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The Power Of Scripture In The Preacher Personally

19 Oct

by Dr. Roger Pascoe

President, The Institute for Biblical Preaching, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

The Scriptures must be operative and powerful first and foremost in the preacher personally. A preacher who is called by God, is one who declares “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and who believes that …

1. The Bible is divinely inspired (lit. “God-breathed”)

2. The Bible is divinely preserved through the centuries

3. The Bible is divinely authoritative in all matters of faith and practice

4. The Bible achieves its divinely intended purpose (Isa. 55:11)

5. The Bible reliably reveals God’s redemptive plan (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Therefore, the preacher must be devoted to, dependent on, and directed by the Scriptures.

1. THE PREACHER MUST BE DEVOTED TO THE SCRIPTURES

He must, like Timothy, “continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14).Devotion to the Scriptures through continuance in them and obedience to them requires discipline.

2. THE PREACHER MUST BE DEPENDENT ON THE SCRIPTURES

To be dependent on the Scriptures you must know them intimately. To know them intimately you must read them. First, you must read the Scriptures privately. This is a most neglected area in so many preachers’ lives. They read a lot of other material but not the Scriptures. This is the work of Satan to weaken our preaching. Make sure you take time every day to read and meditate on the Scriptures in order to nourish your soul in the Word; to become saturated in the Word. This is not your study time but your devotional time (cf. Ps. 42:2; 1:2).

Daily reading of the Scriptures was one of the ingredients that gave George Mueller such a powerful life. He knew the truth that “man shall not live by bread alone…” (Matt. 4:4). We must be dependent on the Scriptures, just as we are on bread to live.

Be systematic and sequential in your reading. Plan your reading. Think through what you read. Ask, is there…

(a) A promise to claim?

(b) A lesson to learn?

(c) A blessing to enjoy?

(d) A command to obey?

(e) A sin to avoid?

Let the “words abide in you” (Jn. 15:7). Pray your thoughts from your reading back to God. Let the words produce fruit in you. Share what you have learned at the appropriate time with others. Be obedient to the word you have read.

Second, you must read the Scriptures publicly. “Give attention to reading” (1 Tim. 4:13). When Paul instructs Timothy to read the word, he also has in mind the public reading in the assembly. In those days it fulfilled the need for reading to those who did not have the Scriptures or could not read them. Today, it fulfills the need to give the proper prominence to the Scriptures in worship.

3. THE PREACHER MUST BE DIRECTED BY THE SCRIPTURES

“But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing of whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:14-17)

Every Christian, and preachers in particular, must be directed by the Scriptures as the Word of God. It is impossible to preach powerfully if you do not hold a high view of biblical inspiration. Believing in the inerrancy of Scripture is part of biblical preaching. By sticking with the inspired text, both the preacher and the congregation will adhere to the truth of the Bible. The inspired Scriptures are our ultimate standard for faith and practice. Thus, they carry authority and power. More than that, the Scriptures are fully sufficient and absolutely trustworthy for all that we need in life and ministry.

Every preacher must be directed by the Scriptures. They are our source for what we believe, how we behave, and what we preach. We need nothing else. Indeed, the all-sufficiency of the Scriptures is the basis for our preaching.

a) The Scriptures are sufficient for salvation. “The Scriptures are able to make you wise unto salvation” (15)

The Bible teaches us our sinful condition before God and reveals the remedy through Christ. No other book can do this.

b) The Scriptures are sufficient for revelation. “All Scripture is God-breathed” (16)

God-breathed means “inspired by God”. Inspiration is the term used to describe the process by which God, through human agents, recorded in written form (i.e. the Bible) his revelation of himself. God communicated his self-revelation to human authors by the Holy Spirit in such a way that the words they wrote were God’s words (verbal inspiration). There is no part of the Bible which is not inspired (plenary inspiration).

The preacher must be committed to the verbal (the very words) and plenary (the complete) inspiration of the Scriptures by God (cf. 2 Pet. 1:21), which means, therefore, that they are inerrant (without error) and infallible (incapable of error) and that through them God still speaks today – i.e. they are still relevant.

Therefore we believe that …

i) The Bible is “God-breathed” (inspired)

ii) The Bible is without error or contradiction (inerrant)

iii) The Bible is incapable of error (infallible)

iv) The Bible is true in all that is affirms

iv) The Bible is completely trustworthy

The fact of its inspiration is what gives the Bible its authority and guarantees its trustworthiness. This is not a human book written by fallible authors, but a divine book written by an infallible God. This fact for us, as believers, renders the Bible fully trustworthy and authoritative. Because the Scriptures are “God-breathed” they are “profitable” – useful, beneficial, helpful, and authoritative.

In order to preach with power, a preacher must hold a high view of Scripture. A high view of Scripture means that we believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, that it is God’s self-revelation, that it is complete, that it is fully trustworthy, and that it is our ultimate standard for faith and practice.

As John Stott puts it: “It is one thing to believe that ‘God has acted’, revealing himself in historical deeds of salvation, and supremely in the Word made flesh. It is another to believe ‘that God has spoken’, inspiring prophets and apostles to interpret his deeds. It is yet a third stage to believe that the divine speech, recording and explaining the divine activity, has been committed to writing.” (John R. W. Stott, Between Two Worlds, 96).

The Bible reveals God to us. No other book does this like this book. It is unique. This is a high view of Scripture.

A high view of the inspiration of Scripture is vital for preaching the Bible powerfully because it is the sole authority for what we preach; it is the voice / the word of God to us. To have a low view of inspiration is to render God’s Word less than fully trustworthy or authoritative.

The preacher cannot preach with authority and spiritual power if he is not fully convinced that the Word of God is authoritative, without contradiction or error, and is totally reliable and trustworthy. How can a preacher preach with power if the very book that he preaches from is stripped of its authority? A preacher who does not believe that the Bible is inerrant, infallible, and totally inspired by the Holy Spirit cannot fully trust the Bible himself and, therefore, cannot proclaim it to others as fully authoritative and trustworthy. Such preaching, therefore, cannot be powerful.

If a preacher thinks that the Word of God is not reliable, then he must also think that God himself is not reliable. And if God is not reliable, then any sermons about God, based on his Word, cannot be trusted. If a sermon cannot be trusted, it cannot have power.

Any preaching that does not reflect the authority and power of the Bible is itself not authoritative and powerful. Power in the proclamation of the Bible cannot be separated from the authority of the Bible itself. The preacher is merely the mouthpiece for the text, which speaks powerfully for itself.

As Jesus taught in the parable of the sower (Matt. 13), the Word of God itself, as the good seed, bears much fruit. When the Word of God enters the human heart, it produces life because it is living (see Heb. 4:12). The Bible is alive because it is inspired by God (2 Tim. 3:16), and because it is alive, it generates its own power. Therefore, when it is faithfully declared, it carries power with it and accomplishes God’s task (Isa. 55:11).

A high view of the inspiration of Scripture is vital for studying the Bible carefully. If we believe that the Bible is indeed the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God, then we should diligently study it in order to understand what it means in its historical context and in order to apply it practically to our lives and the lives of our congregations.

Such a high view of Scripture forces the preacher to carefully research and understand the text. Preachers must exposit the text of Scripture by searching it out, just like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), so that they can accurately convey its meaning and application to their audience.

