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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Finding the Pattern (Joe R. Price)
Children, Remember
to Love (Joe R. Price)
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Earthquake Damages Jerusalem Temple
Mount
Finding the Pattern
Joe R. Price
Studying Bible
patterns is equivalent to studying Bible authority. Divinely revealed
patterns are not to be taken lightly, but carefully followed by those to
whom God gives them (Exo. 25:8-9, 40; Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5).
How do we
determine what God’s pattern is on any given doctrine and practice? It is
sort of like using a pattern to make a dress. The seamstress is not left to
chance or guesswork in deciding how much cloth should be cut, and how. But,
the seamstress must learn to properly use the pattern before her.
Similarly, God has left us with guidance on how to establish Bible authority
so that we can properly follow His revealed pattern. The seamstress must
learn to read her pattern. We must learn to “read” (understand) God’s
revealed pattern: “Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).
There are
three ways to find the pattern we must hold fast in spiritual
matters: direct command, approved example and necessary implication. These
are legitimate ways of determining God’s will (or pattern). Christians in
Acts 15 used these three means to determine true doctrine and the right
course to take concerning the Gentiles and their salvation. Did Gentiles
have to be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses in order to be saved (Acts
15:1, 5)? The meeting in Jerusalem determined the answer to that question
was no. That answer (the pattern or course to follow) was confirmed
by using these three methods of establishing divine authority. First, the
apostle Peter recalled the conversion of the Gentiles as an example
of the truth that Gentiles are saved without the Law of Moses (15:7-11).
Next, Paul and Barnabas told of the miracles God had worked through them
among the Gentiles (15:12). Since they preached that Gentiles were not
bound to obey the Law of Moses, the necessary conclusion was that God
approved of this teaching. Then, James took a direct statement of
Scripture from Amos 9:11-12 as corroboration that Gentiles are saved without
the Law of Moses (v.13-19).
Since they
could use these three means of understanding and teaching God’s pattern on
the salvation of Gentiles, it is right for us today to use the same ways of
establishing Bible authority – the pattern of sound words – that we
are to hold fast and obey. Indeed, God expects us to do so (Matt. 28:18;
Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; Gal. 1:6-10).
Top
Children, Remember to Love
Joe R. Price
Every child
needs to learn to practice love. In truth, it is often children who show
adults the innocent qualities of love and simple devotion that characterizes
kingdom citizens (Matt. 18:1-4; 19:13-14). From a young age, children are
able to learn to practice love toward others. There are several different
groups of people you see every day that deserve to be loved by you.
Children, your parents deserve your love. God wants you to honor your
father and mother (Eph. 6:2). This means to respect them, to obey them and
to love them. Why not tell your parents today how much you love them?
Then, show them you love them by respecting them with your words and by
obeying their instructions. As your parents, they deserve your love and
respect, and the Lord wants you to love them.
Children, treat your brothers and/or sisters with love. Sometimes you
may not think you love your brother or sister (especially after they have
just eaten all the ice cream and you didn’t get any!). But deep down, you
know that you do. God wants you to show your love to your brothers and
sisters by being kind toward them (Eph. 4:32). Discover some way to help
your brother or sister, and then simply do it. When you do, you will be
showing your love for them.
Children, remember to practice love
toward your friends at school and in your neighborhood. People remember
the way you treat them. By being fair and honest toward your friends you
can have a great influence for good (Eph. 4:25). This is one a way you can
“love your neighbor as yourself.”
Children, be sure to love God.
Loving God means we will believe His word and obey His commands (Jno.
14:15). We should never complain about obeying God and worshipping Him (1
Jno. 5:3). To become a Christian and faithfully do His will shows that you
love Him (Matt. 22:37).
Love is an
action word: “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue,
but in deed and in truth” (1 Jno. 3:18). Remember to show your love for
God and others. Yes, grown ups should practice love. And, children should
practice love, too.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Looking for Jesus
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:40-52
1. People are
looking for Jesus: Movies, TV, religious holidays, books, history, art,
etc.
2. Why should you look for Jesus?
3. Are you looking for Jesus today? Where will you find Him?
I. WHERE YOU
WILL NOT FIND JESUS TODAY.
A. You
Won’t Find Jesus in the Jewish Temple Keeping the LOM – Lk. 2:42; Matt.
5:17; Col. 2:13-17; Eph. 2:14-15; He. 7:18-19
B. You Won’t Find Jesus in Men’s Religious Traditions – Lk. 2:46 (Jno.
4:24; Matt. 15:7-9).
C. You Won’t Find Jesus Among Relatives & Friends – Lk. 2:44; Matt.
10:34-37 (cf. Lk. 5:8-11); Lk. 14:25-26,33.
