The Significance Of Being A Christian
Consecrated To God
We have begun to see that there is much significance to being a Christian. A Christian is "a person reborn", experiencing a new creation that leads to a new life. A Christian now "belongs to the Lord", God’s special child that lives as a pilgrim, who sojourns in this world "living by faith", trusting in the Lord and being a trustworthy servant. Another significant fact about being a Christian involves the concept of "sanctification". The words "sanctify" and "sanctification" are translated from the Greek "hagiazo". It means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose; related words include holiness, consecration, and saint. As we shall see, this pertains to both our standing before God and our conduct before God. Thus a Christian is "Consecrated To God".
As we take a closer look at this aspect of being a Christian, let’s first consider the progress of sanctification. All Christians are sanctified. Some understand sanctification as "all at once" or "in two stages", as in the Wesleyan concept of "entire sanctification". Some even suggesting that once "sanctified", one can no longer sin. The Biblical evidence suggests otherwise. The church at Corinth was made of people who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" - 1 Co 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" (KJV)
They had been "sanctified" - 1 Co 6:11 "And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (KJV) -- Note the past tense. Yet many of these people were still "babes in Christ" and "carnal" - 1 Co 3:1-3 "My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world."
They were filled with envy, strife and divisions. They were acting carnally, as mere men. Thus, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called "saints". Note the use of the word "saint" in addressing all Christians - Ro 1:7 "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."; 1 Co 1:2 ""Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"; Ph 1:1 "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:"; Co 1:2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (KJV). Because they had been "set apart" to be "God’s holy people", it was appropriate to be called "saints" - 1 Pe 2:9 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done." -- This pertains to our standing before God; we are blessed to be considered His holy people.
Christians are also being sanctified. Sanctification is an ongoing process. Those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11 "For both he that sanctifies and they who are being sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (NKJV). It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: "may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" - 1 Th 5:23. Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness). As the Hebrews were admonished to do - He 12:14 "Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord." As Paul commanded the Corinthians - 2 Co 7:1 "My friends, God has made us these promises. So we should stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. We should honor God and try to be completely like him." Because God is holy, so we are to be holy in our conduct - 1 Pe 1:15-16 "Always live as God's holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That's why the Scriptures say, "I am the holy God, and you must be holy too."’ -- This pertains to our conduct before God, our responsibility to live holy lives. God has therefore called Christians to be holy, set apart, sanctified. In obeying the gospel we have been sanctified; but if we are truly "Consecrated To God", then we will pursue and perfect our holiness (i.e., our consecration).
To assist us in this goal, let’s consider the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. Note how sanctification is tied in with the work of the Holy Spirit:
"sanctified by the Holy Spirit" - Ro 15:16
"sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" - 1 Co 6:11
"sanctification by the Spirit" - 2 Th 2:13
"the sanctifying work of the Spirit" - 1 Pe 1:2 (NASV)
The Holy Spirit naturally has an important role in our ongoing sanctification, because He was instrumental in our spiritual regeneration when we become Christians - Ti 3:5-6 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit." The Spirit is the instrumental agent by which God strengthens the inner man - Ep 3:16 "God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers"
How does the Spirit accomplishes His work of ongoing sanctification? Read on...
Sanctification is also the work of the Word of God. Note that sanctification is also said to be tied in with the Word of God:
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - Jn 17:17
"that He might sanctify...by the word" - Ep 5:26
Since the Word of God is said to be "the sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17), the Word is evidently the instrument used by the Spirit to help bring about our sanctification. One who sets their mind on things the Spirit has revealed through the Word is setting their mind on "the things of the Spirit" When we set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" (the Word of God), we are then able to "live according to the Spirit" - Ro 8:5. Led by the Spirit through the Word of God, we will then produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, instead of the works of the flesh - Ga 5:16-22 "If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you. People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom. God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways." -- If we wish to live holy, sanctified lives, we must allow the Spirit to do His work through the Word of God!
When a Christian understands that he or she is "a person reborn" who now "belongs to the Lord" and is "living by faith" they should have no trouble accepting the idea that they are also "consecrated to God". Do we appreciate the privilege of being "Consecrated To God"? That God has blessed us to be part of "a holy nation"? That God has called us to holiness, because He is holy? That having sanctified us, He desires to sanctify us completely?
-- That He does this because He desires to dwell among us? - cf. 2 Co 6:17-18 "The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful."’
If we do, then we will take to heart the admonition of Paul:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Co 7:1). Are we perfecting holiness in the fear of God?
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" That "Belong’s To The Lord", "living by faith", being "Consecrated To God" then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classinet.net
This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Living By Faith
The Significance Of Being A Christian
Living By Faith
An important aspect of being a Christian involves the element of "faith". The gospel to which a person responds in becoming a Christian is called "the faith" - Ju 3 "My dear friends, I really wanted to write you about God's saving power at work in our lives. But instead, I must write and ask you to defend the faith that God has once for all given to his people." Those who obeyed the gospel have been "faithful to the Lord" - Ac 16:15 "Then after she and her family were baptized, she kept on begging us, "If you think I really do have faith in the Lord, come stay in my home." Finally, we accepted her invitation."; Co 1:2 "To God's people who live in Colossae and are faithful followers of Christ. I pray that God our Father will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!" Christians are called or referred to as "the household of faith" - Ga 6:10 "So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith."
Indeed, "faith" is the underlying principle of all the Christian’s conduct. It is fundamental to our salvation in Christ - Ro 1:16-17 "I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, "The people God accepts because of their faith will live."’ It is central to the life we now live in Christ - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me."; 2 Co 5:7 "But we live by faith, not by what we see." Yet the nature of faith and its importance in the life of a Christian is often misunderstood and is often neglected.
As we continue to examine "The Significance Of Being A Christian", we therefore wish to emphasize that it means "Living By Faith"! What that entails may be clearer as we first define the meaning of faith. Faith involves the idea of belief. The certainty or conviction that one has in some truth or proposition. For example, believing in things concerning Jesus and His kingdom - Ac 8:12 "But when they believed what Philip was saying about God's kingdom and about the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized." Such faith, or conviction, comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17 "No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ."; also Jn 20:30-31 "Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life."
Faith involves the idea of confidence, the willingness to place one’s trust and reliance on someone else. For example, placing our trust in God, that He is reliable - Ro 4:3 "The Scriptures say, "God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him."’, 20-22 "But Abraham never doubted or questioned God's promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. So God accepted him, just as we read in the Scriptures." We are to have similar trust in God - 1 Pe 4:19 "If you suffer for obeying God, you must have complete faith in your faithful Creator and keep on doing right."
Faith involves the idea of fidelity, that one is loyal, committed, and can be trusted. An example is a faithful steward as one who is reliable - 1 Co 4:2 "And since our first duty is to be faithful to the one we work for,". Our faithfulness (commitment, trustworthiness) is to last even to the point of death - Re 2:10 "Don't worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.", 13 "I know that you live where Satan has his throne. But you have kept true to my name. Right there where Satan lives, my faithful witness Antipas was taken from you and put to death. Even then you did not give up your faith in me." A faithful Christian, then, is one who believes in the Word of God, he has confidence in the Person of God, and is himself loyal and trustworthy in the service of God.
Now let’s take a look at what can be said about the life of faith. The life of faith involves confessing our faith. For example, acknowledging our belief in Jesus Christ before others. Something we must do as a condition of salvation - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." This is something we do throughout our lives - Mt 10:32-33 "If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don't belong to me."; 1 Jn 4:15 "God stays one with everyone who openly says that Jesus is the Son of God. That's how we stay one with God and are sure that God loves us." -- The life of faith is never ashamed to admit that one believes in Jesus Christ.
Living the life of faith involves living by faith, for example, conducting one’s life with trust in Jesus Christ - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me." Trusting in the works of Jesus, not our own; that His death was truly for our sins - 1 Co 15:1-3 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing. I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say."; Ti 3:5-7 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life." Trusting in the words of Jesus, and living accordingly - e.g., Mt 6:33-34 "But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.\pard plain "; Lk 6:46-48 "Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When the flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn't even shake." -- The life of faith is one that seeks to live in harmony with the teaching of Jesus.
Living by faith involves benefitting by faith, enjoying the blessings that come from a life of faith. Such as joy and peace, hope and power - Ro 15:13 "I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope." Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive such blessings - Ep 3:12 "Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith."; Ph 4:6-7 "Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.", 13 "Christ gives me the strength to face anything." -- The life of faith does not go unrewarded in this life, even though its primary concern is the life to come.
Living by faith involves maintaining our faith, remaining steadfast in the faith we have in Christ. There is a need to stand fast, for faith can turn into unbelief - 1 Co 15:1-2 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing."; He 3:12-19 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end. The Scriptures say, "If you hear his voice today, don't be stubborn like those who rebelled." Who were those people that heard God's voice and rebelled? Weren't they the same ones that came out of Egypt with Moses? Who were the people that made God angry for forty years? Weren't they the ones that sinned and died in the desert? And who did God say would never enter his place of rest? Weren't they the ones that disobeyed him? We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith."; 4:1-2 "The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.", 11 "We should do our best to enter that place of rest, so that none of us will disobey and miss going there, as they did." To maintain faith, we must add to it other things such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. - 2 Pe 1:5-11 "Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven. My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever."; 3:17-18 "My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen."
A Christian is one who should take his faith very seriously. It is essential to salvation (both being saved and remaining saved). It is essential to life (to receive blessings now, and in the life to come). Are you "Living By Faith"? Do you believe what has been revealed about Jesus Christ? Do you have confidence in Him, that He can deliver on what He promises? Are you a trustworthy disciple of Jesus, someone He can count on to be faithful? Unless we can answer in the affirmative to such questions, we have yet to appreciate that "The Significance Of Being A Christian" which includes "Living By Faith"!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" that Belong’s To The Lord then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classicnet.net
This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002
Living By Faith
An important aspect of being a Christian involves the element of "faith". The gospel to which a person responds in becoming a Christian is called "the faith" - Ju 3 "My dear friends, I really wanted to write you about God's saving power at work in our lives. But instead, I must write and ask you to defend the faith that God has once for all given to his people." Those who obeyed the gospel have been "faithful to the Lord" - Ac 16:15 "Then after she and her family were baptized, she kept on begging us, "If you think I really do have faith in the Lord, come stay in my home." Finally, we accepted her invitation."; Co 1:2 "To God's people who live in Colossae and are faithful followers of Christ. I pray that God our Father will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!" Christians are called or referred to as "the household of faith" - Ga 6:10 "So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith."
Indeed, "faith" is the underlying principle of all the Christian’s conduct. It is fundamental to our salvation in Christ - Ro 1:16-17 "I am proud of the good news! It is God's powerful way of saving all people who have faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, "The people God accepts because of their faith will live."’ It is central to the life we now live in Christ - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me."; 2 Co 5:7 "But we live by faith, not by what we see." Yet the nature of faith and its importance in the life of a Christian is often misunderstood and is often neglected.
