THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Posted on January 11, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

INTRODUCTION
A. 1 Corinthians 15:17
B. It would be hard to exaggerate the importance of the resurrection of
Jesus.
1. If He arose, then He conquered death, His righteousness is fully vindicated,
and our hope in Him for our own salvation and resurrection is
well-founded.
2. If, on the other hand, He did not arise from the dead, then Satan won the fight,
Jesus isn’t the Son of God, and the whole Christian religion is a cruel
deception, a monstrous hoax.
C. There is no room here for compromise or neutrality. If Christians need to be
certain of anything, we need to be certain (we need to know) of the resurrection
of our Lord.
DISCUSSION
A. WHY IS THE RESURRECTION SO IMPORTANT?
1. The credibility of Jesus Himself is at stake:
a. John 2:19  Jesus spoke of the “temple” of His body (raise it up in 3 days)
b. Jesus repeatedly and plainly predicted His own resurrection,
1) Matthew 16:21;
2) Matthew 17:23; 20:19
2. The credibility of the New Testament is at stake:
a. Of the 8 known writers of the New Testament, 6 writers specifically affirm
the resurrection; James & Jude (along with the Hebrew writer) imply it.
b. 15 of the 27 NT books specifically affirm the resurrection; most of the
remaining 12 imply it
3. The credibility of Old Testament prophecy is at stake Psalm 16:8-11 
notice Peter’s explanation of this passage
a. Acts 2:25-27
b. David wrote Psalm 16 over 1000 years before the crucifixion – he could not
have been writing about himself because he died, was buried, and Peter could
point to his tomb (thus David’s soul was still in Hades, and his flesh had
decayed)
c. David was a prophet and foretold of the resurrection of Jesus – His soul
wasn’t left in Hades, nor did His flesh undergo decay.
d. Why is the Resurrection of Jesus so important, because…
4. It is a foundational truth without which the gospel ceases to be good news
 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
a. Without it, preaching is vain, v.14
b. Without it, faith is vain, v.14
c. Without it, Paul and others are false witnesses, v.15
d. Without it, you are yet in your sins, v.17
1) Romans 4:25, raised for our justification
2) 1 Peter 3:21
3) Compare Romans 6:4-5 – without the resurrection of Jesus, baptism
would be meaningless.
e. Furthermore, according to 1 Corinthians 15:14-19, without the resurrection
of Christ
1) those who have fallen asleep (died) in Christ have perished, v.18 (His
resurrection is the basis for our own hope of resurrection)
2) Without it, we are the most pitiable people on earth, v.1 (because our
religion is a cruel hoax)
5. You MUST believe it to be saved
a. Romans 10:9, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead
b. Throughout the book of Acts the resurrection was a dominant theme of
apostolic preaching – those who “believed” certainly accepted the
resurrection of Jesus.
c. Nominal “Christians” who reject the resurrection of Jesus are simply not
Christians at all!
B. ADDITIONAL POSITIVE EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
1. It was sufficiently witnessed
a. Honest witnesses (not immoral reprobates, liars)
b. Competent witnesses (not gullible simpletons)
c. Sufficient number of witnesses (well over 500)
d. Testimony of witnesses was not refuted by the 1st century enemies of
Christianity
1) All anyone would have needed to do was to produce the body –
Christianity would have died in its tracks!
2) If the resurrection did not occur, 1st century skeptics were in a prime
position to refute it!
3) Certainly these enemies (Jews, pagans) were motivated – if they could
have refuted the resurrection, they would have done so!
2. The change the resurrection brought in the apostles
a. From fearful, trembling men of “little faith” to strong, fearless, militant
soldiers of the cross
b. Paul changed from a blasphemous persecutor to persecuted proclaimer (Paul
had no reason to want to believe in the resurrection – he had nothing to gain
financially, or socially, and had everything to lose – i.e. his standing within
Judaism)
C. “ALTERNATIVES” TO THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
1. Jesus’ friends stole the body
a. This tale was invented by Jesus’ enemies shortly after the resurrection
occurred  Matthew 28:11-15
1) Guards supposedly slept
2) Jews circulated that saying even to the time of Matthew’s writing
(probably early 60s, thus about 30 years after the resurrection)
3) This excuse continued to be used for many years (e.g. Justin Martyr [mid-
2nd cent.] wrote against unbelieving Jews of his day who “sent chosen and
ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that ‘a godless and
lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom we
crucified, but His disciples stole Him by night from the tomb . . .’”)
b. This theory is inadequate
1) The claim that the guards were asleep:
a) If so, then how do they know that the disciples came and stole the body
(if they had other evidence, why didn’t they prosecute the disciples for
breaking the Roman seal?)
b) Highly unlikely that any of the guards (much less all of them) would
sleep on duty – penalty was severe (perhaps death)
2) Would the same group that fled from the betrayal scene suddenly become
so brave as to challenge armed guards by stealing a body from a sealed
tomb?
3) Why would they take time to unwrap the body and leave the linen strips in
the tomb?
4) Makes no sense for deceitful grave-robbers to preach the highest moral
standards known to man and to willingly die for their faith!
2. The swoon theory
a. Theory: Jesus didn’t really die on the cross, but merely fainted – then revived
in the cool tomb, sneaked out, and claimed to have arisen from the dead!
b. First invented about two centuries ago, this theory was popularized by Hugh
Schonfield’s 1966 book “The Passover Plot” (made into a movie in 1975).
c. One particular Muslim sect (Ahmadiyya–located in NW India) promotes this
theory, claiming that Jesus revived, escaped to India, and lived to be 120
years old!
d. Holes in this theory:
1) Experienced Roman soldiers saw that He was DEAD! (Who would know
more about it – trained, experienced soldiers who were there, or some
foggy-headed infidel eighteen or twenty centuries later?)
2) Assuming (for the sake of argument) that Jesus didn’t die, but swooned–
after what He had been through (scourging, crucifixion, pierced side); is it
reasonable that He could:
a) Revive without food, without water, without medical attention?
b) Get out of the grave-clothes (somewhat like being in a strait jacket)?
c) Move the stone out of the way (combined strength of 3 spunky women
couldn’t roll it away, Mk. 16:1-4)
3. The “wrong tomb” theory
a. Theory: Jesus’ friends went to the wrong tomb, (due to semi-darkness, being
emotionally upset, etc.), saw it was empty, & mistakenly thought He had
been resurrected
b. It was Joseph’s own tomb! He & Nicodemus had placed the body there! The
women had observed intently (Matt. 27:61; Mk. 15:47; Lk. 23:55) – now, less
than 48 hrs. later, everyone is clueless?
c. If they went to the wrong tomb, what were the linen strips and the
handkerchief doing there? (Jn 20:5, 7)
4. Hallucination Theory
a. Theory: The disciples wanted Jesus to arise from the dead so intensely that in
their emotionally disturbed state they hallucinated!
b. But the disciples did NOT expect a resurrection (despite having been told
repeatedly that it would happen); see Mark 16:12-14
c. Over 500 people saw Him at once, 1 Cor. 15:6; that must have been some
hallucination!
d. Psychologists say only certain personality types are likely to hallucinate–
viz. people who are high-strung, nervous, highly imaginative (this doesn’t fit
John, Thomas, et. al.)
5. For any of these, or virtually any other theory, the question remains: why
didn’t the enemies of Jesus simply produce the body and shut the disciples
up?
CONCLUSION
A. The empty tomb speaks volumes as to the fact of the resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
1. The OT prophesied of the resurrection.
2. Jesus repeatedly said, both plainly and in figures of speech, that he would be
raised the 3rd day.
3. The disciples witnessed it; the inspired writers recorded it.
4. The early Christians believed it and proclaimed it shamelessly.
5. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel, no salvation, no eternal life.
B. Thank God that we can say with great confidence: “This Jesus did God
raise up . . .”

