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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:
Not a Big Deal?
False Accusation and
Slander (Part 2)
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Being Thankful
Not a Big Deal?
Joe R. Price
As we continue to study Bible authority in a series of sermons (see page 3)
we will eventually discuss how to establish and apply Bible authority to the
work and worship of the local church. The subject is of consequence because
the word of God teaches us we must act under the authority of Christ in all
we say and do (Col. 3:17). That includes the functions of the local
church. To do otherwise is to forfeit fellowship with God (2 Jno. 9).
For example, there is a pattern for our
worship of God: prayer, singing, eating the Lord’s Supper, giving of our
means and studying God’s word (Acts 2:42; 20:7; Eph. 5:19). To alter the
pattern of sound words concerning worship corrupts true worship; God is not
pleased (2 Tim. 1:13; Jno. 4:23-24).
There is also a scriptural pattern for
the work of the local church. When New Testament Christians came together
in their assembled worship (1 Cor. 11:17-20), they edified each other and
taught the word of God (1 Cor. 14:26; Acts 20:7; Eph. 5:19). Churches were
also doing the work of evangelism (Acts 11:22; Phil. 1:3-5; 4:15-16) and
tending to needy saints (Acts 4:32-35; 6:1-6; 11:27-30; 1Tim. 5:16).
Many churches of Christ evidently
believe edification is accomplished by simply being together. Therefore,
whatever the local church does to get brethren together is accepted as
edification. We are not opposed to brethren spending time together; that is
a good thing (Acts 2:46). But, it is not the work of the local church to
arrange all manner of social gatherings for the brethren. For example, many
churches of Christ provide kitchens or multi-purpose rooms for social meals,
etc. in their buildings, and promote these meals as a form of fellowship and
edification. Yet, the Bible clearly prohibits this in 1 Corinthians 11,
where Christians are told they “have houses to eat and drink in” and
therefore, “if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home” (11:22, 34).
The eating to be done as part of a church’s worship and work is the memorial
meal of the Lord’s Supper, not a social meal that fills the stomach (1 Cor.
11:17-34).
There is no Bible authority for a local
church to plan, promote or provide social activities. As just noted, there
is a prohibition against it. Yet, some are heard to say that such
activities are not a big deal; they can take it or leave it. (Okay, then
why not stop doing it?)
Please don’t confuse the issue. The
issue is not one of eating where you worship. Yes, churches can and have
met in homes in which people also eat. (Many other things occur in homes,
too. Shall all of these also become part of the work of a local church?)
The issue is whether the local church has Bible authority to add another
work – that of social activities – to the work already given it by the Lord
(evangelism, edification and the care of needy saints).
When a local church provides and
promotes social activities as a part of its work of edifying the saints, it
shows a misunderstanding of edification, and it acts without Bible
authority. That is a “big deal.”
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False Accusation and Slander (Part 2)
Joe R. Price
Exposing the Problem
Oh, for the faith and courage to examine
ourselves, lest we harbor the sins of false accusation and slander in our
hearts and permit their expression with our tongues (2 Cor. 13:5)! The
difficulty with exposing these sins within ourselves is that slanderer does
not love light – they lurk in the shadowy darkness of bitterness and pride,
envy and malice, evil suspicions and hatred (Eph. 4:31; 1 Tim. 6:4; 2 Tim.
3:3-4). Without earnest and honest examination of our own motives in the
light of God’s word we will not be willing or able to see these sins in
ourselves (Jno. 9:39-41; 3:19-21).
God forthrightly condemns the false accuser
and his slanderous words. Israel was commanded, “You shall not circulate
a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous
witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in
a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice…You shall not
pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a
false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify
the wicked” (Exo. 23:1-2, 6-7). Please notice that not only was the
false report condemned, so also was the distribution of the falsehood. The
Lord God made it clear: He would not (and will not) justify such
wickedness. Undoubtedly, this is because “a false witness who speaks
lies and one who sows discord among brethren” is detestable to the God
of truth and justice (Prov. 6:19; Deut. 32:4). There is no doubt that
“whosoever spreads slander is a fool” (Prov. 10:18).
The New Testament of Christ equally condemns
false accusations and slander. Slanderers walk in fellowship with those who
love themselves, who are traitors, headstrong, haughty, and who are unloving
toward men and God. Godliness is merely a façade in this person’s life.
Therefore, we are commanded to “turn away” from such (2 Tim.
3:1-5).
The Holy Spirit commands us to put away
lying and speak truth about one another, “for we are members of one
another” (Eph. 4:25). The separation of best friends is just one of the
sorrows produced by the whisperer who spreads slander (Prov. 16:28).
Spreading false accusations and slander divides the body of Christ. Is this
not the desire of the devil? There is good reason why “all liars shall
have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is
the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
False accusation and slander are products of
a prideful, hateful, malicious and envious heart. They serve the devil’s
desires, and we should be deeply grieved over such treatment of one
another. David sought divine deliverance and protection from the danger and
damage of those who, with wicked intent, slanderously defamed him:
“Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, who plan
evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war. They
sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the poison of asps is under their
lips…let not a slanderer be established in the earth…I know the Lord will
maintain the cause of the afflicted…” (Psa. 140:1-3, 11-12). The evil
of false accusations and slander gives every godly person reason to pause
and examine their treatment of others in the light of divine truth.
