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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
The Lord's Evening Meal? (Joe R. Price)
God the Refuge of His
People (Mark Mayberry)
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
The Lamb of God
The Lord's Evening Meal?
Joe R. Price
According to The Watchtower, the official publication of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses, April 4, 2004 will be a special day. That is the day
they will observe “The Lord’s Evening Meal.”
You
might be wondering what is “The Lord’s Evening Meal,” since we do not find
that terminology in the Bible (1 Pet. 4:11). This is their way of speaking
of the Lord’s supper (which is Bible language, 1 Cor. 11:20).
The
Watchtower says that April 4, 2004 “corresponds to Nisan 14 on the Bible’s
lunar calendar.” They believe that since the Passover meal was eaten only
once a year, the “Lord’s Evening Meal” (the Lord’s supper) should only be
eaten once a year (Exo. 12:1-14; cf. “The Lord’s Evening Meal, How
Observed,” The Watchtower, 15Mar2004, page 6).
New
Testament Christians came together “on the first day of the week” to
break bread (Acts 20:7). Which first day of the week: Only the one that
“corresponds to Nisan 14?” No. Nothing in the New Testament suggests
that. Are we to only eat the Lord’s supper once a year? No, that is also
without New Testament authority. The force of the implication in Acts 20:7
is necessary: whenever there was a first day of the week the disciples came
together to break bread. This is just as sure and certain as Israel
remembering the Sabbath day every time there was a seventh day of the week
(which was once a week, Exo. 20:8-11). Since there is a first day of the
week every week, the Lord’s supper should be eaten every first day of the
week, not only once a year.
The
Lord’s supper was something new and different from the Passover that God
commanded of Israel. While Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples He
gave a completely new meaning to the unleavened bread and the fruit of the
vine. In the Passover meal the unleavened bread suggested the haste with
which Israel left the bondage of Egypt (see Exo. 12:8-11, 34, 39). In the
Lord’s supper it represents the undefiled body of the Savior that was given
for the sins of mankind (Lk. 22:19; 1 Pet. 2:24). Fruit of the vine was
present during the Passover meal, but Jesus gave it new significance when He
commanded His disciples to drink it in His remembrance. Jesus said it
represents the blood of the new covenant that was shed for the sins of the
world (Matt. 26:27-28). The blood of a lamb was vital in the Passover, but
Christians remember the blood of the Lamb of God when we eat the Lord’s
supper (Exo. 12:6-7, 13, 21-24; Jno. 1:29).
The
Lord’s supper is not a continuation of the Passover given to Israel (Exo.
12:12-14). His supper is “new” in His Father’s kingdom (Matt.
26:29). When He taught His disciples to eat His supper, Jesus spoke of
“the new covenant,” not the old, Mt. Sinai covenant that was passing
away (Heb. 8:13).
Therefore, just like early Christians, present-day Christians eat the Lord’s
supper every first day of the week as a communion of the body and
blood of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:16). It is the Lord’s supper (1 Cor.
11:20). It certainly is not the “Lord’s Evening Meal” of the Jehovah’s
Witnesses.
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God the Refuge of His People
Mark Mayberry
Introduction
On
occasion, the people of God face individual troubles, family troubles,
congregational troubles, and national troubles. From time to time, we are
burdened with uncertainty, sickness, frailty, and sorrow. Yet, the Holy
Scriptures afford comfort in trials. This is especially true of Psalms
Forty-Six, written by the sons of Korah for the chief musician, where God is
presented as the refuge of his people.
God
Provides Shelter
Psalm 46:1-3 ... 1 God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will
not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be
troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. (KJV)
Psalm 46:1-3 ... 1 God is our refuge and
strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart
of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at
its swelling pride. Selah. (NASB95)
God provides
shelter and strength. Elsewhere, David said, “He is my rock” (Psalm 18:2;
62:1-2). He furnishes us with confidence (Psalms 62:5-8). Even when it seems
like our entire world is falling apart, God offers help to his people
(Psalms 23:4-6; Habakkuk 3:16-19).
God Provides Support
Psalm 46:4 ... 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the
city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (KJV)
Psalm 46:4 ... 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High. (NASB95)
God provides
support and sustenance for his people. The Lord provided for Israel during
their wilderness wanderings (Deuteronomy 8:15-16; Psalms 105:40-43). In like
manner Jesus Christ provides us with the bread of life and streams of living
water (John 6:35; 7:38).
God Provides Fellowship
Psalm 46:5
... 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help
her, and that right early. (KJV)
Psalm 46:5
... 5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her
when morning dawns. (NASB95)
God also has
fellowship with his people. God was with Israel during the wilderness
(Exodus 40:34-38). When Solomon initiated worship in the temple at
Jerusalem, the glory of the Lord filled the house (1 Kings 8:10-13). In like
manner, Jesus Christ shares an abiding relationship with all his followers
(Matthew 18:20; 28:18-20; Luke 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 6:16-18).
God Provides Punishment
Psalm 46:6
... 6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the
earth melted. (KJV)
Psalm 46:6
... 6 The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His
voice, the earth melted. (NASB95)
All worldly
evil can be summed up in three words: “The nations raged.” Yet, when God
comes in judgment, the kingdoms of men fall (Psalms 2). Although the power
of evil appears invincible, Satan’s doom is sealed (Revelation 20:7-15). Let
us, therefore, be God’s allies and not his enemies (Hebrews 12:25-29).
