Confidence Builders

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Today we are living during an unprecedented amount of fear, angst, distrust, and doubt. The world around us is afraid. They are afraid of death. They are afraid of poverty. They are afraid of oppression. Most of all they are afraid of the unknown. What in the world is going to happen next? Can we fix this? Who can we believe? Whom can we trust. If we are not careful, we as believers can get pulled into this same pit of anxiety, fear, and despondency.  

In our text verses, the Apostle John suggests that we as believers can possess a rare gem in these troubled times. We as believers can and must build a wealth of confidence. Really? Confidence now?

Believe it or not the Greek word translated confidence in your King James Bible comes up several times. Tonight we are going to study what the word means and how to find and implement Biblical Confidence builders.

????????, ?? f: a state of boldness and confidence, sometimes implying intimidating circumstances—‘boldness, courage.’ 

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 306.

Confidence Starts With Saving Faith

1 John 5:13 KJV

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John 3:16 KJV

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Hebrews 3:6 KJV

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Confidence is Built By Prayer

1 John 5:14 KJV

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

 Several years ago one of the astronauts who walked on the moon was interviewed and asked, “What do you think about as you stood on the moon and looked back at the earth?” The astronaut replied, “I remembered how the spacecraft was built by the lowest bidder.”

We as Christians can rejoice that the work of salvation did not go to the “lowest bidder” but was performed by an infinite God. There will never be a deficiency in his work. Our salvation is as sure as the architect of that salvation, Almighty God.1

1 Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 310–311.

Confidence is Built By Abiding in Christ

1 John 2:28–29 KJV

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 

If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

Confidence is Built By Showing Love to the Brethren.

1 John 3:19–21 KJV

And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

Confidence Brings Perspective to Temporal Loss.

Hebrews 10:34–35 KJV

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

 • Preventing us from making hasty pragmatic decisions.

Confidence is Built Throughout A Lifetime of Serving the King.

Acts 28:30–31 KJV

And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 

Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

An English woman had two daughters, one of which had died. She was on a ship bound for America for a visit with her other daughter. In a storm at sea it was feared that the ship might sink. All the passengers save this woman were in a state of near panic. When asked why she was so calm, she said: “Well, I have two daughters, one in America and one in heaven. I am on my way to see my daughter. If the ship survives, I will see the one in America. If not, I will see the one in heaven. So either way, I will see my daughter.”1

1 Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 143.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 10:19 AM April 26, 2020.

Whatever It Takes

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

1 Corinthians 9:18–22

Introduction:

A couple of weeks ago, a missionary on deputation called me asking for a chance to schedule a meeting with a goal of raising support. When learing about his heart and his ministry, i asked him how many folks he won to Christ this past month… silence… how many in a year… none. At this point the pius excuses started to flow by wrote…  

“ I don’t save anybody, Jesus does” as if that absolves him of any personal responsibility at all. I took him to this passage and showed him that Paul takes on personal responsibility 

“… that I might by all means save some…”

I went on… ok no one in the last year, how about the last 5 years? He began to weep. I challenged him that if he has not been winning souls here, he will not magically become a soul winner once he crosses the ocean. He needed a fundamental change in his view. He needed to see that winning souls is his personal responsibility and we need to do whatever it takes.

Perhaps as you look back at 2018, or 2017, 16, 15, 14…. how long has it been since you personally led someone to saving faith in Jesus Christ? It starts with a desire, then a passion, then a strong sense of personal responsibility. In 2019, may God stir all the believers here at Evangelical Baptist Church to be personal soul winners willing to do whatever it takes.

It Takes A Burden For Souls.

A. Know that they need Jesus alone, being moral or sincere is not enough.

Acts 4:12 KJV 1900

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

B. Know the fate of the unbeliever.

1. He is condemned already.

John 3:17-20

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  

2. A literal and eternal Hell awaits the unbeliever.

Luke 16:23

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

*2 Corinthians 5:11

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men… *

3. You are in debt to the unbelievers, and owe them the truth.

Romans 1:14-16

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 

C. Know our Savior’s desire to save the lost.

Matthew 23:37

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

2 Peter 3:9 KJV 1900

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Luke 19:10

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. 

It Takes A Sense of Personal Responsibility.

