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Jesus is the one to follow when we’re HURTING

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Hope and Healing in Christ for the Hurting

Life is full of hardship. Suffering, loss, and disappointment are part of the human experience. Some struggle with grief, others with betrayal, loneliness, or physical pain. No one is immune to the trials of life. Yet, in the midst of sorrow, there is One who offers healing, hope, and peace—Jesus Christ.

Jesus understands suffering because He experienced it firsthand. Isaiah 53:3 describes Him as “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” He knew what it was like to be rejected, betrayed, and physically tormented. He endured humiliation and pain on the cross, bearing the weight of humanity’s sin. Because of this, He is uniquely qualified to comfort those who are hurting. Hebrews 4:15 assures us that we have a Savior who can sympathize with our weaknesses, for He was “tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Hope in Christ for the Hurt of This Life

Pain can make life feel unbearable. The world offers temporary distractions, but they cannot bring lasting peace. Only Christ provides true hope. John 16:33 reminds us of this reality: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The suffering of this present life is temporary, but the joy found in Christ is eternal. Paul declares in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” When we trust in Christ, we gain a perspective that allows us to endure, knowing that something far greater awaits.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

Understanding from Christ, Who Endured Suffering

One of the most comforting truths about Jesus is that He understands human suffering. He was betrayed by a close friend (Luke 22:48; Psalm 41:9), falsely accused (Matthew 26:59-60), mocked (Matthew 27:29-31), and crucified (Luke 23:33). He knows what it feels like to be abandoned, rejected, and mistreated. This means that when we pour out our hearts to Him, we are speaking to One who truly understands. Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3)

Rest and Peace in His Forgiveness and Mercy

Many suffer not only from external circumstances but also from the weight of guilt and shame. Sin leaves scars, and the burden of past mistakes can feel overwhelming. Yet, Jesus offers complete forgiveness. Matthew 11:28 invites us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Through His sacrifice, we are freed from sin’s condemnation. Psalm 103:12 declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” In Christ, we find peace, knowing that our past does not define us.

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

Truth, Life, and True Joy

Many search for meaning in temporary pleasures, but Jesus alone is the source of true life. He declares in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The joy He gives is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in a relationship with Him. John 15:11 states, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39)

Jesus, Our Intercessor

For those who feel distant from God, Jesus bridges the gap. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” He intercedes for us before the Father, offering continual access to God’s grace and help.

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” (1John 3:22)

He Never Leaves nor Forsakes Us

Loneliness is one of the deepest forms of suffering. Yet, Jesus promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). Even when we feel abandoned, He is always near.

“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” (1John 3:24)

Good Can Come Despite the Pain

While suffering is hard, God can bring blessings out of trials. Romans 8:28 reassures us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Even when we don’t understand, we can trust that He can bring about good despite the pain and suffering in this life.

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” (James 1:2-3)

Conclusion

No matter what pain or sorrow you carry, Jesus offers hope and healing. Turn to Him, and you will find peace, understanding, and the strength to endure. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Agape

Spencer

There is a way you may know if you have eternal life.

WHO IS JESUS?

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“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”  (Matt 16:13)

Their answers reveal that, even during the time of Jesus, folks didn’t fully understand who He is.

You may think that folks today know who Jesus is, but they also have varying descriptions of Him. They know of ANOTHER JESUS.

“For if he that cometh preacheth ANOTHER Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive ANOTHER spirit, which ye have not received, or ANOTHER gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4. emph mine seb).

Peter gave the inspired answer; “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This answer did not come from human hearts, it is divine.

Let’s be ready to answer the question, WHO IS JESUS?

While the scriptures say that the books of the world could not contain all the things Jesus did (John 21:25), we can give an answer to the question.

JESUS is…THE JUDGE. People say rightly that Jesus didn’t come to judge the world (John 12:47), but what they miss is that He didn’t come to judge AT THAT TIME. He came to bring salvation to the world through His sacrifice. Now that He reigns in Heaven, one day He will JUDGE the world and He will JUDGE it through His word.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2Cor 5:10; John 12:48).

JESUS is… THE EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE GODHEAD. No man has seen God at any time (John 1:18). To do so would to be death (Ex 33:20). However, Jesus came to earth in human form, He is IMMANUEL, God with us. This opens for us a world of comfort and excitement. Job longed for someone who was qualified to both stand on earth and in Heaven to mediate between God and man. Jesus is the EXPRESS IMAGE OF THE GODHEAD (cf. Job 9:32-33)

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;” “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” (Col 1:19; 2;9)

JESUS is… THE SON OF GOD. When Jesus said that His Father is God, the Jews understood this to mean that Jesus was claiming to be God (John 5:17-18). They understood it well. As the Son of God, He is God, and He has all authority on earth and in Heaven (Matt 28:18).

