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  • TFRStaff 9:38 am on May 13, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, gospel sermon   

    The First Gospel Sermon (Mike Glenn) 

    This month the Joshua Generation characteristic encourages us all to be evangelistic. The slogan is “Go ye means go me.”

    It is by the foolishness of preaching that God will save the world (1 Cor. 1:18-31). Therefore, I would like to turn our attention for this study to the first gospel sermon ever preached. Particularly, I would like for us to consider at least some of the preparation that made that first sermon possible.

    To prepare us to make the application of the lesson, let’s you and I remember that we are “members one of another” (Eph. 4:25) and that we have “obtained like precious faith” with the apostles though they are long passed. What made the first gospel sermon possible? What made it necessary? Let’s take the second question first.

    What made this first gospel sermon necessary? Simply, Adam, and every man and woman who has lived since then, has committed sin against God, others and self, thus bringing the penalty of eternal death and suffering upon all (Rom. 3:23, 5:5-18, 6:23). Paul would say that if one died for all, then all were dead (2 Cor. 5:14). No man has ever been able to find his own solution to sin or even to control of his passions and temptations (Jer. 10:23).

    The second question is, “What made the first gospel sermon possible?”

    The simple answer is, the love of God (John 3:16; Romans 5:6-8). It is the details bringing us to that first sermon that teaches us the value of our soul and of those around us.

    First, the plan was formulated before the world began (Eph. 1:4). Then, it was some 4000 years in the preparation (Eph. 3:9) until the time was just right for our Lord to enter the earth (Galatians 4:4).

    Also, there was THE CHOICE. I am talking about the Lord’s choice to give up equality with God to come and to die (Phil. 2:5-8; John 10:17-18). There was also the process of training 12 men of human failings, emotions and intellect (consider Peter, Thomas, Judas) to preach, defend and live by the eternal message they were to carry to the masses and to the individuals. (More …)

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:54 am on April 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , contentment, , , gospel, haughty, , , , , , weaned child   

    Psalm 131 What It Means To “Grow Up” 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.” This Psalm is attributed to David, but also could have been written about David, for it seems to express his child-like humility before God.

    Verse 1 defines humility;

    Verse 2 describes contentment;

    Verse 3 distributes this among his countrymen.

    Verse 1: “LORD, my heart is not haughty.” Humility is not downgrading oneself, but accepting oneself in view of God. “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility” (Proverbs 18:12). “By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

    “Nor my eyes lofty.” The way up is down, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Paul taught Christians “to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men” (Titus 3:2). Moses was humble (Numbers 12:3), but God can: “Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted” (Ezekiel 21:26). Every person is a “creature” needing the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16).

    “Neither do I concern myself with great matters…Nor with things too profound for me.” “Great matters” are out of my control, and “profound” things are above my head. In other words, everything in this world doesn’t need everybody’s opinion! Facebook or Tweet that! This is not a “head-in-the-sand” approach to life, but a realization that all matters may not be our personal concern. Probably this verse is in the Law of Jesus Christ in Romans 12:16: “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

    Verse 2: “A weaned child” has made the transition from suckling to satisfied.  Comfort in the mother’s breast is no longer also the child’s sustaining food. “A weaned child” has learned that life is no longer dependent upon mother alone. The process of maturing has progressed. To be a Christian, one must be “converted and become as little children, [or else] you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). Then spiritual progress in the faith is expressed by Peter: “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:1-3). Many who do not become Christians have refused the humility of repentance and baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Many of those who have become Christians have refused to be “weaned” from the “milk” of the Word of God. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). Spiritual growth is stunted without study.

    Verse 3: “O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.” This is a challenge for David’s brethren to move forward in their faith. The church of Christ is thus challenged: “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel” (Colossians 1:3-5).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:17 am on April 15, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , gospel, , , ,   

    Psalm 130 Are We “In” Too Deep? 

    There is uncertainty regarding the author, time, or circumstances of these Psalms, but it is apparent Psalms 120-134 work together, and are called the “Songs of Degrees,” and sometimes “Songs of Ascension.”

    Verses 1-2 give a personal appeal to God;

    Verses 3-4 give a personal trust in God;

    Verses 5-6 give a personal patience in God;

    Verses 7-8 give a national call upon God.

    Verses 1-2: (Verse 1) From deep places come the greatest devotions. Some people must plumb the depths of sin before they become alarmed at their condition, and repent. No one can be so deep in sin but that their cry to the LORD cannot be heard. “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart” (Proverbs 20:27). Some MAY be so committed to sin that THEY REFUSE to cry out for help from the LORD (Ephesians 4:17-20)! (Verse 2) The change from “LORD” (Jehovah) to “Lord” (Authority) sets the tone to approach Him with “supplication” (request), and not commands! The Jewish request, “From my mouth to God’s ears” is expressed in this verse.

    Verses 3-4: (Verse 3) God’s “data bank” is greater than any Government ever envisioned, for every thought (Hebrews 4:12), sight (Matthew 5:28), word (Matthew 12:37), and deed (2 Corinthians 5:10), is recorded by God – in the other book compared with “the book of life” (Revelation 20:12). (Verse 4) If it was not for God’s promise to forgive sin, no one would survive! This forgiveness is only offered through Jesus Christ (Acts 5:30-31), and only given to those who obey Him (Matthew 7:21-27; Mark 16:15-16).

    Verses 5-6: The hopeful expectation of morning light illustrates the soul’s “hope.” It is because of God’s laws that we hope for each morning, and it is in God’s Word that a soul “hopes” to find a new day of salvation.

    Verses 7-8: (Verse 7) The Nation of Israel, individually, should turn back to God in “hope” (anticipation) of receiving His “mercy” and “abundant redemption” (ransom required to be re-possessed). (Verse 8) The absolute promise of God is that “He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

    Thought: That this was true for those living under Moses’ Law, now that Jesus’ Law is in force, His blood has purchased the church of Christ (Acts 20:28) and God adds those saved by the Gospel to His church (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).

     All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:12 am on March 8, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , gospel, , , , ,   

    A Wonderful Old Testament Passage About Jesus 

    There is definitely more than one wonderful verse about Jesus in Isaiah but one that I don’t hear referenced very much is Isaiah 59:17. There the scripture says, “For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak.“

    Some may shy away from this verse because of the reference to violence. But one should not be afraid to use this verse in connection with the gospel. Jesus refrained from using justice filled violence while subjecting himself to the justice of God and the unjust violence of men and women here upon the earth, but Jesus’ life here on Earth is over and when Jesus returns it won’t be a picnic for the enemies of God much to contradicting advice given by all the ”universalists” out there.

    Jesus is the slaughtered Lamb of God for our sins, but Jesus is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah for unrepentant sinners!

    “since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 – NKJV)

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:05 am on March 7, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , gospel, , , mercies,   

    Psalm 119 Waw Living A Life “Prepared” 

    It is fitting that the greatest tribute to the Word of God is IN the Word of God, itself, and is in the longest chapter of the Word of God! This Psalm has no author’s name, historical incident, or other distraction from its theme. It is divided into 22 sections (one for every letter in the Hebrew alphabet), each consisting of 8 lines, each line beginning with the alphabet letter of that section (aleph is the first letter of each line under the aleph section, for instance). The chapter uses some 8-10 different words to describe the Word of God, each bringing something extra to the total picture of the Word of Truth. In order to savor the depth and richness of teaching in this Psalm, we will examine each portion as if it were its own chapter.

