11/22/13

From Ben Fronczek.... With Blessings Comes Responsibility

With Blessings Come Responsibility

With Blessings Comes Responsibility    
1 Peter (Part 2)  (by Ben Fronczek)

Introduction:
There will be all kinds of celebrations around the nation on Memorial Day, from parades to picnics, 21 gun salutes at the local VFW halls, to re-runs of old war movies on TV. The day has been set aside to remember and pay tribute to those who have spilled their blood so that we can live free and live the blessed life that we can have in this country, which not many other countries have. But with this blessed freedom comes responsibility. Idealistically, it is to uphold those ideals set forth by our founding fathers. 

We should be a free people of law and order and justice.  Living according to these ideals honor those who gave up their life for the freedom and blessings we now possess. But, permitting evil, injustice, oppression, prejudice, and the like in our land, and ignoring what our forefathers wanted dishonors those soldiers who gave up their lives for us.  The freedom and the blessings we enjoy come with a responsibility to uphold laws and a certain ethical life style. As Christians who are wonderfully blessed by God, those blessings likewise come with responsibilities.  This topic brings us to our 2nd lesson in 1 Peter. Just like Americans aren’t free to do and live anyway they want, as Christians we are called to live a certain way which is meant to glorify our Lord.
I Peter 1:13 begins with the word, ‘Therefore’.  And when we see the word, ‘Therefore’ at the beginning a new paragraph, it indicates that the reader is about to receive some information based on what he just read in the previous section. And what did Peter talk about in that last section? He reminded those early Christians, and us, how truly blessed we are because of the hope that we have in Jesus. We not only have salvation because of what Christ did for us, even more wonderful and exciting is the fact that God has promised us an inheritance  that will never perish, spoil, or fade.  It’s waiting there for us in the place we call Heaven. This is the greatest blessing one could hope for, and it’s going to be the greatest adventure we will ever experience. Jesus, Himself said that He is going there to prepare a place for you and me. Now in light of these great blessings; our salvation and heavenly hope, Peter continues on by writing,  ‘Therefore’.  

Therefore what?

 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

So in just 2 verses Peter gives us a list of six responsibilities that come along with the blessings we have received in Christ.

1)      To prepare our minds for action

2)      To be sober or self controlled

3)      To set our hope fully on the blessings and grace given to us

4)      To live as obedient Children

5)      To choose not to conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance

6)      And to live a holy life style, because our Lord, our new Master is holy

         With blessings come responsibility.  

In the last lesson I mentioned the fact that Peter probably wrote this letter to those early Christians because they needed encouragement because they lived during a very difficult time. It was easy to get discouraged and down in a frump. He knew that from experience, so he began his letter with these words of encouragement and hope.  But he doesn’t stop there. Now that he has caught their attention with these encouraging words of hope and blessing he tells them, 

‘Now you need to prepare your mind for action.’

I don’t know about you, but when I am down in a frump or depressed I have a tendency to shut down a bit. I am less enthusiastic about doing anything and can become a bit self-centered. But the more I am encouraged, the more excited I am about who I am as a Christian, as a child of God, and the more I am reminded of the blessings that my God has in store for me, the more enthusiastic I become and more I want to serve Him. Next Peter tells us to get control of our mind, 

‘be self controlled.’ Some versions say, ‘be sober,  ‘Keep sober in spirit,(ASV)’ ‘Think clearly and exercise self control (NLT)’

In other words, now that you have been reminded how blessed your really are and what you are going to get in the end, get your head screwed on right, and get your mind and body under control.  There is a battle going on to take control of your mind, the devil wants to rob you of the joy, and peace of mind you should have as a  Christian. Peter tells us to sober up, get that mind under control again. And the very next thing he tells us is to keep your mind set on not only the grace He has already shown us, but also on the end prize.

In Phil. 3 Paul wrote,  

“12 I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.”

