|
"...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:
We Preach Christ Crucified
Things to "Mix" in 2006
Sermon Outlines:
We Preach Christ Crucified
Joe R. Price
“We preach
Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks
foolishness”
(1 Cor. 1:23). Let
there be no mistake: Preaching “Christ crucified” is gospel
preaching. The “word of the cross” is the power of God to save the
lost (1 Cor. 1:18, 21; Rom. 1:16). It reveals how God forgives sinners and
what sinners must do to receive God’s forgiveness (Rom. 1:17; 3:21-26; Acts
2:37). It must be preached.
The apostle
Paul observed that when he preached at Corinth he “determined not to know
anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).
Some hastily conclude that to preach Jesus is to preach only the life
and death of Jesus and not the doctrine recorded in the inspired
epistles by Christ’s apostles and prophets. We are told, in effect, that
Jesus is more important than His doctrine. Yet, He is “the Truth,”
which indisputably involves His doctrine (Jno. 14:6; 7:16-17). Such
minimizing of doctrine allows for the subjective interpretation of Scripture
(“choose the doctrine of your choice”). Such a view affirms that Jesus
approves of each person deciding what doctrine is important and what is
unimportant. We are scolded when we teach there is one body of doctrine
(teaching) that is truth for all (Jno. 17:17). “Just preach Christ and
leave others alone,” we are told.
In order to
preach the “message of the cross” we must know what that preaching
includes (1 Cor. 1:18, 21). Does it include the plan of salvation? Does it
include principles of divine authority? Does it include the work and
organization of the church? Does it include teaching about sin? Does it
include instruction on human obedience? Does it include preaching the
fulfillment of prophecy? The Scriptures answer “yes” to each of these
questions. Let us see what it means to “preach Christ crucified.”
In Acts 8:5, Philip “preached Christ” to the city of Samaria.
What did that entail? In Acts 8:12 we learn that he preached the “things
concerning the kingdom of God.” Without question, preaching Christ is
preaching about His kingdom, the church of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19). After
all, the church is His body and fullness (Eph. 1:22-23). How can one preach
Christ and not preach about His body, the church? How can one preach Christ
and not preach that He is the savior of His body, the church (Eph. 5:23)?
When Philip
“preached Christ” he preached concerning “the name of Jesus Christ”
(Acts 8:12). He proclaimed Christ’s authority; His right to rule our lives
(Matt. 28:18-19; Eph. 1:20-23). To fully preach Christ we must preach His
authority. Preaching how the authority of Christ is established and applied
in Scripture should not be denounced as not preaching Jesus. Just
the opposite is true; we will preach about Bible authority when we preach
Christ. Whatever we say and do must be supported by His authority (Col.
3:17). And, by the way, His authority is revealed to us in “the word of
His power,” His New Testament - “the word of the truth of the gospel”
(Col. 1:5; Heb. 1:1-3; Jno. 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
When Philip
“preached Christ” he preached baptism, since “both men and women were
baptized” (Acts 8:12). This means he preached about sin and how sinners
are saved (Acts 2:37-38, 40). This means he taught the plan of salvation
when he preached Christ to the Samaritans (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; 8:1, 4).
Those who believed the gospel obeyed it and were saved (Acts 8:12-13). We
conclude that Philip preached the continuing responsibilities of faithful,
obedient discipleship (Acts 8:13). None should object to preaching the
responsibilities of discipleship (such as moral purity, Rom. 12:1-2) as
not preaching Christ. “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the
faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Col.
2:6-7).
When Philip
“preached Christ” he preached fulfilled prophecy. In Acts 8:35, Philip
“preached Jesus” from Isaiah 53:7-8, instructing the Ethiopian that
Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy. The Jesus whom we preach is the
suffering Christ of Old Testament prophecy (Acts 17:2-3).
The New Testament
of Christ is the apostles’ doctrine that was preached in the first century
(Rom. 16:25). It is what lost souls heard, believed and obeyed in order to
be saved from their sins (Acts 2:40-41). The gospel they preached was not
their own; it was revealed to them by the Spirit of God (Jno. 16:12-15; Gal.
1:11-12; 1 Ths. 2:13). It was the “word of the cross” then, and it
continues to be the “word of the cross” today (1 Cor. 1:18; 1 Pet.
1:22-25).
We will not make
distinctions in God’s word where there are none. To “preach Christ
crucified” includes preaching that Jesus fulfilled God’s prophetic plan
to save sinners. It includes His life, death, resurrection and exaltation;
it includes man’s faith and obedience; it includes the church of Christ and
the authority of Christ over our lives. We must preach the “whole
counsel of God,” the inspired scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-4:2; Acts 20:27).
To do less is not preaching Christ crucified to the world.
“…but we preach
Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks
foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the
power of God and the wisdom of God.”
(1 Corinthians
1:23-24)
Top
Things to "Mix" in 2006
Joe R. Price
Every New Year’s Eve we hear of people mixing
things they shouldn’t (like drinking and driving), with deadly results.
Similarly, we cannot mix service to God with the things of this world
without it resulting in eternal death (Matt. 6:24; Mk. 8:34-38; 1 Jno.
