" The Value of Assembling"

How would you determine the value of a diamond ring? You would likely ask for an appraisal by a competent authority. How would one determine the value of assembling with the saints to worship God? Would it not also be wise to seek the appraisal of Him who has all authority? “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). 

God did not arbitrarily command us to assemble just to give us someplace to go. The book of Hebrews was written to restrain the apostasy that was underway among certain brethren. One of God’s safeguards, designed to protect them from apostasy, was faithful attendance in the assemblies of the saints. 

Some say, “I can stay home and watch church services on the TV and get as much out of it as if I were present.” Even if we grant the truthfulness of this claim, the consequences of such an attitude are significant: 

(1) This says that we are free to disobey God’s commands if we find a “better way” to reach their objectives. The early Christians should have stayed home to read the New Testament instead of assembling as God commanded! 

(2) It says that we have learned more than God. He commanded His people to assemble. Staying at home is the opposite of assembling, yet we are told it is just as good. 

Our age may be short on faithfulness to the Lord, but we have more than enough excuses to go around. 

“THE LIBERAL SOUL”

Would you consider yourself liberal-minded, or conservative-minded in your thinking? The benefits and liabilities of each mindset need to be considered. Yet, by what rule or standard shall we make such a determination? Who among humanity has the wisdom to define liberal and conservative? Add to that, who has the right to say that this definition qualifies as a universal standard? Such is the problem when man assumes the role of God.

 

Job, in chapter 28:12, 20, & 23 both asked and answered as to the source of wisdom. He then gave his proof as to why God, rather than man is the true source (vss. 24-27). Therefore, what God has stated on any matter is a fitting judgment, universal in application. God has declared that man can attain to this wisdom in only one way: “And unto man he said,
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28; cf. Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13).

 

Since God has identified wisdom and understanding with departing from evil, man has two choices in how he will respond: obey or disobey. As this relates to liberal and conservative, how will you define those terms in view of what God has declared on the matter? Are you wiser than Him who created and sustains life? (cf. Acts 17:28-32). We need to consider God’s definition of liberal, and then determine if being such is conducive to obedience or disobedience. There are two words which we need to consider in this study: ‘liberal’ and ‘liberality’.

 

LIBERAL: In Proverbs 11:25 we read, “The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” The meaning of the first phrase, “the liberal soul shall be made fat” is repeated, yet more clearly explained by the second phrase “he that watereth shall be watered also himself”. Generosity reaps prosperity. This truth is prevalent throughout scripture. You reap what you sow, good or evil. God has said wisdom begins to be manifested when man turns from evil. The same truth is stated in Psalm 1:1-3 in greater detail as it explains how liberality, wisdom, and turning from evil are all connected: “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.”

 

The generosity and prosperity here are clearly spiritual in nature. This same truth is taught by the apostle Paul in Galatians 6:6-10: “But let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.  And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.” This is what is meant by “the liberal soul shall be made fat”.

 

LIBERALITY: In Romans 12:8, Paul explains that our sharing (giving) is to be done with liberality. This points to the motive for sharing. Jesus warned in Matthew 6:1 against practicing our righteousness “before men to be seen of men”. Paul, in dealing with our ‘spiritual service’ (Romans 12:1) states that our gifts differ, “according to the grace that was given to us” (v. 6). He goes on to state, “let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.  In love of the brethren be tenderly affectioned one to another; in honor preferring one another; in diligence not slothful; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord…”. Liberality in our sharing means that it is free of pretense and hypocrisy.   

 

The apostle Paul and his companions preached the gospel in this manner (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17). Their spiritual generosity resulted in spiritual prosperity for others and God was glorified. The Corinthians, although themselves impoverished, gave to other brethren in need. (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:2; 9:13). In this, we see “love of the brethren” exemplified. (cf. Romans 12:10; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).

 

That God is glorified through our liberality is clear from 1 Peter 2:11-12. In view of what God has declared, does your life reflect liberality? Should it? “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

“Accountability”

Deut. 6:1 bears out that God’s commands are to be taught FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBEDIENCE; WHICH WILL BE REWARDED WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS BEING IMPUTED AS A BLESSING FROM GOD!

