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 3,198 episodes available.

ScriptureStream episodes:

September 15, 2024Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20
Deuteronomy 18
Deuteronomy 18:1-8 – Levite portion
The Levites would be supported by a portion of the offerings. This worked great as long as the people did what they were commanded.
Deuteronomy 18:9-19 – Who should Israel listen to?
They were to stay far away from witchcraft and sorcery.
Israel was to listen to the prophets to come.
See John 1:21. This is a reference to the Prophet in Deuteronomy 18:15.
John 7:40-43
Acts 3:19-26 – All the prophets looked forward to the coming of Jesus.
Moses’ words have now come true in Jesus.
Acts 7:35-53 – Stephen compares the Jews rejection of Moses to their rejection of Jesus.
Hebrews 1:1; 2:1-4
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 – The test of a prophet.
Deuteronomy 19
Deuteronomy 19:1-13 – Cities of refuge
God clearly considers motive. There is a difference between murder and manslaughter.
Numbers 9:10-13.
Note that these are matters of the heart. The Law of Moses was not merely a physical law. The heart mattered.
Deuteronomy 19:14-21 – Miscellaneous laws relating to honesty.
Quotes from America’s founding fathers:
“Public virtue cannot exist in a Nation without private Virtue.” – John Adams
“Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government” and “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people.” – George Washington
“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.” – Benjamin Franklin
“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical [imaginary] idea.” – James Madison
“No government can continue good but under the control of the people; and … their minds are to be informed by education what is right and what wrong; to be encouraged in habits of virtue and to be deterred from those of vice …” – Thomas Jefferson
“Neither the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt. He therefore is the truest friend of the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue.” – Samuel Adams
“A vitiated [impure] state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom.” – Patrick Henry
Deuteronomy 20
“When you go out to battle …”
Deuteronomy 20:5-9 – Reasons for men to be excused from battle.
Deuteronomy 20:18 – They were going to battle to prevent the spread of idolatry.
...more
43min
September 15, 2024Five Things to Remember When I Feel Discouraged
Introduction
Job 1:12; 2:6-10
Job 17:1 – Job was broken by what he’d gone through.
How do we keep from getting overwhelmed when things pile up in our lives?
Job 7:20
Job 14:1 – Job had lost perspective.
This is temporary. God is going to fix all this.
God does not owe us an explanation for anything. He has told us what we need to know.
James 4:5
James 5:10
Hebrews 11:10
God is in control, even when I don’t understand everything.
Job was ignorant of what was going on behind the scenes.
Job 13:3, 15, 20 – Job wanted to argue his case before God.
Job 23:3
Job 1:20-22
Job 42:3
It is okay if I don’t understand everything.
I should blame Satan, not myself or God.
Job 1:1
Luke 13:1-3 – Sometimes bad things just happen.
Be careful about assigning things to God.
Job 1:22 – Job never blamed God.
Nothing on earth is worse than Hell, or better than Heaven.
Matthew 25:34, 41
I need to spend time with mature Christians.
Job 22:23; 8:6; 11:14 – Job’s friends had terrible advice.
We need to spend time with people who will give good advice.
Acts 2:46; 12:12 – Early Christians came together.
Seek out mature Christians who can help.
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33min
September 11, 2024Gender / Sex
Introduction
“If I Were the Devil” by Paul Harvey, 1965
Questions
What is the difference between gender and sex as it refers to the attributes or characteristics of a person?
Jennifer Sey and XX-XY Athletics
How does Genesis 2 and Matthew 19 differentiate between gender and sex?
Genesis 2:7, 22-24; Matthew 19:4-6
It does not differentiate. There is no difference between sex and gender.
What are some of the differences between man and woman from Genesis 4, 3, 21 and I Samuel 1?
Genesis 4:1-2, 17, 25; 3:16, 20; 21:7
I Samuel 1:23
Only women can bear children. It takes a man to start the process.
From the previous verses do gender and sex correspond?
They are the same!
How can these verses be used in the discussion of gender and sex? (Psalms 139:14-15; Genesis 1:26-28, 31; Isaiah 44:2, 24)
What can the previous verses strengthen?
How was the “gender” determined from Genesis 17:12-14 and Leviticus 12:2, 3, 5?
By specific physical characteristics.
Is it difficult to understand God’s position on the differences between male and female from I Corinthians 11:14-15 and Deuteronomy 22:5?
From I Corinthians 6:19-20 what is a major issue that’s missing in the discussion of gender and sex?
We are not our own. We belong to God!
What is the difference between the terms gender and sex as it refers to the attributes or characteristics of a person?
1. There is no difference.
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41min
September 08, 2024Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, Part 2
Questions about marriage, divorce, and remarriage
What should happen in an unlawful marriage?
Luke 16:18
I Corinthians 6:9
They must divorce and repent of their adultery.
“But marriage itself is holy. No one should be told to divorce.”
Ezra 9-10 – Unlawful marriages were broken up.
Mark 6:17-18
Are divorced people still “married in God’s eyes”?
