The bible gives INSTRUCTION in righteousness. 2Tim 3:16-17; 2Pet 2:21.
The bible teaches SALVATION.2Tim 3:15; Rom 3:23.
The bible gives the way ESCAPE the pollution of the world.
1Cor 10:13; 2Pet 2:20-21; Heb 2:1-3.
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of James. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 6:30pm each Wednesday night for the next few weeks.
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of James. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 6:30pm each Wednesday night for the next few weeks.
Expect 10x the TROUBLE. (John 16:33; Rom 8)
Expect 10x the RESISTANCE from others.(John 15:18; 2Tim 3:12)
We need to INCREASE our efforts. (2Peter 1:5-11)
To avoid being down & pessimistic, we need 10x the positive ATTITUDE. (1Pet 3:15)
We also need to…
LOVE what we do, the reason why we do it and Who we do it for. (1Cor 13)
We need to… SURROUND ourselves with people that lift us up. (Heb 10:24-25)
The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of James. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 6:30pm each Wednesday night for the next few weeks.
Click here for an OUTLINE & links to each chapter of the Book of James.
INTRODUCTION: The Franklin and Juniper church of Christ begins an overview study of the book of James. If you live in the Borger area, We invite you to join us at 6:30pm each Wednesday night for the next few weeks.
Faith is ACTION based on the information. James 2:14-24 “justified by works and not by faith only.”
Faith is INSISTENT on standing firm. Hebrews 11:24-25
“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; [25] Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;”
Faith is Believing and TRUSTING in the results from keeping God’s word. Colossians 2:12. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Faith is HOPE that the Lord will reward those that keep His word.
Hebrews 11:1, 6 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Faith is listed among the 9 spiritual gifts early saints could receive during the writing of the New Testament (1Cor 12:8-9; 13:2; Matt 17:20).
These several senses above all combine to mean FAITH. Where there is no word of God there can be no faith in God. This is an unquestioned teaching of God’s word. (See also John 20:30-31; Rom 10:17: Eph 3:1-4) If therefore, God says nothing concerning a given course, there can be no faith. Since we are to walk by faith, it follows that in any matter whatsoever in which we are not directed by the word of God, we are neither walking by faith nor pleasing God.
To walk by FAITH is to act upon God’s revealed word, the faith, and not by opinion. If people are seekers of God, they will seek His will before acting, rather than acting and hoping God will sanctify the actions.
One man said it this way about a particular religious action he had taken. “I don’t know if it’s right or wrong. I just do my best and ask God for mercy.” If you don’t know if it’s right, then DON’T DO IT. There’s a principle that speaks directly to this; “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 14:23).
Let’s state it another way. God accepts no gratuitous service in matters to be rendered exclusively to Him. Man possesses an undeniable right to exercise his own judgment in the management of his personal affairs, as long as he does not violate any principles of moral correctness or righteousness. Man is guided in his personal life by God’s moral law and is given liberty to make individual choices under generic authority live, prosper and enjoy (1Thess 4:1-12; 1Tim 6:17; 3John 2).
However, In the service to be rendered exclusively to God, He has legislated. He has ordained the worship to be rendered to Him, and human wisdom must neither add to, take from, nor in any way modify what he has prescribed, otherwise those who do so are walking by their own judgment, and not by faith. Let’s review a few examples…
Water Baptism has been commanded by Christ (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:35-36; 22:16; 1Pet 3:21). Who are we to alter it or even hint that one can be saved without it? Note the urgency of Baptism in the book of Acts. “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33).
Adoration in vocal song (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). Who are we to do what God has commanded not by introducing instrumental music? “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
The Lord’s Supper is given to be observed by the assembled local church (Matt 26:26-30; Luke 22:15-20; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1Cor 11:17-34). Who are we to move it to a digital venue, or a cruise ship vacation, or to any other place of convenience where there is no local church assembled? The idea that any group of Christians is a church is false. (see Matt 18:16, a distinction is made between a 2-3 individuals and the church)
We are commanded to Keep the faith “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Tim 4:7), and to Keep God’s commands (1John 5:3). Who are we to tell anyone that they may be saved without obedience to the faith, or that they can never fall from grace? “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” (Heb 12:15).
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name” (Rom 1:5).
We must walk by FAITH, not by the sight of our own opinions.
God has not at any time authorized gratuitous service be rendered to Him. This means that God requires worship toward Him to be in accordance with His instructions.
From the very beginning we see this principle. In Genesis four, Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice by faith, and Cain did not. “By Faith” is first speaking about divine instruction, followed by our trust in His acceptance when we follow those instructions. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom 10:17).
One cannot be walking by faith in Christ while offering strange worship God commanded us not. How do we know what God wants? We can answer that question if we will learn how God communicates. He gives DIRECT commands & statements, He gives EXAMPLES, and He IMPLIES things from which we may infer. He also expects us to respect when He is SILENT on a matter.
I) God communicates through Direct commands & statements.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gives a direct command to his disciples in the Great Commission. He says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). These are clear instructions from God on how his followers are to spread the message of salvation.
The Direct commands of God come in 2 forms:
1) SPECIFIC. God tells us exactly what He wants. We cannot add to, nor take away from the specific command. A specific command eliminates all other possibilities.
2) GENERIC. God gives a command but doesn’t tell us how. He leaves those details for us to implement.
The how of a generic command is called an expedient. We need to find the most efficient & effective means to fulfill the command. We cannot bind an expedient on others as being the only way. We have liberty.
II) God communicates using Approved Examples. There are many examples in the bible, but not every one of them is binding, nor authorized. Some examples are incidental like meeting in an upper room (Acts 1:13).