As we continue to examine "The Significance Of Being A Christian", we therefore wish to emphasize that it means "Living By Faith"! What that entails may be clearer as we first define the meaning of faith. Faith involves the idea of belief. The certainty or conviction that one has in some truth or proposition. For example, believing in things concerning Jesus and His kingdom - Ac 8:12 "But when they believed what Philip was saying about God's kingdom and about the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized." Such faith, or conviction, comes from the Word of God - Ro 10:17 "No one can have faith without hearing the message about Christ."; also Jn 20:30-31 "Jesus worked many other miracles for his disciples, and not all of them are written in this book. But these are written so that you will put your faith in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God. If you have faith in him, you will have true life."
Faith involves the idea of confidence, the willingness to place one’s trust and reliance on someone else. For example, placing our trust in God, that He is reliable - Ro 4:3 "The Scriptures say, "God accepted Abraham because Abraham had faith in him."’, 20-22 "But Abraham never doubted or questioned God's promise. His faith made him strong, and he gave all the credit to God. Abraham was certain that God could do what he had promised. So God accepted him, just as we read in the Scriptures." We are to have similar trust in God - 1 Pe 4:19 "If you suffer for obeying God, you must have complete faith in your faithful Creator and keep on doing right."
Faith involves the idea of fidelity, that one is loyal, committed, and can be trusted. An example is a faithful steward as one who is reliable - 1 Co 4:2 "And since our first duty is to be faithful to the one we work for,". Our faithfulness (commitment, trustworthiness) is to last even to the point of death - Re 2:10 "Don't worry about what you will suffer. The devil will throw some of you into jail, and you will be tested and made to suffer for ten days. But if you are faithful until you die, I will reward you with a glorious life.", 13 "I know that you live where Satan has his throne. But you have kept true to my name. Right there where Satan lives, my faithful witness Antipas was taken from you and put to death. Even then you did not give up your faith in me." A faithful Christian, then, is one who believes in the Word of God, he has confidence in the Person of God, and is himself loyal and trustworthy in the service of God.
Now let’s take a look at what can be said about the life of faith. The life of faith involves confessing our faith. For example, acknowledging our belief in Jesus Christ before others. Something we must do as a condition of salvation - Ro 10:9-10 "So you will be saved, if you honestly say, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe with all your heart that God raised him from death. God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others." This is something we do throughout our lives - Mt 10:32-33 "If you tell others that you belong to me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you are my followers. But if you reject me, I will tell my Father in heaven that you don't belong to me."; 1 Jn 4:15 "God stays one with everyone who openly says that Jesus is the Son of God. That's how we stay one with God and are sure that God loves us." -- The life of faith is never ashamed to admit that one believes in Jesus Christ.
Living the life of faith involves living by faith, for example, conducting one’s life with trust in Jesus Christ - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me." Trusting in the works of Jesus, not our own; that His death was truly for our sins - 1 Co 15:1-3 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing. I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say."; Ti 3:5-7 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life." Trusting in the words of Jesus, and living accordingly - e.g., Mt 6:33-34 "But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well. Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today.\pard plain "; Lk 6:46-48 "Why do you keep on saying that I am your Lord, when you refuse to do what I say? Anyone who comes and listens to me and obeys me is like someone who dug down deep and built a house on solid rock. When the flood came and the river rushed against the house, it was built so well that it didn't even shake." -- The life of faith is one that seeks to live in harmony with the teaching of Jesus.
Living by faith involves benefitting by faith, enjoying the blessings that come from a life of faith. Such as joy and peace, hope and power - Ro 15:13 "I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope." Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can receive such blessings - Ep 3:12 "Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith."; Ph 4:6-7 "Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.", 13 "Christ gives me the strength to face anything." -- The life of faith does not go unrewarded in this life, even though its primary concern is the life to come.
Living by faith involves maintaining our faith, remaining steadfast in the faith we have in Christ. There is a need to stand fast, for faith can turn into unbelief - 1 Co 15:1-2 "My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing."; He 3:12-19 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end. The Scriptures say, "If you hear his voice today, don't be stubborn like those who rebelled." Who were those people that heard God's voice and rebelled? Weren't they the same ones that came out of Egypt with Moses? Who were the people that made God angry for forty years? Weren't they the ones that sinned and died in the desert? And who did God say would never enter his place of rest? Weren't they the ones that disobeyed him? We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith."; 4:1-2 "The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.", 11 "We should do our best to enter that place of rest, so that none of us will disobey and miss going there, as they did." To maintain faith, we must add to it other things such as virtue, knowledge, self-control, etc. - 2 Pe 1:5-11 "Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven. My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever."; 3:17-18 "My dear friends, you have been warned ahead of time! So don't let the errors of evil people lead you down the wrong path and make you lose your balance. Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen."
A Christian is one who should take his faith very seriously. It is essential to salvation (both being saved and remaining saved). It is essential to life (to receive blessings now, and in the life to come). Are you "Living By Faith"? Do you believe what has been revealed about Jesus Christ? Do you have confidence in Him, that He can deliver on what He promises? Are you a trustworthy disciple of Jesus, someone He can count on to be faithful? Unless we can answer in the affirmative to such questions, we have yet to appreciate that "The Significance Of Being A Christian" which includes "Living By Faith"!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" that Belong’s To The Lord then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classicnet.net
This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Belonging to The Lord - Part Two
The Significance Of Being A Christian
Belonging To The Lord - Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we looked at the principal of "Belonging to the Lord"; which has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. In Part Two we will now turn our attention to the blessings and responsibilities we have in "Belonging to the Lord".
As God’s Children we have blessings and responsibilities. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - Ga 4:7 "You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised."; Ro 8:16-17 "God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him." For we are heirs according to the promise of God - Ga 3:29 "So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised." It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4 "God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear." As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including:
Being thankful for the inheritance we have - Co 1:12 "I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light."
Abstaining from the works of the flesh - Ga 5:19-21 "People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom."
Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - 2 Co 6:17-7:1 "The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful." My friends, God has made us these promises. So we should stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. We should honor God and try to be completely like him."
If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - He 10:35-39 "Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards. Learn to be patient, so that you will please God and be given what he has promised. As the Scriptures say, "God is coming soon! It won't be very long. The people God accepts will live because of their faith. But he isn't pleased with anyone who turns back." We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved."
Besides being God’s special person and God’s child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives as God’s pilgrim. Christians are in the world, but not of the world. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - Jn 17:15-16 "Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. They don't belong to this world, and neither do I." Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - He 11:13 "Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth."; 13:14 "On this earth we don't have a city that lasts forever, but we are waiting for such a city." We are fellow citizens with members of God’s family - Ep 2:19 "You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God."
As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - Ph 3:20 "But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there."
As God’s pilgrims, we have special obligations to conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 1 Pe 1:17 "You say that God is your Father, but God doesn't have favorites! He judges all people by what they do. So you must honor God while you live as strangers here on earth." We have an obligation to abstain from worldly lusts - 1 Pe 2:11 "Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you."; 1 Jn 2:15-17 "Don't love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever." We are obligated to keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 1 Pe 2:12 "Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do." We are also tlineobligated while here on earth to obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - 1 Pe 2:13-17 "The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone. You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens. God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong. Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor."
We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is God’s special person, God’s child and God’s pilgrim. The more we understand the significance of such privileges we ought to be filled with gratitude and humility. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"?. Are we acting like a special people?. Do we live like a child of God should?. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text:
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Co 6:19-20)
May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our
spirits!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" That Belong’s To The Lord then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jnlnewsted@nts-online.net
This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002
Belonging To The Lord - Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we looked at the principal of "Belonging to the Lord"; which has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. In Part Two we will now turn our attention to the blessings and responsibilities we have in "Belonging to the Lord".
As God’s Children we have blessings and responsibilities. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ - Ga 4:7 "You are no longer slaves. You are God's children, and you will be given what he has promised."; Ro 8:16-17 "God's Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him." For we are heirs according to the promise of God - Ga 3:29 "So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised." It is an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, that does not fade, and is reserved for us in heaven - 1 Pe 1:4 "God has something stored up for you in heaven, where it will never decay or be ruined or disappear." As heirs, we have many responsibilities, including:
Being thankful for the inheritance we have - Co 1:12 "I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light."
Abstaining from the works of the flesh - Ga 5:19-21 "People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom."
Perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord - 2 Co 6:17-7:1 "The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful." My friends, God has made us these promises. So we should stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. We should honor God and try to be completely like him."
If we wish to receive the promised blessings, we need to patiently carry out our responsibilities with an enduring faith - He 10:35-39 "Keep on being brave! It will bring you great rewards. Learn to be patient, so that you will please God and be given what he has promised. As the Scriptures say, "God is coming soon! It won't be very long. The people God accepts will live because of their faith. But he isn't pleased with anyone who turns back." We are not like those people who turn back and get destroyed. We will keep on having faith until we are saved."
Besides being God’s special person and God’s child, a Christian who "belongs to the Lord" also has a special relationship to the world in which he or she lives as God’s pilgrim. Christians are in the world, but not of the world. As Jesus mentioned in His prayer for His disciples - Jn 17:15-16 "Father, I don't ask you to take my followers out of the world, but keep them safe from the evil one. They don't belong to this world, and neither do I." Like Abraham, a Christian is a sojourner, a pilgrim - He 11:13 "Every one of those people died. But they still had faith, even though they had not received what they had been promised. They were glad just to see these things from far away, and they agreed that they were only strangers and foreigners on this earth."; 13:14 "On this earth we don't have a city that lasts forever, but we are waiting for such a city." We are fellow citizens with members of God’s family - Ep 2:19 "You Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens with everyone else who belongs to the family of God."
As such, our true citizenship lies in heaven, not here on earth - Ph 3:20 "But we are citizens of heaven and are eagerly waiting for our Savior to come from there."
As God’s pilgrims, we have special obligations to conduct our sojourn on earth with fear - 1 Pe 1:17 "You say that God is your Father, but God doesn't have favorites! He judges all people by what they do. So you must honor God while you live as strangers here on earth." We have an obligation to abstain from worldly lusts - 1 Pe 2:11 "Dear friends, you are foreigners and strangers on this earth. So I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you."; 1 Jn 2:15-17 "Don't love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you cannot love the Father. Our foolish pride comes from this world, and so do our selfish desires and our desire to have everything we see. None of this comes from the Father. The world and the desires it causes are disappearing. But if we obey God, we will live forever." We are obligated to keep our conduct honorable, filled with good works - 1 Pe 2:12 "Always let others see you behaving properly, even though they may still accuse you of doing wrong. Then on the day of judgment, they will honor God by telling the good things they saw you do." We are also tlineobligated while here on earth to obey the laws, and respect the leaders, of the countries in which we sojourn - 1 Pe 2:13-17 "The Lord wants you to obey all human authorities, especially the Emperor, who rules over everyone. You must also obey governors, because they are sent by the Emperor to punish criminals and to praise good citizens. God wants you to silence stupid and ignorant people by doing right. You are free, but still you are God's servants, and you must not use your freedom as an excuse for doing wrong. Respect everyone and show special love for God's people. Honor God and respect the Emperor."
