How To Maintain The Seven-fold Unity of the Spirit

The Seven-fold Unity of the Spirit

Ephesians 4:3-6 (Read it)

Introduction:

I don’t know what your inward thoughts may be, but, in my flesh,I know I feel perfectly free to mentally dismiss another person, just because I disapprove of something in their life. We used to say, “I don’t like the way he parts his hair,” when we really meant, “I have taken an unreasoning dislike to that person.”

Many of us think we have “personal freedom” to like or dislike people on a whim. We may exclude someone from our personal sphere of fellowship because of some small difference of opinion. The problem with this behavior is that God says we do not have that right!

Last time we spoke, we saw that Ephesians 4:3 says , “endeavor to maintain the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” It is a command: Though it is stated as a plea, that is a command. In order to obey a command, one must at least understand what it says. So; what in the world is the “Unity of the Spirit?” And how do we “endeavor to maintain” it?

The Seven-Fold Unity of the Spirit

God centers our real, God-established unity around seven things:

One Body
One Spirit
One Hope of our Calling
One Lord
One Faith
One Baptism
One God and Father

If all of those unities are in place, we are not to break fellowship. If someone is deliberately teaching contrary to those, then they are heretical, that is, “causing division,” and must be avoided.

Not “Human-Sourced”

None of those seven are “humanly established”—they are simply facts, established by God. Based on those seven unities, which, together, comprise the Unity of the Spirit, we are to function in unity as well. We are not to have discord among us. Proverbs 6:16-19 gives us a pretty good idea about how God feels about disunity: “These six things doth the LORD hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him…” Sowing discord among brethren is one of ‘em, folks. So let’s take a closer look at the Unity of the Spirit, with a view as to how we are to maintain it.

Why “Seven?”

First, it seems appropriate to point out what may be obvious to many…the unity is Seven-fold. Many times, in scripture, God uses the number “seven,” to convey a sense of “completeness.” For instance, the judgments in the book of The Revelation include seven “seals,” within the seventh of which are seven blasts of angelic trumpets—the seventh of which is commonly referred to as the “Last Trumpet,” or the “Trumpet of Doom.” Within that seventh trumpet are seven bowls or vials. This is the completion of Man’s reign on earth. “Three” is often seen as the number of humanity…and “seven,” the number of completion. Hence three sevens, nested within one another.

Jesus lists seven churches in Revelation chapters 2-3, summing up either the possible attributes of all local churches, or spanning the complete history of the Church age…or both, depending on how one sees it.

But here we have the Unity of the Spirit, given by God as a completed entity; “no assembly required, no batteries needed.” All we are told to do is maintain it. So…how do we do that? By not breaking it unnecessarily. Church splits and fractured unity are so common, today, that the world sees us as a laughingstock.

They talk about “believing Baptists”…meaning, “if we don’t fully agree, we’ll ‘be leaving!’” Believers hop from church to church, finding something in every assembly to justify their leaving, frequently in a self-righteous huff.

But, God says “maintain the Unity of the Spirit”…endeavor to do so—work at it! That is what “endeavor” means…it isn’t simply that we should half-heartedly “try.” (“Well, we did our best, but you can’t be friends with everybody…”) God says, “Work at it. Endeavor to keep it.”

There is Only One Body of Christ.

We talk of the various denominations as being different churches, and, in a sense, they are. But the only acceptable division is to be geographical, and demographic, in the sense of language, culture, etc. It is never to be a division regarding some obscure doctrine, or “which teacher a particular assembly likes to follow.” Look at 1^st Corinthians 1:11-13: Paul notes that specific reason for divisions and he utterly condemns it. He points out that neither he nor Apollos were anything important…and, more importantly, that Christ is not divided. Nor is the Body of Christ to be divided.

There were numerous house-churches in larger cities, but, in general, it seems, there were only geographical differences; the church at Ephesus—the Churches of Galatia, etc. It was not the “First Baptist Church of West New Orleans” or some such thing. At most, it might be the “Church that meets at Chloe’s house.” Again, geography was the only barrier.

Could language be a barrier? Certainly, it could be. It is tough to fellowship freely with someone whose language is completely foreign to you. But remember: all members of the Body of Christ speak Agapé as their native language. I have had good (but limited) fellowship with believers of other languages. The Love and acceptance were there…we just couldn’t talk about it much.

There is Only One Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is God. There is only one of Him, and he indwells every single real believer, individually. He does not need us to tell them how to live. He tells them in His Word, and He tells them by his guidance of their new nature. Does he send believers to correct other believers? Surely He does! But we frequently specialize in “correcting” areas concerning which the Holy Scriptures are utterly silent…and we often ignore things about which it is clear. And when we do attempt to “correct” someone, too often we are not in tune with the Holy Spirit, because the correction is not born of Love, but of condemnation and pride.

The same Spirit indwells us all and makes us one in Christ. Bear that in mind, regarding people with whom you have “personality conflicts.” (God has a shorter word for this: He calls it “Sin.”)

The Holy Spirit never leads contrary to the Written Word of God. Remember this, when someone (maybe you) claims that “The Holy Spirit is leading them to” do such and such. If it is clearly contrary to sound doctrine, then it is not the Holy Spirit doing the leading. There is only One Holy Spirit, and He never creates division, except to demand that believers follow the Word of God…you see, not all of them want to do so. We are to endeavor to maintain His unity.

There is Only One Hope of our Calling.

Did you think there is a different heaven for other churches, maybe? All real believers are headed for the same real place, facing the same real God, standing before the same real Judgment Seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:10, 11) Do you want to stand next to someone at that Judgment Seat, and for the first time in forever, see them as your beloved brother or sister, with whom you should have been having pure fellowship, but with whom you only had discord? How will that feel? On what basis do you feel justified in rejecting any believer you have known? Or, having been on the receiving end, by what excuse have they rejected you? (Usually, it is mutual.)

Remember that you will spend eternity with that person. Better to learn to love them now, rather than to go through life having your fellowship with God damaged by your bad relationship with other believers. Do you think that can’t happen? Peter specifically warned husbands to love their wives in a particular way, so that their prayers would not be hindered. (1^st Peter 3:7)

There is Only One Lord.

The “One Lord” is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. One might think that this one is a “given.” But many people have taken license to “re-construct Jesus” to their own specifications. One aspect of this “re-construction” is that they generally conclude that Jesus is not God in the Flesh, but rather (pick one):

Just a great teacher and prophet
An exalted man
A powerful spirit being
A lesser god
Or some other form of created being, but NOT the Creator.

Sorry…any doctrine that concludes Jesus is other than the Everlasting Father is false . Why do I say this? I mean, really…: He is God the SON, right? (Turn to Isaiah 9:6, 7.)

“His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, THE mighty God, THE everlasting Father.” (There it is!) Do you know what Jesus said about this? He claimed to be the Judge of all the Earth (John 5:22…compare Genesis 18:25). He said that all men were to honor Him “as they honor the Father” and He went on to say that if they do not honor the Son (to that level) then they do not honor the Father who sent Him. (John 5:23)

Make a Choice!

That’s a pretty straight, hard, clean “line in the sand,” if you ask me. You either see Jesus as THE God of the Universe, or you do not truly see him.

Further, his character and doctrine are carefully laid out in the Word of God. He is not some radical philosopher, or social activist, or ascetic monk, or any of the other ways he has been portrayed; he is the Holy God of the Universe, in Human flesh. Fully Man…and fully God.

Deal with it! Embrace it! Accept him as the Bible teaches him to be! And, if the church you are attending does not honor him in that way, then you may prayerfully consider finding a church that does. One thing all the “cults” have in common is that they all claim to honor Jesus, but none (that I am aware of) embrace his deity as spelled out in scripture.

One further point: He is Lord! He is the Master. We are to obey him in all things, and when we do, there will be unity. There can only be disunity when we are not following Him. Dr. McGee points out that, when an orchestral conductor lifts his baton, all the players’ eyes are on him and all their instruments are silent. When the conductor begins the count, the instruments all come in at their proper times, playing their proper melodies, counterpoints, harmonies, etc.! Why?

Because; (a) they have the written music before them, (b) they are in full agreement as to what it says, and (c) they have agreed to allow the Conductor to interpret it for the group. Make no mistake—the Conductor is Christ…not some pastor or teacher. But when we are in tune, and following that Conductor, we will be in harmony here on Earth.

There is Only One Faith.

Throughout history, people have tried to codify this “one faith” in creeds, each claiming to outline the “one true faith.” The word “catholic” has been stolen by a particular group of people claiming to have that “one true faith.” The English word “catholic” used to only mean “universal”…but now it is so completely associated with the Roman Catholic sect, that I never use the word in teaching. I am trying to not cause doctrinal confusion. When that word is used, today, every single hearer automatically thinks of Romanism, not the unity of the body of Christ. So I have abandoned that term to the opposition. The concept is what matters.

We believe the Bible to be literally God’s written Word, and, in the original Manuscripts, without error. Could someone be saved and have some doubts about that? Certainly, they could. Many do, because of bad teaching. But could they miss the fact that Jesus is the only Savior and that His blood was shed as the single payment for the sins of the whole world and still be saved? I would have trouble with that one unless they were a brand-new believer, and completely untaught. At some point, the “One Faith” has to center on the “One Savior.”

There may be various digressions into error that would not separate them from the Person of Christ, but any teaching that turns the heart of the believer away from a personal faith in the living Christ as being their only avenue to God is at least suspect, and probably fatally flawed.

What is the “Apostles’ Doctrine?”

Acts 2:42 refers to “the Apostle’s Doctrine.” I would say that is the same as the “one faith.” If you want to see what it entails, then study the epistles. The epistles comprise the Apostle’s Doctrine. Most churches have a “doctrinal statement,” somewhere, that can be requested and read. I am told that we have one somewhere, but I’m not sure I have seen it.

We simply believe the Bible is the Word of God and that it is completely true: that it is meant to be understood and, where applicable, obeyed. We believe that Jesus truly is who he said he was…God in the Flesh, and the only Savior. We believe that faith alone, in response to His Grace is all that is required for salvation. We believe that one can know now…today…that one has eternal life; and that one’s sins have been completely forgiven. All these are part of that “One Faith.”

There is Only One Baptism:

This is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, wherein He permanently places the believer into the Body of Christ. (1^st Corinthians 12:13) This is not water-baptism. There are many different forms of water baptism, and we are not to break fellowship over them. Oddly enough, the main contention over the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is concerning when it occurs.

According to the scriptures, it happens at the moment of salvation. Romans 8:9 states that if you don’t have the Holy Spirit, then you aren’t saved. So it has to happen at the moment of salvation. Jesus stated (John 5:24) that when a person hears the Gospel and believes it, they are saved. They have eternal life at that moment. So, it must happen at the moment one places his or her faith in Jesus as his/her savior.

There is Only One God and Father of all.

Many have interpreted this to mean that God is the Father of all Humans. Jesus showed the falsehood of that teaching. He told the Pharisees that they were of their Father, the Devil (John 8:44). Paul confirmed, in Ephesians 2, that we were (past tense) all the children of wrath, by nature—by birth. In Romans 5:10 he stated that we were all the enemies of God…not his beloved children.

But that One God and Father, who is the Father of all believers, through the new birth, is the One to whom we owe our Love and Worship. Remember that Jesus is called the Everlasting Father. Do I understand the Trinity? No! Absolutely not! But do I preach it? Yes, absolutely! And that One God is above all else; He is through all time and Space, and He is in all true believers. He is preeminent, omnipotent, omnipresent, and indwelling His children forever.

How Do We Maintain Unity?

