|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 20, 2006 6:56:08 GMT 12.75
Today's sermon was from Romans 6: 13-17. As i studied this I realized Paul was saying the same thing Christ did in in Matthew 6:24. Christ said that no man can serve 2 masters. They will either love the one and hate the other or hate the one and love the other. You can not serve both God and mammon. This is the same thing Paul was saying in Romans 6. Paul aslo said that just because we are under grace now and not under the Law that still does not give us the freedom to do anything we want to do. If anyone has any quesions, I will be more than willing to try and answer them.
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 20, 2006 8:41:54 GMT 12.75
Matthew 5:16 through 5:18 ? Did I just hear a Baptist say "Once saved always saved" isn't so? Orrrr does Matthew say that even those saved will have cast recognition in Heaven?
|
|
|
Post by Toby Benoit on Mar 20, 2006 10:26:31 GMT 12.75
Kay, I get the "cannot serve two masters" verse.
If you, do indeed dedicate your life to live in a true Christian manner. You will abhore the sinful pleasure that others will partake of and revel in, by observing yet obstaining, you will undoubtedly come to loathe their sinful wicked ways. And if you live without a care sinning at will and enjoying the forbidden fruits, as it were, you then will come to hate those whom have set a higher standard and try to coaxe you to change.
At least, that's how I see it. Am I far off base?
And, I need help understanding Matthew 5:18, "For verily I say unto you. Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Huh?
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 20, 2006 10:38:55 GMT 12.75
Just because one is saved one does not have the liberty to continue to indulge in sin. Christ sacrifice was to free us from sin not to free us to sin. Get it yet?
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 20, 2006 10:49:30 GMT 12.75
Matthew 5:16 through 5:18 ? Did I just hear a Baptist say "Once saved always saved" isn't so? Orrrr does Matthew say that even those saved will have cast recognition in Heaven? Nope. I have always believed once saved always saved. What I meant was that even though you are saved, you can not do anything you want. Why? Because there will be consequences to your actions. Take the example of a parent and a child. Say this child goes out and commits some heinous crime. The parents still love that child, and that child will always be their child. Nothing can change that fact. But the child has to suffer the consequences of their action. Isn't that the way our Heavenly Father treats us? I can sin, and I do, but He still loves me and I'm still his. But I have to suffer the consequences of my sins. Take adultery as an example. I could commit adultery if I wanted to and still be saved. But, if I do, I'll suffer the consequences, which would probably be a broken marriage and a ruined testimony for Christ. This is what Paul was saying in Romans 6.
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 20, 2006 10:59:57 GMT 12.75
Toby said.
And, I need help understanding Matthew 5:18, "For verily I say unto you. Till Heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled."
Huh?
The key to understand this verse is the last of the verse. But first, we have to have a little background. The Law (the Mosaic Law which was given to the Israelites on Mt. Sinai) was designed to show men the error of their ways. The Law was a harsh taskmaster meaning that there was a severe penalty for even the slightest infraction. To keep the entire Law, one had to live a perfect life. And Jesus was that person. He is the only one who never broke any of the Law. So, Jesus fulfilled the Law. One thing I forgot to mention was that the Law had to have a blood sacrifice. And that blood sacrifice was Jesus. When Jesus gave His life on the cross, He fulfilled the entire Law. So that means that when Jesus fulfilled the Law, we then came under grace instead of the Law.
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 20, 2006 18:47:41 GMT 12.75
As I continued to read through Matthew chapter 15, for the first time, I realized that Christ was talking to those gathered concerning the matters of the "church" as the "body" rather than the biological shell we inhabit. For the first time it became crystal clear how God could/would keep His word with respect to fulfilling the law and extending grace through salvation. Much as you said there Freddie. Very good explanation. p.s. Thank you Pastor Freddie for sharing your sermon with us. I appreciate it.
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 21, 2006 8:49:21 GMT 12.75
Phil,
You're welcome. You just figured out another of the Baptist beliefs too. We believe the Church ( insert Greek word for assembly here cause I can't spell it ;D)was started by Christ on the shores of Galilee when He called Peter, James and John to follow him. If the Church started after Christ's death as some suggest, then why would He have given this narrative? Wouldn't it have confused His followers if He used a word they didn't understand? I think it would have. I know it would have confused me if I had been there and Jesus used a phrase I had no knowledge of.
I am not trying to run down anyones belief, but just stating what I believe.
|
|
|
Post by Toby Benoit on Mar 21, 2006 10:08:13 GMT 12.75
I believe that Freddy. I believe that very thing.
It all started with Christ's teachings while he was still among us. It's when he left us that the church solidified, because as you said before, that was the point that the law was fulfilled.
I don't understand everything for sure, so if I'm not understanding this right, be patient with me, and please do correct me.
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 21, 2006 10:20:41 GMT 12.75
Toby,
You're close. It all started with Christ. Before His death, He promised He would send a comforter ( the Holy Spirit). The Church was already established before He died but when The Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost, thats when the Church became empowered. The Holy Spirit gave the people special gifts to help them and to strengthen them. So I believe the church was started DURING Jesus' personal ministry.
But if I understand you correctly, you are saying that the Law was fullfilled after Jesus left. NO! Every jot and tittle wsas fullfilled when Jesus died on the cross!. That is one of the reasons He said "It is finished". He fullfilled the Law through His perfect life and sacrificial death.
