ScriptureStream

By Mark Watson

Just the gospel, plainly spoken. ScriptureStream compiles lessons presented at the Benchley church of Christ, located just north of Bryan, TX. Visit ScriptureStream.com for full notes on each lesson a... more

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The podcast currently has 2,949 episodes available.

ScriptureStream episodes:

December 18, 2024Matthew 7:1-29
Matthew 7
Matthew 7:1-6 – Judging
If judging here is the same as being critical, explain:
John 7:24 – “judge righteous judgment”
“hypocrite, dogs, swine”
Some people don’t appreciate truth. We must make a judgment in this regard.
Your criticism of my criticism
“You shouldn’t judge.” “Are you judging me?”
John 10:26 – “you are not of my sheep”
Side note: This verse would have taken place during what we now call Hannukah.
Matthew 7:7-12 – Prayer
Matthew 7:7-8 – “ask,” “seek,” and “knock” are all action words.
If we are guaranteed a “yes” answer to all prayer, explain:
“Ask in my name” – John 14:13-14; 16:23
I Corinthians 12:7-8
Matthew 7:13-14 – Narrow way the only way
If there are many acceptable ways to choose from, explain:
John 14:6 – “I am the way, and the truth and the life.”
Matthew 7:15-23 – False teachers
Prophets sometimes were foretellers and sometimes “forthtellers” who simply brought the message of God.
If we should never call men/women false teachers, explain:
I John 4:1-6
Matthew 7:24-27 – Hearing vs. doing
If “doing” on our part is excluded as a “work,” explain:
Verbs in the text
James 2:14-26
Hebrews 11
Matthew 7:28-29 – Conclusion
If acceptable teaching is entertaining, theater, joke / story-telling, explain:
Galatians 1:10 – “For am I now seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people?”
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43min
December 15, 2024Choose What to Focus On
Introduction
Genesis 29:18-20
Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11:1-6
Hebrews 11:7 – Noah’s faith in God caused him to build the ark.
Hebrews 11:8-10 – Abraham had faith enough to move. See Genesis 12:1. It didn’t matter where God was leading him on earth. He was looking forward to heaven.
Hebrews 11:13-16
Choosing what to focus on is a life-changing strategy.
Paul in prison.
Philippians 4:10-13 – Paul had learned to be content.
Philippians 4:8 – Dwell on the good things!
“Sometimes it just depends on us.”
Philippians 1:3-5, 12-14 – Paul was constantly thinking about spiritual things.
The example of Joni Tada.
You see what you’re looking for.
James 1:2 – This is a deliberate decision.
Hebrews 12:2-3 – Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before Him.
If I’m looking for something positive, I’ll find it.
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24min
December 15, 2024Galatians 2:1-21
Galatians 2
Galatians 2:1-5 – Titus and circumcision
Galatians 2:1 – It’s not entirely clear exactly where this fourteen-year interval fits chronologically. This visit in Jerusalem may be the same one mentioned in Acts 15.
Galatians 2:2 – God told him to go. Compare Acts 15:3.
Galatians 2:3-5 – Paul took a stand on principle to sow that circumcision was not necessary. (See Genesis 17 for the start of circumcision. In Leviticus 12:3, it was incorporated into the Law of Moses.) Compare Galatians 5:1-3. It is not a sin to be circumcised (notice Acts 16:1 – Timothy was circumcised to allow him to fit in with the Jews he would be preaching to), but it cannot be done as an act of worship.
Galatians 2:6-10 – The right hand of fellowship
Galatians 2:9 – If this matches up with Acts 15, this must be referring to James the brother of Jesus because James the apostle had already been beheaded in Acts 12.
Galatians 2:10 – Paul had already delivered aid to needy saints and would do so again. Paul also taught all people, regardless of wealth. He did not shy away from teaching the poor, the wealthy, or the powerful.
Galatians 2:11-14 – Opposing Peter
Galatians 2:11 – Paul opposing an apostle to his face was a big deal! See Acts 10:28.
Galatians 2:12-13 – This was a tremendous amount of peer pressure. It was so difficult for these Jews to break away from the old ways.
Galatians 2:14 – Paul’s quoted words to Peter begin here. Various translations end the quote at different places (verse 14, 16, or 21).
Galatians 2:16 – No one would be justified by the Law of Moses. What we need is a system of forgiveness, which is the Law of Christ (Romans 3:23-25; 4:4-8).
Galatians 2:17-18 – See Galatians 5:4. If you try to go back to the Law of Moses, you make yourself a sinner again.
Galatians 2:20 – See Galatians 6:6.
Galatians 2:21 – If it were possible to obey the law correctly, Jesus would not have needed to die.
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47min
December 15, 2024You Reap What You Sow
Introduction
Genesis 1:11-12
Hosea 8:7 – “They show the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
Hosea 8:1 – They had sinned against God.
Hosea 8:12
Hosea 10:12 – God pleaded with them to be righteous.
Give it time.
Matthew 7:16
Job 4:8-9 – Eliphaz understood sowing and reaping only halfway. Sometimes it is not an immediate effect. If we sow righteousness, we may not reap the rewards until after this life is over.
James 5:7-8
Invest in your relationships.
Romans 2:5-11 – We may be able to hide evil in this world, but we will eventually reap what we’ve sown.
Ephesians 5:33 – Roles in marriage defined. We cannot sow selfishness and bitterness in our marriage and not reap a bitter marriage.
Colossians 3:19
