3/16/18

Can Someone Fall From Grace? by Trevor Bowen

Can Someone Fall From Grace?

Introduction

Rooted in the doctrines of Calvinism, the idea that "once one is saved, then he is always saved", is often used to comfort Christians and give them confidence towards their final salvation.  However, while the Bible does provide a basis for confidence, it does not teach that Christians cannot fall from grace.  Moreover, the teachings of Jesus and His apostles actually warn Christians to beware the danger of falling away.  The Bible even contains examples of people who did fall away.

Warnings Against the Possibility of Apostasy

Several passages in the Scripture warn against the possibility and danger of one becoming an apostate, or falling away.  The Bible uses several different phrases to refer to a Christian's action of falling away from the faith, both in their practices and in God's judgment.  These passages speak clearly of not only the possibility, but the looming danger of falling away.  Please read the following passages:
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today', lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."  Hebrews 3:12-13
"Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.  For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? ..."  Hebrews 2:1-3
"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.  Therefore, let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall."  I Corinthians 10:11-12
All of these warnings would be meaningless if Christians could not fall away.  Therefore, the very existence of these warnings proves that Christians can fall from grace.  But, this point is made even clearer when we investigate examples of Christians who struggled against falling away, and some who actually did.

Examples of Apostasy

The most powerful example of a Christian struggling to remain faithful is the example of the apostle Paul.  Considered by many to be one of the strongest and most active apostles, Paul not only felt the danger of becoming apostate, but he also wrote about it to help warn those who were over-confident:
"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."  I Corinthians 9:27
If the apostle Paul had not achieved a state of permanent perseverance, then how can we expect to remove ourselves from the danger of becoming "disqualified"?  Shortly after writing this statement, Paul warned the Corinthians with the statement, "Let him who thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall."
In addition to these warnings, the New Testament contains examples of other Christians who actually did fall from the faith.  The Christians at Galatia had succumbed to a false doctrine that was rampant during the early New Testament era.  This doctrine involved binding parts of the obsolete Old Testament, such as circumcision.  Consequently, the apostle Paul cautioned the Christians in Galatia that they had actually fallen away by accepting this false doctrine.
"You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace." Galatians 5:4
Not only had the Galatian Christians become apostate, they had become apostate by what may seem to us a small thing.  This is a lesson to us about God's judgment upon those that add to, or take away from His Word.
Besides this example, the Scriptures contain other cases of individuals who were overcome by sin and no longer in fellowship with God.  The following statement was issued by the apostle Peter to a new convert, Simon, who had just recently sinned:
"Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of heart may be forgiven you.  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:22-23
"... Having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, of whom are Hymaenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."   I Timothy 1:19-20
In this last passage, we learn of two Christians that had suffered spiritual "shipwreck".  From these cases, we can understand that Christians can and do indeed sin so that they may fall away, and no longer be in relationship with God.  How severe is this separation?  From the passage in Galatians 5:4, we discover that they had actually become "estranged from Christ".  This is a terrible condition because only those who are "in Christ" will be saved (Galatians 3:26-27; Ephesians 1:3-7). Therefore, one can and will forfeit salvation by practicing sin or by adopting false doctrines.

The Good News

While the Bible does teach that we can fall from grace, it does not teach that this condition must be permanent.  The entire book of Galatians is evidence to this fact.  The book was written to encourage and call to repentance those who had become "estranged from Christ".  So, what are we to do if we find ourselves in this condition?   The Bible teaches a clear course of action for any and every sin:
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9
The verse corresponds with the instruction that we examined earlier, which was given to the new covert, Simon.
"Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of heart may be forgiven you.  For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:22-23
These passages teach a clear promise from God:  If we will but simply confess and repent of our sins through prayer, then God will forgive us.  However, this process of repentance towards forgiveness should not be confused with the initial conversion process.  In each of these cases, the people given the above instructions were already Christians.  The Bible teaches a different plan for salvation for becoming a Christian and receiving the initial forgiveness of sins.

