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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:
The Fruit of the Spirit:
Joy (#3)
"Let not you heart be
troubled"
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
On Trial for Preaching God's
Word
The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy (#3)
Joe R. Price
The Declaration of
Independence declares it to be among the “unalienable Rights” endowed to us
by our Creator. “The pursuit of Happiness” has been dreamed of, written
about and chased after for centuries. Men go to war over it and measure
success or failure by it. It is not a bad thing to have a happy life (Eccl.
9:7-9). The trick comes in knowing what true happiness is. From a “this
world” perspective, happiness is ever-fleeting, never completely realized.
But from a spiritual perspective, joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit we
produce as we live in truth (Gal. 5:22). Joy as God defines it gives
context to the pursuit of happiness here on earth (Matt. 5:10-12).
The Christian has every
reason to live a happy life. God’s great redemptive work, fulfilled in
Christ Jesus, causes the reverent of heaven and earth to rejoice (Lk.
2:8-11; Rom. 5:10-11). Our souls lift up a joyful voice to the God of our
salvation for all His mighty works that save us from our sins (Psa. 35:9;
Isa. 61:10). His promise of abiding care relieves our worries about “this
life” concerns (Matt. 6:19-34). Truly, there are many reasons to
“rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4).
From what do you take joy
and happiness: Recreation? Work? Family? A good book? A good meal? All
of these and more provide elements of happiness in life (Eccl. 2:24-26;
5:18-20). But the most lasting joy we can ever know is that of living for
Christ. The reason? Because this is a joy that can never be taken from
us. Like the apostles’ joy upon seeing the resurrected Christ, the
Christian’s joy cannot be taken away by anyone (Jno. 16:22).
Not that it is always easy
to be happy in this sin-cursed world! Satan continually attacks the
Christian’s joy with constant assaults against truth, morality and faith.
The penetration of trials into our lives, though intended by Satan to
produce sorrow and doubt, can produce joy in the life of the Christian who
puts his trust in the living God (Jas. 1:2-4; Rom. 5:1-5). Furthermore, by
imitating the character of Christ we show ourselves to be worthy citizens of
His kingdom – something that brings us lasting joy (Matt. 5:3-12; 1 Pet.
1:3-7).
The joy of Christ is in us
when we abide in Him by keeping His commandments (Jno. 15:10-11). We do
not have the joy of Christ in our lives when we do not obey the word of
truth that the Spirit of God revealed (Gal. 5:16, 18, 25). Just as we sing,
so may it be: “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in
Jesus, but to trust and obey.”
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"Let not you heart be troubled"
Joe R. Price
Their Teacher and Lord was going away.
Although He had told them of His departure, one of them professed they did
not know where He was going (Jno. 14:4-5). Jesus assured Thomas and the
other apostles that “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through Me” (Jno. 14:6).
Jesus gave assurance to their faith in
Him by affirming and encouraging them. He said,
“Let not
your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My
Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be
also”
(Jno.
14:1-3).
When your faith begins to falter, remember
these comforting words of Jesus and renew your confidence in Him and
reliance upon Him. Jesus always keeps His word (“if it were not so, I
would have told you”)! By trusting Him we are able to press on to the
heavenly goal. Notice what Jesus said on this occasion that gives comfort
to all disciples:
1.
Belief in God compels belief in Jesus (Jno. 14:1).
Jesus is the “Word” who was with God in the beginning, who is God and the
Creator of all things, who became flesh and dwelt among men, who brought
grace and truth to earth from heaven’s throne and who revealed the Father to
mankind (Jno. 1:1-3, 14-18).
The respect and trust one puts in God
to give eternal life is rightly given to Jesus (see Jno. 5:21-23). All who
truly rely on God will rely on Jesus. The burdens of a heart that is
troubled by sin and sorrow are lifted at Calvary (1 Pet. 2:24-25).
2.
God’s house has many dwelling places (Jno. 14:2). This is not an endorsement of
choosing one’s own way to heaven, for Jesus said He is “the Way” to the
Father; the strait way to eternal life (Jno. 14:6; Matt. 7:13-14). No,
here Jesus is assuring His disciples there is limitless capacity, abundant
care and keeping, in His Father’s house. Soon, the disciples of Christ
would be added to the church, the house of God (Acts 2:38, 41, 47; 1 Tim.
3:15). There is room in the kingdom for all who will believe, repent, be
baptized and live for Christ (Rom. 1:15-16; Gal. 3:26-29). And, the eternal
environs of the heavenly kingdom are boundless. The heavenly abode is
spacious and secure. By faith we live for heaven as we journey life’s
pathway (Heb. 11:13-16; 2 Pet. 3:11-13).
3.
Jesus has prepared a place for us (Jno. 14:2).
By His death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, Jesus opened for
sinner’s our access to heaven’s mercy and its eternal mansions (Heb. 2:9-10;
4:14-16; 10:20). He gives sinners rest (Matt. 11:28-30).
4.
Jesus will come again and take us home to glory (Jno. 14:3).
This world is black with sin, but do not
fear: Jesus has overcome the world (Jno. 16:33). With faith in Christ as
the Son of God, His victory is yours (1 Jno. 5:4-5).
And isn’t that where Jesus began His
words of assurance in John 14:1? “You believe in God, believe also in
Me.” Oh yes, “where I go you know, and the way you know” (Jno.
