ScriptureStream

By Mark WatsonSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Philosophy

ScriptureStream episodes

January 19, 2014Lessons From Four Old Testament Men
Moses
His great faith
Sacrifices wealth, position, and prestige to serve God (Hebrews 11:24-26)
The Red Sea (Exodus 14:15-22)
The rock in Horeb (Exodus 17:6-7)
The serpent on a pole (Numbers 21:4-9)
Nehemiah
His mind to work
“Let us rise and build” (Nehemiah 2:18)
Abraham
Love for peace among brethren
Strife between Lot’s and Abraham’s herdsmen (Genesis 13:7)
Joseph
Purity of life
Refused to sin with Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12)
Would not retaliate against his brethren (Genesis 50:15-21)
30 min
January 19, 2014Walking in Darkness
Ephesians 5:13-16
Jeremiah 10:8,14,21
Have we walked by sin in the darkness and thought that it wouldn’t get us?
There is a vast difference between living our lives in light and darkness. Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 30:2 – We do stupid things!
Proverbs 3:7 – Do not be wise in your own eyes.
Matthew 14:30,32
Deuteronomy 28:29
Psalms 35:6
Psalms 82:5
Proverbs 4:19
Jeremiah 23:12
I John 1:6
Micah 3:6
Matthew 6:23
John 3:10
John 8:12
John 12:35
Psalms 27:1
Psalms 84:11
Matthew 5:14
Acts 13:47
Ephesians 5:8
Philippians 2:15
James 5:20
Psalms 119:105
Matthew 25:31-46 – Jesus is asked about Judgment and how to know if we are doing right.
I Peter 5:8
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Boast only in God.
Psalms 119:162-168
30 min
January 19, 2014The Work of Local Churches, Part 14
The social gospel
I Corinthians 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:1
What is the Social Gospel?
The Social Gospel is a religious movement which began in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The main idea is that Christians and churches should focus on curing the social problems of the world, such as poverty, disease, and hunger. Religious leaders back then saw this as the practical application of Christianity, and many even believed that Christ would not return until people had cleaned up society.
There were a number of influential books that helped to inspire the Social Gospel movement
Charles M. Sheldon wrote In His Steps in 1897, which is the origin of the question, “What would Jesus do?”
Walter Rauschenbusch wrote Christianity and the Social Crisis in 1907, which became another classic book and impetus in the Social Gospel movement. He argued that sin did not just apply to individuals, but to society as a whole.
What should we think about the Social Gospel?
The idea of helping others is good.
It is certainly true that we ought to help our fellow human beings any way we can.
“Loe your neighbor as yourself” is the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39)!
We ought to mimic the good Samaritan (Luke 10:37).
We must visit orphans and widows in their distress (James 1:27).
However, is this all that the Gospel is about? Is it even primarily what the gospel is about?
It emphasizes the wrong thing
Matthew 16:25-26 – the emphasis is on spiritual nourishment, not creating a utopia on earth
Why did Jesus come to earth? Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; John 1:29; I Timothy 1:15; Hebrews 9:26. The priority was the saving of souls.
Contrast this to the movement of the past century, in which emphasis is given to improving this world to the neglect of preparing for eternity.
The problem with the Social Gospel is not that it urges people to help others. It’s that is emphasizes the physical over the spiritual.
Scripture gives us the proper emphasis
Matthew 6:19-21.
Philippians 3:20 - “our citizenship is in heaven”
Our “hope” is laid up in “heaven” (Colossians 1:5)
Our inheritance is “imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away,” and it’s not here on this earth – it’s “reserved in heaven” (I Peter 4:5)
Is “passes the buck” regarding sin
A core problem with the Social Gospel worldview is that personal accountability is minimized.
One underlying belief which led to the movement was that people would/could not overcome sin while they were beset by the problems of an unjust society.
Jesus and the apostles lived in one of the most corrupt societies in the world, and yet they did not follow a Social Gospel.
