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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:
Being Better
Communicators
Dissatisfaction
with the Completed Word of God
Sermon Outlines:
Being Better Communicators
Joe R. Price
Communication is
vitally important to every health relationship. Although this simple truth
is readily acknowledged, in practice it can be easily discounted, disrupted
and discontinued, leading to stress, strain, chaos and sin. Communication
helps understand one another better. It helps us “pursue peace with all
people, and holiness” (Heb. 12:14).
God, the Master
Communicator, has spoken to man since creation, and does so “in these
last days…by His Son” (Heb. 1:1-2; see article on page 2). Where better
to go to learn to be effective communicators than God’s word? We can
improve our communication skills. It takes faith and hard work, but we can
mature in the use of our tongues (Jas. 1:19-20; 3:2).
God’s word says a
good communicator…
·
Delivers
life, not cruelty, with his words Prov. 10:11)
·
Speaks with
understanding (Prov. 10:12-13)
·
Speaks from
knowledge (Prov. 10:14)
·
Is not
hateful, deceptive or slanderous with his words (Prov. 10:18)
·
Is selective
with his words (Prov. 10:19)
·
Reflects
righteousness when he speaks (Prov. 10:20)
·
Has the
welfare of his listeners in mind (Prov. 10:21)
·
Meets the
needs of others with careful words (Prov. 25:11)
·
Speaks
helpful words (Prov. 25:12)
·
Is reliable
and trustworthy with his message (Prov. 25:13)
·
Does not
exaggerate in order to flatter himself (Prov. 25:14)
·
Knows when
not to speak (Prov. 26:17)
·
Knows
inappropriate humor hinders effective communication and good relations
(Prov. 26:18-19)
·
Does not
bear tales and is not contentious – is not a gossip (Prov. 26:20-23)
·
Does not use
deceptive, flattering words (Prov. 26:24-28)
·
Speaks the
truth in love (Eph. 4:15)
·
Is gracious
and appropriate with his words (Col. 4:6)
·
Is not swift
to speak, and is a good listener (Jas. 1:19-20)
·
Exercises
self-control, knows the power of his words & his accountability to God for
them (Jas. 3:1-6)
-Adapted from
http://www.bibleanswer.com/goodcommunicators.htm
Top
Dissatisfaction with the Completed Word of
God
Joe R. Price
“God, who at
various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the
prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has
appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds”
(Heb. 1:1-2).
This verse assures us that:
God has spoken.
How fortunate for us that He has! Without God speaking His will to us we
would not know how to please Him. We cannot direct ourselves to God without
God giving us directions (Jer. 10:23; Jno. 14:6). This is fully
accomplished in the revelation of the gospel of Christ (1 Cor. 2:10-13, 1-5;
Jude 3; 2 Pet. 1:3-4).
God has spoken in
these last days.
“The last days” is used in the Scriptures to identify the period of
the Messiah’s reign (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-17; 1Pet.1:20). It is the
gospel age, when the complete blessings of God are dispensed to man through
Christ (Eph.1:9-10). The “last days” began on Pentecost and continue
until Jesus returns (Acts 2:16-17).
God has spoken to
us in these last days by His Son.
The teachings of Jesus are the words of God (Jno. 7:16). His teachings were
proclaimed and recorded by His apostles who were inspired by the Holy Spirit
(Jno. 14:26; 16:8; Eph. 3:3-5; 2 Pet. 1:21). We are confident the words of
the apostles are the inspired words of God (Matt. 10:19-20; 2 Tim.
3:16-17). By receiving the apostles’ doctrine one is receiving Christ and
the Father who sent Him (Matt. 10:40). When one rejects the apostles he is
rejecting Christ and the Father, and will be judged by that same (rejected)
word in the last day (Lk. 10:16; Jno. 12:48).
The word of God was
completely revealed to the apostles (Jno. 16:8; Jude 3; Eph. 3:3-5).
Therefore, the Scriptures they produced are completely adequate to meet our
spiritual needs (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The word of God (inspired Scripture), is
incorruptible, authoritative and understandable (1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 Cor.
14:37; Jno. 8:31-32). We can completely trust God’s word.
But, not everyone
is content to let God have the final word. Some believe God continues to
reveal Himself through visions, dreams, feelings, experiences, voices,
church councils and the like. Others say they believe in the
completeness of the word of God, but they deny it by adding to,
taking from or otherwise disobeying God’s word (Tit. 1:16). Many are
dissatisfied with the complete and final revelation of God to man (Jno.
16:13; Jude 3). This is evident by observing the epidemic proportion of
religious division in the world.
