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ScriptureStream.com

// April 27th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

I am happy to announce the launch of a new web site for sermon and Bible class recordings:  scripturestream.com.  Since I am now posting so many recordings here, I thought it would be better to put these on their own site, so I ran it past the elders and then set up the new site.  All recordings that are already posted here will remain here indefinitely.  All new material will be put on the new site.  There is also a Twitter feed for the new site that you can follow to get all the latest updates:  @benchleysermons.  Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Facts to Consider When Considering Appointing an Elder

// April 10th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, March 28, 2010

• The Lord’s arrangement for church structure
  • The local church is the only arrangement in the New Covenant for collective functions in the things of Christ.
  • Elders in every city.  Titus 1:5
  • Elders in every church.  Acts 14:24
• Desire
  • If a man desires the office of a bishop.  I Timothy 3:1
  • Desire is the first qualification, for without it one is not qualified.
  • The desire must be to do the work of an elder – to serve.
  • If a man’s desire is to control and run things, no church needs him.
• Example
  • Example is the next qualification to be considered.
  • As leaders of the flock, elders are to lead exemplary lives.
• Lessons from three words
  • “Presbuteros”: elders (Acts 20:17; Titus 1:5)
    • “Indicates their spiritual maturity” -Vine
    • “Indicates dignity” -Thayer
    • The word has reference to age and maturity.
    • Not only in years, but in spiritual maturity
    • …and in the congregation
    • One is to prove self (I Timothy 3:10)
    • The flock is to know him (I Thessalonians 5:12)
    • He is of such influence in the congregation that others look to him for leadership.
  • “Episkopos”: bishop, overseer (Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:1; Titus 1:7)
    • “Indicates the character of the work undertaken” -Vine
    • “Denotes the function… Guardian, superintendent” -Thayer
  • “Poimano”:  shepherd, feed, tend (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2)
    • “To act as shepherd” -Vine
    • “To tend a flock… to supply the requisistes of the soul’s needs” -Thayer
    • Poimano involves:
      • Feeding (I Peter 5:1)
      • Watching for (Hebrews 13:17)
      • Leading (Hebrews 13:17) “Obey your leaders,” ESV and NASB
      • Caring for (I Timothy 3:5)
• Conclusion
  • An elder must:
    • Desire to serve.
    • Set the proper example.
    • Have spiritual age,  maturity, and dignity.
    • Be able to work with other elders.

Lessons from a Cemetary

// April 8th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, March 28, 2010

• Death comes at any age.  (Luke 12:16-21; Psalms 90:9; Job 27:8; Luke 16)
• All people die.  (James 1:9-11)
• Therefore… the only thing that matters is living for God.  (I Corinthians 15:52-58; Hebrews 9:27; Philippians 1:20-21; Acts 17:26-27)

The Bible Story: Tying the Testaments Together

// April 8th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By Josh Vaughn

Benchley, March 21, 2010

• Major Old Testament sections:
  • Creation and the fall of man
  • Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3)
  • Israelite nation
    • Israel under Moses
    • Israel under Joshua and the judges (Judges 2)
    • Israel under the kings
    • The fall of Israel
    • The restoration of the remnant (Isaiah 11:11)
• Major New Testament secions:
  • The life of Jesus
    • New and better Moses (Hebrews 3:1-6)
    • Offers rest to His people (Hebrews 4:9-11)
    • The true wisdom of God (Colossians 2:1-3)
    • He is divine. (Matthew 8:23-27)
    • He is the Messiah and king.  (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
  • New Testament Christianity
    • Acts 2
    • John 13:34-35
    • Temporary status
  • Judgment and eternity
    • Matthew 25:30-32
    • II Peter 3:13
• Tying the testaments together
  • Jesus is coming, Jesus is here, Jesus is coming again!
    • God selected a people.
      • Promise to Abraham (Genesis 17:17)
    • God purified the people.
      • Through the Law of Moses
      • Through the Babylonian captivity
    • God sent His Son, Jesus, among those people.  Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10
  • Old Law points to the New Law
    • Galatians 3:24-26 – the law as our guardian
    • I Corinthians 10:11
    • Shadows of the Old Law
      • Animal sacrifices => Jesus’ sacrifice
      • Physical temple => spiritual temple
      • Human high priest => divine high priest
  • He allowed us a relationship with God.
    • Romans 8:12-17
    • Hebrews 9:22-28