We have seen that a Christian is a person who "belongs to the Lord", one who is God’s special person, God’s child and God’s pilgrim. The more we understand the significance of such privileges we ought to be filled with gratitude and humility. We ought to be moved to be the kind of people God intended. Are we living and conducting ourselves as those who "belong to the Lord"?. Are we acting like a special people?. Do we live like a child of God should?. Is our life truly a sojourn, or are we living like we want to make this earth our permanent home? As we saw in our beginning text:
"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Co 6:19-20)
May the significance of belonging to God prompt us to always glorify God in our bodies and our
spirits!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" That Belong’s To The Lord then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jnlnewsted@nts-online.net
This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Belonging to The Lord - Part One
The Significance Of Being A Christian
Belonging To The Lord - Part One
In our previous lesson, we began this series by asking what is the significance of being a Christian. Starting with the idea that a Christian is "A Person Reborn" we noted that a Christian is a person reborn because in Christ; (1) they are a new creation - 2 Co 5:17; (2) They have been born again - 1 Pe 1:22-23; (3) they now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - Ga 2:20. We begin this lesson by noting Paul’s comments to the Corinthians as recorded in 1 Co 6:19-20 "You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God."Paul challenged their thinking by asking "You surely know" The Christian needs to understand that he has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord"
"Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. Note how Peter describes them in 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness."
Note: "a chosen generation", "a royal priesthood", "a holy nation", "His own special people"
These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel. The Lord had chosen them - Deu 10:15 "Yet the LORD loved your ancestors and wanted them to belong to him. So he chose them and their descendants rather than any other nation, and today you are still his people." He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - Exo 19:5 "Now if you will faithfully obey me, you will be my very own people. The whole world is mine, but you will be my holy nation and serve me as priests." Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - Deu 7:6 "Israel, you are the chosen people of the LORD your God. There are many nations on this earth, but he chose only Israel to be his very own."
What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - Ga 3:8-9 "Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That's why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. This means that everyone who has faith will share in the blessings that were given to Abraham because of his faith.", 28-29 "Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised."
Christians are special people with responsibilities to proclaim the praises of God - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness."
Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:8-11 "If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven. My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever.". To make our calling and election (as God’s people) sure. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom.
From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - He 3:12-4:2 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end. The Scriptures say, "If you hear his voice today, don't be stubborn like those who rebelled." Who were those people that heard God's voice and rebelled? Weren't they the same ones that came out of Egypt with Moses? Who were the people that made God angry for forty years? Weren't they the ones that sinned and died in the desert? And who did God say would never enter his place of rest? Weren't they the ones that disobeyed him? We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith. The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.", 11 "We should do our best to enter that place of rest, so that none of us will disobey and miss going there, as they did." A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God’s "beloved" (Ro 1:7).
God’s love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also God’s Child. Christians are blessed to be children of God. In one sense, all people are God’s children - Ac 17:26-29 "From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be. God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. "We are his children," just as some of your poets have said. Since we are God's children, we must not think that he is like an idol made out of gold or silver or stone. He isn't like anything that humans have thought up and made." In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - Jn 8:42-44 "Jesus answered: If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and only from him. He sent me. I did not come on my own. Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying? Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies." Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - Ga 3:26-27 "All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes." Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - Ga 4:4-6 "But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father." Because we do the Father’s will, Jesus considers us His family - Mt 12:48-50 "Jesus answered, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and my brothers! Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother."’
Christians should be touched by this expression of God’s love - 1 Jn 3:1-2 "Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don't know who we are. My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is."
In this lesson we have looked at the principal of "Belonging to the Lord"; which has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. In Part Two we will turn our attention to the blessings and responsibilities we have in "Belonging to the Lord"
Belonging To The Lord - Part One
In our previous lesson, we began this series by asking what is the significance of being a Christian. Starting with the idea that a Christian is "A Person Reborn" we noted that a Christian is a person reborn because in Christ; (1) they are a new creation - 2 Co 5:17; (2) They have been born again - 1 Pe 1:22-23; (3) they now have a new loyalty: to serve Jesus Christ - Ga 2:20. We begin this lesson by noting Paul’s comments to the Corinthians as recorded in 1 Co 6:19-20 "You surely know that your body is a temple where the Holy Spirit lives. The Spirit is in you and is a gift from God. You are no longer your own. God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God."Paul challenged their thinking by asking "You surely know" The Christian needs to understand that he has been "bought at a price" and consequently is a person "Belonging To The Lord"
"Belonging to the Lord" has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. Note how Peter describes them in 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness."
Note: "a chosen generation", "a royal priesthood", "a holy nation", "His own special people"
These are terms that were once reserved for the physical nation of Israel. The Lord had chosen them - Deu 10:15 "Yet the LORD loved your ancestors and wanted them to belong to him. So he chose them and their descendants rather than any other nation, and today you are still his people." He made them a kingdom of priests and a holy nation - Exo 19:5 "Now if you will faithfully obey me, you will be my very own people. The whole world is mine, but you will be my holy nation and serve me as priests." Thus they had become a special people above all other nations - Deu 7:6 "Israel, you are the chosen people of the LORD your God. There are many nations on this earth, but he chose only Israel to be his very own."
What had once been limited to physical Israel, is now possible to all people who are in Christ, as promised to Abraham - Ga 3:8-9 "Long ago the Scriptures said that God would accept the Gentiles because of their faith. That's why God told Abraham the good news that all nations would be blessed because of him. This means that everyone who has faith will share in the blessings that were given to Abraham because of his faith.", 28-29 "Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family, and you will be given what God has promised."
Christians are special people with responsibilities to proclaim the praises of God - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness."
Because He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Because He showed mercy, and made us the people of God. To grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:8-11 "If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven. My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever.". To make our calling and election (as God’s people) sure. To have an abundance entrance into the everlasting kingdom.
From the example of physical Israel, let us beware of becoming hardened and not lose faith, or we may not enter the heavenly rest that awaits us! - He 3:12-4:2 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end. The Scriptures say, "If you hear his voice today, don't be stubborn like those who rebelled." Who were those people that heard God's voice and rebelled? Weren't they the same ones that came out of Egypt with Moses? Who were the people that made God angry for forty years? Weren't they the ones that sinned and died in the desert? And who did God say would never enter his place of rest? Weren't they the ones that disobeyed him? We see that those people did not enter the place of rest because they did not have faith. The promise to enter the place of rest is still good, and we must take care that none of you miss out. We have heard the message, just as they did. But they failed to believe what they heard, and the message did not do them any good.", 11 "We should do our best to enter that place of rest, so that none of us will disobey and miss going there, as they did." A Christian is truly "a special person" because he belongs to the Lord. He can rejoice in knowing that he is one of God’s "beloved" (Ro 1:7).
God’s love for the Christian is made even more evident when we note that he is also God’s Child. Christians are blessed to be children of God. In one sense, all people are God’s children - Ac 17:26-29 "From one person God made all nations who live on earth, and he decided when and where every nation would be. God has done all this, so that we will look for him and reach out and find him. He isn't far from any of us, and he gives us the power to live, to move, and to be who we are. "We are his children," just as some of your poets have said. Since we are God's children, we must not think that he is like an idol made out of gold or silver or stone. He isn't like anything that humans have thought up and made." In another sense, many do not have God as their Father - Jn 8:42-44 "Jesus answered: If God were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and only from him. He sent me. I did not come on my own. Why can't you understand what I am talking about? Can't you stand to hear what I am saying? Your father is the devil, and you do exactly what he wants. He has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies." Yet Christians are the children of God in a very special way. Because of their faith, and having put on Christ in baptism - Ga 3:26-27 "All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus. And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes." Redeemed and adopted by God, they have received His Spirit into their hearts - Ga 4:4-6 "But when the time was right, God sent his Son, and a woman gave birth to him. His Son obeyed the Law, so he could set us free from the Law, and we could become God's children. Now that we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts. And his Spirit tells us that God is our Father." Because we do the Father’s will, Jesus considers us His family - Mt 12:48-50 "Jesus answered, "Who is my mother and who are my brothers?" Then he pointed to his disciples and said, "These are my mother and my brothers! Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother."’
Christians should be touched by this expression of God’s love - 1 Jn 3:1-2 "Think how much the Father loves us. He loves us so much that he lets us be called his children, as we truly are. But since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don't know who we are. My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is."
In this lesson we have looked at the principal of "Belonging to the Lord"; which has many connotations attached to it. One is that a Christian is God’s special person. Christians are now God’s own special people. In Part Two we will turn our attention to the blessings and responsibilities we have in "Belonging to the Lord"
Saturday, December 23, 2006
After Conversion, What Then? Part Two
After Conversion, What Then?
Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we looked at what one is to do after conversion that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some additional things to remember. We now turn our attention to the things we are to do. One of those is to put God first. Love Him with all your being, in the words of Jesus - Mt 22:37 “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Seek first His kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -- This will ensure that you do all that is necessary to remain faithful!
Study the word of God. Long for the Word, like an infant longs for milk - 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation”. Emulate the Bereans in their attitude - Ac 17:10-11 “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” -- Receive the Word with meekness, and it will save you! - Ja 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Be fervent in prayer. Jesus has made it possible to approach God’s throne - He 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Wonderful blessings come through prayer - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -- Be devoted to prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving - Co 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Be diligent in assembling. We are not to forsake our assembling together - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” It is a time for fellowship, prayer, and on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Supper – Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”; 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”; 1 Co 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” -- Neglecting the assemblies is a symptom of spiritual stagnation!
Help save others. The Lord wants His disciples to make more disciples - Mt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Those diligent in saving others are more likely to save themselves - 1 Co 9:19-27 -- Lose your enthusiasm for saving souls, and you may lose your own!
While not meant to be exhaustive, these are just a few things to remember and to do -- that may be helpful for someone recently converted. But not just for new Christians; but for any Christian who has left their “first love” - Re 2:4 “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” For they should “repent and do the first works” - Re 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” -- These are some of the “first works” that one needs to do.
Are you in need of doing the “first works”...? Perhaps you even need to obey the “first steps” of the gospel of Christ... - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we looked at what one is to do after conversion that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some additional things to remember. We now turn our attention to the things we are to do. One of those is to put God first. Love Him with all your being, in the words of Jesus - Mt 22:37 “And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Seek first His kingdom and righteousness - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” -- This will ensure that you do all that is necessary to remain faithful!
Study the word of God. Long for the Word, like an infant longs for milk - 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation”. Emulate the Bereans in their attitude - Ac 17:10-11 “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” -- Receive the Word with meekness, and it will save you! - Ja 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
Be fervent in prayer. Jesus has made it possible to approach God’s throne - He 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Wonderful blessings come through prayer - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -- Be devoted to prayer, with an attitude of thanksgiving - Co 4:2 “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Be diligent in assembling. We are not to forsake our assembling together - He 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” It is a time for fellowship, prayer, and on the first day of the week, the Lord’s Supper – Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”; 20:7 “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.”; 1 Co 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” -- Neglecting the assemblies is a symptom of spiritual stagnation!