Based on these seven facts that collectively form the “Unity of the Spirit” we are commanded to maintain Love and fellowship between ourselves and all other believers. It is possible that some differences, while they do NOT destroy unity or fellowship might still be a practical hindrance to working together, say, in Evangelism. Paul admits this. But we are still free to work separately, rejoicing that they, too, are carrying the Gospel to those who have not heard it.

So, rather than bicker, let’s get on with the job, ourselves, and not allow our petty disagreements to defile the message of Christ. We all have work to do, and we are all called to work with Jesus at that task.

God give us Grace to Work together, and to Love one another, in Jesus’ Name.
Amen!

October 18, 2024October 18, 2024

Three Points Are Needed In Our Testimony As Believers

The Testimony of a Believer

Ephesians 2:11-22

Introduction

Last week we took a rather quick trip through Ephesians chapter 2. Today we will go back and pick up some details.

We often hear people encouraging us to “share our testimony” with others. Sometimes that seems difficult to do. The fact that so many “celebrities” have given “dramatic” testimony on television, the radio, or in public forums doesn’t make it any easier.

We are left to think, “Well I guess I have nothing to say! I didn’t sell drugs on the street, or lead a motorcycle gang, or star in ungodly movies, or run a multimillion-dollar business, or anything like that, and I certainly don’t have a very interesting life.”

But drama is not what the believer’s testimony is about. We are told to very simply share our testimony, to present the good news of salvation, as if we were each just one beggar telling another beggar where to find free food.

What Makes a Salvation Testimony?

Every Christian, in the simplest analysis, has the same testimony:

I was lost
Jesus saved me
I am saved, and (hopefully) am enjoying my new relationship with God. (Details vary.)

Where is the “drama” in that? The only real drama happened at the Cross. If people want drama, they can read the gospel story, and see the crucifixion, and hear Jesus’s promise to the thief on the cross, “Today, thou shalt be with Me in Paradise!” That’s real Drama! And that part is true for every believer. We will be with Jesus forever.

Let’s look at Ephesians 2:11-22, and see what Paul wrote to the believers at Ephesus, during the first century.

**Our Old Position**

The people to whom he wrote were all believers, but they were predominately Gentile believers. There had been at least a few Jewish believers in that church originally, and I assume that there still were, but evidently, it was mostly Gentile, and he addressed them as Gentiles, reminding them of their OLD position.

Remember, we have talked about positional truths so far, in most of the book of Ephesians. The subject is about to change to “conditional” truths: things that should be true of all believers, but often are not.

Remember!

Paul said, “Remember…” It is good for us to reflect on the facts of our life,

before salvation,
at the time of our salvation, and
in our life since then.

Paul told them (the Ephesians believers) to remember that they HAD been Gentiles in the flesh—born as heathens—with no connection with God. They were still “genetically Gentiles,” of course, but it no longer affected their relationship with God. The following twelve verses explain what changed, and what resulted from that change.

He said “…remember that you were “called the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision in the flesh, made by hands.” Those who called them that were only outwardly changed. In reality, they were just as separated from God as the Gentiles whom they scorned.

He said, “…at that time you were without Christ” (no Messiah was promised to the Gentiles, specifically—though the Messiah promised to the Jews was also the Messiah for the Gentiles—but most Gentiles knew nothing about the promised Savior.)

He said, “…you were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel…” (Israel rejected them, and the Gentiles were unable to join their ranks without major changes forced upon them.) He said, “…you were strangers from the covenants of Promise….” None of the promises to the Jews were specifically TO the Gentiles, though there were plenty that involved them.

We Were Without Hope

Paul pointed out that at that time, before their salvation, they were without hope, and without God—”lost as a ball in high weeds,” effectively. They were in the world, and lost; without hope and without God.

Now—did this only apply to the “bad” people— those who were criminals, or immoral, or something? No, it applied to ALL who were “without God.” That is always the deciding factor.

Think back to Genesis. When Noah went aboard the Ark, and his family went with him, and two of every kind of animal—what happened to those left outside? They all died. Just the wicked? I suppose that could depend on your point of view, since God says we all are possessed of a wicked nature—but good, bad or indifferent, everyone outside the ark was lost. And everyone who is without God (whether they know it or not) is also without hope.

A few verses back, in verses one through three of this same chapter, God described the lostness of the whole human race. And his solution, there (verse 4) and here (verse 13) is the same. In verse 4, it began, “…But God, who is rich in mercy…” here, in verse 12, it says, “But now in Christ Jesus…”

So, What Changed?

This is the transition, in everyone’s testimony. “Yes, I was on God’s ‘death row’, but Jesus died in my place!” or, “I was lost and didn’t even know it—I was just happily headed for Hell—but God sent someone to shine a light on my life, and let me see my lost condition, and Jesus became my Savior when I placed my trust in His shed Blood!” That is the transition, the change—the “What Happened” part of the story.

What does God say about that transition? He says that we have been brought near to God, by the blood of Christ, and that we are in Him. Though we were far away, we have been brought near, in Christ. See verse 13.

He goes on to say that Jesus is our peace, as he has made the two human groups (Jew and Gentile) who once existed side by side, but were always at odds, to be one group, healing the rift between them. In his own flesh, He abolished the enmity between Jew and Gentile.

And, How?

How did he do it? By completely fulfilling the Old Testament Law, that had stood as the divider, for all ages. He fulfilled it for himself, by living a perfect life.

But how did he fulfill it for me? I had already broken the Law, and the Law had only one thing to say to me…it said, “You must die!” Ezekiel 18:4 says “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” So Jesus fulfilled the Law for me…by dying in my place.

Turn to Galatians 2:19…There, Paul stated, “for I, through the Law, am dead to the Law, that I might live unto God.” Through Jesus keeping the Law for me, I am dead to the Law—when God’s Law looks at me, it sees a dead man, upon whom judgment has already been completed. There is no further condemnation because that judgment was poured out at the Cross. Now I can live for God. I am actually free to do what I was designed to do.

Back in Ephesians again…when Jesus had completed the fulfillment of the Law, he preached peace to us all—Jew and Gentile. Jesus himself had predicted this in John 10:16 by stating, “…other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” I’m not at all sure that the disciples understood that statement, but in light of the rest of scripture, it is pretty easy to see, and to know that this passage in Ephesians is making the same statement.

**What is Our New Position?**

The bottom line becomes the fact that we have all gained access to the throne of God by the Holy Spirit. The Jews assumed they had access because of being Jews, and because they professed to keep the law. But God says, in Romans 5:2 that we only have access to His Grace by faith—that is the access offered to the whole World.

Ephesians 2:18 states that, as believers, we have access to God, via the Holy Spirit. We cannot approach Him in the flesh. This is a key point to understand. We have been joined to Him permanently; we are saved eternally, but, in terms of relationship, we can only draw near to Him by the Holy Spirit. So, we have to learn to walk by faith, in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, if we want to consistently have access to the throne of God. We do so via 1^st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then we go back and obey again.

Still In Christ

Are we always “happy” in Christ? Nope. We get frustrated, and cranky, like a bunch of little children whining from the back seat, saying “Are we there, yet??” We still have an old nature…we are still sinners…just saved sinners. Sinners saved by grace. We either learn to walk with God, confessing our sins and learning to obey Him, or we live lives that are up and down…sometimes happy, sometimes not. As a little child, learning to walk, the secret to success is in getting up more often than you fall down.

What else does Paul say about our new position in Christ? He says that we are no more strangers and foreigners. God no longer sees me as a heathen. In fact, he says I am a fellow citizen of heaven, right along with all the saints that have gone before—and, more importantly, I am part of the family of God. I have been born again, and God is my real Father.

What does the Future Hold?

Together with all the believers of this age, we are being built together as a habitation of God. The Holy Spirit lives in each of us individually. But God lives in us collectively. And, collectively, we are called the Temple of God. I don’t feel like a “brick,” or a “doorpost”…but God says I am part of that living temple that He is building for his own glory and pleasure. And that is a good reason to learn to live for Him today. We are now the living temple of God!

We are already placed in His body, as members of the Body of Christ. He says we are currently being built together as a habitation of God. We want God to be glorified in us…so the book of Ephesians is written to that end. God wants us to know how to go about it. We have learned about our new position in Christ, and in the coming weeks, we will examine the rest of what God says about our walk with Him.

But, For Now:

In the meantime, remember that your testimony has three parts, just like the testimony of the Ephesian believers. You can accurately say, I was lost—I was without God. Then you can tell how you were saved…what Jesus did at the Cross for you, and when it was that you received Him as your Savior. Finally, you can tell what it has been like to live as a believer. It is not always easy, is it? Then say so! But then you can tell how Jesus has met your needs in the hard times.

The more frequently you share this story with others, the more natural and easy it will become. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that winneth souls is wise.” Let’s begin to show that kind of wisdom, and look for opportunities to win souls, as He has commanded us.

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the lostness of the world around us. Open our hearts to feel their pain. Help us to reach them with the Good News of the Gospel: the free food that was once offered to us, and which we now offer to others. Allow the light of Your presence to shine through us, to Your Glory.

August 16, 2024August 16, 2024

Food Sacrificed to an Idol vs. The Lord’s Table

Foods Sacrificed to Idols Versus the Lord’s Table

1^st Corinthians 10:14-29

¹⁴Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. ¹⁸Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

¹⁹What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? ²⁰But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. ²¹Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

²²Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

(What then?)

²³All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. ²⁴Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

²⁵Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: ²⁶For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. ²⁷If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. ²⁸But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: ²⁹Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

Introduction:

Flee Idolatry

¹⁴Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. ¹⁵I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

Paul circled back to his discussion about idols, and what hazard they may present to believers. “Flee Idolatry” cannot be equated with “Be afraid of other people’s images.” Idolatry is a heart-issue, and we can find enough idols in our own hearts. Other people’s idols are a separate subject. Paul expected the believers to exercise wisdom and understand what he said.

We already addressed the issue of covetousness, and we saw that covetousness is idolatry, according to Colossians 3:5. But Paul specifically speaks about food offered to pagan idols.

What Is the Table of the Lord?

We eat bread, and we drink grape-juice, in Communion, and we share that food. We “fellowship” or “partake together” of a commemorative meal. By doing so, we honor Jesus, and we confess that His Grace alone (in the form of His Blood, poured out at the Cross, and His body, torn and pierced for us) is our only hope of salvation.

When we partake together of the Lord’s Table, it is an act of Worship, and of Obedience, and of Testimony. We testify that “He died for me!” And, we confess that “My sins put him on that Cross!” We confess our faith His Death and His burial, and His Resurrection, on the third day. Finally, we declare that He is coming again.

In verse 16, Paul says, “¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

Communion Means Fellowship

This is where we get the word “Communion:” The Greek word, “koinonia” means fellowship, or sharing. Please don’t be confused by those who teach that “communion” means “common union:” That is simply not true. But do remember that “fellowship” implies “partnership.”

So, we ask ourselves, “Is this a person with whom (or a practice with which) I can have fellowship?” We need to remember that whatever and whoever it is, we are asking “Do I want to be a partner in what is going on, here?”

If the Person in question is Jesus Christ, or like-minded believers who desire to follow Jesus on a day-by-day basis, and who believe His Word, then Yes, I do want to be a partner in that fellowship.

If a practice dishonors Him or there are people who are advocating a different Gospel, then I must remember that Galatians 1:6-9 says they are accursed. I cannot try to be “partners” with them, nor pretend fellowship with them: They are going a different way, and it will present a wrong message, at the very least. I have to be kind, and loving, but I cannot “go along to get along.” There are some limitations to how much we can “Go Along” with the world.

Paul Also Compares Our Feast (Communion) With That Of Israel

¹⁷For we being many are one bread (or, “loaf”), and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. ¹⁸Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (This is an important point!)

We base our unity upon the One Sacrifice that Jesus made. We declare our unity and our partnership with Him and with one another when we share in the Lord’s table.

