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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Can We Talk? (Joe R. Price)
Dealing with God (Keith
Greer)
Miracles in the
New Testament (Joe R. Price)
Sermon Outlines:
Can We Talk?
Joe R. Price
The ability to communicate is the difference between unified achievement and
confusion. The unfinished city and tower of Babel attest to the role
communication plays in success or failure (Gen. 11:4-9).
Christians who cannot or will not talk to one another contribute to the
weakening of the body of Christ. Whether it is a kind word of encouragement
needed by a fellow saint, a word of warning to beware of temptations and
sin, a teaching of truth to the lost or a rebuke of sinful error, the
inability to talk to each other hinders the strengthening and salvation of
souls. God’s word must be communicated so it can be heard and
produce faith unto salvation (Rom. 10:8, 13-17).
Can we
talk without a spirit of superiority? Sadly, some Christians convey an
air of condescension when they talk with others. Such ought not to be (Rom.
12:16; Phil. 2:3). Rest assured, communication will be hindered where
humility toward others is lacking. How we say our words can have a
much greater impact for good or evil that what we say. You may have
the truth, but if you display smugness or self-importance when you speak it,
you will not communicate effectively. Most likely, you will make it harder
to be heard.
Can we
talk with words that are gracious? The apostle said, “Let your
speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6). To successfully talk with others
we must speak with kindness, not rancor or malice. “A soft answer turns
away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Oh, how our
marriages would profit by a “soft answer” instead of harsh and
vindictive speech! What strength would be garnered in a church where
brethren live the timeless truth that “a word fitly spoken is like apples
of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11). To do otherwise is a
sinful use of the tongue (Jas. 3:9-10).
Can we talk to the lost about their souls? The
gospel will save, but it must be communicated to the lost to do so (Rom.
1:16; Mk. 16:15). The word of God must be spoken to save souls from sin,
not philosophies, not psychologies and not religious traditions (Col. 2:8).
We can speak the truth in love; the question is, will we? (Eph.
4:15)
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Dealing with God
Keith Greer
Let us examine three ways in which man must
“deal with God.”
Waiting for God. “I wait for the
LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope.” {Psalm 130:5} What does
it mean to wait for God? Quite simply, it means allowing things to
work out according to God’s timetable and not one’s own.
Sarah learned a hard lesson because she
failed to “wait for God.” Abraham was 86, and it had been 11 years since God
promised him an heir. Sarah was still barren. Instead of “waiting,” she
decided to give God a hand. She gave Hagar to Abraham in order to raise up a
child through her. Yes, Hagar conceived and bore Abraham a son whose name
was Ishmael. But this was not the “child of promise.” That child would be
Isaac who was born some 14 years later. Time did not matter to God, and He
fulfilled His promise when He was ready—without help from Sarah and Hagar.
If you read the history of Ishmael’s descendants, you’ll find that they
became enemies of God’s people.
We too must learn to “wait for God.” His
timetable may be different from ours, but He knows what is best for us in
our lives. This waiting requires that we have discipline, trust, and
confidence in God and His ability.
Walking with God. “After he begot
Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and
daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years.
And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” {Genesis
5:22-24} How did Enoch walk with God? He lived his life according
to the directions God gave him. This man humbly and reverently followed the
course that God set before him. Why? One has to believe that Enoch had total
trust in his knowledge that God’s ways were the best ways.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than
your thoughts.” {Isaiah 55:8,9} Too many today try to “run ahead of
God.” Walking with God exhibits confidence in His ways over our own. Divine
wisdom is always the better course to pursue.
Working for God. “By faith Noah,
being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear,
prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the
world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
{Hebrews 11:7}
Noah did not even know what rain was. Yet,
when God instructed him to build the ark, he built it according to His
instructions {Genesis 6:22}. When God told Joshua how to take the
city of Jericho, he followed God’s instructions and the walls fell
{Joshua 6}. What did Noah and Joshua have in common? Each understood the
importance of following God and working His plan instead of his own.
Dear reader, are you waiting for,
walking with, and working for God? If one desires to have “good
dealings” with God, he would do well to learn these three lessons. Trusting
in and following God’s commands will always place a person in the best
possible position to succeed. How do you “deal” with God?
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Miracles in the New Testament
Joe R. Price
The term “miracle” is used rather loosely
today. In the Bible a miracle was something beyond natural occurrence. By
definition, the word translated miracle “is used of works of a supernatural
origin and character, such as could not be produced by natural agents and
means....” (Vine’s, III:75)
In Bible terms, a miracle is the
supernatural intervention of divine power into the natural world (cf. John
6:19; 11:39, 43-44). So for example, while the birth of a child is a
marvelous wonder, it is not, by Biblical standards, a miracle. A failure to
properly define what is meant by “miracle” causes religious confusion over
miracles. Clear Bible facts will eliminate this confusion.
