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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:
Declaring the Whole
Counsel of God
Who is a Christian?
(Keith Greer)
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Skidding off the Runway
Declaring the Whole Counsel of God
Joe R. Price
Before God and Christ, the apostle charged the preacher Timothy to
“preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). There’s a
lot that needs to be preached! For example:
•
Preach about Christ.
His life, words and works, His sacrifice, resurrection and ascension, His
authority and reign as king, His promised return and the judgment day, His
plan of salvation (Acts 1:1-3; 17:1-4).
•
Preach about the church.
People need to know what it is, why it exists, its work, its organization
and its worship (Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:15).
•
Preach about the Christian’s life.
Molding our
character, attitudes and conduct into that which is like the Master, our
duties, our blessings and our hope (Lk. 6:40; Acts 14:22).
•
Preach on subjects of morality.
There will always be a need for warnings against immorality and
encouragements to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world
(Tit. 2:11-12; 1 Jno. 2:15-17).
•
Preach about Bible characters.
A wealth of instruction can be gleaned from the lives of people found in
God’s word (Phil. 3:17).
•
Preach textual lessons.
People need to know the Bible
(Hos. 4:6; Jno. 8:31-32)! Explain
the Scriptures and make practical applications that exhort and admonish your
hearers (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
•
Preach topical lessons.
The Bible addresses topics on life and godliness, so study and teach all God
has said on such things (2 Pet. 1:3-4; Psa. 119:160).
•
Preach against false doctrine.
Remember to “test the spirits, whether they are of God,” because
there are many false prophets (1 Jno. 4:1; Matt. 7:15).
Many more examples could be given. Our principle responsibility and
aim is to declare “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). To preach
the whole counsel of God is to preach Christ. To preach Christ is to preach
His word, His church, His authority and His salvation (Acts 8:5, 12; 1 Cor.
2:1-5). To do less is to lose our soul and the souls of those we teach
(Acts 20:26; Rom. 1:16-17; 1 Tim. 4:16).
Preaching the whole counsel of God does not mean preaching some new
thing (Acts 17:21). The gospel of Christ is not a novel message. The
apostle John said, “Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an
old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment
is the word which you heard from the beginning” (1 Jno. 2:7). Preach
the word that was heard from the beginning, when the gospel went forth from
Jerusalem (Acts 1:8; Gal. 1:6-10). There is some truth in the old adage,
“If it’s from God’s word, it isn’t new, and if it’s new, it isn’t from God’s
word.” “Tell me the old, old story, of Jesus and His love” – all of it.
Top
Who is a Christian?
Keith Greer
The answer to our
question depends on who you ask. Many people in the religious world give
conflicting answers to this question. Why? Unfortunately, many must go to
their creeds or doctrinal teachings to locate the answer. We will endeavor
to answer it by consulting the Bible—God’s answer book.
One who is born
again.
“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the
Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a
pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but
incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.”
{1 Peter 1:22,23} Christians must be spiritually born to enter God’s
family. Under Moses’ law, those who were born of Jewish parents were
automatically children of God. Yet, our Lord taught that unless one is “born
again” he cannot enter God’s kingdom {John 3:3-5}.
One who wears
Christ’s name.
“And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for
a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people.
And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” {Acts 11:26}
Members of God’s family wear Christ’s name. Those who obey the gospel of
Christ confess their belief in Christ’s Deity—He is the Master of our souls.
Why would one who belongs to Christ wear any other name?
One who is growing
spiritually.
“But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
{Hebrews 5:14}
Believers must continue to grow and mature spiritually. Peter told us we “must
grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.” {2 Peter 3:18} We desire
God’s word to help us grow into more “perfect” people {Matthew 5:6; 1
Peter 2:2}. God expects us to bear spiritual fruit by growing in our
desire and ability to teach others the gospel. Sadly, many of God’s children
remain spiritual infants because they lack desire for real spiritual food
that can lead them to maturity.
One who has the
proper character.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works
and glorify your Father in heaven.” {Matthew 5:16} “A new commandment I give
to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love
one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.” {John 13:34,35} God’s people march to the beat of
a different drum. They have different goals, are spiritual-minded, and seek
to influence the world for the cause of Christ. Christians are people with
godly character. Read very carefully the words of Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-11—the
things God’s people must add to their faith. God expects His children to be
different in an ungodly world {Romans 12:1,2}. We must be holy as our
Father in heaven is holy {1 Peter 1:15,16}.
The world may have
difficulty accepting or understanding this answer. Sadly, their definition
of a Christian may not be the same as God’s. Men may think they have the
correct answer, but God views the matter differently. If one wishes to be a
Christian, he must look to the One who defined Christianity.
-(Knollwood Messenger)
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The Kingdom of Christ
Scripture Reading:
2 Samuel 7: 10-17
1. A king ruling
over an insurmountable kingdom predicted in OT: 2 Sam. 7:13-14; Psa. 2:6-7;
110:1-3; Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14.
2. Gabriel
announced to Mary her son would be king & reign over that kingdom, Lk.
1:30-33.
3. Jesus is now
King, Jno. 18:36-37; Acts 2:36 (17:7). That means His kingdom exists today.
