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ScriptureStream episodes

  • The Lord's Supper: Its Meaning

    Please read Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29; and 1 Corinthians 10:16. Every point made in this article will be from one of these passages.

    The Lord’s Supper is a communion. (1 Corinthians 10:16) The bread is a communion with the body of Christ and the cup is a communion with the blood of Christ. It is our fellowship with Christ.

    The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation. It proclaims His life (Matthew 16:26), His death (1 Corinthians 11:26), His mission (Luke 19:10), and His coming (1 Corinthians 11:26). It proclaims that His kingdom is established (Matthew 26:29). It proclaims that He has not come the second time (1 Corinthians 11:26). It proclaims that we are under the new covenant (Matthew 26:28). It also proclaims our faith and love for Him.

    The Lord’s Supper is a memorial. Memory is a great factor. Manmade memorials fade away, but Christ has given us a memorial that will not fade away. Man’s greatest danger is to forget God. “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.” (Jeremiah 2:32). The Lord’s Supper is not an emblem or a representative. It is a memorial – “This do in remembrance of me.”

    The Lord’s Supper is an anticipation. (1Corinthians 11:26) “Till I come.” Thus, the Supper is a monument to His coming. Therefore, when we partake the Supper, we must be thinking about His death and His promise to come to receive the faithful to Himself. Else, we eat and drink damnation to ourselves. (1 Corinthians 11:27, 29).

    In view of all this, we see that we must partake discerningly (1 Corinthians 11:27-29), reverently, and regularly (Acts 20:7).

    We often hear one that serves at the table pray for Jesus to bless the bread. He has already done that (Matthew 26:26). Rather, we should be praying that He bless us as we partake.

    The prayer of thanks at the table should be just that. We often hear one pray for some good things, but never thank the Lord for the bread or cup. I have made this point in a number of sermons at Benchley. Brethren, when at the table, please remember to thank the Lord for the bread in memorial of this body and the cup in memorial of His blood. And please center your prayer on this. When one prays for other things at the table, he centers his and others’ thoughts on other things. This is a serious matter. When we let our thoughts be on other things, we eat and drink damnation to ourselves. Surely, we do not want our prayer at the table to do that.

    Brethren, please sincerely answer these questions.

    What about the one who plans a trip on Sunday and misses the Supper?

    What about the one who goes hunting and takes along some bread and grape juice and stops long enough to “partake”?

    What about ones who go on a trip to the holy land and take along some elements and take ship-side communion?

    In short, what about one who deliberately misses the local church Supper and makes some kind – any kind – of arrangements to take some bread and grape juice and call it the Lord’s Supper? Then answer this question: When one does any of these, is he/she putting the Lord first?

    Mike Fleming, who used to be an elder here, has planned many trips to the holy land. But he has always planned the trip so that the ones on the trip could be with a local church on Sunday and take the Supper with a local church. When one goes on a holy land trip and does not so plan the trip, he is not putting the Lord first.

    Over forty-five years ago, I saw the following from Jerry Ray. I borrow it from him to close this study.

    The Lord’s Supper looks:

    • Inward – examine self
    • Outward – shows faith to Jesus and others.
    • Backward – to Jesus’ death
    • Upward – to our King and Savior
    • Forward – to His coming

      • Jesse Jenkins

      30 min
    • Righteous Living: Self-Control

      [Note: We had some technical difficulties with the microphone during this class, so I have edited this audio to remove the dead spots in the recording. -MRW]

