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• The Clock Of Life
• Applying Christ's Words Today
• Sermon Outlines:
• Be Strong In The Lord
• Internal Evidences Of The Bible: Fulfilled Prophecies of the Nations (Lesson 6):
• Noteworthy News: Fortune Tellers?

Joe R. Price

Is it appropriate to appeal to and apply the very words of Jesus as authoritative over the lives of men and women today? Some brethren are teaching that since Jesus lived under the law of Moses, and since His main audience was Jews, what Jesus was really doing in His earthly teaching was instructing Jews in the law of Moses. Then, these modern interpreters conclude that we are taking Jesus out of context when we apply His personal teachings to all men (including Christians) today. It is they who have taken the words of Christ out of context to support a failing and false doctrine.

The advocates of this doctrine tell us that Jesus was teaching the law of Moses when He preached the sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). Never mind that Jesus was "preaching the gospel of the kingdom" as He went about all Galilee (which would include the sermon on the mount, Matt. 4:23; 5:1-2). They have relegated this sermon (which has properly been called the 'Magna Carta' of the Christian faith) and the rest of Christ's personal teaching to discourses concerning "a shadow of the good things to come" (Heb. 10:1). Yes, Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses. But He distinguished His gospel from it and Himself as superior to it (Matt.5:17-18, 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44; 7:28-29).

There appears to be a predetermined reason for reaching such an untenable conclusion about the personal teachings of Jesus. Those advocating this doctrine are the same ones who compromise Jesus' plain teaching on divorce and remarriage (one man for one woman for life, with one reason for divorce and approved remarriage, Matt.19:1-9). Jesus' teaching on marriage is for every person who enters marriage ("from the beginning," "man and woman," "whosoever," 19:8-9). Yet, we are told we cannot apply Matthew 19:9 to Christians because Jesus was teaching Jews what the law of Moses said on divorce and remarriage. My brethren, this is nothing less than twisting God's word, and such exercises are doomed to fail (2 Pet. 3:16; Gal. 1:6-9)!

Where will this perverted view of Christ's personal teachings lead us? I suppose we cannot warn all men (including Christians) against human traditions since Jesus spoke His warning to a Jewish audience (Matt.15:1-9)! What about His teaching regarding church discipline in Matthew 18:17? Why would He speak of the "church" to Jews if He was merely teaching them the law of Moses? Ultimately, using this hermeneutical technique, none of Jesus' words will be allowed to apply to our lives! Modernists arrived at this "non-relevant" approach to the words of Christ decades (if not centuries) ago. Now, some brethren are following their lead!

This doctrine is self-serving and foreign to the word of God. Beware the doctrines of men and those who, in sheep's clothing, ravage the souls of the innocent! (Col. 2:8, 18-23; Matt. 15:7-9; 7:15-20)

For the complete outline of this sermon please visit BIBLE ANSWERS:

http://www.bibleanswer.com/strongin.htm

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Intro.

1. NT speaks of strength in Christ - Phil. 4:13; 2 Cor. 10:3-4; 1 Cor. 16:13.

2. Excuses for not doing what God has told us to do will not be accepted by Him! (cf. child-parent) - Rom. 2:6; 2 Cor. 5:10; Lk. 14:18, 21, 24.

