Many years ago I had a conversation with a gospel preacher about the personal evangelism he was doing to start a new congregation in western Washington. He reported great and exciting activity and I wanted to know how he was going about arranging Bible studies. I asked him what he was doing to set up classes, and his answer shocked me. He said he typically took out the telephone book and randomly opened it to “let the Spirit guide me” to whom he would call. I discussed this with him since the Bible is clear that is not the way the Spirit of God communicates with us today. He was not convinced. (Coincidentally, the church that was started through his work no longer exists. Are we to conclude that the Holy Spirit didn’t “guide” him to the right people so that a stable, enduring work would be established?) Christians need to understand clearly how the Spirit of God leads us through life.

     The Bible certainly does say the Spirit of God leads us (Gal 5:18). “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Rom 8:14). Being led by the Spirit, we “walk in the Spirit”, “live in the Spirit” and bear the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:16, 25, 22-23).

     The issue is how the Spirit leads or guides us. Does the Spirit speak to individuals today apart from the revealed word of God? Or, does the Spirit guide our lives by means of the gospel He has revealed, inspired and confirmed (Eph 3:3-5; 1 Cor 2:1-13)?

     The Bible says the Spirit of God guides us by the word He gave us. He guided the apostles into “all truth” and by that truth the Spirit convicts the world “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jno 16:13, 8-11). Every action of the Holy Spirit in human conviction, conversion and consecration of life is carried out by the revealed word of God by causing faith and obedience (Rom 10:17; 6:17-18).

     This is not a denial of God’s providence in the lives of Christians. It is a warning against assigning specific random acts to God. Without revelation from God about His works, we do not have the knowledge, wisdom or power to make such assignments (Rom 11:33-36; 1 Pet 1:20-21).

     So, we put our faith in the word of truth that the Spirit of God has given us (2 Tim 3:16-17). By it we are directed to serve God and mankind (Mk 12:28-34). We are “filled with the Spirit” when we fill ourselves with the word He gave us (Eph 5:18; Col 3:16).

     If you believe the Spirit is guiding you apart from the Scriptures, how do you know it is the Holy Spirit and not a lie from the devil (2 Ths 2:9-12)? Who told you the Spirit leads through visions, premonitions and feelings? Not the Bible. The Spirit of God leads us as we believe and obey the gospel. We follow the Spirit by following the Scriptures.

Top

The gospels inform us that people were sometimes confused about the identity and purpose of Jesus. While some believed He was one of the prophets, others tried to dismiss Him as being possessed by demons. Some saw Him as a good Man, others labeled Him as a troublemaker and a blasphemer. We should not be surprised to find that confusion continues to exist concerning both Christ and His church. The following are some misconceptions that people have about the church today.

1. The church is not an ATM machine. When some people fall on hard times, their cupboards get bare and their light bills are past due, they pick up the phone and start calling churches. We usually receive several calls every month from individuals requesting financial assistance. The Bible does not allow the church to be used and abused in this way. Local churches helped their own members who were in need (Acts 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:3-16), and they extended benevolence to needy members of the church in other places (Romans 15:26), but they were never used as a charitable organization for the community at large. The purpose of the church is primarily spiritual in nature, not financial.

2. The church is not in the entertainment business. To some people, worship has become a spectator sport. Their feelings about worship are dependent upon what they have experienced with their eyes and ears, not what they have expressed with their own hearts. Preachers are sometimes looked upon as entertainers. They are judged by style rather than by substance. As long as they can deliver a polished, relevant, yet nonjudgmental message in thirty minutes or less, churchgoers are pleased. Paul was not this kind of preacher (1 Cor. 2:1). The Lord warned the prophet Ezekiel that he was looked upon as an entertainer. “Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (Ezekiel 33:32).

3. The church is not a social club. To some people, a local church is nothing more than a social club or civic group. They use their membership as a status symbol, and they attend to see and be seen. Some people who are in sales are encouraged to use church membership as a means of making contacts with possible clients. Politicians are notorious for misusing churches in this manner. Several years ago, my sister heard a campaign speech by then presidential candidate Bill Clinton during morning worship services at a Baptist church that she attended. Most people can see through such hypocrisy. The church was bought with the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28). It is despicable for man to use the death of Jesus as a means of self-promotion and personal gain.

4. The church is not a vehicle for social reform. Politicians misuse churches, not only for elections, but also as a platform to achieve their favorite social programs. The church is not a political institution. The church should have a positive influence upon society, but not because it has been instrumental in signing petitions or applying pressure upon officials or authorities. The church is to support the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) and sound forth the gospel (1 Thess. 1:8). As individual members exert their influence (as salt and light – Matthew 5:13-16), others are won to the gospel. As more people are truly converted to Christ, the world is made a better place.

Don’t mistake what our society tells us churches should be with the clear teaching, or the silence, of Scripture.