    Waw Psalm 119:41-48                 Living A Life “Prepared”

    Verses 41-44 speak of a person’s covenant with God;

    Verses 45-48 list blessings and responsibilities that accompany God’s salvation.

    Verses 41-44: (Verse 41) God gives “mercies” (plural, because we always need them) which are the only means for which we should receive “salvation.” Jacob spoke to God for all of us when he said: “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant” (Genesis 32:10). Paul tells Christians, it is “by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). These “mercies” are revealed through His “word,” even today (Titus 3:1-8). (Verse 42) “So” (in this way) “shall I have an answer” (can make response, give a reason) to the enemy “who reproaches,” whose verbal attacks cannot weaken my “trust in Your word” (also known as “faith,” Romans 10:17). (Verse 43) As long as “the word of truth” (Scriptural reply, as in 1 Peter 3:15) comes from our mouths, we have “hope” based upon God’s “ordinances” (limits in place for our protection from others). (Verse 44) “So” (in this manner) “shall I keep” (obey) God’s “law” (guide, direction), “forever and ever” (from now on).

    Verses 45-48: (Verse 45) To have freedom to “walk at liberty” one must stay within God’s “precepts” (instructions regarding conduct). The “unfasten your seat belt” sign in an airplane does not free one to walk outside the airplane! “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). (Verse 46) The boldness to “speak” comes from confidence in God’s “testimonies” (bearing witness), whether the audience consists of family, friends, or government representatives! (Verse 47) Personal “delight” (satisfaction) comes from a heart of “love” (caring what’s best) for God’s “commandments” (orders to obey). There is no “ego-stroking” or build-up, without loving and keeping God’s commandments. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). (Verse 48) Waving hands in the air is not what is referred to here, but rather obeying God by making our hands meet up with what God commands, thus to “lift up to Your commandments.” Love of God produces obedience because we “meditate” (focus thoughts) on God’s “statutes” (lines marking out our field of play).

    Thought: The more we fill our hearts with God’s Bible, the more prepared we are for whatever we must do, whatever reproach others may say, and where we intend to be in eternity! Jesus said, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28)

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:11 am on February 27, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , gospel, , , right hand of the LORD,   

    Psalm 118 

    Vs. 1-4 give a burst of praise to be offered throughout all the people;

    Vs. 5-14 indicate the deliverance from distress God gave that prompted praise;

    Vs. 15-18 give appreciation for the “near miss;”

    Vs. 19-29 show rejoicing when one rejected by men is accepted by God.

    The “praise the LORD” (hallelujah) occurs in verse 19, and this Psalm completes the “set” used in Israelite services. It is intensely personal (“I, me, my” occurring over 30 times), speaks with the authority of a king (verses 10-12), and fits the entrance of David to Jerusalem following the battle and death of Saul (2 Samuel 5:1-13). Though not parallel in every detail, there is a section that is prophetic of Jesus Christ entering Jerusalem for the last week of His life (verses 19-26). Chapter and verse numbers and divisions were added to the Bible text by uninspired men as an aid for finding statements within the Bible. It seems to be guided by Providence that the middle verse of the entire Bible is Psalm 118:8!

    Verses 1-4: (Verse 1) It begins and ends (verse 29) with the same gratitude toward God. (Verses 2-4) First the Israelites, then their priests (Aaron), then all others who “fear the LORD” (extends to Gentiles?) should say, “His mercy endures forever.”

    Verses 5-14: (Verse 5) God heard and responded to a cry in “distress,” proving (verse 6) “the LORD is on my side,” concluding “I will not fear” men. This is echoed for Christians in Matthew 10:28 and Romans 8:31, then quoted in Hebrews 13:6. (Verse 7) God will be “for” the obedient and against those who oppose them. (Verse 8) States the main premise of the entire Bible: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in men.” The history of mankind and God’s dealings with them proves this simple truth! People fail, God—never! (Verse 9) States the same thing, applying it even to government personnel! (Verse 10) “All nations” indicates total rejection, both Jew and Gentile, and surely describes the reason Jesus died on the cross (Acts 2:22-24; 13:26-33). (Verses 10-12) David had been “surrounded,” with the ferocity of “bees,” but “in the name of the LORD” would be “destroyed;” “quenched” as if a flash fire of “thorns.” (Verses 13-14) Though “pushed” “violently,” God assisted with “strength,” reason for “song,” and is his “salvation.”

    Verses 15-18: (Verses 15-16) There is “rejoicing” “in the tents of the righteous;” because they have seen “the right hand of the LORD” in action on their behalf. Since “God is spirit” (John 4:24), and Jesus added, “a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39), then obviously we are dealing with a figure of speech in Psalm 118:15-16! (Verses 17-18) This refers to David, because Jesus did see death in His experience (Hebrews 2:9).

    Verses 19-29: (Verses 19-20) Jesus was obeying the Father when He entered Jerusalem to face the cross (Hebrews 5:5-11), thus passed through “the gates of righteousness,” “through which the righteous shall enter.” The “hallelujah” is given here. No one is more “righteous” than Jesus (1 John 2:1)! (Verse 21) God is to be praised “for” responding to the righteous with salvation. (Verses 22-24) Prophesy Jesus Christ as “the stone” rejected by men in the crucifixion, but exalted to “chief cornerstone” by God (Jesus claimed it, Matthew 21:33-45; Mark 12:1-12; Luke 20:9-19; Peter preached it, Acts 4:8-12; 1 Peter 2:1-8). Jesus Christ is “the stone” so rejected by those charged with building, but “the LORD’s doing” raised Jesus from the dead to be on David’s throne in heaven (Acts 2:29-32). This began the new Law with Jesus as King over His kingdom, and “the day the LORD has made” for rejoicing being “the first day of the week” (John 20:1, 19, 26; Acts 2:1, 38-41, 42-47; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2). (Verse 25) The “prosperity” God gives is salvation in Jesus Christ (John 10:10), and not the “Gospel of Greed” as some have twisted this verse to mean! Money-grubbers try to take this spiritual meaning from this passage and force it to refer to money. (Verse 26) The very words of the people welcoming Jesus entrance to Jerusalem for His final week are from this verse (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:12-13)! (Verse 27) The idea of tying “the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar” simply expresses how continual the need for approaching the altar for forgiveness of sins. With David, certainly he did this (2 Samuel 6:17-19), and Jesus Christ “was offered once” (Hebrews 9:23-29; 10:12-14) but continually intercedes for the saints (Hebrews 7:24-27). (Verse 28) People who profanely use “OMG” have not obeyed God and fully appreciated who He is and what He does. (Verse 29) After all is said and done, God is to be “thanked” because “His mercy endures forever.”

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John Henson 9:53 am on February 16, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    Legacy is defined as “an inheritance, or something that has come from a predecessor or the past.” If so, then what may a faithful Christian leave others that issues from a faithful life on earth?

    Influence is the lasting effect that can possibly change the spiritual condition of those we leave on earth. The Bible says, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Blessed, indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them,’” (Revelation 14:13 ESV).

    It is impossible in this life to know the full extent of the influence we have on others for the Lord. After we leave this life, our good Christian influence may be the powerful tool to change someone’s eternal destiny.

