JESUS ADDRESSED ERROR

Posted on April 6, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

There are many of misconceptions and false views in our day as to the kind of person Jesus really was. It is a popular view to consider Jesus as very accepting, tolerant, and non-judgmental. Our Lord is portrayed by many as being very non-confrontational—not wanting to argue with anyone and accepting just about all men regardless of their conduct, doctrines, and attitudes.

Friends, we must not allow the world to develop our understanding of Jesus. The Bible must be our authority in creating our perception of our Lord. We must be as the noble Bereans, where of them it is said, “Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

One of the attributes of the Father’s Son that many have difficulty with is His boldness in addressing and correcting error. Many find it hard to believe that Jesus would actually confront people and tell they are wrong—and then tell them the correct view. This type of action goes against our current culture. Most of the world has a pluralistic attitude, sometimes referred to as multiculturalism. This is the view that all cultures regardless of their moral and religious views are equally valid. The world, as a whole, believes that Jesus was not judgmental of others’ views and practices, and would never embarrass anyone suggesting they had the wrong view on a matter. But this is not the Jesus of the Bible. Jesus corrected error, engaged in debate, and participated in logical argument setting forth truth and countering error.

Let us now consider one biblical example of Jesus confronting error. In Matthew 15, Jesus is confronted by the scribes and Pharisees making accusation against His disciples, “Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread” (Mt. 15:2). Notice that the scribes and Pharisees did not accuse the disciples of transgressing God’s law, but “the tradition of the elders.” They were criticizing Jesus and His disciples for what they believed to be wrong doing.

How did Jesus respond to this accusation? Did Jesus say, “Look fellows, let’s not argue—religion is not about arguing. Let me just give you a big hug and we will agree to disagree.” This is not the approach that our Lord took in any shape, form, or fashion.

Rather, Jesus comes back at them quickly and boldly, saying, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?” (Mt. 15:3). Jesus says, you are the one transgressing, and you are doing so by placing your traditions above the teachings of God. In the next few verses Jesus will show them where they have violated actual inspired teachings—not His disciples.

The example Jesus uses is they thought they could use their money for items to the neglect of the parents and called it a “gift” (Mt. 15:5), or “Corban” (Mk. 7:11) – that is, dedicated to God. They thought this exempted them from the caring of their parents. They were violating, though, one of the Ten Commandments, “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12), by their tradition of “Corban.” Jesus is saying, how dare you make up a law that clearly goes against biblical teaching! Our Lord’s stern condemnation of their error is clearly seen in the next verses, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mt. 15:7-9).

Does this sound like a man who did not want to be judgmental or one who was multicultural in attitude? Not on your life! The examples of Jesus confronting error could be greatly multiplied, but this one example is enough to prove that the view many have toward Jesus (excepting and tolerant of most things) is clearly false.

Friends, doctrine matters to Jesus. The often-held view that it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere is foreign to the Bible. Jesus boldly and courageously addressed and corrected error. If we want to be like Jesus we will go and do likewise.

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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WHAT’S WITH THE FORK?

Posted on April 5, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

A woman was diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things in order, she contacted her preacher and asked him to come to her house to discuss some of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at her funeral service, what Scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. She requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

As the preacher prepared to leave, the woman suddenly remembered something else. “There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.

“What’s that?” said the preacher.

“This is important,” the woman said. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”

The preacher stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.

The woman explained. “In all my years of attending potluck dinners, when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part of the meal because I knew something better was coming-like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie.

“So, when people see me in that casket with a fork in my hand and they ask, ‘What’s with the fork?’ I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork. The best is yet to come!'”

Friends, for a faithful child of God, after death. The best is yet to come – Heaven. Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21), and that to be with Christ “is very far better” (Phil. 1:23).

Are you faithfully preparing for Heaven?

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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A CAST IRON SKILLET

Posted on April 4, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

I’ve learned to seek a message in some simple, homey ways,
And I’ve found many lessons in the dreariest of days.
So one day in my kitchen, I began to sing a song
About the iron skillet that I’ve cooked with for so long.
Oh, I’ve had other vessels of different shapes and brands…
Bowls with copper bottoms, and shiny pots and pans,
But when I need a frying pan, each time I seem to choose
The black cast iron skillet…the one I always use.
No, it’s not much to look at; it’s been around awhile,
And in a modern kitchen, I suppose it’s out of style.
But it’s just the thing for corn bread, or frying up some taters,
So I’ll save my stainless steel pans. Could be I’ll use them later.

