A God like that of the Nations

A God like that of the Nations

The events which followed the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel are recorded in the seventeenth chapter of Second Kings. The Assyrians moved many of the Jews, who were part of Israel, and sent them throughout the Assyrian world. Then, they brought men from other nations and settled them in Israel. This was an attempt, largely successful, to destroy the ethnicity of the Jews.

nations worship

God only accepts that which he has given authority to do.

There was a problem when all of this happened. The Gentiles who came into the Promised Land brought their own gods and worshiped them. The anger of the Lord was stirred against this use of His land. “Therefore the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them” (v. 25). So, the king of Assyria understood the reason for the problem and said the lions “…are killing them because they do not know the rituals of the God of the land” (v. 26).  His solution was to find a Jewish priest and send him to Bethel to teach them how to fear God (v. 28).

What was the result of all of this? “They feared the Lord, yet served their own gods—according to the rituals of the nations…they did not obey, but they followed their formal rituals…so the nations feared the Lord, yet served their carved images” (vs. 33, 40, 41).

What happened in that land is happening in our own land. Those people of the fallen northern kingdom did not like what they had been taught about the God in whose land they now dwelt. They simply redefined the God of Israel and ignored what He had said. Perhaps their fear of the lions was greater than their fear of the Lion of Israel. It is obvious they accepted some of the “rituals” of Judaism but brought in a new god they defined. The actual truth about that situation is found in verse thirty-four. “They do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow…the commandment which the Lord commanded.” Isn’t this is what is happening in our land?

We have redefined God and, while ritualistically following Him in some ways, we are serving our newly defined God! Think of all that is happening with the elevation of our own ideas. God’s view of marriage has been laid aside, and the “new God” accepts our own definitions of marriage. God’s view of worship being centered on all humbly praising Him has been replaced with worship that is man-centered and is designed to make us feel spiritual. The applause is given to Christian entertainers instead of reverence directed toward heaven. Look at all of Christendom and see if we are not doing as those in Israel.

It is high time for our nation, and us individually, to truly fear God and keep His commandments.

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How to Strengthen the Church Internally

How to Strengthen the Church Internally

Wherever you find the Church, the question will be asked, “How Do We Strengthen Ourselves?”.  For ease of examination the question can be broken up into two major areas:  External Strength and Internal Strength. Authority for how this is done is found in the Bible as given by God.  Study will show that the Church of the first century was strengthened in the same way the Church of today is strengthened.

strengthen church

Strengthening the Church from the inside is simple, tried, and true.

Externally, the Church reaches out to the world to strengthen itself (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 2:47).  There are many authorized ways to “Go”, but going must be a united effort.  Going is done with a united message.  Going is done with a united motivation.  Going in the proper way builds a strong Church in which the building never stops.  Going done right builds one strong church, Christ’s Church, and no other.  If it is not built upon the Rock of Christ, it will not be strong.

Internally, the Church examines itself to make certain it is indeed the pure and holy Bride of Christ, serving Him only.  Is the worship the best it can be for God?  Are the Children of God mighty in His Word?  Do the Christians love one another?  Are the Christians working to present themselves unstained by the world?  Are they disciplining themselves so they might be strong?  These internal areas are what this discussion will now focus on.

The Church gathers every Sunday to worship God (Acts 20:7).  From early in scripture (Leviticus 10:3), God has commanded that He be approached in worship as holy and honored. Christians demonstrate their love to God in worship by obeying His instruction on how to worship (John 14:15, Colossians 3:17, John 5:19, John 8:28-32, John 4:24).   If man decided to bring in worship practices not authorized by God or leave out practices He has authorized, regardless of the good intentions behind them, God will not be treated as holy or honored.  The Church will be displeasing to God.  The Church worship will tear down its relationship with God rather than strengthen it.  A Church strengthens itself by teaching God’s Word, His authorized path of salvation (I Corinthians 1:21).  Not only in the spoken word is the Church strengthened, but the singing of God’s word to one another provides instruction and caution in living a Christian life (Colossians 3:16). Through the Lord’s Supper, properly worshipping Christians remember the triumphant life of Jesus and the establishment of His covenant of forgiveness (I Corinthians 11:20ff).  Recalling this victory, Soldiers of Christ find the courage to march on in this world of temptation.  In the gatherings of the early Christians, prayer and giving was practiced (Acts 2:42, I Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 9:7-15).  Both of these actions allowed the worshipper to glorify God with appreciation in their hearts and alternatively provided confidence that God does and will provide.  Strengthening a church begins with proper worship.

