Warning of FALE TEACHERS.
FALSE.
•Feigned Words. 2:3
•Are Not Afraid To Speak Evil. 2:10
•Like Animals. 2:12
•Serve Corruption. 2:19
•Eyes Full of Adultery. 2:14
TEACHERS.
•Truth Forsaken 2:15
•Exercising Covetousness. 2:14
•Allure w/ Lusts 2:18
•Count It Pleasure to Riot. 2:13
•Heretics, 2:1
•Entangled Again. 2:20
•Receive Reward. 2:13
•Speak Swelling Words. 2:18
2Pet 2:3 …with feigned words.
Diff FRUIT. 1:8 v 2:17 no water
Diff ENTICEMENT. 1:19 v 2:18 Allure with lusts
Diff INTEGRITY. 1:5-7 v 2:10,14 Arrogant
Diff GOD (source). 1:3, 16,21 v 2:3 see Phil 3:19
Diff NEWS. 1:3 v 2:1; see Gal 1:6-9
Diff ETERNITY. 1:4 v 2:19 Bondage
Diff DESTINY. 1:11 v 2:1, 3, 22 Destruction.
People often reject the Bible because they claim that it has no relevance today. Is that true? Many believers have the same lament.
In the last article I gave 3 of the 5 reasons I believe the Bible is still relevant.
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
(1Cor 10:11-12)
Here are the last 2 of 5 reasons the BIBLE is still relevant to us today.
the BIBLE is relevant today because… It teaches about the origination of LOVE, and it teaches us how to LOVE. (more on this next month)
John 3:16.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1John 3:16.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 4:7-11.
[7] Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
1John 5:3.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
John 14:15.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
We Read the BIBLE to learn about true LOVE
the BIBLE is relevant today because…It teaches through the EXPERIENCES of others whether good or bad.
We can learn from Cain & Abel (Gen 4), Moses’ mistake at Meribah (Num 20), Solomon’s mistakes in the many women he had (1Kings 11:3). We can learn from Esther’s example of bravery, and her uncle’s example of doing what is right.
“… I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Est 4:16b).
It’s good to learn from our own experience, but it’s so much better to learn from other’s EXPERIENCE, especially their mistakes.
You don’t really want to make tragic mistakes yourselves that can leave permanent scars or worse, cost your life. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Heb 11:4).
We Read the BIBLE to learn through the EXPERIENCES of others.
The Bible is Relevant for us today as stated in this beautiful summary statement made so many years ago.
“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.
Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.
It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here paradise is restored, heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.
Christ is its grand object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet.
Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the Judgment, and be remembered forever.
It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.”
This anonymous selection is a great tribute to the scriptures and also to the one who had the insight to write it.
Spencer
Hebrews chapter 8.
Heb 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Jesus is Seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens. 1.
Jesus is A Minister, A Mediator, of a A Better covenant… 2,6.
“I Will…” Jeremiah 31:31-34; 8-12.
“A New Covenant.” 8:8, 13; Jer 31:31.
How is Jesus BETTER?
The Old Covenant is obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish away. (now has vanished after the destruction of Jerusalem).
OLD TESTAMENT
Old Heb 8:13
For Transg. Gal 3:16
Limited. Heb 8:7, 10:4
Abolished. Eph 2:15
Was a Shadow. Heb 10:1
NEW TESTAMENT
Now in force Heb 10:9
Today Obey. Heb 3:7
Last one. Heb 10:26
Appeared to all. Titus 2:11
Water Required. Mark 16:16
Hebrews chapter 7.
MELCHISEDEC.
MELCHISEDEC. Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:4
MOST High God. 7:1 [Gen 14:18]
EXCELLENT. 7:4
LEVITES paid him tithes. 7:9
CHANGED Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec. 7:12-17
HERITAGE absent, no beginning. 7:3
INTERCEDES. Heb 5:1, 10
SEPARATE from sinners. 7:25
ENDLESS life. 7:16
DEATH was conquered. 7:24
ENTERED heaven itself. Heb 9:24
CHOSEN by God. 7:20-21
THEREFORE… He is able to save to the uttermost. 22-28
How is Jesus BETTER?
Peter’s credibility as a WITNESS.
There are no witnesses today.
Majesty Witnessed on the Mountain. 16-18.
How does Peter qualify as a WITNESS.
Peter, as the other Apostles…
We Saw, Held. 16; 1John 1:1; 4:14.