A. You are a steward of God’s truth.

Ezekiel 33:7-9

7 So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 

Paul Rader had urged a banker in New York many times to receive Christ, but he did not respond. One day the preacher sensed that God wanted him to speak with this man again. Obediently he took a train and went with all speed to the town where the man lived. He hurried to the bank and found his friend standing in the doorway. “Rader,” he said, “I’m glad to see you! I wrote a telegram begging you to come, but later changed my mind and didn’t send it.”

That’s all right,” said the evangelist, “your message came through anyhow by way of Heaven.” Under deep conviction of sin, the banker was impressed by Rader’s earnestness and his special effort to reach him with the Gospel, and that same hour he accepted the Lord. Suddenly the banker gave a gasp and fell into the evangelist’s arms – DEAD! He had been saved on the very brink of eternity.

What if Paul Reader had delayed or failed to stress the urgent need of turning to the Lord immediately? Will you do whatever it takes?

B. Get your eyes off of yourself.

John 4:35 KJV 1900

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Constant Meditation in God’s Word.

A. To be cleansed.

Psalm 119:9-11

9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 

B. To be ready

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

C. To be renewed daily.

Romans 12:2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Committed to take specific action.

A. To reach as many souls as possible.

1 Corinthians 9:18-22

 • Lay aside your preferences in order to reach more people.

 • To the religious preach true religion

 • To the moral, preach the only true hope of pure morality

 • To the free, preach true freedom

 • To the week, preach gently

 • Reach everyone where they are not where they should be.

B. To be blameless.

Acts 20:26-27

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 

You can never tell what God may do with a gospel witness. Many years ago in St. Louis a Christian man was completing some business with a lawyer. Before leaving the office, the Christian turned to the lawyer and said:

“I have wanted to ask you a question, but I have been a coward.” The lawyer was surprised. “I didn’t think that you were afraid of anything.” He said. “What is your question?”

The client replied: “Why aren’t you a Christian?”

The lawyer hung his head. “You know my weakness.” He said. Ísn’t there something in the Bible about drunkards having no part in the kingdom of God?”

Not to be detoured, the Christian said, ” That’s not what I am asking you. I want to know why you aren’t a Christian.”

“Well,” said the lawyer, “I can’t recall that anybody asked me, and I’m sure that nobody ever told me how to become a Christian!”

Before long the two were praying together and God moved into that lawyer’s life. He saved him and immediately broke the power of drink that had bound him.

That lawyer was Cyrus L. Scofield who later edited the famous Scofield Reference Bible, the most widely used study Bible in the world.

The man who went to speak with Mr. Scofield that day was a soul winner. He was driven with a burden for souls, a sense of personal responsibility, a constant meditation in God’s word, and was committed to take the specific action of sharing the gospel with his lawyer. 

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 1:11 PM March 8, 2020.

A Sure Foundation

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Growing Pains: The Struggles of a Culturally Relevant Church / Authority; Truth; Wisdom; Philosophy / 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

A Nation of Bible Illiterates

George Barna wrote The State of the Church in 2002. Barna conducted a survey of self-pronounced Christians and here’s what he found about their knowledge of the Bible. These are Christians.

• 48% could not name the four Gospels.

• 52% cannot identify more than two or three of Jesus’ disciples.

• 60% of American Christians can’t name even five of the 10 Commandments.

• 61% of American Christians think the Sermon on the Mount was preached by Billy Graham.

• 71% of American Christians think “God helps those who help themselves” is a Bible verse.

George Barna said, “Americans revere the Bible, but by and large they don’t know what it says. And because they don’t know it, they have become a nation of biblical illiterates.”

Just as the people in this Barna poll are woefully biblical illiterate, Christians are far too ignorant of the Word of God. No wonder 21st century Christians are failing to finish their marathon race. No wonder Christians by the thousands are falling prey to the false teachers of our day. They are being feed junk food and don’t feed themselves on the Word of God. They are desperately in need of a solid diet of good food, Scripture. We need to get into “spiritual shape”.

One of the things that trips us churches and causes divisions is placing one’s anchor on the wrong source of truth. Rather than basing one’s life on a constant study and discovery of truths from God’s perfect Word, the Bible, folks often trust personalities, associations, or denominations as filter for the scriptures, rather than letting scriptures be the filter for their associations.