A high view of the inspiration of Scripture puts an emphasis on the accurate handling of the text rather than an entertaining handling of the text. The primary obligation of the preacher in preparing a sermon outline is to first make sure that it is true and accurate. If we have a high view of inspiration we will obey the biblical injunction to “preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2) and nothing else. Homiletical skill should never camouflage hermeneutical accuracy and faithfulness.

c) The Scriptures are sufficient for doctrine – “teaching” and “reproof”

Note that the first two characteristics of Scripture (teaching and reproof) deal with doctrine; the second two (correction and training) deal with behaviour. Also, note that teaching is a positive statement while reproof is a negative statement.

On the positive side, the Scriptures are “profitable for teaching” (16).Scripture is the trustworthy, all-sufficient source for what we believe, teach, and practice. Scripture alone is the basis for pastoral preaching, teaching, counselling – not myths or legends, not psychology, not philosophy, not experience, and not culture or society. It contains all that we need for life and godliness. It is our standard for faith and practice.

On the negative side, the Scriptures are “profitable…for reproof” (16). To reprove means to refute, rebuke, convict. The Scriptures are fully sufficient and our only reliable resource for refuting and rebuking false teachers and false teaching. Scripture convicts those who hold false doctrine. It exposes the darkness of false teaching by its light. Scripture is the standard and pattern of truth (1:13) which we are to guard (1:14) and to use to convict those who are in error. This is the only authoritative reproof of doctrinal and moral error (cf. Tit. 1:9; Jude 3; Eph. 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20). We refute doctrinal and moral error by the Scriptures. Truth does not change with the changing times. Preachers must stand firm on the revealed truth and reprove and refute error.

Where “teaching” (positive) and “reproof” (negative) have to do with doctrine, the following characteristics of the Scriptures have to do with behaviour.

d) The Scriptures are sufficient for behaviour – “correction” and “training”

Again there is a negative statement and a positive statement. On the negative side, the Scriptures are “profitable… for correction” (16). The purpose of correction is restoration to a right relationship with God. The Scriptures are able to correct and restore someone to a right state of Christian conduct and character. The Scriptures are powerful to change a person’s character flaws, beliefs, and behaviour, to straighten them out, to correct improper and false beliefs and behaviour. Those who stray from the truth must be rebuked, corrected, and then restored. While the process of correction is negative, the end result in view, namely, restoration, is positive.

On the positive side, the Scriptures are “profitable…for training (instruction) in righteousness”. The Scriptures are necessary and sufficient for training / instructing Christians in virtuous, upright, righteous living. The negative process of “correction” is offset by the positive process of “training in righteousness”, which has in view the person’s restoration to a right relationship with God and other people. All Christians, and here preachers specifically, must be trained to live righteously before God and the world (cf. Tit. 2:11-12). This is the training that is attained by discipline and correction (as in training up a child). The Scriptures contain the truth that we believe and the direction for our behaviour in compliance with our belief. This is the life of holiness that comes from being directed by the Scriptures.

Now we move from the sufficiency of the Scriptures for doctrine and behaviour to their purpose.

e) The Scriptures are sufficient for edification – “…so that the man of God may be proficient (fit, capable), fully equipped for every good work” (17)

The ultimate purpose of the Scriptures is to render the servant of God spiritually fit and capable of completing the work God has called you to do. The Scriptures provide the training we need for ministry. Just as an athlete requires training to build up his or her muscles, endurance, and capability for a specific sport, so the servant of God is trained for and rendered fit for his or her ministry. The Scriptures are the sole and fully sufficient source of the knowledge and direction we need for ministry.

Through the Scriptures the “man (or, woman) of God” is rendered “proficient (capable) for every good work”. Our ability in ministry is not a matter of natural talent or intellect, but the calling of God and the sufficiency of his Word. To be capable of carrying out your work for God you need to be proficient in your knowledge and use of Scripture, to think biblically and to apply the Scriptures to life – your own life first, and then the lives of your people. The Scriptures build us up in spiritual maturity(“training in righteousness”) … and for spiritual activity (“for every good work”).

They are our primary resource in ministry – not your education, not your eloquence, not your relationships – but your familiarity with the Scriptures, your understanding of the Scriptures, and your application of the Scriptures to life.

Through the Scripture the man or woman of God is “fully equipped for every good work” – nothing else you need. The Scriptures comprise our complete reference manual for our spiritual work. They are fully sufficient to equip every pastor, church leader, and teacher for “every good work,”which, from a pastoral perspective, is in essence (i) teaching; (ii) reproof; (iii) correction; and (iv) training in righteousness.

The Scriptures are the complete resource for our ministry of the Word – “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… to convince, rebuke, exhort” (2 Tim. 3:16 … 4:2). The Scriptures build us up in our faith and equip us for the work of the ministry. By them we are “proficient (competent), fully equipped, furnished for every good work.”Through the sufficiency of the Scriptures, preachers are enabled to do our work of the ministry. We are equipped by the Word for our ministry of equipping others (Eph. 4:12). God does not leave us to our own resources when he calls us into his service. We have the inspired Scriptures which not only make us wise to salvation but also contain all that we need for life and godliness. They “thoroughly equip us for every good work” (cf. Eph. 2:10).

Part II: Preparing For Preaching

Outlining the Sermon, Part 3: Testing Your Main Points

We are continuing the subject of “outlining the sermon” from the last two editions of this NET Pastors Journal. In this edition, I want to show you how to test the main points of your sermon outline. Your sermon outline should be structured to reveal two essential components:

1. The Main Points Must Be “Homiletically Distinct”

By this I mean that the points of your sermon must be separate thoughts which flow from the text. The language used in your points should follow the natural structure (i.e. development of ideas) in the text. To produce a sermon whose points are homiletically distinct, ask three primary questions of every passage:

A) WHAT IS THE DOMINATING THEME – I.E. THE SUBJECT?

By finding the subject of the Scripture passage, you expose the unifying thought or truth that holds the passage together. And by relating all your sermon points to this subject, your sermon will have unity. So, ask yourself: what is the dominating theme (the big idea, the thesis, the subject) of this passage?

Our task is to preach the message of the text not our own message. Therefore, we do not create the subject of the sermon – rather, the text does. Once we have determined the author’s subject, our task is to construct a message around that subject.

Since you can only preach one subject at a time (unless you want to thoroughly confuse your audience), where a passage of Scripture seems to have more than one subject, select the “dominating” subject that emerges from the text as the one that governs your message. It’s good to state the subject of your message in your introduction.

B) WHAT ARE THE INTEGRATING THOUGHTS – I.E. THE MAIN POINTS?

Main points are the integrating thoughts that provide structure and movement to the passage and, therefore, to your sermon. Ask yourself, “What are the integrating thoughts” of this passage?

The subject is exposed and developed by the author through integrating thoughts which emerge from the passage and which link together to provide the structure and movement of the sermon.

So ask yourself: “What is the structure of the passage? What thoughts build up and expose the overall theme? What does the writer say about his subject? What are the various “complements” to the subject (to use Haddon Robinson’s terminology)? What is the movement (flow of thought) in the passage? How does the writer integrate his thoughts together to develop his subject? What are the individual ideas and how do they connect together to form an argument, an explanation, or an exhortation?” These questions force you to look for the structure and movement in the passage.

