their impli- cations in life (Matt. 7:20). Thought is constantly being tested not only within the laboratory of life where the testing need not be hidden from the eyes of other men. The revelation of its futility, and the judgment and condemn- ation brought on it by its own fruits, should be sufficient to lead thoughtful, moral men utterly to repudiate its philosophy. When we examine its fruits of utter pessimism; its wreck of morality; and its degrading superstitions; we know that atheism has reached its crisis in the world of thought and that its judgment against itself is devastating. (1) The Pessimism Of Unbelief Is One Of The Things Which Strikes The Thoughtful Observer: -- That pessimism is a logical outcome of unbelief may not only be theoretically established, but alos demonstrated by statements from unbelievers. As the unbeliever, and poet, Swinburne put it: "...the gods love not justice more than fate, And smite the righteous and the violent mouth And mix with insolent blood the reverent man's, And bruise the holier as the lying lips." (Works, XIX; 109). In other words, no matter what one does his fate is the same. Conduct, whether good or bad, does not change the outcome. James Thomson, who crawled into a drunkard's grave, was perhaps the most pessimistic of poets. Life was vain to him. "From Nothingness to Nothingness -- all is lost!" His City of Dreadful Night is filled with the crying despair of an unbeliever. We give a selection or so from it: "Here Faith died, poisoned by this charnel air, Here Love died, stabbed by its own worshipped pair. Here Hope died, starved out in its unmost lair. "Speak not of comfort where no comfort is, Speak not at all; con words make foul things fair? Our life's a cheat, our deth a black abyss: Hush and be mute envisaging despair." The theme of the entire poem is that "They leave all hope be- hind who enter there." And if they did not want to continue this life of despair "over its wall hand ever the rich dark clusters of the Vine of Death, within easy reach of thy hand, which may pluck of them when it will." And so one could continue to present atheism's dark view of life. If in the end man shall be conquered, and his work wiped out, then why "in a struggle strive and yearn?" It must be remark- ed that that which is so utterly destructive of life can hardly be the truth about all life. It is unnecessary to spend much time re- minding believers what a contrasting view of life they have, and what a hopeful and peaceful life the believer may experience when he really lives by his faith. (2) The Moral Consequences Of Unbelief Are Even More Frightful Than Its Pessimism: -- This is not to say that all atheists are very immoral, for we are grateful that many of them live above their creed because they are held up by moral ideals of either a past religious faith or the general attitude of society which has been influenced by the moral principles of the Christ- ian religion. And yet, logically speaking, atheism casts all moral- ity out of the universe. Atheism removes the very basis of moral- ity in that it denies human responsibility and the power of choice. It is as irrational to speak of an immoral man as it is to speak of an immoral rock. Man is a mere matter-machine with- out the power of choice, self-determination, or responsibility. The "ought" is an ilusion and morality is merely custom. What we call moral principles, they maintain, are merely customs of society which are subject to flux and flow. What society sanct- ions is moral, what it repudiates is immoral. In other words, morality is merely a custom of majority vote. If the majority are Nazis, Communists, or criminals, their customs are as moral as any other customs for there is no standard higher than customs. There is no absolute, fixed standard by which to evaluate one custom higher, and more moral, than another custom. Morality is destroyed when this doctrine, of might and majority as the makers of morality, is adopted. From the pens of atheists let us prove our charges that athe- ism destroys the very idea of morality, of obligations, of respons- ibility. Teller maintained that there are no fixed principles of mor- ality, but simply standards which various societies form, and that it is just a matter of what one thinks (Bales-Teller Debate). He could not give one moral reason why it would be any more wrong for one atheist to kill another than to kill a cow. Morality is also destroyed when a debased view of man is taken. Teller wrote that "As for the rank and file, they are no more biologically fit to profit by a cultural environment than a cod- fish is to fly an aeroplane." (Essays of an Atheist, pg. 152). Teller's Darwinism would not offer any objections to, but would give reasons for, their elimination. "For the rabble -- I watch them as I do cattle." (ibid., pg. 190). And what is wrong with keep- ing cattle within fenced areas to serve us as we see fit? Such a philosophy cannot condemn Russia's ruthless methods in deal- ing with some of her own citizens. ..With reference to sex, morality is also banished. Bertrand Russell teaches that "mutual inclination" justifies sexual inter- course. (What I Believe, pg. 45). Russell also taught tht man is as much governed by the laws of nature as are the