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ScriptureStream episodes
- The Blessings of ObedienceIntroduction
- Deuteronomy 11:26-29
- Joshua 8:30-34
The blessings of obedienceDid this really happen? Yes!- The location is there.
- Its arrangement works.
- An altar has been found.
- Other structures have been found.
- Joshua 1:3
- Joshua 4:19-20 – Gilgal means “circle.” It’s not necessarily a city or town.
- Archaeologists found a large stone circle in the right place to be the “Gilgal” mentioned in the text.
Did the blessings come true? Yes!- Deuteronomy 28:6-7
- Late bronze age/early iron age
- Large Canaanite cities were destroyed
- Replaced by small settlements of invaders
- Dietary remains, construction techniques, and inscriptions say …
- They were Hebrews
- Joshua 11:10-11 – The ruin of Hazor
- Archaeologists found a thick layer of destruction and ash when excavating Hazor.
- Joshua 21:43-45
What do we learn?- Deuteronomy 11:26-27
- The blessings of obedience
- The blessing of God’s help
- The blessing of righteousness
- The blessing of true success
- The blessing of rest and peace
- The blessing of a lasting legacy
- How do we receive them today?
- Ephesians 1:3
- John 4:14, 23
- Blessed are the poor in spirit
- Blessed are those who mourn
- Blessed are the gentle
- Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness
- Blessed are the merciful
- Blessed are the pure in heart
- Blessed are the peacemakers
- Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness
Conclusion- Obeying God from the heart beings blessings in this life and the life to come.
- These blessings are real and certain.
- We receive them in Christ.
- We should choose these blessings and the life of obedience that brings them.
29 min - The Harm of SinIntroduction
- Many people see the Bible as a list of rules you can’t break.
- When we break God’s rules, we cause harm.
- God’s rules are not arbitrary.
Where’s the harm?- Many people reject the morality of the Bible.
- They see themselves as being a better judge of what is right and wrong.
- Often, it’s a question of seeing the harm in a particular activity.
What could possibly go wrong?II Samuel 11 – David’s sinII Samuel 11:1- Where’s the harm in David staying home?
- The moral obligation of God’s word
- The most common rejection of Biblical morality is failure to do what God requires.
- People just don’t see the need.
- They see no harm in failing to act.
- Therefore, they feel no responsibility.
- No harm, no foul, no guilt.
II Samuel 11:11- When you’re not with the Lord’s people, you are missed!
- The harm in failing to do good
- The danger of idleness, II Samuel 11:2
- Failure to set a good example, II Samuel 11:4
- Failure to be grateful, II Samuel 12:7
- Failure to be content, II Samuel 12:8
II Samuel 11:2- Where’s the harm?
- Matthew 5:28 – It’s already harmful!
II Samuel 11:3- Where’s the harm?
- Proverbs 4:14-15 – Avoid the harm at the beginning!
II Samuel 11:4 – David commits adultery- Where’s the harm?
II Samuel 11:5 – Bathsheba is pregnant by David- Is this the only harm?
- Is it enough to avoid this outcome?
- If we can avoid this, is it okay?
II Samuel 11:6-9- It’s hard to manage consequences.
- Too much is outside our control!
II Samuel 11:13- We can’t control other people.
II Samuel 11:14-15 – David conspires to murder Uriah- Sin takes us places we never imagined we would go.
- We often do evil to avoid trouble, but we only cause more.
II Samuel 11:17- The harm of sin
- It comes even if we don’t see it.
- It comes no matter how hard we try to avoid it.
- It comes to people we had no intention of harming.
II Samuel 11:26-27- Does “getting away with it” mean there’s no harm?
- “the thing … displeased the Lord” – The world does not recognize this harm, but it’s the worst.
II Samuel 12:9- If it is evil in God’s eyes, it really is evil.
II Samuel 12:10- A moment of pleasure often leads to a lifetime of pain.
II Samuel 12:11The harm that David could foresee- David’s character was stained
- A marriage was violated
The harm that David could not foresee- Joab’s integrity was compromised
- Several innocent men were murdered
- A child lost his life
- David’s family was thrown into turmoil
- Two of his sons would be murdered
- The nation was plunged into civil war
But is this all the harm?- II Samuel 12:13 – How could God take away sin? Isaiah 53:5
- When you have a chance to commit sin, look to the cross!
Where’s the harm?- Many reject the morality of the Bible
- They cannot see the harm in what the Bible calls sin
- But we are woefully incapable of making such determinations
Where’s the solution?- We must follow God’s will.
- It will keep up from true harm.
- He will deliver us from the harm of our sins by bearing them Himself.
46 min - The Power of KindnessIntroduction
- Our faith can’t just be a sideshow or a hobby.
- Your faith should make you different!