Each thought is an expansion of the subject. The thoughts of the writer become the hooks on which you hang your sermon, the sign posts which direct the sermon, the infrastructure around which you build your sermon, the main points which divide the sermon into points (or, chapters).

Do not force the points by imposing your own structure on the passage. Do not force the text to say what you want to say. You must say what the Word of God says – that’s expository preaching!

The main points of your sermon must be “homiletically distinct” – i.e. clear and distinct from one another so that the audience can follow the development of your sermon. You can test your points by asking the following questions

  • Is each point biblical?

Am I letting the Word of God speak for itself (exegesis) or am I imposing my thoughts on the Word (eisegesis)? Is it true to the context? – historical, literary, grammatical, theological, syntactical (even sub-points must come out of the text and integrate with and support the main point). Can your audience see it for themselves in the text?

  • Is each point logical?

Are your points sequential? Do they flow with the text? Is each point progressive in that it moves the ideas of the message forward? Does the progression make sense? Does each point help the sermon move toward a goal? Do they follow the flow of the text? Can the audience see intuitively how you moved from point #1 to point #2 to point #3? And can they see how the text moves from point #1 to #2 to #3? Does each point relate to the subject? Is each point mutually exclusive – i.e. no overlap with other points?

  • Is each point practical, applicable?

Does it answer the question: “So what? What does it have to do with me?” Does it transition from the “then” of the biblical world to the “now” of your congregation? Exposition must be pre-eminently practical. Therefore, it must be applied practically and illustrated relevantly. “Exposition must never be divorced from application and illustration” (Stephen Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, 76).

I suggest that you never leave application to the end of the sermon but relate each point as you make it to the lives of the listeners. Otherwise, they will not get the connection between what you have explained and how you have applied it.

  • Is each point critical?

Is each point needed? There must be a purpose, a reason, for each point. Don’t put in points or sub-points that have no purpose and which do not add to the flow of thought and development of the argument.

Don’t be overly zealous in trying to break down your main points into sub-points, sub-sub-points etc. This confuses your listeners and achieves nothing. If you do have sub-points because they are in the text, you do not have to express them as such to your audience – simply make them part of your explanation.

To ensure that each point is necessary and purposeful, you will need to review your structure critically.

  • Is each point memorable?

This is not a requirement of expository preaching; it’s just a good principle for any public speaking. If you want your audience to go away and be able to remember at least the basic points of what you said, it must be memorable. So, word your main points for “hearers” not “readers” (i.e. the ear not the eye).

You can make your points memorable in several ways:

(i) By using various structural techniques in your main points – e.g.

*”Balanced” statements – i.e. a repeated phrase in each point

*Parallel statements – i.e. similarity of grammar and wording

*Alliteration. Alliteration can be very effective by being memorable, or it can be very ineffective by being annoying, forced, unnatural.

(ii) By repetition

Your sermon outline should be sufficiently well done that your audience can see it – recognize the road map; see the progression, movement, main ideas – but not so that it is dominant. We are not preaching to send them home with an outline but with a message from God’s word that is relevant to their lives.

C) WHAT IS THE MOTIVATING THRUST – I.E. THE PURPOSE?

The motivating thrust provides direction and purpose to your sermon. The motivating thrust is the universal truth that the text is teaching and to which the preacher will exhort his listeners to respond.

Determining the motivating thrust gives significance and purpose to the sermon. Some questions to ask yourself here are:

  • Why did the writer write this? What is the sermon intended to do?
  • What does the truth demand? What do you want them to do?
  • What is its purpose, significance?
  • What application are you going to make?
  • What is the “bottom line”?
  • What is the motivating thrust behind this message? Why deliver it at all?

This whole process of structuring your sermon outline all starts with the subject. The subject provides unity to the sermon because from the subject flow the “integrating thoughts” (main points) and the “motivating thrust” (purpose) of the sermon. Therefore, the “formula” is: Unity (from the subject) + movement (the main points) = purpose.

2. The Points Must Be “Harmoniously Related”

While the points must be homiletically distinct (i.e. make their own distinct point and not repeat any of the other points), at the same time they must be “harmoniously related.” By “harmoniously related” we mean that there must be “continuity of thought”. Continuity of thought is what we must aim for in every outline. Just as the writer has continuity of thought in what he wrote, so your sermon outline, based on what he wrote, must have the same continuity of thought. In other words, the text drives the structure. That’s expository preaching!

(a) Harmoniously related thoughts give the sermon unity – i.e. hold it together. And unity flows from the one common denominator of every sermon – the subject. When each point is related to the subject, then the whole structure is “harmoniously related.”

(b) Harmoniously related points give the sermon progression – i.e. it’s going somewhere. Progression is derived from the flow and continuity of thought by which each point relates to the point that went before (but doesn’t duplicate it), the point that comes after (but doesn’t duplicate it), and all points relate to the subject and, therefore, are harmoniously related.

Therefore, every point must:

a) Relate to the subject of the passage and sermon. This gives unity and harmony.

b) Relate to the points around it (i.e. the previous and subsequent points). This gives progression. “Without this structure and sequential treatment of the text, there will be confusion in the pulpit as well as in the pew”(Stephen Olford, Anointed Expository Preaching, 76).

A harmoniously related sermon is like a harmoniously related body. The head is joined to the neck; the neck to the torso; the torso to the arms and legs etc. Thus, the body has symmetry (balance; proportion) and continuity (every part works in harmony with the others). This is how good sermons work.

Part III. Devotional Exposition

“The Communication of the Gospel” (1 Cor. 2:1-5)

By: Dr. Stephen F. Olford

Having proved that the gospel, while not commending itself to human wisdom, is notwithstanding the instrument of God’s power as well as the manifestation of His wisdom, the Apostle now goes on to speak about The Communication of the Message. As a preacher, he knew of the inherent dangers in the methods and motives of public speaking. Indeed, the church at Corinth was divided on this very issue. There were some who preferred Paul’s approach to the style of Apollos; while others were better satisfied with the rugged delivery of Peter, the one-time fisherman.

With this in mind, the Apostle sets out to correct misconceptions concerning the communication of the gospel in two delineations:

I. The Supreme Passion Of A Preacher

“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:1-2). Drawing heavily upon his own experience, Paul shares with us the twofold secret of the consuming passion of a preacher. The first is:

1) Dedication to the Master: “…I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ…” (1 Cor. 2:2). Paul uses a word here to describe his dedicated resolve. He says, “… I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ…”. This is the true secret of preaching. This man was so Christ-centered and Christ-controlled that nothing else in the world mattered, except Jesus Christ.

Paul could say, “For me to live is Christ…” (Phil. 1:21). “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…that I may know Him…” (Phil. 3:8, 10). “…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). How true it is that “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). When a person is full of Christ, he cannot but speak of His Savior and Lord. So there was dedication to the Master. Then also there was:

2) Concentration on the Message: “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). Instead of conforming to the philosophical approach and oratorical excellence which were so characteristic of public speakers in Corinth, Paul deliberately determined to present Christ in all the simplicity of the essential facts of His death and resurrection. His supreme passion was “Christ and Him crucified” – “not in His glory but in His humiliation, that the foolishness of the preaching might be doubly foolish, and the weakness doubly weak. The incarnation was in itself a stumbling block; the crucifixion was much more than this” (Bishop Lightfoot).