    My father once taught a member of a denominational church for more than 10 years, but was never able to convince him to obey the gospel. After my father died, however, the man obeyed the gospel and told others the life my father lived and the teachings of the gospel he gave were the reasons why he obeyed God.

    “For their deeds follow them.” When we are released from this life, there are people alive who may be influenced to live for Jesus. There can be no greater legacy.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:43 am on February 7, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, , , , ,   

    Head Knowledge VS Heart Feelings? 

    To justify their beliefs people try to make the mind and the heart get into a spiritual fight. You begin to talk to them about what the word of God teaches concerning salvation and other issues but when they don’t like what they hear or see, they quickly turn and say, “You are teaching that God’s word is written only in biblical text and can only be known through reading of that text” or something else to that effect. They attempt to say that one’s heart (which can be thoroughly confused) knows better than what one plainly reads with the eyes (which can be rightly divided through study – 2 Timothy 2:15).

    Now I will be first to say that God’s word simply memorized does an individual no good! The devil quoted scripture to Jesus after all. And Jesus quoted previously recorded scripture when He condemned those who were near to God with words on the lip but far away in the heart in Mark 7:6-8. So, God’s word must be planted within our heart just as the parable of the sower teaches in Luke 8. But what people who rely upon the “heart overruling the mind” miss in that parable (and the rest of God’s word) is that it is the word of God that stirs/begins the growth process in the heart. The heart can have good soil, which is essential, but good soil doesn’t produce seed or a crop by itself - it allows the seed to grow to produce the crop. In Mark 7 it was the emotions of the people in their hard hearts that steered them away from keeping God’s word in their heart. If we want to please God we must do so by allowing His word to get our hearts and minds on the same page.

    People who rely solely upon emotions for a right relationship with God are trusting the weight of their soul to an undependable structure. Paul said in Romans 10:1-3, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (emphasis mine). The Jewish people had a heart for God, but their heart lacked a proper knowledge of God! Now how were they missing God’s righteousness? They were missing God’s righteousness because they rejected the knowledge of Jesus and His Gospel. In the same letter to the church at Rome, Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17 – emphasis mine). If you, through faith, desire to do God’s righteousness in the heart, it will be because you have been exposed to it through His word (Romans 10:17).

    Topics like this are frustrating because when a person reads about God putting His law into our hearts (Hebrews 8:10) they try to use that as a justification to avoid what the word teaches and that just simply is not true. God desires that we allow His law to grow continually in our hearts, but sadly, what people miss is that before that can happen we must learn what the law says to begin with! That’s why the very next verse (8:11) in Hebrews says, “And there will be no need at all for each one to teach his countryman or each one to teach his brother saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ since they will all know me, from the least to the greatest” meaning that, unlike the previous covenant that people were a part of simply by being born (Hebrews 8:9), God’s law and covenant with the church is entered into when a person is born again into it through the new birth that comes from hearing the gospel, believing the gospel and obeying the gospel (John 3:3-5, Acts 18:8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2).

    When one rejects the knowledge of God’s word for the “knowledge/emotions” of one’s own heart they are following the same path that God warned His people about in Hosea 4:6 when He said, ”My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.”

    Head knowledge and heart feelings are not meant to be enemies when it comes to God’s word. There is no way to be saved other than by believing the gospel with our heart (Romans 10:9-10), but our heart must be taught what to believe (Romans 10:14-15). Salvation isn’t about a fight between our heart and mind, it’s about stopping our fight against God and submitting to His revealed will so we can reveal His will in us (Romans 12:1-2).

    “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)       

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 1:43 pm on January 30, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    If you say something outrageous 

    The popular reaction to the gospel today seems to be to ignore it.

    If you say something outrageous, people will love you for it.

    If you are maudlin, with images of kittens or soft-light children, you’ll get plenty of likes.

    If you throw labels at the faithful and bash the truth with snottiness, people will fall at your feet.

    If you faithfully speak the truth of the gospel, you’ll get stony stares, at most.

    But out there somewhere, at some point, is a soul who will be listening.

     

     

    • Butch Adams 10:35 pm on January 31, 2013 Permalink | Reply

      I’ve experimented most of the last year on what gets responses in the social sites. A well thought out, soul saving comment doesn’t hold a candle to a picture of a delicious brownie.

  • John T. Polk II 4:02 am on January 30, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , gospel, , ,   

    Psalm 98 

    Vs. 1-3 point to Whom we should give praise;

    Vs. 4-6 mention how thoroughly we should give praise;

    Vs. 7-9 show how widespread this praise should be shared.

    There is no indication of time, place, or author for this Psalm, although it easily matches some of David’s Psalms of praise to God. For those who desire positive messages, this is THE Psalm! There is no description of enemies, destruction, death, sorrows, punishments, or afflictions. It speaks of salvation, which only completely comes through Jesus Christ. All animal sacrifices before Jesus Christ were reminders that the worshipers were not completely forgiven. “But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:3-4). “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11-14). Psalm 98 emphasizes a “salvation” so complete and universal that it could only be describing that found in Jesus Christ.

    Verses 1-3: “Sing to the LORD,” (verse 1) says how, “a new song” is what, and is the same song before God’s throne in Heaven about the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Revelation 5:6-10). This Psalm is pointing to the future forgiveness through Jesus’ blood (Hebrews 9:15). God’s “marvelous things” are all He did to deliver Israel from Egypt (Acts 7:35-36), and ultimately through Jesus Christ (Matthew 8:23-27; 9:1-8, 32-33). “From His right hand Came a fiery law for them” (Deuteronomy 33:2), “and His holy arm” redeemed Israel from Assyria so that they might offer animal sacrifices under Moses’ Law (Isaiah 52:9-10). God’s plan of salvation (verse 2), “now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations” (Romans 16:25-27). God’s “faithfulness to the house of Israel” (verse 3) was to offer salvation through Jesus to “the ends of the earth.”

    Verses 4-6: Those who understand and accept this wonderful salvation cannot contain it. They will: “Shout joyfully to the LORD” (verse 4), “Break forth in song,” “Sing to the LORD” (verse 5a). Interestingly, the instruments are listed in addition to, and not included in the “singing” (verse 5b-6): “with the harp,” “With trumpets,” and to “Shout joyfully.” As they were introduced into Mosaic worship as “instruments of David” (2 Chronicles 29:26), this Psalm may well have been written in his time.

    Verses 7-9: The universal extent in God’s plan of salvation (verses 7-8) is seen by the use of terms beyond the Jewish “Promised Land:” “the sea” “and all its fullness,” “world and those who dwell in it,” “rivers,” “the hills.”  The universal responsibility to obey is worded in Jesus’ Second Coming: “With righteousness He shall judge the world” (verse 9). This latter thought is found in Acts 17:30-31: “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31). Truly, complete salvation is now offered “to every creature,” for Jesus said, “”He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • John T. Polk II 11:19 pm on January 18, 2013 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , gospel, , magazine in print, , ,   

    First Issue of Gospel Gleaner is Available for Preview 

    http://gospelgleaner.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/January-2013.pdf

    An issue covering a variety of Bible subjects and activities in the churches of Christ may be yours each month for a nominal subscription fee. Information and address are available at: gospelgleaner.com

     

  • John T. Polk II 4:03 am on December 21, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , gospel,   

    Psalm 70 

    Vs. 1: A call for speedy deliverance;

    Vs. 2-3: A request for opponents to be “turned back;”

    Vs. 4: A desire that those who change glorify God;

    Vs. 5: An appeal from the lowly.