The world is like a kitchen; its people, pots and pans.
Each vessel made for a special use, and not by human hands.
Precious golden chalices and fancy silver cups,
And crystal glasses, waiting for the Lord to fill them up.
Now I’m not much to look at, but the Lord must have a need
For a common country person who moves at her own speed…
Whose clothing isn’t fancy and whose manners are quite plain:
If I feel He can use me, then my life is not in vain.
Each person has a purpose…and if only we will see,
God has a plan for everyone, and there’s a plan for me.
So maybe now you understand why I can shout and sing:
I’m a cast iron skillet in the kitchen of a King! [author unknown]

Scripture says, “But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked; that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” (1 Cor. 12:20-25).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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KEEPING YOUR FOCUS ON GOD

Posted on April 3, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

In the days of the circuit riders a minister was out riding one afternoon and came upon a man out working in his field.

“Fine day isn’t it?” the minister called out. 

“Its fine for you,” the man replied, “All you have to do is ride around on that horse thinking about God all day long, while I have to sweat here in this field and then walk home afterward. I don’t think its right you should have things so easy while I have to work so hard.” 

“On the contrary,” the minister answered, “thinking about God is one of the most difficult things you can do.  And to prove it, I’ll give you this horse if you can think about God and nothing else for one minute.”

“You’re on,” said the man and immediately he sat down in silence.  Thirty seconds later he looked up at the minister, and said, “Does that include the saddle?”

There are times when we have a hard time keeping our focus on God. Too often we allow material things to distract us, and become preoccupied with the things of this world. Paul said,  “For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is perdition, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). How are you doing with your focus on God?

Think About It! 

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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ABSOLUTE TRUTH

Posted on March 30, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

How long would you continue to fly with an airline whose motto was “Safety Standards are Fine for Those Who Are Uptight About It, But Our Engineers Aren’t So Narrow”? How excited would you be about going under the scalpel of a surgeon who told you: “You know, I never bothered much with anatomy in Medical school, since all medical truth is relative anyway”? How long would you leave your child in a school where the chemistry teacher said to her, “You’re free to drink from either that container of H2O or that beaker of H2SO4. After all, they’re both clear liquids and we’re only talking about a couple of molecules here or there, so imbibe whatever you prefer”?

Most in the religious world seem to have this faulty attitude – they really are not concerned with the straight and narrow path (Mat. 7:13-14). Friends, we need to be concerned with truth – realizing that God’s truth is absolute. Thus, we must “Be diligent [study – KJV] to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). We must also be as the Bereans, whereof them it was said, “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). My friends, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding” (Pro. 23:23).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Truth, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

COTTON CANDY PREACHING

Posted on March 27, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

If I were to ask you what would be worse, to give your children cotton candy or poison, what would you say? In answer to this question most people would very quickly say that poison would be the worse thing to give our children. But consider this, what if all we gave our children to eat was cotton candy? What if cotton candy was their favorite food and that was all they wanted, and any time they received anything else they would throw a fit? Would we only give them cotton candy? Would we be loving and concerned parents if we only fed our children this cottony pile of sugar? Most assuredly not! We understand that our children could not survive only on sugar, for they would soon grow weak and sick, and would soon die. So, what is worse for us to give our children, only cotton candy or poison? The truth is that both will eventually kill our children.

Now let us make a spiritual application. Is it worse to teach in the Lord’s church false doctrine or to teach simple pleasant truths from God’s word? In answer to this question most people would quickly say that false doctrine would be the worst thing of all to teach. But consider this, what if we only taught concerning the loving story of Ruth, or about benevolence, or about the need for loving families, or about the need to feel good about ourselves? Now these are topics that we should be concerned about and are issues of interest, and should be taught. But, can a Christian survive spiritually solely on this kind of diet? Can a child of God mature and be grounded in the faith solely on these kinds of meals? The answer is no!

There are many preachers and teachers in the Lord’s church who are not teaching error, but neither are they being distinct in their preaching and teaching. Many are given more to proclaim what the brethren want to hear than what they need to hear. Concerning the people of Isaiah’s day, the Lord declared, “For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah; that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits” (Isa. 30:9-10). Many today are clamoring for the same things as the Israel of old – smooth things, and sweet and pleasant words. And what is even more disturbing are the preachers and teachers who are giving into their cry with sermons and lessons filled with nothing but “lovey-dovey mush.”

Many preach to please men and tickle their ears with what they like to hear.  Paul said, “For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).  Paul warned Timothy about people who have “itching ears” and warned that such people will gather around those who will scratch their ears by teaching lies (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  The whole counsel of God must be preached, regardless of how it is received (Acts 20:26-27)!  The truth is truth and must be preached!  I didn’t write the book (Bible) and have no right to “water it down” to please men.

The apostle Paul declared, “I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house…Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:20, 26-27). If we really care for our families and brethren the actions of Paul will be true of us! Furthermore, Paul also said, “Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). You will notice that good gospel preaching demands positive and negative proclamation of truth. But as already mentioned, some “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 Tim. 4:3-4). But we must not allow this attitude to influence us away from preaching the whole counsel of God.