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THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

Posted on January 9, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION
A. The crucifixion of our Lord took place at a location known as “The Place of the
Skull” … Greek, Hebrew, Latin

B. Crucifixion was probably the most horrible form of capital punishment ever
devised by man. It appears to have originated with the Persians (c. 522 B.C.).
1. Later, it was employed by the Greeks. Following the destruction of Tyre,
Alexander the Great crucified 2,000 men of military age.
2. The Jews even used crucifixion on occasion. In the inter-biblical age,
Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 B.C.) crucified 800 Pharisees who had been
involved in a revolt.
3. But the Romans were most noted for the practice. In 71 B.C., following a slave
revolt in Rome, 6,000 recaptured slaves were crucified on the Appian Way
leading to the city

C. The prospective crucifixion victim, as a rule, was first subjected to scourging,
i.e., a beating with a three-thong whip (fashioned of plaited leather, and studded
with bone and metal).
1. The victim was stripped naked and then was secured with leather ties. He was
then beaten from his upper hack to the lower extremities of his legs.
2. The flesh was flayed from the muscle. Eventually muscle could he shredded
from the bone. The bones of the back, including the spinal column might well
be exposed in a bloody mass.
3. Not infrequently these whippings were fatal. In an article which appeared a
few years back in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. W.
Edwards wrote:
“The severe scourging, with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Jesus in a pre-shock state. Moreover, hematidosis had rendered his skin particularly tender. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to his generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus’ physical condition was at least serious and possibly critical”
D. The shape of the cross is a matter of some controversy.
1. Some scholars believe that the victim was forced to carry, only the upper
crossbar (which weighed about 125 pounds) to the place of torture.
2. It is little wonder that the Lord required assistance in carrying the beam (Lk.
23:26). At the death site, the upright post might have been secured in the
ground already, awaiting the attachment of the crossbar

E. The criminal would be made to lie upon the ground, with the crossbeam under
his upper back. The arms were then attached by nails.
1. The nails almost certainly were driven through the wrists, since the palm
tissue “cannot bear the weight” of the body, The Greek term rendered “hands”
(cheiras, Jn. 20:27) can also mean “arms” (Liddell, p. 1807).
2. The feet were nailed also. In 1968 the first remains of a crucified man were
discovered in Jerusalem. A seven-inch spike was wedged through a young
man’s heels.

F. The actual cause of death was the loss of blood volume and the inability to
breathe due to the extension of the body
1. The victim, unable to support his body so as to inhale/exhale easily, eventually
suffocated; he usually died within 36 hours, though he could survive for
days.
2. Jesus lived only 6 hours.

G. Let us reflect upon several matters relative to the Lord’s crucifixion.

DISCUSSION
A. PROPHECY
1. A thousand years before Jesus’ birth, David, speaking on behalf of the coming
Messiah, described the ordeal of the crucifixion.
a. Psalm 22:14-18
b. This context is doubtless the most comprehensive portion of the biblical
record detailing the physical and emotional trauma of the Son of God during
the crucifixion ordeal.
c. Moreover, it is an amazing declaration inasmuch as it was penned five
centuries prior to the invention of the torturous system.

2. The prophetic details in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus are amazing.

3. Note the following abbreviated list of prophetic details:
a. Jesus’ back was to be beaten (Isa. 50:6), and his hands and feet pierced (Psa.
22:16).
b. His garments would be divided (Psa. 22:18), and he would be given vinegar
and gall to slake his thirst (Psa. 69:21).
c. Though it was common to break the legs of the victim (Jn. 19:32), such did
not occur in Christ’s case because the Lord was the antitype of the Passover
lamb (Ex. 12:46; Psa. 34:20; Jn. 19:33; 1 Cor. 5:7).
d. Too, a crucified person normally was not given a burial; the body was left to
rot or be devoured by animals. But Jesus, by divine decree, was interred in
the tomb of a wealthy Jew (Isa. 53:9; Mt. 27:57ff).

4. These prophecies are powerful evidence of the divine origin of the Bible.

B. THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE
1. During the first century, the Jews employed four methods of capital
punishment – stoning, burning, decapitation, and strangulation. But Jesus was
executed according to Roman procedure. Aside from the political
considerations, there were reasons for this.

2. First, Christ had to die in some fashion that involved the shedding of his
blood, without which there could be no remission of sins (Heb. 9:22).
a. Since the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23), man, by virtue of his
transgression, forfeited his right to live.
b. However, in the marvelous sacred scheme of things, it was determined that
God’s Son would offer his life in exchange for man’s (1 Cor. 15:3).
c. Inasmuch as the “life” (Heb. – nephesh) resides in the blood (Lev. 17:11), it
was necessary for the Lord to shed his blood to effect redemption.
1) Isaiah speaks of the Messiah’s “soul/life” (nephesh) being “poured out”
unto death (Isaiah 53:10-12).
2) Centuries later, the Savior said  Matthew 26:28
d. The crucifixion thus accommodated a method of death consistent with the
heavenly plan.