Israel shared the bronze altar and the tabernacle. Those who ate the sacrifices of that altar declared their allegiance to, their dependence upon, and their worship of the God of that Altar.

Every single person n the original Passover, in each house where the lamb was slain, ate of that lamb! Every single person who claimed to be “under that blood”—ate of that lamb!

As a general rule, by eating food dedicated to a deity, one declares one’s identification with that deity. And eatring such food usually constitutes an act of worship to that deity. But Paul points out the facts, here, in verse 19:

^“19What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?”

The Idol Itself Is Nothing…But There Is A Spiritual Connection

The implication here, as well as in chapter eight, is that the idols are just lumps of clay, wood, metal, or stone. They are material, physical, inanimate objects. The idols themselves are nothing to fear at all. They have no more power than a brick or a chunk of firewood has.

However, there is a spiritual connection that affects the adherents to that religion. Paul explains, “²⁰But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. ²¹Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

Don’t Mingle Darkness With Light

Paul says we are not to join people in their worship of demonic creatures or forces. We are not to give the impression that we agree with their teaching. There would at least be a conflict of interest! On the one hand, we take communion, together, stating our allegiance to, and our dependence upon, and our worship of Jesus Christ.

If we then turn and celebrate something that denies that truth, we are shaming Jesus, as our actions publicly state that we do not trust in His finished work at the Cross: We are not dependent upon Him, and our allegiance is not entirely to Him, so at best, we deliver a sadly mixed message. Light and darkness don’t mix: The only way darkness can exist is in the absence of light. And the smallest light dispels darkness in the area it can reach.

Children of the Light

1^st Thessalonians 5:5 says we are Children of the Light and Children of the Day. Paul says we “glow in the dark” with the Light of Christ. Philippians 2:15, 16 says that we are to shine as lights in this dark World and offer people the Word of Life.

Ephesians 5:8-12 confirms this, saying “we”you are children oif the light…so walk as children of light. Don’t attempt to mix your light with the darkness of the world. Light dispels darkness. Light makes visible the things that are in darkness. Don’t try to mingle darkness with the Light of Life. Jesus is the Light of the World. You are a child of the Light. Shine like Jesus Shines!

²²Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

The obvious answer to both rhetorical questions is, “No!” So, if we are casual in our tolerance of worldly influences and demonic worship, then we need to remember that God is a jealous God: He does not share his honor with demons or any sort of idol. Further, it is a reminder that He is omnipotent: If you do provoke Him to wrath, nothing can stop His judgment!

1^st John 1:5. 6 says, “This is the message that we have heard of Him and declare unto You, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not the truth.”

Don’t try to mix light and darkness.

Why is this Even an Issue, if the Idol Has Not “Contaminated” the Food?

²³All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. ²⁴Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

It is not “all about us” anymore. We need to consider how our actions and words may affect others. Yes, we have great liberty, but some things could truly be counterproductive in terms of our potential for ministry. We are to seek to promote the spiritual well-being of others, not just our own comfort, convenience, or pleasure. Paul gave his commands regarding “eating meats sacrificed to idols” for a purpose. He tells us to not cause a weaker brother to sin, and to not turn unbelievers away from Christ through what they perceive as blatant hypocrisy.

What About Food Sold in the Open Market? Or Served at a Feast?

^“25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: ²⁶For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. ²⁷If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.”

The meat is not a “spiritual booby-trap” that can “ensnare your soul” because you ate it. So, the point of “not asking” would be that the seller may become convinced that the Spirit living in you is greater than the spirits of their idols. Yes, God owns it all, and He has not surrendered control to Satan, as some teach. He has always maintained control and supervision. He allows a great number of “bad things” to happen, in life, but it is because “The wages of sin is death.” The whole world is suffering the consequences of humanity’s collective sin.

The women and girls who used to paint the dials of “radium-dial” watches all died of terrible cancers of the jaw, tongue, and face. It was not their fault: The sin was not theirs! Their supervisors told them that the radium was harmless, and ordered them to twirl their brushes in their mouths to achieve a fine point for applying the luminous spots on the clocks and watches. So, they did: And the result was a gruesome death!

There are countless other historical tragedies we can recite. But God’s sovereignty stands, though He grieves with us for the consequences of humanity’s sin.

But eating that meat (as a rule) is not asin. He explains what the problem is, in the next verses:

What About Testimony?

²⁸But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: ²⁹Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience?

So as not to contaminate the other fellow’sconscience, in that situation, we avoid the food. (“Oh! Thanks for telling me!”) If the opportunity comes to explain that it would have no effect on you, that is fine, but to prevent an imagined “smudge” on your testimony, and to satisfy the conscience of the other person, that is a good time to abstain. Yes, we have liberty, but we do not use that liberty in such a way that it damages others.

Keep in mind that when we share in Communion, we are joining as partners with the Body of Christ at Large, stating that He is our Savior, too, and that we Believe in Him, Depend upon Him, and Worship Him. We do not do that with other things or people, nor do we have faith in any other God. Jesus is our All in All. We do not mix His service with service to any other deity,

Lord Jesus, we often struggle to understand Your Word. It is above our human ability to comprehend. We ask that You continue to teach us by Your Holy Spirit and mold us into the Image of Christ.

July 6, 2024July 6, 2024

What Is the Meaning of the Bible Word: “to Offend?”

What Does it Mean, “to Offend?”

1^st Corinthians 8:6-13

⁶But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

⁷Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

⁸But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

⁹But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

¹⁰For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

¹¹And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

¹²But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

¹³Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Introduction:

Today, “I’m offended” is the ultimate weapon against whatever people “don’t like.” We need to ask, “What does ‘Offend’ mean, anyway?”

A young man approached me during my first year in Bible School. He told me that my shoes “offended him.” They were nearly brand-new, but rather large, awkward-looking shoes, called “after-ski-boots.” I bought them during my drive to get to the school,. I was just trying to keep my feet warm as I drove an ancient VW with no heater, from Oregon to Michigan, in January. I made a long, cold trip, through the frozen heartland of the United States.

But, when I arrived, they told me there was a school “dress code.” I only had one other pair of shoes that fit me, and they were not acceptable to wear to class. But those “after-ski-boots” (though they were sloppy-looking, and oversized) were acceptable. So, I wore them.

I was shocked and dismayed when he confronted me. But before I could open my mouth to explain, he said, “I know what you’re gonna say! ‘They’re all you’ve got!’”

And, I replied, “But…they are all I’ve got!”

I don’t recall how the rest of that conversation played out. He did not “volunteer to help me find more acceptable footwear.” He only condemned what I had, and said my shoes “offended him.”

What IS the Meaning of the Bible Word “Offend?”

In 1st Corinthians 8, Paul concluded in verse 13 that His behavior might cause someone else “to offend.” It did not mean that they “didn’t like” what Paul was doing: They might like it a lot! But the issue (in verses 7, 9, and 10) is that through his liberty to eat whatever he liked, other people might be emboldened to do something they believed to be sin.

God repeatedly says that when we violate our conscience, we are doing wrong, even if it turns out that the thing we were doing was completely all right. And the reverse is also true: James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” That is one of the four New Testament definitions of Sin. Another such passage, specifically addressing the matter at hand, is Romans 14:23, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

A Real Life Example:

When my Dad was in graduate school, majoring in Chemical Engineering, obviously his Chemistry textbook was vitally important to his education. At that time, the school in which he was enrolled had a separate building as a student cafeteria, and it had a large, covered porch. It was common practice for students to leave their books or other belongings outside, on that porch, when they went into the cafeteria to eat. So, Dad left his books there, too, and went in; but when he returned, someone had taken his Chemistry book. (This was a real disaster!)

Disaster for a Struggling Student

He had no money for another book, so he tried borrowing from various other students, but, as final exams drew closer, they were not free to lend their books, because they also needed them, to prepare for their exams. Dad was a believer, and he knew that stealing was wrong, but his fellow students kept telling him, “Just steal someone else’s book!”

He truly was not willing to do it, but finally, as the exams were upon him, he was becoming desperate: He went to lunch one day, and he saw a Chemistry book left on the cafeteria porch. He looked around and no one was in sight, so he grabbed the book, shoved it under his sweater, and hurried back to his apartment, feeling deeply condemned and guilty. (And he should have!)

But when he arrived home and opened the book, he discovered that he had stolen back his own book! His name was written inside it! He was furious, and he wanted to go find the person who stole his book (seeking revenge.) Fortunately, he never found the person.

However, the lesson is clear: They were guilty of having stolen his book. But He was guilty of having violated his conscience! But verse 9 says that we are not to be a “stumbling block to those who are weak.” Dad’s fellow students had been a stumbling block to him, but it was because they were not believers. Had he looked in the book first and seen his name there, he could have taken it with a clean conscience. But he did not. He felt guilty because he was guilty!

So, Who is the “Weaker Brother?”

In Romans 14:1, 2 Paul identifies the “weaker brother” as the one who thinks he should not eat certain foods. (In that particular case, all meat-eating was in question.) The weaker brother thought that he should only eat vegetables. But God defines that person as “the weaker brother.”

In the case of 1^st Corinthians 8:1-6, the issue is specifically “food offered to idols.” And, yes, the food usually was the flesh of animals that had been offered to idols. (Bear in mind that the old English word “meat” only meant “food.” What we call “meat,” the King James Bible calls “flesh.”)

In verse 13, Paul concludes that if his eating flesh (at all) was causing someone else “to offend” (to sin against their conscience) then he was willing to never again eat flesh. If that is what it took to avoid damaging the weaker brothers, he was willing to become a vegetarian. But, Paul does not require that: he simply stated his priorities. (What is the value of a human soul? How important is it to you that you do not harm the flock of God?)

Who is the Weaker Brother in THIS Passage?

The person identified here as the weaker brother is the one who is fearful of foods that have been sacrificed to idols. (I can sympathize with that feeling! It just seems that, after it has been offered to an unclean spirit, the food must be “spiritually hazardous.”) But, in verse four, Paul says that the idol is nothing. And, in verse five, he says that all the different things the world calls “gods” are not gods. And the idols representing those “gods” have no power at all.

In Isaiah 46:6, 7, the LORD points out that though the people lavish gold upon their project of building an idol (that they will call a god,) they have to carry that “god” wherever they want him to go! And though they pray to that man-made god, and bow down to it, and worship it, it cannot answer and cannot even move, let alone save anyone from danger. The idols have no power for good or for evil, though the evil spirits they represent can cause trouble sometimes.

But, if the act of eating that food is seen to be an act of worship to that idol, (notice in verse ten, the food was eaten in the idol’s temple!) then it will be a stumbling block to weaker believers. It may also ruin your testimony with unbelievers, as they will see what they think is a contradiction to your professed faith.

When Might it be Appropriate to Eat Food that has been Offered to Idols?

In his book, “Lords of the Earth,” Don Richardson told of a situation among the Yali people, in the highlands of Irian Jaya. A known witch doctor brought a gift of a freshly killed pig to the missionary. The missionary was suspicious: he knew the man saw him as an enemy, so there must be a hidden agenda involved. He asked his language helper, “Why is he giving me this pig? What does he really want?”

The language helper explained that the pig had been killed by wild dogs. The religious people of that area worshipped and served the Kembu spirits…evil, dangerous spirits. They believed that if one of their pigs was killed by wild dogs, it meant that the Kembu spirits had claimed that animal, and that if the people ate it, they would die! So, the witch doctor’s motive was attempted murder, in a sense!

But, the missionary immediately turned toward the house, where his wife had been watching this exchange: “Honey? We are having pork tonight!”

Why did he choose to eat meat that had effectively been “sacrificed to idols?” Because he saw that there was a spiritual war in progress, a war for the souls of the Yali people. He knew that the Holy Spirit indwelling him and his wife, was the all-powerful God of the universe, and the evil spirits had no authority over him. The way to demonstrate that truth was to go ahead and eat that pig, so the Yali people would see that the Kembu spirits were powerless over Christians.

