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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How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 3,247 episodes available.

ScriptureStream episodes:

September 30, 2012Benevolence in 2 Corinthians 9
II Corinthians 9:1
Purpose for which these alms were taken and sent:
Paul said seven times that these alms were for needy saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25,26,31
To use these funds for any other purpose, no matter how worthy would be a misappropriation of funds.
This benevolence was to accomplish two things:
Supply the want of the saints.
Cause many thanksgivings to go up to God.
Translations of “koinonia”
Distribution (ESV)
Sharing (NKJV)
Fellowship (Nestles)
Communication (Berry)
Contribution (NASB and ESV)
“All” must be taken in context.
“Unto them” - poor Jewish saints in Jerusalem
“Unto all” - all Jewish saints in Jerusalem
“All” in this context could not be referring to non-saints
The “all” glorified God; non-saints cannot do that.
The “all” thanked God for Gentile Christians; non-saints did not do that.
The “all” longed for their Gentile brethren; non-saints did not do that.
The inevitable conclusion is that “all” were the people of the context, i.e., Jewish saints in Jerusalem.
What others have said:
J.W. McGarvey
W.B. Johnson
Geikie
McKnight
...more
30min
September 30, 2012Concerning the Collection
I Corinthians 16:1-4
Periodic:
“On the first day of every week”
Acts 2:44-45 - The first Christians were very generous in their giving.
Personal:
“Each one of you is to put aside and save”
Every person needs to do his part. This does not necessarily mean that a husband and a wife each need to put in money separately. Their money is generally in a common fund.
What about teenage Christians? There is no reason they shouldn’t give something, however small, if they are prospering.
Proportional:
“as he may prosper”
In the Old Testament, tithing was commanded, but that is not commanded of us today. We are not commanded to give a particular amount. It should just be according to what we’ve prospered.
II Corinthians 8:12 - We are to give according to what we have and not feel bad if we can’t give as much as others do.
Mark 12:41-44 - The poor widow gives all she has.
Purposeful:
“as he has purposed in his heart”
II Corinthians 9:7 - We should give cheerfully.
It’s not a question of how much we should give. It’s a question of how we give.
II Corinthians 8:1-5
II Corinthians 9:10-15
...more
30min
September 30, 2012I Peter 5:1-14
I Peter 5:1-3 regarding obeying the elders.
I Peter 5:12: Silvanus is thought to be the same as Silas who accompanied Paul on some of his missionary journeys.
...more
30min
September 26, 2012On Baptism
Part 1: Generation the conversation
It is important to meet people where they are and tailor our teaching to our intended audience.
Use topics of the day. Don’t be afraid to steer the conversation into religion!
Part 2: Having the conversation
Does truth exist? If so, where is it found?
All have sinned - Romans 3:23
Penalty for sin - Romans 6:23
But God intervenes - John 3:16
Keep His commandments - John 14:15
Only Christ - Acts 4:12
...more
30min
September 23, 2012Benevolent Work of the Church
In each passage, saints were relieved by the local church:
Acts 2:44-45
Acts 4:32-35
Acts 6:1-6
Acts 11:27-30
Romans 15:25-31
I Corinthians 16:1-3 - Funds collected on the first day of the week.
II Corinthians 8:1-14
II Corinthians 9:1-14
I Timothy 5:16 - The church is only to be charged with care of those who are widows indeed.
Benevolence is because people are Christians supplying the needs of their brethren. Benevolence is not in order to convert people.
Preaching the word is placed before benevolence (Acts 6:3-4.
...more
30min
September 23, 2012Myth, Legend, and History
Shang Di - Tian
Myth
Unknown origin but proposing actual events at unspecified time
Told around extraordinary events - could not actually happen
Legend
Perceived by teller and listener as true
No happenings outside the realm of possibility
George Washington chopping down the cherry tree
History
Study of chronological events
Sima Qian - 25 A.D.
Huang Di (2400 B.C.)
Altar of heaven
Tai Shi Shandong province
Debate on dates - after flood (2450 B.C.), after tower of Babel
Site moved when capital moved
Altar of heaven
No images of Shang Di - Tian
Altat to make sacrifices on
