Is Homosexuality a Sin? by Trevor Bowen

Is Homosexuality a Sin?

Introduction

Few issues generate as many fireworks as the question of homosexuality. Steeped in stereotypes and prejudice, both sides of the issue typically have deep and strongly felt opinions. However, is our opinion the proper basis for answer? In answering this question, we manifest our core concern. Should our will, or the will of our Creator reign supreme in the judgment seat of our conscience? Does it matter what God wants? If you do not believe in God, or if you do not believe that the Bible is the divinely inspired record of His will for us, then this little article will contain no persuasive power for you. However, if your desire is to seek the true God and understand His desire for His people, then please thoughtfully consider the following passages.

God's Love for All Men

Hatred and the most bitter of feelings is almost always found, swirling around divisive issues. This question offers no exception. However, a good student of the inspired Scriptures will not forget that God loves all people, whether they are straight, gay, lesbian, homosexual, heterosexual - or anything else.

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8)

Would you lay down your life for your best friend? ... Maybe ... But, what about your worst enemy? That is what God did for us. "Why?", you may ask. As the preceding verse explains, God loved us, even while we were all still sinners, spiritual enemies. Only transcendent, heavenly love could have cared so deeply to sacrifice so much.

Some may worry that God's love was not intended for them. Maybe some fear that they are too wicked, too sinful, too dirty, or too something else, such that God could not love them. My friend, if that is your worry, then you should know that is simply not the case.

... God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time ... (I Timothy 2:3-6)

Even though God loves us, He does not permit us to continue in our sins. In fact, that was the entire reason that Jesus gave His life for us on the cross - to be saved from both the consequences and bondage of sin. He wanted to save us from hell, but he also wants us to be transformed, pure, and holy - like Him.

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways," says the Lord GOD. "Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies," says the Lord GOD. "Therefore turn and live!" (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear. (I Peter 1:14-17)

Clearly, God does not want any one to be lost. This was true in the Old Covenant (Ezekiel 18:30-32), as well as the New Covenant (II Peter 3:9). The offering of His Son's life demonstrates this to an infinite degree. However, as a loving Father, He cannot permit us to stay in our sins, because it is not in our best interest (Deuteronomy 6:24 - "for our good always"). He is transforming us to be like Him - holy. Is this really your desire? To be like Him? If that is the case, then let us continue studying God's Word to determine what our Creator and loving Father asks of us.

"How do you read?"

Long ago, when Jesus and His apostles were asked difficult questions, they often replied, "What says the Scriptures?", or "How do you read?". If their response was to look to the Scriptures for answers, should we not do the same? Let us see what the Scriptures say on the topic of homosexuality:

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:24-32)

The first few chapters of the letter to the Romans proves how both Jew and Gentile are sinners before God and in need of God's mercy (Romans 3:23). This first chapter of Romans describes the spiritual fall of the Gentiles. They lapsed into many forms of sins, into which God finally abandoned them, because "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge". One of the sins, which brought upon them the punishment of spiritual death (Romans 6:23), was the sin of homosexuality, vividly described. However, this is not the only passage that describes God's view of homosexuality:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-10)

Paul's warning is clear - "Do not be deceived!" There is a deceitful temptation that will lull us into believing that we can still make it to heaven, while maintaining our sinful ways, including homosexuality.

"God shows no partiality"

As was mentioned earlier, this question is often associated with both prejudice and hatred; however, "God shows no partiality" (Acts 10:34). Look at the preceding passages. Was homosexuality singled out as a special class of sin? In Romans 1:24-32, the sin of homosexuality is used as an indicator of the Gentiles' rebellion, but it is equally condemned with fornication, pride, violence, unloving, robbery, drunkenness, and a host of other sins. In God's eyes, they are all sins. Moreover, they are all sins that will equally prohibit us from going to heaven (I Corinthians 6:9). One is just as bad as the other, but I imagine that will offer little comfort to the inhabitants of hell, so please do not take comfort in God's lack of prejudice specifically against homosexuality. The fact is that He is prejudiced against all sins, not just homosexuality (I John 1:5-6).

Although God shows no partiality in condemning all sins, He also shows no partiality in offering the gospel invitation to be freed from those sins. Let us revisit a passage we previously considered:

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (I Corinthians 6:9-11)

The church in Corinth contained people, who used to be homosexuals! However, these people had been cleansed from their sins. They were "washed ... sanctified .. justified". God had accepted these people into His kingdom, just like He accepted the fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, and all other forms of sinners. If you are a homosexual, you can be cleansed from your sins. You can be a Christian. You can be pure and holy, just like all other Christians, who were once sinners, including me.

