Why the Apostles’ Writings Apply to All
Joe R. Price

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The Gospel of Fellowship
Brett Hogland

In ancient Rome, citizens remained loyal so long as the rulers gave them “bread and circuses”. Once offered, they could not be stopped. Each new entertainment had to be more elaborate than the last, in order to maintain the loyalty of the mob. For many years, missionaries in China wooed converts by offers of rice. So long as the rice was distributed, converts were plentiful. When the missionaries decided to end the handouts, they found the churches empty again. The deserters were afterwards called “Rice Christians”.

The only reliable convert is one whose heart is changed, who is free of enticements to his belly. When Christ commissioned the apostles to save men by the gospel, His instructions contained nothing in the way of enticements to the flesh. The Gospel of Christ appeals to the spirit of man, to his heart, to his inner emotional yearnings. The Gospel satisfies the most important need of man, … the salvation of his soul (See Rom. 1:16-17)

However, many modern churches believe they must compete with the allurements of the world by offering entertainment, banquets, etc. They call this “fellowship”, and the place for it is called a “fellowship hall” (which may double as a gymnasium). The New Testament never uses the word “fellowship” in this way. KOINONIA, the Greek word, refers to sharing in the preaching of the Gospel (Phil. 1:5), sharing in the hope of salvation (1 John 1:2-3), or some other spiritual sharing.

The Apostle Paul condemned some who abused the Lord’s Supper, by turning it into a meal (1Cor. 11:22, 34). He also taught, “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17). Churches enticing members with “bread and circuses” might suddenly find their houses empty, if they offered only the appeal of preaching. They may already have many “Rice Christians”. We still believe in the basic appeal of the Gospel of Christ, and seek only those converts whose hearts, rather than their bellies, are drawn to Christ. Where do you stand?

http://lubbockchurch.com/

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Contend Earnestly for the Faith

1. A trend away from controversy is among us.
2. This is seen in the unwillingness on part of more & more church­es, elders & preachers to speak out against materialism, gambling, social drinking, immodest dress, dancing and MDR errors. A common softness has taken root.
3. Jude 3: Contend earnestly for the faith.
4. To earnestly contend for the faith…

I. WE MUST HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING…

  A. Of our Salvation, Jude 3; 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Jno. 9-11.
  B. Of the Truth, Jude 3, 5 (the faith, Gal. 1:11, 23; Rom. 1:16-17); 2 Pet. 3:16-17; 2 Tim. 2:15; Titus 1:9.
  C. Of the Subtle Nature of Error, Jude 4 (1 Pet. 5:8); Matt. 7:15-16; 2 Cor. 2:17. (Matt. 16:5-12)
    1. Beguiles hearts, Rom. 16:17-18.
    2. Corrupts minds, 2 Cor. 11:3-4.
    3. Brings into bondage, Gal. 2:4-5.
    4. Spreads/Permeates/Penetrates, Gal. 5:9.

II. WE MUST HAVE DISCERNMENT (SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING), Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-11.

  A. to Know When to Fight & When to Compro­mise, 2 Cor. 11:4; 2 Tim. 2:14-19. cf. Acts 15:1-2 (Gal. 2:5); Gal. 2:11-14; Rom. 14:13-15.
  B. To Use Zeal & Perseverance in Contend­ing, not for Self-Vindication, Jn. 2:14-17; 2 Ti. 4:2-5.

III. WE MUST HAVE LOVE FOR:

  A. God & Christ, Matt. 10:34-38; 22:37.
  B. Truth, Psa. 119:124-128.
  C. Souls, Rom. 10:1-3; Gal. 2:11.
  D. The Church, 1 Tim. 3:15.

Conclusion

1.  Jude 3: Christians are called to combat on behalf of the faith.  We must not be si­lent.  We must not compromise.
2.  Are you ready to struggle against sin & error?
3.  The battle is already joined. Who is on the Lord’s side?

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

God's Advice to Young People

1. Young people face & make choices that will last a lifetime, cf. Deut. 30:15.
2. The most important decision you can make is to serve God.
3. Eccl. 11:9-12:1: Wise advice to young people.

I. REJOICE IN YOUR YOUTH, 11:9.

  A. Being Young is a Blessing from God, 12:2-8; Prov. 20:29 (cf. 1 Sam. 17:35-37; Psa. 27:1).
  B. God wants you to Enjoy being Young; 3:12-13, 22; 5:18; 11:8.
  C. God wants you to know that you Will Answer to Him for what you do while you are Young, 2 Cor. 5:10; Eccl. 12:14

II.      REMOVE THE CAUSE OF SORROW: SIN, 11:10.

  A. Being Young is not Excuse to Sin, Lk. 2:52.
  B. Remove Sorrow from Your Life (the cause of sorrow: SIN), Psa. 119:9; 2 Tim. 2:22; Prov. 1:10-16.  -2 Corinthians 7:1-

III. REMEMBER GOD, 12:1.

  A. Think about God Now...Today and Every Day, Prov. 3:1-2
    1. Joseph (Gen. 39:1): At 17 (37:2).
    2. Samuel (1 Sam. 3:10).
    3. David (1 Sam. 17:33, 37); Great faith.
    4. Josiah (2 Chrn. 34:1-3).
    5. Daniel & his companions (Dan. 1:8-16).
    6. Timothy (1 Tim. 4:12).
    7. Jesus (Lk. 2:49).
  B. Things that Will Help you Remember God:
    1. Make up your mind…Now, Josh. 24:15.
    2. Learn the Bible, Rom. 10:17 (2 Tim. 3:14f).
    3. Obey Jesus, Heb. 5:9.
    4. Pray, 1 Ths. 5:17.
    5. Worship God, Psa. 148:12-13.
    6. Set a pattern now for rest of your life, Eccl. 12:1

Conclusion

1. Young people should rejoice, remove & remember, Eccl. 11:9-12:1.
2. Eccl. 12:13: This is your duty, too!

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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the light of Scripture)

Superbug Responsible for Growing Number of Deaths
Joe R. Price

Over the past week a preschooler in New Hampshire, an eleven year old in Mississippi and a seventeen year old in Virginia have died from MRSA, “a super strain of drug-resistant staphylococcus bacteria” (“Six States Report MRSA Infections, At Least Three Youths Have Died,” FoxNews.com, 18Oct07). According to health officials, there is reason to be concerned. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that this microbe was “responsible for more than 94,000 serious infections and nearly 19,000 deaths” in 2005 (“Drug-Resistant Staph Germ’s Toll Is Higher Than Thought,” Rob Stein, 17Oct07, washingtonpost.com; cdc.gov/Features/ MRSA/).

The good news is that MRSA is preventable. Good old soap and water, used vigorously and often, is the best deterrent. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work.

Sounds a lot like the nature of sin: Deadly, resistant to many treatments, yet preventable and curable when detected and properly treated.

Sin is deadly. The death of sin has reigned from Eden to the present, as people choose to sin against the will of God (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 5:12-14; 3:23; 6:23). Sin is a heinous contaminate, leaving death in its wake (Jas. 1:15).

Sin is resistant to many treatments. Men have tried to resist sin without the help of divine truth and grace, yet these attempts always fail. By grace through faith, sin is overcome in Christ (Eph. 2:1-9).

Sin is preventable and curable. “Watch and pray” not to enter temptation (Matt. 25:41). Resist the devil and he will flee from you (Jas. 4:7). The blood of Jesus cures the problem of sin, washing it away when, in fullness of faith, the sinner is baptized into the death of Jesus (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3). Don’t reject the cure!

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