I. BE INTERESTED IN GOD'S WILL!

A. The Ethiopian - Acts 8:27-39.

1. Traveled great distance to worship.

2. Used his time to read scripture - v. 28.

3. Interested in learning - v. 31, 34.

4. Responsive to truth (obeyed it) - v. 36-38.

5. Rejoiced in his salvation - v. 39.

B. Cornelius - Acts 10.

1. Excelled in character - 10:1-2 (10:22).

2. Anxious to hear God's word & share it - 10:24, 33.

3. Obeyed the commands of the gospel - 10:48.

II. HAVE CONVICTIONS BASED ON GOD'S WORD - Rom. 10:17.

A. Full Of Faith - Acts 11:24; 2 Tim. 1:12; 1:7; 1 Cor. 16:13.

III. HAVE A DESIRE FOR TRUTH & RIGHTEOUSNESS (1 Pet. 2:2).

A. Seek & Apply God's Word & Will For Your Life - Acts 13:6-7; Matt. 5:6; (Psa. 119:131).

IV. DECIDE NOW TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

A. Have A Willing Mind - 2 Cor. 8:12.

B. Determine To Deny Self & Sacrifice - Lk. 9:23; Heb. 3:7-8; 2 Cor. 6:2

V. DO THE RIGHT THING NOW! - Josh. 24:15; 1 Kgs. 18:21

A. Must Do The Things Which Produce Spiritual Strength - Eph. 6:10-11, 14-18.

B. We Must Do More Than Talk A Good Game - Live It! - Matt. 7:23

For the complete outline of this sermon please visit BIBLE ANSWERS:

http://www.bibleanswer.com/evidenc6.htm

Messianic Prophecy

1. The odds of all Messianic prophecies in one person are astronomical!

2. To refuse the Bible as the word of God is to also refuse Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God & Savior!

3. Lk. 24:25-27 - Do not be slow of heart to believe the prophets!

I. JESUS & THE APOSTLES CLAIMED THAT HE IS THE FULFILLMENT OF OT MESSIANIC PROPHECY.

A. Jesus: OT Scriptures Testify Of Him - Jno. 5:39; Lk. 4:16-21.

B. Apostles: Jesus Is The Promised Messiah - Acts 3:18-24; 10:43; 13:27; 26:22-27; Rom. 1:1-3

II. ELEMENTS OF MESSIAH PROPHECY & THEIR FULFILLMENT IN JESUS.

A. Supernatural: Coming Of Messiah Signifies The Coming Of God - Isa. 42:1-6; 61:1-2 (Lk. 4:21); Jno. 5:17-18; 10:37-38; Matt. 11:3-6.

B. Eschatological: The Messiah Would Usher In The "Last Days" - Isa. 2:2-4; Hosea 3:5; Joel 2:28-32; Gal. 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:20; Heb. 1:1-2; Acts 2:16ff.

C. Authoritative (Regal): Messiah Is Conqueror & King - Psa. 2:6-7; 110:1-2; Jer. 23:5-6; Acts 2:32-37 (Heb. 1:8).

D. Savior: The Messiah Is To Be A Savior & Salvation His Work - Matt. 1:21; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 59:20; 61:1-2 (Matt. 11:28-30); Isa. 53.

E. Deity: The Messiah Is, Himself, God. - cf. Jno. 1:49; Isa. 7:14 (Matt. 1:23); Isa. 9:6-7; Mk. 2:9-12 (Matt. 16:13-16); Jno. 20:28.

Conclusion:

When we consider Messianic prophecy & its fulfillment in Jesus we can only conclude two things:

a. The Bible is a special Divine revelation.

b. Like Andrew: "We have found the Messiah!" (Jno. 1:41)

Biblical prophecies - 49%

Farmer's Almanac - 22%

Astrologers - 21%

"Five times as many Americans believe biblical prophecies can predict the future as think pollsters can."

Joe R. Price

Our obsession with knowing the future leads us to trust in many wrong things.

The stars will never tell a person anything about the kind of person they should be now or the state of future affairs.

The Farmer's Almanac, while a useful resource for agriculturists, fishermen, hunters, homemakers, etc., its predictions are by no means infallible.

The Bible alone contains the foretelling of events with 100% accuracy - not from one author at one moment in time - but from almost 40 writers spanning roughly 1500 years!

Truly, "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim. 3:16). You can totally rely upon the Bible to help you prepare for your future. We are all appointed to die after which comes judgment (Heb. 9:27) Are you ready?

During the funeral mass of Roman Catholic Cardinal John O'Connor his "unambiguously pro-life" legacy was the cause of a loud and long standing ovation. Some of the leading politicians reluctantly stood, including President Clinton and wife Hillary. This is the same President who supports partial-birth abortions - not to mention all other abortions in the land! We disagreed with Mr. O'Connor on his religious views, but his opposition to abortion is both commendable and sorely needed by all who love life.

Life is a gift from God. Every human life is precious. Every murder of it is deplorable. Let us raise our voices in opposition to the slaughter of the innocent, or surely God's wrath is upon us (Matt. 2:16-18; Rom. 1:18).

Send all questions/comments to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com