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"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Mercy and Truth Have
Met
Convicted of Sin
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Why Same-Sex Marriage will
Always be Wrong
Mercy and Truth Have Met
Joe R. Price
Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
(Psa. 85:10)
We need God’s mercy or we will
forever be lost in our sins. God’s mercy offered to every sinner through
the sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ (by grace you have been saved) (Eph. 2:4-5).
God’s merciful grace is
obtained through faith (Eph. 2:8). Such faith entails obedience to
God’s truth by confessing faith, repenting of sins and being baptized into
Christ (Rom. 10:17; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38). We thus see the divine
provisions of salvation (mercy, grace) coupled with the human response of
faith (that obeys) in order to receive salvation. The sinner is saved
because mercy and truth meet. “In mercy and truth atonement is provided
for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord one departs evil” (Prov.
16:6).
Both God’s mercy and His
truth are to be exalted and praised: “For Your mercy is great above the
heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds” (Psa. 108:4). God’s
mercy toward sinners is not antagonistic toward the necessity of obeying
truth in order to obtain that mercy. God’s salvation is “near to those
who fear Him” (Psa. 85:9; Lk. 1:50).
Yet, some deny that
sinners must obey truth in order to obtain divine mercy. So, we have the
false doctrines of “faith only” and “grace only” that offer mercy without
obeying the law of liberty (Matt. 7:21-23; Jas. 1:22-25; 2:24; Eph. 2:8-9;
Heb. 5:8-9).
Mercy without truth is
arbitrary. Mercy that is not attached to truth is without definition
and subjective. But, God distributes His mercy impartially and in harmony
with His truth (Exo. 33:19; 34:6-7; 1 Tim. 2:3-4). So must we (Matt. 5:7).
Truth without mercy is
arrogant. The Pharisees forgot mercy when they sat in Moses’ seat
(Matt. 23:23, 2-3). Consequently, they bound the heavy burden of tradition
upon others and demanded compliance to their tradition as if it were the
will of God (Matt. 23:4-5; 15:1-9). Truth joined with mercy prevents a
conceited view of self and others, and upholds truth, not tradition.
“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1 Cor. 8:1).
We cannot expect to
obtain divine mercy when we refuse to believe and obey divine truth. Mercy
is not “in spite” of what God’s word says, but “in harmony with” what God’s
word says. God’s mercy and truth meet to preserve the faithful (Psa.
40:11).
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Convicted of Sin
Joe R. Price
Since every morally
responsible person has sinned against God, each one of us must be convicted
of our sin if we are ever to be saved from them (Rom. 3:23).
When a criminal is
convicted of a crime he is proven guilty in a court of law. Being convicted
of my sins means more than just knowing I am a sinner. As the Bible uses
the term, I am convicted of my sins when I acknowledge or admit to my guilt
before God, thus being compelled to seek and obtain God’s forgiveness of my
sins against Him.
The gospel of Jesus
Christ is very clear that every sinner must be convicted of his sin before
he can ever be saved in Christ. Without being convicted of his sin the
sinner will not be moved by godly sorrow to repent of them (2 Cor. 7:10).
Like Peter, when we are convicted (convinced or persuaded) of our sins, we
will go out and weep bitterly over them (Lk. 22:62). If there is no
personal conviction over one’s sin there will be no genuine confession of
the name of Christ (Rom. 10:10). Neither will one be persuaded to be
baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38).
How does God
convict me and you of our sin? He does so by means of the word of the
gospel (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
In John 16:8, Jesus
promised that the Holy Spirit or “Spirit of truth” would “convict
the world of sin” when He was sent to the apostles of Christ
(Jno. 16:7-9, 13). The Holy Spirit inspired the apostles to preach the word
of the gospel on the day of Pentecost to convict sinners of their sin (Acts
2:36-37). Many were “cut to the heart” by the truth and the shameful
realization they had sinned against the Son of God. Their conviction of
personal sin led them to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts
2:38, 40-41). So, in the New Testament, God convicts sinners of their sin
by means of the word of God (cf. 1 Cor. 1:21; Heb. 4:13).
What happens when
the word of God convicts the sinner his or her sins? According to Acts 2:37,
sinners are “cut to the heart” by truth and their rebellion against
it. Such conviction of sin against God compels one to repent and obey God
(2 Cor. 7:10; Acts 26:20). If you are convicted of your sins then you need
to repent of them and be baptized for forgiveness. If you are already a
Christian, conviction of having sinned against God will lead you to repent
and pray, followed by a return to faithfulness (Acts 8:22; 1 Jno. 1:9).
When does God want
us to be convicted of our sins? Although it may be a great temptation to
put off obeying God to be forgiven of our sins, that is a tragic mistake.
When we delay obeying God we harden our heart and act in unbelief (Heb.
3:13). Today is the time to be so moved by conviction of your sin that you
no longer delay obeying God (Heb. 3:7-8). Sin against God causes your
spiritual death (Rom. 6:23). Why haven’t you obeyed the gospel to be
forgiven of your sins? Now is the time to be convicted of your sins, to
obey God, to be saved and to start living for God (2 Cor. 6:2).
