Bible Study without a Permit

The phenomena of churches promoting home Bible studies has continued to increase all across the country. There are many practical benefits. For example, it promotes building relationships in a less formal setting. It gives opportunities for laymen to use their spiritual gifts. In addition, home Bible studies provide another avenue for outreach within the community. The days of informal fellowships may be numbered.   

 

The pendulum of attitudes in America is slowly swaying towards secularism. I did not think I would live to see the day in which rule makers would create, interpret, and enforce an action against hosting a home Bible study. But it happened. Fox News reports that “Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary have been told that they cannot invite friends to their San Diego, California home for a Bible study—unless they are willing to pay tens of thousands of dollars to San Diego County.

 

It is impossible to tell if the motivation for this action is for the purpose of collecting money or for creating an unfavorable environment for faith to flourish. In any case events like this are likely to continue and be repeated across the country, especially if San Diego County is successful. I do not want to sound like an alarmist, but ten years ago, who would have thought the proponents of homosexual marriage would have so much success today.

 

What can we do?

 

1.      Pray.

 

" Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NKJV)

 

Pray that God would grant us a country in which we can freely communicate the Gospel free from political harassment. Pray that we take every opportunity now to continue to share the Gospel.

 

2.      Vote.

 

In many cases we are not left with much of a choice. Through the years for me voting has been a choice of lesser evils. But how do you make a choice when there are pro’s and con’s for each candidate. For the Christian the priority should be Biblical morality.

 

3.      Trust.

 

It is easy to allow events like these to cause us to think that God is not ultimately in control of all things. He is.

 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;" (Philippians 4:6, NKJV)

 

4.      Obey.

 

There may come a point in time in which our obedience to Christ cause us to be at odds with our community.

 

"So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”" (Acts 5:25-32, NKJV) 

Accountability: Cord Groups

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Tonight at our Wednesday Evening Bible Fellowship we will be discussing the topic of Accountability. By accountability I mean the intentional relationship between a few Christians for the purpose of mutual encouragement in sanctification. We are individually accountable to God and should mutually be answerable to each other for the purposes of spiritual growth.

Accountability is perhaps the most overlooked spiritual disciplines in the church today. In our culture it is easy to live in the spiritual realm of anonymity. Many Christians live in a superficial way because they have no fellow believer who we have granted the right to confront spiritual hypocrisy. In addition, it is hard to see your own short comings. It is much easier to notice the minor flaws in others than the major failings in our own lives.

Matthew 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

A friend of mine in college always referenced this text illustrating it as a toothpick compared to a telephone pole. You get the imagery. This would be really funny if it were not so true.
The apostle Paul challenged the Church at Galatia to be proactive in our mutual accountability.

Galatians 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

In most churches today the act of real restoration is practically nonexistent. Perhaps one of the reasons why this is true is because Christians are not encouraged to practice mutual accountability for the purpose of reciprocal sanctification.

One of the best ways I have found to foster personal accountability is to encourage likeminded Christians to meet in small groups of three on a regular basis (1-2 times per month) and submit to mutual accountability. I call them cord groups based on Ecclesiastes 4:12.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Three is better than two because from time to time one may not be available. In addition, having a third point of view can help arbitrate between two different views. Once you get beyond three or four then the group loses its personal intimacy. It is wise not to expect confidentiality with a wider group of people.

The format of the meetings should include fellowship, prayer, and Bible reading. But the main purpose is to address issues that lead to accountability. I have found that having a set of questions like the example below provides an objective way to get to the heart of the matter.

Sample Questions

Accountability Questions

1. Have you been with someone this week in such a way that was inappropriate or could have looked to others that you were using poor judgment?

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2. What was your biggest joy this week?

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

3. Have you been completely above board in your financial dealings this week?

Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.

4. In what ways have you encouraged someone or has someone encouraged you to love and good works?

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,

5. Have you purposely exposed yourself to any explicit material (pornographic and/or sexually suggestive material) this week?