In order to strengthen the Church, truth must be taught from within.  God’s words are truth and when practiced, truth separates the Christian from the rest of the world (John 17:17).  While the Church is certainly the bearer of truth to the world, it must continually teach itself.  Pulpits are the most visible source of the sharing of the truth.  Paul warned Timothy that there would be times when men would desire to hear something other than the truth (2 Timothy 4:3).  If false words come from the preacher, then the entire congregation can be led astray.  Critically, the pulpit cannot continually teach simple beginning concepts (I Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-6:2).  Many congregations composed of those who have been Christians for decades are spiritually starving.  After such a lengthy time, they have a blank stare when asked to summarize what each book of the Bible is about.  Elders and preachers are to blame for allowing this to happen.  However, they are not responsible for the majority of this blame.  Individual Christians need to be searching the scriptures daily, scholars of the word, watchmen who are able to defend and share the truth of the Bible, and continually growing ( Acts 17:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Matthew 28:18-20, Ezekiel 33, I Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:18).  Equipped in this fashion they should be demanding more from the pulpit and from each other.  It is this constant feeding from the Word of God that will strengthen the Church (Psalm 119:25-28).

The Church is strengthened when Christians choose to love one another.  Being a Christian is choosing to be servant to God and others.  The household of faith is where this must begin (Galatians 6:10).  The worship aspect of giving not only glorifies God, but it communicates to those Christians in need and the minister who relies upon the generosity of the saints that they are loved (I Corinthians 16:1, I Corinthians 9:1-14).  The expression of Christian love can only in a small way be described by financial support.  Its true expression is seen in the behavior of one Christian to another. Do you have members who have no transportation?  Are you reaching out to make sure they have a way to come to services and to other critical life activities?  Are you contacting those who are sick asking what you can do to help them?  Are you spending time with the widow or single parent?  Are you praying for them?  Do you search out why someone missed the assembling of the saints? Do you reach out to those brothers and sisters who have moved? You can write them or call them.  Encourage them and ask about their well being and their spiritual life (Hebrews 10:24, Acts 15:36).  Don’t allow a sheep to wander from the flock because it was neglected and ignored.  Giving love, kindness, comfort, encouragement, and the fruit of your physical blessings strengthens the Church.

From the formation of the Church Christians spent their time together (Acts 2:42-47).  They left the world becoming a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). They wanted to show obedience to God and not return to the former associations of their life (I Peter 1:14-16, I Corinthians 15:33).  The Christians resisted Satan and the evil things of this world (James 4:4-7).  A strong Church seeks out pure relationships, pure recreation, and pure entertainment in its daily life.  This means putting away sinful association in all its many forms:  Sinful relationships, corrupt television and internet, filth such as pornography and inappropriate books arousing lusts, clubs and dances, and a life surrounded by ungodly friends (Colossians 3:5-10).  The Church is strengthened when Christians open their lives and homes to others of a pure mind and hope.  Your spiritual brother and sister in Christ should not feel alone within their congregation.  They should not feel like strangers in Christ and neither should you.

The final aspect to be addressed is the strengthening of the Church through Church discipline.  A congregation will fall from the graces of God if it does not practice discipline.  Whether a congregation has elders or not, they are responsible for correcting one another’s behaviors and beliefs (I Corinthians 5, Acts 5:1-11, 2 Timothy 4:2, Acts 20:27-31).  Each of us has a responsibility in love (Ephesians 4:15).  We have the responsibility to go to our brother when there is trouble (Matthew 18:15-17).  Whether the issue is one of immorality, immodesty, practicing or teaching error, forsaking the assembly of the saints, or going back to the world in any form, we must try to correct and save them (Acts 18:26, Jude 1:22-23).  Our savior has given Himself to save us and can save all who will follow him (Jude 1:24).  Discipline is not a sign of cruelty, rather it is a sign of love (Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:11-14). Christ’s church is strengthened through the kindness of discipline.