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Gethsemane: Prayer During
Trials
Scripture Reading: Matthew
26:36-46
1. At Gethsemane we have a glimpse into the heart of Christ: His
dependency on God, His faith, sacrifice, submission & steadfastness.
2. There we learn to “follow his steps” in prayer during life’s trials
(Phil. 4:6-7).
I. THE WATCHFULNESS OF PRAYER – Matt. 26:38-39, 40-41.
A. A Moment of Separation: Time Alone with God – 26:36 (26:30, 36, 37).
B. Prayer helps us Remain Spiritually Alert – 26:38-41.
LESSON: In prayer we trust in the presence, power & faithfulness of
God to hear & act according to His will – cf. Mk. 14:36; Heb. 5:7; Psa.
61:1-2; 62:5-8; Col. 4:2.
II. THE OBEDIENCE OF PRAYER – Matt. 26: 39, 42, 44 (Heb. 5:8).
A. The Obedient Christian Prays in Faith (not Doubt) – Jas. 1:5-8; 1 Jno.
5:14-15; Phil. 2:12-13.
B. Jesus’ Obedience Encourages & Motivates Us to Obey – 26:39, 42, 44
(Rom. 12:1-2, 11, 20-21)
LESSON: When prayer is joined with obedience it helps us accept our
“cup” & endure it in faith – 1 Jno. 3:22 (Phil. 4:13).
III. THE FERVENCY OF PRAYER – Matt. 26:44; Lk. 22:44.
A. Jesus’ Agony Increased the Urgency of Prayer – Lk. 22:43; Phil. 4:7;
Heb. 12:1-3.
LESSON: We must not grow tired of praying! -Lk. 22:46; 18:1-7; 1
Ths. 5:17; Eph. 6:18
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The Beauty of Zion (Psalm 48)
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 48:1-8
1. Zion: Stronghold, city of David, Temple Hill, Jerusalem (2 Sam. 5:6-9;
1 Kgs. 8:1; Isa. 8:18; Jer. 31:6; Amos 1:2; Isa. 2:3).
2. Rule of God: The church (Psa. 2:6-7; Micah 4:1-4; Heb. 12:22-23)
3. Psalm 48: God’s rule in Zion praised.
I. THE CHURCH: RULED OVER BY GOD, 48:1-2.
A.
The Lord Rules His Kingdom (Church) – Dan. 7:13-14; Eph. 1:20-23.
B. The Privilege of Citizenship in Zion – Psa. 87:1-3, 5-6 (Jno. 3:3, 5;
Heb. 8:10-12)
II. THE CHURCH: A PLACE OF REFUGE, 48:3-8
A.
Lord is the Refuge of the Church – 48:3; Psa. 125:1 (Heb. 13:6; Rom.
8:31-38); 1 Jno. 5:11-13.
B. The Enemies of Zion cannot Overwhelm Her – 48:5-8; Dan. 2:44; Matt.
16:18; Rev. 14:1-5 (1 Jno. 5:4; Jas. 4:7; Eph. 6:10-13).
III. THE CHURCH IS GOD’S TEMPLE – 48:9-11
A.
The Church is a Habitation of God – Eph. 2:19-22 (Micah 4:1-2).
B. Blessings in God’s Temple, the Church.
IV. WALK ABOUT ZION – 48:12-14.
A.
Number Her Towers – 48:12 (Ezek. 3:17; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:8).
B. Mark Well Her Bulwarks – 48:13 (Eph. 6:10-13, 14-17; 2 Cor. 10:3-6).
C. Consider Her Palaces – 48:13.
-Salvation, fellowship with God, service, security, victory, hope, etc.
(Eph. 1:3)
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Why Same-Sex
Marriage will Always be Wrong
Joe R. Price
On Thursday the
California Supreme Court ruled that San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom did not
have the authority to direct City Hall to issue marriage licenses to
same-sex couples. All of the nearly 4,000 licenses issued to same-sex
couples in San Francisco were thus invalidated. The constitutionality of
California’s ban on same-sex marriage is still working its way through the
state court system.
Mayor Newsom did indeed
overstep his authority and we are glad to see this ruling. Every judge
should remember that God stands as the Supreme Judge over every human court
and He judges whether they properly adjudicate justice (Psa. 82:1-4).
Should there come a day when the courts of men legalize same-sex marriage in
this country, be assured that it will continue to be illegitimate and
immoral before Almighty God. And, His judgment will stand (Rom. 2:1-11).
Same-sex marriage will
always be wrong because homosexuality is sin. When men and women leave
the natural use of the body for that which is against nature it cannot be
legitimized and called “good” by men’s laws (Rom. 1:26-27). Homosexuality
is fornication, a sin of the flesh, and those who practice it will not
inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). Granting a
marriage license to such a relationship will never validate it in God’s
sight.
Same-sex marriage will
always be wrong because marriage is a covenant made with God. God joins
a man and a woman together in marriage based on His law for marriage (Matt.
19:6; Rom. 7:2-3; Heb. 13:4). Since God’s law condemns homosexuality, it
has no part in God’s design for marriage. Therefore, God does not agree to
the sanctity of such marriages. No covenant can be made with God in such
relationships. They are not holy and never will be, regardless of men’s
approval.
We pray that righteousness will reign in this land, for
surely sin is reproachful (Prov. 14:34).
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