P.S. I don;t understand everything either, but I believe that is why God gave us the Bible. To be able to study and pray about it, is one of the greastest blessings a person can have. In 2 Timothy 2:15 it states "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The word study here sould be better translated "Give diligance". So what am I trying to say? We have to WORK and work hard in our studies to be able to rightly divide the word of truth ( the Bible). We can not expect God to just give us wisdom and knowledge. We have to work at it too! So with this in mind, I will ALWAYS be patient with someone who is trying to learn, and if I don't know the answer to some questions I can always try to find someone who does.
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 21, 2006 10:41:31 GMT 12.75
Good talk Pastor good talk! ;D
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 27, 2006 7:09:34 GMT 12.75
For this morning's sermon, my text was Romans 7:1-4. Paul is wrapping up his arguments from chapter 6 and chapter 5. One verse to really pay attention to is verse 4. Paul is using the example in verses 2 and 3 to show us an important fact. The example is of the law of divorcement given to the Hebrew children. The law stated that the only reason a man could divorce his wife was because of fornication. But Paul takes us into a deeper spiritual truth here too. In Chapter 6 Paul was speaking about serving sin or Jesus. In these verses Paul is speaking about spiritual adultery. If you are saved and then serve sin, instead of the one who died for you, you are committing spiritual adultery. Just like a woman ( or man) under the Law who remarried while their first wife or husband was still alive. Are you committing spiritual adultery today? Who are you serving, God or sin? Everyone has a master wheather they realize it or not. You have a choice. Who are you serving?
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 29, 2006 14:32:48 GMT 12.75
Much cause for thoughtful uncertainty. Not much time had passed after I read your sermon than I heard Pat Robertson talking about the parable of the "talents." He pointed out that maybe our system of providing cares, and necessities for the poor might be in direct disobedience to God's will and instruction. There seems to be a genuine need for obedience to bear good fruit and to show some kind of gain or profit. Where disobedience to God's will and instruction results in loss, decline, and so forth even when the act is benevolant or well meaning as judged by our measures. So I guess what I'm saying is that at least for me, if I fail to see positive results and returns from my efforts than I think I have been not following God's instruction.
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 31, 2006 13:23:09 GMT 12.75
Paws,
I know what you mean. If I preach what is in God's word, and no one responds it gets very discourging. But we have to keep our eyes on the end result. Maybe instead of getting material rewards, we are laying up eternal rewards. As long as we are doing God's will, which is found in His Word, we should never be discouraged.
|
|
|
Post by Toby Benoit on Mar 31, 2006 13:49:19 GMT 12.75
Amen! Doesn't it say somewhere that "patience is a virtue"?
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Mar 31, 2006 14:57:13 GMT 12.75
Yes even while Job was being subjected to Satan's every indulgance he kept the faith and knew he was within God's will. I remember my Pastor down in Clarksville, Billie Jones, telling the congregation that he wanted to pray for baptise, and annoint because it was God's commandment to do so. He said even if they fall down dead as I do it I'll keep on doing it. Now I think I understand what he was getting at.
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Mar 31, 2006 15:13:29 GMT 12.75
Amen! Doesn't it say somewhere that "patience is a virtue"? Toby, Not quite. You are quoting what I call a "fireside scripture". It isn't in the Bible but the idea is. Just like the often quoted phrase " Cleanliness is next to Godliness". That too isn't in the Bible but the idea is there. What I belive you are thinking of is found in II Peter1: 5-7. "And besides this giving all diligence, add to you faith virtue , and to virtue knowledge, And to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience and to patience godliness And to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness charity."
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Apr 13, 2006 10:22:58 GMT 12.75
Hey Freddie, what do you think about The Gospel of Judas? You remember where Christ was asked by one of the disciples "which among them was greatest?" Christ replied something like "He who is least is greatest." You suppose he might have meant Judas having foreknowledge of what Judas was going to do?
|
|
|
Post by Bro. Freddie on Apr 13, 2006 10:43:13 GMT 12.75
I have never read the so-called Gospel of Judas, but I have recently heard of it. From what I have read, this book was declared uncanonical somewhere around AD 160 or AD 180. If the early church fathers decided this was not God inspired scripture, then that's good enough for me. There are several books that claim to be scripture, but their content does not fit with the rest of the Bible. I believe Judas would fit into this catagory. Remember, God is NOT the author of confusion ( I Corinthians 14:33). If a book does not fit in with the rest of the scripture, then God did not inspire it.
The scripture I think you are refering to is Luke 9:48. " And He said unto them, Whosoever shall recieve this child in my name recieveth me: and whosoever recievieth merecievieth him that sent me; for he that is least among youall, the same shall be great. Jesus was teaching the disciples about being humble. If you look a few verses ahead, you will see that the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in heaven. SO Jesus took a child and taught the disciples about staying humble. What do you think Jesus would say today about a lot of so-called Christians who are after money and power?
|
|
|
Post by Paws on Apr 14, 2006 2:42:21 GMT 12.75
I can easily see how the gatherers of the scripture could have set Judas aside without hesitation. But before we jump to obvious conclusions here let me ask two questions. (1) Do you think that Jesus would fail to grant forgiveness to Judas if required and requested? (2) If you were Jesus and knew that you would be handed over to the heathens because it was a mandate of prophecy fulfillment who would you rather perform the task, your enemy or your friend? Wasn't it Peter who denied Christ three times before the cock crowed? Here is what I am driving at. I can not comprehend a disciple following Jesus and knowing Him first person who would not be totally devastated at forsaking him or selling him out. I do not recall ever learning Judas fate following the crucifiction but I would expect something similar to Harri Kari whether he had done the deed by Jesus request or out of greed and self preservation. Here is a question I ask myself and have asked of others as well. If God said to you, "Your part will not be in Heaven but rather you will spend your eternity in hell, yet you shall follow Me anyway." What would you do?
|
|