Help save others. The Lord wants His disciples to make more disciples - Mt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Those diligent in saving others are more likely to save themselves - 1 Co 9:19-27 -- Lose your enthusiasm for saving souls, and you may lose your own!
While not meant to be exhaustive, these are just a few things to remember and to do -- that may be helpful for someone recently converted. But not just for new Christians; but for any Christian who has left their “first love” - Re 2:4 “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” For they should “repent and do the first works” - Re 2:5 “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” -- These are some of the “first works” that one needs to do.
Are you in need of doing the “first works”...? Perhaps you even need to obey the “first steps” of the gospel of Christ... - Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38; 22:16
Sunday, December 17, 2006
A Person Reborn - Part Two
The Significance Of Being A Christian
A Person Reborn - Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we introduced the reader to the significance of being a Christian as a person reborn. A new creation made possible by virtue of a new birth. What makes such a new creation and a new life a reality? It is more than a mere obedience to some new doctrine. It is possible only when such obedience is the result of a new loyalty. A Christian is a "converted person." As exemplified by the Thessalonians - 1 Th 1:9 "Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God." Conversion inherently involves change, particularly a change of loyalties. From serving sin to serving God - Ro 6:16-18 "Don't you know that you are slaves of anyone you obey? You can be slaves of sin and die, or you can be obedient slaves of God and be acceptable to him. You used to be slaves of sin. But I thank God that with all your heart you obeyed the teaching you received from me. Now you are set free from sin and are slaves who please God." From serving idols to serving God, 1 Th 1:9 "Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God."
A Christian is converted to Jesus Christ. He or she acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ - Ac 2:36 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross."; 1 Pe 3:15 "Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope." Above family, life, and self, the Christian chooses to follow Jesus - Mt 10:37-39 "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. And unless you are willing to take up your cross and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples. If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it." When one makes that choice, Christ will become the focus of that person’s life - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me."
Such a loyalty to Christ results in a new life. In which God blesses the individual through Jesus Christ, Ph 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." In which one finds strength to live the new life, Ph 4:13 "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."
A significant thing about a Christian, then, is that he or she experiences a new creation, enjoys a new life and entertains a new loyalty. Such an individual is truly "A Person Reborn". But not all professing Christians show evidence of this rebirth...why is that? They may have not yet truly experienced the new creation. Obedience not rendered in faith will not produce the new birth - Mk 16:16 "Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned." For God’s power to be at work, we must submit in faith - Co 2:12-13 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins." Though they may have been reborn and entered the new life, they may have gone back into sin. Hardened by sin’s deceitfulness, they have departed from God - He 3:12-13 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn." Entangled once again by the pollutions of the world - 2 Pe 2:20 "When they learned about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they escaped from the filthy things of this world. But they are again caught up and controlled by these filthy things, and now they are in worse shape than they were at first." In either case, their loyalty is certainly not where it ought to be!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classicnet.net or jimnewy@gmail.com
A Person Reborn - Part Two
In Part One of this lesson we introduced the reader to the significance of being a Christian as a person reborn. A new creation made possible by virtue of a new birth. What makes such a new creation and a new life a reality? It is more than a mere obedience to some new doctrine. It is possible only when such obedience is the result of a new loyalty. A Christian is a "converted person." As exemplified by the Thessalonians - 1 Th 1:9 "Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God." Conversion inherently involves change, particularly a change of loyalties. From serving sin to serving God - Ro 6:16-18 "Don't you know that you are slaves of anyone you obey? You can be slaves of sin and die, or you can be obedient slaves of God and be acceptable to him. You used to be slaves of sin. But I thank God that with all your heart you obeyed the teaching you received from me. Now you are set free from sin and are slaves who please God." From serving idols to serving God, 1 Th 1:9 "Everyone is talking about how you welcomed us and how you turned away from idols to serve the true and living God."
A Christian is converted to Jesus Christ. He or she acknowledges the Lordship of Jesus Christ - Ac 2:36 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross."; 1 Pe 3:15 "Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope." Above family, life, and self, the Christian chooses to follow Jesus - Mt 10:37-39 "If you love your father or mother or even your sons and daughters more than me, you are not fit to be my disciples. And unless you are willing to take up your cross and come with me, you are not fit to be my disciples. If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it." When one makes that choice, Christ will become the focus of that person’s life - Ga 2:20 "I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me."
Such a loyalty to Christ results in a new life. In which God blesses the individual through Jesus Christ, Ph 4:6-7 "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel." In which one finds strength to live the new life, Ph 4:13 "Christ gives me the strength to face anything."
A significant thing about a Christian, then, is that he or she experiences a new creation, enjoys a new life and entertains a new loyalty. Such an individual is truly "A Person Reborn". But not all professing Christians show evidence of this rebirth...why is that? They may have not yet truly experienced the new creation. Obedience not rendered in faith will not produce the new birth - Mk 16:16 "Anyone who believes me and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe me will be condemned." For God’s power to be at work, we must submit in faith - Co 2:12-13 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins." Though they may have been reborn and entered the new life, they may have gone back into sin. Hardened by sin’s deceitfulness, they have departed from God - He 3:12-13 "My friends, watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God. You must encourage one another each day. And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn." Entangled once again by the pollutions of the world - 2 Pe 2:20 "When they learned about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they escaped from the filthy things of this world. But they are again caught up and controlled by these filthy things, and now they are in worse shape than they were at first." In either case, their loyalty is certainly not where it ought to be!
May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classicnet.net or jimnewy@gmail.com
Sunday, December 10, 2006
After Conversion, What Then? Part One
After Conversion, What Then?
Part One
Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of Christ. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."’ They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:4-7 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Indeed, by God’s grace they are “saved”... Saved from their past sins - Mk 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” With their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'”; Ep 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Becoming heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Ti 3:7 “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Yet in another sense, they are still to be “saved”.... They must make their call and election sure - 2 Pe 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” They must be careful to save themselves - 1 Ti 4:16 “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
What is one to do after conversion that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some things to remember. You are a new creature by virtue of being in Christ - 2 Co 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” -- God has given you new potential for living!
You are a babe in Christ. We begin our new life as “babes in Christ” - 1 Co 3:1 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” We start with spiritual “milk” - 1 Co 3:2 “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,” -- God allows you time to grow! - He 5:12-14 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
You are in a critical period. As a babe, you can be easily “tossed about” - Ep 4:14 “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service – for example see, Mt 4:1-11 -- Satan would love to see you fail! - 1 Pe 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
You face the possibility of falling from grace if you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Especially when you think you are strong - 1 Co 10:12 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” -- God can be trusted to help us through temptations - 1 Co 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”; 1 Jn 2:1-2 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
You are to be a Good example. An example of those who believe - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” An example in both deed and word - Ti 2:7-8 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” -- Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for Christ - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Remembering such things will certainly help keep one strong in the faith. Also helpful are the things we are to do. These will be covered in Part Two of this lesson.
Part One
Wonderful blessings come to those who respond to the gospel of Christ. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit - Ac 2:38-39 “And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."’ They experience a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit - Ti 3:4-7 “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Indeed, by God’s grace they are “saved”... Saved from their past sins - Mk 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” With their sins washed away by the blood of Jesus - Ac 22:16 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'”; Ep 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” Becoming heirs according to the hope of eternal life - Ti 3:7 “so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Yet in another sense, they are still to be “saved”.... They must make their call and election sure - 2 Pe 1:10 “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” They must be careful to save themselves - 1 Ti 4:16 “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” They must remain faithful to receive the crown of life - Re 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
What is one to do after conversion that will ensure remaining faithful to the Lord? There are some things to remember. You are a new creature by virtue of being in Christ - 2 Co 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Having been raised with Christ to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-4 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” -- God has given you new potential for living!
You are a babe in Christ. We begin our new life as “babes in Christ” - 1 Co 3:1 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” We start with spiritual “milk” - 1 Co 3:2 “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,” -- God allows you time to grow! - He 5:12-14 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
You are in a critical period. As a babe, you can be easily “tossed about” - Ep 4:14 “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Satan often strikes hardest at the beginning of our service – for example see, Mt 4:1-11 -- Satan would love to see you fail! - 1 Pe 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
You face the possibility of falling from grace if you allow yourself to hardened by the deceit of sin - He 3:12-14 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” Especially when you think you are strong - 1 Co 10:12 “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” -- God can be trusted to help us through temptations - 1 Co 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”; 1 Jn 2:1-2 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
You are to be a Good example. An example of those who believe - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” An example in both deed and word - Ti 2:7-8 “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” -- Others should be able to look to you as to how to live for Christ - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Remembering such things will certainly help keep one strong in the faith. Also helpful are the things we are to do. These will be covered in Part Two of this lesson.
Sunday, December 03, 2006
A Person Reborn - Part One
The Significance Of Being A Christian
A Person Reborn - Part One
It is always exciting to see someone become a Christian. Even when an observer doesn’t understand all that is involved, they often sense something meaningful is going on. Especially as time goes on, and changes begin to occur in the person’s life. But often the significance of becoming a Christian appears to be lost. Sometimes even Christians fail to appreciate the significance of being a Christian. When this happens, Christians often fail to grow as they should. It never hurts for a Christian to reflect, and ask such questions as:
What did I do?
What have I received?
What are the implications and consequences of what I’ve done?
What has happened to me?
What have I become?
What is different about me?
To summarize these questions, what is the meaning, importance, and value of becoming a Christian? What am I now to do? Such are the questions we hope to answer in this series, "The Significance Of Being A Christian"
In this first lesson, we note that a Christian is "A Person Reborn". That is because in Christ one has become a new creation. A Christian rises out of the watery grave of baptism to newness of life - Ro 6:4-5 "When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him." Old things have passed away, and new things have come - 2 Co 5:17 "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new."
A new creation made possible by virtue of a new birth. A new birth produced by responding to the Word of God - Ja 1:18 "He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth."; 1 Pe 1:22-23 "You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart. Do this because God has given you new birth by his message that lives on forever." A new birth produced by the working of the Spirit of God - Jn 3:3-5 "Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!" Nicodemus asked, "How can a grown man ever be born a second time?" Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit."; Ti 3:5-7 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life."
In this new creation we embark on a life of renewal. The inner man is to be renewed daily - 2 Co 4:16 "We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day." This renewal is ongoing, involving the renewal of one’s mind - Ro 12:2 "Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him."
Because of the new creation which has occurred, and the renewing which continues to take place, the Christian can be said to have a new life, having passed from death to life. As Jesus promised to those who hear His words - Jn 5:24-25 "I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life. I tell you for certain that the time will come, and it is already here, when all of the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen to it will live!" Once dead in sin, we are now made alive to God - Ep 2:1-5 "In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you."; Co 2:12-13 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins." We now have the promise and prospect of life eternal, given through God’s Son - 1 Jn 5:11-13 "God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. But if we don't have the Son, we don't have this life. All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know that you have eternal life."