"But, this is who I am!"

I have green eyes. If I lost them in a car accident, would I lose my identity? If a loved family member suffered a mastectomy because she had breast cancer, would that make her less of a woman? These things describe our physical bodies, but they are not who we are, unless we choose to make that our identity, by placing it above all else in our life.

Please consider the above passage from I Corinthians 6:9-11. Please notice that Paul says, "such were some of you"! Some of the Corinthians were once homosexuals, but they were no longer! Did they lose their identity? Well, actually, yes. Christianity is a conversion, a transformation. We should be growing closer to God each day, moving further away from our past, sinful life (Romans 12:1-2). In that sense, all Christians are giving up their identities as servers of self:

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

"But, I love this person!"

It cannot be denied that people involved in homosexual relationships, especially long term relationships, care deeply for their partners. If you find yourself in this difficult situation, you must ask yourself, "Do I really love this person?". If you do truly love them, then do you want them to be in danger of hell? You may be content to risk eternity in hell, but do you want the other person to be eternally lost? If you truly love someone, you will seek their best interest, not your own (I Corinthians 13:4-7). That which seeks the gratification of self is not love. That is something else. That is lust.

The fundamental Scriptural principle is that people involved in homosexual relationships do not have a right to each other, any more than people involved in an adulterous relationship. All such relationships must be ended, because in doing so, ones "leaves his place" and takes what is not his own ("against nature" - Romans 1:26-28; Jude 1:5-7). One cannot commit robbery, and seek forgiveness, but keep the plunder! The stolen goods must be released. It will be painful, but God's people have had to make similar sacrifices in the past (Ezra 9:1-10:44; Nehemiah 13:23-28).

Remember, true love is identified by seeking the eternal well-being of another. Moreover, no love is true that is not built on a central love in Jesus, who requires that we love Him first and foremost:

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26-27)

One who neither understands nor respects your spiritual obligations clearly does not love you. Again, that feeling is something else.

Conclusion

Homosexuality is a very addictive sin. Most consider it a lifestyle. However, the Bible clearly marks homosexuality as a sin, which will even prevent one from entering the kingdom of heaven, as will many other forms of sin (I Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 1:24-32).

However, this is not the fate that God wants for you. He wants all to be saved (II Peter 3:9), so much so, that He gave His Son on the cross for you to be reconciled to Him (II Corinthians 5:14-12). As part of being a Christian, we must repent from all sins, including homosexuality ("such were some of you" - I Corinthians 6:9-11; Acts 2:37-38).

Such a conversion will change who we are. We will no longer be homosexuals, thieves, liars, murderers, adulterers, fornicators - sinners. We will be given a new identity with Christ, and that is infinitely more valuable than the brief satisfaction of a temporal lust, which only leads to an eternity of regret, isolation, and condemnation (Hebrews 11:24-26). Whose wishes will reign supreme in your life? Will you serve God or yourself? In the end, you are identified by this choice, and nothing else.

Relevant lectures:

• [Listen Now] [Download Now] Mark McCrary - Homosexuality

Author: Trevor Bowen

Use Those Talents 1 Peter 4:10-11 by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=842

Use Those Talents!

Use Those Talents  1 Peter 4:10-11

I would like to share with you an amazing Bible verse.  Isaiah 6:1-8 “In the year that King Uzziah   died,   I saw the Lord   seated on a throne,   high and exalted,   and the train of his robe   filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs,   each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet,   and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:    “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;    the whole earth  is full of his glory.”  

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.    5 “Woe  to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!  For I am a man of unclean lips,  and I live among a people of unclean lips,  and my eyes have seen  the King,  the Lord Almighty.”

6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal   in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips;  your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. ”

8 Then I heard the voice  of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us? ”

And I said, “Here am I.  Send me!””

What does it take to get you to do God’s will? Would it take a vision like Isaiah saw?  Do you think Isaiah was an instrument in God’s hands? I believe he was and more. What about you and me, are we and an instrument in God’s hands. Do you feel like a tool that God can use to bless others? Have you allowed God to use you like that?

We’re in 1 Peter chapter 4. In the text Peter told these early Christians that the end is near. Rome was about to come down hard with a heavy hand on Jerusalem. Jesus told them earlier that not one stone would be left on top of another. And so Peter is preparing them.