(Continued next week)
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Authority (2): Its Source and Standard
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 21:23-27
1. How can we have confidence we are
trusting in God’s authority & not man’s to save us?
2. How does God make His authority available to man so we can know His will,
obey it & live in His blessings?
I. THERE ARE ONLY
TWO AVAILABLE SOURCES OF AUTHORITY: ONE IS RIGHT & ONE IS WRONG,
Matt. 21:23-27.
A. Man’s Wisdom
Enslaves, is Empty & Deceptive, Col. 2:8 (1-3).
B. God Speaks to Man through Jesus Christ, Heb. 1:1-3.
C. Christ Possesses All Authority, Matt. 28:18 (17:5; Acts 3:22-23; Eph.
1:20-23; (Acts 4:10-12).
II. CHRIST’S
AUTHORITY IS CONTAINED IN HIS WORD,
Heb. 1:2-3.
A. The Lord Began to
Speak Salvation, Heb. 2:3-4 (Jno. 6:63, 68; 8:31-32; 12:48-50).
B. Judged by Word of Christ, Jno. 12:48; 5:22.
III. THE CHAIN OF
AUTHORITY FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH (GOD TO MAN).
A. Jesus Spoke the
All-Authoritative Word of God, Jno. 12:49-50.
B. Gave the Same Authoritative Word to Apostles, Jno. 17:6-8, 14-19.
C. Apostles Given the All-Authoritative Word by the Holy Spirit (Jno.
14:16-18, 25-26; 16:12-14).
D. Must Hear Words of Apostles, Lk. 10:16.
IV. INSPIRED
SCRIPTURE CONTAINS CHRIST’S COMPLETE AUTHORITY,
2 Tim. 3:16-17.
-Our responsibility, 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Eph. 5:17.
Conclusion:
1 Pet. 1:22-25; Isa. 55:11.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The Righteousness of the Kingdom (2)
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:19-24
-Review Part 1 (Matt. 5:17-20).
I. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE KINGDOM
REFLECTS TRUSTING FAITH & PRODUCES FRUITFUL SERVICE,
Matt. 6:19-34.
A. Faith that Trusts & Serves God,
6:19-32 (Rom. 1:17); Jas. 2:18.
1. Valuables, 6:19-21, 24; 1 Tim. 6:6-8.
2. Vision, 6:22-23; Col. 3:2.
3. Values, 6:25; Matt. 16:26 (1 Jno. 2:15-17).
B. We must Faithfully & Fruitfully Serve God, 6:33-34; Heb. 13:5-6.
1. Kingdom of God, Lk. 17:20-21 (1 Pet. 3:15).
2. His righteousness (Matt. 5:20; 6:24); see Lk. 1:6; Rom. 6:12-16.
3. Daily provisions & pursuit, 6:34, 11.
II. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF KINGDOM PROPERLY
ASSESSES ALL THINGS, Matt.
7:1-20.
A. Judge Ourselves & How we Judge
Others, 7:1-6 (Jno. 7:24).
B. Assesses God’s Ability to Bless Us, 7:7-11 (1 Pet. 3:8-12; Jas. 1:17).
C. Assesses One’s Treatment of Others, 7:12 (Prov. 24:29; Matt. 22:37-40).
D. Assesses the Paths of Life, 7:13-14 (Jno. 1:4-5; 14:6).
E. Assesses Teachers & Teachings, 7:15-20.
III. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF KINGDOM HEARS &
OBEYS THE WORDS OF JESUS, Matt.
7:21-29.
A. Saying but not Obeying is Sin,
7:21-23 (5:20).
B. The Wisdom of Obedient Faith, 7:24-29 (Matt. 11:28; Lk. 6:47, 49 (Col.
3:17).
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Being
Thankful
Joe R. Price
“And
let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in
one body; and be thankful.”
(Col. 3:15)
Christians, who live in fellowship with God,
should continually be impressed with the many spiritual blessings enjoyed in
Christ (Eph. 1:3). But, like children of the flesh, children of God can
forget and fail to be thankful. Having been called to the peace of God,
each member of the body of Christ is to thankfully allow His peace to rule
in our hearts (and thus, over our lives, Col. 3:15).
The list of whom and for what we should be
thankful is as long as the list of blessings we have in our lives: God,
for His salvation, love and truth; Parents, who gave us life itself;
Children, who teach us what life is all about; Fellow-Christians,
who comfort, encourage and help us live for Jesus; Our country, where
freedom still rings...
Please consider this good summary on being
thankful children of God:
“For children of God, every day is a day of
thanksgiving. Even our pleas and petitions are to be accompanied by
expressions of thanks. “With thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God” (Phil. 4:6). Jesus commended the giving of thanks for kindnesses
shown and blessings bestowed (Luke 17). One of the first signs of depravity
is the lack of thankfulness (Rom. 1:21). Truly, brethren, “be ye thankful”
(Col. 3:15). “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18).” (“Be Ye Thankful,”
Larry Ray Hafley)
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, let’s
remember to be thankful and to say “thank you” every day.
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