Some students of the Bible maintain that Paul’s emphasis in Corinth on the cross was because of a sense of failure in the alleged philosophical approach he adopted at Athens. But a study of Acts 17 makes it evident that his preaching there was not basically philosophical. His sermon began with a biblical revelation of creation and ended on the note of the resurrection (Acts 17:24, 31). In other words, even in Athens his central message was that of Christ and Him crucified. Paul knew only too well that only the message of the cross could meet the need of a pagan world. It might seem foolishness to the philosophers and a stumbling block to the religionists, but to those who were being saved it was both the wisdom and the power of God.

Martin Luther’s preaching aroused the church from a thousand year slumber known as the devil’s millennium. It is easy to understand why when we discover how Luther preached. He said, “I preach as though Christ was crucified yesterday, rose again from the dead today, and is coming back to earth tomorrow.” With the supreme passion of the preacher in mind, we now turn to what Paul describes as:

II. The Spiritual Power Of A Preacher

“And I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:3-4). The Apostle knew that the content of his message was so unacceptable to the carnal mind that he had no confidence in his ability to communicate it. In fact, he says that he came to Corinth “…in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (v. 3). J. B. Phillips puts it even more dramatically by quoting Paul as saying: “I was feeling far from strong, I was nervous and rather shaky.”

At the same time, it might be added that his fear was more of God rather than of man. It was a fear in the light of the task committed to him, or what Kay calls “anxious desire to fulfill his duty.” So he says, “…my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (v. 4). This means that Paul did not depend on what was known as “the Corinthians words” of excellent speech and poetic persuasion; his confidence, rather, was in:

1) The Power of Divine Revelation: “And I was with you in…demonstration of the Spirit…” (1 Cor. 2:3-4). The word translated “demonstration” signifies “the most rigorous proof.” As Dr. Leon Morris says, “It is possible for argument to be logically irrefutable, yet totally unconvincing.” Paul’s preaching, however, carried conviction because of the power of the Spirit. This is the essential difference between human reasoning and divine revelation.

If preachers of the gospel trusted in their own speaking powers to convince men and women of sin and righteousness and judgment, they would miserably fail. Only the Holy Spirit can do this (see John 16:8-11). In addition to this, it is clear from this passage that Paul also put his confidence in:

2) The Power of Divine Application: “And I was with you…indemonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:3-4). The phrase “of power” carries us back to what Paul has been saying concerning the dynamic of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). There is something inherent in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ which has a dynamic relevance, and therefore an application to everyday life. Preach the gospel to any creature in any country in any age and you will find it just as authoritative and applicable as in the days of the Apostle. This is why Paul exclaims: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

William Barclay tells of a man who had been a reprobate and a drunkard, but who had been absolutely captured and changed by the Lord Jesus Christ. His work mates knew about this and used to try and shake his faith. They would say, “Surely a sensible man like you cannot believe in the miracles that the Bible talks about. You cannot, for instance, believe that this Jesus of yours turned water into wine.” “Whether He turns water into wine or not,” replied the man, “I do not know. But in my own house I have seen Him turn beer into furniture!” This is the power of divine application.

When a preacher believes that the message he declares can work a miracle, he has learned the secret of spiritual power. However much he may tremble, he can be sure that God will vindicate and demonstrate the power of the cross in transformed lives. To conclude, Paul moves on to:

III. The Single Purpose Of A Preacher

“…That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). This was Paul’s single purpose because it was the divine purpose. No preaching of the gospel fulfills what God has designed unless men rest their faith in the power of God. As we have observed already, the power of a preacher is nothing less than the word of the gospel, even our Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen again. The problem in Corinth was that the members of the church were seeking to pin their faith on Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas. Therefore, the Apostle was determined to correct such a divisive misplacement of their confidence. For the purpose of the gospel, he realized men and women must be led to exercise:

1) A Sound Faith: “…That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men…”(1 Cor. 2:5). Paul has convinced us in the preceding verses of the earthly, sensual, and devilish nature of the wisdom of men. For faith to be sound, it must be reposed in the Savior Himself, without dependence upon human wisdom. Paul amplifies his point when he writes later concerning the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus: “…if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). If Christ were not alive from the dead, then sin was not put away, the gospel is not true, the Corinthians had believed a lie, the Apostles were false witnesses, and the loved ones who had fallen asleep had gone forever. So to be fundamentally sound in the faith, a person must believe in the Son of God who literally and physically rose from the dead. All other tenets of evangelical faith are both included and implied in this one central and focal fact of the resurrection of Christ.

Is your faith sound? Does the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead mean more to you than anything else in the world?

2) A Saving Faith: “…That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). Paul has interpreted to us the meaning of the power of God in a previous verse. You remember how he said “…the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but to us which are saved, it is the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18). A saving faith to Paul was a faith which had and was effecting a mighty transformation in the believing soul. It meant knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior in every sense of the word. Is Christ a living, indwelling, and transforming Savior in your experience? But this faith as interpreted by Paul was also:

3) A Steadfast Faith: “…That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Cor. 2:5). It has well been said that what depends upon a clever argument is ever at the mercy of a clever argument. This is not so with faith when it is reposed in the unchanging Son of God. This is why Paul employs the term “stand” (KJV – “should not stand”) which conveys the idea of steadfastness. Two times in this letter he exhorts the believers to be “steadfast in the faith.” The first mention follows the glorious treatment of the unalterable facts of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ in chapter 15. Having declared the Savior as the triumphant one, he says: “…be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the lord (1 Cor. 15:58). The second reference coincides with the conclusion of the epistle where the Apostle exhorts: “Watch, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

Conclusion: So we have seen what Paul means by the communication of the gospel. He has made it abundantly plain that this unique revelation from heaven is something that cannot be communicated or understood apart from a God-given passion, power, and purpose. Whoever claims to be a preacher must be able to testify to the fact that he has only one determination, and that is to know Christ and Him crucified. A preacher must have only one dynamic, and that is the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. A preacher of the gospel must have only one design, and that is that his hearers should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Like Paul, the preacher must recognize that the church of Jesus Christ can never survive the storms of life unless she is built upon the rock of divine revelation rather than on the sands of human philosophy. Let us then go into all the world with the preacher’s passion, power, and purpose – until every creature hears the message of Christ and Him crucified. Such a commission will leave no time for division in our churches and God will add to our membership daily such as should be saved!

Part IV. Sermon Outlines

To listen to the audio version of these sermons in English, click on these links: Link 1 – John 11:25; Link 2 – John 11:26-27

Title: Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25-27)

Point #1: Jesus claims the power that is given to him (25a)

1. Jesus claims the power of resurrection

2. Jesus claims the power of life

Point #2: Jesus promises the life that is in him (25b-26)

1. He promises resurrection life (25b)

2. He promises immortal life (26)

(1) Conditional on faith – “those who believe”

(2) Conditional on personal faith – “do you believe this?”

Point #3: Jesus honours the faith that trusts him (27)

1. He honours faith that responds to his word – “Yes”

2. He honours faith that submits to his authority – “Lord”

3. He honours faith that confesses his person – “Messiah”

– He is the promised Messiah, the Son of God

– He is the One who is to come into the world

 
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Posted by on October 19, 2017 in Bible

 

Seven Things That God Hates Series: A Heart That Devises Wicked Plans

15 Oct

Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

swerveAll we need to do is read the news on the internet or watch the local television news to  be aware of, or at least reminded of, how evil men will spend their time devising wicked plans.  Let’s examine God’s feelings about this subject and how we can avoid finding God’s disfavor, but rather his favor.