    These verses almost duplicate Psalm 40:13-17. Psalm 40 was written by David and prophetically described Jesus’ death. Psalm 70 is projects the communication between God and Jesus just before Jesus died. For comparison, read both Psalms.

    Verse 1: “God” (Elohim) is the same Deity as “LORD” (Jehovah). The call is for God to be “pleased” to hurry with deliverance, but not from the cross. “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ But for this purpose I came to this hour” (John 12:27).

    Verse 2: Sinners who see the error of their way have a sense of “shame.” When Jesus “said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him” (Luke 13:17). “Mutual confusion” is the same as “confounded,” and simply expresses the desire for those who wrongly destroy Jesus, to see their error. Shortly after his conversion to Christ, “Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ (Acts 9:22).The Gospel challenges the thoughts of sinners. “Turned back” shows a change of direction, “driven backward” indicates conviction to change, add these expressions and “repentance” is the result. Jesus’ cross should cause those who understand its meaning and their own sins, to be driven back from their sins. After He was raised from the dead, “Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem’” (Luke 24:46-47). Verse 3: Those who would say, “Aha, aha” are the Gotcha people. “And as He said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to assail Him vehemently, and to cross-examine Him about many things, lying in wait for Him, and seeking to catch Him in something He might say, that they might accuse Him” (Luke 11:53-54). Listening for the wrong purpose causes people to not even hear what is said!

    Verse 4: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

    Verse 5: Jesus Christ on the cross, substituted Himself for sinners who are the “poor and needy.” “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). This Psalm ends with a statement both Jesus and a sinner can make. The sinner who repents can make the same acknowledgment that Jesus made: only God can deliver. Jesus, in death, committed His spirit to God (Luke 23:46). The sinner must commit his/her spirit into the hands of God’s design. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection” (Romans 6:4-5).

    All Scriptures and comments are based upon the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.

     

  • TFRStaff 9:04 am on November 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , conformity, , , gospel   

    Fat, not frugality: Doug Kashorek 

    “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” Romans 5:3-4.

    No, this isn’t the season to speak about suffering building character; it’s the season of warm, opulent comfort. We like images of roaring fires in a room decked in gold and silver and holly, tables laden with every meat and casserole and pie, and piles of presents under a fat and bejeweled evergreen.

    Truth is: this world is too much our home, and instead of celebrating a Savior being born a man to die for His blood to cleanse our sins, we allow ourselves to become mesmerized by a jolly old elf in a red suit and his sugar-cookie-baking wife. We want fat, not frugality. We put down roots in this life instead of yearning for the next. But God’s all about ‘Character, not Comfort.’

    Why else would Paul cry out, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead”?

    This time of year can be an opportunity for the gospel, but only if those who have obeyed it aren’t too busy loosening our belts and falling asleep by the fire.

    Do you seek comfort more than character?

    Doug Kashorek

    Plattsburgh church of Christ

    http://www.plattsburghchurch.com

    [I bought the rights to Kin of Cain from the publisher, so I'm needing to reduce my inventory to recoup the cost. So, checks written out to me for $12.00 and sent to PO Box 2659, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, will cover the signed book (at my cost), sales tax, and shipping. I'll even throw in a bookmark. This is an even cheaper deal than my website: http://www.douglaskashorek.com.

     

  • TFRStaff 5:09 pm on November 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel,   

    The church and our community (Charles Box) 

    Someone in your town or community will soon die without the Lord. Those who die without God also die without hope. (Ephesians 2:12) Please remember these are people who are precious to you. We must do our best not to allow people to die without the Lord. These beloved lost ones do not have to perish. (2 Peter 3:9) Christ Jesus gave His life to redeem the lost from sin. Jesus lived a life without sin and then died on a cross to save sinners. (Hebrews 2:9) If it were not for the death of Jesus God would have no choice but to punish men for their own sins. (Hebrews 2:2) But, Jesus died as our sin substitute. Paul wrote, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

    Are you putting forth an honest effort to win the souls of others? The gospel is God’s power to save. (Romans 1:16) We must share this salvation message with as many as we can. Our love, prayers, concern and effort may lead them to the “Lamb of God” so their sins can be forgiven. John said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

    Do you want to face God in eternity having done any less than your best in reaching the lost? Do you want to sit by and allow people you love, people who are precious to you, people you work with or even strangers to die without God and without hope? Do you want to look into the cold, lifeless face of a fellow human being and be left with the awful thought that you might have done something to have saved them if only you had tried. Will it do any good to deliver God’s message to our world? The word of God will accomplish that for which God sent it. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11) Let us ring forth the word of God loud and clear! How foolish we have been in thinking it will do no good to get out into our community with the word of God.

    Because the word of God is the word which brings salvation; God commanded that it be preached to every creature. “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) The world will change only through the preaching of God’s word! Faith comes by hearing the word of God. (Romans 10:17) “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) It is time to use the word of God to clean up our world. Let us get into our community with the gospel and the church will grow! Jesus was able to reach others because He was out in His community. We should follow the steps of Jesus and His steps will lead us out into our community. (1 Peter 2:21) As Jesus moved about in the community, He was able to find Zacchaeus (Luke 19); He found Nicodemus (John 3) and He likewise found the woman at the well. (John 4) He also taught many others as He was out in His community. (More …)
     

  • TFRStaff 7:15 am on November 24, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , gospel   

    Being Bold in Christ 

    Solomon wrote that “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Solomon probably had a battle in mind but this wisdom holds true for us today.

    Christians have been given a spirit of “power, and of love, and of a sound mind” because of our faith in God (2 Tim. 1:5-7). And, also knowing that Jesus promised to never forsake us, we can, as the apostle Paul did, declare with boldness that “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Heb. 13:5-6).

    Those living in sin have no such strength. When Jesus returns, they will be as the demons who “tremble” at the knowledge of God (James 2:19). While the righteous say “come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20) the wicked will be saying to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb” (Rev. 6:16).

    The world needs the word of God and needs us to proclaim it to them. Use that boldness given to us by our Heavenly Father to preach the word at every opportunity.

    In Christ, Steve Preston

    Sign up for BibleTalk, short messages from God’s word, by sending an email to

    bibletalk-subscribe@freegroups.net

    or on the web at

    http://www.freegroups.net/groups/bibletalk

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:08 am on August 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: Christian message, , gospel   

    QBT: Full of nuance 

    Quick Bible Truths for Wednesday:

    Back then, we knew what we believed. Now, our faith is so full of nuance, concessions, and exceptions, that we have no message

    http://quickbibletruths.com/full-of-nuance

    Do you agree with this sentiment?

     

    • Ron Thomas 6:02 am on August 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      Not entirely, but I have observed that it does have an element of truth. Did we really KNOW what “we” believed, or was it just a matter of repeating what another said without really knowing the truth of what “we” were repeating? It has taken me a LOT of TIME to come to know many things (perhaps I am dull and it just takes an extra long time with me), but I have noticed that many people speak like they know but on further questioning their “knowledge” is rather thin. Do they really know then?

    • Barbara A Oliver 9:43 am on August 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I agree, also. Many things that I “knew” were things that I had been told. I believed what I knew.

