|
"...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:
No Miracles Today
Joe R. Price
The age of miracles has ended.
Miraculous gifts, distributed by the Holy Spirit according to His will, have
served their purpose and ceased to exist. But still there are many souls
who, deceived by lying wonders and void of Bible understanding, are
convinced that God miraculously works through men and women today (Acts
8:9-11; 2 Ths. 2:9-12).
We are told by those who believe in
present-day miracles that such powers will continue in this world until the
return of Jesus. An appeal is made to 1 Corinthians 13:10 to support the
doctrine: “But when that which is perfect is come,
then that which is in part will be done away.”
The word translated “perfect” (teleios)
in verse 10 will not allow this interpretation. It means “brought to its
end, finished, wanting nothing necessary to completeness” (Thayer,
618). Paul is not speaking of Jesus in verse 10, but rather of the
completion of the object and purpose of the miraculous gifts, namely, the
completed revelation of the gospel. The miraculous gifts are identified in
1 Corinthians 12, but there is a “more excellent way” to follow than
elevating miraculous gifts above their proper role in the church (12:31). 1
Corinthians 13 shows us that “more excellent way,” which is love.
The early Christians who had been given miraculous powers were to always use
those gifts in love, for it would “abide” even though the miraculous
gifts were soon to be “done away.” Until then, 1 Corinthians 14
would show how the miraculous gifts were to be properly used in the church.
The miraculous gifts were partial and
temporary, like a scaffold around a building under construction. When the
building is completed the tools are removed; the scaffolding comes down.
Likewise, when the completed revelation of truth was completed through the
works of the apostles and prophets of Christ, the miraculous gifts, having
served their purposes of revealing, confirming and inspiring the gospel,
were removed. Now, the “perfect law of liberty” remains (Jas. 1:25;
2 Tim. 3:16-17).
One of the first century miraculous
gifts was “the word of knowledge” – the ability to have knowledge and
speak divine truth without previous study (1 Cor. 12:8; Lk. 12:11-12). But
Paul said “whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away” (1 Cor.
13:8). If by “perfect” he meant the return of Jesus (v. 10) we must
conclude that when Jesus returns knowledge will cease to exist. Yet, Paul
said when “that which is perfect has come” that “I shall know just
as I also am known” (13:12). Knowledge will not cease when Jesus
returns. Paul was not discussing the return of Jesus, but the completion of
the revelation and production of the gospel. Today, knowledge of truth is
obtained by studying God’s word, not by a miracle.
Miraculous gifts were partial in nature;
no one had them all (1 Cor. 13:9). Now, everyone have the complete
(perfect) word of truth available to them (1 Cor. 13:10). Miraculous gifts
have ended; truth remains.
Top
"I Died Last Night"
Joe R. Price
The story is told of a business man who went
to his financial adviser on a regular basis to assess and update his
financial holdings. At these meetings he would say, “I died last night.
Tell me what happened to my family, my business and my estate.” This shows
wisdom and planning on his part for the well-being of his family after his
death. Yet, if this man had actually died last night his real interest
would not be his financial wealth and stability – it would be his soul and
his standing before God (read Lk. 12:15-21). More important than having our
finances in order when we die is having our spiritual condition in order
when we die.
We don’t think that sudden, unexpected death
will happen to us. Like most, we are tempted to think that such tragedies
only happen to the other guy. And so, we give little thought to our own
death. Yet, none of us have the assurance of tomorrow (Lk. 12:20; Jas.
4:13-15). And, none of us will escape death. Are you prepared for your
death?
Preparing for death is not a morbid thought
to the Christian. We do not become discouraged over the prospect of dying.
For Christians, death is gain (Phil. 1:21, 23). So, we must develop an
eternal perspective of life. Your existence is not merely defined as the
span of time between your birth and your death. The choices you make now
will affect you throughout eternity (cf. Lk. 16:25-26; 2 Cor. 5:10; Heb.
9:27).
If you died last night you would be greatly
concerned with the answers to the following questions about your life:
“Did I obey the gospel?”
The most important questions of all in the hour of death will certainly
be, “Am I a Christian? Am I saved from my sins?” “Did I believe in Jesus
as the Christ, the Son of God?” (Jno. 8:24) “Did I confess my faith before
men?” (Matt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10) “Did I repent of my sins?” (Lk. 13:3)
“Was I baptized into Christ for the remission of my sins?” (Mk.16:16; Acts
2:38) These are questions you will surely want to answer “yes” to when
death comes your way. How tragically sad it is when people reject Christ
and His salvation by refusing to obey His gospel and be saved. They have the
punishment of eternal destruction to anticipate (2 Ths. 1:8-9). Many folks
who have not yet obeyed the gospel expect to get around to it one of these
days. How devastating it is when death comes and one is not prepared to
meet the Lord. Have you obeyed the gospel? Why not now?
“Was I faithful to my Lord?”
Having “died last night,” you recall that Jesus said, “Not everyone who says
to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the
will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Quickly you try to remember your
life: Was I faithful to study God’s word, use it in my life and teach it to
others (2 Tim. 2:15, 2)? Was I faithful in prayer (Phil. 4:6; Jas. 5:16)?
Did I faithfully abstain from all evil (1 Ths. 5:22)? Did I walk in the
good works of God (Eph. 2:10)? Was I sober and watchful against the devil,
or did I give in to his devices (1 Pet. 5:8)? You see, when we die we will
not be able to justify a lack of faithfulness with “I meant to do
what was right” or “I know I should be more faithful.” Then, it will
be too late. Be faithful now, before and until death comes, and you will
not face death with regrets over the faithful life you could and
should have lived.
“Did I make life easier for someone else?”
