It’s a Relationship

It’s a Relationship

The release of captive Israel from Exodus began with a God who loves this world.  His plan formed not with the thought of only one man, one sex, or one race in mind.  Rather God’s plan, created before the foundation of the earth was laid, targeted the whole world with no single soul being held of a higher worth than another in regard to the offering of salvation.  With this in mind, consider that God delivered the children of the Jacob to Mt. Sinai.  There in Exodus 20, Moses would begin to share God’s laws with the people.  The first of these, the Ten Commandments, demonstrate something critical about our God.  God’s commandments are built on establishing a relationship. The first four mentioned focus on a relationship with Him.  The next six indirectly demonstrate our relationship with Him through our relationship with man (Matthew 25:35-46).  For a few moments, I would like to consider our relationship status with God.

relationship God

Do you base your relationship with God on your own perfection?

A relationship with God has always required that the spirit of man desire to serve God and that the man walk in obedience to God (Romans 12:1).  In no circumstance has man ever “earned” his relationship with our Heavenly Father.  In the patriarchal age, Adam and Eve had a pleasing relationship with God until they were disobedient.  Noah, a preacher of righteousness, had a pleasing relationship with God walking according to all God had commanded in building the ark (Genesis 6:9,22; Hebrews 11:7).  Abraham was faithful to God (Hebrews 11) and he was called a friend of God.  These are all relationships prior to the Covenants.  Under the Law of Moses, Moses was in the presence of God often.  He was chosen to lead God’s people to the Promised Land.  Later, Moses and Elijah would appear before Christ when He was transfigured demonstrating their standing before God (Matthew 17:3-4).  David under the same law would be called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).  These people sought to obey God and have a relationship with him.  All of them had sin as we have sinned (Romans 3:23). Obedience was required, but perfection at the hand of man was not.

The New Covenant era is not different in its requirement of obedience to have a relationship with God (Matthew 7:21, John 14:15, Hebrews 5:8-9).  In the same manner, as in prior ages, a relationship with God does not require perfection thru the power of man. Yet, some live as if they were in and out and in and out again in their connection to God when they come short in their behaviors or thoughts.  They live in a system of the flesh in which they operate as if they were earning salvation.  This is not what God has put before the Christian.  Christians have been transformed (Romans 12:2).  Why would we try to live in a manner which God does not endorse (Galatians 1)?  If you are a Christian you are not a sinner.  You are a child of God.  Your focus is simply to serve Him with good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17); your focus should not be continually upon your imperfection.  God’s relationship from the beginning of time has never been contingent upon complete obedience.  If it were, how could Enoch have been taken by God when we know that all have sinned (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5)?  God has made certain things perfectly clear in life.  First, if we seek Him, we will find (Matthew 7:7).  Second, if we are seeking Him, we will be rewarded (Hebrews 11:6).  Third, Jesus blood continually washes those who walk in His light.

A faithful relationship toward God is built upon love and obedience, but man’s status with God has never been built upon man’s behavioral perfection.  Yes, disobedience is recognized by God.  Yes, at times he has made an example of disobedience to show His displeasure with it.  However, in all ages God simply desires a creation who wants Him above all things (Matthew 6:33).  How are you living your life?  Is it one where you aren’t constantly agonizing where you stand with God?  Is it one where you aren’t trying to earn a salvation which you can never earn?  Are you living by the eternal quality: “love” (I Corinthians 13:13, I John 4:8) – Love for God and love for man?  If so, then continue forward in joy.  If not, break out of the cycle of the flesh and live with a spirit acknowledging the salvation God has provided.

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Two Philosophies of Preaching

Two Philosophies of Preaching

The clarity of the message of every prophet of God stands in marked contrast to much of the preaching done today. While it might be true that some have been too harsh in their preaching throughout all the centuries, so much of the preaching we hear today is far removed from the kind of preaching given by God to His people by His prophets.

confrontation preaching

How and why are preachers changing?

God’s instruction to Isaiah could not be misunderstood. “Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isa. 58:1). God’s people were clothed in complacency and outwardly involved in worshiping God. Isaiah specifically mentions specific acts of worship—multitudes of sacrifices, burnt offerings, the observance of the Sabbath and monthly feast days, praying to God with outspread hands, assemblies of sacred meetings, the burning of incense and many prayers (Isa. 1:11-15). However, there was no leader among them who openly confronted their sinful hearts. This is why God told Isaiah to raise his voice with the astounding clarity of a trumpet and openly address their sinful complacency.