Kindness- Being helpful and supportive
- Acting out of sympathy
- Voluntarily answering a need
- Being gentle and forbearing
- Usually not a big sacrifice
Examples of kindness- Drawing water for a stranger – Genesis 24:18
- Ruth taking care of Naomi – Ruth 3:10
- Recovery of Saul’s body – II Samuel 2:6
- Anointing Jesus – Matthew 26:10
- Helping shipwreck victims – Acts 28:2
The power of kindness- Kindness is an attribute of God
- Psalm 100:5
- It is the example of Christ
- Christ had all power on earth (Acts 10:38) and He used it to show kindness.
- We are called to embrace it
- Deuteronomy 22:1-2
- Proverbs 19:22; 31:26
- Isaiah 58:6-7
- Micah 6:8
- Luke 3:11
- Acts 9:36
- Galatians 5:22-23
- It has the power to effect good
What does kindness do?- It draws people together
- It engenders good will
- It shows the better way
- It defeats malice
- It draws us closer to God
- Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:21; Luke 6:35
Conclusion- Showing kindness to others is central to our faith.
- It bears all the blessings, power, and goodness of God’s spirit.
- It is how we exercise His power.
40 min - Relationships, Part 10Parent and child, continued:Exercise tough love, continuedEphesians 6:1-4
- Ephesians 6:1 – “for this is right”
- This should relieve us of any guilt in asking our children to obey.
- We want to get beyond mere obedience with our children. They need to obey with the proper attitude. We are trying to teach them how to serve God.
- Ephesians 6:2 – “Honor your father and mother”
- Proverbs 1:8; 19:26
- Both parents should be respected. Not just one!
- Ephesians 6:4 – “do not provoke your children to anger”
- Ephesians 5:18
- This is a not-but passage. Sometimes are children will be angry with us because they don’t like our decisions as parents. The emphasis here is on not causing them to be angry unnecessarily, driving them away from God.
- Colossians 3:20-21
- Ephesians 4:26, 31 – Anger itself is not necessarily sinful, but it can get that way if we don’t control it.
- Ephesians 6:4 – “bring them up”
- This phrase is translated from the same word as “nourished.”
- If, as a parent, you see something that needs correcting, speak up and do something about it!
- I Kings 1:5-6 – David had never crossed Adonijah to correct him!
40 min - Four Ways to Point People to the LordIntroduction
- I Peter 2:12
React to events like a Christian- Matthew 5:13-16
- Matthew 5:10-12 – Christians react differently to events.
- Acts 5:40-41 – They rejoiced after being beaten! They were happy to be persecuted for the sake of Christ.
- Philippians 1:12-14 – Good was coming out of Paul’s imprisonment.
Admit to past sin- Galatians 1:23-24 – People glorified God because of the change they saw in Paul.
- I Timothy 1:13-15 – Paul’s life was an example of how Christ came to save sinners.
Say things that bring out the spiritual side- Titus 2:7-8
- Every day is an opportunity to put something spiritual in someone’s mind.
- Acts 9:1; Romans 1:7 – Paul’s speech changed when he became a Christian.
- I Peter 4:11
Invite someone to learn about Jesus- John 4:7-30, 39-42 – The Samaritan woman was one of the most effective personal workers in the New Testament. All she did was say, “Come see!”
28 min - Hebrews, Part 12
- Hebrews 10:1-27
- Hebrews 10:1-4 – Under the Law of Moses, sins were remembered every year and the debt was rolled forward. When Jesus came, the debt was paid in full, never to be charged again.
- Hebrews 10:5-10 – Animal blood could never accomplish what Jesus’ sacrifice was able to do. The message of the Old Covenant was that Jesus was coming to take away sins. He took away the first covenant so He could establish the second. Note that in verse 10, “will” is God’s will – it’s not referring to a legal will and testament. It’s simply saying that Jesus came to do God’s will.
- Hebrews 10:11-14 – See Romans 15:25. The last enemy Christ will destroy is death.
- Hebrews 10:15-18 – The verse quoted here is Jeremiah 31:31-34. Jeremiah prophesied that God would make a new covenant with man.
- Hebrews 10:19-25 – Let us be sure that we are encouraging others to good works (Ephesians 2:9). As Christians, we should not be constantly complaining. In verse 25, the word translated “forsaking” means “abandonment.” The purpose of assembling is to encourage each other to love and good works (Colossians 3:16).
48 min - God Keeps His PromisesIntroduction
- Titus 1:1
The journey may surprise us- Genesis 37:2-11, 28, 36; 39:20; 40:14, 23; 41:1; 46:29-30 – There was nothing obvious about how Joseph’s story would work out!
- I Corinthians 10:13 – How will God keep this promise in various circumstances? It could be something we don’t expect. It could be through external factors or through my own practice and training.