      Introduction
      • Acts 24:25
        • It leads us toward wonderful outcomes.
        • Titus 2:11-14 – We must deny ourselves.
        • Luke 9:23
        • Jesus had perfect self-control. He is the ultimate example.
        • I Corinthians 9:23-27 – Paul also showed tremendous self-control. His self-control gave him the opportunity to do much greater things.
        • II Peter 2:14, 18-19 – The false teachers were denying the need for self-control.
        • Self-control is more likely than talent to lead to success. Even secular research shows the benefits of self-control.
        • You never outgrow your need for self-control.
          • We can exercise and develop it like a muscle.
          • Peter developed enough self-control to be qualified as an elder.
          • Galatians 5:22-25 – Self-control is a choice.
          • II Peter 1:5-8 – These qualities must increase in our lives.
          • Secular research shows that building self-control in one area of your life helps build self-control in other areas also.
          • We can help our children exercise self-control by giving them opportunities to do so.
            • 39 min
          • Scriptures to Remember During Pride Month
            Introduction
            • Ephesians 4:14-15
              • “Contrary to sound teaching” (I Timothy 1:10)
              • I Timothy 1:8-10 – Homosexuality is contrary to God’s law.
              • Sinful people especially need God’s law to guide them.
              • Mark 2:17
              • Homosexuality was a common sin in Paul’s day.
              • We have all committed sin. We all need God’s grace.
              • I Timothy 1:12-14
              • We should not look down our noses at other people because we are all guilty of sin.
              • Luke 18:9-14
              • Just because we all sin doesn’t mean that any sin is okay.
              • The reason Christians come out so strongly against this sin is because the world puts such a spotlight on it.
              • Matthew 16:24; Colossians 3:5; I Peter 4:3; I Corinthians 7:11; I Timothy 1:10
                • “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord” (I Corinthians 1:31)
                • I Corinthians 1:25-31 – No one may boast before God.
                • Sometimes the attitude about the sin is just as bad as the sin itself.
                • I Corinthians 5:1-6
                • Romans 1:26-27, 32 – Homosexuality is clearly wrong. Giving approval of homosexuality is also wrong! Compare Acts 8:1.
                • Romans 6:23 – Sin causes spiritual death.
                • II Timothy 3:1-5
                • I John 2:16
                  • “Such were some of you; but you were washed” (I Corinthians 6:11)
                  • I Corinthians 6:9-11 – The church in Corinth was made up of people who had put away all these sins.
                  • Whatever sin you are drawn to, God loves you!
                    • 24 min
                  • 2 Corinthians 7:2-16
                    II Corinthians 7
                    • II Corinthians 7:2 – Possibly, Paul had been charged with taking advantage of them in taking up a collection. See also II Corinthians 11:20; 1:3-4
                    • II Corinthians 7:5 – This could be describing the anxiety Paul had for the state of the Christians in Achaia and how they responded to his last letter.
                    • II Corinthians 7:8 – Paul’s rebuke caused them sorrow, but he did not regret it once he saw the way they handled it. He did not like rebuking them at the time, though.
                    • II Corinthians 7:9-10 – Godly grief causes repentance, which leads to a life with a clean conscience.
                    • II Corinthians 7:12 – This is an extended not-but passage. Paul did write I Corinthians for the sake of both the offender and offended, but that was not his primary purpose.
                    • II Corinthians 7:14 – Paul had boasted to Titus about the Corinthians and was validated in that boasting.
                      • 44 min
                    • When All the Nations are Gathered Before Him
                      Introduction
                      • Matthew 25:31-46
                        • “He will separate them”
                        • Matthew 25:31-33
                        • We need to live like we know the judgment is coming!
                        • Hebrews 9:27
                        • Matthew 12:26 – This will be an exacting judgment!
                        • Acts 10:40-43
                        • Am I ready to meet the judge?
                          • “you did it to Me”
                          • Matthew 25:37-40
                          • This is not a comprehensive list of how to serve God. But these are things Jesus cares about!
                          • These are all relatively easy things to do. We can’t be so afraid that we can’t do something big that we end up doing nothing at all.
                            • “you did not do it to Me”
                            • Matthew 25:42-45 – These are sins of omission.
                            • Matthew 25:18, 26-30 – The one talent man did wrong by doing nothing.
                            • I Timothy 5:16
                            • Do I assist a needy widow when I should?
                            • Let us not be guilty of failing to act.
                              • “the eternal fire”
                              • Matthew 25:33, 41, 46 – This is Jesus saying what’s going to happen.
                              • Jesus did not shy away from talking about hell:
                                • Matthew 5:22, 29, 30
                                • Matthew 10:28
                                • Matthew 12:37, 41, 42
                                • Matthew 13:41-42, 49-50
                                • Matthew 18:8, 9
                                • Matthew 23:15, 33
                                  • 28 min
                                • The Truth
                                  Introduction

                                  2 John 1:1-4:

                                  1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2 For the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.

                                  From this passage want to notice five things.

                                  There is a state into which all people enter who obey truth.

                                  The elect lady and her children were in truth. John knew they were in truth by revelation. We can know who are in truth by their fruits (Matthew 7:20).

                                  There is a correlated body of teaching known as truth which is understandable by man.

                                  John and others knew truth. Truth has identity; is definite. Jesus also taught this (John 8:32). Truth was once a mystery, but now it has been made known and can be understood (Ephesians 3:3-4). Anything that differs in any way with this correlated body of truth is a lie (1 John 2:4; Romans 3:4).

                                  Truth furnishes man’s motivation.