-The Robinson Reminder, XV:44, Oct 31, 2010

Top

You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. Ingratitude is an infectious sin, Rom 1:21; Lk 17:15-19.
2. When King David brought the ark to Jerusalem there was a great celebration of thanksgiving (1 Chrn 13-16); 15:26-28; 16:4-7.
4. Psalm 96 (1 Chrn 16:23-33): A call to give thanks to God.

I. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD IN SONG, 96:1.

  A. Singing is an Expression of Our Thanks to God, Eph 5:19-20; Col 3:16; Psa 33:1-3; Rev 14:3 (15:3).

II. WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS CHARACTER AND BLESSINGS WHEN WE WORSHIP HIM, Psa 96:2-9.

  A. Thankful for the Power of God, 96:2-5.
    1. Salvation, 96:2: Tell of God’s salvation all day, cf. Psa 71:15. (Exo 15:1-2; Psa 3:8; 25:5); Acts 4:12.
    2. Glory, 96:3: Honor, splendor, Psa 29:2; 72:19; 115:1.
    3. Wonders (marvelous works), 96:3: Declare, Psa 40:5; Psa 136.
    4. Our response to the “great” God, 96:4-5:
  B. Thankful for the Dignity of God, 96:6-8.

III. GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS JUDGMENTS, Psa 96:10-13.

  A. God’s Judgments are Righteous, 96:10-12. Rom 2:5; Jno 7:24; Rom 2:1; (prejudice, Jas 2:1-4).
  B. God’s Judgments are according to Truth, 96:13; Rom 2:2 (1 Chrn 13:7, 9-10; 15:13).

Conclusion
   Remembering David’s thanksgiving during a moment of great blessing helps us be “thanks-givers” to God. Col 2:7

Top

1. Shaping our character requires shaping our hearts, Col 3:12-17 (Rom 12:2).
2. Compassion: “To have pity, a feeling of distress through the ills of others” (Vine); “bowels of mercy” (KJV). Mercy comes from compassion (“outward manifestation of pity”).

I. COMPASSION: CHARACTER OF CARING.

  A. God’s Elect have Received Compassion, Col 3:12; Rom 9:15; 1 Jno 4:19, 10-11 (Lk 6:38).

II. COMPASSION: THE CHARACTER OF EVANGELISM, Matt 9:35-38; Acts 15:36; 16:9f.

  A. We All Need to do more, Lk 15:1-7.
  B. Compassion Sacrifices itself to try to Save Others, 1 Cor 9:22, 19 (Matt 9:38).
  C. Compassion Produces a Commitment to Teach what needs to be taught when it needs to be Taught, Acts 20:18-20; 8:20; 24:25.

III. COMPASSION IS THE CHARACTER OF FORGIVENESS.

  A. Compassion Removes the Limits of our Ability to Forgive, Matt 18:21-35 (Gen 50:15-21).
  B. Such Forgiveness is Harder than it may Appear, Lk 6:27-28, 35-36 (23:34); Acts 7:59-60.

IV. COMPASSION IS THE CHARACTER OF HELPING THE LESS FORTUNATE, Mk 1:40-42.

  A. We can Learn Compassion, Isa 1:16-17.
  B. “If you are Willing…” 1 Jno 3:16-17; Lk 10:33-34; Lk 7:13; Heb 13:1-3 (10:34).
  C. Compassion Sees itself in Others and does what it can to Help, Matt 7:12; Psa 35:13-14.

Conclusion  Character is being compassionate even when they refuse to show the same toward you (Psa 35:15-16).

Almost one third of American children now live with a parent who is divorce, separated or never married. Four out of ten Americans think marriage is becoming obsolete according to a new Pew Research Center survey (“Four in 10 say marriage is becoming obsolete”, AP, Hope Yen, news.yahoo.com).

At the heart of this issue is the redefinition of “family”. “More people are accepting the view that wedding bells aren’t needed to have a family” (Ibid.)

An overwhelming number of Americans (80%) now define “family” not only to be “a married couple, with or without children”, but also unmarried, opposite-sex couples with children and single parents. And, 60% said “a same-sex couple with children is a family” (Ibid.).

We are not speaking of those who through no fault of their own find themselves in single-parent situations. We are addressing those who choose a life of sin and reject the family as God ordained it (Gen 2:24; 4:1; Eph 6:1-4). Immorality has produced millions of single parents through fornication and divorce. The sin of fornication is on full display as couples live together without marriage (example: the British prince and his fiancée). Marriage is dishonored and millions of children grow up without having a mother or a father in their lives; or, mom and dad don’t live together anymore (due to divorce); or, more and more children have “two moms” or “two dads”.

The U.S. Census Bureau plans on “incorporating broader definitions of family when measuring poverty” in America (Ibid.). The sins of others will undoubtedly cost us all more money – as it costs those involved their souls.

A society will not endure when the family foundation is destroyed (Psa 11:3; Psa 127:1). Stand up for marriage and family as God gave it to us all (Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-33).

Top