The Corinthian church had a problem with unity. The problem is that folks were uniting under different men rather than uniting under the same Bible. In our passage we will see how the Apostle Paul is careful to teach them not to anchor their faith to him or any other man. They were to anchor their faith in the Word of God that demonstrates the Power of the Holy Spirit. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God is the Sure Foundation.

Don’t Anchor Your Faith to Your Pastor.

1 Corinthians 2:1 KJV

And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

The anchor is not in clever speech.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Authority

3. huperoche (???????, 5247), primarily, “a projection, eminence,” as a mountain peak, hence, metaphorically, “pre-eminence, superiority, excellency,” is once rendered “authority,” 1 Tim. 2:2, KJV (marg., “eminent place”), RV, “high place,” of the position of magistrates; in 1 Cor. 2:1, “excellency” (of speech). Cf. huperecho, “to surpass.” See EXCELLENCY.¶ 

*Translation wheel**

The Anchor is the Testimony (Word) of God.

John 17:17 KJV

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

A Good Pastor Will Put the Focus on Jesus, not Himself.

1 Corinthians 2:2–3 KJV

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 

And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

John 3:30 KJV

He must increase, but I must decrease.

Don’t Anchor Your Faith to Any Other Man’s Wisdom.

1 Corinthians 2:4 KJV

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

Colossians 2:8 KJV

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Never Quit Evaluating Every Word Preached With The Bible.

Acts 17:10–12 KJV

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

Anchor Your Faith to The Sword of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:5 KJV

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The Bible is what has the power to convert the lost.

Romans 10:17 KJV

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Bible is what has the power to change a believer.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:46 PM February 29, 2020.

Dealing With Divisions

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Growing Pains: The Struggles of a Culturally Relevant Church / Division; Church: Fellowship and Unity / 1 Corinthians 1:10–17

  ELEPHANT FIGHTS IN CHURCH

  An African proverb says, “When elephants fight, grass gets trampled.” Elephants do not throw their weight around for nothing. The average African elephant weighs 16,534 lbs. The largest elephant on record weighed about 24,000 pounds and was 13 feet tall! Wild elephants eat all types of vegetation, from grass and fruit to leaves and bark—-about 220 to 440 pounds each day. They also drink about 30 gallons of water each day.

  Building a church is hard enough without bigger-than-life characters causing a stampede. Often, there are conflicts, disagreements and misunderstandings. The church at Corinth had been nurtured by two of the world’s greatest evangelists: Paul and Apollos. Their individual followers were displeased with each other, disrespected each other, and distant from each other. This strained the fellowship in the church, neglected the work of the gospel, hurt the name of the church in the community, and destroyed any hope of possible reconciliation.

(From a sermon by Ajai Prakash, Adequacy of Christ, 6/10/2010)

In a church filled with saved sinners trying to do right while living in a sin cursed world, divisions and carnality are bound to occur once and a while, just like they did in the early church at Corinth. Tonight we will discover some practical things we can do while dealing with divisions.

Do Something Different

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Speak the Same Thing

Paul appealed to brothers, not to adversaries, in the most authoritative fashion, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the 10th reference to Christ in the first 10 verses, leaving no doubt as to the One Paul believed should be the source and focus of Corinthian unity. His appeal was for harmony, not the elimination of diversity. He desired a unity of all the parts, like a quilt of various colors and patterns blended together in a harmonious whole.1

1 David K. Lowery, “1 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 508.

Do Not Divide

1 Corinthians 12:25–27 KJV

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 

And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Romans 16:17 KJV

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Be knit together

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Fit (Adjective and Verb), Fitly, Fitting

katartizo (?????????, 2675), “to make fit, to equip, prepare” (kata, “down,” artos, “a joint”), is rendered “fitted” in Rom. 9:22, of vessels of wrath; here the middle voice signifies that those referred to “fitted” themselves for destruction (as illustrated in the case of Pharaoh, the self-hardening of whose heart is accurately presented in the RV in the first part of the series of incidents in the Exodus narrative, which records Pharaoh’s doings; only after repeated and persistent obstinacy on his part is it recorded that God hardened his heart.) See FRAME, JOIN, PERFECT, PREPARE, RESTORE.