Conclusion

Although the idea of "once saved, always saved" provides comfort and confidence in our ultimate salvation, it is an empty hope that deceives its believers into a false sense of security.  As with any question or teaching, we must be sure to examine the Scriptures to see if it is true (Acts 17:11).  When we do turn to the Bible, we learn of numerous warnings against over-confidence, and to take caution against falling from the faith.  Besides this, we see examples of great Christians, like Paul, who struggled to remain faithful; moreover, we sorrowfully read of Christians who failed in this struggle.  
Fortunately, God offers a means of being forgiven when we do stumble.  He has promised to forgive us if we through prayer, repent and confess our sins to Him.  However, the very fact that Christians who sin, need to ask for forgiveness is another proof to the Bible's truth:  Sin, both before and after our conversion, separates us from God.  If we do not repent in either case, then we can and will forfeit our salvation and God's grace.

Trevor Bowen

"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS" Christian Meditation (4:8) by Mark Copeland

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                        Christian Meditation (4:8)

INTRODUCTION

1. Our text for this lesson enjoins upon Christians that they engage in a
   form of "meditation":

   "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
   noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
   things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is
   any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these
   things." (Php 4:8)

2. The practice of "meditation" by Christians is not something you might
   hear frequently discussed
   a. It may be that some Christians are simply not aware that they are
      commanded to "meditate"
   b. It may be that some believe "meditation" belongs solely to the
      Eastern religions like Hinduism or Buddhism

3. Yet Paul clearly teaches us to "meditate on these things", and
   "meditation" is certainly a Biblical subject:
   a. Isaac meditated in the field at eventide - Gen 24:63
   b. Joshua was charged by God to mediate "day and night" - Josh 1:8
   c. The "blessed man" in Psalms 1 is one who meditates - Ps 1:1-2
   d. David became wiser than his teachers through meditation - Ps 
      119:99
   e. Paul commanded Timothy to "meditate on these things" - 1Ti 4:15

4. But some questions may come to mind:
   a. WHAT does meditation mean for the Christian?
   b. WHY should we be concerned about making time to meditate?
   c. HOW should we meditate?

[This lesson will attempt to provide answers to these questions...]

I. WHAT MEDITATION IS IN THE BIBLE

   A. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS NOT...
      1. The kind practiced by many Eastern religions
         a. Like Hinduism, Buddhism, or Transcendental Meditation
         b. Where the object is to experience truth, peace, or being,
            that is "inexpressible"
      2. The kind practiced by "Christian mystics"
         a. Such as Quakers, and others often found among Catholics and
            Protestants
         b. These meditate in order to "experience" God, or to receive
            some revelation from God
      3. Both Eastern and "Christian mystical" meditation usually
         attempt to empty the mind so as to find or receive truth within
         (i.e., a "subjective" form of meditation)

   B. WHAT MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE IS...
      1. To dwell or contemplate on some truth or reality already
         revealed (i.e., an "objective"  form of meditation)
      2. To be more specific, the man "after God's Own heart" is one who
         meditates on such things as:
         a. The Lord Himself - Ps 63:6
         b. His wonderful Works - Ps 77:12
         c. His revealed Word - Ps 119:15,23,48,97-99,148
      3. To put it in the words of the apostle Paul, we are to meditate
         on "things"...
         a. Things that are "true, noble, just pure, lovely, of good
            report"
         b. Things that are of any "virtue", and are "praiseworthy"
      4. The PURPOSE of such meditation is...
         a. To nourish man with his understanding of God and His Revealed
            Will (not to seek for some previously unrevealed truth)
         b. To give man spiritual joy and strength through such
            nourishment - cf. Ps 1:1-3; Is 40:28-31

[So there is a very real difference between "Biblical meditation" and 
that commonly practiced by many religions!

   1) Christian meditation dwells on that already revealed in creation or
      inspired revelation
   2) Whereas other forms of meditation are seeking some new truth to be
      revealed

Understanding the difference, why is Biblical meditation so important?]