**When Might it Not be Appropriate?**

This passage, 1^st Corinthians 8:9-13 makes it clear that the real issue is not whether you have liberty ( and, you do, by the way) but whether you insist on using your liberty in a way that may hurt other people. Using your freedom carelessly can cause serious problems for immature believers.

A Personal Example

I used to love certain classical music compositions, and I felt free to whistle or hum their music…or even to sing the words in one case, because they were Latin and I didn’t know what they meant. (Was I in sin? No… I was just enjoying well-written symphony music, I thought.)

But, one day in my ignorance, I was singing the few words I knew of a very old piece of music, and a younger friend confronted me, saying, “WHY ARE YOU SINGING THAT??” I was astonished at the outburst, and I just said, “It’s nice music! I like it!”

He persisted, “Do you know what that song is?” I said, “Sure! It’s Franz Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’!” And he pressed on, saying “But don’t you know what that IS?” By now I was truly puzzled, so I said, “I guess I must not…!” He said, “Chet, that is the ‘Hail Mary,” put to music! It is a worship song to Mary!”

I replied, “I did not know that! I will not sing that song anymore!” (And I haven’t! It is sad, of course, because it is gorgeous music, but the fact remains that it truly was written as a worship song to Mary, as seen by the Roman Catholic Church.

So. why was it such a “big deal” to him? Because he was a brand-new Christian! He had just recently escaped the Roman religion, in which he had been born and raised, and he was horrified to hear me, his friend and teacher, apparently supporting the false religion he had just escaped.

Was that a good enough reason to permanently abandon that song? It absolutely was!

How Should We Apply The Teaching Today?

There may be things in our society that carry emotional baggage. We eventually stopped using wine in our Communion services. Why? Because we had recovering alcoholics among us. They were afraid they would regain a taste for alcohol and revert to drinking. It was an easy decision!

Do some churches strongly disagree with us about that? Certainly, they do…but we simply exercised our freedom to abstain from alcohol. We did so for the sake of those who might have been caused to stumble.

There are other examples in our society, where real freedoms may need to be set aside, to avoid a bad testimony. We hear people loudly say, “Stand on your rights!” But, according to God’s Word, sometimes it is better to “sit on ‘em!”

Philippians 2:5-8

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Remember: Jesus had the right to all the riches of the universe, let alone the paltry offering of this world. But, as Philippians chapter two tells us, He set aside those rights. He emptied Himself of His eternal prerogatives as God, the Creator, and the Author of all things.

The Greek word for this act is “Kenosis.” It means a “self-emptying.” He took on the form of a servant…specifically, a human baby! And we are called to follow Him in His humility. Set aside your own prerogatives as a proud, self-willed human, and embrace the humility of the Cross!

Lord Jesus, please free us from the tyranny of our self-will and pride. Allow us to join You in Your role as a servant. Allow us to be Your hands and feet and voice in this World. Let us offer all those around us the Gift of Eternal Life.

April 28, 2024April 28, 2024

Who Owns Your Body? (And Your Spirit?)

**Who Owns Your Body? (And Your Spirit?)**

1st Corinthians 6:12-20

¹²All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ¹³Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them.

Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

¹⁴And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

¹⁵Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

¹⁶What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

¹⁹What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Introduction:

Paul addresses the question of Personal Autonomy, here: it has been an important topic throughout history. Freemen felt that their most sacred possession was autonomy. Slaves desired to have personal autonomy, but other humans denied them the right to it.

Patrick Henry famously said, “But, as for me, give me Liberty or give me death!” He felt that life without freedom…without personal autonomy…was not worth living. (Remember that while many people shared that feeling, for themselves, they did not extend that same right to everyone else. Slavery did not end in this country until ninety years later.) Physical slavery has been a physical reality among humans for thousands of years, under a variety of possible circumstances. (And, it still is!) But physical slavery is not what this passage is about.)

Paul begins by talking about what we eat…in regard to diet, he was free. The dietary restrictions of the Mosaic Law no longer applied to him. Verses 12 and 13 together point this out as the beginning premise.

But he transitions rapidly to a different kind of issue: one of morality, not diet.

About Food:

Paul says he was (and, by implication, they also were) free to eat the food available to them. He only cautioned that he would not allow himself to be “brought under the power of” any such food (or drink.) And, by implication, that they should not allow themselves to be addicted, either. It is possible to overdo anything: one can become addicted to a particular favorite food, and overeat until they ruin their health. Alcohol, or other “mood-enhancing” substances, whether legal or illegal can fall into that same category, of course. (At one time cocaine and opium were unregulated. They were still dangerous drugs, even though they were not “illegal.”

Temperance–Self Control

In my own case, I know I can either take certain foods in small amounts or very infrequently, as I will almost certainly overindulge, just because I enjoy them so much. I feel fortunate that I have never been able to stand the taste of alcoholic beverages. It might very likely have been brought me “under its power,” as Paul warns, here. I have shown poor discipline in regard to foods, historically, so alcohol could have been a problem, too, if I had liked it at all.

Paul points out that both the food, and the belly into which they go, are temporary in nature, and have mostly temporary consequences.

But Paul is only using the twin topics of “ceremonially clean or unclean food,” and “addiction to foods or drink” as a “springboard” to something that cuts closer to home than either food or drink: sexual immorality.

Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. ¹⁴And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

The King James Bible uses the word “fornication,” from the Greek “porneia,” which means “sexual immorality” in general…usually outside of marriage. (There is also a Greek word (“moicheia”)for “adultery:” meaning “violation of marriage by sexual immorality.”)

Sexual Sin

Notice that while sexual sin is still physically associated with the physical body, there is a sense in which sexual sin oversteps the boundaries of “just being bad judgment.” It truly becomes a spiritual issue, reaching beyond just physical consequences. (This is not to say that other sins are not “spiritual issues.” He simply points out that there is a spiritual bond formed in sexual intercourse that violates the sanctity of our spiritual bond with Jesus Christ, as members of the Body of Christ.)

God says that, as believers, we do not have the “right” to be promiscuous. He says we belong to Him. We have been “sanctified” (declared holy) by Him as we read in the previous passage. He says we are His private property.

We may find the concept of our being “someone else’s property” to be repugnant, but it is not always a bad thing. When one person wrongfully claims to own another, and against that person’s will, it is a terrible thing, to be sure.

Owner by Means of Creation and Redemption

But remember that we are talking about the Creator, here: the literal OWNER of every subatomic particle in the universe, by right of Creation, and the Owner of our bodies, souls and spirits, for the same reason, and specifically, in the case of believers, by redemption.

The Lord Jesus, as God, the Son, created the physical materials which comprise our physical bodies , and He created our immaterial parts (soul and spirit.) But then, He also bought us back, out of the marketplace of sin , by giving His own life in our place. That is Redemption!

If I buy something, I own it! He bought us, and He owns us, even though we don’t always admit it.

By the way, this rule carries over into human marriage, as well: 1^st Corinthians 7:3, 4 says that my wife has authority over my body, in our marriage…and I have authority over hers! We may not like that, either, but God says it is so. We can accept it or deny it… but that is what He says!

So, What is the Connection?

¹⁵Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.

¹⁶What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

In Ephesians 5:31, Paul quoted Genesis 2:24. He reminding the believers that from the beginning, God had shown that there is a bond created in the marital union, that is not to be broken nor to be “muddled” by misuse. That “muddling” could be from anything from divorce and remarriage to polygamy. In the human marriage relationship, there is a demonstration of the relationship between Christ and the Church, according to Ephesians 5:21-33.

Here in 1^st Corinthians 6:15, Paul raises this question, and he points out that for believers, it goes a step further: We have been made members of the Body of Christ (See 1^st Corinthians 12:13.) So, in sexual immorality, not only are we violating the union between husband and wife, but we are also violating the union between Christ and the Church!

¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

Our union with Him is not just physical, nor even just a temporary spiritual union, “mystic” in nature, “for as long as we both shall live.” Rather, it is an intensely spiritual and permanent bond between our spirits and that of God Himself! It is not to be trifled with. This bond is not to be dragged in the dirt of sin. It cannot be broken, because God has chosen to permanently redeem us. But it can be damaged and rendered ineffective by our sin.

Paul’s Conclusion Regarding the Consequences of Fornication

¹⁸Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

There is some way in which sexual sin crosses over into a different category. We might think that “all sin is outside the body.” But God says this one affects you directly, and in a deeper way.

By the way, all sin “begins in the heart.” That is not the question here. Proverbs 6:32 also points out that “one who commits adultery destroys his own soul.” People do not forget marital unfaithfulness, and are unlikely to forgive someone who took their husband or wife.

So, Paul says “flee fornication!” Stay completely “away from the edge,” there! It is not just “something that happens,” It has to “build up ahead of time.” There is a time during which a person is “playing with sin” in their mind. (In Matthew 6:27, 28, Jesus said that the adultery first occurred there.) They are “flirting” with destruction.

I have read that the most common “last words” in the Grand Canyon National Park are something to the effect of “Hey, watch this!” People get “too close to the edge,” and fall off to their death. There is no reason you have to “get close to the edge” in terms of sexual sin. You can see it coming a long way off and avoid it.

2^nd Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

You see, you have options: you have a way to “stay clear of the edge!” Follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

So, Why is it So Important?

This is where we discover that, as believers in Jesus, each of our human bodies has become indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and that He considers each believer’s body to be a unique “temple of the Holy Spirit.”

The “temple of the Holy Spirit” mentioned here is not the same as the “Temple of God” (singular) in 1^st Corinthians 3:16, 17, which is comprised of all members of the Body of Christ. This is plural, and it is directed to every individual believer. Your body, as the dwelling place of The Holy Spirit, is to be kept holy…the food you eat has little to no effect, nor do other temporal things.

But immorality has a direct effect on the relationship you have with the Holy Spirit. He will not leave you, but He can certainly be grieved by our sins. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” There are some boundaries we are to completely avoid. This is one of them.

The Roots of Our Rebellion

Why? Because we no longer belong to ourselves (as if we ever really did.) We thought we belonged to ourselves, and we fiercely desire to maintain that “personal autonomy.” But the fact is, we have never truly been “self-possessed.” We only desired to be so, just as Lucifer desired to be his own master, in Isaiah 14:12-14.

Ther reason that forgiveness and grace are available to us at all is that we all sin ignorantly. We have never seen God face to face, and we have no real understanding of the terrible reality of our rebellion. The angels who sinned did so in full knowledge, having seen God face to face from the day they were created.

But Paul concludes, “For ye are bought with a price. Therefore, Glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” He says, “You belong to Him by creation and also by redemption! Live in such a way as to say, “Thank You!” Honor Him. Give Him credit for what He has done in your life!

Giving Credit to the One Who Desreves it

None of us like it when we have done something good and someone else takes the credit. If there is anyone in History who deserves full credit, it is the Lord Jesus, as God the Son! He created us, and sustained us, and He bought us back out of our lostness, to be His forever!

Such a lifestyle, committed to honoring the Lord, must exclude the kinds of immorality that shame Him and Grieve the Holy Spirit. Each of us has to start where we are, and choose to honor Jesus…Choose to glorify Jesus. Don’t allow anything to come between you and that choice!

Lord Jesus, awaken in us the desire to please You in all things, and to set aside anything that would shame you. Raise us up as Your disciples.

April 6, 2024April 6, 2024

Fail to Address Sin? Pride is Still the Root of the Problem

Pride is Still the Root of the Problem

1^st Corinthians 5:1-13

¹ It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. ²And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

³For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, ⁴In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁵To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Pride was the Problem!