**joined together wheel**

  Judgment (?????). See on Apoc. 17:13. The distinction between mind and judgment is not between theoretical and practical, since ???? mind, includes the practical reason, while ????? judgment, has a theoretical side. Rather between understanding and opinion; ???? regarding the thing from the side of the subject, ????? from the side of the object. Being in the same realm of thought, they would judge questions from the same christian stand-point, and formulate their judgment accordingly.1

1 Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, vol. 3 (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887), 1

Recognize Contentions

1 Corinthians 1:11–12 KJV

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

   (1) There were those who claimed to belong to Paul. No doubt this was mainly a Gentile party. Paul had always preached the gospel of Christian freedom and the end of the law. It is most likely that this party was attempting to turn liberty into licence and was using their new-found Christianity as an excuse to do as they liked. The German theologian Rudolf Bultmann has said that the Christian indicative always brings the Christian imperative. They had forgotten that the fact, the indicative, of the good news brought the obligation, the imperative, of the Christian ethic. They had forgotten that they were saved not to be free to sin, but to be free not to sin.

   (2) There was the party who claimed to belong to Apollos. There is a brief character sketch of Apollos in Acts 18:24. He was a Jew from Alexandria, an eloquent man and well versed in the Scriptures. Alexandria was the centre of intellectual activity. It was there that scholars had made a science of allegorizing the Scriptures and ?nding the most obscure meanings in the simplest passages. Here is an example of the kind of thing they did. The Epistle of Barnabas, an Alexandrian work, argues from a comparison of Genesis 14:14 and 18:23 that Abraham had a household of 318 people whom he circumcised. The Greek for 18—the Greeks used letters as symbols for numbers—is iota followed by eta, which are the ?rst two letters of the name Jesus; and the Greek for 300 is the letter tau, which is the shape of the cross; therefore this old incident is a foretelling of the cruci?xion of Jesus on his cross! Alexandrian learning was full of that kind of thing. Furthermore, the Alexandrians were enthusiasts for literary graces. They were in fact the people who intellectualized Christianity. Those who claimed to belong to Apollos were, no doubt, the intellectuals who were fast turning Christianity into a philosophy rather than a religion.

   (3) There were those who claimed to belong to Cephas. Cephas is the Jewish form of Peter’s name. These were most probably Jews, and they sought to teach that Christians must still observe the Jewish law. They were legalists who exalted law, and, by so doing, belittled grace.

   (4) There were those who claimed to belong to Christ. This may be one of two things. (a) There was absolutely no punctuation in Greek manuscripts and no space whatever between the words. This statement may well not describe a party at all. It may be the comment of Paul himself. Perhaps we ought to punctuate like this: ‘I am of Paul; I am of Apollos; I am of Cephas—but I belong to Christ.’ It may well be that this is Paul’s own comment on the whole wretched situation. (b) If that is not so and this does describe a party, they must have been a small and rigid sect who claimed that they were the only true Christians in Corinth. Their real fault was not in saying that they belonged to Christ, but in acting as if Christ belonged to them. It may well describe a little, intolerant, self-righteous group.1

1 William Barclay, The Letters to the Corinthians, 3rd ed., The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2002), 17–19.

Answer These Questions:

Is Christ Divided?

Was Paul Crucified For You?

Were You Baptized in the Name of Paul?

1 Corinthians 1:13–17 KJV

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 

And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 12:52 PM February 8, 2020.

A Special Place with Special People

Pastor Don Carpenter / General

Growing Pains: The Struggle of a Culturally Relevant Church / Church: Nature / 1 Corinthians 1:1–3

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Church, Attending

Many believers don’t see the importance of regular church attendance. Members of Northend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle received a special announcement in the mail, listing the many things that would be done for them at church on the following “no-excuse-to-stay-home Sunday.”
According to the pastor, cots would be available for those who say Sunday is their only day to sleep. Eye drops would be supplied for those who have red eyes from watching late Saturday-night TV shows. There would be steel helmets for those who say the roof would cave in if they ever went to church, blankets for persons who think the church is too cold, fans for those who say it is too hot, scorecards for those wishing to list all the hypocrites present, TV dinners for those who can’t go to church and also cook dinner. Finally, the sanctuary would be decorated with Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the church without them.169

Tonight we begin a study through the Book of 1 Corinthians. This letter from Paul has a lot of rebukes to be sure, but it also contains very pointed instruction and critique to a growing church that was desperately trying to be culturally relevant and reach those around them.

