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ScriptureStream

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ScriptureStream episodes

  • How Do You Help People?
    Introduction
    • I Corinthians 1:1-3
      • Love them.
      • I Corinthians 1:4 – These people were troublesome for Paul, but he was thankful for them.
      • I Corinthians 4:14-15
      • I Corinthians 10:14 – He loved them!
      • I Corinthians 15:58
      • I Corinthians 16:23-24
      • The simple fact that he was writing to them shows his love for the Corinthians.
      • There is nothing in the Bible that says you must have a relationship with someone before you can helm them spiritually. Paul spoke to complete strangers constantly.
        • Tell them what’s right and wrong.
        • Paul was clear with the Corinthians:
          • I Corinthians 1:10-11 – divisions among them
          • I Corinthians 3:1 – men of flesh … infants in Christ
          • I Corinthians 4:7 – arrogant, as though I were not coming to you
          • I Corinthians 5:1 – immorality among you
          • I Corinthians 6:8 – you yourselves wrong and defraud
          • I Corinthians 9:11 – is it too much if we reap material things from you
          • I Corinthians 11:20 – when you meet … it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper
          • I Corinthians 15:12 – you say there is no resurrection of the dead
          • I Corinthians 7:1-2, 10 – Paul got pretty personal!
          • Imagine a doctor that won’t tell the patient what the problem is.
            • Minimize yourself and magnify God.
            • I Corinthians 1:12-15 – Paul tried to minimize himself.
            • I Corinthians 3:5
            • I Corinthians 4:1-4 – Paul describes himself as a servant. We must all stand before God.
            • I Corinthians 9:12, 15, 19-23
              • Be a good example.
              • I Corinthians 4:16-17
                • We should not be seeking glory.
                • We already are examples.
                • I Corinthians 11:1
                • I Corinthians 8:13 – Paul would forego a liberty to prevent a brother from stumbling.
                • I Corinthians 9:26-27
                • We may not realize how much people are watching us.
                  • 27 min
                • Deuteronomy 32:1-34:12
                  Deuteronomy 32
                  • Deuteronomy 32:1-47 – The song of Moses.
                    • See Deuteronomy 31:1-19 – This song was a warning of future events.
                    • Note that the decision always belonged to the people. God was laying out the paths before them, but it was theirs to choose.
                    • God is just. When we sin, it is our decision.
                      • Romans 7:7-12
                      • If there is not law, there is no sin. But we cannot blame God and His laws for our own sin. God’s laws are for our good. The problem is sin!
                      • Deuteronomy 32:15 – “Jeshurun” is a poetic, ironic reference to Israel, meaning “upright one.”
                      • Deuteronomy 32:21 – See Romans 10:19.
                      • Deuteronomy 32:44-47 – Obey God or face the consequences!
                      • Deuteronomy 32:48-52 – Moses will die on Mt. Nebo.
                        • Deuteronomy 33
                        • Deuteronomy 33:1-5 – Moses begins to bless the people.
                        • Deuteronomy 33:6-25 – Blessings for each tribe
                          • Deuteronomy 33:6 – Reuben
                          • Deuteronomy 33:7 – Judah
                          • Deuteronomy 33:8-11 – Levi
                            • It is not clear exactly what the Urim and Thummim were. Apparently, they were some sort of small token. See Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8. They were somehow used to determine the will of God.
                            • Deuteronomy 33:12 – Benjamin
                            • Deuteronomy 33:13-17 – Joseph
                            • Deuteronomy 33:18-19 – Zebulun and Issachar
                            • Deuteronomy 33:20-21 – Gad
                            • Deuteronomy 33:22 – Dan
                            • Deuteronomy 33:23 – Naphtali
                            • Deuteronomy 33:24-25 – Asher
                            • Note: Where is Simeon?