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, THAT YE MIGHT DO THEM in the land whither ye go to possess it”

Here are the results when this teaching has a breakdown:

– Judges 2:7-12 –

And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

– Joshua 24:31 –

“And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.”

---> they ‘KNEW’ because THEY HAD BEEN TAUGHT!

The gospel is a message to be taught; with a view for obedience to be the way of life for the one taught!

The gospel is the ONLY thing whereby people may learn their purpose in life – Eccl. 12:13-14, "fear God & keep His commands”

Accordingly, God spoke to man, with the ultimate goal of restoring the broken fellowship that resulted from sin (Isa. 59:1-2).

Sin is prevented by teaching how to live in obedience to God’s words.

This is accountability!

The one with knowledge is accountable to teach and exemplify obedience.

The one needing knowledge is accountable to choose wisely.

Josh. 24:15 – “…choose you this day whom ye will serve…”.

1 Kings 18:21 – “…How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.”

What characterized people who had NOT been taught obedience?

2 Kings 17:33, 41 – “So THEY FEARED THE LORD BUT ALSO SERVED THEIR OWN GODS, after the manner of the nations from among whom they had been carried away…these nations feared the LORD AND ALSO SERVED THEIR CARVED IMAGES.

Centuries later, God’s people were still suffering from indifference. Zephaniah described them as follows in Zeph. 1:5 – “those who bow down and swear to the LORD...and yet swear by Milcom…”.

Jesus was plain: "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” – Matt. 6:24

Our accountability on the day of Judgment will be in relation to what we did (i.e., how did we bear in our lifetime) with the word of God (his ‘goods’) – the word that He spoke thru the prophets, His Son, and the apostles by inspiration of His Spirit. 

“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?” – Part 4 of 4

 

“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?” – Part 4 of 4

“By what authority are You doing these things,

and who gave You this authority?”

(Mt. 21:23).

In Part 3 of this series, we saw that authority is absolute with God. It is important to remember that God alone possesses authority. When we speak of delegated authority, we are referring to our stewardship of something that is rightfully God’s—i.e., ‘authority’.

 

God’s words are a double-edged sword. (Eph. 5:17; Heb. 4:12). We must exercise care when wielding His sword. This care begins with understanding how God’s will and authority are expressed in His words. God’s will and His authority are synonymous. 

God’s authority is worthy of honor, and we honor it through faith and obedience to His will. These are simple concepts which identify His people. Read through the list of the faithful in Heb. 11 and you will find these characteristics in them.  

The ‘cutting’ done by this sword reveals the true desires of our hearts (Mt. 15:18-20). The Spirit’s sword is the word (Eph. 6:17). God’s authority is exercised as His sword cuts with accuracy (2 Tim. 2:15). This stresses the importance of understanding how God’s will and authority are expressed in His word.

God’s words are, at times expressed distinctly and with specifics. At other times it is not. However, this distinct manner is not without purpose. Again, it is to reveal the heart (cf. King Saul, 1 Sam. 10:8; 13:8-11). Failure to distinguish between generics and specifics in divine communication is a sprout that will reap a harvest of division and sin.

If Noah had failed to respect this distinction, the ark would have consisted of any wood of Noah’s choosing. God specified gopher wood; Noah’s heart was revealed. A simple but essential element in the exercise of faith. We must likewise recognize these distinctions in how God has expressed His authority. Our distinctions must harmonize with God’s.

"THE OPENING OF THE EYES: A CONTRAST"

Two had their eyes opened in a garden. Two had their eyes opened on a road. Once their eyes were opened, what each pair saw differed greatly. Two were ashamed of themselves by what they saw. Two were elated by what they saw. Two saw because they disobeyed. Two saw because of Scripture. Two saw their sin. Two saw the Lord. The first pair were Adam and Eve, while in Eden (Gen. 3). The second pair were those walking to Emmaus (Lk. 24)

It is good for our eyes to distinguish between right and wrong. There are two ways this can happen. Both scenarios are depicted in Adam and Eve, and the two traveling to Emmaus. Of Adam and Eve we read, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked” (Gen. 3:7).