II. WHY WE SHOULD MEDITATE

   A. IT IS A SOURCE OF JOY AND STRENGTH...
      1. This we have already seen from such passages like Ps 1:1-2;
         Isa 40:28-31
      2. This alone should motivate us to meditate more often

   B. IT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR "TRANSFORMATION"...
      1. The goal of the Christian is to become more like Christ - cf. 
         Ro 8:29
      2. This requires a "transformation" - Ro 12:1-2
      3. But notice that this is possible only by "renewing the mind" 
         - Ro 12:2
      4. This "renewing" is possible only when we "set our minds" on
         proper things
         a. On things above
         b. Not on things on the earth - Col 3:1-2
      5. Only then, when our minds are "set on things above", will we be
         successful in completing the "transformation" which includes
         "putting off the old man" and "putting on the new man" - cf.
         Col 3:1-2 with Col 3:5-14
 
   C. MANY CHRISTIANS FALL BECAUSE THEY MEDITATE ON THE WRONG THINGS!
      1. They "mind the things of the flesh", which leads to "death" and
         "enmity with God" - cf. Ro 8:5-8
      2. Yet even those in the world understand that you cannot be a
         spiritual person if you "dwell" on carnal things
         a. "Recent studies conducted by a Stanford University research
            team have revealed that 'what we watch' does have an effect
            on our imaginations, our learning patterns, and our
            behaviors.  First we are exposed to new behaviors and
            characters.  Next, we learn or acquire these new behaviors.
            The last and most crucial step is that we adopt these
            behaviors as our own.  One of the most critical aspects of
            human development that we need to understand is the influence
            of 'repeated viewing' and 'repeated verbalizing' in shaping
            our future.  The information goes in, 'harmlessly, almost
            unnoticed,' on a daily basis, but we don't react to it until
            later, when we aren't able to realize the basis for our
            reactions.  In other words, our value system is being formed
            without any conscious awareness on our part of what is
            happening!" (Seeds Of Greatness, Denis Waitley, p. 47-48)
         b. "You are what you watch and think." (ibid., p. 45)
         c. "If a sixty second commercial, by repeated viewing, can sell
            us a product, then isn't it possible for a sixty minute soap
            opera or 'smut-com', by repeated viewing, to sell us a
            life-style?" (ibid., p. 47)

[If Christians are going to succeed, they must set their minds (or 
meditate) on "the things of the Spirit", or on "things above, where 
Christ is"!  Only then can they with God's help "put off the old man" 
and "put on the new man".

Finally, a few thoughts on...]

III. HOW TO MEDITATE

   A. REMEMBER, YOUR MIND IS AFFECTED BY EVEN CASUAL CONTEMPLATION!
      1. Cf. the Stanford studies (quoted above)
      2. The first step to proper meditation is to be selective in what
         you watch and read
      3. Fill your mind with positive and spiritual thoughts if you
         really want to:
         a. "renew the mind"
         b. "be transformed"
      4. It doesn't have to be restricted to the Bible, as Paul said:
         "Whatever things..."
         a. There are novels, movies, television shows, etc., that fall
            into the category of possessing "virtue" and being
            "praiseworthy"
         b. Seek the advice and counsel of other Christians as to what
            is "of good report"
      5. So first let your "casual" contemplation be discriminatory!

   B. TO REACH THE HEIGHTS OF SPIRITUAL MEDITATION, HEED THE COUNSEL OF
      THE PSALMS...
      1. Make the Bible your primary focus for meditation - Ps 1:2
      2. Read it contemplatively every day - Ps 1:2; 119:15
      3. Read it with a prayer in your heart - cf. Ps 119:18 
      4. As you read, occasionally read it aloud to yourself
         a. The Hebrew word in Ps 1:2 means "to mutter"
         b. Reading slowly and audibly helps to focus one's mind on the
            words
      5. As you read, you might ask yourself the following questions:
         a. Is there some truth I should know from this verse?
         b. How does this passage affect a previously held conviction?
         c. Is there something I should stop doing in light of this
            verse?
         d. Is there a practice I should change?
         e. Is there a habit I ought to begin?  
      6. To put it another way:  "Hold the Word of God in your heart
         until it has affected every phase of your life...this is
         meditation."

CONCLUSION

1. In Ps 19:14, we find David praying:

   "Let the words of mouth and the meditation of my heart
      Be acceptable in Your sight,
   "O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

2. What Paul commands us to do in our text ("meditate on these things")
   is the means by which we can assure that our meditations will be
   acceptable in the sight of our Lord!

3. If you are not a Christian, or an erring one, then there are some
   things in particular upon which you ought to meditate:
   a. What is your standing in God's sight?
   b. What would happen if you were to die today?
   c. What do you need to do to be found in the grace of God?
   d. Why delay any longer?
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

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Belief in God is Not Enough by Kyle Butt, M.Div.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=2318

Belief in God is Not Enough

by  Kyle Butt, M.Div.