After Solomon’s Temple built - II Chronicles 6:18
Confucius - “The ceremonies of the celestial and terrestrial sacrifices are those by which men serve Shang Di.”
Border sacrifice
Performed by the emporer of China
Called Border Sacrifice because it usually took place on the southern border of the imperial city
Ji Tian - Ceremony of Sacrifice to Heaven
Not all emperors faithful in the three yearly sacrfices that were expected
Vol. 25 - History of Han Dynasty
Corruption from 259 B.C. - A.D. 1368
False gods abolished
Border sacrifice - ceremony
Emperor - three times a year
Spring - harvest
Summer - rain
Winter solstice - to sacrifice to Heaven
Preparation for ceremonies
3 months before - unblemished sacrifice selected
Emperor put a proclamation
5 days before - prince inspection of sacrifice
3 days before - fast: no wine, mean, women, or entertainment
2 days before - inspect writings, incense
10:00 a.m. day before sacrifice: procession to the altar
Emperor and as many as 5000 people
Inside the complex
Emperor - Imperial vault
Kneel, kowtow 9 times
Inspect sacrifice, then return and bathe
Day of sacrifice
4:15 a.m.
Emperor put on robes of “bo” silk.
Wash face and hands in basin.
9 stage ceremony ending in burnt offering
Conclusion
God has strict requirements.
God wants a pure heart.
God requires a perfect sacrifice.
Jesus’ sacrifice ended sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem or at any other Altar of Heaven.
...more
30min
September 23, 2012 I Peter, Part 9
...more
30min
September 19, 2012Ezra and Nehemiah, Topic 6: Dealing With Enemies
Nehemiah 4:16-18
Timeline of Ezra 4-6:
Ezra 4:1-5, 24ff - discouraged, stopped temple work
King Cyrus (539-530 B.C.)
King Cambyses (530-522 B.C.)
King Darius I (522-486 B.C.)
Ezra 4:6- wrote an accusation
King Xerxes I (Ahaseurus) (485-464 B.C.)
Ezra 4:7-23- letter to King, work stopped again
King Artaxerxes I (464-423 B.C.)
Ezra 4:1-2- The enemies claim to seek God and try to join the effort.
II Kings 17:24-29
Ezra 4:3 - The leaders refuse to allow the enemies to join them.
Ezra 4:4 - The enemies then started discouraging the work.
Tactics used:
Persistence over time
Ezra 4:5-7 - The persecution lasted for decades. The Israelites could not simply wait out the persecution. We cannot delay obedience until persecution subsides!
Hebrews 12:1-3 - We must run with patience and endure.
Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus healed the man in the face of persecution.
Misinformation
Ezra 4:7-23 - The letter to Artaxerxes warned that Jerusalem had historically been a rebellious city.
...more
30min
September 16, 2012The Evangelistic Work of the Local Church
The local church is authorized to support the preaching of the gospel at home. (I Corinthians 9:1-14
The local church is authorized to support the preaching of the gospel away from home. (II Corinthians 11:8-9
Some people argue that Thessalonica and Berea sent wages to Paul via Philippi.
The truth of the matter:
Philippians 4:15-16 - Philippi sent wages to Paul
II Corinthians 11:8-9 - Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea sent wages to Paul.
Central organizations for evangelism are not authorized - period.
Is this scriptural?
Individuals contributing to a common fund to support a preacher.
Yes, the local church can fulfil that role.
Is this scriptural if it is not a local church?
No. God specified the arrangement through which this is to occur.
...more
30min
September 16, 2012Are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Part of the Old Covenant?
Jesus lived under the Old Covenant
Matthew 5:17-18
Some say that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and only taught Old Covenant teachings.
But Jesus introduced the New Covenant that would soon take effect
Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom which was “at hand.”
Matthew 3:1
Jesus introduced new truths not found in the Old Covenant.
John 4:20 - worshiping in a different place
John 3:3-5 - talking to Nicodemus about baptism
The words of Jesus before the cross were still binding after the cross.
Matthew 28:19-20
I Corinthians 11:23-25
Colossians 1:13
So what?
Galatians 5:3
Matthew 19:3-9 - This changes the rules for marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
Hebrews 1:1-2
...more
30min

FAQs about ScriptureStream:

How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 3,247 episodes available.