What makes an example an APPROVED EXAMPLE? When the example is in compliance with a Direct command of God. Jesus said “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15-16). In the Acts one we see exactly that. They preached the Gospel to everyone on Pentecost and baptized for remission of sins.
Another example is found in Acts 8. “Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:35-38). Here we see Philip Going, Preaching, and Baptizing as was commanded by Jesus in the great commission. Philip is one of many APPROVED EXAMPLES.
Without a command an example is just an example. It is not to be bound on others. Examples are only APPROVED (or Apostolic) when there is a command from God. How can we sift the binding from non-binding examples? Here are 4 questions to ask.
Is there Uniformity in all examples of same event? Baptism was all by immersion, but circumstances around event were different.
Is there Unity in Harmony? The Example must harmonize with God’s commands. Without a command there is not an approved example.
Is there Universal application? It must apply and be able for all. Grapes (fruit of the vine) grow everywhere. Water is everywhere man is. Truth is Universal to all mankind.
Is the example Unnecessary or relevant to the command? The disciples met in an upper room.
People are constantly attempting to worship God according to their own desires (Col 2:23). They have introduced Mechanical Music, plays, interpretive dance, and in one place Roller Skating Praise.
Here are 4 types of False worship.
Vain. Mark 7; Matt 15:9.
Against His will. 1Cor 11:17-34; 1Sam 15:22-23
Ignorant. Acts 17:23
Narcissistic Self-Willed worship. Col 2:20-23
These should serve as warnings about doing what God FORBIDS, OMISSION of what God commands, or adding EXTRA to the commands of God that He has not commanded.
“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you”
(Deut 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6; Ec 12:13; Re 22:18-19).
7 topics every couple should talk about before getting MARRIED.
MONEY. Prov 22:7; Eph 4:28.
Money is the #1 reason given for divorce.
AUTHORITY in the home & in life. Eph 5:23; 1Tim 2:12-15
Child rearing. Eph 6:1-4;
Deu 6:7,20; Prov 13:24
1Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
RELIGION. Eph 4:4; 1:22-23; 1Cor 1:10
1Cor 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
2Cor 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
RELATIONS & RELATIONSHIPS.
Intimacy 1Cor 7:1-4.
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Friends. 1Cor 5:6; Gal 5:9.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
IN-LAWS. Mat 19:5-6.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
EXPECTATIONS of each other. Goals. Rev 21:1-8; Phil 3:14.
Most sorrows come from UNSPOKEN, UNREALIZED, or UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
DISTRACTIONS.Directions. Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Spencer is an evangelist for the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper in Borger Texas.
For several years it has been my custom to carry my bible into the public and to read privately, but openly. Many folks will comment, or be complimentary. Many more will walk on by. A few will stop to talk about their faith.
This article is a blending of several of those conversations. These two examples are representative of almost all of them. Most of these folks have the identical objections to the Bible. The objections are so common that I’ve actually made a list of the top 10 most common ones along with scriptural answers.
I have not raised my voice, become angry (Jas 1:20), and have avoided any rudeness on my part. I wish it could be said of the other part. Some have been very pleasant and have resulted in a few conversions.
Person A: You don’t have to be baptized to be saved? You just need to ask Jesus into your heart.
Person B: So, you believe this version of Mark 16:16? “He that believeth and is (NOT) baptized shall be saved.”
Person A: My grandma was a wonderful woman. She never went to church, never had religion, but she was so kind to all.
Person B: So, you believe this version of Mark 16:16? “He that believeth (NOT) and is (NOT) baptized shall be saved.” Are you suggesting a works-based salvation?
Person A: I have a friend whose baby was baptized (sprinkled).
Person B: So, they believe this version of Mark 16:16? “He that believeth (NOT) and is baptized (sprinkled) shall be saved.” Babies are incapable of faith, so they’re safe according to Jesus (Mark 10:13-15).
Person A: I have heard that there’s only heaven and not eternal hell.
Person B: So, you believe this version of Mark 16:16? “He that believeth and is baptized shall (NOT) be saved.” Jesus said, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” (Matt 25:46). Jesus uses the same word (aiōnion) to describe both. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” It’s so simple, let’s just do what Jesus said.
Person A: you’re going to hell if you believe baptism saves you.
Person B: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1Pet 3:21)
Person A: what about the thief on the cross? Ha! Gotcha.
Person B: The thief received his inheritance before the testator died. (Think about how WILLS work). Now that the Testator (Jesus) has died (and rose again to heaven), we are bound to follow His will. “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. [17] For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” (Heb 9:16-17)
Person A: (screaming) YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BAPTIZED TO BE SAVED!!!!!
Person B: I see that you’re upset. I’ll not talk to you about it anymore. (Matt 15:14)
Person A: Satan quoted scripture too.
Person B: have a nice day.
“That’s just your opinion”
(Based on an actual conversation)
Person B is handing out religious tracks at the fair.
Person A: (using person B’s personal pocket Bible they used to show scripture) the Bible says; “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)
Person B: That’s just your opinion.
Person A: wait, what? I just read the scripture directly.
Person B: That’s just your interpretation.
Person A: I didn’t interpret nor did I comment. I just quoted the passage. We could read the whole chapter (Bible) and it wouldn’t change it.
Person B: You’re just a legalist.
Person A: How’s that? I’m reading the words of Jesus. Are you saying Jesus is a legalist too?
Person B: We’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Person A: Are you interested in reading the only passage in all of the Bible that says “by faith alone?”
Person B: (closes their pocket New Testament & places it in back pocket) “nope.”
Person A: I’m sorry to have bothered you. Have a nice day.
Person B: ☹
Agape,
Spencer is an evangelist for the church of Christ at Franklin & Juniper in Borger Texas.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 