SIGNS, WONDERS AND POWERS (Acts 2:22; Hebrews 2:4)
- SIGNS: Their
design was to reveal the presence of God – John 3:1-2; 9:32-33
- WONDERS:
Their nature was to attract the attention of men, to cause astonishment
– Acts 3:9-11
- POWERS:
Their origin was God – Acts 10:38; 3:12, 16
WHY WERE MIRACLES PERFORMED?
- Produce
belief that Jesus is the Christ – John 20:30-31; 5:36; 10:25, 38; 11:42;
Matthew 11:2-6
- Reveal the
gospel to Christ’s apostles and prophets – John 16:13; Gal. 1:11-12;
Ephesians 3:3-5
- Divine
confirmation of the gospel message – Mark 16:20; Hebrews 2:2-4
WHO PERFORMED MIRACLES?
- Jesus Christ
– Matthew 4:23-24; Acts 2:22; 10:38
- Those to
whom Jesus gave the power – Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:1, 9, 17
- The Apostles
Of Christ – 2 Cor. 12:12 (baptized with the Holy Spirit, Lk. 24:49; Acts
1:5, 8; 2:1-4)
- Christians
On Whom Apostle Laid Hands To Impart Spiritual Gifts – Ac 8:14-18; 19:6;
2 Tim. 1:6
HOW LONG DID MIRACLES LAST?
·
Until the death of those who had the power to work them. (The
means of imparting miraculous spiritual gifts ceased when the apostles
died.)
·
Until their purpose was fulfilled -- When the gospel was
completely revealed and confirmed - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Miracles served
their purpose and came to an end with the completion of God’s revelation,
the New Testament (1 Corinthians 13:8-10; Hebrews 1:1-2; 2 Timothy
3:16-17). Divine miracles are recorded in the Bible for our benefit.
Through them our faith in Jesus Christ is strengthened and our confidence in
the authenticity of the scriptures is secure. (http://www.bibleanswer.com/miracles.htm)
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Now that We Have Elders
Scripture Reading:
Acts 20:17-32
With the appointment of elders
here there has been an end and a beginning. Some things have changed, some
things have not changed, and some things will soon change.
I. WHAT
HAS CHANGED.
A. The
Organization of this Local Church has Changed – Phil. 1:1.
1. Previously, we were scripturally unorganized, & used men’s business
meetings to make decisions for the church’s work – Acts 14:21-23.
2. God has placed the responsibility & accountability of oversight upon
the elders – 1 Pet. 5:2; Heb. 13:17.
B. The Service of Oversight (Leadership) now Exists – 1 Pet. 5:2.
1. Feeding – Acts 20:28 (cf. Ezek. 34:2-3).
2. Watching – Heb. 13:17 (“to be sleepless, keep awake, watch; to be
circumspect, attentive, ready”). Call on elders to help, Jas. 5:14-15.
3. Protecting (defending) – Tit. 1:9-11; 1 Sam. 17:34-35; Acts
20:29-31.
4. Examples for the flock (heal…find & save…) 1 Pet. 5:3; Acts 20:32
(cf. Ezek. 34:4).
C. Members Who Willing Follow the Scriptural Rule of Elders – Heb. 13:7,
17.
1. The authority of elders:
a. Rule (Heb. 13:17): “to lead, to go before, to have authority
over.”
b. Shepherds (pastors, Eph. 4:11): Shepherds lead, not the sheep.
c. Overseers: Superintend, preside over (direct) (Acts 20:28).
d. Examples to be followed (1 Pet. 5:3).
e. According to the Scriptures – Acts 20:28-32.
2. A word of caution: 1 Tim. 5:19.
D. Accountability.
1. The elders (Heb. 13:17): cf. Ezek. 34:5-10 (16-22; Jer. 23:1-2).
2. The church: Esteem your elders; work with them – 1 Ths. 5:12-13.
II.
WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED.
A.
Personal Responsibility of each Member to Continue in the Faith – Acts 14:22
(Matt. 25:19).
1. Personal responsibility of every member to…
a. Work & serve – Rom. 12:3-8 (Eph. 4:15-16).
b. Grow to maturity – Heb. 5:11-14 (2 Pet. 3:18).
c. Live morally – 1 Jno. 2:15.
d. Be vigilant – 1 Pet. 5:8 (Eph. 5:15-18; Acts 20:28-32).
B. We Still Face Tribulations as We Live for Heaven – Acts 14:22.
-Having elders does not mean, “no more problems!” – cf. having apostles
(Matt. 10:16-26).
C. Still have Mutual Care for Brethren – Phil. 2:2-4; Rom. 12:10 (Eph.
5:21).
III. WHAT WILL SOON CHANGE.
A.
The Appointment of Deacons – 1 Tim. 3:8-13.
Conclusion
Having elders will not please God unless the elders & the church work
together to do God’s work in God’s way – Eph. 4:1-3, 16. By doing so, we
glorify God! (Eph. 3:20-21)
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