I asked on Facebook, “What are some excuses you have heard (or used) for ignoring or disobeying the will of God?” One of the many excellent responses came from brother Steve Davis, who replied, “We’re all on the same team.” This may be said many different ways, such as, “Go to the church of your choice,” or, “We’re all headed to heaven, just taking different roads to get there.” Is this a Biblical concept?
If we are on the same team, shouldn’t we be using the same playbook? When the quarterback calls a play, doesn’t he expect the wide receiver to run a certain route? The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the SAME thing, and that there be NO DIVISIONS among you, but that you be perfectly joined TOGETHER in the SAME mind and in the SAME judgment.” Can this be said about all the denominational confusion in the religious world?
Instead of the “church of your choice,” wouldn’t it be wiser to worship with the church of God’s choice (Acts 20:28), in the many that He decrees (John 4:24)? There are not “different roads to heaven,” there is only the “narrow gate…which leads to life” (Matthew 7:13-14).
God’s will is revealed in His Word. The only way to know His will is to study His Word. James 1:25 encourages us to seek the truth and live according to it: “But he who LOOKS into the perfect law of liberty and CONTINUES in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a DOER of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
Denominationalism leads people away from God. Only the Word points to the Lord. May we all love the Lord and His revelation (John 14:15), and study, learn, and obey the things contained therein (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Faulty Memories
I had an idea for a bulletin article earlier in the week but didn’t write it down immediately, and when it came time to submit an article, I had forgotten all about the idea. That’s not the first time it has happened.
Maybe mankind’s faulty memory is why God instituted so many memorials. Going all the way back to the flood when God instituted the rainbow as a memorial, not for the people, but for Himself. In Genesis 8:16, God said, “The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” At times, I get frustrated at the appropriation of the rainbow by the homosexual community, but maybe it is by God’s providential design. That rainbow represents a promise that no matter how wicked the world becomes, the Almighty will not destroy it again by flood.
Other memorials God instituted in the Old Testament include the Passover(Exodus 12:24-27), the jar of manna (Exodus 16:32-33), the twelve stones (Joshua 4:5-7), and even the Sabbath day itself (Exodus 20:8-11).
Still today, under the new covenant, we observe a memorial on the first day of every week. Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper just prior to His death on the cross. He said of the unleavened bread, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Christ’s human life was not taken from Him; He gave it for us. What an amazing gift! He followed this with the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20). There is power in that blood, power to cleanse us of our sins so we might stand blameless before God.
I am thankful God gave us the Lord’s Supper so that we can continually, week by week, remember the awesome gift of His Son and the power of His blood.
“Up To Seven Times?”
Matthew 18:21-35
I. PETER’S PERCEIVED GENEROSITY
- A. “Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21; Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; Job 33:29-30)
B. Context (Matthew 18:15-17)
C. The spirit of forgiveness is rooted in love (1 Corinthians 13:5)
- 1. Love “thinks no evil” (NKJV)
2. Love “does not take into account a wrong suffered” (NASB)
3. Love “keeps no records of wrongs” (NIV)
II. GOD’S ENORMOUS GRACE
- A. The first part of the parable (Matthew 18:23-27)
B. The compassion and grace that God offers (Psalm 103:8-13; Exodus 34:6-7; Ephesians 1:7-8; Colossians 1:13-14)
III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY TOWARD EACH OTHER
- A. Keep forgiving as long as you have something to forgive (Matthew 18:22)
B. God’s forgiveness is conditional (Matthew 18:28-35; Matthew 6:14-15)
C. Imitate the Lord (Colossians 3:12-13)
Blessed in Christ
Have you ever read something in the Scriptures that made you scratch your head? Jesus says in His famed sermon on the mount, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). How often have you felt “blessed” while mourning? Isn’t this a paradox?
Throughout the Scriptures, we see what we would consider negative events lead to positive results. Consider the inspired words of Romans 5:3-4 (tribulation –> perseverance –> hope), Hebrews 12:11 (chastening –> peaceable fruit of righteousness), 2 Corinthians 7:10 (godly sorrow –> repentance leading to salvation), and James 1:2-3 (trials/testing of faith –> patience). In each instance, we start with something negative, but the end result is something positive.
The mourning under consideration in Matthew 5 does not refer to everyday sorrows, as Paul tells us that “the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). J.W. McGarvey writes in his commentary on Matthew and Mark that this is “those who mourn in reference to sin. ‘They shall be comforted’ because now there is an ample provision made for pardon.”
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (Romans 5:8-11)
We no longer have to mourn over our hopelessness, but “rejoice” that “through (Christ) we have now received the reconciliation.” Truly we are blessed!
“Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?”
John 6:66-69
I. WHAT OPTIONS DOES MAN HAVE?
- A. Corrupted Judaism (Matthew 15:8-9)
B. Corrupted Christianity (1 Corinthians 1:10; John 17:20-21)
C. Man-made religion (Buddhism, Islam, Scientology, Atheism)
II. ONLY JESUS HAS THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE
- A. Perversions of the gospel are not another gospel (Galatians 1:6-8)
B. Affirmed by Jesus (John 12:48; Matthew 7:24-27)
C. The example of Peter and John (Acts 4:8-20)
III. JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD
- A. We must not ignore His revealed will in favor of our own desires
B. Living in such a way that shows your faith (James 2:14-24)
C. Obedience is prompted by faith (Hebrews 11)
Exhort One Another
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
How blessed are we to have so many opportunities to gather together and encourage each other? From Sunday morning Bible class and worship to Sunday evening, our mid-week studies, gospel meetings and seminars, we have many occasions in which we can receive sound spiritual nourishment.