2:15-17).
As another year fades into memory and a new year dawns, let us join the
prophet Samuel and raise our Ebenezer: “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1
Sam. 7:12). We thank God for His gracious blessings that have brought us to
this point and filled our lives with the joy of eternal hope in Christ (Eph.
1:3). Truly, our cup overflows (Psa. 23:5). Since we are not promised
tomorrow, today is the day of salvation – the day to get right with God (2
Cor. 6:2). Today is a good day to start mixing the right things together:
• Mix love for Christ and obedience to Christ,
John 14:15.
• Mix belief and baptism to be saved, Mark 16:16.
• Mix repentance and baptism to have remission of sins, Acts 2:38.
• Mix obedient faith and love for truth, Galatians 5:6-7.
• Mix works of faith and professions of faith, James 2:17-18.
• Mix words of love and works of love, 1 John 3:17-18.
• Mix your words and gracious appropriateness, Colossians 4:6.
• Mix justice, mercy, faith and obedience, Matthew 23:23.
• Mix mercy and truth, Psalm 85:10.
• Mix righteousness and peace, Psalm 85:10.
• Mix prayer for laborers and personal labor, Matthew 9:37-38.
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Steps toward Apostasy
Scripture Reading:
2 Tim. 4:1-5
Intro.
1. Satan never leaves
Christians alone (Rev. 12:17).
2. This is a personal battle; God is with us (Eph. 6:10-13; Rom. 8:37-39).
3. Apostasy: lit., a standing away from.
4. Apostasy is defection from…
a. The word of God, Lk. 8:13.
b. The faith, 1 Tim. 4:1.
c. God, Heb. 3:12.
5. Christ’s disciples warned, Matt. 10:22; 24:12-13; 1 Cor. 10:12; Rev.
2:4-5.
I. HOW APOSTASY
DEVELOPS, 2 Tim. 4:1-4.
A. First Step: A Wrong
Attitude toward Truth, 4:3. (Prov. 4:23; 23:7).
1. “Will not endure sound doctrine” 4:1-2 (Psa. 119:140).
2. Complacency, compromise, convenience & shame toward word of God –
heart is being prepared to fall away (Heb. 3:12-13).
3. Prevention: Seek, welcome & use truth, 1 Ths. 2:12.
B. Second Step: Becoming Comfortable with Error, 4:3. (“According to their
own desires”)
1. Lustful cravings choke word of God, Mk. 4:18-19; Jas. 4:1-4 (1 Jno.
2:15-17); cf. Jer. 5:30-31; 1 Kgs. 22:5-8, 22; 2 Cor. 11:4; Eph. 5:8-13 (2
Jno. 9-11).
2. Prevention: Instead of being comfortable with sin & error, we must
contend for the faith with all humility, Jude 3; Jas. 4:7-10.
C. Third Step: Abandon Truth & Replace it with Error, 4:4. (“will turn their
ears away…”); cf. Col. 2:18-19; 1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Pet. 1:16.
1. Repeated warnings, 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; Tit. 1:14.
2. Prevention: Be watchful, endure & work…keep hearing & heeding all
truth (Rom. 10:17; Jno. 8:31-32).
Conclusion
1. Any step toward
apostasy is too far (1 Jno. 2:1).
2. Remedy: Repent & do first works (Rev. 2:4-5; Matt. 6:33); 1 Tim. 4:2;
Heb. 3:13; 6:4-6 (Acts 8:20-24).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Bible Authority (#6): Aids and Additions
Scripture Reading:
1 Corinthians 10:23-33
Intro.
1. God has expressed His authority in the
Scriptures generically & specifically.
2. How do we scripturally tell the difference between an aid (that helps us
obey God’s word) & an addition that violates God’s word?
I. WHAT IS AN AID?
A. Definition: “lit., to bring together…to be an advantage, profitable
expedient…” (Vine) Jno. 16:7.
-“Aid” or “expedient” helps obey God’s will.
B. For a Thing to be Expedient (an aid), it Must be Lawful, l Cor. 6:12;
10:23 (31-33).
C. Aids do not Change the Force or Effect of the Authorized Action.
(Incidentals or non-essentials)
1. Noah’s tools, song books, a pitch pipe & song leader,
trays & cups are aids to help obey command to eat LS (1 Cor. 11:23-26).
2. Apply to the work of the local church:
a. Preach (1 Ths. 1:8): Pulpit, sound system,
power point…
b. Edify (1 Cor. 14:26): Classes, material,
bulletin, building…
c. Relieve saints (Acts 2:44-45): How to
distribute (mail, by hand)…
D. Aids involve Choices (are non-essential).
E. Aids must Edify, 1 Cor. 10:23, (31-33, 24).
II. WHAT IS AN ADDITION?
A. Definition: “to put to, to add, join to.”
B. Concerning Bible Authority, an Addition to God’s Will Changes the Force &
Effect of the Authorized Activity.
C. Additions are Forbidden, not Approved, (no authority of Christ), 2 Jno. 9
(Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18).
Conclusion
When we add to the will of God, we turn away from gospel of Christ to a
different gospel; we pervert His gospel & part from His grace, Gal. 1:6.
Top
|