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

6. What principles impacted your life from your daily time in prayer and in God’s Word this week?

Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

7. What opportunities have you had to share Christ with others and or disciple them in the faith?

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

8. In what ways did you express encouragement and praise to your spouse, kids, or another family member this week?

Ephesians 5:22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

9. Is there anyone you need to ask for forgiveness from or anyone to forgive?

Matthew 6:13-14 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

10. Have you just lied to us?

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Defend your Faith

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Recently my daughter was given an assignment by one of her teachers to interview someone from another religious perspective, preferably a cult member. Now that would be a difficult task. I was pleasantly pleased to discover that not only was she able to find a good candidate, a Jehovah’s Witness, but was able to have a good dialogue as well.

After “debriefing” her I discovered that she felt that she was fairly solid on her theology, but felt that she could have been better prepared to defend some of her positions from the Bible.
Typically a cult member is well versed in a limited number of doctrines and have their skills honed to defend a particular stance. Many orthodox Christians have a general knowledge of Scripture and orthodox theology, but are not experienced in defending their position.

According to the Apostle Peter’s admonition, the Christian should be prepared to give a credible argument for his faith. A follower of Jesus Christ should know what, why, and how to defend his belief.

It is true that the Bible is a large volume and theology is a massive subject. It is unrealistic to ask the average layperson to be a master of this subject. In my own experience I have an advanced seminary degree in theology, yet I am ever learning. My grasp of theology is not much more than a thimble full of the ocean of its depth. So can we really expect more from the “non professional” Bible student?
Yes and no. Most people will not be able to defend every doctrine, but they should be able to defend some doctrines. At the very least one should be able to explain from Scripture the gospel, the person and nature of Christ, the nature of God, and the nature of man.

Let me give you a challenge.

Can you give a concise explanation of the gospel using the Scriptures?
Can you explain who Christ is including His divinity and humanity from the Bible?
Can you describe the nature of God and man from the Word of God?

If you can perhaps you are better prepared to heed the Apostle Peter’s admonition. If you are not perhaps you may want to take some extra time ‘cracking open the Book.”

2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Satan Bound?

Revelation 20:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

Sunday April 19, 2009 I will be preaching on the first few verses from Revelation 20. This chapter is one of the more controversial passages in Revelation. It refers to the Millennium. One of the reasons I hold to a premillennial view is because what is described here in context is the binding of Satan. An angel is said to take the Devil put him in the bottomless pit (always a temporary holding place in Scripture) shut him up, and put a seal on him. The purpose is so that he would no longer deceive the nations. Both postmillennialists and amillennialists believe that Satan is bound now. Both experience and Scripture indicate that his influence is not hindered in this age.

Matthew Waymeyer in his book Revelation 20 and the Millennial Debate highlights 23 passages that are clear indicators that Satan is alive and well in this age. This is another indicator that the millennium will occur in the future.
Activity of Satan in the Present Age

1. He entered Judas and influenced him to betray Christ (Luke 22:3, John 13:27)
2. He sought to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:31)
3. He filled the heart of Ananias and influenced him to lie to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3)
4. He sent a messenger to buffet the Apostle Paul (2 Cor 12:7)
5. He thwarted Paul from traveling to Thessalonica (1Thess 2:18)
6. He snatches the Word of God from unbelieving hearers of the gospel before it can take root (Matt 13:19, Luke 8:12)
7. He tells lies (John 8:44)
8. He has unbelievers under his dominion (Acts 26:18)
9. He tempts believers (1 Cor 7:5)
10. He seeks to take advantage of believers (2 Cor 2:11)
11. He is called the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4)
12. He blinds the minds of the unbelieving (2 Cor 4:4)
13. He seeks to deceive believers as he did with Eve (2 Cor 11:3)
14. He disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14)
15. He is at work in unbelievers to influence them to live as they do (Eph 2:2)
16. He seeks to deceive believers as the battles against them (Eph 6:11-12)
17. He deceives and traps unbelievers (2 Tim 2:26)
18. He holds unbelievers captive to do his will (2 Tim 2:26)
19. He prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8)
20. He is the father of those who practice sin (1 John 3:8-10)
21. He holds unbelievers in his power (1 John 5:19)
22. He is called the one who deceives the whole world (Rev 12:9)
23. He will deceive those who dwell upon the earth (Rev 13:14; 18:23; 19:20)

John Walvoord comments:

"If one accepts these Scriptures as testifying to the fact that Satan has power to tempt, to deceive to blind, to buffet, to hinder, to work signs and lying wonders, and who is free like a raging lion to walk about seeking whom he may devour, how then can one hold that Satan is now bound?"