4. Many who do not
believe the kingdom of Christ was established during NT times, or that it
exists today. “What saith the scripture?” (Gal. 4:30)
Kingdom
Facts:
·
Jesus
preached the gospel of the kingdom, Matt. 4:23 (Lk. 9:11); 13:10-11; 18-19.
·
Jesus
announced the approach of the kingdom, Matt. 4:17; 12:28.
·
Jesus
identified His kingdom as His church, Matt. 6:16-19.
·
Jesus
identified the nature of the kingdom, Jno. 18:36 (Lk. 17:20-21; Dan. 2:44;
Lk. 1:33).
·
Jesus
predicted establishment of kingdom, Lk. 12:32; Mk. 9:1 (Lk. 24:49; Acts
1:6-8; 2:1-4, 47).
·
Apostles
proclaimed present existence of the kingdom, Acts 20:25 (8:12); Col. 1:13;
Rev. 1:9.
·
The
kingdom consists of those who have received remission of sins, Rev. 1:5-6;
5:9-10 (Acts 2:37-38, 41).
·
Salvation
depends on it, Lk. 16:16; Jno. 3:3-5.
·
We are
receiving a kingdom, Heb. 12:28.
·
Daily goal
is to put the kingdom of God first in our lives, Matt. 6:33; Lk. 9:62.
Conclusion
1. Kingdom of
Christ exists today; the kingdom of Christ is the church of Christ. It is
mighty and its glory is secure.
2. Must live in
Christ’s kingdom now to enter the everlasting kingdom (heaven)
later, 2 Pet. 1:10-11.
3. Obey the gospel
call of God & enter His kingdom, Acts 2:37-41, 47; Col. 1:13 (1 Ths. 2:12).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Authority (#4): How to Establish Bible Authority (continued)
Scripture Reading:
Acts 15:6-12
1. Continued from
Part 4: Authority established by direct statement, apostolic approved
example & necessary inference.
a. Command: Eat the Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:23-25.
b. Apostolic approved example: When to eat, Acts 20:7
c. Necessary inference: How often to eat, Acts 20:7.
2. Are these man-made rules or God-approved pattern? (Matt. 28:18)
II. MAN-MADE
RULES OR GOD-APPROVED PATTERN FOR HOW TO ESTABLISH DIVINE AUTHORITY?
Acts 15:6-21
A. Authority
in Question: Must Gentiles be Circumcised & Commanded to Keep the LOM to be
Saved? (15:1, 5)
1.
Apostolic example of Gentile salvation w/o LOM, 15:7-11 (14:3).
2. Necessary inference, 15:12. (Miracles accompanied conversion of
Gentile obedience to the gospel w/o works of LOM – therefore, God’s approval
is necessarily inferred.)
3. Direct statement of Scripture proves Gentiles are called & saved by
the gospel of Christ, not the LOM, 15:13-19.
B. Any
One Sufficient to Establish NT Authority.
1. Do
not need all three ways to establish authority present before anything is
authorized (i.e., before binding authority exists):
a. Any one was enough to establish God’s authority on Gentile
salvation without the LOM (Acts 15:7-19).
b. cf. Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7): W/o NI we have no authority for how
often to eat it.
c. cf. Giving (1 Cor. 16:2): Without NI we have no authority to lay
by in store every Sunday.
Conclusion
Without a
God-approved way to establish Bible authority we will never be able to do
all things in the name of Christ (Col. 3:17); Everyone will go their own
way, not God’s (Matt. 7:21-23).
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Skidding off the Runway
Joe R. Price
Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 slid off the runway at Chicago’s Midway
International Airport Thursday night during a snow storm, killing a six year
old boy and injuring at least 10 others. This tragic event teaches us some
poignant, yet needed, lessons. The dead child was not a passenger on the
plane, but in a passing car. The jet left the runway, plowed through a
fence and into traffic on the adjacent street, causing the fatality. We
extend our sympathy to the family of this innocent child.
We are
reminded of the figure Jesus used of the straitened way that leads to life
in Matthew 7:14. (A runway may seem broad, but not for a jetliner.) The
way to life is “straitened” (ASV; narrow, difficult, compressed).
And, the way to life is defined by the Lord, not by us. Jesus said few find
that way. If we do not “enter by the narrow gate” we will experience
eternal tragedy (Matt. 7:13; Lk. 13:24).
Please note carefully in Matthew 7 that the Lord’s next warning was of
“false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are
ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). What one believes and teaches affects
his fellowship with God and his hope of eternal life (1 Jno. 1:7; 2 Jno.
9). It is not Scriptural to plead for a general principle of love as the
reason to agree to disagree when God’s word has revealed a standard of truth
(Jno. 14:6; Gal. 1:6-10). It is not Scriptural to abandon Bible truth by
claiming love as the motive for the abandonment (Eph. 4:15; Gal. 4:16).
False teachers will try to tell us otherwise; Jesus said,
“Beware.”
We should
learn something from this tragedy about the dreadful effect of sin. The
child was not on the airplane that lost control, yet his life was lost.
Sin, including the sin of false teaching, has collateral damage. We must
not think error and its damning influence harms no one; it does. And its
harm can reach those we’d expect: “Therefore let him who thinks he
stands take heed lest he fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
Top
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