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Psalm 15

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

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By Mark Gentry

Benchley, February 21, 2010

• Psalm 15:1
  • The tabernacle – Hebrews 9:1,8,11
  • The holy hill – Psalm 24
  • “Lord, who has fellowship with you now and who will have fellowship with you in eternity?”
• Psalm 15:2
  • “He who walks uprightly” – I Thessalonians 5:23
    • Uprightly is also translated “blameless”.
  • “and works righteousness” – I John 2:29; 3:7,10
• Psalm 15:3
  • “he who does not backbite with his tongue” – Romans 1:29-30
  • “nor does evil to his neighbor” – Matthew 22:37-40; Philippians 2:3-4
  • “nor does he take up a reproach against his neighbor”
    • We should not readily accept evil accusations against our neighbor.
• Psalm 15:4
  • “In whose eyes a vile person is despised.” – Romans 1:32
  • “honors those who fear the Lord” – Romans 12:9; Amos 5:14-15
  • “swears to his own hurt and does not change” – Colossians 3:9; Matthew 5:37
• Psalm 15:5
  • “he who does not put out his money at usury” – Luke 6:31-34
  • “nor does he take a bribe against the innocent” – Matthew 26:14-16,59-61
  • “He who does these things shall never be moved.” – Matthew 7:24

“I’m looking for a church…”

// March 4th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 21, 2010

[This outline is taken from David's handout for the sermon.  Thanks, Dave!]

• There is much religious diversity today.  Which church is right?  Look for a church which…
• Depends upon God’s grace.
  • If God had not decided to extend His grace, then we would be utterly lost and without hope (Titus 2:11, Ephesians 1:7, 2:4-9, I Peter 1:13).
  • Look for a church which gives God the credit, depending on His grace for salvation.
• Honors God above man.
  • The church belongs to and is subject to Jesus Christ.  He is its Head and Savior (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:23-24).
  • Why is it that in many churches more attention is given to the people, and maybe the preacher, than to the Savior?  A church ought to be busy giving glory to God by worshiping Him in spirit and truth and obeying His word (Romans 16:27).
  • Jesus and Paul honored God above men (John 8:29, 6:66, Galatians 1:10).
  • Churches should get back to the NT pattern of preaching of the gospel (Philippians 4:15), worshiping (I Corinthians 14), and helping needy members (Acts 6).
• Encourages questions and independent study.
  • A church should encourage its members to follow the objective standard of God’s Word, the Bible (John 12:48).
  • All sources (preachers, churches) ought to be compared to God’s Word and either accepted or rejected based upon whether or not they harmonize with it (Acts 17:10-12).
• Accepts the Bible as the sole authority.
  • There is “one faith” given “once for all” (Ephesians 4:5, Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-9).
  • Churches should follow the New Covenant of Christ, and not the Old Covenant of Moses (Hebrews 8:6-13, Matthew 5:17-18, Galatians 3:24-26).  The NC involves singing (Ephesians 5:19), partaking of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:26), praying (I Thessalonians 5:17), preaching the gospel (I Thessalonians 1:8), pooling money together on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2), etc.
• Is not ashamed to teach that “man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
  • This is not a popular doctrine.  Some churches vigorously teach against this.
  • What does the Bible say?  James 2:14-26 (see also Matt. 7:21, II Cor. 5:10, Hebrews 5:9).
• Teaches the whole story of salvation.
  • What is required for a person to be saved?  God’s grace!  (Ephesians 2:5)
  • But God Himself says there is more.  We must believe (John 8:24), repent (Acts 17:30), confess (Romans 10:10), be baptized for forgiveness of sins (I Peter 3:21), and stay faithful (Hebrews 4:11).  These are required and connected to salvation.
  • Different churches stop at various points along the line.  Some say grace only, some say grace+belief only, etc.
  • Does any religious group have the right to edit the Bible?  Which one of these can we omit?  I encourage you to look for a church which teaches the whole story of salvation.

• There are certainly more points we could consider.  I appeal to you in all sincerity to read the Bible text for yourself and see what it requires.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

// March 4th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 21, 2010

[This outline is taken from David's handout for the sermon here.  Thanks, Dave!]

The word gospel literally means “good news.”  Let’s examine the good news about Jesus Christ.