Glory of God's Creation in the Dolphin Stampede

" The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:1-6, NKJV)

Resurrection Sunday

Easter Sunday or as I like to call it “Resurrection Sunday” is one of my favorite days on the church calendar. No it is not because of the candy or the traditional Easter Sunday lunch with my family…well wait a minute…okay no it is not those things. It is because this is the most important event that has ever occurred in the world up to this point. It is even greater than Christmas (the first Advent) because without the Resurrection Christianity is meaningless.

"And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." (1 Corinthians 15:17-19, NKJV)

Well, Christ did rise again, in fact it is one of the most verifiable facts of history. This season the television will be peppered with shows challenging the veracity of Jesus’ resurrection. Normally scholars who challenge these facts do not provide enough facts. In other words they deal with a limited aspect of this event and fail to solve all the myriad of questions that are left unanswered by their solution. The only explanation that answers all the questions is the Resurrection.

One of my seminary professors, Gary Habermas, provided us with a list of critically recognized resurrection facts of which nearly 90% of the skeptics that deny the bodily resurrection agree. Now they all do not agree on all the facts. Some will agree with six or seven another set of scholars will agree on four or five different. You get the picture. In the end if you read the skeptics work they argue against each other’s resurrection theory by using some of the facts below. In the final analysis the only resurrection theory that answers all of these facts is that Jesus Christ actually rose again from the grave in a bodily form.

Critically-recognized resurrection facts (90%)

1. Jesus died due to crucifixion

2. Jesus was buried, probably in a private tomb.

3. The disciples became bereaved and discouraged, losing hope.

4. Jesus’ tomb was found empty very soon afterwards (75%)

5. The disciples had real experiences that they thought were appearances of the risen Jesus.

6. As a result, the disciples were completely transformed, even to the point of being willing to die for their faith.

7. The disciples’ proclamation of the resurrection began shortly afterwards, at a very early dated. Acts 2:29ff

8. The disciples’ initial resurrection preaching occurred in Jerusalem, where all these events had occurred.

9. The early Gospel message centered on Jesus’ death and resurrection.

1 Cor 15

10. The Christian church was birthed about this same time, with Sunday being the primary worship day.

11. James, Jesus’ brother and a skeptic during Jesus’ life, was converted after he thought that he also saw an appearance of the risen Jesus.

12. A few years later, Saul of Tarsus—Paul—became a Christian, based on a real experience that he also thought was an appearance of the risen Jesus.

House Rules

The Bible says we must:

• Be at peace with one another - Mark 9:50
• Love one another - John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11, 12
• Build up one another - Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Be of the same mind toward one another - Romans 12:16
• Give preference to one another - Romans 12:10
• Greet one another - Romans 16:16
• Esteem others as better than yourself - Philippians 2:3
• Serve one another - Galatians 5:13
• Receive one another - Romans 15:7
• Recognize your relationship to one another - Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:25
• Be devoted to one another - Romans 12:10
• Rejoice or weep with one another - Romans 12:15
• Admonish one another - Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16
• Care for one another - 1 Corinthians 12:25
• Show tolerance toward one another - Romans 15:1-5; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13
• Be kind and forgiving to one another - Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
• Submit to one another - Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5
• Comfort one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18
• Encourage one another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13
• Consider one another - Hebrews 10:24-25
• Minister your gifts to one another - 1 Peter 4:10
• Be compassionate with one another - 1 Peter 3:8
• Pray for one another - James 5:16
• Confess your faults to one another - James 5:16
• Accept one another - Romans 14:1; 15:7
• Be hospitable to one another - 1 Peter 4:9

The Bible says we must not:

• Be proud against each other - 1 Corinthians 4:6
• Judge one another - Romans 12:16
• Lie to one another - Colossians 3:9
• Be partial with one another - 1 Timothy 5:21
• Provoke or envy one another - Galatians 5:26
• Lust after one another - Romans 1:27
• Hate one another - Titus 3:3
• Take one another to court - 1 Corinthians 6:1-7
• Use each other - Galatians 5:15