Because of the new creation which has occurred we pass from darkness into the light. Such is the objective of gospel preaching: to turn people from darkness to light. So Jesus told Paul - Ac 26:18 "I want you to open their eyes, so that they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God's holy people."’ So Peter wrote to Christians - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness." Though we once walked in darkness, we can now walk in the light. As children of light - Ep 5:8 "You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light"; 1 Th 5:5 "You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark." ain The metaphor of light representing goodness, righteousness, and truth - Ep 5:9 "So act like people of the light and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful"
For which we should ever be thankful - Co 1:12-13 "I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,"
We will continue this lesson in a second part looking at what makes such a new creation and a new life a reality.
A Person Reborn - Part One
It is always exciting to see someone become a Christian. Even when an observer doesn’t understand all that is involved, they often sense something meaningful is going on. Especially as time goes on, and changes begin to occur in the person’s life. But often the significance of becoming a Christian appears to be lost. Sometimes even Christians fail to appreciate the significance of being a Christian. When this happens, Christians often fail to grow as they should. It never hurts for a Christian to reflect, and ask such questions as:
What did I do?
What have I received?
What are the implications and consequences of what I’ve done?
What has happened to me?
What have I become?
What is different about me?
To summarize these questions, what is the meaning, importance, and value of becoming a Christian? What am I now to do? Such are the questions we hope to answer in this series, "The Significance Of Being A Christian"
In this first lesson, we note that a Christian is "A Person Reborn". That is because in Christ one has become a new creation. A Christian rises out of the watery grave of baptism to newness of life - Ro 6:4-5 "When we were baptized, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptized, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father. If we shared in Jesus' death by being baptized, we will be raised to life with him." Old things have passed away, and new things have come - 2 Co 5:17 "Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new."
A new creation made possible by virtue of a new birth. A new birth produced by responding to the Word of God - Ja 1:18 "He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth."; 1 Pe 1:22-23 "You obeyed the truth, and your souls were made pure. Now you sincerely love each other. But you must keep on loving with all your heart. Do this because God has given you new birth by his message that lives on forever." A new birth produced by the working of the Spirit of God - Jn 3:3-5 "Jesus replied, "I tell you for certain that you must be born from above before you can see God's kingdom!" Nicodemus asked, "How can a grown man ever be born a second time?" Jesus answered: I tell you for certain that before you can get into God's kingdom, you must be born not only by water, but by the Spirit."; Ti 3:5-7 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life."
In this new creation we embark on a life of renewal. The inner man is to be renewed daily - 2 Co 4:16 "We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day." This renewal is ongoing, involving the renewal of one’s mind - Ro 12:2 "Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him."
Because of the new creation which has occurred, and the renewing which continues to take place, the Christian can be said to have a new life, having passed from death to life. As Jesus promised to those who hear His words - Jn 5:24-25 "I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life. I tell you for certain that the time will come, and it is already here, when all of the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. And those who listen to it will live!" Once dead in sin, we are now made alive to God - Ep 2:1-5 "In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn't obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God's wonderful kindness is what saves you."; Co 2:12-13 "And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God's people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins." We now have the promise and prospect of life eternal, given through God’s Son - 1 Jn 5:11-13 "God has also said that he gave us eternal life and that this life comes to us from his Son. And so, if we have God's Son, we have this life. But if we don't have the Son, we don't have this life. All of you have faith in the Son of God, and I have written to let you know that you have eternal life."
Because of the new creation which has occurred we pass from darkness into the light. Such is the objective of gospel preaching: to turn people from darkness to light. So Jesus told Paul - Ac 26:18 "I want you to open their eyes, so that they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God's holy people."’ So Peter wrote to Christians - 1 Pe 2:9-10 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done. The Scriptures say, "Once you were nobody. Now you are God's people. At one time no one had pity on you. Now God has treated you with kindness." Though we once walked in darkness, we can now walk in the light. As children of light - Ep 5:8 "You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light"; 1 Th 5:5 "You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark." ain The metaphor of light representing goodness, righteousness, and truth - Ep 5:9 "So act like people of the light and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful"
For which we should ever be thankful - Co 1:12-13 "I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son,"
We will continue this lesson in a second part looking at what makes such a new creation and a new life a reality.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
How To Find A New Testament Church
In this series of lessons I have sought to propose that "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" is possible today when we:
Appreciate why denominationalism is wrong, and therefore disdain sectarianism.
Imitate the example of Jesus by maintaining a nonsectarian relationship with God.
Properly respond to the call of the gospel, for that is how Christ is adding people to His church.
Allow "the apostles' doctrine" to be our standard of authority in religion, recognizing that is how Christ is directing His church today.
Develop those qualities of Christ-like character enjoined in the apostolic epistles, so that we can "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".
What I have proposed is really nothing new, and has been a plea expressed by many others. I am personally convinced that throughout church history there have always been groups of Christians seeking to follow Jesus in this way. Even today, there are thousands of congregations composed of those who are "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" -- Indeed, I believe there are many churches true to the example and pattern of the Lord's church as found in the New Testament. But suppose one wanted to find "a New Testament church" today? Where would they begin? What would they look for?
In this lesson, the final one in this series, I wish to offer some thoughts on "How To Find A New Testament Church". Not an exhaustive study, of course, but some simple suggestions that might help one get started. These are the sort of suggestions that I myself would follow if I were seeking to find such a congregation. First, I would. begin with the "name". The" name" of the congregation reveals much. It can quickly tell whether the church is concerned with "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism". For if the name is a denominational name, religious division must not be a major concern of those in the congregation.
The name should be a scriptural name. There is really no one scriptural name for the Lord's church in the New Testament. The expression "church of God" (1 Co 1:2), "churches of God" (1 Th 2:14), and "churches of Christ" (Ro 16:16) are commonly used. Other terms are used also, and they all reflect an association with God and Christ (body of Christ, kingdom of God, bride of Christ, temple of God, etc.). But the use of scriptural names instead of a humanly-conceived name reflects a desire to follow the Scriptures, and not human tradition. It certainly conveys a desire to honor God and Christ, and not some man, creed or particular doctrine.
Unfortunately, the "name" alone is not a sure guide, but just a good indicator, Just as the name "Mrs. Newsted" alone is not a sure guide if you were seeking to find my wife. For there are a lot of women who go by the name, "Mrs. Newsted". But only one who bears the name is properly my wife! So there may be many congregations that bear the name of Christ or God that may not be truly honoring them! For example, there are over 200 separate denominations that use the expression "Church of God". Likewise, there may be "Churches of Christ" that are no less denominational than any church with a denominational name!. Yet I would still recommend beginning with the name, and in particular those congregations that use the expression "church of Christ". Because so many denominations have chosen to use the expression "church of God", the likelihood of simply finding a denomination is much greater. Whereas most "churches of Christ" I have known are seeking to follow Jesus without denominationalism, therefore the possibilities of finding a church true to the New Testament are greater. But even when one has found a church that is nondenominational, that does not automatically mean the people are truly members of the Lord's body.
That is why I suggest the next step is to examine the "Gospel" being preached. Remember how Christ is building His church. Through the gospel, Christ calls us - 2 Th 2:14 "God used our preaching as his way of inviting you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." As we heed the gospel call, the Lord adds us to His body, the church - Ac 2:41 "On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized.", 47 "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved." That is why it is so important that the gospel not be perverted in any way - Ga 1:6-9 "I am shocked that you have so quickly turned from God, who chose you because of his wonderful kindness. You have believed another message, when there is really only one true message. But some people are causing you trouble and want to make you turn away from the good news about Christ. I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed."
If the Gospel message is different by changing either the facts or commands of the gospel, then people are not being saved, and the Lord is not adding them to His church! A church with a perverted Gospel may have the nicest people, but they are still unregenerate people! They may wear the name of Christ, both as individuals and as a church, but are not truly the people of God! So while a group of people may identify themselves as a "church of God" or "church of Christ", it is only Christ who truly makes them such when they properly respond to the call of the gospel. That is why it is imperative a church teaches the pure and simple gospel of Christ!
A final suggestion, but one that might require very careful examination over a period of time, is to compare the "practice" with the New Testament pattern. In the New testament, we find a pattern. The N.T. describes the early church during its first 60 years. A careful study of Acts and the epistles reveal a picture of the church. From this picture, a pattern emerges in reference to:
The worship of the church; The work of the church; The organization of the church.
This pattern emerges as we see the early Christians continuing steadfastly in "the apostles' doctrine".
A church abiding in the "apostles’ doctrine" will reflect this pattern. Their worship will be like that described in the New Testament involving such elements as singing, prayer, Bible study, preaching, and the Lord's Supper - Co 3:16; 4:2; 2 Ti 2:2,15; 4:2; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 10:16-17; 11:23-29. Their assemblies Will be seeking to provoke one another to love and good works - He 10:24-25. Their work as a congregation will be similar to that found in the New Testament. They will be equipping the saints for ministry (edification) - Ep 4:11-16. They will be furthering the spread of the gospel by sending out evangelists (evangelism) - Ph 4:15-16; 3 Jn 5-8. They will be meeting the physical needs of the saints as problems arise (benevolence) - Ro 15:25-26; 1 Co 16:1-4; 2 Co 8:1-9:15. Their organization as a congregation will seek to be like that found in the New Testament - Ph 1:1 "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" With elders (also known as bishops, pastors, presbyters, shepherds) qualified to oversee and tend to the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:28; 1 Ti 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9; 1 Pe 5:1-4. They will also have deacons qualified to serve as they minister to the local congregation - 1 Ti 3:8-13. [The only exception to their organization will be a congregation of small size where there are men that are not qualified nor desire to be elders or deacons. Under these circumstances the male members will oversee the work and worship of the local congregation]. They will have saints (members) who sojourn in this world with conduct that is honorable and which gives glory to God - 1 Pe 2:9-12.
By carefully studying the "pattern" of the Lord's church as revealed in the New Testament, we can know when a congregation is faithfully observing "the apostles' doctrine". This places upon each of us the responsibility of carefully studying the Scriptures. For only then can we be able to distinguish between the "authentic" and a "counterfeit". I am confident that there are many "authentic" congregations all over the world. It is likely that one exists in your community already! Please feel free to contact me if you think I might be able to help you find one. But even if we live in an area where there is no church that "continues steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine", we can start one in our own home! - Ro 16:5; Phe 1-2. This can be done by proclaiming the simple gospel of Christ, and abiding in "the apostles' doctrine" as revealed in the New Testament. This will not be some new denomination, but simply a church of the Lord, a congregation of disciples that meet together to worship God and edify one another in their service to the Lord.
Are you "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism"? Don't you wish to? Remember the prayer of our Lord:
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."