Matthew 22:19-21. However unfair the tax burden may have been, the priority of Jesus was not tax reform.
Acts 5:40-42; Matthew 28:19
Acts 8:1-5
The Bible teaches us to serve God regardless of our station in life, or of the condition of the world.
30 min
January 15, 2014Christian Attitudes, Part 18
What is time?
It is God’s creation. Genesis 1:1-5; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
It is His to command
Against the Amorites – Joshua 10:10-14
As a sign for Hezekiah – II Kings 20:1-11
He is timeless – II Peter 3:8
Time changes us, but does not change God – Hebrews 13:8
It is a precious gift
Limited resources, we are only given so much – Psalms 90:8-10
We must use it wisely – Ephesians 5:13-17
Don’t waste it when something needs doing
Zaccheus – Luke 19:5-6
Shepherds – Luke 2:10-16
The jailer – Acts 16:27-33
Joseph and Mary – Matthew 2:13-14
We should have their attitude
Hebrews 4:7
Hebrews 3:13
We wisely use our time in all activities, not just in matters of Christian devotion – Colossians 4:5
It becomes more precious the less we have
Daniel 2:7-9
Romans 13:12
30 min
January 12, 2014God Wants His People to Read
Deuteronomy 31:9-13; Joshua 8:34-35 – God commanded His word to be read orally for the benefit of all the people.
Restoration of Israel was brought about by reading the law.
II Kings 22:10-20; Nehemiah 8:1-8
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – God commanded the king to keep a copy of the law and read it.
In the time of Christ and the apostles, reading was a regular part of religious service.
Luke 4:16-20; Acts 15:21
When they were wrong on a particular religious question, Jesus identified their problem as a failure to read.
Matthew 12:3-7
Reading in Jesus’ day would have caused them to understand God’s marriage law. Matthew 19:4
Reading would have caused them not to reject Christ. Matthew 21:42
Reading would have caused the Sadducees to realize there was a resurrection of the dead.
Reading was an important part of early worship.
Acts 2:16-21; I Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16; I Thessalonians 5:27
Reading is sadly neglected by some members today.
30 min
January 12, 2014Dealing With Discouragement from Difficult Circumstances
Job 17:1
Post a sign as a daily reminder of four core truths
Job 7:20
Job 14:1 – Job said life was short and hard!
Four core truths:
This is temporary. God is going to fix all of this.
Even without knowing the timeline, we know that this is temporary.
James 5:10-11
Hebrews 11:10
God is in control, even when I don’t understand everything.
Job 1:12; 2:6; 13:3,22; 23:3-5
Job 1:20; 2:9,10; 42:3 – Job recognized that God was in control.
I should blame Satan, not myself or God.
Job 1:8; Luke 13:2-3
Nothing on earth is worse than Hell, or better than Heaven.
Matthew 25:34,41
Spend time with mature Christians so you can be encouraged.
Acts 2:46-47 – The early Christians spent a lot of time together.
30 min
January 12, 2014The Work of Local Churches, Part 13
Consider some arguments which have been made, continued:
II Corinthians 9:13 - “Paul said the money went to ‘them’ (needy saints) and to ‘all’ (others).”
The context includes more than just giving.
Acts 10:28; 11:1; Galatians 2:11-13 – The prejudice between Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 15:5,27 – Paul was trying to make the point in II Corinthians that Gentiles were sending money back to help the Jews.
All the other verses referencing sending money from the church was to help needy saints. This passage is talking about both the money and the message that was sent. The message was sent to all Jewish saints.
“Even the Old Covenant provided for the needy, and the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.”
The Old Covenant dictated civil authority while the New Covenant does not. The New Covenant does provide for needy people, just not through the church.
Galatians 6:10 – “The church should ‘do good to all people,’ not just Christians.”
Although the letter of Galatians was written to churches, this particular verse is addressing individuals.
In this context, it’s the spiritual good of helping to beat the burden of one caught in a trespass. We ought to use every chance we get to help people overcome sin, especially our brethren (cf. James 5:19-20).