1. The story of Jesus.
   1. Jesus prepared people for the transition away from the Old Covenant (Matthew 5:17-18), and began revealing the New Covenant which would offer complete forgiveness of sins!
   2. This was the very reason Jesus came to earth (John 1:29, Luke 19:10), and everything else Jesus said and did was in keeping with this Divine mission.
   3. He chose 12 apostles, taught many, and exposed hypocrisy (Matthew 21:37-45, 23:13-14).
   4. Jesus’ enemies couldn’t deny the miracles He performed (John 9:16, 32-33, Matthew 15:31).
   5. Jesus was crucified, completing the perfect sacrifice for sins (Ephesians 1:7, Acts 20:28).
   6. His resurrection sealed His Lordship and our hope (I Corinthians 6:14, 15:1ff, Acts 2:36).
2. The command of obedient faith.
   1. Salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), but most do not receive it (Matthew 7:13).
   2. What is the deciding factor?  Why do some people receive this free gift and not others?
   3. God’s condition for the gift of salvation is obedience (Matthew 7:21-27, 28:18-20, Acts 10:35, II Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 5:9, James 2:24).
   4. Therefore, what is faith in Ephesians 2:8?  It means faith which spurs one into obedient action (James 2:14-26).
3. The steps to salvation.
   1. The first step is faith.
      1. We must believe the truth about Deity (Acts 2:36, John 8:24, Hebrews 11:6).
      2. Faith develops as a result of God’s Word affecting our hearts (Romans 10:17).
   2. The second step is repentance (Matt. 4:17, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38, 17:30, II Peter 3:9).
      1. Repentance is a decision to turn away from sin and toward God (Matthew 12:41, Jonah 3:5-10) which is prompted by godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:9-11).
      2. True repentance leads to action (Luke 3:8, Acts 26:20).
   3. The third step is confession.
      1. The Ethiopian was prompted to confess his faith (Acts 8:35-38).
      2. Confession is authorized by Divine precept (Romans 10:9-10).
   4. The fourth step is baptism.
      1. Baptism saves us (Mark 16:16, I Peter 3:21), is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16), makes us partakers of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12), adds us to the church (I Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 1:18), and clothes us with Christ (Galatians 3:27).
      2. Baptism is urgent (Acts 2:41, 8:36, 16:33, 22:16).
   5. The fifth step is growth and service.
      1. Christians must always try to improve (II Peter 3:18, Hebrews 12:28).
      2. Though one is in a saved relationship with God, he has to maintain it (I Cor. 10:12).

For What is the Treasury to be Used?

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

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, February 14, 2010

• Since the scripture authorizes the treasury, it is imperative that we let the scripture regulate the treasury.
• To support teaching of the Word.
  • Local – I Corinthians 9:7-19; II Corinthians 11:7-8
  • In other places – Philippians 4:15-16; II Corinthians 11:9
• To provide things to accomodate worship.
  • A meeting place
  • Song books
  • Vessels for serving the Lord’s Supper
  • Black board, overhead projector, PowerPoint
  • Baptistry
  • Seating, heating, cooling
  • These things are authorized by general authority – the command to assemble.
• Benevolence
  • For needy members in the local church – Acts 4:32-37; Acts 6:1-4
  • To enable elders in another church to relieve its members that it is not able to relieve without help – Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-26; I Corinthians 16:1-2; II Corinthians 8-9
• What is wrong with these?
  • Local church social activities
    • Kitchens
    • Softball teams
    • Youth camps
    • Singles’ retreats
  • Support to missionary or benevolent societies
  • Support to sponsoring church for any reason
  • Answer: The scripture that authorized a local church treasury spake nothing about these.

Your Soul

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

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 14, 2010

• Matthew 6:21
• Comprehend the value of a single soul.  Matthew 16:26
• Consider the eternal nature of a soul.  Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 9:3,6; 35:18; I Thessalonians 4:13-15
• Mourn the tragedy of a lost soul.  Luke 12:16-21; 16:19-26
• Save a soul!  Matthew 10:22; James 1:21; I Peter 1:9
• Thank God for His help.  I Peter 2:24

How to Develop Your Own Faith

// February 28th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 7, 2010

• Hebrews 11:6
• Start from scratch.
  • II Chronicles 34:1,29-33 – The example of Josiah.
  • Romans 10:17 – Faith comes from hearing the word of God.
• Make it personal.
  • II Chronicles 24:1-2,15-22 – Joash never developed a personal faith.
  • Ephesians 6:24 – Our faith must be sincere.
• Apply it.
  • Ezekiel 33:1; James 1:22
  • James 2:15-17; 1:2-4

Virtues and Vices, Part 5: Peace vs. Distress

// February 28th, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 7, 2010

• Applications, continued:
  • We must flee that which causes distress between ourselves and God.
    • I Peter 3:10
    • We must not lose our privilege of prayer.
    • Matthew 10:34-39 – Peace with God is more important than peace on earth.
    • Philippians 4:6
  • We should enjoy peace with our brethren.
    • Romans 1:7-8; Philippians 1:1; II Peter 1:1-2 – Greetings of peace are scattered throughout the Bible.
    • Ephesians 2:11-22
    • Small things make a difference.
    • We must encourage each other.
  • When possible, we should establish peace with other people.
    • Romans 12:18
    • Hebrews 12:14; I Thessalonians 4:11

