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"...Shepherd the flock of God which is among
you, serving as overseers..." (1 Peter 5:2)
Elders
Morris Bass, Rick Holt , Joe
Price |
"...let them serve as deacons,
being found blameless..." (1 Tim. 3:10)
Deacons
Aaron Bass, Rich Brooks, Mike Finn
John Hague, Dan Head |
"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
What the Word of God
Does
Paying Respect to
the Dead
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
The Vote You Cast
What the Word of God Does
Joe R. Price
The following question was
posted on the Bible Answers guest book this week: “exactly what does the
word do?”
The word of God is a mighty
force. Since it is the word of God and not man, we would expect it to be
powerful, and it is (Heb. 4:12). The word of God “effectively works in
you who believe” (1 Ths. 2:13). Here are some of the things God’s word
is capable of doing:
·
It reveals the mind and
purposes of God, 1 Cor. 2:10-13; Eph. 3:3-5
·
It records reasons to
believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, Jno. 20:30-31
·
It produces faith, Rom.
10:17
·
It is an incorruptible
seed by which one is born again, 1 Pet. 1:23; Jno. 3:5; Jas. 1:18
·
It is God’s power to save
sinners, Rom. 1:16; Jas. 1:21; 1 Cor. 1:18-21
·
It gives life, Matt. 4:4;
Jno. 6:63
·
It sanctifies, Jno. 17:17
·
It strengthens, Acts
20:32; 1 Pet. 2:2
·
It exhorts and convicts
sinners, Titus 1:9
·
It reproves, rebukes and
exhorts, 2 Tim. 4:2
·
It endures forever, Matt.
24:35; 1 Pet. 1:23
·
It cleanses, Eph. 5:26;
Jno. 15:3 (Psa. 119:9); 1 Pet. 1:22
·
It instructs in
righteousness, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
·
It completely equips a
person to serve God, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
·
It completes the love of
God in one’s life when obeyed, 1 Jno. 2:5
·
It is a light to guide our
path, Psa. 119:105
·
It is the standard of
judgment in the last day, Jno.12:48; Rev. 20:12
Many more things could be
added to this list. It is important to realize that the word of God can and
will do all of these things, but only if we choose to let it do so. We must
implant the word of God in our hearts and obey it in our lives (Jas. 1:21;
Matt. 7:21). It is a living and powerful word that can bring to life a
person who is dead in sin (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 6:17-18). But that will only
happen when that sinner believes and obeys the word. God wants you to be
saved, but He does not force you. He has given you a word you can read,
understand, obey and be saved (Matt. 28:19-20). Why not believe and obey
God’s word now, so its work can be accomplished in your life?
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Paying Respect to the Dead
Joe R. Price
We get a number of Bible questions from
our websites (www.bibleanswer.com and
www.bibleanswer.com/mtbaker), and we do our
best to answer them all. The following was received earlier this week:
“I was
wondering what the Bible said about visiting or paying respect to the dead?”
The Bible says a number of interesting
and relevant things about paying respect to the dead. Of course, such
respect is directly related to the life that the person had lived. (2 Chrn.
16:14; 21:19)
The burial of a corpse was itself a mark
of respect, since unburied bodies was viewed as disgraceful (Jer. 16:4).
When the dead bodies of Saul and his sons were hanged on the wall of Beth
Shan, valiant men retrieved and buried them, and then, out of respect and
remorse, fasted seven days (1 Sam. 31).
The respectful burial and remembrance of
the dead is traced to ancient times. When Sarah (Abraham’s wife) died, he
mourned for her and purchased a burial site, where he and subsequent
generations were also buried (Gen. 23; 25:9-10; 49:29-33). When Jacob died
his body was embalmed (after the custom of the Egyptians) and his death was
mourned a total of seventy days (Gen. 50:1-3). A great funeral procession
took his body from Egypt to the tomb of his fathers (Gen. 50:4-14). All of
this indicates genuine respect and regard for Jacob. The embalmed remains
of Joseph were respectfully kept for hundreds of years and then dramatically
carried from Egypt during Israel’s exodus and wilderness wandering into the
land of promise, and there finally laid to rest (Gen. 50:24-26; Exo. 13:19;
Josh. 24:32; Heb. 11:22). These are just some of the recorded examples of
burial and respect for the dead in the Old Testament (Nu. 20:29; Deut.
34:8).
The New Testament also records the
showing of respect for the dead. Jesus mentioned the practice of
maintaining the tombs of the dead, as well as decorating them in memory of
the deceased (Matt. 23:27-32). Although Jesus rebuked the hypocrisy of the
scribes and Pharisees (who adorned the graves of the prophets and the
monuments of the righteous while rejecting the very word of God those
prophets spoke), He did not criticize the customs themselves. To show
respect for the dead with monuments, headstones, flowers and other such
grave site adornments are customs that are not condemned in the word of
God.
After the death of Lazarus, his sisters
are seen mourning his passing while others comforted them (Jno. 11:28-31).
When Jesus observed Mary’s grief, He groaned in his spirit, and wept (Jno.
11:32-35). The woman who found Christ’s tomb empty had gone there to pay
their respect for the dead by intending to complete the process by which the
body was made ready for interment (Lk. 23:53-24:1). Widows are seen near
the dead body of Dorcas as they showed her handiwork to Peter and remembered
her good life of faith (Acts 9:36-39).