In 1 Peter 4:7, Peter writes that they needed to be clear minded and self-controlled so that you could pray. He tells them to love one another deeply, because that kind of love can cover a multitude of sins. Considering what is about happed and people fleeing for their lives he tells them to show hospitality to others without grumbling. In other words, get ready and be there for each other!

And then Verses 10-11, he concludes this little section by showing us how we can become a tool in God’s hand and how we can funnel God’s gifts and grace to those we come in contact with. He writes, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

I appreciate this verse, because it answers several questions about how to use our gifts. Number one: It answers the question “Who should be doing this?” Peter says “EVERYONE! EACH ONE should use whatever gift he has to serve others.” Everyone who believes in Christ has something they can do to make people’s lives a little bit better.

I don’t know of any Christian or anyone else without some ability or some kind of talent, if not many talents. Peter was instructing them and I believe us as well to stop standing around, get off our duffs and start using those abilities to serve one another.

I believe that is why God made us so different and diverse.

In 1 Corinthians 12, I like how the Apostle Paul compares the church to a human body with many parts and with each part having a different ability and function. Just like a human body has many different parts like an eye, an foot, a stomach and a brain, which all have different functions, the church is composed of a diverse array of people with different abilities; some can teach, some can preach, some can sing, some can counsel, some can cook, some can cheer others up with kind words, and some will even get their hands dirty to help another. We are all different, but we are all part of one body.

But just like in the human body, if all of a sudden one part ceases to function, say an arm, well it not only makes that person less productive, it also has an adverse effect on the whole body.

I believe that is what Peter was concerned about in light of what was about to happen. He did not want Christians to shut down of become dysfunctional and hurts the church, nor the cause of Christ because of the coming trial. Rather, just the opposite, he wanted them to get ready to help others utilizing whatever talent they possessed. It may be the only ways some would survive.

But here we are today, there is no major catastrophe about to befall the church in the immediate future, at least as far as we know. Is this still a relevant command for us? Of course it is!

Listen to what Paul writes to the Romans in Romans chapter 12. In verse one he writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” And then in verses 6-8 very similar to what he writes in 1 Corinthians 12 he writes,“4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”

Some go years without serving in any way or form. And many complain that their church is a bore, and isn’t doing much to meet the needs of or serve others.

They forget that it’s not just the preacher or elder’s job to do these things, but rather we are all called to minister and serve. In this letter, in 2:9, Peter calls us a “royal priesthood”. As a priest, it is our duty to serve others. I love what John Kennedy said which is now famous quote, “Ask not what your county can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,”

We should have the same attitude when it comes to church; Not what can the church do for me, rather what can I do to serve the church, to serve others, to serve Jesus.  We need to remember it’s not all about you, or all about me.

Do you realize that when you help others even in the most minute way you personally become a distributor of God’s grace and blessings to others. That’s right, many times God shows grace and blesses others by using you and me to do his bidding. It’s a shame when we don’t step up to the plate.

But I find that there are few things that we have to do before we can do this.

#1. We must Yield our self to, or give into God. This is a personal decision on our part. It’s not something God makes you and me do.
Isaiah put it this way when he yielded himself to God when he said to God, “Here am I, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) God was looking for someone to do His work and Isaiah said, “I’ll do it.” Isaiah volunteered!

Are you as available when you see a need that you know you can help with?  Yielding yourself to God is as simple as telling Him from your heart that you are willing for Him to work through you and use you as a tool in His hand, and then acting on it when opportunity avails itself. God does not force Himself upon anyone. He doesn’t make you serve Him. He offers you the opportunity to enlist but He doesn’t draft anyone. He calls but He does not coerce.

#2. We need to learn to ‘serve with the strength and energy that God supplies.’ (Verse 11)The opposite, of course, is relying upon your own strength. Bad idea. Many times you simply aren’t strong enough on your own. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things thru Christ who give me strength.”(Philippians 4:13)  There a lot of things that we can do with our own strength, but even Paul realized that some things are simply too hard, to stressful, maybe even a little beyond our own ability. We need to turn to God for help. In doing so, many are surprised and go far beyond what they ever thought they could ever do.

#3. We need to learn to do all these things for God’s glory.
Notice again how verse 11 concludes: “If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

When you find ways to serve others and utilize those unique gifts that you have been blessed with, our goal should be that whatever we do will bring honor and praise to God; not  for ourself.

In 1 Corinthians 10:31 the Apostle Paul wrote  “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

I can’t help but believe that when Paul wrote this and when Peter wrote what he did in his letter they knew that when God was given the Glory for all the blessings and service rendered, they knew that many unbelievers would take notice and some hearts and some attitudes towards Christianity would be changed.