3. Secondly, under the Old Testament regime, hanging a body upon a tree was a
special token of accursedness; “He that is hanged is accursed of God” (Dt.
21:23).
a. Crucifixion was a most shameful punishment designed for the guiltiest
criminals
b. Galatians 3:13
c. It is significant that the “cross” is designated as a “tree” several times in the
NT (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 1 Pet. 2:24).
d. The Lord’s death by means of the crucifixion upon the cross, therefore, was
a fitting symbol of the fact that He was bearing the “curse” and “shame”
(Heb. 12:2) of sin for the human family.

4. All who so choose may take advantage of that wonderful gift, by being
immersed into Jesus’ death (Rom. 6:3-4).

C. THE CROSS AS A WITNESS
1. How was it that a mode of death so despised as “the cross” – became such a
glorious badge of honor for Christians?
a. The “word of the cross” was synonymous with the gospel (1 Cor. 1:18), and
in that cross the early saints gloried.
b. Paul wrote: “But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ. . . ” (Gal. 6:14).

2. Why should such a hideous instrument of shame be transformed into an object
of glory by the early Christians?
a. Do men today honor the hangman’s noose, or the electric chair? Does
anyone wear these emblems as an item of adornment? Hardly.
b. It was because the cross ceased to be an embarrassment in the light of
the resurrection
c. Had Jesus remained dead, the cross would have been forever an object of
infamy.
3. The cross, then, becomes a silent witness, an apologetic, for the authenticity of
Christianity.

CONCLUSION
Remember… Isaiah 53:6

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THE HARRIS AND MOORE EXPEDITION THROUGH THE BIBLE

Posted on January 7, 2013 by from the Preachers PC

On today’s program (Jan 7) we will be discussing: “Why Are These Things Happening?”

Why is fornication and murder running rampant in our world? Why? People are turning their back on God. Tune in (and spread the word) as we discuss this important topic.

Tune tonight at 7:00pm CST at http://www.harrisandmoore.org (or, KATX 97.7 FM or KNNK 100.5 PM) – you can also use your TuneIn App (search knowthetruth radio)

This is live call-in talk show – the number to call is 1-855-QABIBLE or email your question at harrisandmoore.org

You have heard what men have said – now listen to what the Bible says

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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http://www.syfirst.org
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“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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THE TRIALS OF JESUS

Posted on December 24, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

THE TRIALS OF JESUS

INTRODUCTION
A. The trial and crucifixion of Jesus the Christ are the greatest miscarriages
of justice in all the annals of history
1. In less than twelve hours, just before His crucifixion, Jesus the Christ was put
through a series of proceedings that give the term “railroad” a whole new
meaning.
2. First before Jewish officials, then before Roman authorities, Jesus was hauled
before illegal assemblies, falsely accused, subjected to verbal and physical
abuse, and finally sentenced to death by a spineless politician who had
pronounced Him not guilty at least three (probably four) times and repeatedly
stated his intentions to release Him.

B. Not only did these trials violate the written Law of Moses, but they violated
the civil laws that had been designed to carry out the principles of justice
enjoined by Mosaic Law.

C. It is good for us to be aware of these matters so that we may more fully
appreciate what Jesus went through for us – thus we may appreciate His love for
us, and we may love Him more deeply in return.

DISCUSSION
A. SOME PRINCIPLES FROM THE LAW OF MOSES
1. Establishment of guilt (especially capital cases) required at least two witnesses
a. Deuteronomy 17:6
b. Deuteronomy 19:15
2. The accused was to have an impartial trial (including diligent inquiry into the
facts) … Deuteronomy 13:13-14
3. Judges were to seek justice and were forbidden to take bribes ©  Exodus
23:6-8

B. SOME SPECIFIC JEWISH LAWS
(intended to implement principles and laws from Moses)
1. NOTE: This information is from the Talmud, a book of Jewish law and
commentary upon it
2. Makeup of the Sanhedrin (intended to make it well-rounded AND impartial):
a. Twenty-three each of priests (religious leaders), scribes (legal experts), and
elders (respected men of the community), plus two presiding officers (total
71)
b. Qualification for judges were strict – both parents had to be Jews; well-
educated in Moses’ law and Jewish tradition, as well as other subjects;
gainfully employed [or retired]; morally upright.

3. Judges had to be disinterested (couldn’t be a relative or heir of the accused, or
stand to benefit by the accused’s death or condemnation) – goes to the
prohibition against bribes.

4. Vote on guilt or innocence took place the day after the trial (give emotions
time to cool, time for deliberation and reflection)

5. The accused was presumed innocent and could not be compelled to testify
against himself.

6. There was no prosecutor except the witnesses

7. False witnesses were subject to the penalty of the crime charged to the
defendant (Deut. 19:16-21).

8. An accomplice to the crime could not testify

9. All court proceedings were to occur during the day (between morning &
evening sacrifices) in public [helped keep everyone honest–not supposed to be
any crooked dealings in private at night]

10. Balloting re: guilt/innocence was to begin with the youngest, most
inexperienced judge, and proceed upward to the High Priest, who voted last.
(Kept younger, less experienced judges from being intimidated and swayed in
their voting)

11. If a defendant was acquitted, the trial was over & the accused was released
immediately; if a guilty verdict was reached in a capital case, it was
automatically appealed the next day (another vote was taken the next day –
judges could change their votes from convict to acquit, but not from acquit to
convict)

12. There were many other procedural regulations, but this is enough to give us a
taste for what ought to have occurred (in contrast to what did occur) in the
trials of Jesus.

C. THE HEBREW TRIALS OF JESUS
1. Preliminary examination before Annas
a. John 18:13, 19-24
b. This procedure was illegal!
1) It occurred at night
2) The law did not allow for preliminary examination; only the witnesses
played the role of prosecutor, and the accused could not be compelled to
testify against himself
3) The officer slapped Jesus without justification (the role of the judge was to
protect the accused and prevent his abuse)
c. Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas . . .

2. First trial before the Sanhedrin (Caiaphas presiding)
a. Matthew 26:57-68
b. This trial was illegal!
1) It took place at night and was not in public but at Caiaphas’ home (Lk.
22:54).
2) The judges were (again) acting as prosecutors, actively seeking testimony
(and false testimony at that!) against Jesus (Mt. 26:59)
3) Caiaphas illegally put Jesus under oath and compelled Him to testify (Mt.
26:63)
4) The High Priest pronounced Jesus guilty before a vote was taken – if,
indeed, it was ever formally taken (Mt. 26:65) [Note the “crime”:
Blasphemy (capital offense)]
5) More physical abuse (Mt. 26:67)
c. To have any pretense of being legal, the Court has to meet again in the
morning . . .