      • Ron Thomas 10:26 am on August 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

        Yes, I believe that applied to me also, Barbara. Fortunately I changed my approach and used the following pattern (Jeremiah 11;18; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:1, 6) – similar to others on TFR.

    • John Henson 2:17 pm on August 29, 2012 Permalink | Reply

      I would change the statement slightly to say, “we have interposed into our faith so much nuance, so many concessions, and exceptions, that we have no message.” Faith in Christ has always been (and is) the same as it was in the apostles. Yet, people consider themselves people of faith, but are filled with doubt, willing to make concessions to the world and weary of standing for the truth that the message gets lost.

  • John Henson 11:03 am on August 11, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    Son, Remember 

    After the rich man died, he opened his eyes in a place of torment and recognized Abraham. In terrible pain, the man who was rich cried out for mercy (Luke 16:24).

    Abraham said, “Son, remember…” and the rich man did remember. He remembered his life and how he had everything and Lazarus had nothing. He remembered how he failed to share anything with a needy man who sat at his gate (Luke 16:25).

    Those of us who have obeyed the gospel are rich beyond our wildest dreams. This great wealth led the Apostle Paul to write, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift,” (2 Corinthians 9:15). In Romans 11:23, Paul extolled the “depth of the riches” of the wisdom of God. Certainly, we have been given more than tongue can tell.

    Could it be, however, that we have something in common with the rich man? Are we sharing our untold wealth of salvation and the gospel with those we know who are lost? Are there some who cannot affirmatively answer the question, “To whom have I taught the riches of salvation and eternal life?” Have you taught anyone this year? How about last year or the year before?

    Is it possible that we’ve been more like the rich man of Luke 16 than we realize? When we meet the Lord, will he say, “Son,” or “Daughter, remember?”

    A gospel hymn expresses what will happen to some in the judgment: “When in the better land before the bar we stand, how deeply grieved our souls will be; if any lost one there should cry in deep despair, ‘You never mentioned him to me.’”

    Can you imagine the sorrow and pain from hearing something like that? On a day when we will have perfect memory, will we recall days we walked among the lost and failed to tell them about the Lord who loved them and died for them? If there was just one reason for teaching others the gospel, wouldn’t that alone be compelling?

    People you know need the gospel. They are depending on you to lead them to forgiveness. Will we lead them to glory, or will the Lord Jesus say, “Son, remember…”

     

  • TFRStaff 5:51 am on August 2, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    An invitation to examine the evidence (Glenn Hitchcock) 

    Glenn Hitchcock sent out the following email to his list. We recommend it as yet another effort to invite others to consider the simple gospel of Christ.

    Dear Friend,

    I do hope you will consider me as your friend. I write this letter in the spirit of love and friendship. Jesus was known as a friend of all people. They criticized him for being “a friend of publicans and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). If I follow in the footsteps of Jesus, I too must be a friend of sinners.

    The Lord’s church is composed of sinners saved by the grace of God. It’s not to be made up of self-righteous individuals who think they are better than others. We have too much prejudice and hypocritical-type living. Jesus condemned both of these very strongly. Matthew 23, Acts 10:34, James 2:1-9.

    I am vitally concerned about the souls of the approximately 6 billion persons on the face of the earth. Studying the Bible with some of these, who may be thousands of miles away, is a privilege that’s a part of our modern world. Traveling to distant places with the Gospel of Jesus is a great blessing as well. (More …)

     

  • TFRStaff 6:21 pm on July 31, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    Market mentality in modern religion (Hugh Fulford) 

    Hugh Fulford wrote today in detail about how he and his wife like the new Kroger Marketplace. Then he makes a spiritual application:

    Modern religion in many respects has mimicked modern marketing techniques. Churches now strive to meet all the “felt needs” of their constituents and prospective constituents. In effect, they have become religious supermarkets. They build kitchens, fellowship halls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, spas, and bowling alleys. They install coffee bars and juice bars. They sponsor softball teams, baseball teams, basketball teams, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, fitness programs, drama productions, and dance classes. (Yep, one church of Christ in Texas a few years ago conducted a Monday night class on Ballroom Dancing.) They conduct financial seminars, retirement planning seminars, AA classes, divorce recovery classes, weigh-down programs, and all kinds of self-help programs. Counseling is available on a wide variety of matters.

    The subliminal message that is sent by all of this activity is that “we may be a church, but we are not a bunch of stuffy old religious fuddy-duddies; we are as ‘cool’ as any social or civic club in town, so come on down and join us, and we’ll show you how church can be fun” (in other words, we really won’t “preach” to you all that much)! Some churches have bought into the notion that “if we build it, they will come,” only to be terribly disappointed that not only did they not come and the church did not grow, but it actually declined, leaving it with a big debt and facilities that are unneeded and unused.

    Don’t misunderstand me. Some of the above things are good. I’m not against helping people live more fruitful, productive, happy lives. Our world is in a mess and many people’s lives are in a mess, including the lives of many who are Christians. But we need to remember that Christ came into the world to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15). He came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). He came to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:12-13). In Him alone can mankind find redemption (Acts 4:11-12). The gospel of Christ is God’s only power to save (Romans 1:16). Without obedience to the gospel, a person is eternally lost in torment (II Thessalonians 1:6-9). The church is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Timothy 3:15). If the church does not preach the gospel to sinners, who will? If the church does not concern itself with the mission that was the mission of Christ, who will? The church is the manifestation of the manifold (multi-faceted) wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). It has a greater and more enduring purpose than simply helping people enjoy a better life here on earth. How unutterably sad it is when spiritually hungry people ask for a fish and are given a stone instead.

    I love our new Kroger Marketplace and all that it has to offer. I love churches that are committed to Christ, to the practice of New Testament Christianity, and to the mission that Christ gave to His disciples. That mission is clearly spelled out in Matthew 28:18-20.

     

  • Eugene Adkins 7:03 am on May 3, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel,   

    Intellectual Arrogance 

    Several days ago I was told by someone who believed in the “thousand-year days” theory of Genesis 1-2 that I could not understand the real meaning because I only had my “lay” experience to rely on. One thing is for sure – you can’t teach someone who has already learned it all!

    Several times throughout the scriptures you can find people who simply tried to out-think the plain meaning of God’s word. The result wasn’t good. They resisted the truth in the past just as Jannes and Jambres did in Egypt, and many continue to do the same thing today (2 Timothy 3:1-8). Often times these individuals rely heavily upon the “enlightenment” they receive at the feet of their earthly teachers and their words to reveal the “true” meaning of scripture, but they worry little about sitting at the feet of God with his word and allowing scripture to reveal to scripture.

    Now, is there necessarily anything wrong in and of itself with attending a religiously natured school and gaining knowledge from those who have been students of both God’s word and experience for many years? Absolutely not. In more ways than one there is everything right with properly studying the scriptures of God (2 Timothy 2:15). Some receive fine educations at these institutions without a doubt; but without a doubt some only get ”schooled and wooled” by false teachers with an ego (2 Peter 3:15-16). Some students leave the complex at the campus while others leave the campus with a complex!

    When one’s education (spiritual or secular) causes a person to look down their nose at others, then that person has fallen prey to his or her own brain. There is a difference between being “book smart” and being “wise in the word of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23-31).