Paul not only lived to serve Jesus, based on this text he lived and looked forward to win the prize or get what God has promises each and every one of us who have accepted Jesus; that heavenly reward.  Paul goes on to say that all mature Christians should take that same view or live like that.
In other words, stop focusing on your past failures. Stop focusing on all the negative and all the problems in this world. Stop focusing on all the heart aches and pain which will ultimately bring you down. Instead, look forward, and keep your mind on the prize. And keep pressing on to win that prize If you learn to do this it will make you Christian walk so much easier. I personally believe this focus, this hope, is what sustained those early Christians, and gave them the strength they needed in times of great persecution. They did not live for the day of suffering, but rather for the day they would enter glory. Peter does not stop there. Now with this mind-set; focused on the grace given us and the hope we have, he tells those early Christians and us as well that we need to become like obedient children.

You have a choice. As a Christians, you can live your life and act like a disobedient child who will not obey his parents, teacher, or anyone else. And like that child you will not only cause pain and heart ache to others, you will also become miserable, unhappy, and discontent yourself. Or you can become like the obedient child who does their best. In doing so you will receive honor and praise from others and you will feel good about yourself, and will have peace of mind.  Negative actions and thoughts will only produce negative results. You will reap what you sow.

So Peter instructs that we should strive to become like those obedient children. More specifically he tells us not to go back to the evil desires you had  before you were a Christian, or before you knew about Christ, when you lived in ignorance and didn’t know better or even care. As you can imagine those things will only pull you down to where you were before.

This is why Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:8-15,

“8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
15 Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Peter’s final recommendation here is this, he wrote,

“Just as He who called to us holy, so be holy in all that you do. For it is written, be holy, because I am holy”

With our mind now focused on Jesus, and focused on amazing grace that God has shown us, and focused on the wonderful hope that we have in Heaven, we not only have the strength to become like obedient children, we have something to motivate us to become holy, like God. In between the lines I can almost hear Peter saying, ‘Come on guys, if I can do it, the guy who denied even knowing Jesus three times, then so can you.’

I believe that this is a super natural power that Christians are given when we believe and accept God’s grace and love, and when we accept our position in Him, and we REALLY look forward to our heavenly home. It’s life changing! When we choose to live like this, it honors Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross. It doesn’t dishonors Him because it is achieving His ultimate goal of truly saving your soul from the evil and sin of this world. We must always remember, with ever blessing comes with responsibility. And our responsibility is to take hold of what He has given us, and let it strengthen us, and let it help us get through this life by honoring Him by how we live.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan.... The argument of Romans 7

The argument of Romans 7


Keith asked how Romans 7 functions in the argument of Romans. Paul has a lot of things to say about the Torah (covenant law) in his writings. He said that if you don't keep the Torah it's worse than not having it (chapter 2). While he insisted that having the Torah had advantages (3:1-2) he insisted it wasn't all advantage since it pronounced judgement on the Jewish nation because of its sin (chapter 3:19-20). He also insisted that God's saving purposes came to fullness in Jesus and independent of the Torah (3:21). This all made it look like he was undermining the covenant law and despising the Jews (see 3:31). No wonder they asked (3:1), "What advantage is there then in being a Jew?"
   
Worse was to come in 5:20 when he said God brought the Torah in "so that the trespass might increase." Chapter 5:12-20 summarizes humanity in Adam and "the trespass" that was to increase was the sinful rebellion of Adam's children. Instead of making things better the entrance of the Torah only made the human sinful situation worse. And Paul said it was meant to do that (note the use of "hina" and compare 11:32). This all sounded terrible. The covenant law (Torah) was meant to increase sin? Does that not make the Torah a bad thing? Besides, if the wages of sin is death and the Torah was brought in to increase sin then it was brought in to bring death rather than life. And what is more, if the purpose of the Torah was to promote sin so that God would get more glory for his increased grace that should mean that people "should" sin since they're supposed to bring God glory.
  
 His critics would claim that the logic of Paul's gospel would put them under obligation to sin or live after the flesh (see 6:1 and 8:12). The whole of 6:1 through 8:17 is one piece that is dealing with these matters.
   
Paul insists that that is not the logic of the gospel. He insists that their baptism which brought them into union with the living Christ and his death, severed them from sin in every way (6:2-10). He insisted they were now slaves to Christ and must follow this sin-destroying Master. Yes, but if the Torah has been set aside, having done its job of making the human sin situation worse, why aren't they free to sin? Because they are free only to unite with and serve Christ the sin-destroyer.
   