3. Jesus’ 2nd trial before the Sanhedrin
a. Luke 22:66-71
b. This trial was illegal!
1) “As soon as it was day” (Lk. 22:66) – before the morning sacrifice – this
was too early for a trial (the accused did not have the protection of public
scrutiny – remember, the Jewish leadership feared the people, or they would
have murdered Jesus even before this, Mk.12:12; Lk. 20:19; 22:2)
2) Again they compelled Jesus to testify (vs. 67, 70)
c. Now they must take Him to the Roman authorities for execution . . .

D. THE ROMAN TRIALS OF JESUS
1. First appearance before Pilate
a. Luke 23:1-7
b. Note that now the charge is not blasphemy
1) When first they only called Him an “evil-doer” Pilate told them to judge
Him according to their own law, John 18:30-31; then they shifted to the
capital crime of treason so that Pilate would be forced to make a judgment
2) Jesus acknowledges being a King (but not earthly or political, John 18:36,
37)
c. Pilate’s first acknowledgment that Jesus is not guilty (Lk. 23:4)
d. Pilate tries to pass the buck to Herod (Lk. 23:6-7)

2. Trial before Herod
a. Luke 23:8-12
b. This is Herod Antipas, who had beheaded John and had feared that Jesus was
actually John come back from the dead!
c. Now Herod wanted Jesus to perform a miracle so he could see it (v.8)
d. Herod questioned Jesus extensively, but the Lord did not answer (cf. Isa.
53:7)
e. After abusing and mocking Him, Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate (no stated
verdict)

3. Jesus’ second appearance before Pilate
a. Luke 23:13-25
b. Second acknowledgment that Jesus is not guilty (Lk. 23:14)
1) Pilate also interprets Herod’s inaction as meaning Herod found no crime in
Jesus
2) Pilate wants to chastise Jesus (to satisfy the Jews) and then release Him,
v.16 (in keeping with custom of releasing a prisoner at Passover)
a) Pilate’s wife has warned him to have nothing to do with Jesus (Mt.
27:19)
b) The Jews demand that Pilate release Barabbas and crucify Jesus (Mt.
27:20)

c. Third acknowledgment that Jesus is not guilty (Jn 19:4)
1) This is after he scourges and abuses Jesus (19:1)
2) “Behold the Man” (Jn. 19:5) – probably an appeal to sympathy, as if to say
“just look at this pathetic man standing here beaten and bleeding – isn’t this
enough?”

d. Fourth acknowledgment that Jesus is not guilty (Jn 19:6)
1) The Jewish leaders are not satisfied with the beating – they want Jesus
crucified!
2) Since Pilate insists on Jesus’ innocence, the Jews now shift back to their
real complaint: that He said He is the Son of God (v.7)
a) This scared the pagan Pilate (was he about to crucify a god?!)
b) Pilate was more determined than ever to release Jesus (v. 12a), but . . .

e. Pilate delivered Jesus to be crucified
1) Finally he tripped on a political question (John 19:12)
2) Spinelessly “washed his hands” of the matter (Mt. 27:24)
a) Even then he affirmed that Jesus was a “just person” (Mt. 27:24)
b) The Jews anxiously accepted responsibility for His blood (Mt. 27:25)
CONCLUSION
A. Examining the accounts of the trials of Jesus should cause us to appreciate more deeply what he endured for us, and to be more firmly convinced of His love for us.
B. In turn, we ought to love Him with greater devotion, which should evidence itself in our loving obedience to His will.

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OUR MASTER MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

Posted on December 18, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

Our Master Makes the Difference

As I have worked among men and women as a gospel preacher I have become increasingly aware of one thing. It is the boss, the manager, the Master in people’s lives who makes the difference in their destiny.

I have known some very wealthy men, and many very successful professional people. Despite their dazzling outward show of success, despite their affluence and their prestige, they remained poor in spirit, shriveled in soul, and unhappy in life. They were joyless people held in the iron grip and heartless ownership of the wrong master.

By way of contrast, I have numerous friends among relatively poor people-people who have known hardship, disaster and the struggle to stay afloat financially. But because they belong to Christ and have recognized Him as Lord and Master of their lives, their owner and manager, they are permeated by a deep, quiet, settled peace that is beautiful to behold.

It is indeed a delight to visit some of these humble homes where men and women are rich in spirit, generous in heart and large of soul. They radiate a serene confidence and quiet joy that overcomes all the tragedies of their time. They are under God’s care and they know it. They have entrusted themselves to the Word of God and its control and found contentment.

Remember the word of Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). Never forget that “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Pet. 1:3). Never forget that we cannot serve two masters (Mat. 6:24)!

Who is your true master? True peace and joy comes from making the Lord our one and only Master. Our future destiny depends on the master we choose.

Think About It!

Have A Great Day!

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome


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http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“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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The Newtown Massacre

