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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:
The World - Its Peril
& Promise (Mark Mayberry)
The Fruit of the
Spirit: Against Such There is No Law (#11)
Sermon Outlines:
Noteworthy News:
Around the World
The World - Its Peril & Promise (Mark Mayberry)
Mark Mayberry
Introduction
From a Scriptural standpoint,
“the world” describes different things, depending upon the context. It
refers to the orderly universe which God created (Romans 1:20). It
identifies the planet earth as a place of inhabitation (Mark 16:15-16). It
describes humanity in general (John 1:29; 3:16). It also depicts “the system
of human existence in its many aspects, the world; (a) as scene of earthly
joys, possessions, cares, sufferings (Matthew 16:26); (b) the world, and
everything that belongs to it, appears as that which is hostile to God, i.e.
lost in sin, wholly at odds w. anything divine, ruined and depraved” (John
1:9-10) [BDAG, kosmos].
The Peril of the World
The world is controlled by Satan
(1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4; Ephesians 2:1-3; 6:12; Revelation 12:9).
The world is in conflict with God (John 3:16-21; 9:39; 12:27-32; 12:46-48).
The world is given to error (1 John 4:1-6; 2 John 7-9). The world is full of
hostility (John 15:18-19; 17:14; 1 John 3:13-14). The world is given to
persecution (John 5:16-17; 15:18-21; 16:1-3).
The Promise of the World
Christ offers forgiveness (John
1:29; 1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-2). Christ offers life (John 3:16-21; 6:33; 6:51).
Christ offers light (John 1:9; 8:12; 9:4-5). Christ offers peace (John
14:27-31; 16:33; 20:19-21). Christ offers truth (John 1:14; 14:6; 17:13-19).
Christ offers sonship (John 1:10-13; 11:51-52; 1 John 3:1-3). Christ offers
salvation (John 4:39-42; John 10:7-10; 1 John 4:14). Christ offers victory
(John 16:33; 1 John 4:4; 5:4-5).
Conclusion
Like the Son, we must die to the
world (John 12:23-26; Romans 6:3-7). Living in the world, we are not of the
world (John 17:14-17; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). Therefore, let us reorient our
affections to things above (1 John 2:15-17; Colossians 3:1-4)
Top
The Fruit of the Spirit: Against Such There is No
Law (#11)
Joe R. Price
Just as Paul did not
give a complete list of the “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5:19-21
(“and such like”), neither is the listing of “the fruit of the
Spirit” exhaustive (see “such” in Gal. 5:23). These are samples,
along with which many other worthy attributes could be included, such as
those named in 2 Peter 1:5-7. But, the apostle has emphatically made his
point: Each person lives to satisfy either the flesh or the Spirit, and the
choice we make impacts our eternal destiny (Gal. 5:16-24).
After describing
the fruit of the Spirit, Paul reminds us that “against such there is no
law” (Gal. 5:23). No law of God prohibits or opposes these worthy
attributes of character and conduct. The fruit of the Spirit enjoys
immunity from the censure of law. The business of law is to identify and
magnify sin (Rom. 3:20; 5:20; 7:7). Law is for sinners, for while its
demand compliance, it exposes man’s sin and need for redemption (1 Tim.
1:8-10; Gal. 3:10-14). It is vital that we live so as to be free of what
law condemns – sin – for sin causes our spiritual death (1 Jno. 3:4; Rom.
6:23). And, how magnificent is our God who has revealed His grace and
truth, to redeem us from sin and lead us in the path of life that is free
from sin and spiritual condemnation (Eph. 2:4-10; Jno. 14:6; Tit. 2:11-12).
There is no ground for condemning those who produce the fruit of the Spirit
in their lives, since “There is therefore now no condemnation to those
who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, 2-4). We are secure as we live in
Christ and bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Because the
Christian belongs to Christ his life is to reflect the change of masters
that occurred when he became a Christian (1Cor. 6:19-20; Gal. 2:20; Matt.
6:24; Rom. 6:16). Christians are challenged to maintain consistency in our
lives: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its
passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24). Having put the flesh to death at the
point of conversion, we are now to continually refuse to let sin live in us
(Rom. 6:3-7, 11-13, 17-18). We must renounce sin and devote ourselves to
Christ’s service (Gal. 5:25; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 5:18). The world says to
compromise, to give lukewarm service to Christ, to do just enough to get
by. But Jesus calls us onward and upward to the “heavenly places” of
purity, holiness, faith and devotion. “Yield not to temptation, for
yielding is sin.” If we allow the flesh to again invade and infect our
lives, the fruit we produce will be corrupted, resulting in our eternal
demise (Gal. 6:7-9).
Bearing the fruit
of the Spirit is a lifelong endeavor. The fruit will not ripen at the same
time or in a single season. But finally, living by faith will yield a
bumper crop (Mk. 4:26-29). “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25). “And let us not grow weary while doing
good, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart” (Gal.
6:9).
“If we live in the
Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:25)
Top
For more on The Mormon Church,
please go to
http://www.bibleanswer.com/ldspart1.htm and follow the links at the top
of the page.
Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (I)
Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 18:15-22
1. These warnings apply, Col.
2:8; 1 Jno. 4:1.