When we come together, God commands us to exhort or encourage each other. One way to do this is by taking notice of the good things our brothers and sisters are doing, and thanking them.
Have you thanked any of the teachers from Vacation Bible School? Or those who helped prepare the snacks each day? How about those who led the singing, or those who helped with decorations, props, and bulletin boards? Many people were involved, and should be recognized.
Have you thanked the men and women who are taking care of our teenagers, organizing activities and driving them to youth rallies and camps? Or those who teach the children on Sunday morning and Wednesday night?
Have you thanked the parents who bring their children to learn more about God? There are many secular activities that can distract them from spiritual matters, and they need to be encouraged for attending as many services as possible.
I hope that everyone is praying for the elders and deacons, but have you told them that you are praying for them? Have you asked them if there is anything specific you can include in your supplications to the Almighty? James says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Let us seek to live righteously and pray fervently for our overseers and servants.
Look for opportunities to encourage each other, and thank each other. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
“Teacher, Do You Not Care That We Are Perishing?”
Mark 4:35-41
I. THE DISCIPLES’ QUESTION TO JESUS (MARK 4:38)
- A. Literal storms
B. Figurative storms (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
C. God DOES care!
- 1. Children of God are not exempt from suffering (Matthew 5:45; John 16:33; 1 Peter 4:12-13; 2 Timothy 3:10-12)
2. These afflictions serve to strengthen us (Romans 5:1-4)
II. JESUS’ QUESTIONS TO THE DISCIPLES (MARK 4:40)
- A. “Why are you so fearful?” (Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:28)
B. “How is it that you have no faith?” (2 Peter 1:5-11; Romans 10:17; Matthew 7:24-27; Psalm 46)
III. THE DISCIPLES’ QUESTION TO EACH OTHER (MARK 4:41)
- A. He is the Creator of all (Psalm 33:6-9; Colossians 1:15-16)
B. He is the Master of all (Colossians 1:17; Matthew 28:18)
C. He is our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15)
Hidden Sin
An All-Star second baseman, seemingly on the path to baseball immortality in Cooperstown’s Hall of Fame, was handed an 80-day suspension for using performance enhancing substances. However, it was not a performance enhancer that showed up in his drug tests, but a diuretic commonly used as a masking agent. In other words, the player was trying to hide what he was really doing.
Are we guilty of masking or hiding things in a spiritual sense? We may attend church services regularly, participate in Bible classes, lead in worship…but are we hiding something from our brethren?
Paul encouraged the brethren at Philippi to do the right thing, whether he was aware of their behavior or not. He wrote, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). We should always strive to be holy, even if no one on this earth sees us.
We can be sure of one thing: even if we are “successful” in hiding sinful behaviors from others in the church, we cannot hide from God. Paul assures us of this fact. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust we are well known in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11).
Let us not mask or hide our weaknesses, temptations, and sins from each other, but lean on each other for spiritual support and strength. “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).
“Who Then is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 9:30-37
I. THE NATURE OF THE KINGDOM
- A. What Jesus taught (Matthew 16:16-19)
B. The disciples’ misunderstanding (Matthew 20:20-23)
C. The church is the kingdom (Mark 9:1; Acts 2; Colossians 1:13)
II. THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICE, NOT POSITION
- A. “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35; Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter 5:1-3)
B. Warnings against a power-hungry attitude (Romans 12:16 vs. Colossians 3:1-2; 3 John 9-11)
C. Positive example of service (Philippians 2:5-8; John1 3:4-5,12-16)
III. BE CONVERTED AND BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN (MATTHEW 18:3)
- A. Innocence (Matthew 5:8; 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:22)
B. Trustfulness (2 Corinthians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:11-14)
C. Lack of prejudice (Acts 10:34-35)
D. Teachableness (2 Peter 3:18)
Learning from Matthew
Actions speak louder than words. The apostle Matthew (also known as Levi) demonstrated his devotion to the Lord through his actions. He worked as a tax collector. The Jews had a very low opinion of tax collectors, but it was a financially lucrative occupation. When Jesus called Matthew, Luke says that “he left all, rose up, and followed Him” (Luke 5:28).
Matthew recognized the infinite value of the soul. He recorded the Lord’s words, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). Knowing this surely made the decision to leave his position at the tax office less difficult.
The humility of Matthew also shines through in his account of Christ’s gospel. He writes, “As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him. Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples” (Matthew 9:9-10).
Compare this with Luke’s account: “After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them” (Luke 5:27-29).
Did you notice the differences? They are slight, but they are there. Matthew does not say that he left everything, but Luke wants to be sure the reader recognizes his level of commitment. Also, Matthew simply mentions a feast “in the house.” Luke tells us that Matthew “gave Him a great feast in his own house.” Matthew could have given himself credit for these things, but he didn’t want to draw focus away from Jesus.
Let’s remember to always give God the glory, showing others His love and grace.
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