It is impossible to go to heaven without believing that there is a God (Hebrews 11:6). But a mere mental assent to the fact that God exists is not enough to save a person’s soul. In fact, the book of James says: “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (2:19).
Once a person accepts the vast amount of evidence available to prove that God exists, that person must follow up belief with a desire and resolve to obey the Creator. An E-mail that came into our office illustrates this point well. After reading on our site an article that defends the existence of God, one gentleman wrote: “For many, many years I began to write off all religions as ‘fake.’ I’m not completely convinced still. However, after reading this article, I was faced with the absolute fact that not only does God exist, but that He is surely angry with me for disbelieving in Him.” Acknowledging the existence of the Creator is the first step toward assuaging His anger, but it cannot be the last. In fact, the term “practical atheist” is applied to a person who technically acknowledges that there is a God, but does nothing about that belief.
What, then, must follow a person’s belief in the Creator? That individual must find God’s message to His creation. An honest search for such communication will bring that person to the realization that the 66 books of the Bible are God’s inspired Word to man (see Butt, 2007). Upon discovering that the Bible is God’s message to humanity, a diligent study of the Scriptures reveals that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah and the Son of God (see Butt and Lyons, 2006). By following the teachings of Jesus, the honest investigator realizes that Jesus has opened the door of salvation to all who will receive it as He has commanded (see Lyons and Butt, n.d.).
At Apologetics Press, it thrills us to hear that a person has left false atheistic views and embraced the idea of a divine Creator. Yet we know that such a mental shift is simply the first crucial step to eternal life. A penitent heart and faithful life of obedience to God’s commands must accompany that belief in order for it to be of any real, eternal value (James 1:22-25).

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle (2007), Behold! The Word of God (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press), [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/ Behold%20the%20Word%20of%20God.pdf.
Butt, Kyle and Eric Lyons (2006), Behold! The Lamb of God (Montgomery, AL: Apologetics Press), [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/ Behold%20the%20Lamb%20of%20God.pdf.
Lyons, Eric and Kyle Butt (no date), Receiving the Gift of Salvation, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/ Taking%20Possesion%20of%20God%20Gifts.pdf.

As Goes the Home... by Brad Bromling, D.Min.


http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=292

As Goes the Home...

by  Brad Bromling, D.Min.

“As goes the home, so goes the nation.” The truth of this maxim can be recognized by Christians and non-Christians alike. After decades of decline, the home is beginning to receive an immense amount of attention. Working without the objective standard of God’s Word, however, many people have been trying to rebuild the home according to novel and aberrant paradigms. But “the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). God has not left humanity without direction. From the very beginning, while our parents were still in the paradise of Eden, God established the home as He wanted it.
Homes that please God begin with the joining together of one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4; Genesis 2:22). This plan excludes polygyny (a man with a plurality of wives), and polyandry (a woman with a plurality of husbands). God underscored this fact when He presented the woman to Adam and said: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). Also excluded is the concept of homosexual marriage. The Creator did not present Adam with a choice between Eve and another male companion—He made only woman. Adam was not incomplete simply because he lacked human companionship; he lacked female human companionship. Further, the Word of God categorically condemns homosexual behavior (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26ff.; 1 Corinthians 6:9, etc.).
Jesus based His teaching about the home upon the original pattern established by God. He said: “He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6). Thus, sexual relations are authorized only within marriage (see Proverbs 5:15-21).
All deviations from this “one flesh” pattern are condemned: “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). The Bible affirms that God “hates divorce” (Malachi 2:16). Yet, if the sacredness of marital love is violated in any act of fornication (all forms of sexual immorality), the innocent spouse is allowed (though, not required) to obtain a divorce and may marry another person (Matthew 19:9). There is no other reason for divorce approved by God.
The home that follows the divine pattern is one that will strive to be in fellowship with God. Genesis 3:8 portrays the Creator as “walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Precisely what this entailed we can only conjecture (see John 1:18), but it seems that Adam was not unaccustomed to this kind of communion (how else can we account for his impulse to hide?). When Eve was tempted by the serpent, she repeated God’s injunction regarding the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:3). When Cain was born, Eve credited God (Genesis 4:1). When Cain and Abel were of age, they approached God with offerings (Genesis 4:3). These facts imply that Adam and Eve had built into their home a reverence for—and fellowship with—God.
The home is humanity’s primary center for religious and moral instruction, hence the inspired dictate: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). It is a tragedy of mammoth proportions that modern families have abdicated this role to the school and church. Both these institutions have their functions to perform, but God never assigned to them the work of the home.
Moses set forth a wonderful example of the home’s spiritual environment when he said: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart; you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Logically, parents who practice this are more likely to see their children convert to Christ than are those who expect the church to be the sole source of spiritual training.
The state of the nation is a reflection of the state of its homes. The homes that are built according to the divine pattern will serve as the backbone of our nation. Because of weak and dysfunctional homes, the church is hindered in her task. But, from solidly built Christian homes, the church can draw a mighty army to overcome the forces of darkness and proclaim the Gospel of the triumphant Christ to the world. Therein lies hope for our nation.