Posted on December 17, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

THE PROBLEM OF EVIL

INTRODUCTION
A. How do we deal with the horrible atrocities that occurred in Newtown Connecticut?
1. Why did God allow such to occur
2. Why is there so much evil in the world?
B. Judges 6:1-6
1. For seven years Israel was victimized by the Midianites.
2. Israel’s crops were destroyed, their livestock was confiscated, and the people
were forced to seek refuge in the dens and caves of the mountains.
C. During this difficult period “the angel of the Lord” appeared unto Gideon  
Judges 6:12-13
1. This very question is what many are asking today!
2. Many are asking, If God is with us:
a. Why did my child have to die from cancer?
b. Why was my wife killed in a car wreck?
c. Why was my child molested?
d. Why do bad things happen to good people?
D. These and a thousand similar questions could be asked.
1. These questions grip the human heart.
2. Thousands cry for some sort of an answer.
DISCUSSION
A. The Problem Stated
1. With many people, the great obstacle to belief in God is the problem of
evil and suffering.
a. Many sincere people agonize greatly in an effort to resolve this problem in
their minds.
b. Thus, many assume that there cannot be a loving God such as the Bible
indicates.
2. NOTE: No man should be so bold as to think that he can completely
understand everything about the problem of suffering.
a. Romans 11:33
b. Deuteronomy 29:29
1) God has revealed to us what we need to know
2) The things we would like to know, but can’t, we must accept by faith
knowing that God always does what is right.
c. Genesis 18:25
1) This is a rhetorical question, and needs no answer
2) Of course God will do what is right!
B. The Problem Addressed
1. First of all, it should be noted that when a person raises the question of
“evil,” he is inadvertently appealing to some universal system of justice,
which evil allegedly violates.
a. But if there is no God, there is not a universal system of “rightness,” –
and no such thing as evil?
b. Let atheism, therefore, define for us that standard by which certain
things are judged to be “evil.”
2. God , Who is love (1 Jn. 4:8), expresses His love by giving us the freedom
to choose.
a. God has given us freedom of choice:
1) Joshua 24:15
2) John 7:17
3) Revelation 22:17
b.  God has not slavishly programmed us without free-will.
3. Thus, where freedom of choice is permitted, there is certainly the
possibility that man will make the wrong choices.
a. Wrong choices must entail some adverse consequences
b. Think about this: If all actions [choices], both good and bad,
produced exactly the same effect, how would one ever learn to choose the
good and reject the bad?
c. It is clear, therefore, that finite beings with personal will-power must be
allowed to suffer the consequences of their wrong choices if they are to learn
that the good is to be valued over the bad.
d. In light of this, let us consider several types of suffering in the world.
C. Suffering In Our World
1. Personal wrong choices
a. We frequently bring suffering upon ourselves because of the bad decisions
we make.
1) Judges 6:1
2) 1 Peter 4:15
b. If a man steals and goes to prison, is it not his fault?
c. If a man murders and executed, is God to blamed?
d. Yet, someone may argue: God could have prevented the
crime, hence, the suffering.
1) Not if He wanted to preserve man’s freedom of choice!
2) You see, God limits His own activity by lovingly granting man free will-
power!
2. Personal wrong choices of others
a. A considerable amount of suffering is caused by the bad choices of our
fellows.
b. We cannot argue for our freedom of choice while denying it for others. God
is not respecter of persons…
1) “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34)
2) “there is no respect of persons with God” (Rom. 2:11)
d. So, innocent persons may be killed in a wreck involving a drunk driver.
e. In times of war, many are killed as a consequence of the evil decisions of a
few leaders.
f. We sometimes pay the price for other’s freedom of choice.
3. Personal wrong choices of former generations
a. If we are to reap the benefits of good labors of generations in the past (e.g.
scientific discoveries), can we avoid reaping the evils as well?
b. God warned that rejection of Him would affect generations yet unborn
1) Exodus 20:5-6
2) Starvation in India … scared cows
3) Rowe vs Wade
4. Our world of natural law
a. We live in a world that is regulated by natural law, thus a certain amount of
suffering is inevitable
b. For example: gravity…
c. Luke 13:4-5 … victims of natural law
d. We benefit greatly from natural law, but if we violate this law we will suffer.
e. Could you imagine what would happen if God suspended His natural
laws?
D. The Benefits Of Suffering
1. Physical
a. Suppose one’s clothes caught on fire, without pain, would engulfed before he
realized what was happening.
b. Pain causes us to go to the doctor
c. Pain causes us to avoid those thing that will hurt us.
d. Pain helps us to develop noble character, without pain where would traits
like patience and bravery be cultivated?
2. Spiritual
a. 2 Chronicles 33:10-12
b. Psalm 119:67, 71
c. Romans 8:28
d. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17
e. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
f. James 1:12
3. In the midst of suffering we must realize:
a. That there is a place where “the wicked cease from  troubling; And there the
weary are at rest” (Job 3:17)
b. Revelation 21:1-5
4. What should our attitude be toward suffering?
a. Acts 5:41
b. 1 Peter 2:19-23
c. Suffering is a small thing when compared to heaven….. Romans 8:18
5. The results of handling suffering properly
a. Reign in heaven … 2 Timothy 2:12
b. Receive a crown of life … James 1:12
CONCLUSION
New gun legislation is not the answer to the evil in the world – putting God back in our schools and nation IS the answer.

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THOUGHT ON CHRISTMAS

Posted on December 13, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

THOUGHTS ON CHRISTMAS
By Tom Moore

This is an exciting time of the year! The Christmas season promotes family gatherings and a time of sharing each other’s love and gifts. It is a special time of warmth and friendliness, a time when children are filled with great anticipation – great joy fills the air. This is what Christmas means to me, and these are the things I think about when I meditate on this holiday season. Yet, for most of the world, Christmas is much more than a time for family gatherings. Christmas is a time when Christendom celebrates the birth of Jesus. It is a time when you see nativity scenes, figures of angels, shepherds, and three wise men. It is a time when you hear such phrases as, “Jesus is the reason from the season” and “Put Christ back in Christmas.”   Why is it that “most” members of the church of Christ do not celebrate Christmas as do those among the denominational world? Is it just because we want to be different? No! Is it just because we want to be contrary? No! We do not celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday because there is no Bible authority for it. Paul said, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name [or, the authority] of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). We must have biblical authority for all that we do. Is there biblical authority for celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday? Let us see.

First, let us consider the origin and development of Christmas. The Bible is silent concerning celebration of Christmas. The celebration of Christmas did not start until some 300 years after the church was established on the day of Pentecost, in AD 33. Philip Schaff has written, “Notwithstanding this deep significance and wide popularity, the festival of the birth of the Lord is of comparatively late institution. This may doubtless be accounted for in the following manner: In the first place no corresponding festival was presented in the Old Testament. In the second place the day and month of the birth of Christ are nowhere stated in the gospel history, and cannot be determined.   “We find it [Christmas – TM] first in Rome in the time of the bishop Liberius, who on the twenty-fifth of December, 360, consecrated Marcella, the sister of St. Ambrose, nun or bride of Christ, and addressed her with the words: ‘Thou seest what multitudes are come to the birth-festival of thy bride groom.’ Christmas was introduced in Antioch about the year 380, in Alexandria, where the feast of Epiphany was celebrated as the nativity of Christ, not till about 430. Chrysostom, who delivered the Christmas homily in Antioch on the 25th of December, 386, already calls it, notwithstanding its recent introduction (some ten years before), the fundamental feast, or the root from which all other Christian festivals grow forth” (History of the Christian, Vol. III, pp. 395-396).   The Encyclopedia Britannica states that “Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church, and before the 5th century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether on January 6th, March 25th or December 25th” (Vol. 5, p. 641). Much more evidence could be given to show that Christmas was not celebrated in the first century, but this is enough to prove the point.   The word “Christmas” is really made up of two words “Christ” and “Mass,” and therefore is Catholic in origin and nature. By the 4th and 5th centuries, Catholicism had developed into a religion which was a distinct departure from the New Testament pattern. In the December 25, 1960 issue of The Register (a national Catholic weekly publication) we read the following: “Christmas means ‘Christ’s Mass’ and is so distinctively Catholic that the Puritan Parliament of 1644 abolished it in England ….. The Puritans in Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1659 passed a law fining anybody who would celebrate it. Even after the U.S. was established, the schools were not dismissed in Boston on Christmas Day, until Catholic immigrants brought the great feast with them.”

