From Henry Morris in "Days of Praise"
In view of the transcendent importance of God's Word in every phase of the process of salvation, it is no wonder that the apostle Paul's great command, just before his martyrdom and just after his tremendous assertion of the full inspiration of Scripture and its sufficiency for every need (2 Timothy 3:15-17), was, simply, "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2). Not just preach, but preach the Word!
Would to God, there would be more preachers of the Word then just preachers.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Whose Fault Is It?
A good illustration I read:
Whose Fault Is It?
A preacher and an atheist barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the atheist barber to the preacher: "This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things."
The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Said the minister, "You cannot be a very good barber or you would not permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut or a shave."
Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition. I cannot help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop; I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!"
Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then do not blame God for allowing these people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved. The reason these people are slaves to sin and evil habits is that they refuse the One who died to save and deliver them."
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Trust
Trust
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
(Jeremiah 17:7)
We are told in the Bible to trust in the Lord. People tell others that they need to trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sins. What is trust?
Trust is illustrated by the children’s lesson I taught today.
Can any tell me what a tightrope is?
No one answered, so I showed them this picture.
Some people are very talented and can do many things on a tightrope.
But people are not the only ones to be on a tightrope.
Would you sit in the wheelbarrow and let this man (Blondin) wheel you across to the other side?
Here is a picture of Blondin carrying a man across the river on a tightrope.
That man had to believe Blondin but also had to trust in him. When we trust in Jesus for something, we have to trust him like this man had to trust Blondin, the man on the tightrope.
Need more info about trusting Jesus? Go here.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.
(Jeremiah 17:7)
We are told in the Bible to trust in the Lord. People tell others that they need to trust in Jesus for forgiveness of sins. What is trust?
Trust is illustrated by the children’s lesson I taught today.
Can any tell me what a tightrope is?
No one answered, so I showed them this picture.
Some people are very talented and can do many things on a tightrope.
But people are not the only ones to be on a tightrope.
Would you sit in the wheelbarrow and let this man (Blondin) wheel you across to the other side?
Here is a picture of Blondin carrying a man across the river on a tightrope.
That man had to believe Blondin but also had to trust in him. When we trust in Jesus for something, we have to trust him like this man had to trust Blondin, the man on the tightrope.
Need more info about trusting Jesus? Go here.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
New Testament Rules
The constitution of any country gives the basic framework for laws and governance. The bylaws are the basic rules for governing a company or organization. The New Testament is the basic rules for defining the church, its members, and its actions. There are over 1,000 rules in the New Testament for Christians. Countries don’t follow their constitutions, organizations rarely follow their bylaws, and the 21st century church doesn’t follow the rules that the Lord Jesus gave it. Is it any wonder why nations, business, and the church is sick?
What are some of the rules of the New Testament? Let us just read some of the rules looking at the words "Let us".
(Romans 13:12) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
(Romans 13:13) Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
(Romans 14:13) Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
(Romans 14:19) So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building.
(1 Corinthians 5:8) Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
(2 Corinthians 7:1) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
(Galatians 5:25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:26) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Galatians 6:9) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:10) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Philippians 3:16) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(1 Thessalonians 5:6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
(1 Thessalonians 5:8) But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
(Hebrews 4:1) Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
(Hebrews 4:11) Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
(Hebrews 4:14) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
(Hebrews 4:16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 6:1) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
(Hebrews 10:22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
(Hebrews 12:28) Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
(Hebrews 13:13) Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
(Hebrews 13:15) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
(1 John 3:18) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 4:7) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
(Revelation 19:7) Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
These are some rules with the words “Let us”; let us follow and obey them.
What are some of the rules of the New Testament? Let us just read some of the rules looking at the words "Let us".
(Romans 13:12) The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
(Romans 13:13) Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
(Romans 14:13) Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
(Romans 14:19) So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up building.
(1 Corinthians 5:8) Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
(2 Corinthians 7:1) Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
(Galatians 5:25) If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
(Galatians 5:26) Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Galatians 6:9) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
(Galatians 6:10) So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
(Philippians 3:16) Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
(1 Thessalonians 5:6) So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
(1 Thessalonians 5:8) But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
(Hebrews 4:1) Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.
(Hebrews 4:11) Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
(Hebrews 4:14) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
(Hebrews 4:16) Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 6:1) Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
(Hebrews 10:22) let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Hebrews 10:23) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
(Hebrews 10:24) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
(Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
(Hebrews 12:28) Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
(Hebrews 13:13) Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
(Hebrews 13:15) Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
(1 John 3:18) Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 4:7) Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
(Revelation 19:7) Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
These are some rules with the words “Let us”; let us follow and obey them.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Excellent
From Ray Comfort
"It is strange that you believe God created a set of rules that we are supposed to live by and created these rules and we humans in such a way that none of us can follow them. We all sin. When we sin God blames us for following our nature and being incapable of living sin free."
That won't hold water of Judgment Day. It wouldn't even work in civil court: "Judge, society's rules are too hard to keep, and you are trying to blame me when it's merely my nature to violate the law."
Let's ask the question as to which of God's "rules" is unfair? Is it the one that says it's wrong to lie? Steal? Murder? Adultery? Perhaps it's the one that says that we should love Him above all things. But the First Commandment is reasonable. God gave us life and every blessing we enjoy. All the rules do is what the mirror does for us each morning. It shows us that we need to go to the water and wash. It reflects the truth. The mirror of God's Law shows us that we are ungrateful, sin-loving sinners who desperately need to be washed from the uncleanness of our sins. And that was the purpose of the cross. Jesus took the punishment for our sins so that we could be morally clean on the Day of Judgment.
Lord's Supper
Lord's Supper
Communion:
The idea is fellowship. Fellowship with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fellowship with fellow Christian.
...that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ( 1 John 1:3)
I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)
Fellowship because:
1. We have rebelled against God's Law.
2. We deserve the Lake of Fire.
3. The Lord Jesus came to save sinners.
a. He died; the Lamb of God for us.
b. He rose; the Power of a righteous life.
4. We are convicted of our sins, repent, ask God to forgive us, trust in Jesus alone with faith alone and His grace alone.
Lord's Supper:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
(Luke 22:19-20)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
(1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
We remember the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us.
1. Are we thankful?
2. Are we glorifying God?
3. Are we ashamed of Jesus?
Communion:
The idea is fellowship. Fellowship with God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Fellowship with fellow Christian.
...that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ( 1 John 1:3)
I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)
Fellowship because:
1. We have rebelled against God's Law.
2. We deserve the Lake of Fire.
3. The Lord Jesus came to save sinners.
a. He died; the Lamb of God for us.
b. He rose; the Power of a righteous life.
4. We are convicted of our sins, repent, ask God to forgive us, trust in Jesus alone with faith alone and His grace alone.
Lord's Supper:
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.
(Luke 22:19-20)
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
(1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
We remember the Lord Jesus and what He has done for us.
1. Are we thankful?
2. Are we glorifying God?
3. Are we ashamed of Jesus?
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