    There is much more that I could say on this topic, but why write a book to share something when it only takes a few paragraphs to explain it? After all, I only have my “lay” experience to rely upon.

     ”Now when they saw that Peter and John were without fear, though they were men of no education or learning, they were greatly surprised; and they took note of them that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 – BBE)

     

  • TFRStaff 7:54 am on April 25, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    God’s simple wisdom 

    Brothers and sisters, wisdom is the principle thing. Let’s all be diligent to get wisdom. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 1:17-31. This particular passage is about two main concepts: the way man receives instruction about salvation and the nature of God’s wisdom in comparison to ours.

    We would generally consider foolishness to be the opposite of wisdom. But verse 25 of our text says that God’s foolishness is wiser than any wisdom which man might believe he had captured.

    Of course, God is never foolish. But that which God has done to provide our salvation, which seems foolish to man, is wiser than all the wisdom which the ages of man has been able to concoct.

    Consider that the “sages” like Aristotle, Socrates, Plato constantly tried to explain the meaning of man and were never able to even come to consensus, let alone correctness. The “great” religious leaders of centuries past have only confused mankind about the right way to heaven by the establishment of multiple religions. Believing that they were capable of helping God’s plan, multiple new creeds and commandments have been written causing many to turn away from religion altogether and millions others to assure themselves even though they are outside the salvation of God.

    God’s simple wisdom is: Salvation is through obedience to the Savior. The plan is disseminated to the world through preaching.

    Brothers and sisters, let’s preach (spread the gospel). But let’s preach the simple message. Let’s not believe that we must embellish it in order to make it palatable to man. An embellished gospel cannot save. Let’s not ignore parts of it. The violation of even one point constitutes breaking the law of God (James 2:10). And, let’s not fail to preach it. That is the wisdom of God.

    Mike Glenn

     

  • Eugene Adkins 6:54 am on April 23, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    Get Your Old News Here! 

    A person wouldn’t sell very many papers with that headline would they? But that’s one of the “headlines” Paul used consistently when he taught about the “Good News.”

    Not too long ago I preached a sermon from 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 and how Paul was telling the church then that their faith was a faith based on “old news” that was “reliable news” – the Old Testament (Luke 24:44-47).

    So many people in “Christianity” are looking for something new, something hip, something “evolved” but what they don’t realize is that the people could have said the exact same thing to Paul when he presented a Savior based upon the Old Scriptures. It didn’t stop Paul from following Jesus and I don’t see as to why the gospel being “old news” today should keep anyone from believing the “good news” about Jesus.

    “Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”” (Acts 17:2-3, NKJV)

     

  • TFRStaff 8:28 am on March 12, 2012 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , gospel   

    Fishing for men 

    The Southwesterner bulletin highlights fishing for men in its latest issue. Although both articles use figures of angling, which isn’t a New Testament concept, they do well to emphasize what we ought to do as part and parcel of the gospel. Here’s a quote:

    As Christians we are all fishers of men. That is, our main job is to catch people for God. Evangelism cannot be separated from Christianity.

    SW 3-11-12.pdf

     

  • John Henson 10:28 pm on December 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    Lively night 

    This evening, a good friend of mine who lives in Seattle and I carried on a lively discussion with two or three people on Facebook who had never obeyed the gospel.

    One of our purposes was to encourage them to reduce to writing what they believed. They had an extremely difficult time doing this, but when they did we discovered some interesting things about their thinking:

    1. Proving their position was unnecessary. One of the people expressed their belief as being a necessity to “accept Jesus as their personal savior.” However, when we asked where in the New Testament this was required, the person denied needing to do this. Another person said, “One does not have to prove why they believe the way they do.” In addition to giving her 1 John 4:1 and 1 Peter 3:15, we asked if a Muslim should prove his belief. She said, “Nope.”

    2. The scriptures were not important to them. After asking one of them to provide scriptures in support for their belief as we had for ours, one said, “No you have offered Scripture not proof and that is my point.” After then offering Hebrews 11:1 and its definition of faith being “evidence of things not seen,” the person continued to deny the importance of scripture in what one believes.

    3. The scriptures do not provide real faith. One wrote, “We believe through faith not because it was proven to be real.” At that point, it seemed to me that the possibility of reaching this person was pretty close to nil. How can one deal with someone who believes this? It was clear that:

    4. These people were entrenched. This is the hardest part of trying to teach the gospel in the United States. People are so entrenched in their man-made doctrines they have no room in their minds for the truth. Yet, we must keep trying to reach them and give them an opportunity to obey the gospel.

    It was enjoyable putting the light into the darkness, even though it was clear that people “loved darkness rather than light.”

     

    • Eugene Adkins 10:49 pm on December 17, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      Your words remind of the very things I encounter (especially point #2) when I have conversations with people on wordpress almost on a daily basis. Even though I have only been on there for about a month it absolutely amazes me how many people who write under the topic of “Christian based, Jesus believing, God loving” articles have disdaining and negative attiudes toward and about the Bible and absolute truth. I just had one right before I came here.

      It really is sad when someone wants to talk about Christianity or Jesus but they will not accept anything that the Bible says unless it supports what they believe. If it doesn’t then it “automatically” becomes “just the words of Paul” or something that another man wrote in and “not what God wanted taught.” It has really made me think about the saying, “there are none so blind as those who will not see” in a whole new light.

      • John Henson 7:09 am on December 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        You’re right, brother. This idea that one can believe what one wishes without even understanding it and a reluctance to accept biblical teaching as the objective word of God is becoming more widely accepted. I could not believe that one of the people we had the discussion with said it was not necessary for a Muslim to prove his assertions. That kinda got my attention.

  • John Henson 9:58 am on September 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel,   

    Jesus’ Authority 

    The question of authority of Jesus and of the New Testament scriptures is central to understanding so many things in religion.

    If Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, then his word is absolute and objective truth (John 14:6) and must be obeyed in all things. If Jesus is not the Messiah, then his teachings must be completely rejected and he must be discredited. Jesus himself claimed all authority (Matthew 28:18ff).

    Jose Elias Roque, on the Mt. Juliet Church of Christ web page, wrote,”When Jesus talked, he touched the hearts of the people and there was no way to say, ‘Look He is wrong,’ because His words came from the Father. But the Jews preferred the words of men and lived like they were authoritative.”

    Bro. Rogue captured the essence of the problems in religion in the past, present and future. People may reject the authority of Christ, but they will find themselves on the wrong side in judgment. That’s a terrible price to pay for wanting to have one’s own way accepting human teaching for the truth. Only the word of Christ and his apostles is truth.

    Jesus said  to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (John 8:31-32 ESV).

    Not only can we know the truth, we must know it if we are to be saved. Why accept some human teaching for the gospel? That will put you on the wrong side.

    Bro. Rogue’s fine article may be read by clicking this link at the Mt. Juliet church website:  http://www.mtjuliet.org/sermons/archives/003551.html.

     

  • Stephen R. Bradd 10:51 pm on July 8, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: acronym, gospel   

    G.O.S.P.E.L. 

    The word “gospel” is used approximately 100 times in our English New Testaments. What does it mean? It means “good news.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is not just good news, however; it’s the best news available! But why? Let’s consider an acronym today, in reverse order, to answer that question.