In the greeting of the letter we find some nuggets of truth regarding the very special people who belonged to the Church of God in Corinth.

This Letter is for the Church.

1 Corinthians 1:1–3 KJV
PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

]

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Assembly
ekklesia (????????, 1577), from ek, “out of,” and klesis, “a calling” (kaleo, “to call”), was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens “gathered” to discuss the affairs of state, Acts 19:39. In the Sept. it is used to designate the “gathering” of Israel, summoned for any definite purpose, or a “gathering” regarded as representative of the whole nation. In Acts 7:38 it is used of Israel; in 19:32, 41, of a riotous mob. It has two applications to companies of Christians, (a) to the whole company of the redeemed throughout the present era, the company of which Christ said, “I will build My Church,” Matt. 16:18, and which is further described as “the Church which is His Body,” Eph. 1:22; 5:23, (b) in the singular number (e.g., Matt. 18:17, RV marg., “congregation”), to a company consisting of professed believers, e.g., Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:13; 1 Thess. 1:1;2 Thess. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:5, and in the plural, with reference to churches in a district.

Matthew 16:18 KJV
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 1:22 KJV
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

Ephesians 5:23 KJV
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

This is God’s Church

This is a Local Church

This Letter is to the Sanctified In Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Hallow
hagiazo (??????, 37), “to make holy” (from hagios, “holy”), signifies to set apart for God, to sanctify, to make a person or thing the opposite of koinos, “common”; it is translated “Hallowed,” with reference to the name of God the Father in the Lord’s Prayer, Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2. See SANCTIFY.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

This Letter is to the Saints

1 Corinthians 1:2 KJV
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Not Only Set Apart for Holiness But Called Holy Ones!

All Who Call on the Name of The Lord Are Saints!

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Holiness, Holy, Holily

1. hagios (?????, 40), akin to A, Nos. 1 and 2, which are from the same root as hagnos (found in hazo, “to venerate”), fundamentally signifies “separated” (among the Greeks, dedicated to the gods), and hence, in Scripture in its moral and spiritual significance, separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.
   (a) It is predicated of God (as the absolutely “Holy” One, in His purity, majesty and glory): of the Father, e.g., Luke 1:49; John 17:11; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16; Rev. 4:8; 6:10; of the Son, e.g., Luke 1:35; Acts 3:14; 4:27, 30; 1 John 2:20; of the Spirit, e.g., Matt. 1:18 and frequently in all the Gospels, Acts, Romans, 1 and 2 Cor., Eph., 1 Thess.; also in 2 Tim. 1:14; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:21; Jude 20.
   (b) It is used of men and things (see below) in so far as they are devoted to God. Indeed the quality, as attributed to God, is often presented in a way which involves divine demands upon the conduct of believers. These are called hagioi, “saints,” i.e., “sanctified” or “holy” ones.
   This sainthood is not an attainment, it is a state into which God in grace calls men; yet believers are called to sanctify themselves (consistently with their calling, 2 Tim. 1:9), cleansing themselves from all defilement, forsaking sin, living a “holy” manner of life, 1 Pet. 1:15; 2 Pet. 3:11, and experiencing fellowship with God in His holiness. The saints are thus figuratively spoken of as “a holy temple”, 1 Cor. 3:17 (a local church); Eph. 2:21 (the whole Church), cp. 5:27; “a holy priesthood,” 1 Pet. 2:5; “a holy nation,” 2:9.

Whatever struggles the Church at Corinth had, they were a very special group. These folks were a physical manifestation of the Body of Christ, they were set apart for Holiness By Christ, they were called the Holy Ones of Christ. Though they struggled, they like us, were a very special place with special people.

Exported from Logos Bible Software, 9:20 PM January 25, 2020.

