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"...Shepherd the flock of God which is among
you, serving as overseers..." (1 Peter 5:2)
Elders
Morris Bass, Rick Holt , Joe
Price |
"...let them serve as deacons,
being found blameless..." (1 Tim. 3:10)
Deacons
Aaron Bass, Rich Brooks, Mike Finn
John Hague, Dan Head |
"And take...the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17)
In this issue:
Why Do You Study the
Bible?
Preaching Christ
& Worshipping with Instrumental Music?
Sermon Outlines:
Why Do You Study the Bible?
Joe R. Price
There is no dispute that we
need to study and learn God’s word, the Bible. Without study we will
not understand what we read (Acts 8:30); we will not grow in the
knowledge of the Lord (2 Pet. 3:18); we will not increase in personal
faith (Rom. 10:17); we will not be able to “carefully follow” the
doctrine of Christ (2 Tim. 3:10); we cannot be good teachers of the word
(Heb. 5:12-13); and we will not be able to discern good from evil (Heb.
5:14). We are all instructed to “give diligence” to be approved
before God by rightly dividing the word of God (2 Tim. 2:15, ASV).
There is no substitute for deliberate, dedicated Bible study (1 Tim.
4:13-16).
Regrettably, some people are
“always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth”
(2 Tim. 3:7). This is not because they lack the capacity to learn.
According to the text, it is because they are “loaded down with sins”
and “led away by various lusts” (2 Tim. 3:6). When one surrenders
himself to unholy motives and ungodly conduct he will not be anxious to
learn the truth found in God’s word. This person has already made up his
mind – don’t confuse him with the facts. To study and learn what God’s word
teaches about his life would expose his sin to the light of divine truth and
rebuke him for it (Jno. 3:19-21). It is tragic, but true, that some people
like the darkness because “their deeds are evil” (Jno. 3:19).
Each of us should study God’s
word with the purpose of helping us to examine ourselves to see if we are
“in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). Is my heart “in the faith”
in its character, its motives and its goals? How will I know unless I
compare my heart to what the Bible says my heart should be (see Col.
3:12-14)? If my heart is not what it should be in the sight of God, my
conduct, however righteous it may appear to men, is merely a façade that
will not stand in the day of judgment (1 Cor. 4:4-5; 2 Cor. 5:10). When our
heart is pure, our conduct will be holy (Matt. 5:8; 1 Jno. 3:2-3). Better
to know that now so one can repent, than to rush headlong into hell.
So, when you study the Bible, do
so to first help yourself. You will then be better equipped to teach and
help those who are still held in the bondage of sin (Matt. 7:1-5; 2 Tim.
2:24-26). By doing so, God will be honored as you are “filled with the
knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col.
1:9; Eph. 3:21).
Top
Preaching Christ & Worshipping with
Instrumental Music?
Joe R. Price
We must preach the cross of Christ, or our
preaching is vain (1 Cor. 1:17-25; 2:1-4; 15:1-5; 1 Ths. 2:4). Some say
that to preach on doctrinal topics (such as the organization and work of the
local church, marriage, divorce and remarriage, and even the necessity of
water baptism for salvation) is not preaching Christ. That conclusion is
misguided and not in accord with the word of God.
Preaching the cross of Christ entails
the entire scope of the gospel, not just faith in the events surrounding
Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor. 15:1-5). True, without His
death and resurrection there would be no salvation, no Christianity. Yet,
it is precisely because of the cross of Christ that we have a body of
inspired teaching, the New Testament Scriptures, to which we can (and are
expected) to conform (Jno. 12:48; Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 3:17). For instance,
without the death of Jesus Christ there would be no church. And, without
the inspired record of Christ’s relationship to His church we would have an
incomplete portrayal of how God expects a marriage to function (Eph.
5:22-33). Similarly, without the cross of Christ our worship would be
vain. Without the cross, faith in Christ and every aspect of service to God
through Him would be invalidated (Eph. 3:21; 1 Pet. 2:4-5). Conversely,
because of the cross, our every attitude and action is related to it (cf.
Rom. 6:1-4; Col. 3:1-11). It is a futile and unscriptural effort for men to
designate some revealed truth as “core gospel” while relegating the rest of
revealed, authoritative truth to the periphery of spiritual importance. One
area wherein this is attempted is the use of instrumental music in worship.
A growing number of “Churches of
Christ” are using instrumental music in their worship services. The record
shows this has been happening for some time. Consider the words of Larry
James, preacher for the Richardson East Church of Christ in Plano, Texas,
from almost 20 years ago:
“Music in
worship of Churches of Christ. Only a carefully refined ‘quarry-exegesis,’
having nothing to do with the heart and essence of the Gospel, can argue for
a cappella music only, while insisting that instrumental music is in fact
sinful. True exegesis will not support our long-held tradition. The
outcome of our ingenious ‘mining’ creates a host of problems for us.” (CARE,
Vol. V, 1985; cited in Behold The Pattern, Goebel Music, 131-133).
James charged that we have gone to the Bible
with a predetermined point of view in order to arrive at the conclusion that
only singing is approved by God. Notice he says this has “nothing to do
with the heart and essence of the Gospel.” Worship has nothing to do with
the gospel?! This is the “core gospel” concept and is rotten to the core!
We must steadfastly stand against such judgmental, anti-scriptural
assessments of Bible teaching and true worship.
Offering God
the worship of song without instrumental accompaniment is not the product
of “our long-held tradition.” It is not “Church of Christ doctrine” (I have
had people talk about it to me in those terms). Let us state the issue
clearly:
The Bible authorizes Christians to offer the
music of singing in praise and worship of God. Nowhere are
Christians instructed to offer the music of playing as a part of true
worship. By introducing playing into worship men have added to the word of
God. Such alterations of God’s word have been and always will be a sin
against God (Deut. 4:2; 1 Cor. 4:6; Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19). We must be
content with what the Bible commands us to do. It is not our place to alter
what God has spoken (Heb. 12:25).