We must recognize why Adam and Eve’s eyes were opened. It happened because they disobeyed a command from God. When we disobey, our eyes will be opened, but what we 'see' does not bring joy. There is nothing but shame and fear, as with Adam and Eve.

When we disobey, we also gain knowledge. But what we learn does not make us rejoice; it makes us hang our heads in shame. Rather than being drawn to God, we attempt a futile thing: To hide from God as Adam did (Gen. 3:10). God asked Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” How did Adam learn of his nakedness? From God? Did Adam not know he was naked before God asked him? Who was to blame? Satan? No, for Satan only spoke a lie (“Thou shalt not die.”), tempting Adam.

“Every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (Jms. 1:14-15). Who allowed lust to conceive? Adam blamed Eve. Eve blamed Satan.

Whose word was transgressed and whose word was obeyed? Whose words were perverted and whose words were believed? The answers are obvious. Paul wrote, “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness” (Rom. 6:16).

Disobedience brings shame and fear into our lives. Both are removed when we turn to God in obedience. When we obey God, there is no need for blaming; rather, for the giving of thanks. We see this from Paul’s epistle to the church of Christ in Rome: “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, they became the servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6:17-18). The giving of thanks is natural when there is joy in the heart.

Let God’s word, not our sin, open our eyes. The view is much better. The joy in our lives is a lighter yoke to bear than the yoke of guilt and grief because of our sin. As the two on the road to Emmaus did, we will want to share the good news with others from a good and honest heart. By this, God will be glorified.

"WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?"

 

"WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?" -- Acts 16:30

This question is asked THREE TIMES in the New Testament.

A. It was asked by the Jews on Pentecost -- Acts 2:37

(1) Peter answers -- Acts 2:38

B. It was asked next by Saul -- Acts 9: 6

(1) Ananias answered the question in Acts 22:16

C. This question was next asked by the Philippian Jailer -- Acts 16: 30

(1) He was an unbeliever

(2) This answer was given to this unbeliever, but this is not the end of the story -- Acts 16: 31

(3) They preached to him so that he might believe -- Acts 16:32; Rom. 10:17

(4) The jailer then repented (washed their stripes) -- Acts 16:33

D. We have read three different answers to the same question.

(1) The Jailer was an unbeliever.

(2) People on Pentecost did believe.

(3) Saul was a believing, penitent man.

They were given different answers to the same question because they were at different places on the road of salvation.

“BY WHAT AUTHORITY?” – Part 3 of 4

“By what authority are You doing these things,

and who gave You this authority?”

 (Mt. 21:23). 

Authority is inherent with God. This is by virtue of being the creator and sustainer of life. Only God is eternal. We need not only to understand that authority belongs to God but also understand how God purposed for His authority to be exerted. Remember, God’s authority is God’s will. God chose how to dispense His will to man. In dispensing His will, God is delegating His authority. He first spoke through prophets, then through His Son (cf. Amos 3:7; Heb. 1:1-2).

Prophets had no authority to alter God’s will (Prov. 30:5-6); or, as Jonah, fail to deliver God’s message (Jonah 1:2-3). The ‘binding and loosing’ of God’s will was explained in Mt. 16:19. Jesus did not speak on His own initiative (Jn. 8:42). He was ‘given’ (delegated) power on earth to forgive sins at His word (cf. Mt. 9:6; Lk. 5:20; 7:48; 23:43). However, what He spoke and did was by command from His Father (cf. Jn. 7:16; 8:28; 12:49; 14:10, 31). Jesus promised the twelve apostles that the Holy Spirit would empower them with God’s authority. This began in Jerusalem on the first Pentecost following His ascension, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them (Lk. 24:49; Acts 1:8; 2:4).

The apostles were stewards of Jesus’ words and spoke and wrote under guidance of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 2:12-13; 11:23; 14:37; Gal. 4:11-12). God’s authority now resides in these inspired words (Eph. 3:3-4). In our teaching, we are to speak these oracles from God (1 Pt. 4:11). Remember, delegated authority is our stewardship of God’s authority.