Some promises have conditions attached- Genesis 12:5-7 – God made this promise to Abram while he was standing in the land of Canaan! See Acts 7:5.
- Joshua 23:14-16 – The land promise was contingent on them continuing to serve God.
- Colossians 1:21-23 – The promise of salvation has conditions!
- Hebrews 3:1-14; 4:1, 11 – Stay faithful! Don’t fall away.
God can work out the details- Genesis 17:19
- Genesis 22:2 – Abraham trusted God to work out the details.
- Hebrews 11:17-19
- I John 5:14
Conclusion- God’s word is a solid foundation. Let us be thankful for His promises!
29 min - Relationships, Part 9Parent and child, continued:Exercise tender love, continuedListen
- I Peter 5:6-7 – God wants us to pray to Him.
- Listen to your children, even if what they are saying seems insignificant to you. It is significant to them!
Teach- Deuteronomy 6:7-9 – The Israelites were told to teach their children all the time – not just once in a while.
- Proverbs 1:8; 6:20
- If we don’t teach our children about spiritual things, it is neglect!
- Joshua 4:4-7 – God set up memorials in part to help teach children. When children would see the memorials, it would give the parents an opportunity to teach them about God.
- II Timothy 3:16-17
Exercise tough loveEphesians 6:1-4- Obey your parents!
- Romans 1:30
- Obey your parents because this is right (Ephesians 6:1).
- To teach your children not to obey, let them whine and throw a tantrum, then reward them by giving them what they want.
- Colossians 3:20
- I John 5:3
40 min - Did Jesus Even Exist?Introduction
- Luke 1:1-4, 31
- Luke 3:23-28 – Jesus was real – here is His family!
- Luke 4:14-15
- Luke 19:37 – Jesus performed miracles and gained notoriety.
- Luke 22:54 – Jesus was arrested.
- Luke 23:1, 4, 20, 24, 33, 46 – Jesus was crucified.
- Luke 24:1-7 – Jesus rose from the dead!
- Luke 24:46-53 – Jesus ascended into heaven!
- Acts 1:1-4 – Luke wrote a sequel.
- Acts 2 – The gospel is preached at Pentecost.
- Many doubt the veracity of the New Testament.
Hostile and secular writersTacitus, Annals XV.44 (AD 110-120)- He mentioned Jesus as a historical figure who was executed by Pilate. He also mentioned the persecution of Christians.
Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars (AD 120)- Reference to Claudius persecuting Jews (see Acts 18:1-2).
Pliny the Younger, Letter 96 (AD 110)- Reference to persecution of Christians.
Lucian of Samosata, The Death of Peregrine (AD 125-180)- Reference to Christians, their beliefs, and their “crucified sage.”
Mara bar Serapion, Letter (AD 70)- Reference to Jesus as a real person.
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews (AD 93-94)- Born AD 37
- Pharisee at age 19
- Later, a historian for the Romans.
- He made reference to Jesus, His brother James, His miracles, and His resurrection (see Matthew 13:55).
Christian writers- Clement of Rome (AD 30-100)
- Polycarp (AD 69-155)
- Ignatius (AD 70-110)
- Justin Martyr (AD 100-165)
- Quadratus (AD 125)
- Irenaeus (AD 130-202)
- Aristides (2nd century AD)
- Clement of Alexandria (AD 150-215)
- Tertullian (AD 160-215)
- Origen (AD 185-253)
Conclusion- Further reading: Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell
- There is ample evidence for Jesus if we will look for it!
27 min - Hebrews, Part 11
- Hebrews 9:14-28
TestamentCovenantTestatorCovenant makerGiftMediatorHeirsDeath of sacrificeConditionsRelationship establishedDeath of testatorProbatedExecutorWhen conditions met, and the gift received, it is not reversible.Must continue in the conditions of the covenant to maintain this relationship.- Hebrews 9:15 – Some translations render this as “testament” rather than “covenant,” but this is clearly talking about a covenant relationship.
Old CovenantNew CovenantGodMakerGodMosesMediatorJesusSacrificeAnimalJesusThose who kept the conditions of the covenant.PeopleThose who keep the conditions of the covenant.Hebrews 9:16 – The word here often translated as “testator” is translated as “appointed” or other words in other places. This gives the erroneous idea that this is a legal will.
- In this text:
- There is a covenant maker.
- There is a mediator.
- There is a blood sacrifice.
- The mediator is the sacrifice.
- The mediator died for the redemption of those who lived under a former covenant.
- Is parallel to the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:19-22 – Both the book and the people were sprinkled with blood in the Old Covenant. Today we must be sprinkled with blood in a spiritual sense (i.e., blood purified) to be acceptable
46 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…
and additional resources for Bible study.