                            • Deuteronomy 33:26-29 – Conclusion of blessings
                              • Deuteronomy 34
                              • Deuteronomy 34:1-12 – The death of Moses
                                • Deuteronomy 34:1-8 – God shows Moses the land of Canaan then Moses dies and God buries him.
                                • Deuteronomy 34:9-12 – Joshua takes over as leader of Israel.
                                  • 44 min
                                • Keep Loving One Another Earnestly
                                  Introduction
                                  • I Peter 1:3, 6
                                  • I Peter 4:8
                                    • You are all one in Christ Jesus
                                    • I Peter 3:8
                                    • I Peter 2:12, 13
                                    • I Peter 3:1, 9, 14
                                    • I Peter 4:4; 3:8; 4:8 – If we have Christ in common, we can get along!
                                    • II Peter 1:1
                                    • Christ is what we have in common.
                                    • Acts 11:19-20, 21, 26, 29
                                    • Galatians 3:28-29
                                    • Matthew 13:53-58 – Jesus was not popular with the people He grew up with in His hometown – His own demographic, physically speaking.
                                    • Acts 2:9-11, 46-47 – Despite being from all different countries and cultures, those people were unified spiritually.
                                      • Serving one another
                                      • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – We all benefit from fellowship.
                                      • Galatians 6:1 – Help your brother!
                                      • James 5:19-20
                                      • Ephesians 4:1-3
                                      • Philippians 1:27; 2:2-4; 3:17; 4:2-3
                                      • I Peter 4:8-11
                                      • Hebrews 10:24 – “Take careful note of each other’s spiritual welfare.”
                                        • 31 min
                                      • Jethro, Part 2 and Prayer
                                        Jethro, continued:
                                        Other possible encounters
                                        • Numbers 10:29 – Hobab
                                          • Same as Jethro?
                                          • Judges 4:11 – same Hobab? Same lineage?
                                          • We know some of his family went with Israel
                                            • Settled in the promised land
                                            • Used by God to liberate Israel from oppression
                                            • Judges 4 – Jael versus Sisera
                                              • Jethro’s legacy
                                              • We can learn from his character
                                                • Hospitable
                                                • Polite and gracious
                                                • Constructive criticism
                                                • Willing to trust
                                                • Willing to release Moses
                                                • Wise use of resources
                                                  • Daughters as shepherds
                                                  • Wise counsel on delegation
                                                  • Selectivity of those right for the task
                                                  • Making God the final authority
                                                    • Prayer
                                                    • Difficult to put into one lesson – why?
                                                    • How much is it mentioned?
                                                      • 334 times
                                                      • Believe (all its forms) – 328 times
                                                      • Obey (all its forms) – 222 times
                                                      • Repentance – 74 times
                                                      • Who prayed?
                                                        • Prayer is a requirement
                                                        • Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6) – pray:
                                                          • To praise God (Matthew 6:9)
                                                          • For God’s will to be done (Matthew 6:10)
                                                          • For physical provision (Matthew 6:11)
                                                          • For forgiveness – both giving and receiving (Matthew 6:12)
                                                          • For deliverance from evil (Matthew 6:13)
                                                          • Also pray:
                                                            • For our leaders – spiritual and political (Hebrews 13:17; I Timothy 2:1, 2)
                                                            • To live a peaceful life (I Timothy 2:2)
                                                            • For gospel preachers (II Thessalonians 3:1, 2)
                                                            • To open opportunities for the gospel (Colossians 4:3)
                                                            • For other Christians and for the church (John 17:17-21)
                                                            • For the sick (James 5:14-15)
                                                            • For sinning brethren (I John 5:16)
                                                            • In thanksgiving (I Thessalonians 5:18)
                                                              • Some remarkable prayers in scripture
                                                              • Luke 18:13 – short but effective
                                                              • Numbers 6:24-26 – scripted by God
                                                              • II Kings 20:3 – Asks God to remember his thoughts and deeds
                                                              • I Kings 8:23-53 – long, but thoughtful and to the point
                                                              • Jonah 2:1-10 – prayer with immediate results
                                                              • Daniel 9:4-19 – begging forgiveness for his nation
                                                              • I King 18:36-37 – calls God to open people’s eyes
                                                              • I Kings 3:5-10 – asks God’s help to lead
                                                                • Who prayed?