What direction do we find from God’s Word?

(Genesis 6:5 NIV)  The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.

(Psalms 34:6 NIV)  This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

(Romans 1:30 NIV) “…slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents…”

God Is Concerned About The Heart. Implicitly, this passage teaches that God knows all things and that nothing escapes his attention.

(Ecclesiastes 12:14 NIV)  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

(Matthew 15:18-20 NIV)  But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ {19} For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. {20} These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.'” God looks at the roots, and not just the fruit.

(Romans 1:32 NIV)  Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

How To Overcome This Sin.

(Isaiah 32:7-8 NIV)  The scoundrel’s methods are wicked, he makes up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just. {8} But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.

(Matthew 10:16 NIV)  I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

(Matthew 12:43-45 NIV)  “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. {44} Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. {45} Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

(Luke 16:8 NIV)  “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.

(Ephesians 3:20 NIV)  Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

(Philippians 4:8 NIV)  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

Let’s begin to trust God more to do what he said he would do.  Let us plan, devise, and pray for great things. Let’s stop expending energy in useless and trivial pursuits, but rather let us meditate, devise, and work out ways to further the cause of Christ.

 
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Posted by on October 15, 2017 in Doctrine, God

 

Seven Things That God Hates Series: A Lying Tongue…and False Witness

11 Oct

Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

The second thing that God hates in this list of seven, is a lying tongue.  In this lesson, we want to identify what it is to lie, and why it is so bad.

truthThe Problem Of Lying. Recent surveys show us areas where our nation generally consider trivial this important issue: 36% lie about important matters. 86% lie to their parents. 75% lie to their friends. 73% lie to their siblings. 69% lie to their spouses. 91% of those surveyed stated that they lie.

No wonder David said, “All men are liars” (Psalm 116:11). Do we want to live in a society wherein lying is so prevalent? I’m suspicious when I hear someone say, “Well, to tell you the truth…” or “to be perfectly honest with you…”  Do they have to use particular phrases to make us feel comfortable in believing what they are saying?

Ways In Which We Lie. We speak of “White lies, big lies, small lies.” Twist words. Half truths. Misstatement of fact. Bodily movement. Gossip. Exaggeration. Insinuation. Flattery. Presuming.

I think we all know from our youth up until now that lying is wrong.  Thus we attempt to salve our consciences when we do what we know is wrong. A former Secretary of State once said, “That’s not a lie; it’s a terminological inexactitude. Also a tactical misrepresentation.” 

Why Lying Is So Wrong. It is contrary to the very nature of God (Hebrews 6:18 NIV)  God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged..

It destroys our credibility (Job 27:5 NIV)  I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity.

Conclusion: While lying is contrary to the character of God, so is speaking the truth in a hurtful and vindictive way (Ephesians 4:15 NIV)  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

The fate of all liars (Revelation 21:8 NIV)  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

  • A half truth is a whole lie. Yiddish Proverb
  • A liar isn’t believed even when he speaks the truth. German Proverb
  • A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on. French Proverb
  • All lies are not told—some are lived. Arnold Glasgow
  • It is almost always through fear of being criticized that people tell lies. Paul Tournier (1898–1986)
  • No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
  • One lie gives birth to another. Terence (c. 186–c. 159 b.c.)
  • Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle that fits them all. Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894)
 
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Posted by on October 11, 2017 in Doctrine, God

 

Seven Things That God Hates Series: Hands That Shed Innocent Blood Proverbs 6:16-19

08 Oct

Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

love neighborThe third thing that God hates in this list of seven, are hands that shed innocent blood. Since the very beginning when Cain, out of jealousy, killed is brother Abel, this world has become a killing ground. Just what does God think of all this killing?

Thou Shalt Not Kill (Exodus 20:13). Most translations appropriately replace the word “kill” with the word “murder.” (Exodus 21:13, 14, 15, 16,17,23, 29) Killing commanded by God.

Not all “killing” is the same. Justifiable homicide – self defense: (Exodus 22:2-3 NIV)  “If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; {3} but if it happens after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. “A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft.

(Matthew 24:43 NIV)  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

Accidental homicide – (read Numbers 35:9ff).

Judicial homicide – (Deuteronomy 19:13 NIV)  Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you.

(Romans 13:4 NIV)  For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

Murder – (Exodus 21:22-23 NIV)  “If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. {23} But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,

(Numbers 35:16-21 NIV)  “‘If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {17} Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {18} Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. {19} The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. {20} If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies {21} or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.

As A Man Thinks In His Heart. (Proverbs 23:7) As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.

(Matthew 5:20-22) God deals with the roots, not just the fruits.

(1 John 3:15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.

Control your anger (Proverbs 19:11) The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression.

Bless & do good to your enemies (Romans 12:15 NIV)  Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

(Romans 12:17 NIV)  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

(Romans 12:21 NIV)  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Conclusion: God offers forgiveness. (2 Corinthians 5:17) If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things has passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 
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Posted by on October 8, 2017 in Doctrine, God

 

Seven Things That God Hates Series: “A Proud Look” Proverbs 6:16-19

05 Oct

Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

What the Book of Psalms is to devotional life, Proverbs is to practical life. Psalms makes the heart warm toward God; Proverbs makes the face shine toward men.

The stated purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom (1:1ff.). In addition to being “a book of poetry,” Proverbs is classified as “wisdom literature.” Wisdom has been defined as “the practical application of knowledge”; wisdom in Proverbs includes that, but goes deeper. It is “coming to see things as God sees them.” “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (9:10).

Wisdom is imparted in the book through proverbs. Proverbs were an important teaching tool, since most people could not read and manuscripts were few. Proverbs were easily committed to memory. They were especially useful for teaching the young (note the phrase “my son” in 1:8, 10; 2:1; etc.). Solomon is the main writer of the book (1:1; 10:1; 25:1). Jewish tradition says Solomon wrote the book in middle age. Of the three thousand proverbs he wrote (1 Kings 4:32), these have been preserved.

Part of getting to know someone better is learning one’s likes and dislikes.  In an effort to reveal himself to us, God has told us in Scripture the things he likes and the things he hates. In fact, in Proverbs 6:16-19, God enumerates seven things that he hates.  In the next few weeks, we want to examine these seven things God hates and maybe better understand why he hates them.

A Proud Look . To my knowledge, pride is the first and oldest problem of God’s creation. It was the downfall of Satan (1 Timothy 3:6 NIV)  He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.). It had a role in the downfall of man: (Genesis 3:6 NIV)  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

(1 John 2:16 NIV)  For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world).

Our society associates the number 13 with “bad luck.”  There are at least 13 passages in the book of Proverbs condemning pride.  (Proverbs 8:13 NIV)  To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.(Proverbs 11:2 NIV)  When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

(Proverbs 13:10 NIV)  Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. (Proverbs 14:3 NIV)  A fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.

(Proverbs 15:25 NIV)  The LORD tears down the proud man’s house but he keeps the widow’s boundaries intact. (Proverbs 16:5 NIV)  The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

(Proverbs 16:18-19 NIV)  Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. {19} Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.

(Proverbs 21:4 NIV)  Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! (Proverbs 21:24 NIV)  The proud and arrogant man–” Mocker” is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.