Albert Barnes, in his commentary about the commission God gave to Isaiah, describes the kind of preaching God wanted Isaiah and preachers today to do. “Speak loud and distinctly, so that the language of reproof may be heard. The sense is, the people are insensible and stupid. They need something to rouse them to a sense of their guilt. Go and proclaim it so that all may hear. Speak not in whispers; speak not to a part, but speak so earnestly that their attention will be arrested, and so that all shall hear.”

Our culture, especially among the younger generation, is characterized by conversations in a non-confrontational manner. This concept has become part of the philosophy in pulpits throughout the land. Where is that voice in the wilderness of the forerunner sent by God that openly addresses the evil in his world? John lived among a generation of vipers and unashamedly cried out against open immorality. “It is not lawful for you to have your brother Philip’s wife.” A question which should be asked in churches in America is, “How long has it been since you last heard a message with such clarity about marriage and divorce in the pulpit?”

Preaching has changed. Far too many preachers are like the religious leaders in Isaiah’s day. Every preacher today should solemnly read God’s charge to Isaiah. The reality is that the sophistry of human wisdom has become the norm. The world will never be truly converted to Christ without upsetting the souls of those immersed in complacency. Preaching should never be designed to gain the approval of men, but of God!

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Digital Bible Study Online Gospel Meeting

Digital Bible Study Online Gospel Meeting

Coming March 23rd, Digital Bible Study will begin hosting a daily Online gospel meeting during this challenging time for God’s people. Every day until the crisis is over, you can come to this page and connect to God and His people. We have organized 40 gospel preachers (and list continues to grow) who have graciously agreed to give their time to the effort of encouraging God’s people in a time of trouble. We hope you will use this effort as a daily point of connection to God’s family in the midst of great isolation.

Location:  facebook.com/digitalbiblestudy1

Digital Bible Study

Digital Bible Study Daily Online Gospel Meeting Beginning March 23

Confirmed Speaker List:

Eric Owens
Dan Cates
Wayne Jones
David B. Jones
Greg Dismuke
David Sproule
Jeff A. Jenkins
Melvin Otey
Barry Girder
Cameron Freeman
Eric Garner
Eric Lyons
Terrance Brownlow
Hiram Kemp
Dan Jenkins
Lee Snow
Nathan Franson
Tony Clay
Ralph Gilmore
Barry O’Dell
Taylor Robles
Steve Higginbotham
Chuck Webster
Matt Amos
Jeff Archey
Don Blackwell
Mike Bonner
Chris Butler
Stan Butt
Scott Cain
Aaron Gallagher
Nathaniel Ferguson
Jake Sutton
Phil Sanders
Scott Harp
Adam Faughn

……

Join us in sharing and spreading the Joy of the Word of God!

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My Jammed Finger

My Jammed Finger

I was tossing the football with the boys. While reaching to catch the ball, it jammed my right ring finger. Anyone who has played sports has experienced this compression of the joints that injures the finger’s ligaments. While painful, it is not serious. Nevertheless, it leaves the affected finger nearly unusable.

finger body

All member’s of the body are important.

My jammed finger reminds me that the finger is a member of my body. First Corinthians 1:12 states, “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” No one is insignificant in Christ, and each member has been added to the body by Christ in baptism. Are you a member of the body?

My jammed finger reminds me of the importance of that finger! In 1 Corinthians 12:21, we read, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” With a jammed finger, I can’t wash my hair the same, tie my shoes the same, or write the same. I need all my body parts working! We need every Christian to work. Christ’s body becomes dysfunctionalwhen one member is not working.

My jammed finger reminds me of my love for my finger. Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 12:24-25, “But God composed the body . . . that the members should have the same care for one another.” When I jammed my finger, the left hand cradled my right; my feet moved toward the house; my voice said, “I’m done playing.” Christians ought to respond when a member of Christ’s body is harmed. Will we take care of one another? Will we apathetically ignore one another’s spiritual needs? We must love, care, and change our behavior.

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LA DEFENSA DEL EVANGELIO 

PUESTOS PARA LA DEFENSA DEL EVANGELIO 

Hace Varios años leí en una de las revistas de la Iglesia de Cristo en inglés llamada la espada espiritual, el título era: “Puestos para la defensa del Evangelio”. Sin embargo la frase proviene originalmente de Filipenses 1:17. Pablo había estado presentando defensa desde el inicio de su ministerio hasta el momento en que escribe Filipenses.  Los Judaisantes estaban en una campaña detrás de Pablo desacreditando el evangelio de Cristo y al regresar a las congregaciones establecidas se da cuenta del daño que los falsos maestros estaban haciendo a sus espaldas. Como ejemplo de ello en Gálatas 1 él los exhorta para que respondan porqué habían  abandonado tan prontamente  el evangelio para seguir uno diferente (Ga.1:6-9).

defensa del Evangelio

¿Qué significa realmente estar puesto para defensa del Evangelio?