Yes, but has he not said bad things about the Torah? No, he insists that the Torah is holy and righteous and good and it was given to Israel that they might have life with God (7:7-13). But, like the good and holy commandment in the Garden of Eden, the Torah became an occasion for Sin to seduce Israel as the Serpent had seduced Eve. The result for both was death. Israel re-enacted the sin of Adam and Eve. It wasn't that the Torah was evil--it was the reverse. But the holy commandment bound Israel to its rebellion and pointed her out as under God's judgement. In doing this, the Torah was doing precisely what it was supposed to do. The problem was in Israel's divided heart (see 7:14-25) because the Torah was always holy and spiritual.
  
 In fact, as it turns out in the purposes of God, when people walk after the Spirit (in more ways than one) they fulfil what the righteous Torah was after (8:3-4). The holy Torah never becomes evil though it becomes a tool in the hands of Sin (7:7-11). The Torah itself never brings death (7:10). It is Sin that makes use of it to condemn sinners and so it becomes "a Torah of sin and death" (7:21-23).
   
In this whole discussion Paul is dealing with the many faces and roles of the always holy and spiritual Torah. He shows he doesn't despise it, that it serves more than one function depending on the angle one looks at it from, that its covenant form and nature has served its purpose and is restructured by the Spirit in Christ (Romans 8:1). It's only on the surface he appears to contradict himself and it's only on the surface that he seems to be promoting sin by speaking evil of the Torah. Be sure to see 13:8-10 where he calls Christians to live out the requirements of the Torah.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Effective Word Of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13) 

               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                   The Effective Word Of God (2:13)

INTRODUCTION

1. We have seen the character of the church in Thessalonica - 1Th 1:
   3-10
   a. Their faith, love and hope
   b. Their worthy example to others in Macedonia and Achaia

2. To some degree, the condition of the church may have been due to the
   diligent and caring nature of Paul's ministry while with them - 1 Th 2:1-12

3. But it could not have happened without their willingness to receive
   the word of God...
   a. Preached to them by Paul, Silas, and Timothy
   b. Which they received as the word of God
   -- Which worked effectively in them - 1Th 2:13

[In our text (1Th 2:13), we are reminded of the effectiveness of God's
Word for those who believe it.  In this study, I wish to expand upon
this thought in order to increase our appreciation for and reception of
the Word of God in our lives...]

I. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GOD'S WORD

   A. LIVING, POWERFUL, ABLE TO DISCERN...
      1. The word of God is no dead letter - He 4:12
      2. Just as Jesus' words were both spirit and life - Jn 6:63

   B. PRODUCES FAITH...
      1. As we hear (or read) it, it is able to develop faith in our 
         hearts - Ro 10:17
      2. This it does through the evidence it presents - cf. Jn 20:
         30-31

   C. HAS POWER TO SAVE...
      1. For it contains the gospel, God's power unto salvation - Ro 1:16-17
      2. Which is able to save our souls - Jm 1:21

   D. CAUSES ONE TO BE BORN AGAIN...
      1. By the word of God, He has brought us forth - Jm 1:18
      2. For the word of God is an incorruptible seed, by which one is 
         born again - 1Pe 1:22-23

   E. KEY TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH...
      1. We grow by virtue of the word of God - 1Pe 2:2
      2. Just as newborn babes grow by virtue of their mother's milk

   F. HELPS TO OVERCOME SATAN...
      1. John praised young men who overcame Satan through the Word of 
         God - 1Jn 2:14
      2. Of course, Jesus overcame Satan by appealing to the Word - Mt 4:1-11

   G. POSSESSES POWER TO SANCTIFY...
      1. As praised by the Psalmist - Ps 19:7-11
      2. As prayed by Jesus - Jn 17:17

   H. PRESERVES BOTH YOUNG AND OLD...
      1. The young cleanse their way by taking heed to it - Ps 119:9
      2. The elders were told they could guard against false teachers 
         and apostasy with the help of God's word - Ac 20:28-32

[Such are the many benefits of the wonderful Word of God.  It truly is
"The Effective Word Of God"!  But as indicated in our text, God's word
must be properly received...]

