B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. BASICS – Individual Soul Liberty!

Posted on June 23, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article 17a: “God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it.”

No one can be compelled into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

No one can be coerced into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

No one can be cajoled into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus!

Unsaved people can only be called into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus, and they can only be called into a genuine profession of faith in Jesus by GOD, HIMSELF! Every person who is mentally capable and mature enough to do so decides for themselves – and only for themselves – to repent of their sins and believe in JESUS as their Savior and LORD, or not.

Therefore, every person who is mentally capable and mature enough to repent and believe in JESUS is accountable to GOD for their refusal to repent of their sins and believe in JESUS.

Romans 8:28-30

(28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

Here is the clearest statement in Scripture about the order of salvation: GOD foreknew who HE would save, HE predestined them to be conformed into the image of JESUS, HE called them to salvation (through the gospel),

HE declares them just on the basis of their faith in JESUS, and HE will ultimately glorify them with JESUS at the time of their resurrection! And, once a person has been saved, they remain personally accountable to GOD for their beliefs and practices.

EXPOSITION:

The individual believer has the sole privilege and responsibility before GOD as to when and how to worship GOD.

Romans 14:5,12 (5) “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

The individual believer will answer to GOD for the decisions they make about worshiping and serving GOD, and how they do – or do not – apply the Scriptures to their life. (12) “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

Again, every individual believer must determine to follow their conscience in the matters of faith and practice… and… other believers must not attempt to manipulate them into what they believe and how they behave. Cf. 2nd Corinthians 4:2 “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

This “Individual Soul Liberty” also applies to areas that are not addressed in the Bible!

Church Services: How many? When?

Church Dress: Business, Business Casual, Casual?

Sunday Activities: Recreation, Shopping?

Bible Translation: One, Which One, Multiple?

Family: Married, Single?

Family: Kids, No Kids? School: Public, Christian, Home? Etc., Etc., Etc.                             

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The Priesthood of Every Believer!

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

1st Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 5:9-10

INTRODUCTION:

We Affirm: That every born-again believer in the LORD Jesus Christ is a priest and is both qualified and obligated to carry out the duties of a priest including representing themselves before GOD, interceding for themselves and others to GOD, and serving GOD and others on behalf of GOD.

We Deny: That any born-again believer is a priest over any other person and therefore can neither grant forgiveness nor convey the Person or gifts of the Holy Spirit to another person.

We Affirm: That every person has the right and the obligation to read and study the Holy Scriptures for themselves.

We Deny: That any person has the right to misinterpret, twist, or wrongly apply the Holy Scriptures.

We Affirm: That every born-again believer in the LORD Jesus Christ has both the right and the obligation to offer up to GOD those things identified in the Holy Scriptures as, “Spiritual Sacrifices.”

We Deny: That any person has the right to participate in any “priestly” actions that are not specifically required of and given to born-again believers in the Holy Scriptures.

EXPOSITION: Seven Spiritual Sacrifices to be Offered by Believer-Priest (in biblical order).

Psalm 51:17 A Humble Heart!

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Psalm 141:2 Prayer!

“Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”

Romans 12:1 Our Body!

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

Romans 15:16 Souls Won to Christ!

“to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 4:18 Sacrificial Financial Gifts! (Ministry)

“I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”

Hebrews 13:15 Praise!

“Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”

Hebrews 13:16 Sharing What We Have with Others! (Benevolence)

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to GOD.”

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B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. Basics – The Autonomy of the Local Church!

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

Matthew 18:15-18  “The Autonomy of the Local Church!”

INTRODUCTION:

“Autonomy” means “The quality or state of being self-governing.” Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

In the context of a Local Church, it means that there is no authority over the majority of the membership except the will of Jesus as expressed in the Holy Scriptures! None.

Colossians 1:18 “And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

No person or group of persons has any authority over the belief and practice of a local congregation “in matters of faith.”

Of course, governments have limited authority over churches in such matters as building codes, ordinances, etc. Governments have NO AUTHORITY over churches “in matters of faith.”

When I am speaking of “authority” I am speaking of ecclesiastical authority such as Associations, Denominations, Synods, Bishops, Cardinals, or Popes, which have NO AUTHORITY OVER THE BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF A LOCAL CHURCH!

One of the many reasons that we are Southern Baptists is that Southern Baptists recognize this biblical fact and are organized in such a way that the Local Church is always supreme, and the work of all other denominational entities is to support the work of the Local Churches.

EXPOSITION:

In our text from Matthew 18, we clearly see the authority of a Church over its members.

When a member has attempted to bring about reconciliation with a sinning member and both the first and second steps in the process has failed, the issue is then brought to the Church for adjudication.