The heart of our wretched rebellion is that each of us wants to be number one. We make ourselves the center of all our thoughts and hopes and imaginings. This vicious lust to be first works its way outward not only in hatred, war, rape, greed, covetousness, malice, bitterness, and much more, but also in self-righteousness, self-promotion, manufactured religions, and domesticated gods.

We ruefully acknowledge how self-centered we are after we have had an argument with someone. Typically, we mentally conjure up a rerun of the argument, thinking up all the things we could have said, all the things we should have said. In such reruns, we always win. After an argument, have you ever conjured up a rerun in which you lost?

Why Pride Is So Bad ?

  1. Pride Will Alienate People. We are in the “people business.” Our job as Christians is to attract people, not repel them. (Luke 14:16-23). Not only will pride cause people to be ambivalent toward us, but will actually move them to opposition.
  2. Pride Makes Us Think We Are Better Than Others. (read Luke 18:9-14).
  3. Pride blinds us to our own faults. (Luke 17:10 NIV)  So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'”
  4. Pride Keeps Us From Work. (Nehemiah 3:5 NIV) The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
  5. Pride Will Drive A Wedge Between Us And God. (Psalms 10:4 NIV) In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Conclusion: (James 4:10 NIV)  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

 
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Posted by on October 5, 2017 in Doctrine, God

 

Seven Things That God Hates Series: “Feet Swift In Running To Evil” Proverbs 6:16-19

01 Oct

Prov. 6:16-19 (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18A heart that devises  wicked plans,  Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Often times people are surprised when one speaks of “God hating” anything. However, Scripture is full of things that God hates. Hatred, itself is not sinful, but rather the object of one’s hated is what can be sinful. We sometimes need to be reminded that God is both good and severe (read Romans 11:22).

The Sin Defined — There is a distinction to be made in one who stumbles due to weakness and one who revels in sin.

(Proverbs 11:27) “He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.”

God is patient with us as we stumble, but those who throw restraint to the wind, are those who are condemned in this passage. If only we were as swift to doing good as we are to doing evil.

(Exodus 23:2) “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil…”

How To Overcome Sin

  1. Resist the Devil. (James 4:6) “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
  2. Follow the impulses of the Spirit rather than the flesh. (Galatians 5:17) “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
  3. Meditate upon God’s word. (Psalm 119:97,11) Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day…Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!”
  4. (Matthew 6:13) “…And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one….”

 “He Who Sows Discord Among Brethren”

The last matter that is mentioned in this passage in Proverbs is “he who sows discord among Brethren.” Let’s examine together why it is that God hates this action.

The Need For Unity

  1. So that the world might believe.

(John 17:20-21 NIV)  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, {21} that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

  1. So that we can succeed. (Matthew 12:25 NIV) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.
  2. So that we can do the work we are called to do. (read Acts 6:1-7).
  3. (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)  As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. {2} Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. {3} Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Do we try hard enough?

Why Some Sow Discord.

  1. They’re more interested in their own agenda than the Lord’s. Pride won’t allow them to back up. (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. {4} Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
  2. They are bored. An idle mind is the Devil’s playground. Either we’ll work constructively, or we’ll find something destructive to do.
  3. Some have simply failed to put develop the mind of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. {32} Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

What Should We Do With One Who Sows Discord?

     (Matthew 5:43-45 NIV)  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ {44} But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, {45} that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

 (Romans 16:17 NIV)  I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

 (Titus 3:10-11 NIV)  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. {11} You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.           

Let us endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. May we never find ourselves fighting against God, ignoring the welfare of the body of Christ, to pursue an agenda or to satisfy our pride. May we work together in peace, to the end that the world might be saved, and God will be glorified.

 
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Posted by on October 1, 2017 in Doctrine, God

 

Writing this chapter has helped me to grieve by James Jones

28 Sep

(Prior to his death, James Jones provided wise counsel for many years in the Tennessee/North Georgia area)

This chapter has been a painful, but helpful one for me to write. Although I have written it while grieving, writing it has been an effective way for me to grieve. My mother died on October 26, 1980, and the same week I started lecturing on grief and writing this chapter. Since then I have given a number of lectures on grief and today, December 31, 1980, I am finishing the first draft of this chapter. Two years before, on this day, I buried my father.

I feel like I have completed my grief over the loss of a brother who was killed in an automobile accident January 15, 1965. I am just about finished with grieving over my father’s death and am well into processing my grief over mother’s death. The grief experience for me is one experience with which I can say with Solomon, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.”21 I have resisted sharing the various degrees to which people have been helpful or have hindered my grief process. After much struggle, I share what would be considered negative responses, not to offend anyone, but hopefully to be helpful. What I share not only has come from me, but others with whom I have worked in therapy have shared the same.

Individuals who have helped me the least and sometimes have hurt me through their responses have been persons who:

  1. Have said they were sorry and were sympathizing with me, but their tone of voice, facial expressions, posture and gestures indicated to me that they were just saying words; that really hurt.
  2. Were afraid, at least the way they looked and acted, to say anything about my brother, father or mother to me after a few days. Of course, they did not understand what I really needed was to talk about him/her with them.
  3. Were uncomfortable with my tears and did not want me to cry.
  4. Looked as though they thought something was wrong with me when I cried or was sad at church weeks after the funeral.
  5. Hugged too tightly or did not hug me at all.
  6. Tried to comfort me through being too talkative and not just standing or sitting beside me and listening to whatever I wanted to say.
  7. Tried to reassure and comfort me through quoting Scripture, telling me how fortunate I was, how grateful I ought to be or reminding me of how God takes care of his own and does not make mistakes.

Sometimes this was done through prayers.

  1. Warned me in a subtle way to neither question God nor let this death cause me to lose my faith.
  2. Stated that I should turn to God for all my comfort, never realizing that God comforts the downcast through other Christians.

Individuals who have helped me the most were persons who neither crowded me with their words nor their touch. They seemed to listen to whatever I wanted to say and looked as though they accepted me regardless of whether I laughed or cried. These people often asked about my deceased one, and seemed to have time for me and not be in hurry when my loss was mentioned. They did not tell me to believe but listened as I shared my faith through pain, and waited for me to read the Bible largely from my memory instead of reading it to me without even asking. God has helped me through individuals and His word. I have gotten much comfort through the Scriptures but they have been passages which have emerged in me through the shock of learning that my loved one was dead, my painful loneliness, refreshing tears and loving anger. These passages were comforting because they were where I was and what I needed at that time.

Death certainly has its sting and grief is lonely, painful and time consuming. On the other hand, it can be an ideal teaching-learning experience. Although it has been, and still is at times, very painful and difficult to keep going, I have learned some things about life, relationships and myself that I will always treasure. In one sense, I have lost in three deaths; in another sense, I think I have gained far more than I have lost.

In their deaths, I lost their physical presence, but retained their legacies; therefore, life has become richer, more meaningful and purposeful to me.

 
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Posted by on September 28, 2017 in counsel

 

Strengthening Our Grip…on Involvement Acts 2:42-47

25 Sep

17th century sage John Donne once wrote: No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee!”

be devotedSince we all are involved in mankind, how much more should we Christians be involved in the lives of other believers?