This verse is addressing spiritual things and not material things.
30 min
January 08, 2014Christian Attitudes, Part 17
The church as Biblically described
Universal church – Hebrews 12:15-24; Acts 9:31
Local congregation – Galatians 1:21-24; I Corinthians 1:1-3
Both have members
Let’s look at a Christian’s attitudes with respect to:
The universal church
The local church
Other church members
The universal church
This is what Jesus said He would build – Matthew 16:18
He bought it with His blood – Acts 20:28
Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it – Ephesians 5:25-29
He wants His church to be pure, blameless, and holy - Ephesians 5:27
He both nourishes and cherishes His church - Ephesians 5:29
That comes from baptism and from His word - Ephesians 5:26
It is maintained in His word - John 17:17
Referred tp as His body – Romans 12:4-5
We are not just individuals
We are members of each other
As such, we are one body – I Corinthians 10:16-24
We should seek our neighbor’s good
We should desire that all be pure – Colossians 1:21-23
If you’ve been saved, you’ve been added to it – Acts 2:41,47
The local church
Where all collective activities are undertaken
Worship – Acts 20:7
Where saints have much or most of their Christian associations – Acts 2:44-47
Analogy of the body – I Corinthians 12:12-27
If one is a baptized believer, one is a member of the body
As such, each member is part of the whole
We all work together – Philippians 2:1-4
We maintain a single-minded purpose
Each member has value in this
Each member has function – Ephesians 4:11-16
This body assembles and associates for purpose
Keep each other in paths of righteousness – Hebrews 3:12-19
Encourage and stimulate fellow Christians – Hebrews 10:23-25
Maintain our focus as a congregation – I Corinthians 9:24-27
Maintain our identity as Christians and as a church – Revelation 2:2-6
In summary:
Remember who we are
Members of our Savior’s church
Members of our local church
Members of one another
Treasure what Jesus treasured
His church
Its members
Its message to the world
30 min
January 05, 2014Redemption
What is redemption?
Exagorazo [1805] means “ ‘to buy out’ … especially of purchasing a slave with a view to his freedom” (Vine)
Lutroo [3084] has a similar meaning: “to release on receipt of ransom” (Vine)
Ephesians 1:7,13-14
Colossians 1:13-14
Hebrews 9:12
Steps to redemption
Faith – Acts 2:36-37; John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17
Repentance – Acts 2:38; 17:30; Luke 24:46-47; II Peter 3:9; II Corinthians 7:9-11; Matthew 12:41; Jonah 3:5-10; Matthew 3:1-2
Confession – Acts 8:35-39; Romans 10:9-10
Baptism – Romans 3:21
What does baptism do?
Is saves us. Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21
It is for the forgiveness of sins. Acts 2:38
It washes away sins. Acts 22:16
It makes us partakers of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12
It adds us into the “body” (the “church,” Colossians 1:18). I Corinthians 12:13
It clothes us with Christ. Galatians 3:27
Therefore, without baptism
We aren’t saved.
We do not have forgiveness of sins.
Our sins are not washed away.
We are not partakers of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
We are not added to the “body” (the “church”).
We are not clothed with Christ.
Baptism is urgent
Acts 2:41; 8:36; 16:33; 22:16
Growth and service – II Peter 3:18; Hebrews 12:28; Titus 2:11-14; I Peter 1:14-19
30 min
January 05, 2014Creating Spiritual Habits
Examining yourself
Haggai 1:1-9
Psalms 119:59
Lamentations 3:40
Matthew 7:1-5
II Corinthians 13:5
How about making some “consider your way” cards?
Luke 10:35 – Am I using my money for good?
Proverbs 26:20 – Have I been gossiping?
Galatians 5:22 – When people see me, do they see the joy a Christian should have?
Acts 11:23 – Do I encourage others to serve the Lord?
Praying
Praying in Acts
No one was “above” praying to God. Acts 1:13-14; 6:4; 20:36
Prayers were actually heard by God. Acts 10:4, 31; 12:5; 8:22
Prayer was a habit. Acts 1:14; 2:42; 10:2,30,9; 12:5,12; 16:25
Make a plan that is specific and realistic!
Reading the Bible
Hosea 4:1-6
Psalms 119:105
Psalms 1:1-2
I Timothy 4:1,6
30 min

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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…

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