We have too many “cotton candy preachers and teachers” in the brotherhood who are “sugar coating” the brethren into spiritual decay! Tell me, which are worse, false teachers or cotton candy preachers? The truth is they both will cause the spiritual demise of their listeners. Beloved, our preaching and teaching must be true to the Book, straight forward without apologies, address the spiritual needs of the people, encourage the faint hearted, rebuke sin, and loving set forth the whole counsel of God.

Will you help me in this effort? Will you be as Jeremiah who said that the word of God “was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay [or, I could not hold it back]” (Jer. 20:9). May we all feed the brethren a well balanced diet from the word of God!

Tom Moore
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Posted in Preaching, Truth, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

THE MONKEY TRAP

Posted on March 26, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

Native hunters in the jungles of Africa have a clever way of trapping monkeys.  They slice a coconut in two; hollow it out, and in one half of the shell cut a hole just big enough for a monkey’s hand to pass through. Then they place an orange in the other coconut half before fastening together the two halves of the coconut shell. Finally, they secure the coconut to a tree with a rope, retreat into the jungle, and wait.  Sooner or later, an unsuspecting monkey swings by, smells the delicious orange, and discovers its location inside the coconut. The monkey then slips his hand through the small hole; grasp the orange, and tries to pull it through the hole. Of course, the orange won’t come out; it’s too big for the hole. To no avail the persistent monkey continues to pull and pull, never realizing the danger he is in.

While the monkey struggles with the orange, the hunters simply stroll in and capture the monkey by throwing a net over him. As long as the monkey keeps his fist wrapped around the orange, the monkey is trapped.  It’s too bad-the poor monkey could save its own life if it would let go of the orange. It rarely occurs to a monkey, however, that it can’t have both the orange and its freedom. That delicious orange becomes a deadly trap.

The world sets traps for you that are not unlike the monkey trap. You hear constantly that if you just have enough money, enough stuff, enough power, and enough prestige – then you’ll be happy. Under that illusion people spend their whole lives thinking you must have it all – the result, Satan throws a “net” over you, and you are his. Paul warned, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Tim. 6:9-10). 

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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WHAT IS IN YOUR JAR?

Posted on March 22, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

A preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit. He quoted I Samuel 16:7, “…Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Jehovah looketh on the heart.” The preacher then explains, “These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount.  But they are different.”

Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out. “When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for “for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh’” (Luke 6:45).
What if someone tipped you over today? What would flow out? Would you reveal the “honey” of grace, patience, and forgiveness, or the “vinegar” of anger and sarcasm? “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (1 Pt. 4:8).
If someone upsets you today realize they just may be looking for a little honey!

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
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A STRAIGHT PATH

Posted on March 21, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

Once a Christian father took his three adolescent sons on a winter hike. They came to a field glistening white from a snow the night before. There was not a single track of any kind that had been made in the field. The father, wanting to challenge his youngsters and perhaps teach them a lesson suggested they have a contest – which one could walk the straightest path across the field?

The first trudged across keeping his eyes down to watch each step, trying to put each foot directly in front of the other. On the other side, he looked back, and to his surprise the tracks were curved like the letter S in their course. The second lad started, taking a few steps and them looking back to see if his path appeared straight. About every ten to fifteen steps the process was repeated. After getting across, he eagerly surveyed the entirety of his course, but discovered it wasn’t really straight at all – it was in segments, veering to right, and then to the left. The third, seeing the other two had failed, employed a different strategy. He selected a tall tree on the other side of the field, and started walking toward it, never taking his eyes off of it. Having completed the trek, his path was the straightest of the three by far.

The wise father then taught the boys, saying, “Sons, there is just one path in life that is straight and true, and that is the way of Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:6). As you go through life, keep your eyes on him, ‘looking unto him,’ (Heb. 12:2) and you course will always be right! Remember, He is the way. Trust Him, and do what His word teaches and you can’t go wrong.”

Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

 

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
Posted in Devotional Thoughts, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Posted on March 20, 2018 by from the Preachers PC

The Beauty of the Forgiveness of Sin

INTRODUCTION

For several Sundays we have been discussing sin. We have studied:

  1. The origin of sin
  2. What sin is
  3. Kinds of sin
  4. What sin will do to you
  5. Improper attitudes toward sin
  6. Proper attitudes toward sin
  7. Helps in overcoming sin

In our lesson of this hour we will be discussing the “The Beauty of the Forgiveness of Sin,” notice first that…

