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.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
Last week we began the discussion about hearing the VOICE of Jesus. The previous article included the first 3 of 5 points.
This article will touch on the next 2 points in this series.
What does it mean to hear the VOICE of Jesus? Some claim He will speak directly, personally, and miraculously to us. What is the truth?
Hearing the VOICE of Jesus.
The voice of Jesus (through the study of His Word) is a source of comfort for us in our pains, sorrows, and hurts. The letters of the New Testament are also the commands of Jesus; “If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (1Cor 14:37), The truths contained therein contain comfort. One example is in 1Thess 4.
“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1Thess 4:13-18).
We can find comfort through the words of Jesus. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2Cor 1:3-4)
Another one of the ways His word comforts us is through the assurance we have from His promises. “That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil” (Heb 6:18-19). “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” (Heb 11:6).
Paul wrote; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2Tim 4:7-8).
When we seek His voice through the reading & study of His inspired word, and we Obey it, we can have the assurance that He will reward us.
Finally, His voice has the words of ETERNAL Life.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).
Sadly, some will hear it & turn from it. “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68).
Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).
The writer of Hebrew was inspired to write, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). Cornelius was told he needed to hear words, so he sent for Peter who came to tell him words and they were ready to, “hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:6, 22, 33).
When we read, we can believe that we might have life, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). When we read, we can understand the mystery, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Eph 3:4).
The VOICE of Jesus is represented as a sword in the imagery seen by John in Revelation 1:16. The Hebrew writer said, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12).
The sheep will find comfort, peace, assurance, and salvation through the words of the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#3 examples in ACTS.
Acts 8:32 the Eunuch
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Ac 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 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?
Acts 17:11 The Bereans
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know how to obey the Gospel when we READ.
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.
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2Tim 3:15
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
John 20:31
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
That’s why I read the Bible. To be Wise unto ETERNAL Life.
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.
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
Righteousness. Psalm 139:9; Job 29:14
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
Earnest Zeal. Rev 3:14-19
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Submission. 1Peter 3:1-7
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
Salvation. Gal 3:27; Psalm 132:16; Matt 22:11
I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
Optimism, hope for the future. Heb 11:6; 1Peter 1:3; 2Tim 4:8
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Salvation in Christ. 1Pet 3:21; Heb 5:8-9
“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:”
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
3 NEGATIVE THINGS:
Persecution. 2Tim 3:12
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Expectation of trouble from the world. 1Pet 4:4, 12
“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. … Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:“
Lion roaring & seeking whom do devour. 1Pet 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
cf. “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2Cor 11:15)
“Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how GREAT THINGS the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” emph mine seb (Mark 5:19).
Jesus gave those instructions to the man he had just healed of the “legion” demon possession. This incredibly grateful man wanted to accompany Jesus wherever He would go. Jesus wouldn’t allow it, but gave him a personal mission, “tell them how GREAT THINGS the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee”
This verse impresses me as a method of personal evangelism. Before we can apply it, we must know what GREAT THINGS the Lord has done for us.
Here’s my personal list.
The Lord has been very GRACEFUL in the giving of Himself as a sacrifice, and Propitiation for sin. (Eph 2:8-9)
He has shown me how to REJOICE in times of trial. (Jas 1:2-3)
He has left EVIDENCE of His goodness. (Acts 14:17)
He demonstrated AGAPE style Love. (Rom 5:6-10)
He has delivered to us God’s TRUTH. (John 17:17)
He has given me certain TALENTS by which I can provide for the needs of my family and for helping others. (Matt 25:15)
He has given me HOPE. (Heb 6:19)
He has given me access to INTERCESSORY prayer which is unavailable to those outside of Christ. (Rom 8:34; Heb 4:16)
He has taught me how to love my NEIGHBORS. (Matt 22:39)
He has given me every GOOD GIFT & perfect Gift. (Jas 1:17)
Lastly, but not least, He has provided for me SALVATION through obedience to the Gospel. (1Cor 15:1-4)
This list is certainly not comprehensive, but it does represent some of the GREAT THINGS He has done. I have another more private and personal list of GREAT THINGS the Lord has done.
What about you? Do you have a list? We sing the song, “Count your blessings,” do you know what some of them are?
“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee” (Psalm 139:17-18).
Perhaps you would like to make a note of the many GREAT THINGS the Lord has done for you?
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 