                                                                • Men everywhere – I Timothy 2:8
                                                                • Women gathered by a river – Acts 16:13
                                                                • Epaphras – Colossians 4:2
                                                                • Jabez – I Chronicles 4:9-10
                                                                • The tax collector – Luke 18:10-14
                                                                • Hannah – I Samuel 1:10-11; 2:1-10
                                                                • Jesus – 25 accounts in the gospels
                                                                  • Subject of this series
                                                                  • The little-known or lesser known
                                                                  • Does prayer fit this description for you?
                                                                    • 41 min
                                                                  • Death of Jesus
                                                                    Matthew 26-28
                                                                    • Matthew 26:1-5 – A plot is underway to kill Jesus.
                                                                    • Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus eats the Passover and institutes the Lord’s Supper with his apostles.
                                                                    • Matthew 26:59-68 – They bring up false changes on Jesus and treat Him roughly.
                                                                    • Matthew 27:1-2 – Jesus delivered to Pilate. They Jews sought capital punishment.
                                                                    • Matthew 27:11-14, 18 – Jesus did not speak to defend Himself.
                                                                    • Matthew 27:22-26 – Pilate tries to make himself innocent of Jesus’ death.
                                                                    • Matthew 27:45-46 – Was Jesus really forsaken on the cross?
                                                                      • See Luke 23:46 – This would indicate that Jesus was still in fellowship with God the Father.
                                                                      • John 8:29; 16:32 – Jesus is always in fellowship with God the Father.
                                                                      • Hebrews 7:26
                                                                      • Hebrews 9:14 – Jesus was perfect and without blemish.
                                                                      • I Peter 1:18-19
                                                                      • I Peter 2:24 – Jesus was an offering for our sins.
                                                                      • Psalms 22:1 – Jesus is quoting this and expressing the same sentiment as David. He was in great distress, but still trusted in God.
                                                                      • Matthew 27:50-54 – A number of miracles occur at Jesus’ death: darkness for three hours, an earthquake, dead were raised, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. See Hebrews 9:6-14, 24-28. Jesus’ sacrifice was so powerful it only needed to be offered once for all time (Hebrews 10:10-14). Now all of us have access to the most holy place (Hebrews 10:19-20).
                                                                      • Matthew 27:62-66 – Jesus’ tomb is secured.
                                                                      • Matthew 28:1-7 – Jesus was raised!
                                                                        • What Jesus’ death means to me.
                                                                        I am loved!
                                                                        • Revelation 1:5
                                                                          • I can leave my past behind.
                                                                          • Romans 6:6
                                                                            • My future is different.
                                                                            • Galatians 2:20
                                                                              • 29 min
                                                                            • Deuteronomy 29:1-31:30
                                                                              Deuteronomy 29
                                                                              • Deuteronomy 29:1 – Renewing the covenant
                                                                              • Deuteronomy 29:2-9 – Reviewing the past 40 years
                                                                                • Deuteronomy 29:4 – See Deuteronomy 30:19. The people were able to make moral decisions. God was trying hard to get them to make the right decision.
                                                                                • Deuteronomy 29:5-6 – God provided manna from Exodus 16 – Joshua 5:12.
                                                                                • Deuteronomy 29:10-18 – “enter into the covenant”
                                                                                • Deuteronomy 29:19-29 – The aftermath of Israel’s fall.
                                                                                  • Deuteronomy 29:23 – See Genesis 19:24. Sodom and Gomorrah were an example for centuries to come, but God destroyed other cities as well (Hebrews 11:8).