⁶Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? ⁷Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: ⁸Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁹I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: ¹⁰Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

¹¹But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. ¹²For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? ¹³But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Introduction:

This is a very uncomfortable passage to study: The immoral behavior of the persons in question repulses us, and the response of the assembly perplexes us. But then, we are also uncomfortable with the response of the apostle in calling for judgment.

The simple fact is, we are uncomfortable “talking about sin,” as sin! We are conscious of our own fallibility: and due to our fragility, we are reluctant to judge sin in others. A friend once encouraged me to sing some sacred songs to a group of hardened unbelievers. I told him I thought it would be inappropriate, as Jesus had said (in Matthew 7:6) “Do not cast your pearls before swine, neither give that which is holy to the dogs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn and rend thee.”

He said, “But, are we supposed to judge such things?”

I retorted, “Of course we are! How else could we obey the command?” He said, “I never thought of that!” You see, we have to “use good judgment!”

Things to Bear in Mind

There are several points of which we should take note, as we seek to understand this passage: First, simply as a foundation for reading, we need to see that this is not about “condemning” believers. Romans 8:1-4 teaches that “there is now therefore no condemnation to them that are in Christ.”

In John 5:24, Jesus promised that “he that heareth my Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life.” (Again, no condemnation!)

Second, we need to see that, while the correction God extends to his saints may seem harsh, at times, His only goal is to teach us to walk with Him.

Third, we need to remember that Jesus is the Judge, here. This is not an encouragement for believers to attack believers. The only goal is restoration.

Finally, the twin purposes of this chapter are (a) to protect the church by removing someone who was badly affecting the other believers, and (b) to bring that sinning believer to repentance and restore him to a walk with Christ.

What Do We See in 1^st Corinthians, chapter 5?

There is a fairly obvious “outline” we can discern as we read through the chapter:

This Was Open, Public, Flagrant Sin

The sin in question was open, flagrant, and unbelievers universally condemned it. Thus, it was truly affecting the testimony of the whole church. This was not some “quiet” thing, that was affecting no one else. Everyone already knew about it. It affected the whole church.

In the past, unmarried couples have attended here and in other churches. They were quietly living in error. But we did not reject, judge, or condemn them. We taught the Bible as the Word of God, and the scriptures soon convicted them. They asked the church to marry them. And we rejoiced with them!

The situation in this chapter was not that sort of thing. Unbelievers universally condemned the sin, and it could not be rectified except by confession and repentance. It had to stop, not just change. Technically, it was incest. Virtually all cultures forbid this sin: usually by law.

**This Was Not a “Questionable” Issue**

Virtually every culture has things largely disapproved, but which have no bearing on the teachings of the Bible at all. This is not such a thing. Some people think it is sin to subscribe to a Sunday newspaper. Others think it is sin to wear colorful clothing. Some judge others for their haircut, their personal hygiene, or their grooming. This is not that sort of thing.

We have had members who truly desire to stop a bad habit, such as smoking. The Bible does not touch on that at all, yet some people condemn it as a sin, as if it were a definite moral issue. But it is not. Is it unhealthy? Surely, it is! So is welding; as are most heavy construction jobs. So is overeating. So are many other societal patterns. We do not condemn such a person.

If they need help, we offer our support. We pray for one another. In some cases, we go to such a person privately, and we intervene at one level or another, encouraging them to drop the self-destructive behavior and to follow Jesus. But there is no condemnation.

God condemned this particular sin and the unbelieving world rejected it, as well. Everyone knew it was wrong. The man involved was not ignorantly sinning, nor did he just “innocently fall into a bad pattern.” It was not just a “lifestyle choice.” It was open rebellion and sin.

Pride is Still the Root of the Problem

We saw back in the first chapters of the book, that pride was dividing the church and demonstrating the carnality of the church. And pride was still the root of the problems. The believers at Corinth were “proud of their tolerance.” They were “puffed up.” They did not mourn the sin; nor did they consider the damage to their testimony. They approved of the sin and thought they were “spiritual” for doing so!

Romans 1:32 concludes, “Who, knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but have pleasure in them that do them.” They approve of the sins that God condemns. In Romans, Paul was addressing the sins of the unbelievers.

We still see the same patterns today as those spelled out in Romans chapter one. For example, the movies that receive the highest ratings in terms of popularity are always the ones with the most sin in them, whether violence, nudity, vile language, or immoral sexual behavior. Even when a society “claims to reject such behavior,” they vote with their feet and pocketbooks, and those movies show the overall approval of the population.

Unfortunately, when we tolerate flagrant sin, as believers, one of the possible results is that we can become “proud” of it. We are proud of our reluctance to “judge sin.” But God commanded us to judge sin. Pride has led us astray once again! We are “proud of tolerating evil” and “proud of not admitting that evil is evil.”

And, it still is the problem, today!

This is becoming a very current issue, today, in the modern church: There is a local church group here, who are quite proud of their sin, and they no longer see it for what it is. There are no Bibles in their building. Their teacher no longer addresses the Word of God at all. They have forgotten the repeated teaching in the Bible that Jesus is the Living Word of God. They still claim the name of Christ, but they have turned away from Him entirely, and they have dragged His Name into such deep shame, by their uncleanness, that they are truly a dead church.

In Revelation 2:20, Jesus condemned the behavior of the Church at Thyatira, specifically because they tolerated the sin of the woman he called “Jezebel.” She was teaching believers to commit immorality and idolatry. Yes, He judged the sin of that person and those who followed her into sin, but He also judged the Church for tolerating the sin.

Why is it such a problem? Because it infects the whole Church, one way or another. Verse six compares sin to leaven or yeast. It does not stay in one spot. It spreads and grows until it permeates all of the bread dough it can reach.

**What is the Goal of this Warning?**

The purpose or goal of this warning, which required the church to unanimously judge sin, was twofold:

to purge the church of that specific uncleanness, or wickedness, and
to restore the sinning believer. (Verse 5)

This is in keeping with Galatians 6:1-5…the purpose of “church discipline” is always restoration, not condemnation of the believer. And, again, notice that the judgment is not directed toward unbelievers: this is about those who call themselves believers, but who are polluting the church by open rebellion against God.

We treat unbelievers kindly: they are welcome here, but they are not allowed to teach, nor to create division. This church does not ask for money from visitors, at all, lest anyone think that contributing to a church brings a right relationship with God. We cannot become a “monastic” society, closing ourselves off from the World. We are here to reach out to the world. Verse 10 points out that we would have to “leave the planet” to achieve such separation.

But a believer, who is bringing shame to Christ by his or her behavior, is in a different category. Those are the ones regarding whom this warning is given.

No Hierarchy of Sin

Finally, when we look at “sin” as a general topic in scripture, we cannot discern a “hierarchy” of sin. God lumps them all together as condemned by His Righteousness. In Proverbs 6:16-19, the one “list” where God says, “these things the LORD hates,” Pride is listed, along with gossip, lying, and talebearing: But sexual immorality is NOT. Does that mean God does not hate all sin? No…but the heart issues that cause all the others are where God points out the root of the outward sins…the heart is the source, and pride is frequently the root.

Everyone sins. There are no exceptions, except for Jesus, who was God in the Flesh. We confess to everyone that we are saved sinners. We continually confess our sins to God, to maintain a fellowship relationship with Him. So, this is not an invitation to a “feeding frenzy” of believers attacking other believers for perceived faults. (Remember, in Revelation 12:10, we see that Satan is the “Accuser of the Brethren.” We do not want to do his “dirty work!”)

The Church at Corinth was in trouble. And the issue was their pride in their tolerance of open rebellion and sin. Not simply that there was “sin in the camp.”

What is the Real issue?

The church can be seen as a “hospital for saints and sinners.” We are not surprised that the “hospital has sinners:” That is why we are here! We confess that Jesus died for our sins. And, yes, our sins grieve us, and our failures grieve us. We are not “surprised that it happens.” We are simply grieved that it continues!

But consider again the “illustration” of a hospital ward. A “patient” may come in with zero desire for healing. Also, he is preventing others from healing. Such a patient is to be quietly and kindly ushered back outside. They do need help, but we can’t help them when they reject the help.

We want them to know we care about them. We assure them that, if they repent, and come back to submit to the Great Physician, desiring to be healed, they will be welcomed with open arms. There is no condemnation. It is simply a matter of protecting the church from those who turn others away from the Christ who bought them with His Blood.

Lord Jesus, help us to read your Word, understand it, and take it to heart. Help us to apply it with the Love and Mercy that You offered through the Cross.

March 2, 2024March 2, 2024

What Does The New Testament Say About “Judging?”

What About “Judging?”

Introduction:

As a matter of course, this Sunday we would have gone forward into 1^st Corinthians 5, simply because last week we completed chapter four. However, the various subjects of chapter 5 are fairly uncomfortable for most people. They include the concepts of sin and judgment, as well as some things such as polygamy, which is illegal in our culture, but fairly common in other cultures. Finally, it deals with “church discipline” which is a very uncomfortable idea for most people.

In particular, Paul names a specific sin of sexual immorality involved, which we may feel is not an appropriate subject for a Church service. But he deals with the subject of judgment rather strongly, there, as well, and not in a “negative” sense. In that passage, he commands the Church to judge something.

Since our modern society tells us that “judgment is a bad thing,” we need to study what God says about judgment and make our best determination about what we are to do. (Are there other things we should consider? Under some circumstances, God commands us to not judge. Under some circumstances God commands that we must judge! And under some circumstances He simply advises us to use good judgment, or to judge carefully what we should do.)

What Can We Learn About Judgment?

We usually think of “judging, and judgment,” only in a negative sense: The unbelieving World acts as if “all judgment is bad.” (But is it?)

Jesus is the Judge of all things, and over all the World. Genesis 18:25, says Abraham recognized Him, face to face, as the Judge of all the earth. And, in John 5:22 Jesus confirmed that He, Himself, God the Son…is that Judge!

So, it follows, at the very least, that not all judgment is “bad.” Further, we use the same word, saying, “One has to exercise good judgment, to avoid the snares and bad decisions in life!” So, we admit, by our words, that there is such a thing as “good judgment.”

But then we insist that “there must be a different kind of judging, that Jesus condemned!”

Perhaps we need to examine the various Greek words used in the New Testament, and translated as “judge, judging, or judgment,” to see what Jesus truly said about the matter:

Several Greek Roots for the New Testament Passages about Judgment:

Primary Greek Root: Krinō

Krinō is the infinitive verb, “to judge.” It includes, but is not limited to, the concept of condemning. It also includes the concept of making a good decision or discerning between good and bad.

Krinō can also include making an authoritative decree as a Judge, in a civil matter, or making a weighty decision in church matters, that calls for “good judgment.” Or it can even mean just “stating an opinion.” (Krinō is used 110 times in various grammatical forms, and it is translated as “judge” 87 of those times.)

Secondary Greek Root: Krima

This means to judge or condemn. (This is where we get our English words, “crime,” “criminal,” and “incriminate.”.) (It is used only 29 times…and it is translated as “judgment” 13 of those times. The other uses are mostly “condemnation” or “damnation.”)

So, in the following passages, we hope to examine examples of each of those ideas and the particular grammatical changes in the Greek root.

Four Other Greek Roots:

Hegeomai: This means “to consider.” It is only used once in the New Testament, and it carries the idea of “regarding,’ or ‘considering” Hebrews 11:11 (about the faith of Sara) “…because she judged Him faithful Who had promised.” We rarely use this form in modern English, but it was once quite common. (“We judged that a quart of water ought to be enough to prime the pump…”)

There are others: (dikē) is related to the concept of the judgment of a ruler. (It is only used in that way nine times.)

A few other examples related to the concept of knowledge or thinking: (three from the Greek root “gnosko.”) Or the concept of perception, (one from the Greek word “aesthesis.”)