The Apostles were promised the Holy Spirit…
Inspired because. John 16:13; Acts 1:8.
The Apostles saw and touched Him after the resurrection…
Touched Him. John 20:27. 1Jo 1:1.
We can tell they saw because of their boldness in the face of danger…
No Fear. Act 4:13.
Paul would later see the Risen Lord…
Eyewitness of Paul. Act 26:13.
They were given Signs to confirm the message was from God.
Signs. Acts 2:22; Heb 2:1-4
We can also tell they saw Jesus because they suffered to death…
Suffering. 2Peter 1:14; Act 4:20.
Peter wants to REMIND.
Repetition. 3:17; 1Th 3:4; 4:2; 2Th 3:7; 1Joh 2:21; [all the NT is a reminder of what had been delivered. Jude 3-5]
Exploiters. 2:3; Acts 20:29; Mat 7:15; Eph 5:6; Col 2:8; 1Jo 4:1.
Mindful of words. 3:1-2; Jude 1:17.
Imposters. 2Tim 1:6; 3:1-17.
Neglect not. 1:9; 1Tim 4:14; Heb 2:3; 12:5. Jas 1:24-25; Mark 8:14-21.
Death of Apostles predicted. 13; John 21:18-19; 2Thess 2:7; Acts 20:29.
“I must put off my tent.”
As Jesus showed me.
John 21:15-19.
“Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” 1:15.
What would you say to your children before you die?
Peter wants to…
the saints to give all Diligence to add to our faith for an Entrance into the Everlasting kingdom. And to Avoid false teachers. The Lord will come as a Thief and Heat will follow.
2Pet 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROMISES?
Seed promise Gen 12:3
Eternal life. John 20:31
Strength in suffering. 1Pet 5:10
Instruction. John 14:16; Eph 3:3
Meet our needs. Mat 6:33
Overcome the world. 1John 5:4
Remission of Sins. Jer 31:34
Prayers in His name. Phil 4:6-7
-Spencer Blackwelder
For generations, antagonists of God and theologians have claimed that God is not real, and the Bible has no relevance today.
A former mega church pastor once said, “if the church follows the instructions from the Bible… it will become irrelevant.”1
It’s clear that many have disregarded the Bible and it’s truths. To support today’s religious and cultural practices requires a complete disregard of God’s truth and a tearing down of His word.
While it is true that the Old Law of Moses has been taken out of the way, nailing it to his cross, (Col 2:14), it still has much to teach us and along with the New Testament, is very much relevant to people today.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
Here are 5 reasons the BIBLE is still relevant to us today.
the BIBLE is relevant today because… because of the lessons we glean from the BIOGRAPHIES of its heroes as well as from its antagonists. Bios gives us insight into how people lived their lived, how they felt about the people around them, and how they responded to God. Bios can help us answer some of the same questions we face today. Bios show us how people handled crisis, successes, and show us that people aren’t much different today from those in the past.
1 Corinthians 10:6 KJV
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Read the BIBLE to learn life lessons from the Biographical Examples.
the BIBLE is relevant today because… It contains INSPIRED Wisdom.
One of the reasons we know it’s INSPIRED of God is it revealed scientific knowledge about the world long before human discovery and before technology could discover it.
A path for lightening…
Job 28:26 KJV
When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
Ocean currents…
Psalm 8:8 KJV
The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
Many other scientific observations have been confirmed in biblical passages, including Leviticus 17:11; Ecclesiastes 1:6-7; Job 36:27-29.
Since these things be so, we can trust the Bible for its INSPIRED Wisdom on how to live in this life and how to live to gain the next.
2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Read the BIBLE to learn life lessons from INSPIRED Wisdom.
the BIBLE is relevant today because… It contains insight into human BEHAVIOR.
Do you ever wonder why people act, & react in certain ways? Much of the bible contains insight into BEHAVIOR through the stories. You’ll see stories of envy, jealousy, anger, kindness, love, and every other kind of emotion. Today’s humans aren’t much different, except for the technology.
The Proverbs is wisdom that includes insight into BEHAVIOR, both about others and ourselves; for example;
Prov 17:14
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Prov 23:6
Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.
Read the BIBLE to learn life lessons about human BEHAVIOR.
(to be continued)
Spencer
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
ENDNOTES.
1 Rob Bell, https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/48383-rob-bell-trashes-the-bible-on-oprah, Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, 2015
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 