                                                                                  • Deuteronomy 29:29 – The secret things belong to God.
                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 30
                                                                                    • Captivity (Jews taken to Assyria and Babylon)
                                                                                    • Restoration (Jews allowed to return and rebuild)
                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 30:1, 2, 6, 10, 14 – God always wanted people who sincerely obeyed.
                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 30:11-14 – They had the law. It was not far from them.
                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – God lays out their choice. “… so choose life …”
                                                                                      • The good path
                                                                                      The evil path
                                                                                      Life and prosperity
                                                                                      Death and adversity
                                                                                      Love the Lord your God
                                                                                      Worship other gods
                                                                                      Live and multiply
                                                                                      Perish
                                                                                      Bless you in the land
                                                                                      Prolong your days in the land
                                                                                      Life
                                                                                      Death
                                                                                      Blessing
                                                                                      Curse
                                                                                      Deuteronomy 31
                                                                                      • Deuteronomy 31:1-8 – Joshua will succeed Moses.
                                                                                        • Life of Moses
                                                                                          • 1st 40 years
                                                                                            • Raised as an Egyptian
                                                                                            • Exodus 2:11; Acts 7:23
                                                                                            • 2nd 40 years
                                                                                              • Shepherd in Midian
                                                                                              • Exodus 2:15; 7:7; Acts 7:29-30
                                                                                              • 3rd 40 years
                                                                                                • Leader of Israel
                                                                                                • Deuteronomy 34:7
                                                                                                • Deuteronomy 31:9-13 – Read the law every seven years.
                                                                                                • Deuteronomy 31:14-30 – Moses will die, Joshua will lead. Israel will sin.
                                                                                                  • 44 min
                                                                                                • A Couple of Practical Parenting Tips
                                                                                                  Introduction
                                                                                                  • Ephesians 6:1-4
                                                                                                    • Stay focused on the bigger picture.
                                                                                                    • Hebrews 11:8-10
                                                                                                    • God’s people have always been those who can look past present troubles and see the end goal.
                                                                                                      • Be proactive instead of reactive.
                                                                                                      • Joshua 1:6-9
                                                                                                      • John 16:1-4 – Jesus told his apostles what to expect once He left.
                                                                                                      • The whole Bible is preparing us for the future.
                                                                                                        • Address the root issues, not just the symptoms of the moment.
                                                                                                        • Hebrews 10:25; 3:12
                                                                                                        • Luke 12:13-15 – Jesus saw that the root issue was greed.
                                                                                                        • I Peter 2:11-12
                                                                                                          • Keep feelings in their proper place.
                                                                                                          • Proverbs 28:26 – It is possible for us to lead ourselves astray.
                                                                                                          • Psalms 119:105 – God’s word is the source of truth.
                                                                                                            • Make them do good things, even when they don’t feel like it.
                                                                                                            • Genesis 22:1-12 – Abraham surely didn’t feel like sacrificing Isaac.
                                                                                                            • Luke 17:4
                                                                                                            • Luke 18:9, 14 – Some today might say the Pharisee was living his truth, but Jesus said he was wrong.
                                                                                                              • Teach the value of truth over feelings.
                                                                                                              • Genesis 37:3-35 – Jacob was deceived – his feelings were false.
                                                                                                              • Proverbs 3:5,1, 6-7 – We must mold our heart to fit God’s commands.
                                                                                                              • Psalms 19:14
                                                                                                              • James 1:2
                                                                                                              • You can change your feelings to fit God’s truth.
                                                                                                                • 36 min
                                                                                                              • Jethro
                                                                                                                Who was Jethro?