stars (pg. 9); that "ought" means simply what "someone else wishes us to desire" (pg. 37); and that there is o scientific justification for the idea of "virtue" or "sin." (pg. 42). Teller agrees with him in robbing man of any feeling of resp- onsibility, for he wrote: "all men act the way they do because they cannot act otherwise" (Essays of an Atheist, pg. 233). These quotations are enough to indicate what a frightful world thsi would be if all men acted in harmony with such ideas. In fact, could the world exist if all men followed these ideas? Atheism would soon destroy all mankind if followed by all men, and thus there would be no one left to believe in atheism! It is only because there are enough people alive who do stand for decency, honesty, and such like that the atheists themselves have a lease on life. Atheism, when lived, would make life impossible. In spite of his rejections of God and of morality, Wilhelm Stekel maintains that atheists still fear, at some time or another, the judgment of God will come upon them. His dealings with many individuals, including atheists, led him to conclude that deep down in every man's heart there is a fear of the wrath of God on him for his sins. (R.E.D. Clark, Science and Religion, Vol. 1:63). Clark reviewed Stekel's book, The Interpretations Of Dreams. (There was an atheist that said, close to his death, "O God, if there is a god, save my soul, if I have a soul, from hell, if there is a hell, and take me to heaven, if there is a heaven" JWS). The foregoing articles on this subject are from a book by James D. Bales, reprinted in The Preceptor, Vol. 1, No. 8, June 1952. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.biblematters.net/pipermail/biblemat/attachments/20080919/e7c153e2/attachment-0001.html From J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com Fri Sep 19 04:45:31 2008 From: J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com (J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com) Date: Fri, 19 Sep 2008 05:45:31 EDT Subject: [Biblemat] A) KEEP ON KEEPING ON! Message-ID: Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here. A very good Friday morning to each and everyone. May God bless you and yours. Here is an article from my recent files: KEEP ON KEEPING ON! It would likely amaze us if we knew how many people were once followers of Christ but have given up. They've just stop- ped trying. They don't follow Him any more. They quit. That phenomenon doesn't happen all at once. People don't just get up one morning and decide to quit serving the Lord. Spiritual death happens slowly. Their faith erodes gradually. They stop their personal worship and meditation about spiritual things. They don't pray much or seek the company of brethren. In fact, they shy away from such associations. They become critical of the services and dodge having any part in the public worship. People who call and inquire about their whereabouts are considered "meddling in my business." They begin to look for ways to justify their lack of spiritual zeal. They find excuses for not attending on Wednesday night. Once their conscience will tolerate that neglect, they find it easy to excuse themselves from Sunday night. It's just a step then to quitting all together. Keep On Living: -- Living the Christian life, I mean. It's hard. There's no doubt about that, but think about what is the reward, think about what your faithfulness means about your eternal destiny. A hard life is a small thing when compared to an eternal life of bliss. Simple economics argues that a small investment that results in a large dividend is good. In this case, it is foolish to do otherwise. "Be ye therefore steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, inasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58) is saying in- vest in the eternal things, don't worry about the difficulties. Live the life. If it's hard, endure it. If it calls for courage, get it on. If it means you must suffer, remember, "no pain, no gain." Heaven is worth the living. That's all there is to it. Keep On Learning: -- Lack of spiritual growth is a decision, not a natural occurrence. You decide to do it. "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18), and if you digest the word, you will grow. Bread is necessary for your spiritual growth just as it is for the sustenance of your physical body. And learning is the basis for all spiritual growth. Furthermore, in this case, you don't ever get grown -- you have to keep on learning to keep on growing. Keep On Loving: -- Motive is such a vital part of all we do. And love is what motive is all about. It furnishes the energy for one who wants to keep on living the righteous life. It furnishes the necessary propellent for learning, creates curiosity and determination to fuel growth. It is the incentive for good strong relationships -- family, friends, business. It even brings a stimul- us for solving torn or fractured relationships. Paul says love is longsuffering, kind and not easily provoked (1 Cor. 13:4,5). You have to love people in spite of their warts, in spite of their occas- ional disappointing actions, even in spite of their not loving like you do. You don't ever give up on love, it's the supreme motive, the highest good, the storngest p