This “Mass of Christ” is a special Mass observed on Christmas Eve around midnight. A Mass is a repetition of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross for the sins of the world. Therefore, each time Mass is said, Christ is re-sacrificed. This is in total opposition to what the Bible says.

The Hebrew writer declared, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself” (Heb. 7:26-27).

The Hebrew writer later said, “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Heb. 9:24-28). Calling on Christ to be re-sacrificed time and time again is in total conflict with the Scriptures.

That Christmas did not have its origin in the Scriptures, but in Paganism and Catholicism can be easily established. For example, according to the Worldbook and Americana Encyclopedias, December 25th was probably chosen as the day of Christmas because the feast of the sun (called “Saturnalia”), which was a feast held in honor of Saturn – the sun god. This Pagan holiday was further celebrated with the giving of gifts to the children and the poor, and setting slaves free. December 25th was also celebrated as the birthday of three heathen gods: Apollo, Bacchus and Osiris.

Let us note where many of the modern customs of Christmas came from. First of all, the manger scene, that is seen so often around the Christmas season, was first introduced by a Catholic named Saint Francis on December 24, 1223 AD. The “yule log” originated with the Scandinavians, and was burned during the Yule Season. “Yule” comes from “jol” from which we get our word “jolly.” Thus, the Yule Season was to be a joyful and festive time of the year. The “yule log” was burned once a year to honor Thor, the god of thunder. When these people entered Christianity, they adopted the “yule log” as an important part of their Christmas ceremonies.

“Holly” and “mistletoe” were considered sacred by the Celts, and was thought to have marvelous powers. The priests would pile it on their altars in sacrifice to their gods. The Druids and the Germans would hang “holly” and “mistletoe” over their doors for good fortune. Some considered “holly” sacred because to them it depicted the crown of thorns which was placed on our Savior’s head.

Strangely enough, the Armenians are said to celebrate Christmas by eating boiled spinach because they believed that Mary ate boiled spinach the night that Jesus was born. The Christmas tree is a relic of the pagan practice of using evergreens to symbolize life in the dead of winter.  The ancient German tribes and those of the Scandinavian countries would worship the evergreen tree. It is said that the early church frowned on the use of the evergreen because of its association with pagan festivals. Later, however, the custom of the Christmas tree was incorporated into the observance of Christmas by the Roman Catholic Church to appease the superstitions of the newly converted.

The beginning of “Santa Clause” dates back to a so called bishop of Mrya of Lycia in the 4th century. He was called Nicholas and was considered a saint because of his good deeds; hence, we have “Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas.” He was regarded as a special friend and protector of children and widows. After his death, children began praying to him, and believed their prayers would be answered miraculously. Some believe that Santa Clause is the ghost or spirit of Saint Nicholas. The American “Santa Clause” is a corruption of the Dutch Saint Nicholas. And, of course, we know that “Santa Clause” is no more true or false than is “Old Mother Hubbard,” Jack-in-the-Bean-Stack,” “Mother Goose,” or any other fairy-tale character.

The origin of “giving gifts” is attributed to an ancient woman of Palestine who awaited the return of the “Three Kings of the Orient” who had passed her way bearing gifts to the infant Jesus. It is said that she still waits today since, unknown to her, they returned a different way. It is said that her influence watches over the little children who hang their stockings before the hearth-fire before they went to bed on the eve of Epiphany. Good behavior in the children was rewarded with gifts, and stocking full of ashes were given to those who had misbehaved. Today this ancient custom is said to be fulfilled by Santa Clause on Christmas Eve.

The evidence is very clear that Christmas is pagan in origin and was not observed as a religious holiday by the first century Christians. So, should we participate in Christmas as a religious holiday, have special Christmas services in the worship assembly, and put a Christmas tree and the like in the church building? Should we get caught up with the idea that “Jesus is the reason for the season?”

The Israelites of old were well acquainted with the observance of special religious holidays. They celebrated such things as the Passover, Pentecost, feast of tabernacles, new moon, the Sabbath Jubilee and others. That is why it is so significant to notice that when the Jews became Christians, no religious days were observed. The old law was abolished, nailed to the cross (Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14). Under the new law there have been no special days set forth to be observed other than the observance of the Lord’s Supper each first day of the week commemorating the death of our Savior (Acts 20:7). As a matter of fact, the New Testament condemns the observance of holy days. Paul declared, “You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain” (Gal. 4:10-11).

Can we celebrate Christmas in any fashion? Down through the years social aspects have developed in connection with Christmas that have no religious significance. Christmas can be enjoyed in a purely secular way, much as we enjoy the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and other national holidays. There is nothing specifically religious about national holidays; and therefore, there is nothing wrong with enjoying them, provided we keep our Christian principles. There is nothing wrong in celebrating Christmas if done in a secular way. But to observe Christmas in a religious fashion is to be guilty of moving over to “another gospel” which Paul condemns (Gal. 1:6-10). To observe Christmas religiously is to be guilty of adding to and taking away from the word of God (Rev. 22:18-20), and we must not go beyond the things that are written (Jude 9).

As each Christmas season rolls around there are several things that we should keep in memory: 1) Teach our children that Christmas has no, and should not have any, religious significance 2) Refrain from using decorations or greeting cards that have a religious connotation, and would give people the wrong impression 3) Be careful not to lead others into believing you observe this day religiously, 4) Treat Santa Clause as you would other fairy tale characters, and 5) Be sure we always deal with others on this or any other issue in a Christian  manner. Those who desire to please God must only do what is authorized (Col. 3:17).

Tom Moore

Park Heights church of Christ

P. O. Box 107

1300 East Boynton Street

Hamilton, Texas 76531

www.parkheightscoc.com

http://harrisandmoore.org

https://fromthepreacherspc.org/

http://www.syfirst.org

http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“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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THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

Posted on December 11, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF JESUS

(John 18:1-11)

INTRODUCTION

A. Think how it would hurt to be betrayed by a friend and arrested on false charges.

1. I’ve never been arrested, but I’ve been betrayed by people I care about.

2. It is painful and discouraging.

3. It has been said that those who hurt us the most are those closest to us.

B. My experience doesn’t even compare, however, to the betrayal and arrest of Jesus.

1. We often concentrate on His death, burial, and resurrection – and rightly so

2. But from His betrayal and arrest there is a wealth of information about the knowledge and wisdom of God, the utter sinfulness of man, and the sacrificial love of Jesus.