Ephesians 6:1 – Disrespect damages any relationship.
Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 29:15 – We cannot sow child-centeredness and reap God-centeredness.
Sow good things!
Galatians 6:7-10 – Christians should help each other.
II Corinthians 9:6-11 – Giving cheerfully will be rewarded.
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28min
December 11, 2024Matthew 6:1-34
Matthew 6
Matthew 6:1-18 – “so that they may be honored by men”
When you give …
When you pray …
Whenever you fast …
so that they may be honored by men
so that they may be honored by men
so that they may be honored by men
they have their reward in full
they have their reward in full
they have their reward in full
giving will be in secret
close your door and pray
your fasting will not be noticed by men
your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you
your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you
your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you
Compare Matthew 5:13-16. The motive is important here – glorifying God versus being noticed by men.
Don’t show off, but serve God sincerely and discretely, maintaining focus on God and His reward.
Matthew 6:16-18 – See Leviticus 16:29; Acts 13:2-3. Fasting is mentioned under the New Covenant, but not commanded. In those days, they spent a large portion of time preparing food. Taking that time instead to pray or worship would be a considerable change in time usage for them.
Matthew 6:19-24 – “You cannot serve God and wealth”
Matthew 6:19-20 – This is a not-but statement. It is not a sin to have a bank account. But it is more important to concentrate on spiritual things. See Matthew 5:11-12. Don’t worry too much about this life. See also Hebrews 10:34.
Matthew 6:25-34 – “Do not worry.”
Jesus is not negating the many other passages about work ethic, but God doesn’t want us to be overly concerned about this life. See Luke 12:16-21.
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41min
December 08, 2024"Everybody's Doing It!"
Introduction
Exodus 23:2
“Marriages end and kids misbehave.”
Esther 1:10-12, 19-21 – The king’s wife made him mad, so he got rid of her.
Temporary marriage license
Professor and author Stephanie Coontz put it this way: “In modern society, people are reluctant to enter marriages unless they know they can get out … That’s probably solved already by the availability of no-fault divorce.”
“The culture so quickly says, oh it’s over, it’s not going to work. We live in a consumer society. If something doesn’t work, you chunk it away and get a new one. And that has been translated into relationships … It’s a very pervasive myth today, that a marriage only works if you’re compatible. And couples come up against difficulties, disagreements, conflict, and they think, ‘We’re not compatible’ and so they separate. But actually, with a few very simple tools, they can work through these disagreements.”
Matthew 19:3-9
Ephesians 5:22-6:4
God’s standard has not changed!
“It doesn’t hurt to look.”
Matthew 5:27-28
Job 31:1
What is so dangerous about pornography is that so many people don’t think it’s wrong.
Galatians 5:16-26
I Thessalonians 4:1-8
“Just do what’s best for you.”
Genesis 3:6 – The first sin was all about what Eve thought was good for her.
II Peter 2:3
The first thing society does to make sin acceptable is change how things are worded.
“Strong woman finds unlikely advisor, learns to stand up for herself.”
The New Moral Code (Source: Bama OmniPoll, August 2015, Good Faith, p.58)
“Do you agree with the following statements?”
Percentage of U.S. adults
The best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself.
91%
People should not criticize someone else’s life choices.
89%
To be fulfilled in life, you should pursue the things you desire most.
86%
The highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible.
84%
People can believe whatever they want, as long as those beliefs don’t affect society.
79%
Any kind of sexual expression between two consenting adults is acceptable.
69%
Titus 2:11-15
Luke 9:23
Conclusion
We must live by the Word of God, not the immoral ideas people have … even if everybody’s doing it.
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26min
December 08, 2024Galatians 1:1-24
Galatians 1
Galatians 1:1-5 – Jesus and the Father sent me.
Paul immediately points out that Jesus and God the Father had sent him.
He was writing to the churches in Galatia. There is some debate about which region of Galatia this is (northern or southern), but it seems likely to be the southern region. This area includes a number of places that Paul visited on his missionary journeys.
Galatians 1:6-10 – Don’t desert God for a different gospel!
Galatians 1:6 – They were deserting God by deserting the gospel. See Galatians 5:6-8, 2. You can’t add circumcision to the gospel. That perverts the gospel!
Galatians 1:8 – Paul says “we,” including himself in the warning. This directly contradicts the teaching the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which teaches that the angel Moroni gave Joseph Smith a new revelation.
Galatians 1:10 – The word “still” here implies that Paul was previously trying to please man.
Galatians 1:11-24 – Paul’s conversion, independence, and early travels.
Galatians 1:12 – Paul wasn’t trained by the other apostles. He received direct revelation. See Acts 9:1-2, 13-14. Paul used to operate under authority from Jewish leaders. See Paul’s conversion in Acts 9:3-6, 15-20.
Galatians 1:13-14 – Paul fully admits that he was wrong. His honesty is admirable.