God’s First Responders / 1 Timothy 1:17

1 Timothy 1:17 KJV 1900

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I. The Essence of God

Essence = that which underlies all outward manifestation; the reality itself, whether material or immaterial; the substratum of anything; that in which the qualities or attributes inhere.

A. Spirituality

John 4:24 KJV 1900

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

1. He is immaterial and incorporeal.

That is why images are forbidden

Exodus 20:4 KJV 1900

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

2. He is invisible.

Exodus 33:20 KJV 1900

And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.

John 1:18 KJV 1900

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

1 Timothy 6:16 KJV 1900

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

3. He is alive.

Joshua 3:10 KJV 1900

And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.

1 Samuel 17:26 KJV 1900

And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Psalm 84:2 KJV 1900

My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord:

My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Psalm 115:3 KJV 1900

But our God is in the heavens:

He hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

4. He is a person

a. intellect (Gen. 18:19; Exod. 3:7; Acts 15:18)

b. sensibility (Gen. 6:6; Ps. 103:8–14; John 3:16),

c. volition (Gen. 3:15; Ps. 115:3; John 6:38).

d. speaking (Gen. 1:3)

e. seeing (Gen. 11:5)

f. hearing (Ps. 94:9)

g. grieving (Gen. 6:6)

h. repenting (Gen. 6:6)

i. being angry (Deut. 1:37)

j. jealous (Exod. 20:5)

k. compassionate (Ps. 111:4)

B. Self-Existence

Exodus 3:14 KJV 1900

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

John 8:58 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Isaiah 41:4 KJV 1900

Who hath wrought and done it,

Calling the generations from the beginning?

I the Lord, the first,

And with the last; I am he.

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

C. Immensity – not limited to space

1 Kings 8:27 KJV 1900

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

2 Chronicles 2:6 KJV 1900

But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?

D. Eternity – not limited by time

Genesis 21:33 KJV 1900

And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.

Psalm 90:2 KJV 1900

Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Isaiah 57:15 KJV 1900

For thus saith the high and lofty One

That inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy;

I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

II. The Attributes of God

A. The Non-Moral Attributes

1. Omnipresence. – everywhere present

1 Kings 8:27 KJV 1900

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

Psalm 139:7–10 KJV 1900

Whither shall I go from thy spirit?

Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:

If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me,

And thy right hand shall hold me.

2. Omniscience. – Infinite knowledge

Proverbs 15:3 KJV 1900

The eyes of the Lord are in every place,

Beholding the evil and the good.

Psalm 147:5 KJV 1900

Great is our Lord, and of great power:

His understanding is infinite.

3. Omnipotence. – All Powerful

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Revelation 4:8 KJV 1900

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Job 42:2 KJV 1900

I know that thou canst do every thing,

And that no thought can be withholden from thee.

4. Immutability. Unchangeable

James 1:17 KJV 1900

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Malachi 3:6 KJV 1900

For I am the Lord, I change not;

Therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

B. The Moral Attributes

1. Holiness

Joshua 24:19 KJV 1900

And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the Lord: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

2. Righteousness and justice.

2 Chronicles 12:6 KJV 1900

Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The Lord is righteous.

Ezra 9:15 KJV 1900

O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

Genesis 18:25 KJV 1900

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Psalm 89:14 KJV 1900

Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne:

Mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

3. Goodness. (Love, Benevolence, Mercy, Grace)

Mark 10:18 KJV 1900

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

4. Truth.

1 John 5:20 KJV 1900

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Jeremiah 10:10 KJV 1900

But the Lord is the true God,

He is the living God, and an everlasting king:

At his wrath the earth shall tremble,

And the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

The Proofs of Inspiration

A. The Character of God

1. We have already seen that he is a personal, almighty, holy, and loving God

2. We would expect him to have a loving concern for his creatures and come to their aid.

3. This is evident from his provision for man’s material and temporal needs.

4. Man also has spiritual and eternal needs- a sin problem

5. God uses redeemed, but fallible men

6. But we, saved though sinful men, need an infallible Word to declare.

2 Corinthians 5:18 KJV 1900

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV 1900

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

B. The Character and Claims of the Bible

1. It sets up the highest ethical standards

a. enjoins the most absolute obedience

b. denounces every form of sin

c.  informs the sinner how he can become right with God.