Prayer of the Antioch Church by Ben Fronczek




http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=400

Prayer of the Antioch Church

Acts 13:1-4 (Based on a sermon by Jeff Strite)
A 5-yr-old said grace at family dinner one night. “Dear God, thank you for these pancakes.”
When he finished his prayer, his parents looked curiously at him and asked him why he thanked God for pancakes when they were having chicken.
He smiled and said, “I thought I’d see if He was paying attention tonight.”
There are many prayers recorded in Scripture. From Moses to David, from Jehoshaphat to Daniel. Over and over we are exposed to powerful, earth shaking prayers, prayers that show us that God DOES pay attention. We have especially seen this as we have studied the book of Acts. Prayer was an important part of the early church.
Over the past four weeks we saw some interesting lesson from Acts chapter 12. We saw where James was martyred. We talked about what to do when disaster strikes. We talked about Peter who was arrested next, and how to sleep peacefully like he did even though he thought he would be killed next. We talk about reality of angels watching over and guarding us. And last week we finished up the chapter and talked about  King Herod and how unprofitable it is to have an evil high and mighty attitude like he had.
But what was the church doing through all this drama that took place? The writer, Dr. Luke lets us know that they were earnestly praying in 12:5 and again he tells us they were praying in 12:12.
We don’t know exactly what they prayed, but Peter is rescued and goes free, the villain Herod is removed, and the final verses in Chapter 12 let us know that the word of God continued to increase and all was well in the church.  In other words, the church was growing!
And now as we begin Acts 13, we have another wonderful snapshot of the church and what is taking place there: Read 13:1-3 “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Here we read that we have several leaders and they were worshipping, fasting, and  I’m sure praying.  I say that because we already saw that this was a praying church.  And so we see that they got God’s attention. But, did you notice? What were these men fasting and  praying about?
I’ll give you the answer. It doesn’t tell us what they prayed?            
Verse 3 does tell us that they fasted and prayed and laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul before they sent them off on their mission trip. But it doesn’t tell us what they were fasting and praying about before the Spirit spoke to them.   All we’re told is – that in response to their worship, and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them to set aside Barnabas and Paul for a work that He has for them. It would be an adventure that would change the face of the world forever.
We don’t know what they fasted and prayed about before hand, but it seems like it got God’s attention. I don’t know about you but I would like to be able to pray like that.  I want you to notice a few things here:
*We may not know what was on their minds before the Spirit spoke to them but we can see in this text what their hearts were focused on; we are told that they were fasting and worshipping the Lord.
Now, the church in Antioch was a relatively new congregation, but it had experienced enormous growth. When the leaders at Jerusalem heard about this, they sent Barnabas to the church to teach these new converts more about Christianity and then Barnabas eventually went to get Paul to help him. For a whole year, Paul and Barnabas taught a great number of people. AND… they were so successful that they made a name for the church in area. Acts 11:26 tells us believers were called Christians first at Antioch.
So, the church in Antioch is a growing church with powerful teachers and all kinds of potential. So what could they be fasting and praying about?
I believe that the leaders at Antioch felt a great need to worship and glorify their beloved Lord.  Granted, it was a dynamic church. They had marvelous leaders and great potential. BUT, I think they were beginning to suspect or realize that there could be something more… something bigger that they could accomplish. But they just didn’t know what it was.
I believe that part of the reason we’re not told what was on their minds was because they had no idea what God had in mind for them next.  But when these leaders worshipped, prayed and fasted; they opened themselves up to being used by God anyway He desired, and God responded in a BIG WAY.
Did you realize that when they allowed God’s Spirit to lead them, and they set apart Barnabas and Paul to be missionaries:
* The world literally was turned upside down
* Antioch became the jumping off point for a world wide mission effort
* Nearly a dozen new congregations were established throughout Asia
* Paul began a ministry of writing that resulted in the composition of a major
part of our NT.
* And Antioch was established as one of the central hubs of Christianity in the