Galatians 1:17 – We have little information about Paul’s time in Arabia. Much has been made of it in commentaries, but we simply don’t know.
Galatians 1:18-19 – Paul had no contact with the apostles until years after his conversion. James the brother of Jesus was not one of the twelve apostles and actually didn’t believe Jesus was the Christ early on. This passage could simply be saying that Paul didn’t see the apostles or James.
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44min
December 08, 2024What to Say in a Spiritual Conversation
Introduction
Romans 1:15
II Timothy 2:2
“All of us have become guilty of sin.”
Acts 2:22-25, 36-37
Acts 3:14-15
Acts 4:11
Acts 7:51-53
Acts 26:18
Isaiah 59:2
II Thessalonians 1:8-9
Whoever we are talking to will find out at some point that they are guilty of sin. We are just trying to make sure they find out early enough to do something about it.
Most people would admin they are not perfect.
We must have a good attitude when we speak to others. Speak to them in love!
It may help to use the word “us.”
Acts 22:4-5, 20; 26:9-11
I Timothy 1:15 – Paul called himself the “foremost sinner.”
Ephesians 2:1-3
“Jesus died so we can be forgiven!”
Ephesians 1:7
Colossians 1:13-14
Jesus alone is the savior. Not a church or a pastor. The church doesn’t save – the church is composed of the saved.
We sinned!
But Christ saves!
Acts 2:22-23, 36-37
Acts 2:38-40
Acts 3:14-15
Acts 3:19-20
Acts 4:11
Acts 4:12
Acts 7:51-53
(killed)
Acts 26:18
Acts 26:19-23
Acts 8:3 – The gospel spread!
I Corinthians 15:1-4 – This is the basis for our faith.
“We have to follow God’s instructions to receive this gift!”
II Thessalonians 1:8
Both of these are true!
Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 7:21
Romans 4:5; James 2:24
Titus 3:5; II Corinthians 5:10
Paul to the Romans
Romans 1:16 – Gospel!
Romans 3:24 – Grace!
Romans 5:1 – Faith!
Romans 5:9 – Blood!
Romand 6:3-4 – Baptism!
Romans 10:9-10 – Believe and confess!
Useful analogies to salvation:
What makes a car move? The gas pedal? The engine? All are involved.
Think about a college scholarship. The money is a gift, but conditions must be met.
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34min
December 04, 2024Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5
Matthew 5:3 – This is talking about people in abject poverty that are looking for something. Those that are spiritually poor are looking for God. They are the ones who will allow Jesus to rule in their hearts.
Matthew 5:4 – Those who are looking for something in their lives are miserable until they find God.
Matthew 5:5 – The definition of meekness is strength under control. Those who are meek allow Jesus to lead. They will inherit the earth in a figurative sense. They were looking for the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:6 – If we really hunger and thirst for righteousness, we can be satisfied.
Matthew 5:7 – Those who are merciful will receive mercy in the end.
Matthew 5:8 – “Pure in heart” can mean pure of motive. People who serve God with a pure heart serve God for His approval, not man’s.
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are those who teach others how to have peace with God. The phrase “called sons of God” is a figure of speech. It refers to what they are in a higher sense.
Matthew 5:10-12 – Christians will be persecuted.
Compare David in Psalm 51 to these attributes.
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41min
December 01, 2024Four Things You'll Notice When You Read Your Bible in 2025
Introduction
Hosea 4:6 – The people were destroyed for lack of knowledge.
II Chronicles 36:11-16 – Under Zedekiah, the people rejected God and His prophets.
“I remind you that God wrote a Book; and He only wrote one. I wonder what we’ll say to Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ if He asks us, “Did you read My Book? I mean one time in your entire life did you read My whole Book?” – Woodrow Kroll, August 2009
II Timothy 3:15-17
There will be a lot of “Oh, wow I get it” moments.
II Chronicles 34:14-21, 31, 27 – The Israelites rediscover the book of the law and realize they hadn’t been obeying it. Josiah decides to make things right with God.
You’ll feel better about the way you’re spending your time.
Matthew 6:19-21 – “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Time is the number one issue people cite when asked why they don’t read the Bible more.
It takes about 75 hours to read the entire Bible. That is about 17 minutes a day for five days a week.
Ezra 7:10
You’ll start thinking and talking about spiritual things more.
Psalms 1:1-6
We start feeling guilt about sins we suddenly become aware of.
We start praying more.
Spiritual disciplines and risk behaviors among U.S. adults:
Researchers called it the “Power of 4” (reading the Bible at least 4 days a week)
Getting drunk = 57% lower odds
Sex outside marriage = 68% lower odds
Pornography = 61% lower odds
Gambling = 74% lower odds
Sharing faith with others = 228% higher odds
Discipling others = 231% higher odds
Memorizing scripture = 407% higher odds
Hebrews 4:12
You’ll feel better about life.
Philippians 4:8-9 – It’s hard to complain about my life after seeing the conditions Paul was in when he wrote this.
“Bible-engaged Americans are more likely than any other group in America to have a hopeful perspective.”
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31min

FAQs about ScriptureStream:

How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 2,949 episodes available.