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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:
Understanding of
the Times
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Snatched from Death
Understanding of the Times
Joe R. Price
Brother
Tom Russell taught a good lesson last Wednesday night based on 1 Chronicles
12:32: “…of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to
know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred…” Noting the
evil of this present age and our need to recognize it and reject it, brother
Tom turned our attention to God’s word of truth and the salvation from sin
found only in Jesus.
Please
continue to think with me for a moment about “understanding the times” in
which we live. Some things God wants us to understand about the times
include knowing…
1)
The days are evil, Eph. 5:16. Life is filled with calamities, perils,
hardships and sin. People who “understand what the will of the Lord is”
will “walk circumspectly” (Eph. 5:15-17). One must carefully watch to
identify the dangers to our souls, diligently avoiding sin and redeeming the
opportunities we have to do God’s will. If you do not know God’s will for
your life, you can learn. God’s inspired word, the Bible, will equip you to
face the evil of the world without being overcome by it (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
It teaches about sin and how to be saved from it. It speaks of God, who
blesses and saves His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. The prayer of
Jesus for His apostles was not that the Father “should take them out of the
world; but that You should keep them from the evil one.” Since they were
“not of the world,” Jesus prayed the Father would “sanctify them by your
truth. Your word in truth” (Jno. 17:15-17). We must understand the will of
the Lord and not live carelessly, or the evil of sin will destroy us.
2)
Our days on this earth are short, Psa. 90:10. Even if one lives eighty
years and beyond, life “is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Because life is
short, some unwisely choose to “go for the gusto” and live for the moment –
which really means they selfishly live for themselves. In Psalm 90, Moses
knows God’s wrath against sin is certain. He concludes that in view of
God’s wrath as well as the brevity of life, we should “number our days, that
we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psa. 90:12). Understanding the times
prompts one to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall both live, and do this or
that” (Jas. 4:15).
3)
There is nothing new under the sun, Eccl. 1:9-10. Life brings its share
of monotony: “one generation passes away, and another generation comes”
(Eccl. 1:4). In this world, things wear out, break, decay and lose their
luster over time. Finally, we die (Eccl. 7:2; 12:1-7).
In view
of life’s transitory nature, how utterly vain and foolish it is to lay up
treasures on this earth (Matt. 6:19; Lk. 12:17-21). The “desire to be rich”
is “the love of money” that snares many souls (1 Tim. 6:9-10). We should
lay up treasures in heaven Instead of living for things that “perish with
the using” (Matt. 6:19-20). If you are driven more by “how much money I can
make” and “how much money I can spend” and “what I can buy next,” etc., it
is time to reevaluate your priorities. One who has amassing material things
as his goal is making this world his home. He has failed to “understand the
times” in which he lives. What about you?
4)
Evil will not be victorious, Rom. 8:37. From the first sin in the
garden, God began to reveal that He would conquer the old serpent, Satan.
The seed of woman, who would also be the Son of God, would strike the death
blow (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4-5). “God gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 5:57). Christians are assured “we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us” (Rom. 8:37).
Faith is
tested as we live in a world full of evil. Some wonder, “How could God
allow all the evil in the world? If there is a God, why is there so much
pain and suffering on earth?” Such sentiments question the integrity of God
and undermine faith in Him. It is sin that brought death into this world,
not God (Gen. 2:17; 3:4-13; Rom. 5:12). Consequently, human beings live with
the toil, trials and testing of the flesh before returning to dust (Gen.
3:17-19). We experience physical decline and death because of Adam, not God
(1 Cor. 15:22).
“Christ
also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us
to God” (1 Pet. 3:18); Jesus conquered sin. “But now Christ is risen from
the dead” (1 Cor. 15:20); Jesus conquered death. Even though there is so
much evil in this world, Christians do not despair because they overcome the
devil “by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Rev.
12:9-11). The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, overcomes every enemy of His
people, “for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with
Him are called, chosen and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).
An
understanding of the times helps one know what he ought to do. In 1
Chronicles 12:32, the men of Issachar knew what Israel ought to do. If
understanding does not lead to action, then what good is it? (If you
understand the effect of gravity but jump off a cliff anyway, what good has
your knowledge been to you?) We can know there is sin all around, but
unless our knowledge leads us to hate the evil and love the good, what good
is it? We sin when we know God’s will and do not do it (Jas. 4:17).
Not
everyone has an understanding of the times in which we live. Some are
willfully ignorant of truth. These scoffers live according to their own
lusts and purposely forget the word of God (2 Pet. 3:3-5). They refuse to
keep God in their knowledge and plunge deeper and deeper into depravity and
eternal death (Rom. 1:18-32).
Then
there are those who twist the Scriptures through ignorance and instability
(2 Pet. 3:16). God has given us His word to light our path and give us
spiritual life. But, many prefer the darkness of sin and error rather than
the light and life of truth. Why? “Because their deeds (are) evil” (Jno.
3:19, 20-21).
We can
have an understanding of the times and know what we ought to do. “Let us
hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his
commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13-14).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Why?
Scripture Reading:
Romans 5:6-11
1. The question
“why?” gets to one’s motive, reason and purpose, Lk. 2:49; Matt. 11:7-8.
2. Why did you seek Jesus? Why did you become a Christian? Why are you
here? Why does it matter?
I. WHY ARE YOU A
CHRISTIAN?