One area of our lives that will be judged by the Lord is our treatment of
others. Matthew 25:31-46 depicts a separation that will take place at the
judgment. That separation, as described by Jesus, will be based on our
treatment of others. The saved wondered when they had seen the King hungry,
thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, or in prison (25:37-39). His reply was,
“inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it
to Me.” (25:40). The importance of caring for others will be dramatically
displayed on Judgment Day. If you had really died last night, would you
have left a legacy of good deeds like Dorcas (Acts 9:36)? Treating others
as we want to be treated embodies the heart and soul of the law of God
(Matt. 7:12). A living faith is exemplified by responding to the needs of
others as we have the ability and the opportunity to do so (Jas. 2:14-17;
Gal. 6:10). Give up hurtful words and damaging attitudes, replacing them
with gracious thoughts, words and deeds of kindness (Gal. 5:13-15; Eph.
4:29; Col. 4:6).
“What influence did I leave behind on my
family?” With so much emphasis on providing
material security for one’s family, providing one’s family with spiritual
security is often neglected. Material security is important, but spiritual
security is essential (1 Tim. 5:8; Matt. 6:33-34). Did you leave your
family godly examples to follow? Did you spend time with your children,
teaching and developing within them righteous attitudes, character and
conduct? Did you nourish and cherish your marriage? Or, did you have time
for everything and everybody else except your family? Oh, the painful
words, “too late!” Too many will learn too late that after death they can
do nothing to help their loved ones (Lk. 16:27-31). Now is the time to be a
godly influence upon your family (Matt. 5:13-16).
You died last night. How is it with your
soul? If you died last night, would you change yourself if you could? If
your answer is “yes,” then change now – before you die and judgment comes
(Heb. 9:27).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Distinctions Between the Father and the Son
Scripture Reading:
John 5:16-23
1. Nature of God is
crucial to faith (Gen. 1:1-2, 26-27; 3:22; 11:6-7).
2. Jesus fully God & fully man, Jno. 1:1-3, 14, 18 (Isa. 7:14; 9:6).
3. His incarnation was vital & naturally produced certain distinctions
between the Father & the Son (Col. 2:9; Jno. 14:28).
I. IN TERMS OF HIS DEITY (NATURE): NO DISTINCTION,
Col. 2:9.
A. Equality, Jno. 1:1; 5:17-18; 8:58; 10:30, 33, 36,
37-38.
B. Therefore, the Son is Presented as Worthy of the Honor of Deity, Jno.
5:23 (Matt. 8:2; 28:9; Jno. 20:28).
II. IN TERMS OF HIS HUMANITY: SUBMISSION TO THE FATHER.
A. Glory:
Jesus Emptied Himself of the Form of God & Took Form of a Servant (man),
Phil. 2:5-8 (Jno. 17:4-5; 10:30; 8:58; 1:14).
B. Servant: As a Servant,
Jesus Serves as Savior Under the Authority of the Father, Jno. 14:28.
(Suffering Savior) Jno. 6:38 (5:19, 30; 8:28-29; 12:49-50; Heb. 10:7).
1.
Voluntarily, Jno. 10:17-18; Accomplished, Jno.17:4.
2. Certain functions under the domain of the Father, Acts 1:7 (cf. Matt.
24:36); Holy Spirit (Jno. 16:13-14).
C. When the
Distinct Functions (Roles) of the Members of the Godhead are Completed, God
Remains “All in All,” 1 Cor. 15:24-28 (Col. 3:11).
Conclusion
1. The Son is not inferior to the Father.
2. In Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form (Col.
2:9). To deny this of the Son is to also deny the Father, 1 Jno. 2:23.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Denominations in Turmoil
Joe R. Price
This has been a turbulent week for two U.S.
denominations, the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Episcopal Church (the American arm
of the larger 77-million member Anglican Communion – the family of churches
with roots that trace back to the Church of England) is almost certainly
headed for outright division. At the Episcopal General Convention this week
in Columbus, Ohio, they elected the first woman to lead any church in the
Anglican Communion, plus they refused to ban the ordination of gay bishops.
Within hours of electing Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori of Las Vegas as
the presiding bishop of the denomination “the Episcopal Diocese of Forth
Worth voted to seek leadership elsewhere within the worldwide Anglican
communion” (“Episcopal Church elects 1st woman leader, rejects
outright ban on confirming gay bishops,” dallasvoice.com).
In her first sermon, feminist Bishop
Schori referred to both “our mother Jesus” and “King Jesus’ followers.”
Episcopalians are confused about many things (1 Tim. 2:5, 11-12; 3:1).
In the meantime, the Presbyterians voted
to receive a policy paper on “gender-inclusive language for the Trinity” in
their liturgies at their national assembly in Birmingham, AL While “Father,
Son and Holy Spirit” should still be used, Presbyterians were told to look
for “fresh ways to speak of the mystery of the triune God” (USA Today,
6/19/06). [What mystery? God has revealed Himself to mankind in His Son
(Jno. 1:18; Acts 17:22-31; Eph. 3:1-5, 14-21; Heb. 1:1-3).] Some alternate
phrases are already being suggested: “Mother, Child and Womb;” “Rock,
Redeemer, Friend;” and “Lover, Beloved, Love.” Some conservative
Presbyterian groups warned that approval of this optional language would
“promote schism by permitting the disregard of clear standards of Scripture”
(Ibid.). It is interesting that they refer to “clear standards of
Scripture” in their appeal for unity.
These denominations long since abandoned
the “clear standards of Scripture” and are now reaping the whirlwind. When
God and His word are abandoned for self-defined religion, sin always
progresses worse and worse (from idolatry to feminism to every type of
immorality, including homosexuality, Rom. 1:18-32). If we abandon God’s word
we can only expect similar chaos and condemnation (Rom. 2:1-5)
Top
|