The Majority of Biblical Examples Come from “Krinō”

The majority of the occurrences of the English words, “judge,” or “judgment” in the New Testament are from the root “Krinō,” in various grammatical forms. Here are five examples:

Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (This verse is most commonly quoted.) (krinete with negative prefix “mē.”) but “krima” (condemnation) appears in the very next verse: “with what judgment (krima) you judge (krinō) ye shall be judged (krinō)….” So, the “krinō” judgment, in this context, is connected to “krima,” implying condemnation.

Matthew 19:28 Judging, as righteous, ordained Judges… (Jesus said that the apostles would serve as judges over Israel.”…ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”) (krinontes…judging)

Acts 13:46 Judge: (krinō, krinete) (meaning, to “give an opinion:” especially an authoritative opinion…a judgment) “…ye put it from you and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life…”, and

Acts 15:19 “Wherefore my sentence is that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.” (“Sentence,” here, is from the word “krinete”… meaning “judgment.”)

John 18:31 “Pilate said, take Him and judge Him according to your law.” (“Judge,” here, is from “krinate” meaning “to sit in Judgment”…in court)

There are Various Concepts of Judgment

1^st Corinthians 6:1-8 is a very good passage within which to see the various uses of the verb “krinō.”

¹Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law (krinesthai) before the unjust, and not before the saints? ²Do ye not know that the saints shall judge (krinousin)the world? and if the world shall be judged (krinetai) by you, are ye unworthy to judge (kritērion)the smallest matters? ³Know ye not that we shall judge (krinoumen) angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

⁴If then ye have judgments (kritēria) of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge (the word “judge” is not in the original, it is only implied by the context…it literally just says, “set them up”) who are least esteemed in the church. ⁵I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge (diakrinai) between his brethren?

⁶But brother goeth to law (krinetai) with brother, and that before the unbelievers. ⁷Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law (krinata) one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? ⁸Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.

Multiple Uses: Multiple Implications

We can see that there are ten different uses, with six or eight different implications, all lumped under the Biblical word “judgment,” just in that one passage!

Go to judgment in a legal court
Judge over the world, in righteousness.
To Judge as an arbiter of justice between people of the world
Judge as one having to make decisions by good judgment: discernment.
Judge over angels (!) No idea where that takes place.
Judgments as court cases…civil disagreements.
Judge as an arbitrator.
Take to court, as opponents

Not all of these examples are negative. God advises some, and commands others, while He prohibits still others. We must read carefully and understand the context, to know what kind of “judgment” is in question.

Another Example:

Romans 14:1-4 gives a pair ofconflicting opinions that may arise between believers. And Paul says that they are not to “judge” each other over such issues.

“¹ Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful (“diakrisis:” judgmental) disputations. ²For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

³Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge (“me krinetō”not judge) him that eateth: for God hath received him.

⁴Who art thou that judgest (“krinōn” judging) another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

⁵One man esteemeth (“krinei” judges…considers) one day above another: another esteemeth (“krinei” judges…considers) every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

So, there we see another four applications of the word “krinō.”

Hold in Disregard
Criticize
Condemn
Consider (judging something to be a certain way.)

What Did Jesus Mean?

Jesus said, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” I would have guessed that the word He used was “krima,” meaning condemn, as a criminal. But it is not: The word is actually the Greek word “krinē.” And, in the subsequent verse, he uses two other forms of the same root word, “krinō”

He says those who believe on Him (meaning “trust in Him as Savior”) are not judged (“ou krinetai…not condemned,” KJV) but that those who do not believe are already judged (“kekritai…condemned,” KJV) because they have not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

So, we can see that the range of meaning in the infinitive verb krinō (“to judge”) is pretty huge!

Different Kinds of Judges

No one condemns a person for taking a position as a livestock judge in a county fair, or, if they are qualified to do so, a judge in any contest. We require a referee or an umpire, in most sporting events. Sometimes we employ electronic devices to eliminate errors due to human failings. But the judges are still there. And we want them there!

No law-abiding person condemns another person for taking a position as a Judge in a court of Law. We only require that they do that job with integrity and justice; entirely following the law. Kindness and Mercy are additional qualities we admire in a good judge. We see Patience, in listening carefully to testimonies from upset, confused people, as another good trait.

Jesus is that sort of Judge.

He is perfect, and Holy, but He is kind, and just. His Mercy and Love took Him to the Cross to blot out the Holy judgment against us: not by denying it, but by fulfilling it. His blood, spilled at the Cross, fulfilled the righteous demands of His Holiness and made it possible for us to approach Him through that Blood Sacrifice.

We need to learn to emulate Jesus, the One perfect Judge, so that we do not fail to judge correctly and do not exceed His judgment and begin to condemn others.

Lord Jesus, take each of us in hand: Correct our heart attitudes toward those around us. Help us to Love as you Love, and not to harbor ill-will. Free us from our slavery to sin.

October 14, 2023October 14, 2023

What is the “Christian Work Ethic?” What is Disorderly?

What is the “Christian Work Ethic?”
And, What is “Disorderly?“

2^nd Thessalonians 3:6-9

⁶Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. ⁷For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; ⁸Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought (worked) with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: ⁹Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

Introduction:

We noted in the past that Paul and his entourage worked to support their ministry. They did so for several reasons, two of which are listed here:

“That we might not be chargeable to any of you.” No one had any leverage against his walk with Jesus. (Unlike some politicians who find themselves indebted to their financial supporters.) They could not be “squeezed” to do something other than God directed.
“To make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.” Paul and his entourage demonstrated the lifestyle the new believers were expected to emulate.
A third is listed in 1^st Thessalonians 2:6-9
⁵For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:⁶Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.⁷But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:⁸So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.⁹For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

Application:

Think this through: When we send missionaries, we pay their way, as best we can, (other churches and individuals also helping.) But the people to whom they are sent contribute nothing! Paul was that kind of missionary. He did not preach with a hidden agenda of covetousness, or greed. He had a single goal: to preach the Gospel, as Jesus had commanded.

Paul and his entourage sought temporary work whenever they stayed in an area long enough to do so. (They were in Corinth for eighteen months. Two years in Ephesus…but only three weeks or so in Thessalonica. But evidently they had worked there, as well.) They were not looking for a handout, and they commanded the people they taught to follow that example!

Work Ethic

The whole context in verses 6-18 has to do with the Christian Work-Ethic. These first four verses include how Paul and his co-laborers demonstrated this ethic. But it also introduces the fact that this is part of the Christian Testimony, that we are not to be freeloaders.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes, as a matter of fact, there are! If we look ahead to verse ten, we see that, in this context, the command is that those who will not work were not to receive support from those who chose to work. It had nothing to do with those who were disabled in some way, or too old to work. Those are laid out in other passages, where care of ailing family members and the elderly is named.

The primary thrust is to show the example that Paul and his co-laborers had demonstrated. False teachers seeking a profit, and lazy men seeking an easy way of life are not to be rewarded for their wrong motives.

I have known people who sought to enter the ministry specifically because “it was an easy job that paid well.” They had zero heart for the work. They cared nothing for the flock. This is exactly the kind of “bad shepherd” that God condemns in Ezekiel 34:1-10.

Paul and his fellow servants were demonstrating what it meant to care for the flock without charge, for the sake of the Gospel.

What about the Support of Pastors?

In verse 9, Paul pointed out that it was not because he lacked the authority to receive support, but because he chose to go without. (The word “power” in that verse is the Greek word “exousia,” meaning “authority.”)

He used the same word that Jesus did in the Great Commission, where He said “All power is given unto me in Heavan and in Earth…” All authority belongs to Jesus! Paul had the authority as an apostle to require support, but he absolutely avoided such questionable use of his authority. Because he asked nothing, no one could accuse him of wrong motives. No one could say, regarding his service, “He’s only in it for the money!” It obviously could not be true. He served without charge.

Paul’s Example:

In 1^st Corinthians 9:18, he said, “What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”

Paul said that it would be an abuse of authority for him to “charge money” for people to hear the Gospel of Christ. That is why all of our sermons are on a free podcast in audible form, and all of our sermon notes are available on our website as a free download in written form.

Paul’s Command:

But Paul commanded, in 1^st Timothy 5:17, 18 that elders who served well be counted worthy of good support: especially those who labor in the Word, and in Teaching. He supported that concept from the Old Testament passage in Deuteronomy 25:4 where it says that the ox you are using to thresh grain is not to be muzzled while he works.

Paul served without pay: he received funds as people were moved to support his work. The church at Philippi was one of the very few who regularly supported him.

Does that mean that all God’s servants should always work without pay? Obviously not, as Paul commanded the churches to support their teachers and elders well. But, if a pastor is capable of serving without pay, and chooses to do so, it is good! He is just following Paul’s example.

That is one end of the spectrum. The other end includes the people we mentioned earlier, who simply saw it as a gravy-train job, with great security. And God condemns such behavior.

So, What is “Disorderly?”

Notice that the command…(specifically, a “command in the name of Jesus”) was to withdraw from “every brother “…believers…who “walk disorderly.” Don’t fellowship with people who behave in that manner…(whatever it is.)

But, we can’t very well obey commands we don’t understand. (We can try, but it frequently results in confusion.) The infant church in Ethiopia, in 1937, having only small portions of the New Testament in their language when Mussolini expelled the missionaries, decided they should not keep goats, pigs or dogs! Why? Because they read a verse that said “beware of dogs,” and other verses that made negative comparisons regarding goats and still others about pigs. But none of those passages were about animals: in every case, the passages were talking about people. Did their mistake do any real harm? No, but it caused them to miss the real intent of all those passages!

What does it mean?

So, what does it mean, when it says “disorderly,” in the case of believers? What were they doing wrong in this case? Perhaps many things, but, in this context, one issue was certainly slothfulness and “feeding on the work of others” rather than working so as to not only meet the needs of your own family but also to have enough to share with others.

Could it include other kinds of disorderly behavior? Absolutely, it could! In our legal system, there is a legal charge of “Drunk and Disorderly.” Could it include that? Certainly. But the warning here is potentially much broader, as he specifically says it means “not after the tradition which he received of us. ⁷For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Ignoring sound Bible teaching regarding “bad moral behavior” or bad social behavior of any kind could fall under this command. We are commanded to withdraw from believers who rebel against God and His Word. Does that mean anyone who disagrees with how we understand the Written Word? Nope. This has to do with behavior. A man may completely disagree with my understanding of a passage, and still be a wonderful, Godly believer.

But I have known of churches in our geographic area who have encouraged their members to “become relevant to the world” by joining them in their social framework. They specifically meant in bars, and nightclubs. They were not just talking about watching football, or going fishing, or some other harmless thing.

That is an irresponsible teaching:

In the first place, it does not make you “relevant” to the World: it makes you a hypocrite, in their eyes, because they know their behavior is wrong. When you join them in their behavior, it assures them that you are no different than they are, therefore the Gospel must have had no effect in your life! The only thing you have accomplished is the ruin of your testimony!
In the second place, it is a potential trap for any believers who attempt to follow it. God says believers can be trapped by sin. They can permanently ruin their testimony, through debauchery of some sort. They can lose their family to adulterous affairs, or their liberty to some unlawful behavior that crept in. Sometimes they have even lost their lives to violence in a bad relationship. And I have known examples of each of these.

We are going to try to teach sound Biblical understanding and application, here in this assembly., We will urge every believer to mold his or her life around God’s Word.

How Does God Change Lives?

Romans 12:2 commands us to allow God to transform us through the renewing of our minds. That is accomplished from the inside, by the indwelling Holy Spirit. He uses the Written Word of God to do it.

Psalm 119:9 says that the only way humans can cleanse their lives before God, is by the application of the Word of God to their lives. (“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy Word!”) God does not list any other way for us to avoid the traps of sin that surround us. We are to apply God’s Word.