NOTE here that the authority of the members of the local congregation is so absolute that a person may be dismissed from membership by an action of the members of the Church.

(17) “If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Theological NOTE: Treating a person as a Gentile and a tax collector means to treat them as a non-believer, since a member who refuses to submit to the authority of GOD’s Word is most likely an unbeliever.

Theological NOTE: (18) “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The verb phrases “shall be bound…” and “shall be loosed” translate Greek verbs that are future perfect passive and could be translated, “shall have been bound” and “shall have been loosed” referencing the fact that the actions for which the person is being disciplined have already been judged by GOD as sinful and are so described in HIS Word.

This is exactly how the phrases are translated in the Christian Standard Bible and are footnoted this way in other newer translations.

The Local Church does not have this authority to bind or loose based merely on its own opinions and preferences, rather the authority of binding and loosing is only given to the Local Church in the case where GOD has already expressed HIS will in HIS Word and in accordance with GOD’s will and Word!

In 1st and 2nd Corinthians, GOD has given us a perfect illustration of this biblical principle in a real case of a real person…

1st Corinthians 5:1-5

(1) “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. (2) And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

(3) For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. (4) When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, (5) you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Theological NOTE: Take careful note there that the Local Church had the authority to turn the person over to GOD that the sinning person would die for his sin!

CONSIDER THIS CAREFULLY…

Biblical admonition and discipline many times work and the persons disciplined sometimes repent of their sin! This is exactly what happened in this case!

This man’s repentance was to unexpected that the Church at Corinth apparently wrote a letter to Paul asking what should they do in light of his repentance!

Paul’s answer is clear… 2nd Corinthians 2:5-8

(5) “Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. (6) For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, (7) so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (8) So, I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.”

TAKE CAREFUL NOTE HERE AGAIN… The action of removing this man from the Church and turning him over to Satan was done, “by the majority…” teaching us that the autonomous authority of the Local Church lies in the decisions of the majority of its members!

Theological NOTE: While it is not the principal subject of this sermon, take careful note that loving biblical admonition and discipline can work. Biblical admonition and correction of a sinning member is an act of love!

While we are not given explicit examples of every possible scenario that a Local Church may face, the principles in the passages give direction and wisdom for decision making in and by a Local Church.

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Why ever believer should be a “B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S.” believer!

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

Q#1: “Why should a Christian be a, ‘B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S. Christian’?”

A#1: “Because truth matters, and what we believe determines how we behave!”

NOTE: Baptists are not the only Christians who believe these things, but we are the only Christians who believe all eight of these things!

Many other denominations believe, teach, and practice some of these eight biblical truths!

A few other denominations believe, teach, and practice most of these eight biblical truths!

Only Baptists believe, teach, and practice all eight of these biblical truths!

Believing, teaching, and practicing these eight biblical truths is what makes us B.A.P.T.I.S.T.S.

Biblical Authority!

1st Thessalonians 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly[1] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

2nd Timothy 3:15-17

(15) “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.     

(16) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

2nd Peter 1:20-21

(20) “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. (21) For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”.

Autonomy of the Local Church!

Colossians 1:18 “And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

2nd Corinthians 8:1-5

(1-5)  (1) “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, (2) for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. (3) For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, (4) begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—(5) and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”

Priesthood of every individual Believer!

 1st Peter 2:5, 9

(5) “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

(9) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Revelation 5:9-10

(9) “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, (10) and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

Two Ordinances of the Church!

 Matthew 28:19-20

(19) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,        (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

 Luke 22:15-20

(15) “And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. (16) For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (17) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. (18) For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” (19) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” (20) And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”

Individual Soul Liberty Romans 14:5,12

 (5) “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”

 (12) “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

 2nd Corinthians 4:2 “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Saved, and baptized (by immersion following competent profession of faith) church membership!

Acts 2:41-47 (41) “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (42) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (43) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. (44) And all who believed were together and had all things in common. (45) And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 

(46) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

 1st Corinthians 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”

Two Officers in the Local Church!

 1st Timothy 3:1-13

 (1) “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (2) Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (3) not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. (4) He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, (5) for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?

(6) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (7) Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

(8) Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. (9) They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (10) And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (11) Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.  (12) Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. (13) For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.”

Acts 20:17, 28

 (17) “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.” (28) “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.”

“Elders”  (presbuteros) “spiritually mature…”

“Overseers” (episkopous) “Superintendent”

  • Care for…” (poimainein) “Shepherd/Pastor”

 Philippians 1:1 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.”