2. It has remarkable unity

a. It has one doctrinal viewpoint

b. one moral standard

c. one plan of salvation

d. one program of the ages

e. one world-view

3. It claims to be the Word of God.

a. More than 3,800 times the Old Testament writers use the terms, “thus says the Lord,” “the word of the Lord came to” such and such a person, “the Lord said,” or some such equivalent.

b. The New Testament writers use such expressions as, “declaring to you the whole purpose of God,” “in words … taught by the Spirit,” “what it really is, the word of God,” and “the Lord’s commandment.”

c. Various writers claim absolute perfection and authority for the law and the testimony

Deuteronomy 27:26 KJV 1900

Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

2 Kings 17:13 KJV 1900

Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.

Psalm 19:7 KJV 1900

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul:

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 33:4 KJV 1900

For the word of the Lord is right;

And all his works are done in truth.

Psalm 119:89 KJV 1900

LAMED.

For ever, O Lord,

Thy word is settled in heaven.

Isaiah 8:20 KJV 1900

To the law and to the testimony:

If they speak not according to this word,

It is because there is no light in them.

Galatians 3:10 KJV 1900

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

d. One book recognizes another book as speaking with absolute finality

 

Joshua 1:7 KJV 1900

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Ezra 3:2 KJV 1900

Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.

Nehemiah 8:1 KJV 1900

And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel.

e. Peter puts the Epistles of Paul on a par with “the rest of Scripture”

2 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

2 Peter 3:16 KJV 1900

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

f. Paul declares the whole Old Testament to be inspired

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

4. The Lord’s view of inspiration

a. “Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35)

b. He believed in the verbal inspiration of the law. “Law” in this setting no doubt included the entire Old Testament.

c. Further, Jesus made some significant predictions concerning the preservation and interpretation of the facts that are connected with him and his mission.

The Definition of Inspiration

A. Related Terms

1.  Revelation has to do with the communication of truth that cannot be otherwise discovered;

a. Inspiration has to do with the recording of revealed truth.

b. We can have revelation without inspiration

Lectures in Systematic Theology 1. Revelation

We can have revelation without inspiration, as has been the case with many of the godly people in the past. This is clear from the fact that John heard the seven thunders utter their voices, but was not permitted to write what they said (Rev. 10:3f.)

c. We may also have inspiration without direct revelation

Lectures in Systematic Theology 1. Revelation

We may also have inspiration without direct revelation, as when the writers set down what they had seen with their own eyes or discovered by research (Luke 1:1–4; 1 John 1:1–4)

Lectures in Systematic Theology 1. Revelation

John, on the other hand, received much of the Revelation by direct revelation from God. Both men were inspired in the penning of their material, but the material was received in different manners.

2 Peter 1:21 KJV 1900

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2.  Inspiration. Inspiration has to do with the recording of the truth

Acts 1:16 KJV 1900

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

3. Authority. The Bible carries with it the divine authority of God. It is binding upon man—on his mind, conscience, will, and heart.

4. Inerrancy – It is without error in the original manuscripts.

a. It is inerrant in all that it affirms, whether in historical, scientific, moral, or doctrinal matters.

b. Inerrancy extends to all of Scripture and is not limited to certain teachings of Scripture.

5. Illumination – The one who inspired men in the writing of Scripture, illumines the minds of those who read it.

Romans 1:21 KJV 1900

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Ephesians 4:18 KJV 1900

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

Ephesians 1:18 KJV 1900

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

B. Inadequate Theories of Inspiration

1. Natural inspiration or the intuition theory. –

a. Inspiration is merely a superior insight on the part of natural man.

b. It is merely the intensifying and elevating of the religious perceptions of the writer.