No existe nada más frustrante para un maestro de Biblia el enseñar “las sendas antiguas” con fervor y con precisión y un tiempo después observar al mismo grupo de personas aceptando y abogando por algo diferente. Es realmente reconfortante observar a Pablo y entender que nosotros pasamos lo que también el experimentó. Eso constituye un tremendo honor. Pedro escribe: “Si alguno padece como cristiano no se avergüence, sino glorifique a Dios por ello” (1P.4:16). Pero, ¿Qué significa realmente estar puesto para defensa del Evangelio?

  1. Significa Amar la verdad más que el dinero. Proverbios 23:23 dice “Compra la verdad y no la vendas”. Para muchos obreros la verdad es importante e inclusive pueden derramar lagrimas por sobre alguna situación y aman la verdad sin lugar a dudas. Luego solo se secan las lagrimas y se disponen a vender la verdad por unas cuantas piezas de plata. Judas  se lamentó en gran manera, de haber preferido el dinero ( y eso que era muy poco)  pero ya era muy tarde (Mt.26:14-75). Amigo lector, Judas había conocido la verdad, había convivido con la verdad, había tenido parte con la verdad, AMABA la verdad sin embargo amó mucho más el dinero. Al igual que Judas un sin numero de cristianos han vendido la verdad por su bienestar económico, a razón de sus deudas, y obedeciendo a sus propios intereses. Usted y yo no podemos pretender  estar del lado de Dios mintiendo a nosotros mismos. Una de las excusas más antiguas y clásicas “Estoy estudiando el tema …pero”… la verdad es digna de nuestro respeto y reverencia o estamos de pie en defensa de la verdad o estamos del lado del error pero el termino medio en la excusa anterior simplemente no procede, es engañoso y es el arma del diablo para esparcir el error.
  2. Significa Amar la verdad más que la familia.  El Señor Jesús tenía tan clara su misión y no permitió que la parte emocional estropeara o interfiriera con lo que era su obra en la tierra. En Juan 2 el  limita a su mamá terrenal y ella acepta la limitación del Señor cuando dijo: “Haced todo lo que  os dijere” (Juan 2:5 RV 1960). Cientos de veces pensando en el bienestar de los hijos en la comodidad de la esposa en la relación de amigos estos falsos obreros renuncian a la verdad por obedecer realmente a sus emociones. Dios debería de ser la prioridad más allá de los hijos o la familia por más que esto sea doloroso inclusive de pensar. Los obreros verdaderos confían en Dios aún cuando puedan existir repercusiones reales y fuertes por parte de quienes ellos más aman. Cristo dijo: “Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas.” (Mt.6:33). 
  3. Significa Amar la verdad más que a  uno mismo. La verdad siempre divide. Separa lo bueno de lo malo, lo correcto de lo erróneo, lo justo de lo perverso.  Estar puesto para la defensa del evangelio implica que el obrero deberá estar dispuesto a recibir golpes sobre sí mismo y sobre su familia (Esposa en primera instancia) para mantener integra la verdad. Realmente esa actitud expiatoria es un patrón que observamos en Jesús. El puso su vida por otros (Juan 15:13). Quienes defienden la verdad imitan a su maestro ya que están dispuestos a recibir en si mismos el agravio y que su nombre sea mencionado en medio de problemas, dispuestos a perder dinero posiciones de renombre,  a perder noches de sueño dispuestos a perder todo… con tal de que la verdad sea honrada. Pablo se identifica con esta idea en Ga.6:17 cuando dice que en su cuerpo lleva las marcas de Cristo. Estar para la defensa del evangelio significa realmente estar dispuesto a perder todo por amor a Cristo, el dijo que quien le ama guarda sus mandamientos (Jn.15:14).

Los falsos maestros siempre han existido y seguirán existiendo en diferentes formas y categorías. En ocaciones muy bien preparados y con títulos académicos superiores a los nuestros en ocaciones en nivel más bajo pero la verdad es la verdad con o sin grado académico.  A esos falsos hombres y mujeres hay que resistir en la fe, hay que confrontarlos y marcarlos para que se avergüencen tal como lo enseña Rm.16:17 con el fin de que sus almas sean salvas y que la verdad prevalezca. Dios siempre puede más, el Señor nos tiene para la defensa del evangelio en este mundo y aunque no es agradable es trascendental que obreros fieles sigan  firmes en la linea del frente dispuestos a morir incluso por la verdad que les ha hecho libres (Jn.8:32) por su Señor que les rescató. 

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