In Old Testament times God’s people
worshipped Him using mechanical instruments of music. The scriptures show
God’s acceptance of this under the law of Moses (2 Chrn. 29:25-28). Does
this mean that God accepts the offering of instrumental music by Christians
today (Jno. 4:23-24)? No more than it means God approves of burnt-offerings
as a part of our worship of Him. Remember, animal sacrifices were also
approved and accepted by God in 2 Chronicles 29:25-28. Read the passage.
To appeal to Old Testament usage of instrumental music to justify our use
of it today compels one to also offer animal sacrifices to God – a practice
clearly forbidden because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross (Gal. 5:3; Col.
2:14-15; Heb. 10:10-12). God does not hold us responsible for obeying the
Old Testament law today, and we cannot use that law to justify our worship
of Him.
New Testament teaching on music in
worship to God is clear, unambiguous and final in its authority. Singing
is commanded of Christians (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). Singing was the practice
of the early church (1 Cor. 14:15; Heb. 13:15; Jas. 5:13). Singing is what
true worshippers offer Him today (Jno. 4:23-24). Human innovation
introduced the use of instrumental music into worship hundreds of years
after the days of the apostles (see Instrumental Music in Worship,
M.C. Kurfees, pp. 143-197, for extended historical evidence).
We are not preaching Christ if our
worship is corrupt (Jno. 4:23-24). Our hearts must be right with God
as we offer our adoration to Him. And, our action in worship must
agree with what God said He will accept. We have no right to change our
worship to please
ourselves. Remember Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Daily Duties
Scripture Reading:
1 Thessalonians 5:14-28
1. Daily life of Christian, Eph.
2:10; 4:1; Phil. 1:27 (1 Ths. 5:14-28).
2. Some “daily duties” found in the Bible.
I.
GATHER THE MANNA DAILY
– Exo. 16:2-4.
A. Daily
Labor – 1 Ths. 4:9-12 (Eph. 4:28); Prov. 14:23 (Gen. 3:17-19; Eccl. 2:24;
3:12-13; 5:18; cf. Prov. 19:15).
II.
DAILY READING OF THE WORD
– Neh. 8:18; 1 Ths. 5:27 (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Ti. 3:14-15).
A. Do Not
Quench the Spirit – 1 Ths. 5:19 (Jno. 6:8; 17:17; Rom. 1:18; Gal. 5:16-18.
B. Do Not Despise Prophecies, 1 Ths. 5:20.
III.
PERFORM YOUR VOWS DAILY
– Psa. 61:8.
A.
Obligation of Vow before God, Num.30:2
B. Kept with Thanksgiving, 1Ths.5:16,18,23
C. Vow of Marriage, Mal.2:14,16; Mt.19:4-6
IV. DAILY
PRAYER – Psa. 88:9; 1
Ths. 5:17,25.
A.
Expressions of Faith – 1 Jno. 5:14-15 (Phil. 4:6-7; Matt. 6:11; 1 Ths. 1:2;
3:10; Eph. 6:18-19).
B. Set Habit for Life – cf. Dan. 6:10.
V. DAILY
WATCHFULNESS – Prov.
8:34; 1 Ths. 5:21, 6.
A. Watch
for what Right & Sin – 1 Jno. 4:1 (Col. 3:17); Phil. 4:8 (1 Co. 16:13); 1
Pet. 5:8.
VI.
DAILY CROSS-BEARING,
Lk.9:23; 1Th.5:22
A.
Sacrifice Self – Phil. 3:7-8 (Gal. 2:20).
B. Rewards – Matt. 19:27-29
VII.
DAILY EXHORTATION –
Heb. 3:13; 1 Ths. 5:14-15, 26.
A. Always
Pursue what is Good (5:15).
Top
You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Romans 14 and the Scope of
Fellowship (#2)
Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-7
Continued
from last week…
II. THE PROBLEM: DISPUTES OVER CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES
WERE DIVIDING BRETHREN.
A. The
Strong Brother – 14:3, 10.
B. The Weak Brother – 14:3-4, 10.
C. Both Pleased God – 14:4, 6, 10-12.
D. Receive each Other! Rom. 14:1 & 15:7
III. DEFINING TERMS.
A. The
Weak (14:1).
B. The Strong (14:1; 15:1).
C. The Faith (14:1, 5, 22-23; Jude 3)."
D. Doubtful Disputations – 14:1.
E. Offend: (14:13); cf. 1 Cor. 8:9-13.
IV. REMEDY: RECEIVE EACH OTHER IN YOUR DIFFERENT SCRUPLES OF CONSCIENCE.
A. Stop
the Contempt & Condemnation Toward One Another – 14:1, 3, 10-11.
B. Stop Putting Stumbling Blocks before Each Other – 14:13-23.
V. AN APPEAL FOR UNITY IN MATTERS OF PERSONAL CONSCIENCE & LIBERTY – 15:1-7.
A.
Follow the Example of Christ – 15:1-3.
B. Receive Each Other With Patience & Encouragement – 15:4-7. Be
like-minded.
VI. MAKING THE RIGHT APPLICATIONS OF ROMANS 14 TODAY.
A.
Respect Consciences re. Liberties.
B. Be Diligent Students of the Word to Distinguish – cf. Phil. 1:9-11 (2
Tim. 2:15).
C. Rom.
14 Does NOT Teach us to have Ongoing Fellowship w/ Error & Immorality.
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