"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:"
"I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
-- Jn 17:20-23
May all those who believe in Jesus strive to be one!
These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. They are included in The Executable Outlines Series, a collection my sermon outlines and Bible study materials. Visit the EO web site (exeout.com) to browse or download more material. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001
How To Find A New Testament Church
In this series of lessons I have sought to propose that "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" is possible today when we:
Appreciate why denominationalism is wrong, and therefore disdain sectarianism.
Imitate the example of Jesus by maintaining a nonsectarian relationship with God.
Properly respond to the call of the gospel, for that is how Christ is adding people to His church.
Allow "the apostles' doctrine" to be our standard of authority in religion, recognizing that is how Christ is directing His church today.
Develop those qualities of Christ-like character enjoined in the apostolic epistles, so that we can "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".
What I have proposed is really nothing new, and has been a plea expressed by many others. I am personally convinced that throughout church history there have always been groups of Christians seeking to follow Jesus in this way. Even today, there are thousands of congregations composed of those who are "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" -- Indeed, I believe there are many churches true to the example and pattern of the Lord's church as found in the New Testament. But suppose one wanted to find "a New Testament church" today? Where would they begin? What would they look for?
In this lesson, the final one in this series, I wish to offer some thoughts on "How To Find A New Testament Church". Not an exhaustive study, of course, but some simple suggestions that might help one get started. These are the sort of suggestions that I myself would follow if I were seeking to find such a congregation. First, I would. begin with the "name". The" name" of the congregation reveals much. It can quickly tell whether the church is concerned with "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism". For if the name is a denominational name, religious division must not be a major concern of those in the congregation.
The name should be a scriptural name. There is really no one scriptural name for the Lord's church in the New Testament. The expression "church of God" (1 Co 1:2), "churches of God" (1 Th 2:14), and "churches of Christ" (Ro 16:16) are commonly used. Other terms are used also, and they all reflect an association with God and Christ (body of Christ, kingdom of God, bride of Christ, temple of God, etc.). But the use of scriptural names instead of a humanly-conceived name reflects a desire to follow the Scriptures, and not human tradition. It certainly conveys a desire to honor God and Christ, and not some man, creed or particular doctrine.
Unfortunately, the "name" alone is not a sure guide, but just a good indicator, Just as the name "Mrs. Newsted" alone is not a sure guide if you were seeking to find my wife. For there are a lot of women who go by the name, "Mrs. Newsted". But only one who bears the name is properly my wife! So there may be many congregations that bear the name of Christ or God that may not be truly honoring them! For example, there are over 200 separate denominations that use the expression "Church of God". Likewise, there may be "Churches of Christ" that are no less denominational than any church with a denominational name!. Yet I would still recommend beginning with the name, and in particular those congregations that use the expression "church of Christ". Because so many denominations have chosen to use the expression "church of God", the likelihood of simply finding a denomination is much greater. Whereas most "churches of Christ" I have known are seeking to follow Jesus without denominationalism, therefore the possibilities of finding a church true to the New Testament are greater. But even when one has found a church that is nondenominational, that does not automatically mean the people are truly members of the Lord's body.
That is why I suggest the next step is to examine the "Gospel" being preached. Remember how Christ is building His church. Through the gospel, Christ calls us - 2 Th 2:14 "God used our preaching as his way of inviting you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." As we heed the gospel call, the Lord adds us to His body, the church - Ac 2:41 "On that day about three thousand believed his message and were baptized.", 47 "while praising God. Everyone liked them, and each day the Lord added to their group others who were being saved." That is why it is so important that the gospel not be perverted in any way - Ga 1:6-9 "I am shocked that you have so quickly turned from God, who chose you because of his wonderful kindness. You have believed another message, when there is really only one true message. But some people are causing you trouble and want to make you turn away from the good news about Christ. I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed."
If the Gospel message is different by changing either the facts or commands of the gospel, then people are not being saved, and the Lord is not adding them to His church! A church with a perverted Gospel may have the nicest people, but they are still unregenerate people! They may wear the name of Christ, both as individuals and as a church, but are not truly the people of God! So while a group of people may identify themselves as a "church of God" or "church of Christ", it is only Christ who truly makes them such when they properly respond to the call of the gospel. That is why it is imperative a church teaches the pure and simple gospel of Christ!
A final suggestion, but one that might require very careful examination over a period of time, is to compare the "practice" with the New Testament pattern. In the New testament, we find a pattern. The N.T. describes the early church during its first 60 years. A careful study of Acts and the epistles reveal a picture of the church. From this picture, a pattern emerges in reference to:
The worship of the church; The work of the church; The organization of the church.
This pattern emerges as we see the early Christians continuing steadfastly in "the apostles' doctrine".
A church abiding in the "apostles’ doctrine" will reflect this pattern. Their worship will be like that described in the New Testament involving such elements as singing, prayer, Bible study, preaching, and the Lord's Supper - Co 3:16; 4:2; 2 Ti 2:2,15; 4:2; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 10:16-17; 11:23-29. Their assemblies Will be seeking to provoke one another to love and good works - He 10:24-25. Their work as a congregation will be similar to that found in the New Testament. They will be equipping the saints for ministry (edification) - Ep 4:11-16. They will be furthering the spread of the gospel by sending out evangelists (evangelism) - Ph 4:15-16; 3 Jn 5-8. They will be meeting the physical needs of the saints as problems arise (benevolence) - Ro 15:25-26; 1 Co 16:1-4; 2 Co 8:1-9:15. Their organization as a congregation will seek to be like that found in the New Testament - Ph 1:1 "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:" With elders (also known as bishops, pastors, presbyters, shepherds) qualified to oversee and tend to the local congregation - Ac 14:23; 20:28; 1 Ti 3:1-7; Ti 1:5-9; 1 Pe 5:1-4. They will also have deacons qualified to serve as they minister to the local congregation - 1 Ti 3:8-13. [The only exception to their organization will be a congregation of small size where there are men that are not qualified nor desire to be elders or deacons. Under these circumstances the male members will oversee the work and worship of the local congregation]. They will have saints (members) who sojourn in this world with conduct that is honorable and which gives glory to God - 1 Pe 2:9-12.
By carefully studying the "pattern" of the Lord's church as revealed in the New Testament, we can know when a congregation is faithfully observing "the apostles' doctrine". This places upon each of us the responsibility of carefully studying the Scriptures. For only then can we be able to distinguish between the "authentic" and a "counterfeit". I am confident that there are many "authentic" congregations all over the world. It is likely that one exists in your community already! Please feel free to contact me if you think I might be able to help you find one. But even if we live in an area where there is no church that "continues steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine", we can start one in our own home! - Ro 16:5; Phe 1-2. This can be done by proclaiming the simple gospel of Christ, and abiding in "the apostles' doctrine" as revealed in the New Testament. This will not be some new denomination, but simply a church of the Lord, a congregation of disciples that meet together to worship God and edify one another in their service to the Lord.
Are you "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism"? Don't you wish to? Remember the prayer of our Lord:
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;"
"that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me."
"And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:"
"I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."
-- Jn 17:20-23
May all those who believe in Jesus strive to be one!
These outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. They are included in The Executable Outlines Series, a collection my sermon outlines and Bible study materials. Visit the EO web site (exeout.com) to browse or download more material. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
The Executable Outlines Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2001
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Maintaining Unity In The Local Congregation
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Maintaining Unity In The Local Congregation
The challenge of "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" to a great extent revolves around the problem of religious division that begins in the local church. Every denomination today began as a result of religious division. And religious division normally finds it origin with brethren in a local congregation unable to resolve their differences. While having the same standard of authority is essential to unity in religious matters, I also stated that it alone is insufficient, as suggested in this quote by Barton W. Stone:
"But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56).
It is essential that those who seek to allow the Bible, and in particular the New Testament, to be their standard of authority possess the proper Christian attitudes and to apply those attitudes when handling the Word of God -- Otherwise, the "sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17) will be abused to the detriment of all parties involved. To appreciate what I mean, in this lesson we shall examine how Paul dealt with the problem of division in the early church, and the solution he offered that we might "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We begin by first noticing what Paul described as a major cause of division by looking at the situation at Corinth.
Paul found it necessary to write "that there be no divisions among you" - 1 Co 1:10. There were contentions among them, manifested by breaking up into parties and calling themselves after different men - 1 Co 1:11-12 "Several people from Chloe's family have already reported to me that you keep arguing with each other. They have said that some of you claim to follow me, while others claim to follow Apollos or Peter or Christ." -- Sounds a lot like religious division today, doesn't it?
Let’s look at Paul’s evaluation of the problem. As Paul wrote to them, he realized he was dealing with "babes in Christ", who instead of being "spiritual" were "carnal" - 1 Co 3:1-3a "My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual." Indeed, the root of their envy, strife, and divisions was their carnality - 1 Co 3:3b "You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world." -- Conditions today are not really all that much different; where division exists, carnality (or spiritual immaturity) is often a major cause of the problem! This is not to say that there are never any substantive issues at stake when division occurs. But any hope for resolving differences over such issues is stifled when the parties involved are filled with envy and strife. This may help us appreciate why Paul so frequently focused his attention on the development of attitudes which increase the likelihood of overcoming differences so that unity might prevail.
Let's take a look at these attitudes for maintaining unity. To the church at Ephesus, Paul taught the virtue of "Lowliness" - Ep 4:2 "Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other." This word means:
The having a humble opinion of one's self.
A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness.
Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the "head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ.
"Gentleness" - Ep 4:2 (see above). This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the money changers out of the temple. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining unity.
"Long-suffering" - Ep 4:2 (see above "Patiently"). The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections.
"Put up with one another in love" - Ep 4:2 (see above). Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear, to endure. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is another virtue: "love". As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is not provoked" - 1 Co 13:4-5 "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.". Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these virtues together - Co 3:12-14 "Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together."
"Endeavor" - Ep 4:3 "Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace." Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor does maintaining unity. Thus the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means "to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence" -- Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to "keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3
To the church at Philippi, Paul directed them to "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit" - Ph 2:3. It is necessary to point out those attitudes we should NOT have! For possessing these attitudes will destroy unity. Both involve a "self-centered" attitude rather than a "Christ-centered" attitude. Therefore, it is required that we rid ourselves of:
The desire for exalting self ("selfish ambition")
The improper estimation of self ("conceit")
In place of these, we should substitute "in lowliness of mind" - Ph 2:3. In other words, humility as in Ep 4:2. This will effectively replace the problem of "conceit". Humility should be easy to maintain if we remember our own faults and "let each esteem others better than himself" - Ph 2:3. This should be easy for us to do for we are aware of our own defects, but we do not have the same clear view of the defects of others. We can only see their outward conduct; in our own case, we can look within. We see our own hearts, with all its faults; we cannot so look into the hearts of others. In writing to the brethren at Rome, Paul exhorted them to outdo one another in this regard - "in honor giving preference to one another" - Ro 12:10b. "look out...for the interest of others" - Ph 2:4. This attitude eliminates the problem of "selfish ambition". It is the attitude of maturity, and was the attitude of Christ! - Ro 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ So it should be the attitude of every Christian! As strongly suggested by Ph 2:1-2, these qualities in verses 3-4 contribute to the unity that produces fullness of joy!