ancient world.
… all because, these men humbled themselves before God and sought out His will
Maybe God has more in mind for us than we know how and what to pray for.
And just maybe it wouldn’t hurt us to worship and fast and pray like they did in Antioch. Not telling God what we want… but asking Him to use us, lead us, and help us to be more than we can even imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 tells us our God “is able to do IMMEASURABLY MORE THAN ALL WE ASK OR IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work within us.”
A fellow by the name of Carl Bates once wrote: “There came a time in my life when I earnestly prayed: “God, I want your power!” Time wore on and the power did not come.  One day the burden was more than I could bear. I asked “God, why haven’t you answered that prayer?” God seemed to whisper back this simple reply: “With plans no bigger than yours, you don’t need my power. 
Interesting thought. Is it possible that we can not even imagine how much God can actually use us? Is it possible that when we imagine things, we think too small.
We may be praying about how to just get through the day, how to pay a bill, or how to get a job, but God sees our potential and what we can do to change the world with His help.
Just maybe we need to do what they did there in Antioch. Maybe God preserved this story for us so that we can learn something from it. Maybe He is showing us a way to get His attention and lead us to even greater goals that we can’t even envision on our own.
Look at what they did here. The text says as they served Him, they worshipped, and they fasted and there is no doubt in my mind that serious prayer was also included.
Over in over we read throughout scripture that when individuals, or groups of individuals needed God’s help, this is what we see them doing; fasting, praying in a serious state of worship.
We see this taking place throughout the Bible for many reasons. People in the Bible fasted and prayed in times of war, or at a threat of it; when loved ones were sick; when the sought God’s forgiveness; when they faced with impending danger. And when they were seeking God’s will.
Jesus even fasted and instructed His disciples on how to fast. And this won’t be the last time we’ll read about the disciples praying and fasting in the book of Acts.  Read Acts 14:19-23 “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed eldersfor them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
So here we read that after Paul and Barnabas appointed elders they fasted and prayed committing them to the Lord.  Maybe that’s what we should do now that we have appointed elders here.
From what I see there weren’t many required fast given by God in the Bible.  But when people did fast and prayed in a way that pleased Him, and God seem to pay attention.
The kind of fast God seems pleased with is one that humbles us in His presence. It is whole hearted and worshipful.  That’s  is what we saw in Acts 13:1-3 when they just wanted to know what God wanted and how to please Him.    Read  Isaiah 58:1-11 something God said through Isaiah “Shout it aloud, do not hold back.  Raise your voice like a trumpet.  Declare to my people their rebellion and to the descendants of Jacob their sins.
For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God. They ask me for just decisions and seem eager for God to come near them.
‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’    “Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers.
Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.  You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high.
Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves?  Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?  Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousnesswill go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
I’m going to challenge you this week; to pray throughout for the same thing I believe they were  fasting and praying about in Antioch when they wanted to know what God wanted for them and how to please Him..
AND, if you feel led by God – to fast at least some time during this week (maybe one meal/ one day/ whatever) I’d like you to give this to the Lord.  Don’t fast to try to loose weight, fast to draw close to God.
If food mean little to you, give up something else that important to you. Give up television for a day or two. Or maybe something else that means a lot to you. In 1 Corinthians 7:5 Paul also make reference to the fact that some even give up sex for a time to devote themselves to the Lord in prayer.  Whatever is important to you.
Do it to draw close to the Lord. So that every time you feel hungry, or the need for whatever you gave up, humble yourself before God and pray that God will lead you where He wants you to go, (like they did back there in Antioch). But then you also have to be open and listen for a response.
And even if God does not give you an answer, I can’t help but believe He will be pleased with your love and devotion.