“Overseers” (Elders/Pastors) serve the Church by leading it!  “Servant-Leaders”

“Deacons” serve the Church by serving it! “Lead Servants”

Separation of Church and State!

 Matthew 22:15-21 (15) “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. (16) And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. (17) Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”  (18) But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? (19) Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. (20) And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” (21) They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

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Will we know each other in Heaven?

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

Luke 16:19 – 31

Bible Q&A – “Will We Know One Another in Heaven?”

First, this is a true story! We know that because JESUS is the Author of this story! (By the way, this is not a parable, but even if it was parables are also true.)

Second, these are real people! (In none of the parables is anyone named by name.)

– The rich man. “Dives?”

– Lazarus.

– The Angels.

– Abraham.

– The Rich Man’s Five Brothers.

Third, this is a real place!

“hades” The Greek word here is “hade” (haw-dace) It means “the abode of the dead.”

The Hebrew word for this place is “Sheol.”

Theological Note: Hades was divided into two parts “Paradise” where Abraham and Lazarus were, and “Hell” where the rich man was. There was a gulf between them that could not be crossed.

(Luke 16:26) “And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’”

When Jesus died, HE went to Paradise! (Luke 23:43) “Today you will be with ME in Paradise” and when HE died, HE took Paradise itself and the saints in it up to the Third heaven!

(Ephesians 4:7-10) (7) “But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (8) Therefore, it says, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”

(9) (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? (10) He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Then the gulf dissipated, and hell was enlarged.

(Isaiah 5:14) “Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself And opened its mouth beyond measure; Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it.”

Hell is a temporary holding place of the unsaved dead until the final judgment when hell itself and everyone there will be cast into the eternal Lake of Fire!

Revelation 20:11-15 (11) “Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. (12) And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (13) The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. (14) Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

TWO MORE BIBLE FACTS!

When Jesus was transfigured on the Mount of Transfiguration, Peter, James, and John recognized Moses who had been dead for over 1400 years before they were born, and Elijah who had been dead for over 850 years before they were born!

Matthew 17:1-4 (1) “And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (2) And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. (3) And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.   

(4) And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Finally, when we go to Heaven, we will KNOW MORE THERE than we do now, NOT LESS!

1ST Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”

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DO ANIMALS GO TO HEAVEN?

Posted on April 28, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

Genesis 1:24-25 “Do Animals go to Heaven?”

INTRODUCTION:

Genesis 1 gives us a historical account of the events of creation.

Genesis 1 gives us the order of creation.

  • First Day: Creation of the physical material of the Universes,
  • First Day: Creation of Light and its separation from darkness
  • Second Day: Creation of the earth’s atmosphere (1st Heaven)
  • Third Day: Separation of earth’s waters and dry land. Take note that the waters and the dry land were originally in “one place.”
  • Third Day: Creation of vegetation
  • Fourth Day: Formation of planets, moons, and stars
  • Fifth Day: Creation of sea animals
  • Sixth Day: Creation of land animals and humans

Genesis 1 gives us some indications of the purposes of creation:

  • Physical materials for the formation of planets, moons, and stars.
  • Physical materials provide nutrition for vegetation, animals, and humans.
  • Vegetation provides nutrition for animals and humans.
  • Animals provide labor, nutrition, and other support for humans.

EXPOSITION:

First, only humans are said to be made “in the image of God…”

Genesis 1:26-27 (26) “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

(27) So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Among other things, the “Imago Dei” means that humans are triune beings possessing body, soul, and spirit.

The “body” is the physical machine encasing the person or animal.

The “soul” is the immaterial part of the creature consisting of mind, senses, instinct, emotions, and will.

The “spirit” is part of humans whereby we can relate to GOD and the part where GOD abides in HIS people through the Holy Spirit and is the source of our personhood.

Minerals do not possess life, or soul, or spirit.

Vegetation possesses life and a body but does not possess a soul or spirit.

Animals possess life, a body, and a soul, but they do not possess a spirit.

Therefore, animals are not moral creatures, they cannot sin, or repent, or believe. Since they do not possess a spirit, they cannot possess eternal life.

There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that an animal has a spirit, or sins, or is indwelt by GOD.

Other than apocryphal (prophetic) language, there are no verses in the Scriptures that indicate the presence of an earthly animal in Heaven. 

Revelation 19:11-14 (11) “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. (12) His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. (13) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. (14) And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.”

Domestication of animals for service began in the Garden of Eden (4,000 BC) where we see that Able was a shepherd.

Domestication of animals for companionship apparently began around the time of Abraham (2,000 BC) as evidence of dogs serving as pets have been discovered in the Middle East. 