You have heard it said, that our actions speak louder than our words. Our love and a willingness to use our talents become evangelistic. They bring glory to God.

Challenge: My encouragement this week is to make some time to start using those talents and special abilities that you have to bless others to God’s glory.

If this is not a personal habit for you, start out small, even if once a week you find a way to do something for another.

If it is encouragement, encourage someone this week.     If you are a good cook, cook something for someone this week.     If you are a good listener, take time to listen to someone who really needs to unload this week.   If you are good a fixing things, fix something for someone this week.    If you like to clean, help someone clean.

Whatever you are talented at, use that talent and don’t forget to give God the glory!

In doing so I believe you will find a blessing.

To read more Sermons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

Prepare To Meet God by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/04/page/7/

Prepare To Meet  God

Have you ever missed appointments, broken promises, or spoken lies? God hasn’t. He has promised eternal life to the faithful few, and eternal damnation to the godless. He has kept His Word faithfully for every generation, and he has made an appointment with us that we are bound to keep. Whether it be by death, or by judgment, we all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged. Beware, be ready, and always be prepared to meet the Lord our God.

Nu 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Ezek 24:14; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18,19; 2 Pet 3:9; 2 Cor 5:10,11; 1 Thess 5:24; 2 Thess 1:7-9; Mt 25:13; Mk 13:37; 1 Thess 5:6; Rev 3:3; Amos 4:12

Suffering by J.C. Bailey

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Bailey/John/Carlos/1903/Articles/suffer.html

Suffering

In a recent issue of the Latin American Crier my name was mentioned as one that suffered for Christ. I WONDER. There is a passage that when I read it I always have an uneasy feeling. Here is the passage: "After these things I saw, and behold a great multitude which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes and tongues, standing before the throne, and before the Lamb with palms in their hands...and one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in white robes, who are they, and whence came they? And I say unto him, My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they that come out of the great tribulation, and they washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9-14). Can I say that I have come out of the great tribulation? Yes, I may have suffered a LITTLE, but this says that those who stand before God have come out of the GREAT TRIBULATION.

True, as a young preacher in Montana more than 60 years ago some men told me that if I baptized a certain woman that I would never get out of the water alive. Yes, I was scared but I told them that if she desired to be baptized that I would baptize her and told them the place where she would be baptized. The poor woman, they frightened her to the place that she said to me that she would be baptized later. Long since she has gone to her reward. She never obeyed the gospel. So SAD. Then there was one time that on a bitter day in the winter I took five young men with me and went to Lambton for the Sunday service. It was so stormy most of the brethren did not get there. The Collection was 40 cents. On the way home the gas line froze up. We shoved the car the last mile. Holding my hands against the back of that car in that cold cut off the circulation and when I got into the heat the pain in my hands was almost unbearable.

We might tell a few more things in America but we shall turn to India. I went to Mondapeta from Kakinada. It was 33 hours from the time I left Kakinada until I was back in Kakinada. In that time I had preached 9 sermons. There had been 101 baptized. I came home at 2 a.m. I was so tired that I could hardly crawl into bed. A few hours of sleep did not seem to rest me. I told the sister in the morning when I came downstairs, I think I am going to die. Then there was the time that I said that if we could get the Indians to meet on time that we could have five meetings in a day. A brother assured me that we could have SIX meetings. We came in at ten in the evening. I don't know how he did it but this brother got the people to assemble in six villages for services that day. We rode in the jeep. It was hot and it was dusty. I WAS SO TIRED that I never suggested to this brother that he arrange that many meetings in one day again.

Let me tell you about the time when I probably suffered more than any one time. A brother told me that a certain Hindu village wanted to become Christians and wanted me to accompany him to this village. I told him that I would be very glad to do this. It was a hot day. We drove as far as the hard-top lasted. We drove as far as the gravel lasted. Then we came to a dirt road. I do not need to tell you that I had driven tens of thousands of miles on dirt roads in the early days in Saskatchewan. There was a problem though. It had rained for hours just before we got to this road. It was impossible even for an ox cart. WE WALKED for eight miles. These villagers had painted a crude cross on a piece of cloth and put it on the longest pole they could find and erected it in the village to advertise that they were going to become Christians. I preached a sermon. There were some 22 or 23 people that expressed a desire to be baptized. They were baptized.