    L = LIGHT and LAW
    The gospel is spiritual truth; it is light from God. “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (II Cor. 4:3,4). Sadly, many do not want the illuminating truth of God’s word as a lamp to their feet or as a light to their pathway (cf. Psa. 119:105).

    The gospel contains laws from God to be obeyed (cf. Gal. 6:2). “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

    E = EVERLASTING message of ETERNAL life
    The gospel is everlasting; it will never perish or cease to be. Revelation 14:6 reads – “Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

    The gospel is the message of eternal life (cf. Acts 13:46). Jesus declared – “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24).

    P =…

    Read more at: http://www.audioevangelism.com/lessons/2011/transcripts/AE_2011_07_08_text.htm

     

  • John Henson 12:39 pm on June 29, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: famine, gospel,   

    A Famine Not of Bread 

    One of the highlights of each week is the bulletin written by Larry Acuff, of the Lithia Springs Church of Christ in Georgia. He always has some great articles, but the best thing about it is that he writes the same way he speaks.

    From the Ethiopian famine

    In the June 26 edition, Larry did an article concerning what many people think about gospel meetings and lectureships. He wrote there are folks who’d just as soon see both means of preaching the gospel ended. This is what Larry wrote, and it bears repeating,

    “Here is the message, brethren. Be careful signing the death warrant to something just because it appears to be declining. Some brethren have signed the death warrant to gospel meetings because, as they say, ‘Nobody attends.’ However, Jesus has a different take. ‘It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe,’ (1 Corinthians 1:21).”

    The pragmatic viewpoints of some remind me of the priests of Josiah’s day. Since they had been successful drumming out of the minds of people any knowledge of God, they actually had lost the book of God’s law (2 Chronicles 34).

    When some brethren decided on a pragmatic approach to managing the church like a business, that’s when this idea was born to shorten meetings, stop having lectureships and put a limit or outright destroy preaching on television or radio.

    As Larry went on to say, “Our brotherhood has more opportunities to learn, be encouraged and enjoy fellowship than ever before.” Bibles are available everywhere, but there is a dearth of preaching the word. Will we learn from Judah’s mistakes, or will we suffer the same consequences?

    The Prophet Amos told Israel there would be a famine in the land, but not a famine of bread (Amos 8:11). It would be a famine of “hearing the words of the LORD.” It seems some would have the same kind of famine now.

     

  • TFRStaff 9:53 am on June 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    Christian resolve stronger as moral decline continues 

    U.S.A. New York state legalized same-sex marriage yesterday, the sixth and so far the largest to do so. Meanwhile, a United Methodist Church woman pastor got a hand-slap of 20 days suspension for officiating a lesbian union in Milwaukee. She said she’ll do it again.

    These signs of moral degeneration multiply daily. Christians should not put their hopes in a conservative political movement. Religious conservatives (evangelicals) think their influence is waning.

    The saints are called to faith in God and the mission of proclaiming the gospel. Bottom line: Let us learn to teach the plan of salvation.

    IN THE KNOW. To the side column have been added feeds to BrotherhoodNews.com, Yahoo’s religion news, and general links from Drudge Report. Space permitting, the old Google feed for the phrase “church of Christ” may make a comeback as well. It is good to be aware of the news that show society’s tendencies and directions.

    The Fellows are encouraged to keep up regular posting throughout the summer months. The dynamic of TFR depends on their faithfulness. What they have to offer is hard to find elsewhere.

    ETERNITY. The purpose of TFR and the Forthright/GoSpeak ministry is to prepare us all for eternity. The sharing of our faith is designed to encourage us in the good work of service to God and building up the Lord’s church.

    We join many other such good works and spiritual efforts and salute them as partners in this grand fellowship which has the Lord Jesus Christ as its creator and sustainer.

     

  • Richard Mansel 6:43 am on June 15, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel,   

    Unity And God’s People 

    If all of God’s people spoke with the same voice, the sound would be deafening and the world would most certainly hear us. The only way we can all speak with the same voice is to speak the  Lord’s Words. Ephesians 4 calls for this very thing. Anyone interested in unity, must absorb this chapter and study it very carefully. The rewards are well worth the effort.

     

  • Richard Mansel 9:40 pm on March 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, , have not heard,   

    What About Those Who Have Not Heard? 

    A complex issue is whether people who have not heard the gospel will be saved. I wrote  about this six years ago on Forthright. I began the first article:

    The question is often asked, “will those who have never heard the gospel be saved?” We want this to be true because it seems so compassionate and loving. Yet as Christians we must look past our feelings and to the Bible for answers. What we find may not be pleasant, but Scripture is always our authority in religious matters (1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:16,17). Paul wrote in Romans 10:17, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (NKJV). Accordingly we ask, if someone has not heard the gospel or have a Bible then how can they be saved?

    The argument I humbly made in the second article was that it seemed to me that the implications of this issue are the most crucial to consider. To say that people can be saved without hearing the gospel creates a second plan of salvation, that being ignorance.

    Likewise, we should ensure that more people do not hear the gospel because if someone does not have access to the gospel, they cannot possibly be lost. Once people do have the gospel, then they can be saved or lost. Hence, the safest path would be ignorance. In other words, we would save more people by refusing to preach the gospel to the world, despite the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)!

    I have no idea how that can possibly be justified Scripturally.  I can’t see how those who have not heard can be saved by what I find in Scripture. To say this is not because I have a hard heart and I want people to be lost. I must go by what Scripture says (Colossians 3:17). Emotional arguments cannot supersede God’s Word.

    Two further considerations:

    First, Judges 2:10 says, “When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel.”

    If people can be saved by ignorance, then this passage would be blessing rather than a sign of apostasy. In a spiritual sense, ignorance would truly be bliss.

    Second, heaven is a place that is completely geared toward glorifying God (Revelation 4). Yet, if people who do not hear the gospel will be saved, then there will be countless numbers of intelligent adults entering heaven who’ve never heard of Jesus (cf. John 14:1-6; John 10:14).

    I offer these as ideas toward an answer on this difficult subject.  Above all, I am eager to learn. What do you have to offer?

     

    • Stephen R. Bradd 10:06 pm on March 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      2 Thess 1:9,10 is definitive on this matter. One must “know God” and “obey the gospel” or be lost–forever. The ignorant will be lost, though they will be beaten with fewer stripes (so to speak) than those who know better and fail to live for Jesus (Luke 12:47,48).

      God cannot do just whatever He wishes IF that involves violating His revealed word–He is faithful (even when we aren’t–2 Tim. 2:13).

      • Richard Mansel 10:08 pm on March 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

        I know God cannot violate Scripture, as I said. That caveat of mine was not meant to distract from my overall point. It can be excised.

    • Jon Zirpolo 10:07 pm on March 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I have thought on this subject for such a long time. Through my studies I came to the same conclussion you did. Its been a tough pill to swallow but it also made me realise the importance of our command to “Go…” (Matt 28:18). Especially when we sing that song “You never mentioned Him to me.”

      I often use this example when Im talking to someone about the necessity of baptism as it relates to salvation. Often I hear that, “well, what if they are in a place where there is no water? Will God condemn them for not being dunked in water?” My response is to replace “baptism” with “hearing the gospel.” No honest Christian can say that someone can enter Heaven without faith in Jesus (Heb 11:6)

    • Kevin Beard 10:24 pm on March 20, 2011 Permalink | Reply

      I agree with your thoughts completely, Richard. The problem people have with accepting the truth about this is that they are examining it with human wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. One thought I would add is that we must understand what causes people to be lost, and that’s sin. If all people have sinned, then all people are lost, regardless of whether they have heard the gospel or not. As long as they stay in sin, they stay lost. But the only way out of sin is through Christ, which can only be accomplished through the gospel.