“And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11; cf. Ps 2:7; Mat 3:17; Mar 9:7).

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds” (Heb 1:1-2)

JESUS is… AN UNDERSTANDING & SYMPATHETIC SAVIOR. Because Jesus is God, and that He came to earth and suffered, He UNDERSTANDS us experientially. It’s so comforting to know we serve the God who was tempted and suffered in all points just as we suffer (even more so). No world religious figure compares to Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18)

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16)

JESUS is… THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. Lastly, and most importantly, Jesus is our SAVIOR. Without a Savior, we are dead in our sins (Eph 2:1). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom 6:23). Everyone needs a Savior, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). No one will be lost because they haven’t heard of or don’t know Jesus; we will be lost because of our sin (2Thess 1:8-9).

Jesus is the Savior to all who will believe and obey Him. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb 5:9). He will present us to God, “unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister” (Col 1:22-23);

To know Him is to love Him is to obey Him. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous”

(1John 5:2-3).

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14).

Oh, how wonderful it is to know the Lord. Let us be ready to help others who know another Jesus to know, to love, and to serve THE LORD.

Agape,

Spencer

Who is Jesus pt2

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“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)

We live in a time where there are many Christs being preached.

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4).

We need to know the Real Jesus of the Bible. Last week we made just a few observations about the True Christ. It is impossible for a few articles to say all that could be said about Him. “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25).

This article will look at a few more things we learn from scripture about Jesus.

Here are the observations from last week:

Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14).

Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18).

Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).

Who is Jesus? Part 2.

Jesus is the Express Image of the Godhead. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell” (Col 1:18-19). “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col 2:9).

While much could be said about this, I want to focus on the fact that Jesus is Divine, He is Deity, He is God. Some religions do not see Jesus as God, but as a created being. This simply is not true. Jesus is God.

The Scriptures teach “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). In this passage Jesus is called “the Word.” Note the Scriptures said Jesus “the Word” was “God.” Some will use their rewritten bibles to argue about “definite articles” and misquote passages in attempt to make Jesus not God, but “a God.” We know better.

The Scriptures affirm the deity and godhood of Jesus. Jesus calls Himself the name “I AM” which is the name used for God (John 8:58; Exo 3:14). Jesus said God is “My Father” which made “Himself equal with God” (John 5:18). Jesus accepted the identification “My Lord and my God!” from Thomas (John 20:28). Jesus’ agreement with Thomas in verse 29 is a shattering deathblow to the false doctrine that Jesus is only “a god.”

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (20:29). Jesus affirmed what Thomas “believed” was in fact the truth; Jesus is “Lord” and “God.”

There are other Scriptures that confirm the deity of Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”. (Isaiah 9:6; Acts 20:28; Matt 1:23; Heb 1:8).

Jesus is the final Judge of the world. While living on earth He did not come to bring judgment at that time. Now that He has Died, was Buried, and is Resurrected, He sits on His Judgment seat and everyone will appear before Him. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2Cor 5:10-11a).

It will be a terrifying thing to appear before Him if we’re found to be disobedient. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). But, how can we appear before His throne with confidence? “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). We can know when we know His word.

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). Jesus has given us His Divine word to guide us. “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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Tim 3:15-17). “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

These are comforting words. We can know the Real, Living, & True Jesus.

Do you remember the list from that social media post last week? Could you verify the validity of them? Did you look them up? Here’s what I found.

  • Joy Giver, John 17:13.
  • Eternal life Giver, John 10:28.
  • Strength Giver, 2Cor 12:9.
  • Unconditional Lover, Rom 5:8. (this one is often misleading)
  • Sins forgiver. Mark 2:10.

–Spencer

Who is Jesus

The Preacher 1 Comment

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks” (Acts 9:5)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”    (John 14:6).

Years ago, we were driving home from worship. We had a young relative with us and he asked, “Who is Jesus?”

His question broke our hearts. While he was not under our care, we felt a responsibility toward him and our other relatives.

I’m not surprised anymore if a person has this question. In reality, most of the people who claim to believe in Jesus do not know the Jesus of the Bible. They only know a different Jesus.

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him” (2Cor 11:4).

Who is Jesus?

One person posted to social media that Jesus is…

  • Joy Giver,
  • Eternal life Giver,
  • Strength Giver,
  • Unconditional Lover,
  • Sins forgiver.

They posted this without any scripture references, which is typical. Here’s a little homework: is the above true? If so, how would we know?

This got me to thinking about our own study about Jesus. The scriptures say, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen” (John 21:25). While one bulletin article is insufficient to fully answer the question, I’ll give just a sampling about who is Jesus.