A. Because you
Believe Jesus is the Son of God? Jno. 20:30-31
B. Because You Know the Value of your Soul? Matt. 16:24-27
C. Because you Wanted to be Saved from your Sins? Acts 16:30-34
D. Because you Want to Please Someone Else? Gal. 6:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:10
E. Because you Want to Avoid Hell? 1Jno.3:17-19
F. Because you Want to Live for Heaven? Phil. 3:13-14; 3:20-21--4:1 (Heb.
11:13-16)
II. WHY ARE YOU
HERE TODAY?
A. Out of
Curiosity? Matt. 11:7-8; Jno. 18:34; Acts 17:18-21 (32-34); Jno. 1:45-49.
B. Searching for “Something Better” in your Life?
Meaning
(Eccl. 12:13-14)?; A “church home” (Acts 2:41-47)?; Peace (Jno. 14:27)?;
Problem of sin (Acts 2:36-41)?; Truth (Jno. 18:37-38)?
C.
Because you had to come? Lk. 14:15-24
D. Because you want to…
1.
Worship, Jno. 4:23-24 (Psa. 122:1); Acts 2:42.
2. Hear word of God, Acts 10:32-33 (1 Tim. 4:6, 16).
3. Encourage your brethren, Heb. 10:24-25.
4. Grow in Christ, 1 Cor. 14:26 (5, 12); 1 Pet. 2:1-3.
5. Express genuine faith & sincere love, Jas. 4:17; 1:21-27; 1 Pet.
1:22.
III. WHY DOES IT
MATTER?
A. Because God
is Real (Exo. 5:2; Jno. 1:18).
B. Because Jesus Died for you, Rom. 5:6-11.
C. Because Jesus Lives, 1 Cor. 15:12-20, 29-34.
D. Because You Matter, Matt. 10:31 (Lk. 19:10).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
The Army of God
Scripture Reading:
Revelation 19:11-16
1. David had a
great army, 1 Chrn. 12:22.
2. Christ has a great army, Rev. 19:11-16, 19; 17:14.
3. Traits of soldiers in David’s army, 1 Chrn. 12:23-40.
4. Traits of Christians (in the Lord’s army, 2 Tim. 2:3-4).
I. BE A GOOD
SOLDIER OF JESUS CHRIST
(2 Tim. 2:3).
A. Armed &
Trained for Battle, 1 Chrn. 12:23-24, 33, 8 (Eph. 6:10-17; 1 Chrn. 12:33; 2
Cor. 10:3-5).
B. Valor, 1 Chrn. 12:25 (28, 30); Eph. 6:10.
C. A Good Reputation, 1 Chrn. 12:30 (Acts 10:22; 6:3); Prov. 22:1 (1 Cor.
15:33-34; 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Tim. 2:4; Matt. 5:16).
D. An Understanding of the Times, 1 Chrn. 12:32; Jas. 3:13-18; Eph.
5:15-17 (Lk. 12:56-57).
1. Elders (Acts 20:29-30; Tit. 1:9-11).
2. Preachers (2 Tim. 4:3).
3. Parents & children (Eph. 6:1-4).
4. Christians in a dangerous world (1 Jno. 2:15-17).
E. Stout-hearted Men (Women), 1 Chrn. 12:33.
1. Moral courage, 2 Pet. 1:5.
2. Diligent endurance, 1 Cor. 16:13.
3. Loyal hearts, 1 Chrn. 12:38 (Phil. 1:27; 2:1-4).
F. Able to Keep Battle Formation, 1 Chrn. 12:35-36 (33, 38).
1. Disciplined (Matt. 8:9); 2 Ths. 3:4.
2. Orderly, 2 Ths. 3:6, 14; 2:15.
3. Trustworthy, 2 Cor. 7:14-16.
Conclusion
1. Christ with
His army of faithful saints is victorious, Rev. 19:11-16, 19 (Rom. 8:35-39).
2. Who is on the Lord’s side? 1 Chrn. 12:18
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Snatched from Death
Joe R. Price
A woman was pulled to safety Friday morning seconds before her car was hit
by a freight train. Fullerton, California Fire Department engineer Pete Gray
said 20-year-old Amanda Pratt was rescued 10 to 15 seconds before the
crash. Her car had careened onto the tracks when another car broadsided
her. Unable to get her door open, she did not know a train was coming until
she saw the crossing gate lower and heard the ringing bells. She panicked. A
man ran onto the tracks and opened her passenger door while another man was
trying to open the driver’s door. Both of them dragged her to safety. Pratt
did not know the names of her rescuers, but wished to thank them. Gray
praised the men as heroes. (Yahoo! News, 1/20/2006)
Jude wrote:
“…but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the
garment defiled by the flesh” (Jude 23). Consider these noteworthy
points from Scripture:
1. The
urgency of teaching the lost. Do we care enough to risk our life and
limb to try to save a stranger? What about trying to save their soul by
teaching them the gospel? If you don’t try to rescue the lost, who will?
(Matt. 9:36-38)
2. Where
there’s life, there’s hope. It’s never too late to obey the gospel. If
you need to get right with God, do now! (2 Cor. 6:2)
3. Sober
mindedness, not panic helps solve problems. Sin and error thrive on
chaos. Step back, be calm in your soul, trust the Lord and His word; Satan
will be defeated (1 Pet. 5:8-9).
4. It is
amazing how much can be accomplished when we are not concerned about who
gets the credit. Some Christians can’t wait to tell you how important
they are to the cause of Christ and all they’ve done for the Lord. But, it
is God who gives the increase; we are content being dutiful servants (Lk.
17:10). “Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger,
and not your own lips” (Prov. 27:2).
Top
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