And of course, Christians pay respect to
Jesus every week as they remember His sacrificial death on the cross for
human redemption (1 Cor. 11:23-29). There is no greater memorial than the
Lord’s Supper, which Christians eat until He comes again.
It is a good and right to pay our respect
to the dead. The Bible says:
“Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the
house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take
it to heart”
(Eccl.
7:2).
A number of lessons can be learned whenever
we “go to the house of mourning” and pay our respect to the dead. We
will close by noting some of these lessons
1. It is a time to remember that we
will also die. None of us are strong enough to overcome death; none are
swift enough to evade this intruder (Eccl. 8:8). It is “appointed for
men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
2. It is a time to be thankful for
those who have departed. We are thankful for the love of departed
parents, the sacrifice of patriots and the faith of God’s people who have
now gone to their reward. Though they are dead, men and women of faith
continue to speak, and we should listen to their messages (Heb. 11:4).
3. It is a time to resolve to have a
righteous influence on others while we live. We pay respect to the dead
because their life has touched ours. We are better because they lived. As
we reflect on and remember the lives of those who are now dead, we are moved
to in turn touch the lives of others in good ways (Matt. 5:13-16; 2 Tim.
4:7-8).
4. Now is the time to get right with
God. Life is brief and uncertain, but death is sure (Jas. 4:13-17).
So, now is the time to obey God and prepare to meet Him (Amos 4:12; 2 Cor.
6:2; Acts 10:34-35; 17:30-31). Pay respect to the dead; and get ready to
die.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
God, Our Father
Scripture Reading:
Romans 8:12-17
1. A father is to be respected &
loved: He nurtures & teaches his children; he provides & protects them;
they depend on him (Matt. 6:9; 7:9-10; Prov. 4:1).
2. God is our Father, & that great relationship compels us to give Him our
highest praise & deepest devotion, Mal. 2:10; Eph. 4:6; 1 Cor. 8:6.
I. GOD, OUR FATHER, CHOSE US IN
CHRIST.
A. Adoption, Eph. 1:4-5, Gal.
4:4-7; Rom. 8:12-15; 2 Cor. 6:16-18 (Deut. 32:5-6).
B. Redeemed, Eph. 1:6-7; Jno. 1:12; Matt. 12:50; Gal. 3:26-27
C. Inheritance, Rom. 8:16-17; 1 Pet. 1:3-9.
II. GOD, OUR FATHER, LOVES US:
OBEY HIM (1 Jno.
3:1-3; Jno. 14:15).
A. Provides & Protects, Deut.
1:30-31; Matt. 6:31-32; 7:7-11 (6:33); 1 Chrn. 29:10, 13-14.
B. Defends Us, Psa. 68:5 (10:14, 18); 146:9 (Deut. 10:18); Acts 20:35; 1
Ths. 5:14.
C. Saves Us, Rom. 5:8; 1 Jno. 4:7-11.
D. Sustains Us, Isa. 46:3-4; Heb. 13:5-6.
III. GOD, OUR FATHER, DISCIPLINES
US: ACCEPT HIS DISCIPLINE.
A. Correction, Prov. 3:11-12;
Deut. 8:5; Heb. 12:5-11; 5:7-8.
B. Punishes Sin, Psa. 89:30-33; Jas. 1:2-4.
IV. GOD, OUR FATHER, HAS
COMPASSION FOR US: FEAR HIM
(Psa. 103:11-14; Mal. 3:16-18).
A. Mercy for the Moment, 1
Tim. 1:2; Lk. 15:20; Matt. 6:14-15.
B. Mercy for Eternity, 1 Pet. 1:3; 3 Jno. 4.
Conclusion:
Isa. 64:8; 1 Pet. 1:17
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
The Vote You
Cast
Joe R. Price
This is not an endorsement of a
candidate. It is a moral and spiritual call that is based on the Bible
truth that God rules in the kingdoms of men and He gives rule and power to
whomever He chooses for His purposes (Dan. 4:17). The governments of men
are under the authority of heaven, and God’s purposes will be accomplished
on this earth (Matt. 6:10; Jno. 19:10-11; Rom. 13:1).
We are granted a privilege
and responsibility in our country that many do not have; the vote. On
November 2 the ballots will be cast; indeed, the dye will be cast. What
direction will we go as a nation? What should guide us as we decide who
will get our vote for president, vice-president, and many other elected
offices? Here are a few suggestions.
Will the person who gets
your vote use his authority to honor God and man (1 Tim. 2:1-2)? Those
who do not are more likely to serve themselves instead of the principles of
righteousness and justice. Let us pray (and vote) for candidates of
integrity and honor who respect and value the life of all people, including
our unborn.
Will the person who gets
your vote protect the innocent and punish evil-doers? Romans 13:1-6
says rulers are God’s servants to do this very thing. May the Lord put and
keep in place such authorities.
Will the
person who gets your vote rule with wisdom or folly (Eccl. 10:5-7)?
Wise rulers bless their subjects, but foolish leaders are a scourge upon the
land. Look for wisdom guided by humility and truth. “Righteousness
exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34);
and, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psa. 33:12).
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