(John 17:23 NIV)  I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

(John 17:26 NIV)  I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

These verses underscore the fact that love and unity should characterize our involvement with each other.  In this lesson we want to get a better grip on our involvement with other Christians.

Involvement in God’s Family-A Historical Glance.  Throughout history, no church has better modeled involvement than the church in Acts 2. At the end of Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost, three thousand Jews were saved. They had no church building, no Bible, no seasoned pastor, no traditions or forms of church government. Yet this new congregation knew more about how a church should function than we do today with two thousand years of experience and libraries full of church history notes.

And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42). Initially drawn together by the thread of their common commitment to Christ, the early church members became a tightly knit group. The Greek term for fellowship is koinonia, the root of which means “common.”

And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

First, fellowship was entered into by all. Not one of them had an island mentality. They shared everything they had: property, possessions, food, even their own lives. Second, this sharing was sincere, not contrived or coerced.

Their fellowship sparkled with authenticity. The early church expressed its involvement in two ways. The people shared with someone: things like money, time, food, encouragement, reproof, confession. And they shared in something: a situation, an experience, a failure, an emotion. In all their times of need, they were never alone.

As you look back at the involvement of the believers in Acts 2, how do we compare? Do we build bridges that link our life with others, or do we hermit ourselves away on some isolated island! The only cure for loneliness is to build relational bridges to span the seas that separate you.

In two other New Testament passages, Paul vividly describes the involvement in Acts 2 by answering the questions: Why should we be involved with others? Why should we open up our lives? Why take the risk?

  1. God Commands It — Romans 12:9-16.
  2. The Body Needs It — 1 Corinthians 12:20-27.
 
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Posted by on September 25, 2017 in Small groups

 

“People Power” From God

21 Sep

We can’t make it through life without dealing with people. They are everywhere. They are in our homes and at our work. They are at church and where we enjoy our leisure.

 A lot of us are like the cartoon character, who said, “I love mankind. It’s people I can’t stand.”

Like it or not, we need people. We might wish we could live life totally on our own terms, but that is impossible.

Learning to deal with people will help us at work or at church. It will help us live a happier life. Let’s look at some excerpts of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, to see what principles he can give us for getting along with people.

  1. Be careful about judging others (Matthew 7:1-5).
  • This does not say we cannot or should not discern good from evil.
  • It does say we should not subject others to unreasonable criticism.
  • We are not wise enough to make such criticisms.
  • We are not good enough to make such criticisms.
  • It will keep us busy enough, just monitoring ourselves.
  • If we try to straighten other people out while we have the same problem, then we become as comical as the man with a plank in his eye trying to pick out specks in others’ eyes.
  1. Do more than expected (Matthew 5:38-42).
  • Turn the other cheek. This does not mean that we cannot defend our lives. It does mean that we should not take little insults too seriously.
  • Go the extra mile
  • Give another your coat
  • This will drive others crazy until they find out why you are so kind.
  1. Don’t let disputes fester (Matthew 5:23-26).
  • It has been said that time heals all wounds, but this is not always true.
  • Sometimes time allows a situation to become worse and worse until it becomes dangerous.
  1. Show kindness to everyone (Matthew 5:43-48).
  • It is a shame to say sometimes we can’t even show kindness to those who are kind to us.
  • Jesus wants us to be kind, even to the undeserving.
  • Showing kindness to an enemy is the ultimate revenge.
  1. Treat others as you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
  • This is what has been called the golden rule, for the principle is worth gold to us.
  • Jesus saw this statement as summary of the law and the prophets.
  • Notice that Jesus states this as a positive. He didn’t say, “Don’t do to others anything you would not want done to you.”

Conclusion – People who have people power can be used of God in a mighty way. After all, people are His first concern, and people are His greatest tools.

 
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Posted by on September 21, 2017 in Small groups

 

Christian Evidences Series: Science and the Bible

18 Sep

Studies in Christian Evidences by Waymon D. Miller

(This little booklet was developed in 1961 but is now out of print. For that reason, it is provided here for your use and edification in hopes that one more soul will come to believe today)

Introduction:
1. Through many years there has been a bitter conflict between religion
and science.
(a) Extremists on both sides contended that this conflict was
inevitable; that a Christian could not accept the finds of modern
science, and a scientist could not be a true Christian.
(b) Many Christians have viewed science with extreme skepticism,
believing its objective was to undermine religion, and many scientists
believe religion tends to oppose and retard scientific progress.
(c) It is true that many scientists are unbelievers, agnostics,
atheists, and infidels, but this is likewise true of many men of all
professions.
(d) Radical Christians have viewed science as the work of the devil, and
radical scientists have viewed religion as a relic of medieval
superstition.
(e) The mere fact that one is a scientist does not necessarily mean his
findings are untrue and antichristian, any more than the fact that one is
a professed Christian means his views of the Bible are correct.

2. There are some common sense matters to be recognized in whatever
issues may exist between science and the Bible.
(a) We need to recognize that the Bible is not a scientific book. It is
not designed to provide a technical discussion of scientific matters, but
rather to reveal God’s will.
(b) Since the Bible is not a scientific text, it should not be expected
to discuss scientific matters in detail, or its expressions (especially
obscure ones) be interpreted as scientific expositions.
(c) Science is an area of knowledge of human origin. The Bible is not
always concerned with intricate details of human wisdom, but it is our
conviction that all true knowledge is god-centered knowledge.

I. CAN THERE BE HARMONY BETWEEN SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE?
1. In order to determine if modern science denies the Bible we must
first determine what science is.
(a) In the absolute sense, “science” means “knowledge,” but this
definition is a narrow one, for many matters in scientific area are not
absolutely finalized.
(b) Science involves experiment, observation, deduction, conclusions,
conjecture, experience, fixed natural laws, hypotheses, speculation, and
theory. From these is derived both established truth and assumption.
(c) Herbert Spencer spoke of science as being “partially unified
knowledge.”

2. Does science destroy belief in God and the Bible beyond any dispute?
(a) If this were true, then in our wonderfully scientific age we could
not have the present sensational interest in the Bible and religion.
(b) The reason for the faith-destroying influence of scientific
knowledge lies deeper than science itself, since many good scientists
believe in God and the Bible.
(c) There is really no basic disagreement with any matter of scientific
knowledge and the Bible, when science is received reverently and the
Bible is rightly understood.
(d) Sir Oliver Lodge, noted scientist, said, “The region of religion and
the region of a completed science are one.”
(e) F. Hugh Capron correctly stated: “The fundamental truths of
religion are the fundamental truths of science.”
(f) Bernard Ramm wrote: “Ideally in their mutual pursuits the scientist
and the theologian should supplement each other.”

3. What is responsible for the conflict between scientists and the
Bible?
(a) There are both dogmatic scientists and dogmatic religionist who have
little sympathy for one another.
(b) Scientists have presumed to speak in the field of religion in which
they are not competent, and religionists have presumed to speak in the
field of science in which they are not qualified.
(c) Religionists have erred in seeking to make the Bible speak too
specifically about scientific matters, and scientists have erred in
seeking some conflict between science and the Bible.
(d) J.H. Pratt wrote: “The Book of Nature and the Word of God emanate
from the same infallible Author, and therefore cannot be at variance. 
But man is a fallible interpreter, and by mistaking one or both of these
Divine Records, he forces them too often into unnatural conflict.”
(e) In attempts to reconcile the Bible with various aspects of science,
over-zealous defenders of the Bible have frequently erred in seeking to
read many modern scientific discoveries back into the Scriptures
(f) Bible expositors have been guilty of superficial and untenable
interpretations of passages in effort to harmonize the Bible with
scientific matters. (cf. Heb. 11:3)
(g) Bible students have frequently confused their interpretation of
Biblical statements with inspired declarations, thus affirming that their
understanding of a passage is what inspiration declared about some
scientific matter.