In addition to physical labor, animals meet several needs in the lives of some humans:

  • Companionship
  • Protection
  • Other forms of service

Animals are a gift of GOD to humans, and we should enjoy them!

We should use animals for food, labor, and for meeting our needs.

Humans should never abuse what GOD has created including minerals, vegetation, animals, and humans!

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Bible Q&A – What is the Difference between Happiness and Joy?

Posted on April 21, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

April 21st, 2024 – “HAPPINESS & JOY”

John 15:1-11

INTRODUCTION:

“HAPPY”

** emotional situation based upon circumstances

** From the old English “happenstance” based on circumstance

Hebrew (522 x)

Esher “happy” & “blessed”

Greek makarios (77x)

blessed (1), blessed (46), fortunate (1), happier (1), happy (28).

“JOY”

Spiritual condition based upon one’s knowledge and faith!

Hebrew – simchah “joy” “gladness” “mirth”

delight (1), exceeding joy (1), extremely* (1), festival (1), gladness (34), happiness (1), joy (38), mirth (1), pleasure (6), rejoice (1), rejoiced (1), rejoicing (6).

Greek – chara

“greatly (1), joy (54), joyful (1), joyfully (1), joyously (1), rejoicing (1).

EXPOSITION:

FIRST, THE ASSURANCE OF OUR SALVATION IS THE ULTIMATE SOURCE OF JOY! Jude 1:24-25

“Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only GOD our Savior, through Jesus Christ our LORD, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now and forever. Amen.”

SECOND, SALVATION IS A SOURCE OF JOY BUT IT CAN BE LOST WHEN WE ALLOW SIN TO COME INTO OUR LIFE!

Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

THIRD, THE GREATEST SOURCE OF JOY IS LEADING AN UNSAVED PERSON TO FAITH IN JESUS!

Psalm 126:5-6 (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (6) He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Acts 15:3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

1st Thessalonians 2:19-20 “For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.”

FOURTH, SENSING THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IS A SOURCE OF GREAT JOY!

Luke 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.”

John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

FIFTH, TRUE SPIRITUAL JOY IS A FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER!

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control; against such things there is no law.

SIXTH, JOY OUGHT TO BE THE ATTITUDE IN WHICH WE ENTER INTO WORSHIP!

Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!”

SEVENTH, THE JOY WE HAVE IN CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF OUR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH!

Nehemiah 8:10 “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

EIGHTH, HAVING OUR FAITH TESTED OUGHT TO BRING US JOY!

James 1:2-3 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”

NINTH, FAITHFULLY SERVING JESUS WILL RESULT IN OUR JOY WHEN WE STAND BEFORE HIM!

Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’”

TENTH, SACRIFICIAL GIVING TO THE LORD’S KINGDOM WORK IS A SOURCE OF JOY!

2nd Corinthians 8:2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

ELEVENTH, SUFFERING FOR JESUS IS A SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL JOY!

1st Thessalonians 1:6 “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit…”

Hebrews 12:2 “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

TWELVETH, THE GREATEST JOY A PARENT AND A PASTOR CAN HAVE IS TO SEE HIS FAMILY LIVING IN OBEDIENCE TO JESUS!

3rd John 1:4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

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UNDERSTANDING FIRST JOHN – “SIN!”

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

1st John 1:8-10

(8) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Understanding First John – “Sin!”

INTRODUCTION:

The Hebrew word translated as “sin” in the Old Testament is ‘KHATA’ and it means “to miss the mark by falling short.”

The Greek word translated as “sin” in the New Testament is ‘hamartia’ and it means exactly the same thing as the Hebrew word, that is, “to miss the mark by falling short.”

EXPOSITION: (6 things…)

FIRST, THE CURE FOR SIN IS THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

1st John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

1st John 2:2 “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

1st John 3:5 “You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.”

1st John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

SECOND, ALL HUMANS ARE SINNERS AND TO SAY WE ARE NOT IS TO COMMIT A DANGEROUS AND DEADLY SIN!

1st John 1:8 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

1st John 1:10 “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

THIRD, WE CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR OUR SINS!

1st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1st John 2:12 “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.”

FOURTH, THE CONTINUNAL PRACTICE OF SINFUL BEHAVIORS IS CLEAR PROOF THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT A CHRISTIAN!

1st John 3:4 “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”

1st John 3:6 “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.”

1st John 3:8 “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

1st John 3:9 “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.”

1st John 5:18 “We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.”

FIFTH, THERE ARE SINS THAT LEAD TO DEATH!

1st John 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life–to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.”

** Four sins for which GOD killed or ordered the death of people in the New Testament…

Hypocrisy! (Lying about their giving…)

Cf. Acts 5:1-11

(1) “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, (2) and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? (4) While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (5) When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. (6) The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. (7) After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.”