I know of no passage that uses or implies that wording or concept. Sometimes we might say that because we’re trying to communicate the fact that God doesn’t approve.
Luke 16:18
Romans 7:2-3 – This is clearer language: “bound by law,” “joined.”
Mark 10:11-12
Matthew 19:9
What about marriages and divorces before one was ever a Christian?
God’s laws are for everyone, Christians and non-Christians.
I Corinthians 6:9-11 – Adulterers will not inherit the kingdom of God.
“such were some of you” – some of the Corinthians had evidently gotten out of adulterous situations
If God’s laws do not apply to non-Christians, why are people told to repent before they are baptized (Acts 2:38)?
And why would you even get baptized and become a Christian, if prior to that you have no sin and therefore no need of salvation?
Does forgiveness change the situation?
Acts 2:38; 8:22; 26:20
If I steal a car …
Then I pray for forgiveness …
Can I keep the car?
No – it is still a sin for me to have it.
If I take an unlawful wife …
Then I pray for forgiveness …
Can I keep the wife?
No – it is still a sin for me to have her.
Does I Corinthians 7:15 give another exception to God’s marriage law?
“bondage”: “enslaved” (ESV, LSB) or “servitude” (YLT)
There is no permission for remarriage here.
Does I Corinthians 7:27-28 give another exception?
I Corinthians 7:25-28 – Paul was saying that because of the current situation, it was not a good time to get married.
What does “released” mean? It can’t mean, “divorced for any reason” because that would contradict I Corinthians 7:10-11 and many other verses.
“Released” may be better translated “free.”
Can the innocent party divorce years after the divorce?
A man divorces his wife (not for fornication).
Years later, he remarriages.
Can the first wife now divorce him for fornication and remarry with God’s approval (Matthew 19:9)?
No. You can’t divorce someone you’re not married to.
Conclusion
Nothing is GREATER than fellowship with God; nothing lasts LONGER than Heaven.
...more
32min
September 08, 2024Deuteronomy 15:1-17:20
Deuteronomy 15
Deuteronomy 15:1-11 – Remission of debts every seven years.
God instituted various ways to help the poor and keep them from getting trapped in a destitute state.
God demanded generosity toward the poor.
Deuteronomy 15:12-18 – When a fellow Hebrew hits rock bottom
How to handle slaves (for debt or other reasons)
Deuteronomy 15:19-23 – Firstborn males belong to God.
Deuteronomy 16
Deuteronomy 16:1-8 – Feast of Passover and unleavened bread.
Exodus 11:1, 4-7 – The tenth plague – death of the firstborn.
Exodus 12:5-7, 12-13 – The Passover feast instituted.
There are some parallels with Jesus’ death:
Passover Feast/Lamb
Jesus
Observed night of Exodus – Exodus 12:11-12
Observed night of arrest – Luke 22:7, 54
Israel’s Passover – Exodus 12:47
Our Passover – I Corinthians 5:7
Unblemished – Exodus 12:5
Unblemished – I Peter 1:19
No bones broken – Exodus 12:46
No bones broken – John 19:36
Saved by its blood – Exodus 12:13
Saved by His blood – Romans 5:9
Must apply the blood – Exodus 12:22
Must apply His blood – Romans 6:3-4
Deuteronomy 16:9-12 – Feast of Weeks (Harvest, Firstfruits, “Pentecost”)
Seven weeks after the start of the harvest. It was seven weeks plus one day, so fifty days. Pentecost comes from a word meaning “fifty.”
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 – Feast of Booths / Tabernacles (Ingathering)
See Leviticus 23:33-36.
Deuteronomy 17
Deuteronomy 17:1 – Blemished sacrifices
Deuteronomy 17:2-7 – Anyone serves other Gods, stone them.
If you see someone serving an idol, take care of it!
Deuteronomy 17:8-13 – Difficult legal disputes.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 – Rules for future kings
God didn’t want them to have a king, but knew it would happen and provided laws for it anyway.
The king himself was supposed to write a copy of the law.
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44min
September 08, 2024Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage, Part 1
Introduction
Mark 6:17-19
This can be a very emotional topic!
John 12:48
I Corinthians 6:9-10 – Fornication and adultery can keep us out of heaven!
If you work hard enough, you will find someone who agrees with you on any topic. But we must follow God’s word.
Seven scriptures about marriage
Genesis 2:18-22, 24
The Bible doesn’t always use the word “married” to refer to marriage. If often uses a descriptive phrase.
Deuteronomy 24:2; 7:3
Ezekiel 16:8
I Corinthians 7:2
Romans 7:3
In Hebrew and Greek, there are no separate words for “husband” or “wife.” Context must indicate whether it is “man” or “husband.”
Old Testament Hebrew:
is man or husband
issa woman or wife
New Testament Greek
aner man or husband
gyne woman or wife
issa – Genesis 2:22-3:2
aner – John 4:16-18
Words can refer figuratively to the past or future.
Figure of speech: prolepsis
Luke 2:11 – Jesus was not yet the Savior.