Jesus is the Savior of the world. “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1John 4:14). I was talking to someone and they asked if one could be saved in a religion that doesn’t believe in Jesus. I asked what this verse meant; “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). He said that Jesus is the only way to God. Only Jesus is the Savior of the world.

Jesus is a Sympathetic and Understanding Savior. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:18). “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:15-16).

This is a hugely comforting quality. It points to the fact that Jesus walked this earth and experienced the pain and suffering common to all. He hungered, He wept, He thirsted, He was alone. He knows what we’re going through, and He Understands.

Jesus is the Son of God. “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb 1:2-3).

The demon world acknowledged this truth, “And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time (Matt 8:29; Mark 3:11)?

This understanding is essential. “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). Jesus, as the Son of God, is God. “Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

There are two more qualities of Jesus I’d like to share next week.

The Jesus of the Bible, the Savior, The Understanding Son of God is amazing. He’s more than we can even imagine, but He is not a figment of our imagination. We need to be careful to make Him into something He’s not by overlooking the whole council of God. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2Cor 9:15)

–Spencer

Examples of those that READ pt2

The Preacher 1 Comment

4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.

#2 Ezra Read to the people.

It was commanded to Read.

Deuteronomy 31:11 KJV

When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

They had obeyed.

Joshua 8:34-35 KJV

And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law. [35] There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not before all the congregation of Israel, with the women, and the little ones, and the strangers that were conversant among them.

But they must have neglected the reading because they’re taken into captivity for their apostasy. They READ again upon their return.

Nehemiah 8:8 KJV

So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

LESSON FOR US TODAY.

We can restore God’s New Covenant when we READ & Do.

James 1:22

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

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.

Announcement about December 25 2022

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

While many churches have cancelled worship services on Christmas day in the past, let it be known that the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper in Borger Texas…

will be open to congregationally worship our King of kings and Lord of lords as commanded in the New Testament.

WE WILL:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is. Heb 10:25

we will have COMMUNION in the Lord’s Supper. 1Cor 11:17-34

we will HEAR a message from God’s word. Eph 4:12

we will sing with UNDERSTANDING, 1Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16

we will make REQUESTS to God in Prayer, Phil 4:6

we will all CONTRIBUTE to the work of the local church through the giving of our means, 1Cor 16: 1-2; 2Cor 8-9

we will provoke one another’s HEART to love. Heb 10:24-25

We invite you to attend a service of the church of Christ

on the Lord’s day (Sunday) at 9:30am for bible study and 10:30 worship

or on Wednesday evening for bible study at 6:30pm

Tips to READ through the Bible

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It’s Possible! It’s possible to read through the Bible in one year. The above picture is not for bragging rights, it’s for encouragement. The Pic is my record of when I read each book of the Bible in 2022. As you can see I put an emphasis on reading the New Testament multiple times. I’ll finish up the year reading the Gospel of John and Revelation just one more time.

While I have been given the opportunity to read each day for a longer than average time, it’s still possible for the average person to read the bible in one year. Looking at this time chart below, one could read through the Bible in just 12 minutes per day

Crosswalk.org infographic

If you want to read just 5 days a week (Mon-Friday), which is the schedule I’m on, it would only add about 2-3 minutes per day.

Here is a chart from Crosswalk with the times to read through each book of the Bible.

Here are my 4 Tips to READ through the Bible in one year.

1. Read REGULARLY. Set a time for Bible reading. It only takes 15-17min per day, 5 days a week.

2. Reading is compared to EATING. (Rev 10:9-10; John 6:35-51). We eat every day for physical nourishment. Eat a small portion of the Word for Spiritual nourishment. It doesn’t need to be Eaten in one sitting. How do you ready an elephant? 1 bite at a time.

3. Read prayerfully, ASKING God for wisdom. Jas 1:5-7 The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. We get faith, belief, Equipping, & understanding when we read. (Rom 20:17; John 20:30-31; Eph 3:3-4; 2Tim 3:15-17)

4. Read with a Desire to become a DOER of the word. James 1:22 but be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. The New Testament is the final word of Christ and is the doctrine we follow today. (2John 1:9)

Here are some words from God’s word to encourage you to read.

John 20:30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 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.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Timothy 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.16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Acts 17:11 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.

1Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

John 6:48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

IT’S POSSIBLE! You can do it. If the scriptures made Timothy wise unto salvation, it will do the same for us too!

spencer

PS here is a link to a printable bookmark to help you keep your place and help you with a little context as you read.

5 Reasons to DOUBT your salvation.

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Nobody wants to doubt their salvation, but before you can be assured, one must know where they are.