2. The dynamic or partial-inspiration theory.

a. God supplied the ability needed for the trustworthy transmission of the truth which the writers of Scripture were commissioned to deliver.

b.  This made authors infallible in matters of faith and practice, but not in things which are not of an immediately religious character.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3. The theory that the thoughts, not the words, are inspired. – God suggested the thoughts of the revelation, but left it up to man to put the revelation into words

1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV 1900

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

4. The theory that the Bible contains the Word of God.

a. The Bible is a human book which God can make his Word at the moment of personal encounter.

b. The writers of Scripture wrote of their encounters with God in thought patterns of their day.

c. These authors incorporated into their writings various supernatural myths and miraculous tales to convey spiritual truths.

d. The interpreter’s job is to strip away all the mythical embellishments and seek to arrive at the spiritual truth God has for us

5. The dictation theory.

a.  Holds that the authors of Scripture were mere pens, amanuenses, not beings whose individualities were preserved and somehow pressed into service in the act of inspiration.

b. On this view the style is that of the Holy Spirit.

c. This theory ignores the manifest differences in the style of Moses, David, Peter, James, John, and Paul, for example

C. The Biblical Doctrine of Inspiration

1. Inspiration is inexplicable

2. Inspiration, in this restricted sense, is limited to the authors of Scripture. Other books are not inspired in the same sense

3. Inspiration is essentially guidance. The Holy Spirit supervised the selection of the materials to be used and the words to be employed in writing.

4. The Holy Spirit preserved the authors from all error and from all omission.

5. Inspiration extends to the words, not merely to the thoughts and concepts

6. Inspiration is extended only to the original autographs

Part I THEISM

• The belief in a supernatural power or supernatural powers

• The belief in the existence of but one God – This view includes monotheism, pantheism and deism but excludes atheism, polytheism, and henotheism.

• The belief in a personal God who is both transcendent and immanent and exists in only person.

• The belief in one personal God, both immanent and transcendent who exists in three personal distinctions.

The Definition and Existence of God

1. Definition of God

1. Erroneous definitions

1. The eternal mind, the cause of good. – Plato

• The first ground of all being – Aristotle

• The moral order of the universe – Fichte

• The absolute spirit without consciousness until it becomes conscious in the thoughts of man – Hegel

• The creative force and energy behind the universe – Henry Sloane Coffin

• Biblical names for God.

1. Elohim – God the most High God (plural)

• Jehovah – I AM

• Adonai – Lord

• Theological definition:  “God is the infinite and perfect Spirit in whom all things have their source, support, and end.”  – Strong

1. The Existence of God

1. The belief in the existence of God is intuitive.

Romans 1:19-20

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Romans 2:15

15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)  

• The existence of God is assumed by scriptures

Genesis 1:1

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

• Arguments for the existence of God

1. Cosmological argument – everything that begun must have an adequate cause.

Hebrews 3:4

4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

• Teleological argument – order and useful arrangement in a system imply intelligence and purpose in the organizing cause.

• Ontological argument – the very ideal of God is proof of His existence.  Men have an intuitive idea of God.

• The moral argument – every man has a sense of moral obligation, a sense of right and wrong.

• Congruity – the existence of God best explains the facts of our moral, mental, and religious nature as well as the material nature of the universe.

The Possibility of Theology

1. Revelation of God

“Revelation is that act of God whereby he discloses himself or communicates truth to the mind, whereby he makes manifest to his creatures that which could not be known in any other way.”  – Thiessen

1. General Revelation

• In nature

• In history

• In conscience

• Special Revelation – “Those acts of God whereby He makes Himself and His truth known at special times to specific peoples.”

• Miracles

• Fulfilled prophecy

• The person of Christ

John 14:9

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

• Scriptures

• Personal experience

• Endowments of Men – How does man come into possession of this revelation?
• Mental endowments – properties of reason

1. 2. Reason is the organ or capacity for knowing truth

• Reason must judge the credibility of a representation.

• Reason must judge evidence

• Reason must organize facts into a system

• Spiritual endowments

1. Man has an intuitive knowledge of God

• A believer enters into a special personal fellowship with God.

Romans 8:15

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

1 Corinthians 1:9

9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 4:6

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

1 John 1:3

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1. The Divisions of Theology

1. Exegetical Theology – occupies itself directly with the study of biblical text and such related subjects as help in the restoration, orientation, illustration and interpretation of that text.

• Historical Theology – Traces the history of God’s people in the Bible and of the church since the time of Christ.

• Systematic Theology – Takes the materials furnished by exegetical and historical theology and arranges them in a logical order under the great heads of theological study.

• Practical Theology – Treats the application of theology in the regeneration, sanctification, edification, and service of men.