The Church of Christ, Pillar and Ground of the Truth by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/02/

The Church of Christ, Pillar and Ground of the Truth

Where a person spends their time, speaks volumes to their heart’s desire. The same way alcoholics like to attend bars, and gamblers like to attend casinos, Christians like to attend Church services. Christians long for the sincere milk of the Word. It is sweeter than honey to their taste, and they prefer it to their necessary food. The joy, and rejoicing of every Christian’s heart comes from the manifold wisdom of God, the pillar and ground of the truth, the CHURCH of CHRIST. Christians are never more happier, and contented, than when they assemble together as One.
Pet 2:2; Ps 119:103; Jer 15:16; Job 23:12; Eph 3:10; 1 Tim 3:15; Acts 20:7; Heb 10:25; Ps 122:1

Consider the goodness and severity of God by Roy Davison





http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/wrath.html



Consider the goodness and severity of God

“For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off” (Romans 11:21, 22).

Paul says this to non-Jewish Christians who through faith have been grafted onto the tree of God's people, whereas many Jews have been cut off because of unbelief.

To have a balanced view of God we must consider both His goodness and His severity.

God's grace is popular; His wrath is not. But actually, God's grace can only be valued by someone who understands the wrath of God.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

“The wrath of God abides on him.” What does this mean? It means that everyone remains under the wrath of God until that wrath is appeased! Wrath is aroused by something that is wrong. Wrath is intense, lasting anger coupled with a desire to avenge or punish. Why is God so intensely angry with us? Because we have done things that are intensely wrong. He is angry with us because of our sins. He is angry with me because of my sins.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18).

We humans want to justify ourselves and blame others for our faults, but God says there is no excuse for the bad things we do, and sin makes Him extremely angry.

Yet, God also loves us very much. Thus, He provided a means of expiation. His own Son was sent to make amends for our sins, to bear the punishment that we deserve, so we can escape from the rightful wrath of God.

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

Recently I was given a book, "The Truth You Know You Know" (written by Kenneth Rideout, a former missionary who has left the church of Christ) in which the wrath of God is denied: “Wrath and vengeance are totally incompatible with who God is” (page 59), and “God is not angry or wrathful about our sins" (page 89).

These statements are so contrary to the Scriptures that they can only be made, or believed, by someone who is either grossly ignorant of the Scriptures or who rejects the word of God outright.

God says: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30).

The wrath of God is a theme that runs through the entire Old and New Testaments.

God was angry with Sodom and Gomorra because of gross immorality including bestiality and homosexual practices (Genesis 19:5; 2 Peter 2:6, 7; Jude 7): “The whole land is brimstone, salt, and burning; it is not sown, nor does it bear, nor does any grass grow there, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the Lord overthrew in His anger and His wrath” (Deuteronomy 29:23).

God was angry with the Egyptians for refusing to let Israel go. His wrath is described in the Song of Moses, sung after the crossing of the Red Sea: “Pharaoh's chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; they sank to the bottom like a stone. Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces. And in the greatness of Your excellence You have overthrown those who rose against You; You sent forth Your wrath; it consumed them like stubble” (Exodus 15:4-7).

In the wilderness, God was angry with His rebellious people. Moses told them: “Remember! Do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you departed from the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the Lord. Also in Horeb you provoked the Lord to wrath, so that the Lord was angry enough with you to have destroyed you” (Deuteronomy 9:7, 8).

Through the centuries God was angry with His people because they rejected His word and worshiped idols.

When king Josiah heard the law read he realized that God was intensely angry with His people. “Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded ... 'Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book'” (2 Kings 22:11-13).

This was God's reply: “Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants -- all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read -- because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched” (2 Kings 22:16, 17).

Because Josiah repented, judgement was postponed until after his death.

When Jeremiah wrote, however, the time of God's wrath had come.

“So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the Lord their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth. Cut off your hair and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on the desolate heights; for the Lord has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.' For the children of Judah have done evil in My sight” (Jeremiah 7:28-30).

“I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and with a strong arm, even in anger and fury and great wrath. I will strike the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast; they shall die of a great pestilence” (Jeremiah 21:5, 6).