2. We will find: Bible doctrine is NOT Mormon doctrine, and Mormon
doctrine is NOT Bible doctrine – They are NOT one and the same.
3. “No Mormon truly believes the Bible, and a true Bible-believer cannot be
a Mormon.”
I.
JOSEPH SMITH, JR.
A. No
Middle Ground.
B. The Story of Joseph Smith, Jr. (1805-1844).
C. The Boast of Joseph Smith, Jr., 2 Cor. 11:13-15.
II.
TESTING THE PROPHETS –
1 Jno. 4:1; Rev. 2:2.
A. Traits
of God’s (True) Prophets.
1. Spoke in the name of the Lord what God said – without error – 2 Pet.
1:21; cf. Num. 23:5, 12; 24:12-13; 1 Sam. 3:19; 9:6).
2. Spoke regardless of the people – Ezek. 3:10-11; 2:5 (Jer. 14:13-14;
23:16; 5:31).
B. Doctrine Test, Deut. 13:1-5; 1 Jno. 4:1-6.
C. Accuracy Test, Deut. 18:20-22 (Jer. 28:7-9). Smith’s prophetic
failures.
D. Character (fruit) Test, Matt. 7:15-20. Smith and polygamy.
III. THE
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MORMONISM.
A. Gospel
Preached to Adam–Lost by Apostasy–Repeated Restored Required.
B. Gospel not to Adam – Eph. 3:3-5 (Rom. 16:25-26); Gen. 3:15; Gal. 3:8,
23-25; 4:4.
C. Mormonism’s Crucial Mistake, 1 Tim. 4:1
Top
For more on The Mormon Church,
please go to
http://www.bibleanswer.com/ldspart1.htm and follow the links at the top
of the page.
Mormonism: The Word & Wisdom of Man (II)
Scripture Reading:
Galatians 1:6-10
IV. SOME DOCTRINES OF
MORMONISM.
A. LDS
View of Scripture. LDS prophets & NT prophets on the nature of word of God:
-All truth (Jno. 16:13); LDS (No).
-Adequate (2 Tim. 3:16-17); LDS (No).
-Incorruptible (1 Pet. 1:22-25); LDS (No).
-Once for all delivered (Jude 3); LDS (No).
-Authoritative (Jn.13:20; 1Co. 14:37); LDS (No).
-Understandable (Eph. 3:3-4); LDS (No).
B. Continuing Revelation, Jno. 16:13; et al.
C. The God of Mormonism, Num. 23:19; Mal. 3:6.
D. The Christ of Mormonism, Col. 1:15-18; Jno. 8:58; 1:1-3, 14.
E. Mormonism and Man, Gen. 1:27, 31; Zech. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:24-28.
F. Temples and Mormonism, Acts 7:47-50; Jno. 4:23-24
1. Baptism for the dead, 1 Cor. 15:29.
2. Temple Marriages & Sealings, Lk. 20:34-36
V.
REACHING MORMONS WITH THE GOSPEL
- Col. 1:5.
A.
Preliminary Pointers, Jno. 7:14-17 (Rom. 10:17).
B. Expose Error & Defend Truth, 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Matt. 15:2-3; Jude 3.
C. Decision Time: A choice must be made between Mormonism & the Bible –
Cannot accept both because they contradict, Gal. 1:8-10; Josh. 24:15.
D. Teach Them the Saving Gospel of Christ, Rom. 1:16-17; Mk. 16:15-16.
Urge them to repent & be saved, Acts 2:37-38.
Top
NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Around the
World
Joe R. Price
Steve Fossett became the
first person to fly solo around the world without refueling earlier this
week when he spent 67 hours alone in his single-engine jet.
This got me to thinking
about spreading the gospel around the globe. The goal is not to achieve a
world’s record, but to save lost souls (Mk. 16:15-16). It is not a solo
event, since every Christian is to participate in this work as their
abilities and opportunities allow (Matt. 25:15; Gal. 6:9). Still, there are
some notable parallels we can apply to teaching the gospel to the lost.
•
Goal-setting.
Fossett and his colleagues had a goal. Our goal is to teach and save the
lost, but unless we hold that goal before us, how will it ever be achieved?
(Rom. 1:15-16; Col. 1:28)
•
Preparation and
planning. Fossett’s
goal was not reached haphazardly. Likewise, we should prepare ourselves to
reach the goal of teaching the lost. Personal study, holy living and prayer
are a few such preparations (2 Tim. 2:15; Col. 4:2-6; 2 Pet. 2:9-12).
•
Determination and
sacrifice. Like
Fossett, we must count the cost and pay the price to reach our goal of
teaching the lost. Jesus discussed this requirement of discipleship in Luke
14:25-35.
•
Teamwork.
Fossett was not alone; he was in constant contact with helpers. Christians
are fellow workers; we should help each other (Phil. 2:20-30).
•
Problem-solving.
Fossett faced challenges, and so will we as we teach the lost. The Bible
will solve the problem. Rely on God and His word (1 Pet. 3:15).
The gospel filled the world in
the first century (Col. 1:23). It can, again (Matt. 28:19-20).
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