Then, as it was Sunday, we had the Lord's Supper. Then they suggested that we have some food. We ate and then just as we started out the sun went down. It is one thing to walk in the mud in daylight. It was another thing to walk in the dark. I had gone about one mile when I had trouble with one leg. In the dark we met a shepherd with his goats. We bought his shepherd's staff. I used that for a cane and while I was in pain we continued our journey. About one mile from our destination, my other leg became very painful. DID YOU EVER TRY LIMPING ON BOTH LEGS AT ONE TIME? I remembered that Paul said that we were to REJOICE in our sufferings (Col. 1:24). I remembered that Job said one time that he would like to argue with God, I can bear this, but was it not too much for you to say I should REJOICE in it?

I can rejoice in it now. When that tidal wave struck in India in 1977, that village was in the path of that terrible destructive force. It is a wonder that a few lived and not that many perished that were members of the body. I visited there after the disaster and thanked God I had taken the gospel to that village.

I know that Paul said that we as evangelists were to suffer hardships (II Tim. 4:5). Will what I have suffered compare with the three preachers in the Phillipines who went on preaching all during World War II? They knew that any morning they could have been shot as American spies. Not only think of these men but think of their wives. When they went out to preach, the wives never knew if they would come back. When they came back, the wives never knew at what hour of the night the military police might come and take them away. I have never suffered as they suffered.

Let us turn to India: a young couple were married in India. Shortly after they were married and she became a Christian, her husband was furious. First he tried to coax her to come back to Hinduism. This did not work. Then he threatened her. When she still would not renounce her faith in Christ Jesus, he poured kerosene over her and burned her to death. Then there is the story that reads like a story. It is a story but a TRUE one. When this woman obeyed the gospel her husband tried to burn her to death. He did not succeed but she has terrible scars. He was converted to Christ the next year and then shortly after that he died in Christ.

We have heard a great deal about the Sikhs in India these days, but there was one Sikh that obeyed the gospel. His own brother beat him cruelly but he refused to renounce his faith in Christ. He is faithfully preaching the gospel in North India today.

I shall tell of the young preacher in Africa who was captured by so-called Freedom Fighters. They told him that he had to take a drink of liquor. He told them he was a Christian, and that he did not drink. They told him that if he did not take a drink, they would shoot him. He refused to take the drink and THEY SHOT HIM.

I could turn back to what is personal again. I left for a meeting after I had filled up my gas tank with gas that was charged. I had two dollars. I left my wife home with seven children and half of the money. During this trip some young people were baptized who are faithful members of the church today.

I preached all during the Thirties. The children never went to bed hungry nor did they ever miss school for lack of clothes. They had a good bed to sleep on. My wife made mattresses. She made shoes. Part of the time we milked our own cow. We grew our own potatoes, etc. I have tried to remember and believe I Timothy 6:7,8. "For we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and covering we shall be therewith content." I have four tailor made suits. Indian brethren had three of them made for me. I have a good car but one of my sons gave it to me.

We have lived below what the government says is the Poverty Line most of our lives. We have had no money for tobacco, liquor, movies or extended holidays but what the Lord has promised He has provided. I might add my wife has never used any money for MAKE-UP either. I still feel short of the requirements of the GREAT TRIBULATION. I have the assurance that His grace will be sufficient. May I with Paul say: "for which cause I suffer these things, yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day" (II Tim. 1:12).

J.C. Bailey (1985, Bengough, Saskatchewan)

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

That first step by Gary Rose

Somebody is trying to trick you.  This picture is obviously modified and someone did a good  job of it too.    How do I know, well experience of course.   People who make roads don't make drops like that.    Even if they might try, surely there would be water damage at the bottom.  And I wonder about the vegetation as well, somehow the seams just LOOK wrong!

The question that comes to mind is:  knowing these things- would you take that first step off the end of the road? Would you place your trust in what you can't see, or not?

A man came to Jesus and asked a question.   A  very difficult question. But I don't think he was prepared for the   answer and the insights Jesus had about him...

Mark 10 (World English  Bible)

 ¹⁷  As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 

  ¹⁸  Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.   ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”

  ²⁰  He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” 

  ²¹  Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.” 

  ²²  But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.  ²³ Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!”  (emphasis added)

  ²⁴  The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the Kingdom of God!   ²⁵  It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” 

  ²⁶  They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” 

  ²⁷  Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”  

Thought for today: 

What you   do you really      trust in ? 

The man had much in the way of monetary means, but lacked true faith in God.  He placed his trust in money and not Jesus. Money was his god. He just didn't trust Jesus enough to take that first step and accept Jesus' invitation to follow  him.