14:4). The way to heaven is Jesus. His way is an obedient faith (Mk.
16:16; Jas. 2:21-24). Living by faith confirms and conforms to Christ’s
comforting words: “Let not your heart be troubled.”
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Speaking the Truth in Love
Scripture Reading:
Ephesians 4:7-16
1. Our speech tells much about
us (Lk. 6:45; Matt. 5:37; 26:73).
2. Eph. 4:15: The Christian’s assignment here involves two things:
a. An absolute: Speaking the “truth”.
b. An application: In “love”.
3. Things required to speak the truth in love.
I. IT REQUIRES SPEAKING.
A. Our Speech must be Brought
& kept Under Control, Jas. 3:2-5, 8; 1:19; 1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 2:7-8.
B. We must be Willing to Speak When it Would be Easier to Remain Silent,
Col. 4:2-6; Gal. 2:14.
II. SPEAKING THE TRUTH
– Eph. 4:25.
A. “What is Truth?” (Jno.
18:38) Matt. 15:7-9; Acts 5:3-4; cf. Prov. 12:17.
B. Speaking Truth is a Trademark of the Christian – Matt. 5:37; Col.
3:9-10; Phil. 4:8.
C. Speaking Truth is Anchored in “the Truth” of the Gospel – Jno. 17:17;
8:32.
III. SPEAKING IN LOVE
(1 Cor. 13:6, 3).
A. Requires Addressing the
Need of the Audience, Eph. 4:29; Acts 20:20 (17:16-17); Prov. 27:6 (2 Cor.
7:8-11).
B. Requires Speaking for the Right Reason, 1 Cor. 16:14; Eph. 4:14-16
(Gal. 2:14; 4:16); Phil.1:15-17 (1 Cor. 13:1, 4-7).
C. Requires that We Seek to Speak in the Most Effective Way Possible –
Col. 4:6 (Rom. 1:16; cf. 2 Sam. 12:1-15); Jno. 7:24.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Question Box (Jan 2005)
Scripture Reading:
Colossians 1:3-12
#1 – “If Adam and Eve were the
first two on earth, how did we end up with so many different races?”
1. Adam &
Eve were first humans – 1 Tim. 2:13; Gen. 2:7, 21-22; 3:20; 1 Cor. 15:45.
2. Two models:
a. Evolution: Mankind the result of changes over millions of yrs
(modern man, 200,000 yrs).
b. Biblical: All from one blood, Acts 17:26.
2. Following Bible facts are relevant:
a. All humans came from a solitary human couple, Gen. 3:20; Acts 17:26;
cf. Mal. 2:10.
b. God is no respecter of persons, Acts 10:34; 1 Sam. 16:7; Gal. 2:6.
c. God designed variety, Gen. 1:24-25; etc.
d. The dispersion of the human family after the flood – cf. Gen. 1:28;
Gen. 11:4, 5-8.
3. The likenesses of all ethnic groups far outnumber the differences, Psa.
139:14.
#2 –
Would you explain gossip: What is it? What causes it? What can be done to
prevent it?
1. Several
forms:
a. Slander (whispering, secret slander), Psa. 101:5; Prov. 10:18.
b. Tale-bearing, Prov. 18:8; 20:19; 11:13; 26:20 (16:28).
c. Busybody, 1 Pet. 4:15.
d. Backbiting: “to defame”, Psa. 15:3.
2. Causes include…
a. Hateful, angry heart, cf. Lev. 19:16-18.
b. Pride & envy, Rom. 1:29-30; 2 Cor. 12:20.
c. Idleness, 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Ths. 3:11.
3. What can be done to prevent it?
a. Love our neighbor, Lev. 19:18 (Matt. 22:39)
b. Cleanse hearts/put away sin, 1Pet.2:1; Jas.4:8ff
c. Stay busy, 2 Ths. 3:11.
d. Control the tongue, Prov. 12:17-22.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
On Trial for
Preaching God's Word
Joe R. Price
According to a report from
Agape Press, four people have been bound over for trial for preaching
against homosexuality at the pro-homosexual “Outfest” event in early October
(“Report Says DOJ Lawyers Complicit in Arrest of Christians”, Jim & Jody
Brown, Agape Press, crosswalk.com, 06Jan05). A source within the U. S.
Department of Justice told WorldNetDaily that homosexual attorneys from the
DOJ’s Civil Rights Division were involved in urging their arrest and charge
of “ethic intimidation” under Pennsylvania’s new “hate crimes” law (Ibid.)
The apostle Paul was
imprisoned for preaching the gospel: “in stripes above measure, in
prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I
received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I
was stoned” (2 Cor. 11:23-25). Many others paid similar prices for
faith, both before and after the cross of Christ (Heb. 11:36-38; Rev. 2:10).
We should not think that
such things cannot happen to us. Although those mentioned in the above
incident are not members of the Lord’s church, their trial shows that now,
as in the days of the New Testament, when we are willing to speak the truth
of God “with all boldness” we will face opposition (Acts 4:29; Phil.
1:20; 2 Tim. 3:12).
Sometimes, even Christians
resist the word of God and harm those who speak it (2 Tim. 1:15; 3 Jno.
9-10). The itching ears of men will always bring with them a corresponding
amount of affliction for those who preach the word and will not scratch the
itch (2 Tim. 4:2-5). Do not say, “It cannot happen today”. It can happen,
and continues to happen today throughout the world.
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