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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:
When Fellow-Christians
Sin
Some Facts about the
Church
Sermon Outline:
Examples of the
Beatitudes
When Fellow-Christians Sin
Joe R. Price
“If we say that we have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:8).
The fact is, we all sin (Rom. 3:23). We all need God’s mercy and love that
forgives us in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7; 1:7). The mercy we have obtained in
Christ compels us to show mercy to those who sin against us (Matt.
18:32-35). However, this is only one of the responses God teaches us to
have when others, including Christians, sin. It can become especially
difficult to react properly when fellow-Christians sin, and even more so
when the sin is against us personally. Here are typical reactions and what
God teaches us to do. When a Christian sins, will we…
1) Ignore it?
Approaching another person about sin is not pleasant; it can be
heart-wrenching and painful. Yet, Jesus said, “Moreover if your brother
sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he
hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matt. 18:15). When we know of a
fellow-Christian’s sin we cannot say, “That is his (her) problem, it doesn’t
concern me.” The Holy Spirit said we must care for one another: “…the
members (of the body, the church, jrp) should have the same care for one
another” (1 Cor. 12:25).
2) Follow him into sin?
We all carry a certain amount of influence over others. Because this is
true, it is also true that at times we allow the influence of others to draw
us into participating in their sin. “And the rest of the Jews also played
the hypocrite with him (Peter), so that even Barnabas was carried away with
their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:13). Jesus warned his Jewish audience to follow
the law of Moses taught them by the Pharisees, but not to follow their
works, “for they say, and do not” (Matt. 23:3). To follow someone else into
sin is always a dead-end street.
3)
Forsake the truth in disgust or despair?
Christians are not to think and
be like the world (2 Cor. 6:17; 1 Jn. 2:15-16; et al.). When Christians
choose the world over righteousness it discourages us. One of Paul’s
companions left him for the world, and others failed to take their stand
with him in his hour of trial (2 Tim. 4:10, 16). Did Paul decide to give up
and walk away from the truth? No. He “fought the good fight…finished the
course…kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:8). When your faith is tested by the sins
of others, take heart and stay the course. God is calling you to higher,
holier living.
4) Follow the teaching of
Jesus? “Take heed to
yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents,
forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven
times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him”
(Lk. 17:3-4). The root meaning of “rebuke” means “to show honor toward,”
then “to convict, refute.” So, when we rebuke the sin of a brother we are
actually showing honor for him. As Paul said, “Have I therefore become your
enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Gal. 4:16) The goal of rebuke is to
bring about repentance (Lk. 17:3). If the brother repents we must forgive
him. Otherwise, bitterness and malice will find a lodging place in our
hearts. Even sins that are repeatedly committed against us are to be
forgiven as the sinner repents and asks for our mercy and compassion (Lk.
17:4).
5) Pray for him?
The prayers of righteous people are powerful. So, “confess your trespasses
to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (Jas.
5:16). Simon asked Peter to pray for him (Acts 8:24). We should be praying
for each other (Eph. 6:18).
6) Teach him
a better way? The path of truth leads the sinner out of sin into the
warmth of God’s forgiveness and love. When a fellow-Christian sins it is
our task to attempt to “restore” and “convert” him (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19).
Only the power of God contained in His word of truth can prick the sinner’s
heart and show him the way of salvation (Acts 2:37-38; Rom. 1:16-17).
Unless we teach God’s truth to sinners they will remain lost in their sin
(Rom. 10:13-17).
Top
Some Facts
about the Church
1)
Belongs to God - 1Ti 3:15
2) The body of Christ - Eph 1:23 Col 1:24
3) Christ, the foundation-stone of - Mt 16:18 1Co 3:11
4) Christ, the head and Savior of - Eph 1:22 5:23
5) Loved by Christ - Eph 5:25
6) Purchased by the blood of Christ - Acts 20:28 Eph 5:25
7) Sanctified and cleansed by Christ - Eph 5:26, 27
8) Subject to Christ - Eph 5:24
9) The object of the grace of God - 2Co 8:1"
10) Displays the wisdom of God - Eph 3:10
11) God defends - Mt 16:18 Ro 8:31-39
12) God provides for it - Eph 4:11, 12
13) Glory to be ascribed to God by - Eph 3:21
14) Elect - 1Pe 2:9
15) Glorious - Eph 5:27
16) Unity of - Ro 12:5 1Co 1:10 12:12 Eph 4:3-4
17) Baptized into - 1Co 12:13
18) Added to by the Lord - Ac 2:47
19) Is edified by the word - 1Co 14:4 Eph 4:15, 16
20) The wicked persecute - Ac 8:1-3 Mt 5:10-12 1Th 2:14, 15
21) Not to be despised - 1Co 11:22
22) Defiling of, will be punished - 1Co 3:17
23) Extent of, predicted - Isa 2:2 Da 2:34, 35, 44
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Scriptures for the Supper
Scripture Reading:
1 Cor. 11:23-28
1. Important to “prepare our
minds” to eat the Lord’s supper (cf. 1 Cor. 20-21, 27-28).
2. We not only sing a song about the Lord’s death, we generally read a
Scripture.
3. 1 Cor. 11:23-28 often read & for good reason.
4. Offer some additional Scriptures we can read at the table as we set our
minds on His death.
I.
PROPHECIES OF HIS DEATH.
A.
Rejected by Men, not God, Psa. 22.
B. Hated & Reproached, Ps. 69:4,7-9,19-21.
C. God’s Suffering Servant, Isa. 53.
II.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS:
A. The
Supper Instituted, Matt. 26:26-29.
B. In the Garden, Matt. 26:36-46.
C. Betrayal & Arrest, Denial, Trials, Scourging & Mockery, Lk.
22:47-23:25.
D. The Crucifixion, Lk. 23:26-49.
E. The Resurrection, Mk. 16:1-8.
III.
REASONS FOR CHRIST’S DEATH.
A. Sin,
Suffering & Salvation, 1 Pet. 2:19-25.
B. God’s Mercy & Love, Rom. 5:6-11.
C. Christ’s Willing Sacrifice, Jno. 10:14-18.
D. Christ’s Obedience to the Father, Heb. 5:5-9.
IV. OUR
FAITH IN CHRIST’S DEATH.
A. God is
for us, Rom. 8:31-39.
B. Hold Fast our Confession, Heb. 4:11-16.
V.
RESULTS OF HIS DEATH.
A. Eternal
Redemption & New Covenant, Heb. 9:11-16.
B. Reconciliation, 2 Cor. 5:17-21.
Top
Examples of the Beatitudes
Joe R. Price
Sometimes it is helpful to see what type of
people God wants us to be. Examples of godliness help us in our spiritual
development - if we are willing to follow them. We are exhorted to follow
the good examples of those who follow Christ (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17).
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount begins with the
beatitudes, a collection of concise pronouncements of blessings upon those
who possess specific qualities of character and conduct (Matt. 5:3-12).
Here are some corresponding examples of
people whose lives give us worthy examples of these attributes. Can you
think of other worthy examples? Are we worthy examples?
Blessed
are…
…the poor
in spirit (the publican, Lk. 18:13-14)
…the mourn
(the prodigal son, Lk. 15:17-21)
…the meek
(Moses, Num. 12:3)
…the
hunger and thirst after righteousness (Cornelius, Acts 10:33)
…the
merciful (Joseph, Gen. 50:15-21)
…the pure
in heart (David, Acts 13:22)
…the
peacemakers (Abraham, Gen. 13:5-9)
…the
persecuted for righteousness’ sake (the prophets, Matt. 23:35)
“Blessed are you when they revile and
persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so
they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11-12).
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