DISCUSSION

A. HOW JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND ARREST SHOW GOD’S KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM    1. The betrayal had been prophesied:

a. Psalm 41:9

b. Zechariah 11:12-13

2. Jesus knew He would be betrayed, and by whom

a. John 6:64

b. John 6:70-71 – this was approximately 1 year before the event

c. Matthew 26:25

1) Jesus even told Judas plainly that He knew

2) Although, The other disciples seem not to have understood this

3. This was all within God’s foreknowledge as He planned for our redemption

a. Acts 2:23 – The word “delivered” is from the same general family as “betrayed”

b. NOT that God “decreed” that Judas would be a traitor (as per Calvinism)

c. Judas sinned, and was personally responsible for it

1) Satan entered Judas  –  Luke 22:3 … but notice the words of James…

2) James 4:7 – he cannot control us without our cooperation

3) God has often used sinful people in the accomplishing of His purposes (e.g. Pharaoh)

4) Foreknowledge is not the same as a divine decree – Judas exercised his free will in doing what he did (else God would be unjust)

c. God wisely arranged that His purpose (i.e. to give Jesus as the atonement sacrifice for our sins) would be furthered by Judas’ sinful behavior.

B. HOW JESUS’ BETRAYAL AND ARREST DEMONSTRATES THE UTTER SINFULNESS OF MAN

1. Notice when it took place – at NIGHT

a. Luke 22:53

1) “this is your hour” – they wouldn’t touch Him during the day in public – for they feared the people

2) Luke 22:2

b. 1 Thessalonians 5:7

1) Shameful activity tends to be concentrated at night

2) The reason? They are trying to hide their activity

2. Judas the betrayer was a disciple and friend!

a. Seven times the Gospels emphasize that he was “one of the twelve” e.g. Matthew 26:14-15

b. Psalm 41:9

c. Jesus confronted him –  Matthew 26:50

d. That anyone would deliver Jesus to His enemies is bad enough – that a disciple and friend would do so boggles the imagination!

3. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss!

a. The “kiss” was the common greeting of friendship and brotherly love – Luke 7:44-45       b. Jesus confronted Judas with the hypocrisy of his action –  Luke 22:48

4. Judas betrayed Jesus for a mere 30 pieces of silver

a. Exodus 21:32 –  price of a slave

b. Zechariah 11:13 –  sarcastically calls it “a princely price they set on me”

c. That anyone would “sell out” the Lord for any price is shameful – but such a low price adds insult to injury!

d. Illustration: we would despise any traitor to our country – but to betray America for a few hundred dollars would be that much more difficult to comprehend

5. Those who came to arrest Jesus treated Him like a vile, dangerous criminal

a. The mob included officers from the Sanhedrin as well as a detachment of Roman soldiers (John 18:3).

b. Jesus confronted them with the irony of their actions   – Matthew 26:55

C. HOW THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST OF  JESUS DEMONSTRATES HIS SACRIFICIAL LOVE

1. He allowed this to happen to Himself – did nothing to strike back or even defend Himself

a. Refused to allow Peter to defend Him by force

b. Could have called 12 legions of angels to deliver Him,  but did not (Matt. 26:53)

2. Even as His own life was in jeopardy, He was looking out for the well-being of His disciples – John 18:8

CONCLUSION

A. The betrayal and arrest of Jesus demonstrates:

1. The knowledge and wisdom of God

2. The utter sinfulness of man

3. The sacrificial love of Jesus

B. God knew all the while that it would happen, so He incorporated these events into the over-all plan to save sinful    people by giving Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.

C. Jesus, in His infinite love, permitted Himself to be betrayed and arrested, though it was well within His power to escape    it.

D. He could not save Himself and save us at the same time    He chose to save us.

Tom Moore

Park Heights church of Christ

P. O. Box 107 1300

East Boynton Street

Hamilton, Texas 76531

www.parkheightscoc.com

http://harrisandmoore.org

https://fromthepreacherspc.org/

http://www.syfirst.org

http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“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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THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

Posted on December 5, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

John 20:30-31

INTRODUCTION

A. What would you say if I told you that I know someone who
has restored life to dead bodies? someone who has given
perfect sight to a man who was born blind? someone who
fed 5000 men plus the women and children with them, using
only 5 loaves of bread and two small fish – and that he had
more food left over than he had at the start?

B. The Bible says this and much, much more about Jesus of
Nazareth!

1. During His own earthly life and ministry, He was a
well-known miracle-worker

2. Luke 23:8 a Herod hoped to see Jesus work a miracle

3. Probably most (if not all) in this assembly have studied the
matter and concluded that Jesus did, in fact, work miracles.

4. But there are others in our day which doubt it, or perhaps
even deny that Jesus preformed miracles.

5. What about the miracles of Jesus?

DISCUSSION

A. MIRACLE DEFINED

1. A miracles is not just something unusual (even highly
unusual) or amazing – having your car roll over at a high
rate of speed and coming out without a scratch

2. A miracle is an event which supersedes the natural laws
which govern and control the universe

a. Superseded the law of gravity by walking on the water

b. Jesus superseded the natural healing process by healing
people instantly, and even raising the dead

c. Jesus superseded statistical probability by pulling a coin
out of a fishes mouth

3. Note: Just because God does something, or is involved in
an event, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a miracle

a. E.g. when Jesus overthrew the money-changers’ tables
and drove the livestock from the temple, was it a
miracle??

b. God also works within the laws He Himself ordained to
govern His creation (e.g. works thru our immune
systems, medical technology, etc.)

B. WHY DO SOME NOT BELIEVE IN THE MIRACLES OF JESUS                                       (or other Bible miracles)?

1. Because they have not personally witnessed them

a. Compare Thomas “When I see, then I’ll believe”

b. This is a faith problem

c. Hebrews 11:1

d. NOTE: I am not advocating “blind faith” but rather faith
based upon solid evidence (more on this later)

2. Low respect for the Bible

a. Liberals deny inspiration, accuracy, authority, etc. – so
why believe what it says about miracles?

b. So-called “experts” claim that accounts of miracles are
just records of ‘normal’ things the disciples supposedly
exaggerated out of respect for Jesus.