What is keeping you from following Jesus?  

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" A Pattern For Would-Be Believers (1:12-17) by Mark Copeland

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

A Pattern For Would-Be Believers (1:12-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. Are you someone who has contemplated becoming a Christian, but
   wondered...
   a. Would God forgive you for the terrible things you've done?
   b. Could you live the kind of life God desires of you?

2. There is a man who serves as an example for you...
   a. Of the grace and mercy that is available for you
   b. Of the faith and love that you can have in Jesus

[His name is Paul, and in 1Ti 1:12-17 he describes how his own
conversion is "A Pattern For Would-Be Believers."  First, in...]

I. DEMONSTRATING THE GRACE OF OUR LORD

   A. NOTE PAUL'S FORMER LIFE...
      1. He was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent (violent) man - 1Ti 1:13
         a. Consenting to the death of Stephen - Ac 7:58; 8:1
         b. Making havoc of the church in Jerusalem - Ac 8:3
         c. Persecuting Christians even to Damascus - Ac 9:1-2
         d. Persecuting even to the point of imprisonment and death - Ac 22:4
         e. Enraged against Christians, compelling them to blaspheme
            - Ac 26:9-11
      2. His goal was to destroy the church of God - Ga 1:13
      3. He was indeed "chief" of sinners - 1Ti 1:15
      -- Yet the grace of the Lord was "exceedingly abundant" and he
         obtained mercy! - 1Ti 1:14,16

   B. WHAT ABOUT YOUR LIFE...?
      1. Yes, you have committed sin - Ro 3:23; Jm 2:10
         a. Perhaps you are a good, moral person like the Eunuch,
            Cornelius, or Lydia
         b. Perhaps you are a murderer and blasphemer like Paul was
      2. In either case, Jesus came to into the world to save sinners
         - 1Ti 1:15
         a. The grace of the Lord is exceedingly abundant - 1Ti 1:14
         b. The Lord is long-suffering - 1Ti 1:16; 2Pe 3:9
      -- Will you not let Paul's pattern move you to believe on the Lord
         for everlasting life? - 1Ti 1:16

[There is no sin too great, no crime so heinous, that cannot be forgiven
by the grace of the Lord!  The conversion of Paul serves as evidence
that no matter who you are or what you've done, you can be saved.  Paul
also serves as a pattern...]

II. DEMONSTRATING THE FAITH AND LOVE IN JESUS

   A. NOTE PAUL'S SERVICE TO CHRIST...
      1. The Lord put Paul into the ministry - 1Ti 1:12
         a. To bear witness to what he had seen - Ac 26:16
         b. To turn people from the power of Satan to God - Ac 26:18
      2. He became a pattern of the faith and love that is possible in
         Christ - 1Ti 1:14
         a. Because he cooperated with the grace of God - 1Co 15:9-10
         b. Striving to be the best he could be - Php 3:12-15
         c. Learning contentment, finding strength - Php 4:11-13
      -- Paul provides the example of a life of faith and love that
         leads to peace - Php 4:9

   B. WHAT ABOUT YOUR LIFE...?
      1. If you are already a Christian
         a. Are you experiencing the faith and love that is Christ?
            1) Faith that comes from the Word of God? - Ro 10:17
            2) Love that comes by being taught of God? - 1Th 4:9-10
         b. Are you following the pattern of Paul...?
            1) Cooperating with the grace of God to turn from sin?
            2) Ever pressing onward toward spiritual maturity?
            3) Faithful to whatever ministry the Lord places upon you?
      2. If you are not yet a Christian
         a. Why not take the step of faith like Paul did?
            1) He did what the Lord commanded him - Ac 22:16
            2) He started anew, walking by faith and not by sight - 2 Co 5:7
         b. Why not accept the love that is available in Jesus?
            1) The love of God, your heavenly Father - 1Jn 4:10,11
            2) The love of Jesus, your wonderful Savior - Jn 15:9,10
      -- Will you not let Paul's pattern move you to grow in faith and
         love? - 1Co 11:1

CONCLUSION

1. Note that Paul was moved to respond to the grace of the Lord in two
   ways...
   a. He thanked Jesus Christ - 1Ti 1:12
   b. He praised God - 1Ti 1:17

2. Shall we not respond to the grace of God in the same way...?
   a. Thanking God by rendering obedience to the gospel of Christ?
   b. Praising God by growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ?

Then perhaps the Lord can also use us as "A Pattern For Would-Be
Believers"... - cf. 1Ti 4:12

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016