To the churches of Galatia, Paul cautioned against the improper use of our liberty in Christ. While it is true that we must stand fast in our liberty and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage... - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again." ...we should use our liberty as an opportunity to serve one another in love - Ga 5:13-14 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself." Otherwise, abuse of our liberty gives the flesh opportunity to destroy one another! - Ga 5:15 "But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves."
To the church at Rome, Paul wrote that we should pursue things that lead to peace and edification - Ro 14:19 "We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith." That the strong should be willing to bear with the scruples of the weak - Ro 14:1 "Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.", 13 "We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone's faith."; 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ That the weak in faith must be careful not to judge (condemn) those whom God has received! - Ro 14:3-4 "But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone. What right do you have to criticize someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right, and the Lord will make sure that they do right." -- Such attitudes are necessary, or we will not be able "with one mind and one mouth [to] glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" - Ro 15:5-7.
Finally, to the church at Corinth Paul made it clear that knowledge can puff one up, but it is love that edifies ("builds up", in contrast to knowledge which "puffs up") - 1 Co 8:1 "In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others." That we who have liberty in Christ should be careful that we don't use it to the destruction of our brethren who are weak - 1 Co 8:9-12 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ." That we should therefore be willing to forego our liberties if it can help keep a brother from stumbling - 1 Co 8:13 "So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live."; 10:31-11:1 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved. You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
From personal experience, I can attest that where members display these attitudes in addition to their devotion to "the apostles' doctrine"......there will be a congregation of Christians in which love and unity will prevail. That's not to say there will always be perfect understanding and agreement on every subject. When people from every conceivable background come to Christ, we should expect some differences. When there will always be brethren at various levels of spiritual growth, we can expect some challenges. But if we can agree that the teaching of Christ as expounded in "the apostles' doctrine" is our standard of authority in religious matters and inculcate the Christian attitudes described in this lesson into the heart of every member then we shall be able to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 4:3) as we all continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Pe 3:18), to the glory of God!
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maintaining Unity In The Local Congregation
The challenge of "Following Jesus Without Denominationalism" to a great extent revolves around the problem of religious division that begins in the local church. Every denomination today began as a result of religious division. And religious division normally finds it origin with brethren in a local congregation unable to resolve their differences. While having the same standard of authority is essential to unity in religious matters, I also stated that it alone is insufficient, as suggested in this quote by Barton W. Stone:
"But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56).
It is essential that those who seek to allow the Bible, and in particular the New Testament, to be their standard of authority possess the proper Christian attitudes and to apply those attitudes when handling the Word of God -- Otherwise, the "sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17) will be abused to the detriment of all parties involved. To appreciate what I mean, in this lesson we shall examine how Paul dealt with the problem of division in the early church, and the solution he offered that we might "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." We begin by first noticing what Paul described as a major cause of division by looking at the situation at Corinth.
Paul found it necessary to write "that there be no divisions among you" - 1 Co 1:10. There were contentions among them, manifested by breaking up into parties and calling themselves after different men - 1 Co 1:11-12 "Several people from Chloe's family have already reported to me that you keep arguing with each other. They have said that some of you claim to follow me, while others claim to follow Apollos or Peter or Christ." -- Sounds a lot like religious division today, doesn't it?
Let’s look at Paul’s evaluation of the problem. As Paul wrote to them, he realized he was dealing with "babes in Christ", who instead of being "spiritual" were "carnal" - 1 Co 3:1-3a "My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual." Indeed, the root of their envy, strife, and divisions was their carnality - 1 Co 3:3b "You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world." -- Conditions today are not really all that much different; where division exists, carnality (or spiritual immaturity) is often a major cause of the problem! This is not to say that there are never any substantive issues at stake when division occurs. But any hope for resolving differences over such issues is stifled when the parties involved are filled with envy and strife. This may help us appreciate why Paul so frequently focused his attention on the development of attitudes which increase the likelihood of overcoming differences so that unity might prevail.
Let's take a look at these attitudes for maintaining unity. To the church at Ephesus, Paul taught the virtue of "Lowliness" - Ep 4:2 "Always be humble and gentle. Patiently put up with each other and love each other." This word means:
The having a humble opinion of one's self.
A deep sense of one's (moral) littleness.
Modesty, humility, lowliness of mind.
Without this virtue, members in the body begin trying to be the "head" of the body, a role reserved only for Christ.
"Gentleness" - Ep 4:2 (see above). This word can be translated as gentleness, mildness, meekness. It is not a quality of weakness, but of power under control. Moses was a meek man (Num 12:3), but capable of great strength and boldness. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart" (Mt 11:29), but we see where He drove the money changers out of the temple. Thus it is being gentle, even when there is the potential for being harsh, but gentleness is more conducive for maintaining unity.
"Long-suffering" - Ep 4:2 (see above "Patiently"). The idea here is one of patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs. When the body consists of members who are not perfect, and often sin against each other, maintaining unity is not possible unless they are willing to endure each other's imperfections.
"Put up with one another in love" - Ep 4:2 (see above). Similar to longsuffering, "bearing" means to sustain, to bear, to endure. What makes such "longsuffering" and "forbearance" possible is another virtue: "love". As Paul wrote in his chapter on love: "love suffers long...is not provoked" - 1 Co 13:4-5 "Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.". Indeed, the virtue of love is the "tie" that binds all these virtues together - Co 3:12-14 "Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together."
"Endeavor" - Ep 4:3 "Try your best to let God's Spirit keep your hearts united. Do this by living at peace." Displaying these virtues does not come naturally nor easy, nor does maintaining unity. Thus the need for much effort, as Paul uses a word which means "to exert one's self, endeavor, give diligence" -- Only by giving diligence to display ALL these virtues, can we hope to "keep (maintain) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" - Ep 4:3
To the church at Philippi, Paul directed them to "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit" - Ph 2:3. It is necessary to point out those attitudes we should NOT have! For possessing these attitudes will destroy unity. Both involve a "self-centered" attitude rather than a "Christ-centered" attitude. Therefore, it is required that we rid ourselves of:
The desire for exalting self ("selfish ambition")
The improper estimation of self ("conceit")
In place of these, we should substitute "in lowliness of mind" - Ph 2:3. In other words, humility as in Ep 4:2. This will effectively replace the problem of "conceit". Humility should be easy to maintain if we remember our own faults and "let each esteem others better than himself" - Ph 2:3. This should be easy for us to do for we are aware of our own defects, but we do not have the same clear view of the defects of others. We can only see their outward conduct; in our own case, we can look within. We see our own hearts, with all its faults; we cannot so look into the hearts of others. In writing to the brethren at Rome, Paul exhorted them to outdo one another in this regard - "in honor giving preference to one another" - Ro 12:10b. "look out...for the interest of others" - Ph 2:4. This attitude eliminates the problem of "selfish ambition". It is the attitude of maturity, and was the attitude of Christ! - Ro 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ So it should be the attitude of every Christian! As strongly suggested by Ph 2:1-2, these qualities in verses 3-4 contribute to the unity that produces fullness of joy!
To the churches of Galatia, Paul cautioned against the improper use of our liberty in Christ. While it is true that we must stand fast in our liberty and not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage... - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again." ...we should use our liberty as an opportunity to serve one another in love - Ga 5:13-14 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself." Otherwise, abuse of our liberty gives the flesh opportunity to destroy one another! - Ga 5:15 "But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves."
To the church at Rome, Paul wrote that we should pursue things that lead to peace and edification - Ro 14:19 "We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith." That the strong should be willing to bear with the scruples of the weak - Ro 14:1 "Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours.", 13 "We must stop judging others. We must also make up our minds not to upset anyone's faith."; 15:1-3 "If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ That the weak in faith must be careful not to judge (condemn) those whom God has received! - Ro 14:3-4 "But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone. What right do you have to criticize someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right, and the Lord will make sure that they do right." -- Such attitudes are necessary, or we will not be able "with one mind and one mouth [to] glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!" - Ro 15:5-7.
Finally, to the church at Corinth Paul made it clear that knowledge can puff one up, but it is love that edifies ("builds up", in contrast to knowledge which "puffs up") - 1 Co 8:1 "In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others." That we who have liberty in Christ should be careful that we don't use it to the destruction of our brethren who are weak - 1 Co 8:9-12 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ." That we should therefore be willing to forego our liberties if it can help keep a brother from stumbling - 1 Co 8:13 "So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live."; 10:31-11:1 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved. You must follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
From personal experience, I can attest that where members display these attitudes in addition to their devotion to "the apostles' doctrine"......there will be a congregation of Christians in which love and unity will prevail. That's not to say there will always be perfect understanding and agreement on every subject. When people from every conceivable background come to Christ, we should expect some differences. When there will always be brethren at various levels of spiritual growth, we can expect some challenges. But if we can agree that the teaching of Christ as expounded in "the apostles' doctrine" is our standard of authority in religious matters and inculcate the Christian attitudes described in this lesson into the heart of every member then we shall be able to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ep 4:3) as we all continue to "grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ" (2 Pe 3:18), to the glory of God!
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Following Jesus Without Denominationalism
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? To help answer such questions, consider these warnings found in the New Testament. We must not change it’s message! This is especially true in regards to the gospel of Christ! - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed." Even if we claimed a change was authorized by an angelic messenger, we would be accursed! Therefore, the gospel of salvation in Christ must be preserved in every respect!
We must not add or take away from it. We find such a warning at the conclusion of the last book of the Bible - Re 22:18-19 "Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book." Though primarily applicable to the book of Revelation, this warning is consistent with others pertaining to the revelation of God's will to man - Deu 4:2 "and now he is your God. I am telling you everything he has commanded, so don't add anything or take anything away."; Pro 30:5-6 "Everything God says is true-- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar."
We must abide in the doctrine of Christ. Otherwise, we will not have fellowship with the Father and the Son - 2 Jn 9 "Don't keep changing what you were taught about Christ, or else God will no longer be with you. But if you hold firmly to what you were taught, both the Father and the Son will be with you." Is this passage referring to the doctrine "about" Christ, or the doctrine "taught by" Christ (along with His apostles)? As pointed out in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - 2 Jn 7 "Many liars have gone out into the world. These deceitful liars are saying that Jesus Christ did not have a truly human body. But they are liars and the enemies of Christ." It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - 1 Jn 3:24 "If we obey God's commandments, we will stay one in our hearts with him, and he will stay one with us. The Spirit that he has given us is proof that we are one with him." Thus what John says here applies in either case.
We must not allow "traditions of men" to make the "commands of God" of no effect. Jesus charged the Pharisees with "vain" worship for doing this - Mk 7:5-13 "The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?" Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad." In view of this warning, we should evaluate our religious practices: Are they based upon "traditions of men", or the "commandments of God"? If "traditions of men", does our keeping them render the "commands of God" of no effect? For example, by keeping the man-made tradition of sprinkling for baptism, the command of God for immersion (Grk. "baptizo") is rendered of no effect.