                                  John did things for truth’s sake (2 John 1:2). Many who are members of a local church that says it is of Christ have not learned this. They use many things other than truth for motivation. They use such things as kitchens, youth camps, ball teams, etc. for motivation. They have not learned that a thing cannot be done for truth’s sake if truth has not authorized it. Let us use some examples of doing things for truth’s sake. Abraham offered his son for truth’s sake (Genesis 22). Noah built an ark for truth’s sake. Abel offered a blood offering for truth’s sake (Genesis 4). Israelites, for truth’s sake, had to offer their offerings at the place where God had put His name (Exodus 20:24). We must do many things for truth’s sake. One who believes is baptized in the Name of Jesus for truth’s sake. We must, for truth’s sake, exalt Christ’s local church over manmade institutions that are made for religious work and worship. In short, we must contend for the truth (Jude 1:3).

                                  Truth is the governing principle of the Christian’s life.

                                  The people of our text walked in truth. Truth dwells in the Christian (2 John 1:2). Truth is to be believed. It is to be loved. It is to be obeyed.

                                  Note: The silence of the scripture must be respected also.

                                  Truth is indestructible.

                                  Truth will be with us forever (2 John 1:2). Truth endureth forever (1 Peter 2:25).

                                  Also, truth will judge in the last day. John 12:48:

                                  He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

                                  From 2 John 1:3, we learn that it will be grace and peace for those who have walked in truth.

                                  Let us be sure we believe, love and obey the truth now, and make it the guide of our lives. If so, it will be our salvation.

                                  Jesse Jenkins

                                  30 min
                                • Righteous Living: Integrity
                                  Introduction
                                  • Proverbs 10:9; 11:3, 5; 20:7
                                  • The English word “integrity” does not appear in some English translations, but the concept is present in the Bible.
                                    • Strong’s number: H8537 – blamelessness, integrity
                                      • Integrity involves righteousness in all areas of life.
                                      • Psalms 15
                                      • Psalms 101
                                      • I Kings 9:4-5 – David was help up as an example of integrity, despite his sin. Integrity doesn’t mean completely sinless. This should give us hope!
                                      • Job lists areas in his life where he has had integrity:
                                        • Job 31:1, 9-12 – Moral purity
                                        • Job 31:5-8 – Not guilty of falsehood
                                        • Job 31:13-15 – Just in dealing with others
                                        • Job 31:16-23 – Care for the poor and needy
                                        • Job 31:24-28 – Not guilty of materialism
                                        • Job 31:29-30 – Has not cursed his enemy
                                        • Job 31:31-32 – Hospitality
                                        • Job 31:33-34 – Has not tried to hide sins like Adam
                                          • People of integrity live by God’s code of honor (even when others don’t like it)
                                          • I Peter 2:13; 3:5, 17
                                          • Psalms 26
                                            • You enjoy a clean conscience!
                                            • Psalms 32:3
                                            • Living with integrity helps us protect our conscience.
                                            • Psalms 24:3-5
                                            • Acts 24:16
                                            • Romans 13:5
                                            • Hebrews 13:18
                                            • I Peter 3:16
                                              • Integrity makes you an incredible employee!
                                              • Colossians 3:22-24
                                              • Ephesians 6:5-8
                                              • Proverbs 16:11
                                              • Proverbs 19:1
                                              • Proverbs 28:6
                                              • Luke 3:13-14
                                                • 39 min
                                              • Second-rate Service
                                                Introduction
                                                • Romans 12:10-13
                                                  • Service to God
                                                  Time
                                                  • Acts 24:25-27
                                                    • Money
                                                    • Matthew 15:4-6
                                                      • Effort
                                                      • Haggai 1:2-5
                                                        • Prayer
                                                        • Daniel 6:10
                                                        • I Thessalonians 5:17
                                                          • Meditation
                                                          • Joshua 1:8
                                                          • I Timothy 4:15
                                                          • Do we ever just sit an think about spiritual things?
                                                            • Worship
                                                            • Malachi 1:8, 13
                                                              • Warning!

                                                              If things are tight, is it spiritual things that we cut first? If so, we are making Satan’s work easy!

                                                              Strategies to help:
                                                              Love God more!
                                                              • II Corinthians 8:1-5
                                                              • Spend time thinking about what God has done for us (Psalms 77:11-15).
                                                              • Read the Bible (Psalms 119:159-164).
                                                                • Sacrifice self more!
                                                                • Matthew 16:24-25; Acts 4:34-37
                                                                • Jesus must be our first priority!
                                                                  • Make spiritual things important and urgent in our lives.
                                                                  • Luke 12:17-23, 29-31
                                                                  • The four quadrants of the important/urgent matrix.
                                                                  • Luke 9:57-62 – Move earthly things back to the important but not urgent category.
                                                                  • Luke 8:14; 10:40-42 – Limit not important, but urgent things as much as possible.
                                                                  • Make sure spiritual things don’t end up in the not important and not urgent category!
                                                                    • 28 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…