1) Supposedly this was common among disciples of
other Rabbis

2) Since Jesus taught absolute honesty, how would He be
honored by lies?

3. Humanism

a. Exalts man to top position in the universe – says man is
becoming better and better.

b. Thus, since we cannot perform these feats, they
conclude that Jesus couldn’t either.

c. Humanism denies everything supernatural

4. Disgust at modern pretenders

a. TV miracle-workers poison right-thinking people’s
minds with their theatrical performances and hypocritical
fanaticism

1) Hitting people in the forehead with the palm of their
hand (“knocking them out”)

2) Screening people – not allowing cases that can’t be
faked to come up on stage (Benny Hin)

3) Constant appeals for money

b. There are documented reports where supposedly
“healed” people becoming worse, dying.

c. There are documented reports where “healers” were
being fed information via radio transmitter (as if from
God)

C. WHY SHOULD WE BELIEVE IN JESUS’ MIRACLES?

1. Because of the reliability of the Bible

a. Has proven itself over and over again to be scientifically,
historically, and in every other way accurate.

b. Time forbids a survey of evidence in favor of divine
inspiration; suffice it to say that such evidence is
overwhelming and assures us that the Biblical record
with regard to miracles is trustworthy, too.

2. Because of the sheer number of them

a. Number of recorded miracles of Jesus is well over 3
dozen.

b. These cannot be lightly dismissed but deserve thorough
investigation.

3. Because of the variety of them

a. Healing various infirmities (hemorrhaging, fever,
leprosy, paralysis, lameness, dropsy [accumulation of
fluid in limbs or abdomen], & others); note Jesus did
not screen out the hard cases!

b. Restoration of senses (sight, hearing, speech)

c. Restoration of life to the dead

d. Walking on water

e. Stilling storms immediately

f. Feeding multitudes w/ small amounts of food

g. Instantly turning water into wine

h. Casting out demons

i. Such a wide variety of miracles speaks against trickery
or deceit

4. Because of the verifiability of them

a. E.g. man born blind (John 9)

1) There was no doubt that this man was blind – not a
pretender, not someone “planted” in the audience, not a
mental case.

2) No doubt this was the right man–his neighbors and
parents said so.

b. E.g. raising of Lazarus

1) Obviously he was dead – already decaying!

2) When is the last time you saw or heard of anything
like this from a TV miracle worker?

c. Modern pretenders prefer to do things that cannot be
verified (e.g. internal problems or things emotionalism
may temporarily override–e.g. in wheel chair)

5. Because even Jesus’ enemies admitted that He did
these things

a. They accused Him of using Satan’s power to do them
– Matthew 9:32-34

b. John 11:45-48 – Pharisees acknowledged that He did
many signs–they feared that He would gain a big
following

D. CONSEQUENCES OF DENYING THE MIRACLES OF JESUS

1. Jesus loses His credibility as the Son of God

a. Acts 2:22 – it was the miracles that showed that God
approved of what Jesus said and did

b. His “works” proved that He was Who He said He
was  – John 5:36; 14:11

c. OT prophecies predicted that Messiah would work
miracles  –   Isaiah 35:5-6

2. John 20:30-31 – one great pillar would be knocked our
from under our faith.

CONCLUSION

We can be confident that Jesus really did perform the miracles which Scripture mentions, as well as innumerable more not recorded there. Those miracles attest to His
identity as the Christ, the Son of God. That identity, in turn, gives meaning to His sacrificial death upon the cross, and to that crowning miracle of all miracles, His resurrection from the dead. He also has the power to save you from your sins, and to raise you from the dead at the last day.

 

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THE CHURCH OF CHRIST

Posted on November 29, 2012 by from the Preachers PC

Nearly two thousand years ago the Lord promised to build His church (Matthew 16:16-18). In AD 30 the church of Christ, the promised church, was established in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2). Jesus purchased this church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). The church of the first century was united under the one Head – Christ, followed the same rule – the New Testament, and were of the same mind and same practice. The first century church was united in doctrine, in worship, and in organization.

For about two hundred years the church was true to apostolic teaching. But the church of the first century began to drift into apostasy. This came as no surprise, for it was foretold by the apostle Paul, “But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1), and he said there would be a “falling away” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). There were six basic developments that caused this “falling away.” First, there was the gradual development of a system of rulers, a hierarchy, patterned after the political organization of the Roman Empire. Secondly, there came extensive modification of Christian doctrine through Greek culture. Thirdly, there was the introduction of Jewish and pagan doctrines, customs and ceremonials into the church. Fourthly, there came the formulating of elaborate, uninspired church decrees. In the fifth place, there came the creation of a human priesthood, vested with spiritual powers and privileges. And finally, there was the assumption of both spiritual and temporal power by church leaders. These developments were foreign to the Bible, yet they were very prominent in the development of church history. Centuries of ignorance and superstition led to the birth of the apostate church.

Over the years there were many who had tried get back to the “old paths” (Jeremiah 6:16). Men such as John Huss and Huldrick Zwingli gave their life in such an endeavor. Later, other men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, and a host of others, worked toward the old paths. The trouble with these men is that they did not reach all the back to Jerusalem – they tried to reform the church instead of restoring the New Testament church. Much good came out of the Reformation Movement – the Bible being translated in the language of the people, and the people being encouraged to study the Bible for themselves – but they did not go all the way back to AD 30 in search of the New Testament church.

Early in the nineteenth century there was a general unrest among the churches of America. In all denominations there could be found those who believed that the followers of Christ should lay aside the traditions of men and go back to the church described in the New Testament. Among this number were men like Alexander Campbell, Barton W. Stone, and John Smith. The aim of these men, and other like them, were to do things just as the Apostles had taught, and thus, being disentangled from the embarrassments of intervening ages of apostasy. Their desire was not to establish or start another church, but to call people back to the church of the New Testament. These restorers held up the Bible as their only guide in religious matters and restored the church of Christ.

It is important to realize that if we sow the same seed the apostles sowed in the first century – the word of God (Luke 8:11), the same harvest will be produced. Paul said, For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap…” (Galatians 6:7). Every seed produces after its kind. If we sow oats we will reap oats, and is we sow corn we will reap corn. When the seed of the kingdom was planted in the first century it did not produce various denominations – it produced the New Testament church – the church of Christ. Today, if that same seed is planted – the word of God, then the New Testament church will be the result. The church of the first century exists today because the very same seed is planted. The Lord’s church will never be destroyed as long as the seed – the word of God – exists. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away” Mark 13:31).

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