II. FOR GOD'S WORD TO BE EFFECTIVE

   A. MUST BE RECEIVED WITH FAITH...
      1. For it is works in those who believe - 1Th 2:13
      2. For it is God's power unto salvation to those who believe - Ro 1:17
      3. For it does not profit those who do not receive it with faith 
         - He 4:2

   B. MUST BE RECEIVED WITH MEEKNESS...
      1. The word must be received in meekness if it is to save - Jm 1:21
      2. For such is the person God is willing to guide and teach - Psa 25:9

   C. MUST BE RECEIVED BY DOERS...
      1. Not just hearers of the Word - Jm 1:22-25
      2. It is in obeying the Word that our souls are purified - 1Pe 1:22

   D. MUST BE FERVENTLY DESIRED...
      1. Like newborn babes longing for their mothers' milk - 1Pe 2:2
      2. For the one who meditates on it day and night is truly blessed 
         - Ps 1:1-3

   E. MUST ABIDE IN US...
      1. If we are to be strong, and overcome the wicked one - 1Jn 2:14
      2. If we are not to sin against God - Ps 119:11

CONCLUSION

1. Is the living, powerful Word of God effective in our lives?
   a. Is it producing faith, saving us by causing us to be born again?
   b. Is it producing spiritual growth, manifested by overcoming Satan,
      living holy lives whether we are young or old?

2. If the Word of God is not making a powerful impact in our lives,
   could it be...
   a. We are not receiving it with faith and meekness?
   b. We are not receiving it with the intention of obeying it?
   c. We have not fervently desired it, so that it can not abide in us?

If such is the case, then we haven't taken the Word of God seriously.
We have treated it no differently than the word of men.  May the church
of the Thessalonians always serve to remind us how we ought to receive
it...

   "...you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
   the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe."
                                                        (1Th 2:13)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary.... White, black, brown, red and yellow- they are just colors

















It has become fashionable for some to play the "Race" card of late.  Personally, I consider this sort of thing offensive.  It seems to me that blacks often call each other racial names and that is "OK"???  Furthermore, I have often seen blacks look down on Hispanics, so- Who is racist when this happens??? Thirty years ago, I worked for Woodbridge Sanitary Pottery in New Jersey (now closed).  They made vitreous china- you know, sinks, lavatories, toilets and the like.  At lunch time, you could go into the cast shop and see many small groups eating lunch;  Japanese, Chinese, Korea, Polish, Russian and Italian were just a few of them.  Each group disliked the others and looked down on them!!!  The place was FULL OF RACISM!!!  This experience taught me that racism is not a "whites only" thing, but encompasses every nationality, all across this globe.  Hatred is always wrong and is a primary tool of Satan (and those humans who choose to follow him), who is trying to destroy ALL RACES!!!  Be aware of this, learn to HATE THIS TRICKERY OF SATAN and at the same time, remember to love everyone- no matter how different they are from you!!!!  Consider these few Scriptures... 

Ephesians, Chapter 4
 11  He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;  12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ;  13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;  14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error;  15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;  16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
Galatians, Chapter 3
  26 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus.  27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.


The love of God changes things; it can change you (if you will let it).  I know, because I am not the same person that I was in the sixties or even the very early seventies, for that matter.  Honestly, the Bible taught me what love was really all about and if you really love- well, HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE A RACIST???  Now, when I was about 23 years old, my life seemed empty (even though I had risen to a supervisory position) and so I was searching for something to give me the yearnings of my heart.  About this time, I met a man named Eugene Searcy, who changed my life.  He gave me a copy of the living bible- which I read through several times in the next couple of years.  Without him caring enough about me to give me his bible- WHERE WOULD I BE TODAY???  So, I often think kindly of him and wonder whatever became of him???  I pray that he is well and that God will richly bless him (wherever he might be).  For, you see, he led me to God's truth and I love him for it!!!!!   And, I forgot to mention.... he is black!!!!!!  These things are true and unadulterated in any way and if they help- then I am one very happy man!!!!  May God help us all to learn to "get along"!!!!!

Your Friend,

Gary
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