There are many theories about how to strengthen a church.  Often these rely upon the wisdom, traditions, and innovations of men.  However, the church which Christ established finds its strength today as it did in the first century:  It follows Christ’s example and authority doing only what the Father has commanded we do and say.

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Bible Study is Eternally Important

Bible Study is Eternally Important

I daresay that it is far more than likely, that just about every congregation of the Lord’s church whose leadership has decided to give their members the opportunity to get together and study the Bible either before or after their Sunday worship assembly, encounters virtually the same phenomenon every Lord’s Day: Bible class attendance numbers that are markedly less than that same Sunday’s worship assembly attendance numbers. Why is that? (Now, obviously I am not talking here about those few folks in each congregation whose physical health limitations prevent them from being there and sitting through both – Matt. 26:41b.)

Study eternal

Destroyed for a lack of knowledge?

Is it perhaps because some have come to the conclusion that worship assembly attendance is a requirement in order to get to heaven (which it is – Hebs. 10:23-31), but that taking advantage of every opportunity possible to study God’s word and steadily grow in their faith after conversion, somehow isn’t all that important? Does not the Bible itself show that being in a constant and consistent state of Bible study, whenever possible and wherever the opportunity is presented, will provide both incredible earthly as well as eternal blessings to those who do so – including helping to guarantee their entrance into heaven? It certainly does (2 Ptr. 1:2-11). What else does the Bible say about the importance of taking consistent advantage of every opportunity one possibly can to study it?

  • God’s O.T. people were commanded to do so constantly (Dt. 6:4-9).
  • God promised prosperity/success to those who did so (Josh. 1:8-9).
  • God’s word is worth far more than anything else on earth (Ps. 19:7-11); therefore, isn’t spending time within it, far more beneficial than time spent doing anything else in the world (Ps. 119; 1 Jn. 2:15-17)?
  • God’s O.T. people were destroyed because of their lack of Biblical knowledge (Hos. 4:6-10; Matt. 13:14-15, 22:29) – and the Bible teaches that such destruction will not be limited to them alone (Matt. 7:21-27; Acts 17:30-31; Ro. 10:1-3).
  • In order to truly be His disciple, Jesus said one must “abide” (“take up residence,” “live”) in His word, and thus know the truth (Jn. 8:31-32).
  • Bible study is how we show we are approved of God (2 Tim. 2:15).

Yes, for all of these God-given reasons and more, it is easily seen that taking constant and continual advantage of every opportunity we possibly can to grow our faith through the study of God’s word (Ro. 10:17) is vital to our eternal life. Please consider coming and growing in your faith as we study God’s word together each Sunday and Wednesday as if your eternal life depended on it… because it does (2 Ptr. 3:14-18).

 

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Guilty or Sham?

Guilty or Sham?

They knew they were going to find Him guilty of something. They just needed to come together and agree on what He was guilty of. Sound familiar? Was Representative Adam Schiff fair in the impeachment proceedings? Did Jerry Nadler follow proper procedures as chairman of the rules committee? As votes are counted for the House Impeachment, the nation will remain divided on whether this trial proved President Trump was guilty or whether the entire process was a sham. But if the proceedings seem a little familiar, maybe it is because of another trial that was rushed—a trial where a man was determined guilty before He ever opened His mouth.

Guilty Innocent

As far as evil is concerned, innocence is irrelevant to the chosen outcome.

Two thousand years ago there was a trial that took place in the middle of the night. As everyone clamors about the impeachment trial, I hope you will give a few minutes to examine what really took place when Jesus was the one on trial. Instead of joining in the political fray, why not share the facts around a trial that forever changed the world.

After His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was tried before Caiaphas the Jewish High Priest and the political Sanhedrin (with the Pharisees and Sadducees). Having predetermined his guilt they found Jesus guilty of blasphemy (Matthew 27:1; Luke 22:66-71). Jewish law demanded two witnesses agreeing in their testimony, and yet, we never read of two witnesses coming forward with collaborating stories that would permit the death sentence to be meted out to Christ.

Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin were bound by Jewish law, which plainly stated: “Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.” (Deuteronomy 17:6). The law went on to state: ““One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” (Deuteronomy 19:15). In Mark’s account of what happened that fateful night he wrote, “For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies [k]did not agree. Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” But not even then did their testimony agree. (Mark 14:56-59).