  • Mike Riley 3:59 pm on March 18, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , gospel, , , ponder, , , , toughest, urge   

    The Toughest Question 

    The toughest question I was ever asked, was by an elder in the church before I became a Christian. He asked me, “Have you thought about your soul?”: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2008/10/05/have-you-thought-about-your-soul/

    I was 15 years old at the time, and I had never been asked that question. For some time, my grandmother had been urging me to obey the gospel. After pondering this question in light of Scripture, I came to the conclusion that my soul was indeed in great jeopardy of being eternally lost.

    I quickly decided that my soul was far more important than anything else I could imagine. There was no rational reason whatsoever to delay my obeying the Lord in baptism any longer, and thus I was baptized on January 1, 1960.

    I’ve never regretted the decision.

     

  • John Henson 11:08 am on March 7, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    A lesson on the judgment 

    Since my father was a preacher, we went to several gospel meetings during the summer in the 1960s.

    It was during one of those meetings that I heard the most descriptive lesson I’d ever heard about the judgment. It was almost like being present, seeing the events first-hand. I was 12-years old when I heard it and obeyed the gospel a few days later.

    The lesson was not one of those typical “fire and brimstone” sermons. It was more designed to cause the hearer to think about their spiritual condition and the unappealing prospect of being on the wrong side of the Lord on that day.

    This is still an important thing for people to think about. All of us need to understand on which side we’re living. Coming to the realization that one is lost on judgment day is certainly too late to do anything about it.

    Which side are you on? Think about it and make sure you obey the Lord’s commands to obey the gospel. Do it today.

     

  • Ron Thomas 3:22 pm on February 27, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel, ,   

    Gospel Preaching Consisted of (in brief, Acts 13) 

    1. The work consisted of the Holy Spirit calling for the setting aside of two men (servants) (Acts 13:2, 13).
    2. This work consisted of traveling (Acts 13:4, 6, 14).
    3. This work consisted in the proclaiming of God’s word in the synagogue (Acts 13:5, 14-41).
    4. This work consisted in resisting (Acts 13:6-12).
    5. This work consisted in using the miraculous to harm another, but in this there was a “sign” (Acts 13:12).
    6. This work consisted in perseverance (Acts 13:42-43).
    7. This work consisted in the use of symbolism (Acts 13:51).
    8. This work consisted in joy with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52).

     

  • Mike Riley 10:54 am on January 25, 2011 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , , , , gospel, , household, , , twelve,   

    “Fear Ye Not” – Matthew 10:31 

    In the context of Matthew 10, Jesus is telling his twelve disciples what to expect when they go from city to city, preaching the gospel. He explains to them that the world will hate them because of the message they preach – including those of their own household (Matthew 10:16-22). He then tells them to preach the whole gospel without fear (Matthew 10:26-27), the only person to fear is the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).

    In Matthew 10:31, He then goes to to say that the disciples are of far more value than that of mere sparrows, therefore, they are not to “fear” what man can do to them – God will take care of them, even in death (Matthew 10:29-31; cf. Romans 8:28-39; cf. Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:12-13).

    When Jesus rides in our boat, there is absolutely nothing to fear: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/02/05/when-jesus-rides-in-our-boat-2/

     

  • Mike Riley 10:51 am on December 29, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , gospel, , , ,   

    A 2011 Goal 

    One of my goals in 2011, is to share the gospel of Christ with more people with whom I come in contact with, both in person and online.

     

  • Mike Riley 9:22 am on December 18, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, , , , , , , , ,   

    One Thing To Do Before 2010 Closes 

    Pray that our country’s moral and spiritual values will improve in 2011 due to the teaching of the saving gospel of Christ (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16), and that brethren be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”: http://www.just1word.com/bible/verse/1-corinthians_15:58?version=kjv

    And all of the above starts with ME!

     

  • Mike Riley 7:53 am on November 9, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: associated, , continue, , , , gospel, instructions, , , , , ,   

    The Best Thing About God In 1 Corinthians 

    In my view, the best thing about God, is found in 1 Corinthians Chapter 1, where Paul emphasizes the fact that “the power of God” is closely associated with the “preaching of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. Romans 1:16).

    To those who have no desire to know, understand, or continue to pattern their lives after the instructions found in the saving gospel of Christ, the preaching of the cross is to them “foolishness” (1 Corinthians 1:18; cf. Romans 1:21-22).

     

  • J. Randal Matheny 5:17 pm on November 5, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: apostle Peter, , gospel,   

    Peter caves in, again 

    Today’s Nudge was inspired by Paul’s telling in Galatians 2, our reading for today, about Peter caving in to the Judaizers in Antioch. Since no one mentioned it, I’ll choose it for my case. NLT gives the sense of verse 12:

    When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. (emphasis mine)

    With this step back, the very gospel was at stake, so Paul got in his face and rebuked him. The NLT Study Bible has an interesting comment on Peter’s fear:

    The friends of James intimidated Peter, who had previously withstood the same sort of criticism with power and eloquence (Acts 11:2-18). Peter might have been trying to avoid creating a barrier for the evangelism of Jews, or he might have been concerned for the safety and well-being of the Jewish Christians in Judea, who experienced persecution from non-Christian Jews (cp. 5:11; 6:12). In any case, his actions were inexcusable.

    For all the explanations, I don’t think Peter thought it through, he merely reacted. He saw the pressure coming and ran from it. Was he intimidated by the James party, so called, as an extension of James’ powerful influence in the Jerusalem church? (That’s stretching, I know; also, there’s no indication that this party actually represented James’ position; to the contrary.)

    He might have tried one of those explanations on for later defense, but fear reacts first and then reaches for justification.

    Paul doesn’t reveal Peter’s response to his rebuke, but knowing the foot-in-mouth apostle, he was one to back up when he realized his error.

     

  • Ed Boggess 8:10 am on October 27, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: gospel,   

    Look around. They are everywhere you look, working, serving, teaching, preaching good news (gospelizing); each in his own way and according to his own understanding, seeking to do their best at pointing to He who is the truth, the life, and the way.

     

  • Glenda Williams 9:45 am on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , gospel, ,   

    Is the gospel safe in your hands? 

    We were visiting in another state on a Sunday morning years ago. We went into a Bible class being taught by a well-educated young man. He would soon be on the staff of one of our Christian colleges. As we left the class our son asked, “Do you think the gospel is safe in his hands?” 

    I ask today, “Is the gospel safe in your hands?”  Will you protect it, preserve it, and teach it just as it is? When people hear you teach the gospel, will they recognize it as the word of God? Is the gospel safe in your hands?

     

    • Mike Riley 6:59 pm on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      Great question that your son asked! Now days, it’s questionable as to whether or not the gospel is safe in the hands of many in the church today. This is exactly why we need to follow the instructions found in 2 Corinthians 13:5, so that we will never be classified as “reprobates.”

    • Paula Harrington 8:12 pm on October 21, 2010 Permalink | Reply

      I love this! Not only should it be safe, but it should be used, too!

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