The Role of Emotion in Religion

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

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By David Watson

Benchley, January 31, 2010

• John 11:35 – Jesus wept.
• John 2:15ff – Jesus’ anger.
• Luke 22:44
• Problems with emotions
  • Emotions can be based on error.
    • Genesis 37:33-36 – Jacob mourns for his son who was not really dead.
    • I Kings 18:28-29 – Worshippers of Baal cry out to the idol.
  • Emotions can lead to sin.
    • Matthew 26:65; 27:17,22-25 – Jesus’ trial.  Matthew 21:8-11
    • Acts 19:23-24,28-32,40-41 – The riot ta Ephesus.
  • Emotional religion is not necessarily God-pleasing religion.  Exodus 3:2
• Emotions should be the effect, not the cause.
  • God’s truth leads to emotional reaction.  Acts 2:36-37,46-47; Acts 16:34
• We need to ignite some sincere emotion.
  • Malachi 2:1-2; Matthew 15:7-8; Revelation 2:1-5
  • John 4:23-24
  • Psalm 119:120
  • Luke 15:20
  • I Thessalonians 4:18
  • I Peter 1:22
  • Psalm 119:7
  • Psalm 119:53
  • Titus 2:14
  • Philippians 4:4
• Jude 24-25

Questions About the Lord’s Supper

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

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By David Watson

Benchley, January 24, 2010

• What is it?
  • A memorial of Jesus instituted by Jesus Himself.
    • Matthew 26:26-30; I Corinthians 11:23-26; 5:7; Luke 22:19; I Peter 2:24
  • An indicator of what we believe.
    • I Corinthians 11:26; 15:13-14
  • A communion (sharing, fellowship) with Christ.
    • I Corinthians 10:16-17,20-21
• In what manner should it be observed?
  • Worthily (sincerely, reverently) – I Corinthians 11:26-30
• What are the elements?
  • Mark 14:22-26 – unleavened bread and fruit of the vine
  • Transubstantiation – belief that the elements are literally changed into the body and blood of Jesus, although this change is not detectable by the senses.
  • Consubstantiation – belief that bread and juice are spiritually the flesh and blood of Jesus, but have not actually changed.
  • Neither transubstantiation nor consubstantiation are supported by the scriptures.
• Must we distribute it in one cup?
  • This is a figure (metonymy).
    • “He couldn’t give up the bottle” is another example of this figure of speech.
    • Matthew 10:34; Genesis 6:11; John 1:29; Matthew 3:5-6; I Corinthians 11:25-28; Matthew 26:27-29
  • The memorial is what’s singular, not the literal bread/cup.  I Corinthians 10:16-17
• When and how often should we observe it?
  • Acts 20:7
  • “Bread bread” in Acts 20:7 is the Lord’s Supper
    • Acts 2:46; 27:35-36 – sometimes this is a common meal.
    • Matthew 26:26; Acts 2:42 – sometimes is it talking about the Lord’s Supper.
  • The fact that the Holy Spirit specified a day of the week suggests it is a weekly event.
  • The first day of the week is the only day which has special significance in the New Testament.

The A.D. 70 Doctrine

// February 22nd, 2010 // View Comments // Bible Study, Mark's stuff

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, January 24, 2010

• The doctrine does get very complicated, but it is based on three major points:
  • Covenental transition
  • The resurrection occurred in A.D. 70.
  • The second coming of Christ occurred when He came in judgment of Israel in A.D. 70.
• Covenantal transition
  • This view is based upon a misunderstanding of Hebrews 8:13:  “In that he saith, a new covenant, he hath made the first old.  Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready (“eggus”) to vanish away.”
  • What was ready to vanish away?
    • Was it acceptable Old Covenant service?
    • Was it unacceptable Old Covenant service?
    • Galatians 5:4 and Hebrews 10:9 answer.
  • God had cancelled the Old Covenant as acceptable service, but it had not vanished away as the Jews were still practicing it.
  • When Hebrews was written, it was ready to vanish away so that no one could practice it.
• The resurrection occurred at A.D. 70.
  • They are not speaking of a bodily resurrection; they do not even believe in a bodily resurrection.
  • They believe in “a resurrection from sin-death via the completion of covenantal transformation.”
  • They believe that when the righteous dies, his body goes to the grace and that is the end of the body and that his spirit goes to be with God in an unclothed upon state.
  • II Corinthians 5:1-4; Philippians 3:20-21; I Corinthians 15:12-20
• The second coming of Christ
  • They take passages like Matthew 24:34 and Hebrews 10:37 which refer to the destruction of Jerusalem and conclude there will be no other coming of Christ.
  • It should be easily understood that the coming that was “at hand” was not the coming that was not “at hand” in II Thessalonians 2:2.
  • If those who were dead in Christ are those resurrected from sin-death, there is no difference between them and the saints who are alive (I Thessalonians 4:16-17).
• Ten “comings” of Christ
  • There are at least ten different ways in which Christ is described as coming.