We must not abuse our liberty in Christ. In Christ we enjoy wonderful freedom, but we must be careful in our use of it - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.", 13 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love." We must be considerate of our brothers' consciences - Ro 14:14-15:3 "The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit. If you are hurting others by the foods you eat, you are not guided by love. Don't let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. Don't let your right to eat bring shame to Christ. God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people. We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith. Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ We should be willing to forego our liberty rather than let it destroy a brother - 1 Co 8:9-13 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live." We should not only ask "Is it lawful?", but also "Does it edify?" - 1 Co 10:23-24 "Some of you say, "We can do whatever we want to!" But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful. We should think about others and not about ourselves.", 31-33 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved." With such "warnings" weighing upon our hearts, we are more likely to approach the Word of God with the humility it deserves as we seek to establish the authority for our service to God.
But one last question related to having the same standard of authority: Will it "guarantee" unity among the followers of Christ? No, because agreeing upon the same will not guarantee unity. There are still other challenges to face. Which commands are binding today? Some commands must be understood to be limited in application. Effort must be made to determine whether a command was intended to be limited or universal in application. Which approved examples are to be considered normative for the church today?. Much of what we learn about the church pertaining to its work and organization is by example, not precept. Effort must be made to determine whether an example should be understood as teaching a binding principle for the church to observe universally. When are necessary implications really necessary implications? People often infer things from the Bible and call their conclusion a "necessary" implication. But it may only be a "possible" implication, not one "necessarily" inferred -- These are some of the questions or challenges faced by every congregation of Christians.
As Christians seek unity, we need more than just the same standard of authority. Barton W. Stone, an effective promoter of Christian unity in the early 1800's, had these insightful words in an article entitled "Christian Union" published in The Christian Messenger (1828): "On no other foundation can the parties ever meet, than on the Bible alone, without note or comment; and in no other name will they ever unite, but in that given to the disciples at Antioch--CHRISTIAN. But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56). In addition to agreeing on the same standard of authority (i.e., the Word of God), we need the proper spirit to "rightly divide the word of truth" - 2 Ti 2:14-16 "Don't let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments don't help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God." As Paul told Timothy, the servant of the Lord must carefully apply the Word when seeking to teach others - 2 Ti 2:23-25 "Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God's servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth."
The apostle Paul has more to say on the attitudes necessary to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", but we will consider those in our next lesson. My purpose in this lesson has been to share some thoughts that I pray will help steer us in the right direction as we "Follow Jesus Without Denominationalism": The Bible teaches us, not only by way of direct commands, but through approved examples and necessary implications. It is helpful to understand the principles of general and specific authority, and when something may be expedient to fulfill things that are authorized. Warnings throughout the scriptures should serve to keep us on the "straight and narrow". But as valuable and needful the same standard of authority may be, simple agreement on what the standard is will not guarantee unity - we need to apply the proper spirit of love, patience and humility as we grow together towards unity in Christ. What is your attitude toward the authority of God's Word? Are you willing to accept the authority of Jesus Christ, as delegated to His apostles? - Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
Ac 2:36-38 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross. When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Further Thoughts Related To Authority In Religion - Part Two
Another question that often arises when the subject of authority in religion is being discussed: "Are there limitations placed upon how far we may go?" I.e., must we have authority for all that we do in religious matters? To help answer such questions, consider these warnings found in the New Testament. We must not change it’s message! This is especially true in regards to the gospel of Christ! - Ga 1:8-9 "I pray that God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from our message to you! It doesn't matter if that person is one of us or an angel from heaven. I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed." Even if we claimed a change was authorized by an angelic messenger, we would be accursed! Therefore, the gospel of salvation in Christ must be preserved in every respect!
We must not add or take away from it. We find such a warning at the conclusion of the last book of the Bible - Re 22:18-19 "Here is my warning for everyone who hears the prophecies in this book: If you add anything to them, God will make you suffer all the terrible troubles written in this book. If you take anything away from these prophecies, God will not let you have part in the life-giving tree and in the holy city described in this book." Though primarily applicable to the book of Revelation, this warning is consistent with others pertaining to the revelation of God's will to man - Deu 4:2 "and now he is your God. I am telling you everything he has commanded, so don't add anything or take anything away."; Pro 30:5-6 "Everything God says is true-- and it's a shield for all who come to him for safety. Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar."
We must abide in the doctrine of Christ. Otherwise, we will not have fellowship with the Father and the Son - 2 Jn 9 "Don't keep changing what you were taught about Christ, or else God will no longer be with you. But if you hold firmly to what you were taught, both the Father and the Son will be with you." Is this passage referring to the doctrine "about" Christ, or the doctrine "taught by" Christ (along with His apostles)? As pointed out in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, the question is of little importance for John holds equally to both positions. It is fundamental to the faith to hold to the proper views about Christ - 2 Jn 7 "Many liars have gone out into the world. These deceitful liars are saying that Jesus Christ did not have a truly human body. But they are liars and the enemies of Christ." It is fundamental to the faith to obey the commandments of Christ - 1 Jn 3:24 "If we obey God's commandments, we will stay one in our hearts with him, and he will stay one with us. The Spirit that he has given us is proof that we are one with him." Thus what John says here applies in either case.
We must not allow "traditions of men" to make the "commands of God" of no effect. Jesus charged the Pharisees with "vain" worship for doing this - Mk 7:5-13 "The Pharisees and teachers asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples obey what our ancestors taught us to do? Why do they eat without washing their hands?" Jesus replied: You are nothing but show-offs! The prophet Isaiah was right when he wrote that God had said, "All of you praise me with your words, but you never really think about me. It is useless for you to worship me, when you teach rules made up by humans." You disobey God's commands in order to obey what humans have taught. You are good at rejecting God's commands so that you can follow your own teachings! Didn't Moses command you to respect your father and mother? Didn't he tell you to put to death all who curse their parents? But you let people get by without helping their parents when they should. You let them say that what they own has been offered to God. You won't let those people help their parents. And you ignore God's commands in order to follow your own teaching. You do a lot of other things that are just as bad." In view of this warning, we should evaluate our religious practices: Are they based upon "traditions of men", or the "commandments of God"? If "traditions of men", does our keeping them render the "commands of God" of no effect? For example, by keeping the man-made tradition of sprinkling for baptism, the command of God for immersion (Grk. "baptizo") is rendered of no effect.
We must not abuse our liberty in Christ. In Christ we enjoy wonderful freedom, but we must be careful in our use of it - Ga 5:1 "Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again.", 13 "My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love." We must be considerate of our brothers' consciences - Ro 14:14-15:3 "The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit. If you are hurting others by the foods you eat, you are not guided by love. Don't let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. Don't let your right to eat bring shame to Christ. God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people. We should try to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith. Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin. If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."’ We should be willing to forego our liberty rather than let it destroy a brother - 1 Co 8:9-13 "Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. You know all this, and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. So if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live." We should not only ask "Is it lawful?", but also "Does it edify?" - 1 Co 10:23-24 "Some of you say, "We can do whatever we want to!" But I tell you that not everything may be good or helpful. We should think about others and not about ourselves.", 31-33 "When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved." With such "warnings" weighing upon our hearts, we are more likely to approach the Word of God with the humility it deserves as we seek to establish the authority for our service to God.
But one last question related to having the same standard of authority: Will it "guarantee" unity among the followers of Christ? No, because agreeing upon the same will not guarantee unity. There are still other challenges to face. Which commands are binding today? Some commands must be understood to be limited in application. Effort must be made to determine whether a command was intended to be limited or universal in application. Which approved examples are to be considered normative for the church today?. Much of what we learn about the church pertaining to its work and organization is by example, not precept. Effort must be made to determine whether an example should be understood as teaching a binding principle for the church to observe universally. When are necessary implications really necessary implications? People often infer things from the Bible and call their conclusion a "necessary" implication. But it may only be a "possible" implication, not one "necessarily" inferred -- These are some of the questions or challenges faced by every congregation of Christians.
As Christians seek unity, we need more than just the same standard of authority. Barton W. Stone, an effective promoter of Christian unity in the early 1800's, had these insightful words in an article entitled "Christian Union" published in The Christian Messenger (1828): "On no other foundation can the parties ever meet, than on the Bible alone, without note or comment; and in no other name will they ever unite, but in that given to the disciples at Antioch--CHRISTIAN. But should all the professors of Christianity reject all their various creeds and names, and agree to receive the Bible alone, and be called by no other name than Christian, will this unite them? No, we are fully convinced that unless they all possess the spirit of that book and name they are far, very far, from Christian union." (As quoted by J. M. Powell, The Cause We Plead: A Story Of The Restoration Movement, 20th Century Christian, 1987, p. 56). In addition to agreeing on the same standard of authority (i.e., the Word of God), we need the proper spirit to "rightly divide the word of truth" - 2 Ti 2:14-16 "Don't let anyone forget these things. And with God as your witness, you must warn them not to argue about words. These arguments don't help anyone. In fact, they ruin everyone who listens to them. Do your best to win God's approval as a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed and who teaches only the true message. Keep away from worthless and useless talk. It only leads people farther away from God." As Paul told Timothy, the servant of the Lord must carefully apply the Word when seeking to teach others - 2 Ti 2:23-25 "Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments. These only lead to trouble, and God's servants must not be troublemakers. They must be kind to everyone, and they must be good teachers and very patient. Be humble when you correct people who oppose you. Maybe God will lead them to turn to him and learn the truth."
The apostle Paul has more to say on the attitudes necessary to "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace", but we will consider those in our next lesson. My purpose in this lesson has been to share some thoughts that I pray will help steer us in the right direction as we "Follow Jesus Without Denominationalism": The Bible teaches us, not only by way of direct commands, but through approved examples and necessary implications. It is helpful to understand the principles of general and specific authority, and when something may be expedient to fulfill things that are authorized. Warnings throughout the scriptures should serve to keep us on the "straight and narrow". But as valuable and needful the same standard of authority may be, simple agreement on what the standard is will not guarantee unity - we need to apply the proper spirit of love, patience and humility as we grow together towards unity in Christ. What is your attitude toward the authority of God's Word? Are you willing to accept the authority of Jesus Christ, as delegated to His apostles? - Mt 28:18-20 "Jesus came to them and said: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world."
Ac 2:36-38 "Everyone in Israel should then know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, even though you put him to death on a cross. When the people heard this, they were very upset. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "Friends, what shall we do?" Peter said, "Turn back to God! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will be given the Holy Spirit."
God Bless,
Jim Newsted
Shamrock, Tx
The town that turns green for a week every year
Join my Bible Study Group at internet-bible-studies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/internet-bible-studies/join
Even though you can't see the air, It doesn't stop you from breathing
Even though you can't see God, It doesn't stop you from believing
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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