“Now therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Why do you commit this great evil against yourselves, to cut off from you man and woman, child and infant, out of Judah, leaving none to remain, in that you provoke Me to wrath with the works of your hands?” (Jeremiah 44:7, 8). And what was the reply of the people? “As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the Lord, we will not listen to you!” (Jeremiah 44:16).

God is angry when the weak are mistreated: “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless” (Exodus 22:22-24).

These are just a few examples of the many warnings in Scripture about the wrath of God. In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, we are also warned about God's wrath.

Revelation teaches that people serve either the Lord or the beast (Revelation 13:8). What will happen to those who serve the beast? “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, 'If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name'” (Revelation 14:9-11).

“So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs” (Revelation 14:19, 20).

“Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete” (Revelation 15:1).

“Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever” (Revelation 15:7).

“Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, 'Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth'” (Revelation 16:1).

These passages in Revelation speak of God's wrath poured out on the sons of disobedience.

Through the goodness of God, Christians are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb: “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14).

Yet, the wrath of God remains a warning for Christians.

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:3-7).

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them” (Colossians 3:5-7).

“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18).

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

Only when I realize how angry God is about my sins can I appreciate the blood of Christ.

Only when I realize how angry God is about my sins do I understand why I will be lost unless I repent.

Only when I realize how angry God is about my sins am I powerfully motivated to avoid sin and remain faithful as a Christian.

Consider the goodness and severity of God.

To those who believe in Christ and have been "buried with Him in baptism" (Colossians 2:12) Paul writes: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13, 14).

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28, 29).

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:1-3).

We can escape the wrath of God by repenting of our sins, believing in Christ and being buried with Him in baptism (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4). As a Christian, I have also sinned. I must repent and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22, 23). Let us not delay. Today is the day of salvation.

Roy Davison
The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982,
Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise.
Permission for reference use has been granted.
Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

The other side of the equation by Gary Rose

This picture is one of contrasts: my weakness compared to God's blessings. We all know about our weaknesses, so I thought concentrate on the blessings instead....



Hope

  22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know,
  23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;
  24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.
  25 For David says concerning him, 

‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. 


  26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced. 
Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope; 

  27 because you will not leave my soul in Hades, 
neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay. 

  28 You made known to me the ways of life. 
You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 
 

  1 Peter 1:3
3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
  4 to an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn’t fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, 



Where would we be without hope. In a word, LOST! We may have everything that this world that we would want, but if we die without forgiveness of sins- What hope do we have?

The resurrection of Christ provides that HOPE. The question is: Will we accept it?


Light


John Chapter 8 (WEB)
12 Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” 


2 Corinthians, Chapter 4 (WEB)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, even as we obtained mercy, we don’t faint.
  
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
  
3 Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who are dying,
  
4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.
  
5 For we don’t preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake,
  
6 seeing it is God who said, “Light will shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.


Without God, we stumble through life, with God- there is the light of life and his name is JESUS!!



Strength

 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
  
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
  
12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
  
13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
  
14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
  
15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,
  
16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
  
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;



Truth,righteous, the Good News of peace and faith. Very good things to possess, but not your own, but rather GOD'S. You can rely on Jesus, he just didn't talk like politicians do, he gave his life that you and I may have the hope of eternal life- now THAT IS STRENGTH!!!

 Comfort

  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort;
  
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
  
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
  
6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
  
7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort.

The truth is: If you are a Christian expect suffering and persecution. But, God will be there to help and comfort you through it all. See Strength above...


The equation

The picture is like an equation: We lack and God supplies our needs. Yet, there is another side to the equation, something that would cause God to bless us with help in time of need in the first place.

Consider...

Matthew, Chapter 22 (WEB)
 34 But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together.
  
35 One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him.
  
36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?”

  
37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
  
38  This is the first and great commandment. 
  
39  A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
  
40  The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” 


If we truly love God and I mean TRULY, then we will obey him in everything he wants us to do. To me, this is summarized in a song; one that you have probably heard before....


(Click on the blue link below, or enter the address into your browser to listen)

http://www.polkchurchfiles.info/Hymns/Jesus%20is%20All%20the%20World%20to%20Me.mp3

This isn't a one shot deal, its a lifetime commitment. Love and obey, for there is no other way... but that is from another song, for another day.

Gary, are you listening? I wonder if anyone else is???