God Provides Peace
Psalm 46:7-11
... 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the
earth. 9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the
bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. 10
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I
will be exalted in the earth. 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of
Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (KJV)
Psalm 46:7-11
... 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah. 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has wrought desolations in
the earth. 9 He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the
bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Cease
striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will
be exalted in the earth.” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob
is our stronghold. Selah. (NASB95)
God affords
peace in several ways. Physical peace prevailed when Israel was faithful to
God (Leviticus 26:6). Spiritual peace is granted to those who trust and obey
(Philippians 4:6-7). Familial peace belongs to those who fear the Lord and
walk in his ways (Psalms 128:1-6). He also shows us how to enjoy peace
within congregations (Romans 14:16-19).
Conclusion
Consider the following words, written by my sister-in-law Anne Stevens. This
song was finished at Texas Children’s Hospital where her second newborn
grandson was struggling with a variety of serious health problems:
1.
Oh, waste
not this day in worry. You must face the past and let it go. For the Father
who knows your sin and sorrow, Is the Father who loves you so.
2.
Oh, waste
not this day in worry. Oh, borrow not tomorrow's woe. For consider the birds
in all their glory, Neither gather, nor reap, nor sow.
3.
Oh, waste
not this day in worry. Won't you treasure ev'ry single hour? For your life,
it is nothing but a vapor, Like a lovely but fading flow'r.
Chorus: Waste not this day in worry. Spend not this day in fear. For he
knows the sparrow, Is He, your loving Father, ever near.
Great blessings
come to those who are right with God. They enjoy shelter, security, support,
and sustenance. It is not so with the wicked. The only thing they can
rightfully expect to receive is the outpouring of God’s wrath. Where do you
stand? Is your heart right with God? Are you a faithful Christian? If not,
obey his word, rejoice in his grace, trust in his goodness and love, and
come to know the peace that surpasses comprehension.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Question Box Mar. 2004
Scripture Reading:
Romans 13:1-10
#1: Is it
wrong to be paid “under the table” (not reporting all of your income)?
1. Yes, it is
wrong, because it is being dishonest – Eph. 4:25 (Phil. 4:8).
2. Cheating the IRS is stealing – Eph. 4:28; cf. Matt. 22:21; Rom.
13:7 (Lev. 19:35-36; Prov. 11:1
3. Not okay as long as you don’t get caught, Heb. 4:13 (Num. 32:23); Psa.
19:12-13; Prov. 11:3-6.
#2: (a) Is the
main reason or “the” reason we gather on the 1st day of every week to
partake of the Lord’s Supper? (b) If not can you please explain why we
should show reverence during the song service, sermon & prayer service as
well as the Lord’s Supper.
(a)…
1. NT teaches
multiple activities in assembled worship (responsibilities & purposes). All
of these fall under the general purpose of worship:
a.
Lord’s Supper – Acts 20:7 (1 Cor. 11:33).
b. Teaching gospel – Acts 20:7 (Acts 11:26).
c. Giving as prospered – 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
d. Praying – 1 Cor. 14:15-16 (1 Tim. 2:8).
e. Singing – Col. 3:16.
2. All of these give homage to God & edify the saints – 1 Cor. 14:26.
(b)…Show reverence (give honor to God) during worship… (Jno. 4:23-24)…
-Praise
God in humble, reverent worship, 1Chr.29:16-20
-May our words & thoughts be acceptable to God, Psa. 19:14
#3: What is the
purpose of the book The Song of Solomon? What spiritual gain can we take
from it?
1. The choice
between true love & sensuous love.
2. Theme: Do not force love – SS 2:7.
3. Lessons include:
a. Traits of true love (cf. Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:4).
b. Dangers of sensuality & the enticements of the flesh.
c. Moral virtue is to be protected & enhanced.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
The Lamb of
God
Joe R. Price
The
Reuters new agency reported last Thursday that Palestinians in the West Bank
town of Hebron were gathering by the hundreds to see “a lamb born with what
looked like Allah spelled out in Arabic on its coat.” The lamb’s
owner Yahya Atrash told Reuters Television, “This is clear evidence of God’s
existence.” (Hundreds Flock to See Lamb with Allah’s Name,
http://news.yahoo.com, Mar 25, 10:12 AM
ET)
There is
no doubt that evidence exists in support of God’s existence. “The
heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork”
(Psa. 19:1). Even the marvelous birth process of this little lamb
demonstrates the power and complexity of God and His creation (Rom. 1:20;
Acts 17:24, 28; Psa. 139:14).
But be
assured, the term for the Islamic deity (Allah) is not burned into
this lamb’s coat as evidence of his existence. The God of heaven and earth
speaks to all of mankind today in His Son, Jesus the Christ (Heb. 1:2). The
record of His life and deeds among men has been written “so that you may
believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may
have life in His name” (Jno. 20:31). While God’s creation provides
evidence that God exists, it is the word of God (given through Jesus Christ)
that contains proof that Jesus is the Son of God. Only by faith in Him may
we have everlasting life.
God did
send a lamb with His name upon it. Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes
away the sin of the world” (Jno. 1:29). Based on the evidence he saw
when he baptized Jesus, John the baptizer testified that Jesus is the Son of
God (Jno. 1:30-34). We are redeemed from our sins by the “precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet.
1:18-19).
People
run to see a false sign attributed to a false god, and accept it as true,
but reject the genuine evidence of the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Yes, the god of this world (Satan) continues to blind the minds of
unbelievers so the light of the gospel will not shine on them that they may
be saved (2 Cor. 4:3-4).
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