DISCUSSION

OUR GOD IS A FORGIVING FATHER

  1. Because our God is a God who pardons
    • Micah 7:18
    • Isaiah 43:25
  1. Because God is a God ready to pardon
    • Nehemiah 9:17
    • It is encouraging to know that at any time we are ready to repent the Lord is ready to forgive
  1. Because God is a God that abundantly pardons
    • Isaiah 55:7
    • There is nothing that skimpy about God’s forgiveness
  1. Because the account of the prodigal son emphasizes the fact that God forgives (Lk. 15:11-32)
    • In fact, the parable could be called the “parable of the forgiving father”
    • God loves us as sons and will forgive us as such
  1. Because God is so merciful He is so forgiving
    • Psalm 103:8-11 … God is merciful because He is abundant in loving-kindness
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3
    • Ephesians 2:4
  2. Another of the beauties of the forgiveness of sin is…

GOD WILL FORGIVE THE LOWEST AND VILEST OF SINNERS

  1. So many have needlessly despaired saying, “I’m too mean,” or “I’ve gone too far,” or “I’ve sunk too deep” in sin to be forgiven
    • Nothing is further from the truth
    • God will forgive the most terrible of sinners
  2. God promises to forgive us of “all” sin
    • 1 John 1:9
    • This forgiveness, of course, is contingent on our obedience to God’s will
    • Isaiah 1:18
    • Some suggest that scarlet means double-dyed, twice dipped
    • Thus, though dipped in the vat of vile pollution again and again, there is still hope!
    • Hope and pardon is available even for the double-dyed sinner.
  1. God’s love has depth
    • Ephesians 3:17-19
    • Christ’s love will reach in the lowest sphere of life and into the deepest abyss of guilt

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?

  1. We can learn what forgiveness is by observing what God does when He forgives:
    • Removes the notation of the offence from His record (Acts 3:19)
    • Remembers the sin no more – ever (Heb. 8:12)
    • Restores the offender to his former position of love and grace (Lk. 15:11-32)
  1. We learn what forgiveness is noting what God does with our sins when they are forgiven:
    • He covers them (Psa. 32:1)
    • He casts them behind His back (Isa. 38:17)
    • He removes them from us as far as the east is from the west (Psa. 103:12)
    • He obliterates them from His memory forever (Jer. 31:34)
    • He blots them from His record (Isa. 44:22)
    • He does not impute them (Psa. 32:2)
    • He will never mention them again (Eze. 18:22)
  1. We can learn what forgiveness is by studying the biblical synonyms for forgiveness of sin:
    • Remission (Acts 2:38)
    • Cleansing (Jn. 15:3)
    • Justification (Rom. 3:24-25)
    • Pardon (Psa. 25:11)
    • Blotting (Acts 3:19)
    • Healing (Mt. 13:15)
    • Freedom (Col. 1:13-14)
    • Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

THE BLOOD OF JESUS IS THE DIVINE REMEDY FOR SIN

  1. Good works are not the remedy
    • Ephesians 2:8-10
    • Titus 3:3-5
    • There is no way that we can do enough to save ourselves by our own meritorious works – man cannot earn salvation
  2. Money is not the remedy
    • Zephaniah 1:18
    • Acts 8:20
  3. Distance is not the remedy
    • Psalm 139:7-12
    • Some have been known to sin, even grievously, moved hundreds of miles away, and act as though nothing has ever happened
    • Distance does not obliterate sin
  4. In Christ – His cross, His blood – yea, in Him alone is the remedy for sin to be found
  5. It is through Christ and His blood that we enjoy:
    • Remission (Mt. 26:28)
    • Redemption (Eph. 1:7)
    • Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19)
    • Washing (Rev, 7:14)
    • Cleansing (1 Jn. 1:7-10)
    • Justification (Rom. 5:9)
    • Sanctification (Heb. 10:10)
    • Purging (Heb. 9:14)
  6. It is a Must to Remember Acts 4:12

FORGIVENESS IS CONDITIONAL

  1. Forgiveness is conditional for the alien sinner
    • Matthew 7:21
    • Hebrews 5:8-9
    • The alien must ask the question: “What must I do to be saved?” – and of course, he must obey the gospel
  2. Forgiveness is conditional for the Christian
    • There must be genuine repentance
    • Some sins need only be confessed in private
      • Daniel 9:1-23 is an example
      • Confession is not to announce sin, but to manifest repentance for said sins
    • Some sins need to be confessed to the offended
      • Matthew 5:23-24
      • Luke 17:3-4
      • A general confession does not suffice
    • Some sins need to be confessed publicly
      • James 5:16
      • The confession of sin should be as public as the sin is public

CONCLUSION

Are your sins forgiven?

*** Outlined from Windell Winkler’s Book: “Studying Sin Seriously”

Tom Moore
http://www.fromthepreacherspc.org
http://www.harrisandmoore.org
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Posted in Sermon Outlines, SIN, Uncategorized | Leave a comment