                                                                                                                • After Sarah died
                                                                                                                  • Abraham takes Keturah as wife
                                                                                                                  • Keturah bears him sons
                                                                                                                  • One son was Midian
                                                                                                                  • Midianites settled “to the east” (Genesis 25:6)
                                                                                                                  • Joseph’s brothers sold him to Midianites (Genesis 47)
                                                                                                                  • Joined Moabites in hiring Balaam (Numbers 22)
                                                                                                                  • Fell into idolatry with Moabites (Numbers 25)
                                                                                                                    • Names attributed to Jethro
                                                                                                                    • Jethro – Exodus 3:1; 4:18; 18:1-12
                                                                                                                    • Reuel – Exodus 2:18; Numbers 10:29
                                                                                                                    • Hobab – Numbers 10:29; Judges 4:11
                                                                                                                    • Putiel – Exodus 6:25
                                                                                                                    • Heber – Judges 4, 5 (Jael’s husband)
                                                                                                                      • Jethro the priest
                                                                                                                      • Exodus 2:16 – “… the priest of Midian …”
                                                                                                                        • No mention of idols
                                                                                                                        • No mention of what kind of priest
                                                                                                                        • On the other hand, Melchizedek is identified with God (Genesis 14:18)
                                                                                                                        • What kind of priest?
                                                                                                                          • Tradition
                                                                                                                            • Idolatrous priest, won over to God through the miracles done for Israel in the Exodus (Talmud)
                                                                                                                            • Priest of God (secular historians)
                                                                                                                              • First to teach Moses of God
                                                                                                                              • The originator of monotheism among Israelites via Moses
                                                                                                                              • Depends on who traditions you choose
                                                                                                                              • Brings us to the problems with following traditions
                                                                                                                              • Scriptural indications
                                                                                                                                • Simple and straightforward
                                                                                                                                • Called a priest of Midian with no mention of idolatry
                                                                                                                                  • Midianites were into idolatry – Numbers 25
                                                                                                                                  • So were Israelites – Exodus 32
                                                                                                                                  • His words praise only God – Exodus 18
                                                                                                                                    • Jethro (and his aliases) in scripture
                                                                                                                                    • First found in Exodus 2:15-22
                                                                                                                                      • Moses about age 40
                                                                                                                                      • Flees Egypt, winds up at Midianite wel
                                                                                                                                      • The Jethro family encounter
                                                                                                                                      • In Exodus 3, first called Jethro
                                                                                                                                        • Identified a father-in-law to Moses, priest of Midian (Exodus 3:1)
                                                                                                                                        • Again in next chapter, as Moses asks his leave (Exodus 4:18)
                                                                                                                                        • Not seen again until chapter 18
                                                                                                                                          • Sends word that he is visiting
                                                                                                                                            • Jethro’s visit to the encampment (Exodus 18:1-12)
                                                                                                                                            • Greeted outside the camp
                                                                                                                                            • Taken into the camp
                                                                                                                                              • Hears recount of the Exodus from Egypt
                                                                                                                                              • Rejoices over God’s lovingkindness over Israel
                                                                                                                                              • Blesses God
                                                                                                                                              • Makes sacrifices to God
                                                                                                                                              • Dines with Aaron and elders of Israel
                                                                                                                                                • Jethro organizes Moses (Exodus 18:13-27)
                                                                                                                                                • Jethro observes a day in the life of Moses
                                                                                                                                                  • Sunup to sundown
                                                                                                                                                  • Counsels Moses
                                                                                                                                                    • Too much for one man
                                                                                                                                                    • Set priorities
                                                                                                                                                    • Delegated actions
                                                                                                                                                    • Gives qualifications
                                                                                                                                                    • Stipulates God’s approval
                                                                                                                                                    • Moses follows through
                                                                                                                                                    • Jethro takes his leave
                                                                                                                                                      • Other possible encounters
                                                                                                                                                      • Numbers 10:29 – Hobab
                                                                                                                                                        • Same as Jethro?
                                                                                                                                                        • Judges 4:11 – same Hobab? Same lineage?