(9) But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (10) Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. (11) And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

Sexual Perversion!

1st Corinthians 5:1-5

(1) “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. (2) And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.       (3) For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

(4) When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, (5) you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Taking the LORD’s Supper in an unworthy manner!

Cf. 1st Corinthians 11:27-30

(27) “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. (28) Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (29) For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.        (30) That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.”

Reprobation!

Cf. James 5:19-20

(19) “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, (20) let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

SIXTH, THERE ARE SINS THAT DO NOT LEAD TO DEATH!

1st John 5:17 “All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.”

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Understanding First John – “The LOVE of GOD!”

Posted on April 13, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

The word translated “love” in First John is the word, “agape”.

It appears in the New Testament a total of 259 times!

It appears in the New Testament as a noun 116 times!

It appears in the New Testament as a verb 143 times!

It appears (in its multiple forms) in First John 26 times!

It means a deep and passionate love!

In First John, John applies this word in seven specific areas:

FIRST, KEEPING GOD’S WORD IS BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF A REAL AND LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REAL AND LIVING GOD! (5X)

1st John 2:5 “but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him…”

1st John 4:16 “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

1st John 4:17 “By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.”

1st John 5:2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.”

1st John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”

SECOND, LOVING GOD AND HIS PEOPLE IS BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF A REAL AND LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REAL AND LIVING GOD! (2X)

1st John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1st John 4:18 “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

THIRD, TRUE BIBLICAL LOVE FOR GOD AND HIS PEOPLE MUST BE SEEN IN ONE’S LIFE AND NOT MERELY IN OUR WORDS! (1X)

1st John 3:18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

FOURTH, LOVING GOD’S PEOPLE IS BIBLICAL EVIDENCE OF A REAL AND LIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE REAL AND LIVING GOD! (13X)

1st John 2:10 “Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”

1st John 3:10 “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

1st John 3:11 “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

1st John 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.”

1st John 3:16 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

1st John 3:17 “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”

1st John 3:23 “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.”

1st John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”

1st John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1st John 4:12 “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

1st John 4:20 “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

1st John 4:21 “And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

1st John 5:1 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”

FIFTH, THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT GOD’S PEOPLE ARE COMMANDED TO NOT LOVE! (1X)

1st John 2:15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

SIXTH, LOVING GOD WILL NOT BRING US THE LOVE OF THIS WORLD! (1X)

1st John 3:1 “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

SEVENTH, THE LOVE OF GOD FOR HIS PEOPLE IS SEEN IN THE LIFE AND DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST! (3X)

1st John 4:9 “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

1st John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1st John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.”

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The Many Resurrections on the First Easter!

Posted on April 1, 2024 by Lanny Faulkner

“THE MANY RESURRECTIONS OF THE FIRST EASTER!”

AS HE CAME NEAR JERUSALEM SHORTLY BEFORE HIS TRIUMPHAL ENTRY, JESUS RAISED LAZARUS FROM THE DEAD!

John 11:38-44

(38) “Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. (39) Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.”  (40) Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” (41) So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. (42)  I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” (43) When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” (44) The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

THREE DAYS AFTER HIS DEATH, JESUS WAS HIMSELF RAISED FROM THE DEAD!

Matthew 28:1-7

(1) “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.          (2) And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. (3) His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. (4) And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. (5) But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. (6) He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. (7) Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”

FOLLOWING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS, GOD RESURRECTED MANY BELIEVERS IN THE CITY OF JERUSALEM!

Matthew 27:45-54

(45) “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (46) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (47) And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” (48) And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. (49) But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.”

(50) “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. (51) And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (52) The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,

(53) and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. (54) When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN JESUS AND DIES BEFORE HE RETURNS WILL BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD WHEN HE RETURNS!

1st Thessalonians 4:13-18

(13) “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (14) For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (15) For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (16) For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

(17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (18) Therefore encourage one another with these words.”

– WHEN THE LORD RETURNS, THERE WILL BE A REVELATION OF JESUS!

– WHEN THE LORD RETURNS, THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION OF HIS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED!

– WHEN THE LORD RETURNS, THERE WILL BE A RAPTURE OF HIS PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE!

– WHEN THE LORD RETURNS, THERE WILL BE A REUNION OF HIS PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED AND THOSE WHO ARE STILL ALIVE WHEN HE RETURNS!

CF. JOHN 11:25-26

(25) “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, (THE DEAD IN CHRIST) yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives (WE WHO ARE ALIVE, WHO ARE LEFT) and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Do YOU believe this? Do YOU?

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