Once you know where you are, then you can learn how to be assured.

5 Reasons to DOUBT your salvation.

You DO NOT KNOW:

If you DO NOT KNOW how to be saved, or DO NOT KNOW what the bible says about salvation, then you need to be in DOUBT. There are many examples of people who DO NOT KNOW they are lost.

“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” (Rev 3:17).

OPPOSES Scripture:

If you’re practice is in direct OPPOSITION to clear biblical teaching. It should be self evident, but many are in OPPOSITION to the word of God. Often it’s related to the first one.

“He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:6-7).

UNDERSTANDING:

If you don’t UNDERSTAND why you’re doing something. To be pleasing to God, we must know what He wants and UNDERSTAND why. This doesn’t mean you need to become a biblical scholar, but our hearts have to be involved in obedience to God. Balaam was compliant with God’s command in Number 22-25, but he certainly wasn’t obedient (Jude 11).

“And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:30-31).

BIBLICAL Evidence:

Probably the most important reason, and the reason every other one is based, is BIBLICAL evidence. Unless we have BOOK, CHAPTER, & VERSE for what we practice, then we ought to be in doubt. We need to have a firm understanding of how to study, how to know what God wants, and how to rightly divide the word of God.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15).

“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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2Tim 3:15-17).

“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” (Acts 17:11).

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col 3:17).

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say” (Luke 6:46)?

TOLD something from silence:

If what we’re doing is solely based on what someone TOLD us to do without a biblical basis, then run away from that person. Many believe that we can do whatever we want as long as God has never said we can’t. This is operating from silence. Silence prohibits. Consider what happened to David when he argued from Silence.

“And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar” (2Samuel 7:1-7)?

Nowhere in our lives do we find it acceptable for a defiant person to claim, “nobody said I couldn’t.” Without the prohibition of silence the direct statements and commands of God are rendered useless. When we order a pizza, our direct statements about what we want eliminates all other unspoken possibilities. If you doubt me on this, try ordering any food for a child and see if even their silence matters.

These are 5 reasons to DOUBT. However, we need not remain in DOUBT. We can KNOW the will of the Lord. That will be in a future article.

spencer

How to have Biblical UNITY

The Preacher Leave a comment

“Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” [Eph 4:13]

Every few years there is a call for UNITY. Nobody likes arguing nor complaining. We all seek for UNITY to avoid such fighting.

It would seem that many think, as long as there’s no arguing, then UNITY must therefore exist. While this may give the appearance of UNITY, it is not biblical UNITY.

What we have is peace, but not UNITY. “If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.” [Rom 12:18]

What must exist for us to have biblical UNITY?

Fraternity or Fellowship? Living at peace with others is key to developing UNITY, but there’s much more involved in developing Biblical UNITY.

To illustrate the problem, answer this question; If two math professors are kind to one another, yet one teaches 2+2=8,346, do they have Mathematical Unity? Certainly not. While they may be agreeable, they do not agree on the facts, therefore they are not in UNITY. They have Fraternity, but not UNITY.

This illustration brings us to the very FIRST condition needed in developing Biblical Unity. An UNDERSTANDING of the Will of the Lord is essential to establishing Biblical Unity.

“whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; [Eph 3:4]

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.” [Acts 28:27]

“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” [1Tim 1:7]

“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” [Eph 5:17]

Without agreement on the doctrine of Christ, how can two walk together? [Amos 3:3]

Next, we can never achieve UNITY if we fail to be NICE in our words & deeds. “Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,” [1Cor 13:4]

Next, without personal INTEGRITY there can be no UNITY. Integrity is defined as; adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. We may speak about UNITY all we want, but without INTEGRITY no one will believe us. That’s hypocrisy. “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” [1John 1:6]

Biblical Unity must also include TENACITY for the Truth without wavering. It should go without saying that UNITY is based on the TRUTH of God’s word. [John 17:17] “that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;” [Eph 4:14]

Lastly, since we’re not perfect and we’re all in a state of growing and maturing, we may not yet know what we ought to know. People coming together with varying levels of maturity can achieve UNITY if we all have a YEARNING to do the Will of the Lord. With this Yearning, we can still have UNITY because we all want to learn and do the will of the Lord. This is the best understanding of “Unity of the Faith” in Eph 4:13. It doesn’t mean that we all have the exact same understanding. What it means is that we all have access to the same information, God’s word and our desire, YEARNING, to know the Word.

“Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;” [1Peter 2:1-2]

With these 5 elements we can develop Biblical Unity.

U- Understanding the will of the Lord.

N- Nice words & Deeds

I- Integrity

T- Tenacity, consistency

Y- Yearning to know the will of the Lord

–Spencer