                                                                                                                                                          • 40 min
                                                                                                                                                        • Fix the Inside
                                                                                                                                                          Introduction
                                                                                                                                                          • Matthew 22:37
                                                                                                                                                          • Proverbs 23:7
                                                                                                                                                          • Matthew 12:34
                                                                                                                                                          • Romans 12:2
                                                                                                                                                          • I Corinthians 2:14-3:4 – They were not spiritually minded and that was the root of their issues.
                                                                                                                                                          • Galatians 5:16
                                                                                                                                                          • Matthew 16:23 – Peter had a mind problem.
                                                                                                                                                          • Acts 8:21
                                                                                                                                                          • When things are going wrong, we need to look on the inside.
                                                                                                                                                            • Let God’s word does its work.
                                                                                                                                                            • Acts 28:24
                                                                                                                                                            • We must have an attitude that will let God’s word filter into our hearts.
                                                                                                                                                            • Acts 2:37
                                                                                                                                                            • Hebrews 3:7-8, 10, 12, 15; 4:6-7, 11
                                                                                                                                                              • Trust in the God of Heaven.
                                                                                                                                                              • God is in control, even though bad things happen on earth.
                                                                                                                                                              • Hebrews 12:3
                                                                                                                                                              • Hebrews 13:5-6
                                                                                                                                                              • Do we trust in our health, finances, or something else?
                                                                                                                                                              • Philippians 4:6-7
                                                                                                                                                                • Store of treasures in Heaven.
                                                                                                                                                                • Matthew 6:19
                                                                                                                                                                • Building up treasure in Heaven puts my heart in the right place.
                                                                                                                                                                • Philippians 3:18-20
                                                                                                                                                                • Colossians 3:5, 1-4
                                                                                                                                                                • Example: Bark beetle killing pine trees from the inside.
                                                                                                                                                                  • 24 min
                                                                                                                                                                • Deuteronomy 25:1-28:68
                                                                                                                                                                  Deuteronomy 25
                                                                                                                                                                  • Deuteronomy 25:1-19 – Miscellaneous laws
                                                                                                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 25:4 – See I Corinthians 9:9; I Timothy 5:17-18. This law has a broader application.
                                                                                                                                                                    • Deuteronomy 25:3 – The Pharisees were “making fences inside God’s fences” and being stricter than this law required. This was also wrong.
                                                                                                                                                                      • Deuteronomy 26
                                                                                                                                                                      • Deuteronomy 26:1-11 – Praising God with the first produce from the land.
                                                                                                                                                                      • Deuteronomy 26:12-15 – Tithe and prayer.
                                                                                                                                                                      • Deuteronomy 26:16-19 – Obey God and be His people.
                                                                                                                                                                        • Moses is completing his second speech to the people.
                                                                                                                                                                          • Deuteronomy 27
                                                                                                                                                                          • Deuteronomy 27:1-8 – Write the Law and build an altar on Mount Ebal.
                                                                                                                                                                            • Deuteronomy 27:4 – See Joshua 8:30-35. What might be an altar was found near Mt. Ebal, along with a small, folded lead tablet containing a curse written in Paleo-Hebrew (see Deuteronomy 27:14-26). Sound tests were done at the location prescribed by God in the 1800s and it was found that if the Israelites were arranged on the hills as God specified, they would be able to easily hear Joshua reading the law.
                                                                                                                                                                            • Deuteronomy 27:9-10 – “This day you have become a people for the Lord your God.”
                                                                                                                                                                            • Deuteronomy 27:11-26 – Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal
                                                                                                                                                                              • Deuteronomy 28
                                                                                                                                                                              • Deuteronomy 28:1-14 – “All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you.”
                                                                                                                                                                              • Deuteronomy 28:15-68 – “All these curses will come upon you and overtake you.”
                                                                                                                                                                                • Deuteronomy 28:47-48 – They would be cursed if they did not serve with joy.
                                                                                                                                                                                  • 39 min

                                                                                                                                                                                About ScriptureStream

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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…