Calming the Storms of Life
Keith Greer
There’s
an old saying: “into every life a little rain must fall.” Christians
are not immune from the storms that come into people’s lives. We also live
on this earth. Yet, these storms should affect Christians much differently
than they affect those in the world. Allow me to explain.
Jesus
can calm storms.
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be
still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” {Mark 4:39}
The Lord’s disciples forgot that He was asleep in the boat’s stern. They
were afraid, although they had no reason to be. God’s Son was with them. Had
they forgotten the miracles they had already witnessed? No storm can
overtake the life of the faithful child of God, if he remembers the Lord.
The experienced sailors were helpless to alter the conditions and peril in
which the storm placed them. Take note, when God’s people try to cope with
our storms without His help, we are just as helpless. “What then shall we
say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” {Romans 8:31}
God
cares for us.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt
you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” {1
Peter 5:6,7}
God loves His children, and He is concerned about their welfare. Jesus is
not removed from the things that trouble us in this life. One reason we have
the spiritual blessing of prayer is to allow us to make our requests known
to Him {Philippians 4:6}. God is truly touched when we undergo
difficulties and trials in this life, and He wants to support and encourage
us during those times. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.
And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.” {1 John
5:4} No one can care for us the way our heavenly father does.
We can
read our Bibles. “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
{Hebrews 4:16} “ Comfort your hearts and establish you in every good
word and work.” {2 Thessalonians 2:17} “Is there no balm in Gilead,
Is there no physician there? Why then is there no recovery for the health of
the daughter of my people?” {Jeremiah 8:22} The problem in Jeremiah’s
day was similar to the one we have today—people do not talk to the one who
has the remedy for what ails or discourages them. God’s word is a lamp unto
our feet {Psalm 119:105}. The Scriptures contain the words of life
{John 6:63}. God’s word can give us divine counsel and direction to help
us endure our “storms.”
Yes,
during our lifetimes, we will face many “storms.” But the only way these
storms can defeat us spiritually is if we try to face them alone.
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Shopping Around
Joe R. Price
Let’s
face it. People shop around for a God that suits them. Religious
journalist and author Richard N. Ostling noted,
“Today,
a quiet revolution is taking place that is changing not only the religious
habits of millions of American[s] but the way churches go about recruiting
members to keep their doors open. Increasing numbers of baby boomers who
left the fold years ago are turning religious again, but many are traveling
from church to church or faith to faith, sampling creeds, shopping for a
custom-made God.” (TIME, April 5, 1993, p. 45)
People
need to have hearts that are searching for truth (Acts 17:11-12). The
doctrines of the religious world should be investigated in the light of
revealed truth of God’s word, the Bible (Jno. 8:12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). But,
why are you investigating? Is it to test all things to see what is from God
and what is not? (1 Ths. 5:21; 1 Jno. 4:1) Is it to find the “pearl of
great price” in order to be saved in the kingdom of God? (Matt.
13:45-46)
Ostling
correctly observed that many are looking for a customized religion that fits
them. Churches are adapting themselves to accommodate these shoppers. Such
accommodations are contrary to the whole concept of conversion where the
sinner changes himself to fit the will of God (Lk.3:8; Acts 26:20). It is
also contrary to the fact that man has no right or power to alter the
God-given plan of what His church teaches and practices (Matt. 16:18;
28:18-20; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 3:17). Ostling said, “A growing choir of
critics contends that in doing what ever it takes to lure those fickle
customers, churches are at risk of losing their heritage--and their souls.”
(Ibid. p.46) Important words of warning.
Why
are you what you are religiously? Have you arrived at your current
religious beliefs and practices as a result of your deliberate study of the
Bible? Or, have you just “shopped around” to find what pleases you? Maybe
you’re still shopping. Here are some reasons why people “shop around” for a
church.
Some are looking for acceptance without conversion.
They are looking for a church that will “take me as I am.” No thought is
given to repenting of sin and conforming to the will of God (Acts 17:30;
Rom. 12:2). The human will is their standard.
There are those whose “shopping list” includes a social agenda. Recreational opportunities that are used to attract
people abound in many churches. Many churches of Christ accommodate
themselves to these shoppers. I would like to know where even one New
Testament church used the social gospel approach as a part of their work.
Still others search for a good feeling in “the church of their choice.” A comic strip character put it this
way: “We’re looking for a church that’s supportive, a place where we can
feel good about ourselves. I’m not sure the guilt thing works for us.”
Many folks just do not want to deal with the guilt of sin (Rom. 3:23;
6:23). So, they search for a church where sin is not rebuked and where
their sin will not be confronted (cf. Acts 5:1-13; 1 Cor. 5:1-2). A
loosened approach to fellowship has become the appeal of many churches of
Christ. For fear of “running somebody off” sin is not rebuked. Instead,
“positive” Christianity is promoted. The result is a “feel good” religion
that lacks the power of the gospel to convict and save souls from sin (Rom.
1:16).
Churches of Christ must not compromise for the sake of appealing to the
masses. Jesus refused this tactic and so must we (Lk. 14:25-27; Jno. 6:15;
2 Cor. 11:2-4; Gal. 1:6-10). We must diligently maintain the purity of the
church in its work (preach, edify, assist needy saints), its worship (pray,
sing, preach, Lord’s Supper, give), its organization (independent churches
overseen by elders and served by deacons), its doctrine and its morality.