He also says, in 2^nd Peter 1:19-21, “ ¹⁹We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: ²⁰Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. ²¹For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

He specifically tells us that our primary light-source in this dark world is to be the Written Word of God.

And in Philippians 2:15, 16, he says “¹⁵That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ¹⁶Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

How Should We then Live?

We are to shine as lights in the World, and we are to constantly be offering others the Word of Life. (That is the Gospel!)

When we join with the world in their “disorderly ways” we take on the patina of that behavior and the light burning within us cannot be seen, just as the burning light in a dirty headlamp cannot be seen through the mud on the outer lens. Don’t allow your light to be dimmed by disorderly behavior, nor by constant association with others who behave that way.

Lord Jesus, convict our hearts of our need for Your Written Word, applied to our daily lives. Lead us to learn Your Word, so that the Holy Spirit has the tools to transform our lives.

June 10, 2023June 10, 2023

The Call of God to a Holy Life

1^st Thessalonians 4

¹Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

²For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

³For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

⁴That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

⁵Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

⁶That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

⁷For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

⁸He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Introduction:

Paul begins to give further instruction to these new believers. Remember that they lived in the Roman world, where, just as in the Grecian Empire before it, the public and private morals were very corrupt. Sexual sin, in particular, was rampant.

Corinth was far worse!

In Corinth, at that same time, where the church had even greater contamination, there was a gigantic temple to Aphrodite. It was called a “temple,” but the acts of “worship” involved having sexual relations with the temple prostitutes (for money.) The Encyclopedia Britannica records that in its heyday, that “temple” had 10,000 prostitutes, both male and female. Business was booming! I assume that sexually transmitted diseases were also flourishing there.

In Thessalonica, no such religiously oriented prostitution existed. But there was still the ungodly influence of the World, just as there is today. Paul begged the believers to live the way the apostles had taught them during their brief stay there. (That is what “beseech” means: “beg!”) They had been taught what sort of lifestyle pleased God. Paul begged them to “abound more and more” in that walk with God. They were to be growing in that relationship.

The Apostles’ Teaching

We can go through the Pauline epistles and see what sort of other things he is “likely” to have told them. Some they probably already knew, as some of these “new” believers in Christ were already well-taught Jewish believers, and others were Gentile proselytes to Judaism.

They all were gaining an understanding of the God of the Bible and a beginning of awareness of His Holiness. Some of the things Paul taught may have seemed to be “new,” and those were probably rooted in the “upgrades” that Jesus pointed out. He sharpened the understanding of the believers, to realize that sin is not just “outward actions:” It also includes the root thought or attitude that fostered the eventual actions.

Why is Sexual Sin a Good Example to Use?

In Romans 7, Paul used the example of covetousness. It is one of the prohibitions in the ten commandments and it is one that is entirely inward, though it will certainly bear outward fruit.

Still today, there are people who teach that “you cannot sin in your mind.” They teach that “until it results in an outward action, it is not sin.” Jesus refuted that, saying that when a person is angry without cause, they are in danger of judgment. In the same passage, He taught that when a man looks upon a woman to desire her, (That is what “lust” means: “desire.”) that he has already committed adultery with her in his heart. That is where sin begins. Every man who is honest with himself already knows this. But we can expand that concept to every other sin.

All sin begins in the heart! And that should not be a surprise: Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked: who can know it?” So how can we escape such a cycle of sin and death?

What does it mean to be Holy?

Verse three states that we are to be holy: we are God’s private property. That is what “sanctification” means: It means that we have been declared to be “holy.” It means that we are set aside for God’s private and exclusive use.

Remember that the vessels in the Temple of God were Holy, too. On more than one occasion, the temple was raided, and the vessels were stolen. In Daniel 5:3, 4, we see that the Babylonian king Belshazzar took those stolen vessels and drank from them, specifically “drinking as an act of worship to his idols.” He and all his family, friends and servants drank from those holy vessels and praised the gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone. That was an blatantly blasphemous desecration of God’s property!

Result of Defilement

But here is the question to consider: having been defiled in that manner, were those vessels less holy? Were they not still God’s private property? The fact is, they did belong to God. When they eventually were returned to the temple, they had to be washed, and reconsecrated for Temple use: but after that cleansing, they were once again used for their intended purpose.

When we fall into sin, no matter how great or small, we are taking God’s private property and using it in a manner that shames Him, just as Belshazzar did! We still belong to God, but we are defiled by the sins we commit. Until that sin is confessed and fellowship is restored, we are just as defiled as those holy temple vessels had been by the wicked acts of Belshazzar and company.

What Vessels?

It is interesting, too, that, in verse 4, God chose to use the word “vessels” here, regarding us. (What vessels?) Since there was so much information about the “vessels” of the temple, and what happened to them, it is interesting that God chose to refer to our bodies as “vessels.”

In Romans 9:21-24, Paul pointed out that physical “vessels,” made of clay, by a human potter, could be destined for honor or dishonor, according to the intent of the maker. A flowerpot, for example, is usually made of cheap, common, red clay. It is used to hold beautiful ornamental plants, but it is relatively weak, very porous, and fragile.

Fine china, in contrast, is made of expensive kaolin clay. It can be fired at extreme temperatures and, as a result, it is much harder and stronger. Ironically, toilets and other such “vessels” are also made of kaolin clay. Their intended use is not the same as it is for “fine china.”

What is our intended Use?

But what the vessel is made of is not the question, here. The real question is, “What is its intended use?” We are intended for God’s use. Yes, we are weak and fragile, and we have many “frailties” built into us. But we are made for His honor. Especially after being born again, we belong to Him and are expected to live in such a way as to honor Him. We cannot claim that “our frailties made us do evil.” We choose to sin.

In contrast, the angelic hosts were created with none of our frailties, and yet a third of them chose to follow Satan into rebellion, despite knowing their Creator face to face. The reason God offers His Grace to us and not to them is that we have not seen Him, and we have no idea of the enormity of our rebellion. God says we received Grace because we sinned ignorantly. The angels did not sin ignorantly: they knew their Creator personally, and had seen His glory in person.

Possessing our Vessels

We are immortal spirit beings, dwelling in bodies of mortal flesh. We will exist somewhere, forever, either with the Lord, or apart from Him. Unlike the Spirit of God, our spirits have a “starting point,” at conception. Jeremiah 1:5 makes it clear that God knew us before He created us: He says His foreknowledge precedes the creation of each new spirit. And, from conception, that spirit lives in a body (sometimes called a “temple” or a “tabernacle”…a tent) of flesh. How we use that body, and how we use our minds, will either honor God or fail to do so. Paul teaches that, as born-again children of God, we are to walk with God in a manner that honors him.

Defrauding your Brother

How we live also affects others: For example, if you are unfaithful to your spouse, it doesn’t just affect you. It affects your spouse, and it affects the person with whom you committed adultery, and their other relationships are affected in turn. Children are affected, too: sometimes scarred permanently by the sins of their parents.

We cannot undo the effect of our sin. All we can do is confess it, and stop it! We are told to renounce that kind of behavior and live as the people of God. You cannot serve the flesh and simultaneously serve God. And in verse six, God warns that He still judges sin: don’t get the idea that people are “getting away with” anything.

This is not just an admonition to married people, either: the word he used here, translated as “fornication,” is “porneia.” It is a broader term than “adultery:” it simply means “sexual sin.” It is where we get our word, “pornography.” Satan begins his attack in the mind, luring us to lewd thoughts and tempting through the eyes and ears, as he lures us to sin.

But we are given the weapons of warfare to combat that attack: 2^nd Corinthians 10:4, 5 says, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imagination and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”.

Casting Down Imaginations!

That rather rules out the idea that “our inner thoughts are ok, so long as we don’t act on them,” doesn’t it? And the fact that the weapons are not carnal tells us that we can’t fight this battle in the flesh. Finally, he says that every thought is to be taken captive to the obedience of Christ.

“Secret sin” is not a secret! God is completely aware of every thought we entertain, for better or worse. Our lives are completely open to His gaze. I don’t know about you, but that is not an entirely comfortable thought, to me. It means that when I am thinking wrong thoughts (regardless of what kind) I am “doing” what those thoughts entail, right in front of God. I am defiling myself in His presence, even though I may protest that “I didn’t do anything!”

We are called to cast down our imaginations of sin (of every kind, not just sexual sin) and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.

God has not called us to remain in uncleanness, but to accept our new position (being “holy unto the Lord,”) and live that way!

He Who Despises

Is everyone going to respond well to this message? No…unfortunately, even among born-again believers there is a tendency to rebel. We all still have a Sin nature. But God warns us here, that if we despise this commandment, and rebel against it, we are not rebelling against man’s rules, but against God…the very God who gave us the Holy Spirit to seal us as His property. That is serious business, and sometimes has terrible consequences.

Sin Always has Consequences

Ananias and Sapphira died, physically, because they attempted a “secret sin:” God called them on it, and He made an example of them. He took them home on the spot.

We don’t always know what the consequences will be. I have known more than one believer who fell into sexual sin and contracted incurable diseases: One of them died of that disease. It all could have been avoided by stopping the sins where they began: in the heart.

Anger management is another area that can have terrible results. More than one believer has succumbed to anger, and ruined his or her testimony, or marriage, or has even been imprisoned because of his or her sin.

Ann and I knew a pastor who permanently lost his ministry, because of theft…shoplifting! (What a foolish choice!) And yet, it begins in the heart, just like every other sin. It had already affected his ministry, before he was finally caught. He confessed that he had been plagiarizing his sermons, too…(he called it “stealing” those sermons.) That whole sad story was completely avoidable! And so is the damage we incur in our own lives by our sins.

Embrace the Holiness of God! Allow Him to transform you from the inside, so that your life begins to reflect His holiness and so that His Love can freely flow through you. Only the Holy Spirit can empower you to live in such a way as to continually exhibit His Grace.

Lord Jesus, help us to apply the principle of practical holiness in our daily lives, so that we do not allow the enemy a foothold in our lives, but rather walk close to You, and in safety.

January 6, 2023January 6, 2023

What Gospel do we Preach?

Which Gospel?

Romans 1:16; 1^st Corinthians 1:17, 18; Ephesians 1:13, 6:15; Matthew 4:23; Galatians 1:6-9

Introduction:

As we read Romans 1:16, it is pretty straightforward: It says “the Gospel of Christ is the power of God to save everyone who believes in it.” And, in 1^st Corinthians 15:3, 4, Paul explains the content of that gospel (“Gospel” means “good news.”)

The Gospel is the “good news” of the:

Death (by crucifixion,) the
Burial (for three days and three nights) and the
Resurrection (physical, visible, and eternal) of Christ, for our sins.

God gives these three points as being specifically for the forgiveness of our sins. We must receive them by faith alone. So, it is easy for us to see that the “bad news” of our sin is what makes the sacrificial, voluntary death of Jesus on that Cross, and His burial in the tomb, along with His subsequent resurrection, Good News!

But those three pieces of the Gospel all have to be there! If we omit the crucifixion-death of Jesus for my sins, then we do not have a Savior: The crucifixion was necessary to fulfill the prophecies!

If I leave out the fact that the people buried Him and that he remained buried for three days and three nights, then the hearers might conclude that He “wasn’t really dead,” but “just unconscious;” and the cold of the tomb somehow revived him. (Or perhaps they might conclude that he wasn’t buried at all, and that he just somehow “recovered from His wounds.” )

But, if I leave out the Resurrection, then they have to assume He is still dead, and (again) we have no Savior! (The fact is, “we serve a living Savior!”)

How Many Gospels?

