The church is not a pack of useless playing cards packed away with other memorabilia never to see the light of day again. God did not buy us for that reason. He bought us so that we could be used for His glory and be zealous for good works. Let’s not be useless souvenirs, but useful citizens in God’s kingdom.
Our discontents originate from self’s desires relative to decisions that we choose. We do not want to live with the consequences of our choices!
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
With all of these wonderful things to think about and work on throughout the year, 2022 will be filled with greatness! Let’s resolve to be a faithful child of God this new year!
Having more money in the bank, or a greater education, or being better looking, or possessing a superlative of any quantitative measure, does not improve one’s moral status. One may have all these and still be a horrible person! On the other hand, one may be poor, ugly, and uneducated yet be a very good person. Pragmatism does not make one morally superior! Only God does that through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24-25).
If we do not love the truth, God will let us wander off into darkness. He will not force us to do something against our own will. However, there will be consequences for all eternity. Second Thessalonians 2:11-12 says, Oh how important it is to pursue, believe, and love the truth! May God help each one of us to make our best effort to do so.
The basic truth of the matter is this. We either believe that people need to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ or we do not. If we do not, then there is no use in giving an invitation. If we do, then we must make every effort with all of our heart, soul, and mind, to appeal to that person who needs to repent. We are finite humans who are limited in knowledge. We just do not know if there is someone listening who needs to respond to the gospel of Jesus. Do you want to gamble with someone’s soul by not offering them the opportunity to respond to the invitation? I sure don’t.
The invitation is that final five or ten minutes of a sermon in which the preacher invites anyone who needs to come forward to confess fault, or to become a Christian to do just that. But it is not upon the authority of the preacher—it is upon the authority of the word of God that the invitation is offered.
The Holy Spirit said, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Christians should always be thankful for everything!
The Bible teaches that It is NOT “okay to be lost.” There is such a thing as right and wrong. God, in the Bible, has mercifully informed us what the standard is for human behavior, and Jesus has died to save mankind from their sins. His death was absolutely necessary because it is NOT “okay to be lost.”
For those who do not love the truth, but willingly believe lies, whose fault will it be when they are condemned? It will be theirs and theirs alone. Why? Because they were unwilling to examine matters and come to the correct conclusions. Truth matters! Believing lies is consequential! May we each resolve to believe and love the truth and not be deceived.
Not everyone will be qualified to enter heaven. Jesus said that only a few would (Matthew 7:14) and that the lawless would not (Matthew 7:23). We must be faithful if we expect to receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).
One who speaks as the oracles of God is one who is saying the same thing that God says. He is speaking with God’s authority and blessing. He is not adding to nor taking away from the words of God, which would not be speaking as the oracles of God but saying something different. Paul said in Galatians 1:6-8, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Jesus is saying in Mark 8:38 is that those who are ashamed of Him in an adulterous and sinful generation, have their values wrong. Jesus is pure, holy, good, and right. We should feel good about knowing Him and associating with His body, the church. If we find ourselves ashamed of Jesus and His people, we need to examine ourselves. The fault is not in Jesus, but in ourselves for honoring the wrong values.
We need more than just the part of God’s word that makes us feel good. We must also wrestle with the parts that challenge us and are a struggle. Paul told Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). How does a congregation get to this point? They just eat cookies.
Jesus came that we may have a life filled with joy. This is indeed a life of happiness, which can be had in Christ when abiding by His word (John 16.24). When we understand the power of the gospel, and see people converting to Christ, great joy should be among us and in our congregations (Acts 8.8). If not, why not? So the next time someone obeys the gospel or rededicates their life to the Lord, let’s rejoice knowing what it took for them to make that decision and aid them along the way.
Please keep in mind the beauty of our God and His awesomeness in our lives. He is the One who justifies us. He is the One who declares us right. He is the One who will save us. God is the Just One, and He is the One we must render full devotion too at all times. May the Lord bless us in all we do as citizens of the kingdom of Christ. Live justified lives this week and bless someone else along the way. God bless and let Him be true.
The church is definitely the beautiful bride of Christ and we should look at her in that manner as we praise God for His bountiful care, comfort and concern.
Brother Bonner will be presenting six lessons to us in this meeting: 1) The Meaning of Truth, 2) The Fundamentals of Truth, 3) The Authenticity of Truth, 4) Enlarge our Jurisdiction FOR Truth, 4) The Truth that Justifies, 5) The Eternal Promises of Truth.