4. We should understand some simple principles about what the Bible
teaches about the universe.
(a) the Bible declares that the universe and its in habitants were
brought into existence by creation by the infinite power of God, the
Creator.
(b) The Bible teaches that the universe is sustained by the unfailing
providence of God.
(c) The Bible maintains that the laws governing the universe are natural
laws, which are God’s laws.
(d) The Bible affirms the temporal nature of everything in the universe;
that all things are subject to decay.
(e) Observe the broad and general nature of these divine truths. The
Bible does not concern itself with infinitely technical details of these
matters.

II. SUPPOSED AREAS OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND SCIENCE:
1. The age of the world.
(a) Some have imagined that there is a contradiction between the
Biblical account of the age of the world and the affirmation of science.
(b) It is cited that scientists have estimated the age of the earth to
be between 4 and 5 billion years, while “the Bible teaches” it is only
6,000 years old.
(c) This is a conflict rising out of false assumptions, since the Bible
nowhere informs us of the earth’s age. It simply informs us that “in
the beginning” God created it. As to when “the beginning” was, we do
not know.
(d) Bible chronology was the work of Archbishop James Ussher of Ireland
(1581-1656), who worked out the elaborate time table of Biblical events
now found in many Bibles.
(e) John Lightfoot, English Bible scholar (1602-1675), working from
Ussher’s table, fixed creation during the week of October 18-24, 4004
B.C., and affirmed that Adam was created on October 23 9:00 a.m.,
forty-fifth meridian time!
(f) Since the Bible does not state in what year the creation occurred,
then such efforts are as much human speculation as the time estimates of
science.
(g) With modern radioactive dating procedures, if science can prove
beyond doubt that the world began five billions of years ago, this would
not contradict the Bible.

2. The origin of the world.
(a) The Bible accounts for the origin of the world in the simple
statement: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” 
(Genesis 1:1)
(b) It has been thought that belief in creation and belief in modern
science is incompatible, in that science rejects the Biblical idea of
creation.
(c) It would, in fact, be difficult to state what modern science accepts
about the origin of the universe, in that some ten theories have been
propounded to account for the origin of the earth, none of which is
confirmed.
(d) It is true that no believer would accept a theory of science
regarding the origin of the earth that would rule God out, but it is not
necessary to believe any skeptical to accept modern science.
(e) Even the divergent views of science concerning the origin of the
world start with an origin and require a cause.
(f) The fact is that some very distinguished scientist maintain firm
belief in the fact that God created the world, among whom are Johannes
Kepler, astronomer; Michael Faraday, distinguished English scientist;
John Ray, “the father of natural history” in Great Britain; Louis J. R.
Agassiz, famous geologist; James Dwight Dana, brilliant American
scientist; Charles Augustus Young, American astronomer; Lord Kelvin,
eminent English scientists; Arthur H. Compton, physicist, and others.

3. The origin of man.
(a) As to man’s origin, the Bible declares that “the Lord God formed man
out of the dust of the earth.
(Gen. 2:7)
(b) It has been shown that “modern chemical analysis detects at least
fourteen elements in the human body identical with “dust”-such as oxygen,
hydrogen, magnesium, silicon, sodium, phosphorus, and carbon.”
(c) While scientists have advanced numerous theories as to the origin of
life, they confess that science is incapable of definitely knowing this.
(d) Julian Huxley stated: “A scientifically based philosophy enables us
in the first place to cease tormenting ourselves with questions that
ought not to be asked, because they cannot be answered-such questions
about the Cause or Creation or Ultimate or Reality.
(e) The agnostic, Ernst Haeekel, stated: “The process of creation as
the coming into existence of matter is completely beyond human
comprehension and can therefore never become a subject of scientific
inquiry.”
(f) Lord Kelvin state, “I cannot admit that, with regard to the origin
of life, science neither affirms nor denies Creative Power. Science
positively affirms Creative Power.”

4. The creative days of Genesis.
(a) It has been argued that there cannot be harmony between science and
the Bible because the Bible teaches that the earth was created in 4004
B.C., while science argues that it is five billion years old.
(b) But the Bible makes no statement, as already seen, about when
creation was, and the date 4004 B.C. is purely speculative.
(c) Some contend, further, that if the earth is only 6,000 years old,
and creation lasted only six days, then the earth could not possibly be
as old as geologists insist.
(d) This argument is based upon two assumptions: (1) that the Bible
teaches creation occurred in 4004 B.C., which it does not, and (2) that
the “days” of creation must have been solar days-24 hours days like we
now have.
(e) The Bible does not, however, suggest the length of the days of
creation, and our contention that these days had to be solar days is pure
assumption.
(f) To accept the Biblical account of creation, it is not necessary to
believe in an immediate creation. It does not reflect upon God’s
omnipotence to believe that He used periods longer than 24 hours for each
creative step.
(g) The Bible frequently uses the word “day” to represent a period of
time much longer than 24 hours. (Gen. 2:4, 17; Duet. 9:1; Psalms 95:8;
137:7; Matt. 24:50; Luke 17:24; John 8:56; 9:4; Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:2; I
Thess. 5:2; Heb. 3:15; 4:7-8)
(h) The Genesis record indicates that God did not create the solar
system until the fourth day, and logically there could not have been
solar days before then.
(i) God rested on the seventh day of creation. (Gen 2:2-3) If God’s
“Sabbath of creation: continues to the present, and involves thousands of
years, whey could no the other creative days involve thousands of years
also?

CONCLUSION
1. Space does not permit a detailed consideration of every issue
existing between skeptical scientists and the Bible.
(a) Many other areas of scientific endeavor have confirmed the truths of
the Bible-findings in such areas as geology, archaeology, anthropology,
biology and astronomy.
(b) There is no discovery of modern science that would destroy faith in
the Bible, or our faith in God as the Creator. 
(c) Much of the controversy between science and religion has been
produced by skeptical scientists or dogmatic religionists who
deliberately oppose each other.
(d) Science is not naturally opposed to religion, and we must not
presume there is an inherent conflict between them.
(e) Because one is a scientist does not necessarily mean that he is a
skeptic, atheist, or infidel, for a great host of the most gifted of
scientists have been believers in God.
(f) Michael Faraday firmly believed the Bible to be the basis of all
truth. One day while ill, his friend, Sir Henry Ackland found Faraday
resting his head upon a table upon which also lay an open Bible. Ackland
remarked, “I fear you are worse today.” Faraday replied, “No, it is not
that. But why will people go astray when they have this blessed book to
guide them?”
(g) Professor Francis Bowen, a professor of philosophy at Harvard
University for over thirty years, stated with deep conviction: “I accept
with unhesitating conviction the doctrine of the being of one personal
God, the Creator and Governor of the world, and of one Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and I have found
nothing whatever in the literature of modern infidelity, which, to my
mind, cast even the slightest doubt upon that belief.”

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2017 in Bible

 
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