“Buy the truth, and do not sell it” (Prov. 23:23).
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Mothers are a Gift from God
Scripture Reading:
Proverbs 31:25-31
1.
Motherhood a God-given role exclusively given women, 1 Tim. 2:15; Psa.
127:3.
2. Motherhood learned, not inbred, Titus 2:4.
3. Lessons from Bible mothers for mothers today & to teach children to
always love their mothers.
I. BLESSINGS TO GIVE YOUR CHILDREN.
A.
Jochebed: The Blessing of Life & Safety, Exo. 2:1-10; Heb. 11:23; Prov.
31:27 (1 Tim. 5:14); 29:15.
B. Hannah: The Blessing of Devotion to God, 1 Sam. 1:9-11, 20, 24-28;
2:18-20.
C. Eunice & Lois: The Blessing of Teaching God’s Word, 2 Tim. 1:5; 2 Tim.
3:14-15; Prov. 1:8-9; 31:26.
II. SOME
CHALLENGES OF MOTHERHOOD.
A. The
Challenge of Time: Use it Wisely, 1 Pet. 4:7; Eph. 5:16; Deut. 6:7.
B. The Challenge of Patience: Develop Self-control, 1 Cor. 9:25;
Phil. 4:6.
C. The Challenge of Multi-Tasking: Managing Household, 1 Tim. 5:14; Phil.
2:3-5; Prov. 31:28-29
III.
GOD’S ADVICE ON MOTHERHOOD.
A.
Avoid Favoritism & Comparisons of Children, Gen. 25:27-28.
B. Set Godly Examples for Your Children, Ezek. 16:44-45 (cf. 1 Pet.
3:1-2).
C. Be Thankful for your Children, 1 Ths. 5:18 (Jug. 13:8).
Conclusion
1. “A
wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
(Prov. 15:20)
2. Motherhood is honorable & demanding. Keep faith in God for your
strength, guidance & comfort, & share your faith with your children.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
One Cannot be Taught Wrong and Baptized Right
Scripture Reading:
Acts 19:1-5
I. FALSE DOCTRINE DOES NOT
PRODUCE TRUE OBEDIENCE.
A. One Cannot be Taught Another Faith &
Correctly Obey the “One Baptism,” Eph. 4:5 (Gal. 1:6-7).
B. One Cannot be Taught Another Jesus & be Correctly Baptized into Christ
(2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 3:27); 2 Jno. 7, 9-11.
C. One Cannot be Taught Another Faith about Sin & Expect Baptism to Wash
Away His Sins, Acts 2:36-38; 22:16 (Rom. 6:1-4).
D. One Cannot be Taught Another Faith about Salvation & Expect Baptism to
Save the Lost, Mk. 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21 (Acts 16:30-34).
E. One Cannot be Taught Another Faith about the Church & be Correctly
Baptized into the Body of Christ, Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 12:13 (Acts 2:47; 8:12).
II. THE AUTHORITY THAT
VALIDATES (APPROVES) BAPTISM (Matt. 21:23).
A. The Authority that Approves Baptism
Belongs to Jesus Christ, Matt. 28:18-20 (Col. 3:17); Acts 19:1-5. -Baptism
“in the name of Jesus Christ” is by authority (approval) of Christ (Acts
2:38; 8:16; 10:48).
B. The Misuse of Authority Invalidates
the Action, Acts 19:11-17 (Matt. 15:12-14).
III. CHRIST’S AUTHORITY
FOR BAPTISM IS REVEALED IN HIS NEW TESTAMENT.
A. Christ is Not Divided, 1 Cor. 1:13-17.
Conclusion
1. If you were not baptized by the
authority of Jesus Christ then you are not yet saved by Jesus Christ.
2. If you were baptized after being taught false doctrine by a false church,
your baptism was not approved by Christ; you are still in your sins & need
to be baptized in the name of Jesus to be saved by Him (Acts 18:8; 19:5).
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Databases
Joe R. Price
The National Security Agency has been
accumulating a massive database of Americans’ telephone calls to track
calling patterns with data provided by AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth, USA
Today reported Thursday. An anonymous source said it would be the largest
database ever assembled in the world. “The agency’s goal is ‘to create a
database of every call ever made’ within the nation's borders, this person
added.” (“NSA has massive database of Americans’ phone calls,” Leslie
Cauley, USA Today, 5/11/2006)
Did you know God has His own
database? Please read and consider Psalm 139:1-7:
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known
me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought
afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted
with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O
LORD, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before, and
laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is
high, I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I
flee from Your presence?
God’s database includes:
1. Complete knowledge of every person
(139:1-2). God has searched every one of us and knows us completely.
2. All our ways
(139:3). God knows every thing we do every moment of every day – not just
phone calls.
3. All our words
(139:4). Idle words condemn us, and God knows and will judge every one we
speak (Matt. 12:36-37).
4. The book of life
(Phil. 4:3; Rev. 21:27). Only those whose names are on this database will
enter heaven.
Like David, such knowledge is being
beyond our comprehension. God’s database makes the NSA look like child’s
play.
Something else worth remembering:
There are no privacy rights when it comes to God (Psa. 139:7-12). God sees
and knows everything about us (Heb. 4:13). What are you thinking, saying
and doing? God already knows.
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