Things That Will Help Us Live Better

// April 3rd, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, March 21, 2010

• Appreciation for the love of God.  John 3:16; Romans 5:8
• A realization of the value of the soul.  Matthew 10:28; 16:26
• A consciousness that we will give account at the judgment.  II Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 12:37; II Corinthians 10:4-5
• A consciousness that there are just two destinies.  Matthew 25:21; 7:23
• The fact that we are by example helping lead others to either heaven or hell.  I Timothy 4:12; Matthew 15:14; 5:16; Philippians 2:14-15; 1:20
• A growing faith.  II Peter 3:18
• Encouraging words from others.  I Corinthians 1:4-5; I Thessalonians 1:2-3; Revelation 2:2-3
• Choose the right kind of associates.  I Corinthians 15:33
• Imitate Jesus’ prayer life.  Mark 1:35; Matthew 15:36; 114:23; Luke 6:12-13; Mark 14:32
• Having sins rebuked.  II Timothy 4:2; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20
• Take inventory of self and live each day as if it was the last; it may be!  II Corinthians 13:5

Three Kinds of Actions

// March 20th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, March 14, 2010

• Individual actions
  • James 1:26-27 – Each is judged individually in these actions.
  • II Corinthians 5:10
  • I timothy 5:16
  • III John 6-9 – Gaius and Diotrephes contrasted.
• Collective action
  • Preach gospel:  approved
  • Recreation:  not approved
  • Each individual is only responsible for what he contributes into the common funds.  If the funds are not used in an approved way, all are responsible – not just the elders.
  • Philippians 4:15-17; I Corinthians 16:1-2
• Concerted actions
  • Individuals acting in concert, such as in the Lord’s Supper, prayer, Bible study, and giving.
  • Each individual is approved or not according to whether he takes part worthily or not.
• Judgment is going to be individual, not congregational, but to be approved, individuals must participate in the three kinds of actions in approved ways.

Freedom

// March 20th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, March 14, 2010

• Freedom from the Old Covenant
  • Romans 7:1-4; Galatians 2:1-5
• Freedom from a system of law.
  • Galatians 3:23; Romans 8:2-4; Romans 3:20; Hebrews 10:2; Matthew 5:21-22,27,31-32; 7:21; Romans 3:21-24; Hebrews 9:9-15; Romans 9:30-32; 10:3-5,9-11
• Freedom from sin, but not from obedience.
  • John 8:31-34; Romans 6:20-23

• II Thessalonians 1:7-8

Laws of the Land

// March 20th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, March 7, 2010

• Respect the authority of God.  Romans 13:1
• Obey the laws of the land.
  • Romans 13:1 – Obedience is part of being in subjection.
  • Titus 3:1
  • Acts 4:17-20 – God’s law takes priority over the government laws.
  • I Peter 2:17-18
• Uphold the proper attitude toward leaders.
  • Matthew 22:17-22
  • I Peter 2:1 – Pray!

IN the World, Not OF the World

// March 6th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 28, 2010

God’s Specified Collectivity

// March 6th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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God’s Specified Collectivity

By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, February 28, 2010

• “For spiritual work and worship there is no organization larger than, smaller than, or other than the local church.”
• We read about a local church:
  • Assembling to worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7)
  • Teaching the Word.
    • To edify the saved. (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-3)
    • To save the lost.  (Philippians 4:15-16)
  • Doing benevolent work under limited circumstances.  (Acts 4:34-36; I Corinthians 16:1-2)
  • Disciplining a member.  (I Corinthians 5:1-5)
• We do not read about:
  • Christians building and operating any other collectivity for any of these things, whether it be:
    • A missionary society
    • A sponsoring church
    • Truth Magazine Annual Bible Lectures
    • A college’s Annual Bible Lectures
    • A college’s daily chapel service for worship
    • A college’s daily Bible classes
    • One man soliciting and overseeing funds from many Christians for the teaching of the Word
    • A benevolent society for work assigned the local church
    • ANY collectivity other than the local church to do that which God assigned the local church