They knew they were going to find him guilty of something. They just had to figure out exactly what it was. They finally settled on blasphemy and sent him off to Pilate to be crucified. But before we leave that Jewish trial I want to spend just a few minutes really examining what transpired. A study of Jewish law reveals that a number of those laws were broken the night Jesus was arrested and convicted (Bucklin, 1970).

  • Arrests could not be made at night.
  • The time and date of the trial were illegal because it took place at night on the eve of the Sabbath—a time that precluded any opportunity for a required adjournment to the next day in the event of a conviction.
  • The Sanhedrin was without authority to instigate charges. It was only supposed to investigate charges that had been brought before it, but in Jesus’ trial, the court itself formulated the charges.
  • As noted earlier, the stringent requirement of two witnesses testifying in agreement to merit the death penalty had not been met.
  • The court did not meet in the regular meeting place of the Sanhedrin, as required by Jewish law.
  • Christ was not permitted a defense. Under existing Jewish law, an exhaustive search into the facts presented by the witnesses should have occurred—but did not.
  • The Sanhedrin itself pronounced the death sentence. During Roman captivity, however, the Sanhedrin was not allowed to impose the death sentence (John 18:31). As the Roman historian Tacitus recorded, “…the Romans reserved to themselves the right of the sword.”

Yes, our nation will debate the impeachment proceedings for years to come. But there was a trial that took place two thousand years ago in which we were all found guilty. And thankfully the only innocent man to ever walk this earth was willing to go through it all—all the way to the cross—so that you and I can have eternal life.

You want to talk about a sham of a trial? Tell someone about the trial of Jesus!

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What Won’t You Boycott?

What Won’t You Boycott?

Should Christians boycott businesses which promote sins like homosexuality?

Conscientous Christians are always concerned about their affiliations and the causes they support (Prov. 4:14-15; 1 Thess. 5:22; etc.)  We all want to avoid giving evil the upper hand.  In our society, this means we are often faced with questions of which businesses we ought to support as consumers.

boycott

Where does boycotting stop?

First of all, it must be said that we must never do anything to violate our own consciences (Rom. 14:23).  Yet, it must also be pointed out that God authorized Christians to do business in markets which sold meat that was offered to idols, even though eating meat offered to idols is sinful (1 Cor. 10:25-31; cf. Acts 15:28-29).  Thus, God allows us to purchase products or services from a business that sells things which contribute to the sins of others.

God also commands us not to research everyone through whom we purchase products or services to determine if they’re good (1 Cor. 10:25, 27).  This is because of another fact we must no longer overlook.  Boycotting breeds inconsistent hypocrisy, something God wishes Christians to overcome (Rom. 2:1, 17-24).

In recent years Disney, Ford Motor Company, McDonald’s, Sears, Wal-Mart, NBC, IBM, Subaru of America, Volvo, Chase Bank, Baby Magazine, Procter & Gamble, and more have all to some degree sponsored or promoted pro-homosexual organizations or causes.

If you boycott them all, what about businesses which hire and support liars, alcoholics, and the unscripturally divorced?  What about the businesses which sell alcohol and immodest clothing?  What about utility companies which serve businesses that sell or offer sinful services and products?

Every gas station I’ve ever seen sells alcohol, porn, lottery tickets, and tobacco products…so don’t worry about boycotting Ford, Volvo, or Subaru for supporting homosexual causes, because you won’t be able to buy a car to begin with!

If you boycott Procter & Gamble because they sponsor homosexual causes, forget about buying Duracell batteries, Febreze, Charmin, Ivory, Olay, Zest, Cover Girl, Max Factor, Crest, Scope, Gillette, Folgers, Always, Pringles, and a host of other products which they produce.

Friends, can you name even one business which is completely free from some association with sin?  Are we going to boycott them all for consistencies’ sake?  It can’t be done.

This is why we who hate to think we’re supporting sin need to remember how the New Testament says that purchasing a product or service which is innocent in itself is not a vote for that company or business’s immoral policies.

Don’t violate your conscience if it demands you boycott a business (Rom. 14:23), but also follow Romans 14:22 by not advertising your boycotting to others.  By doing so you will avoid advertising your inconsistency also.

Instead, let’s boycott sin itself!

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