So, the question we need to ask ourselves is, “What Gospel are we to preach?” There are seven true “gospels” mentioned in the New Testament, as related to human preachers. They are the Gospels of:

The Kingdom (Mark 1:14; Matthew 4:23; 9:35, etc.)
Your Salvation (Ephesians 1:13)
Christ (Romans 1:16; Galatians 1:7, etc.)
God (Romans 1:1; 15:16, etc.)
His Son (Romans 1:9)
The Grace of God (Acts 20:24)
Peace (Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15)

The New Testament uses some of these phrases only once; and some twice, while it uses others many times. When we compare the seven true Gospels listed above, we also see that some are nearly identical:

The Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Salvation, the Gospel of God, and the Gospel of His Son all seem to be identical, as the writer uses them interchangeably in some passages. Luke only uses the “Gospel of the Grace of God” once, but it also seems to be identical to these four. So, we can see that five of the seven on the list are essentially identical.

The New Testament defines the Gospel of God as the “good news that God sends, through Jesus Christ, His Son. It includes the promise of Salvation by God’s Grace, through Faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.” All of that fits and fulfills everything we just read, above, in Romans 1:16 (compared to 1^st Corinthians 15:3, 4.) By necessity, this Gospel, the Gospel of Christ, always includes the “preaching of the Cross,” as mentioned in 1^st Corinthians 1:18 and other places.

The two remaining “Gospels”, from the list above, which are not identical, are the “Gospel of the Kingdom,” and the “Gospel of Peace.”

The Gospel of the Kingdom

John the Baptist and Jesus both initially preached this “good news” in Israel, letting everyone in Israel know that the “Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” John and Jesus were not “preaching the Cross.” They were not “preaching salvation by faith:” Both of them were telling the “good news” that the promised Kingdom was available, then and there. And Jesus (as the King) in offering that kingdom, presented Himself to the people as the fulfillment of all the prophecies. John preached this message during his entire ministry, until Herod imprisoned and executed him. Jesus preached this Gospel of the Kingdom until the Jews firmly rejected the message.

As a nation, the Jews finally rejected the offer of the Kingdom; so God retracted the offer from that generation. After that point, Jesus no longer preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. He headed for the Cross! The Promised Kingdom is still coming, but it will come immediately after the tribulation period. And it will begin with the physical, triumphant return of the King.

The Kingdom still is “good news,” but we can’t really preach that good news today, because (a) we do not know when He will return, and (b) we do know that the Great Tribulation will precede His Kingdom: The Tribulation will be seven years of the worst news anyone has ever heard! So, God calls us to preach the Gospel of the Cross; the Gospel of Christ; the Gospel of Grace; the Gospel of Salvation. But, what about that last one? What about “the Gospel of Peace?”

The Gospel of Peace

Paul only uses the phrase, “the Gospel of Peace” twice: the first time, in Romans 10:15, he quotes Isaiah 52:7, and he summarizes what Isaiah said: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that sayeth unto Zion, Thy God Reigneth!” This was not “the preaching of the Cross:” it was the message to Israel, (to Zion,) that God was sending peace (with God and Man) to Israel, and that God was bringing salvation from their enemies to Israel.

The other time Paul uses that phrase is in Ephesians 6:15, where he tells us Church-age believers that our feet are “shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.” These “shoes” are part of the sevenfold “armor of God.” We use that armor to arm ourselves for the spiritual battles we all experience. So…what is the “gospel of Peace,” in this context? Remember that Israel had been “at odds with God,” nationally, and as a result, they had experienced chastisement through enemy raids, invading armies, and terrible wars.

Peace With God

Each of us, (all believers, but specifically, we Gentile believers) began life “at odds with” God. We were lost sinners, and Romans 5:10 says we were enemies of God, whether we knew it or not, and whether we admitted it or not. But Romans 5:1 states the good news that, as born-again children of God, “being justified (declared righteous) by faith, we have peace with God!” Yes! That is good news! We are no longer on “God’s list of Enemies:” We are now his “born” children!

And that particular good news, the news that God is on our side, is incredibly good news. That truth should give us “firm, secure footing” in the battles of life. This is the “Gospel of Peace.” We have peace with God. This is our position in Christ. It is a positional promise. (Not the same as the “Peace of God.” That peace is a conditional promise which we are invited to experience; and it is available to us, if we walk with God in faith. It is a conditional promise!)

But there is another “gospel” mentioned, too: A false gospel.

“Another Gospel”

There is one more “gospel” mentioned, in Galatians 1:6-9. It is a false Gospel: a message that turns people away from faith in Jesus. It supplants the Holy sacrifice of the Blood of Jesus with some other means by which to approach God. Usually, it supplants “faith in Jesus’s shed blood” with “Human works and religiosity:” human piety, or rituals. But it is a human-centered gospel, as opposed to a Christ-centered Gospel.

The message could include nearly anything, but it always includes “some other way to approach God.” It also always denies the full deity of Christ, saying that He is not the Almighty God: not God in the Flesh, not the Creator, and the Ruler and the Judge of all the Universe, who chose to be born in Bethlehem of a virgin mother, and who died on the Cross in our place, as the eternal sacrifice for our sins. Such false gospels also will always deny that Jesus’ blood was fully sufficient for our Eternal Salvation.

So, how does God feel about this “Other Gospel?” He condemns it in the strongest terms! And He specifically condemns those who preach it. Galatians 1:6-9 concludes, “…if anyone preaches to you a different gospel, let him be accursed!” (That is pretty strong language!)

**What Gospel Should We Preach?**

On occasion, I have heard a preacher say that he was going to “really give ‘em the Gospel!” But then, I listened very carefully to their message, and I was dismayed to find that they not only failed to “really give ‘em the Gospel:” they also did not even mention any portion of it!

There was no mention of the Holiness of God,
Nor was there any mention of personal guilt for sin.
They made no mention of coming judgment,
Nor did they mention the need for a personal Savior.
There was no mention of the Cross,
No mention of the Grave, and
No mention of the Resurrection!

They left out every bit of both the “Bad News” and the “Good News!”

So, what Gospel DID they preach?

It certainly was not the Gospel of Christ! God could not have saved anyone through hearing that message. The preachers did not address the message of Salvation in any way, nor did they even hint at it. Their message usually was some sort of exhortation to “live a better life,” or to “avoid a particular type of sin,” or possibly expounding the “value of church attendance.” But those messages cannot save. Only the Gospel of Christ, being believed in, can save sinners.

I’m sorry to have to condemn anything people say, and I really don’t like to condemn a preacher for his message, but that is exactly what is commanded in Galatians 1:6-9. And none of those things they were preaching were part of the Gospel of Christ. When those sorts of things are allowed to replace the true Gospel, then the message falls into the category of “another Gospel:” A false Gospel!

The people who persist in bringing such messages are teaching people to approach God by some other means than by the shed blood of Jesus. And Jesus said, “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” We need to listen carefully to the messages we hear, and especially, we must consider carefully what message we preach.

What do WE Preach?

Whenever I share with someone, I try to remember to explain all three points of the good news, as well as at least the “core issue” of the bad news: (We need a Savior because we are Lost!)

But, quite honestly, sometimes I have looked back and realized that I accidentally left out one or more points of the Good News, and maybe all of the “Bad News.” That is not acceptable: God is not going to “condemn me” because I forgot to include some part of the Gospel, but the result in the life of the hearer may be that they cannot “place their faith in Christ,” because I did not “give them the message.” I only gave part of the message of Salvation.

1^st Corinthians 1:23 says, in part, “but we preach Christ Crucified…” We know ahead of time that it will not be a “popular” message. Why? Because the majority of the people believe either that they are “too good for God,” so that they “don’t need a Savior,” or they are “too smart for God,” so that they think the message is foolish…laughable…stupid! And, in either case, they find the message either repugnant or pointless.

Jesus said that the majority would reject the message: but He also commanded us to share it with all people. Mark 16:15 says “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (I’m pretty sure that means “all the people.”) There are those who believe that Jesus “only died for the elect:” But 1^st John 2:1, 2 clearly says He is the propitiation not only for our sins, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Now What?

I have to conclude that, if Jesus accomplished that much at the Cross, not only on our behalf, but also for the whole world, then we truly are debtors to all people, to offer them that eternal life that He died to provide for them. That’s our job, and it is a Sacred Trust:

(Perhaps you don’t know this, but Angels are not permitted to preach the Gospel of Christ. Only we Humans have that privilege. The “everlasting Gospel,” in Revelation 14:6, is “preached by an Angel,” but it has no salvation content.) We need to take this privilege, this Gospel, and run with it!

Lord Jesus, fill us with the urgency of the message You have told us to proclaim. Help us to see the unspeakable privilege we have. Raise us up as Your witnesses and Your Ambassadors.

The Seven-fold Unity of the Spirit

Introduction:

The Seven-Fold Unity of the Spirit

Not “Human-Sourced”

Why “Seven?”

There is Only One Body of Christ.

There is Only One Spirit.

There is Only One Hope of our Calling.

There is Only One Lord.

Make a Choice!

There is Only One Faith.

What is the “Apostles’ Doctrine?”

There is Only One Baptism:

There is Only One God and Father of all.

How Do We Maintain Unity?

The Testimony of a Believer

Introduction

What Makes a Salvation Testimony?

Our Old Position

Remember!

We Were Without Hope

So, What Changed?

And, How?

What is Our New Position?

Still In Christ

What does the Future Hold?

But, For Now:

Foods Sacrificed to Idols Versus the Lord’s Table

1st Corinthians 10:14-29

(What then?)

Introduction:

Flee Idolatry

What Is the Table of the Lord?

Communion Means Fellowship

Paul Also Compares Our Feast (Communion) With That Of Israel

The Idol Itself Is Nothing…But There Is A Spiritual Connection

Don’t Mingle Darkness With Light

Children of the Light

Why is this Even an Issue, if the Idol Has Not “Contaminated” the Food?

What About Food Sold in the Open Market? Or Served at a Feast?

What About Testimony?

What Does it Mean, “to Offend?”

1st Corinthians 8:6-13

Introduction:

What IS the Meaning of the Bible Word “Offend?”

A Real Life Example:

Disaster for a Struggling Student

So, Who is the “Weaker Brother?”

Who is the Weaker Brother in THIS Passage?

When Might it be Appropriate to Eat Food that has been Offered to Idols?

When Might it Not be Appropriate?

A Personal Example

How Should We Apply The Teaching Today?

Philippians 2:5-8

Who Owns Your Body? (And Your Spirit?)

1st Corinthians 6:12-20

Introduction:

About Food:

Temperance–Self Control

Sexual Sin

Owner by Means of Creation and Redemption

So, What is the Connection?

Paul’s Conclusion Regarding the Consequences of Fornication

So, Why is it So Important?

The Roots of Our Rebellion

Giving Credit to the One Who Desreves it

1st Corinthians 5:1-13

Pride was the Problem!

Introduction:

Things to Bear in Mind

What Do We See in 1st Corinthians, chapter 5?

This Was Open, Public, Flagrant Sin

This Was Not a “Questionable” Issue

Pride is Still the Root of the Problem

And, it still is the problem, today!

What is the Goal of this Warning?

No Hierarchy of Sin

What is the Real issue?

What About “Judging?”

Introduction:

**Our Old Position**

**What is Our New Position?**

1^st Corinthians 10:14-29

1^st Corinthians 8:6-13

**When Might it Not be Appropriate?**

**Who Owns Your Body? (And Your Spirit?)**

1^st Corinthians 5:1-13

What Do We See in 1^st Corinthians, chapter 5?

**This Was Not a “Questionable” Issue**

**What is the Goal of this Warning?**

What is the “Christian Work Ethic?”
And, What is “Disorderly?“

2^nd Thessalonians 3:6-9

1^st Thessalonians 4

**What Gospel Should We Preach?**