D. You Won’t Find Jesus on a Throne in Jerusalem – Lk. 2:45; Zech.
6:12-13; Heb. 8:4; Jno. 18:36-37; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9.
E. You Won’t Find Jesus in Worldly Wisdom – Lk. 2:40, 46-47, 52; Mk.
6:1-4; Jno. 7:32, 45-46; 1 Cor. 1:18-25; Col. 2:8.
II. WHERE YOU
WILL FIND JESUS.
A. You Will
Find Jesus in His Temple (the church) – Lk. 2:46; Matt. 23:37-24:1-2; Eph.
2:19-22; Acts 2:33 (Matt. 28:18).
B. You Will Find Jesus in the Scriptures – Lk. 2:46-47; Jno. 5:39-40
(7:16-17); 20:30-31; Acts 17:11-12; Jno. 1:1-2, 14-18; 8:46-47.
C. You Will Find Jesus Doing His Father’s Business – Lk. 2:49 (Jno. 8:29;
9:4).
D. You Will Find Jesus if you Humbly, Sincerely & Earnestly Look for Him
– Lk. 2:48; Jno. 6:25-27.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Works of the Flesh: Envy
Scripture Reading: Psalm 37:1-11
1. The
inevitable companion & result of rivalry is envy (Rom. 13:13).
2. Envy is a common sin, yet often disregarded. (Must be put away – 1 Pet.
2:1)
I. WHAT IS
ENVY?
(phthonos)
A.
Embittered Resentment.
1.
“The feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the
advantage or prosperity of others…envy desires to deprive another of what he
has....” (Vine, 204)
2. Jealousy wants same thing; envy wants to deprive).
3. “Chagrin or discontent at the excellence or good fortune of another;
resentful, begrudging.”
B.
Envy Illustrated: Toward Isaac (Gen. 26:12-16); Toward Jesus (Matt. 27:18);
Toward Paul (Phil. 1:15-17).
II. THE
NATURE OF ENVY.
A. A
Worldly Reaction to the Advantages of Others – Gal. 5:21; Rom. 1:29; Lk.
15:27-32.
B. It is Most Destructive – Prov. 14:30 (Psa. 73:1-3, 12-14, 17-19).
C. A Deceptive Motive - Phil. 1:15-18.
III. GOD’S
PROHIBITION OF ENVY.
A. Lay it
Aside – 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Jas. 4:5.
B. Envy Must not be at Work in the Lord’s Church – Gal. 5:25-26; 1 Cor.
3:6-7.
IV. HOW TO
OVERCOME ENVY.
A. Practice
Love – 1 Cor. 13:1-4."
B. Fear & Trust God – Prov. 23:17-18; Psa. 37:1-3.
C. See Big Picture – Psa. 73:16-19, 23-26.
D. Crucify Self – Gal. 2:20; Matt. 16:24.
E. Members of Same Body, 1 Cor. 12:26-27
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Earthquake
Damages Jerusalem Temple Mount
Joe R. Price
The Jews
in Jerusalem call it the Temple Mount; the Muslims refer to it at the Al
Aqsa Mosque compound. Both regard it as a holy site.
On February 11 a moderate earthquake hit the
region, causing structural damage to some of the buildings and weakening its
outer wall. According to a published AP report, the fate of this compound
is one of the most sensitive issues on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (Thu
Apr 1, 11:17 AM ET). Wouldn’t it be ironic if, after centuries of conflict
and dispute, the wall collapses due to an earthquake?
It is
fantasy thinking to believe that one day the Temple Mount will be reclaimed
by God Almighty on which will stand a rebuilt temple as part of a glorious
millennial reign of Christ on the earth.
When Jesus died the veil of the temple was
torn from top to bottom by an earthquake, an obvious sign that its time had
come to an end (Matt. 27:51). The city of Jerusalem was invaded and
destroyed (including the temple) by the Roman army in A.D. 70 as God’s
judgment against an apostate people (Matt. 23:37-24:2). 1,100,000 Jews were
killed and another 97,000 taken into slavery. Truly, Jerusalem’s house was
left desolate (Matt. 23:38).
The
temple all should be concerned with today is the church of Christ (Eph.
2:19-22). In it (not in a house made with hands) God dwells with His people
(Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-5; Acts 7:48-50). You will become a living stone
in the house of God when you believe in Jesus as the Christ, repent of your
sins and are baptized for the remission of your sins (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts
2:38). The Lord will add you to His church, His temple (Acts 2:47). It is
a temple that will not be destroyed and that men dare not defile (Dan. 2:44;
Matt. 16:18; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16-18).
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