Deuteronomy 22:23-24
Figure of speech: adjournment
Exodus 7:10, 12 – Aaron’s staff was now a serpent.
John 9:17
II Samuel 11:26 – Uriah was not still technically her husband.
II Samuel 12:10
Mark 6:17-19 – Herodias was not still technically the wife of Philip.
Romans 7:1-4
Paul’s main point is how a change of law works. He uses marriage as an illustration of this.
In Romans 7:2-3, the law under consideration is God’s law. The marriage and the bond are two different things. The woman is bound to one man and married to another, making her an adulteress.
I Corinthians 7:39
“Only in the Lord” – in harmony with God’s marriage laws.
“bound” – not free to marry another
Mark 10:11-12
Marriage law is the same for men and women.
Luke 16:18
Divorcing a spouse and marrying another causes one to commit adultery.
Matthew 19:9
If the divorce is due to sexual immorality, the innocent party is free to remarry. The guilty party is not free to remarry.
Matthew 5:32
Divorcing a spouse except for sexual immorality “causes her” to commit adultery by putting the spouse in a difficult situation.
Conclusion
Sin and Satan are the problems here, not God or His laws.
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35min
September 04, 2024Ecclesiastes
Overview
Without God, all is vanity.
The book compares values with ultimate value.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
There is a time for everything. Discerning the proper time for things is part of wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God has put eternity into our hearts.
Ecclesiastes 5:2
See Isaiah 55:8. We only see a small part of the whole picture.
We must be careful how we speak, especially to God.
Ecclesiastes 5:10
Wealth is not fulfilling. The more you have, the more you want.
Ecclesiastes 7:5-6
Listen to the wise. You will never grow listening to people who only tell you what you want to hear. We should seek people who will be honest with us and humble ourselves.
Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
Be careful what you say and don’t respond too quickly because you have probably said the same or worse yourself.
Ecclesiastes 10:20
Be careful what you say about others. Guard your thoughts to help control your speech.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
Work hard. Work because of how God has blessed you.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
Don’t be lazy!
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Fear God and keep His commandments.
...more
40min
September 01, 2024Paul's Conversion
Introduction
Philippians 3:7
Paul had changed masters.
Galatians 1:1
Acts 9:1-2, 13 – Paul is using the authority of men.
Acts 9:3-5, 15 – Paul was now going to do Jesus’ bidding.
This change of authority changed everything for Paul!
Galatians 1:6-10 – Paul recognized an authority higher than himself.
Galatians 2:1-5 – Paul was openly preaching to Gentiles now and defending Titus from being circumcised.
Galatians 2:20 – Have I changed masters?
Galatians 5:16-24 – It is our choice which of these things we do.
Paul didn’t let his past stop him from teaching the truth now.
Galatians 1:11-13, 22-24 – Because of his change, people were now glorifying God.
I Thessalonians 4:3-5
Are we afraid to speak out against things we used to do?
I Timothy 4:15-16 – Paul was a great teacher because of his past and how drastic his change was.
If only perfect people could teach or advise, who would be qualified?
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26min
September 01, 2024Deuteronomy 12:1-14:29
Deuteronomy 12
Deuteronomy 12:1-4 – Don’t worship like that.
They were effectively cheating on God with false idols.
Deuteronomy 12:5-32 – The place which the Lord your God will choose.
The tabernacle was the place God chose for certain types of worship. (Exodus 40:17)
The tabernacle traveled with them in their wandering, even after they crossed into Canaan.
See II Chronicles 7:11. The temple built by Solomon replaced the tabernacle.
They were to worship in the place that God chose. It was important to God that they worshiped in the right way. It is still important to God that we worship in the right way today.
Deuteronomy 12:17-19 – Do not forsake the Levites.
Numbers 18:20-21; 35:7
Nehemiah 13:10 – The system broke down.
Deuteronomy 12:29-31 – Do not worship in all the evil ways the Canaanites did (child sacrifice, etc.).
Deuteronomy 13
Deuteronomy 13:1-5 – A prophet or a dreamer of dreams.
If someone is trying to get you to worship an idol, they are to be put to death.
Deuteronomy 13:6-11 – Your close family and friends.
Compare Matthew 10:34-39 – Don’t let anyone come between you and God.
Deuteronomy 13:12-18 – Worthless men who seduce a whole city.
Deuteronomy 14
Reminders of God’s rules for clean and unclean food.
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45min
August 28, 2024Excuses
Excuses in the Bible
Luke 14:15-24
Even when God offers blessings, we can come up with reasons not to accept them.
Genesis 3:8-13
Excuses have been around since the beginning.
II Kings 5:10-14
Naaman made an excuse to not follow Elisha’s instructions.
Excuses today
I cannot understand the Bible.
Some day but not right now.
Luke 9:57-62
Luke 12:16-21
Too much to give up.
Matthew 16:26
I’m good enough now.
Romans 3:23
Acts 4:12
Conclusion
Romans 1:21
Excuses do us more harm than good.
Philippians 2:12
...more
43min

FAQs about ScriptureStream:

How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 3,198 episodes available.