Here are some of
the things that show dissatisfaction with the complete and final nature of
God’s revealed word:
1. Foolish and
ignorant disputes
(2 Tim. 2:23).
This person is not satisfied with the Bible’s explanation of things. He is
convinced that real spirituality is defined by seeking for and disputing
over the unknown and the unknowable. He does not realize this actually
shows a lack of faith in what God has revealed (Deut. 29:29). Refuse such
questions, knowing they generate strife.
2. Fables
(1 Tim. 1:3-4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:4; 2 Pet. 1:16). A fable is a myth or story
that is not supported by facts. Oh, how many fables have men believed in
the name of religion! The Scriptures expose and condemn those who reject
the first century gospel in favor of men’s fables that pervert God’s truth
(Gal. 1:6-10).
3. The commandments of men (Tit. 1:14).
Authority must come from heaven to have God's approval in our lives (Matt.
21:25; Col. 3:17). It is a clear sign they are not satisfied with the
commands of God when men establish religious commandments and demand them of
others (Matt. 15:1-9).
4. Selfishness and pride (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2). Some preach and teach
the gospel out of hidden agendas (see Phil. 1:15-17). Such are not satisfied
to let love for truth and compassion for the lost motivate them. Instead,
God's word only satisfies this person if it can be used to serve a selfish
advantage. Be assured, such evil will ultimately be exposed and judged by
God (1 Cor. 4:1-5).
5. Bible ignorance and spiritual instability (2 Pet. 3:15-18). Some
accept error over truth and twist the Scriptures because they lack proper
grounding in Bible knowledge. Teaching that contradicts the Scriptures is
"falsely called knowledge" by these folks. Consequently, these stray from
the faith and are destroyed in their error (1 Tim. 6:20-21; Hos. 4:6).
6. Satan's deceptions (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Satan wants people to be
dissatisfied with what God has spoken by His Son. The devil is at work
trying to blind minds to the light of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4). If this is
accomplished, people remain lost in their sins (2 Cor. 4:3). His tools of
deception include overconfidence (1 Cor. 10:12), seared consciences (1 Tim.
4:1-2) and itching ears (2 Tim. 4:2-4). It is crucial to understand this and
guard against his deceptive purposes (Jno. 8:44; 2 Cor. 2:11).
God's completed word of truth completely equips us to fight Satan and be
victorious in Christ (Eph. 6:10-18). Do not be deceived; the Bible is
complete and powerful to save (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12). God has spoken to us
in His Son. He urges us to hear and obey the words of Jesus (Matt. 7:21-27).
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
Do the Words of Jesus Apply Today?
Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 3:1-8
Are MMLJ (Matt. Mk. Lk. Jno.) (before cross) a record of the Law of Moses or the gospel of
Christ? Do the words of Jesus have application today, or were they “nailed
to the cross” as part of the Law of Moses? Why this doctrine?
I. WHAT JESUS
PREACHED,
Lk. 16:16.
A. Gospel of
the Kingdom, Mk. 1:1; Matt. 4:23, 17; Lk. 4:42-44 (Matt.13:16-17; 16:16-19;
18:15-17).
B. The New Covenant, Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:6-13; 9:15-17 (Matt. 26:19).
C. A Different Message, Jno. 1:17-18 (7:46; 6:32-35, 51, 63; 9:28-29).
D. Jesus & His Teaching is Presented as Superior & Preferable to the Law
of Moses, Matt. 17:5 (5:22, 28, 32…; 7:29 (Jno. 5:46-47; 6:63, 67-68;
12:48-50; Gal. 2:21; 3:21).
E. The Apostles Said Jesus Preached the Gospel, not Law of Moses, Acts
10:36-37; 13:38-39 (Rom. 3:20; Eph. 2:14-18; Heb. 2:1-3; Jno. 14:26).
II. DO MMLJ
BELONG TO THE OLD OR NEW COVENANT?
2 Cor. 3:5-8
A. Were the
Apostles Ministers of Death or Life? 2 Cor. 3:5-6, 14-16 (Lk. 1:1-4; Acts
1:1)
B. What “Writing of Requirements” was Nailed to Cross? Col. 2:14 (Eph.
2:14-15)
Conclusion
1. If this doctrine
is true…
-The disciple cannot appeal to the very words of His Master to authorize
His conduct (Lk. 6:40).
-The personal teachings of Jesus before the cross never apply to men after
the cross (1Cor.7:10; Ac 20:35)
2. MMLJ are part of the New Testament of Christ, dedicated by his blood &
in force today (Heb. 9:15-17).
3. Authority of Jesus in MMLJ…Hear Him (Matt. 17:5).
4. We can hear & do what Jesus taught, Matt. 7:24.
Top
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