What Does The Bible Say?
Revenge
The urge to get even is strong, isn’t it?
What Does The Bible Say?
Romans 12:17-21 says… “ Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” “No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
From this scripture, we learn:
1. We should not repay evil for evil.
2. We should realize others are watching.
3. We should live peaceable lives.
4. We should trust that God is just.
5. We should do good to our enemy.
6. Instead of being overwhelmed with evil, we overwhelm evil with good.
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Plan Ahead
Lately, we hear a lot of plans being made. We plan wars, retirement, business expansion, etc. It might surprise you to know God has something to say about our plans.
What Does The Bible Say?
James 4:13-16 says... "Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."
From this scripture, we learn:
•1. We do not really know what the future holds.
•2. Our life is short.
•3. To leave God out of our plans is arrogant and foolish.
•4. We should say, "If the Lord wills" when we plan.
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
Who Is In Charge?
One of the big controversies in church these days, is "who is in charge?" Some say the preachers...some vote...some have some sort of denominational organization who makes the rules.
What Does The Bible Say?
Matthew 28:18-20 says... "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
From this scripture, we learn:
•1. Jesus has "all authority".
•2. If Jesus has all authority, then we really have none.
•3. Jesus gives the commands such as evangelism.
•4. We are to teach and obey His commandments.
•5. This is comforting to us to know the one who has all authority has the power to ‘be with us always.'
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
Why Go To Church?
Someone asked why do we go to church all the time? This question asks ‘what happens when we worship and why is it wrong to skip worship'.
What Does The Bible Say?
Hebrews 10:19-25 says... "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
From this scripture, we learn:
•1. When Christians worship, we actually approach God. Words like "enter the sanctuary" and "draw near" illustrate this truth.
•2. When Christians worship, we acknowledge and celebrate the truth of our salvation.
•3. When Christians worship, we proclaim the faithful love of God.
•4. When Christians worship, we encourage other Christians to "stir one another up to love and good works".
•5. When Christians worship, not everyone attends (verse 25) but they should.
•6. When Christians worship, we should all be present and encouraging one another.
There will be a day (THE DAY) when all will meet the Lord. Attending on the Lord's day qualifies you for the DAY OF THE LORD.
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
Repentance - 3
How important is repentance anyway?
What Does The Bible Say?
Luke 13:3 says... "I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Luke 15:10 says... "In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
II Peter 3:9 says... "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
From these scriptures, we learn:
•1. Jesus uses the strongest language when He says, "Unless you repent, you will perish."
•2. Jesus also said, "In Heaven there is great rejoicing when one sinner repents."(Turns to God)
•3. Peter tells us the reason God has delayed His judgment is He loves you and wants you to repent.
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
Repentance 2
Some believe repentance is the act of being sorry for your sins.
What Does The Bible Say?
Hebrews 12:16-17 says... "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears."
II Cor. 7:19 says... "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."
From these scriptures, we learn:
•1. Esau was a sinner.
•2. Esau received the consequences of his sin.
•3. Esau was sorry. (He had tears.)
•4. Esau did not repent.
•5. Paul tells us in II Cor. 7, there are two kinds of grief. Godly grief and worldly grief.
•6. Only Godly grief leads to repentance.
•7. All sinners are sorry...some for their situation, some for the consequences of their sins, but some are sorry they sinned and change. The act of changing is REPENTANCE.
HAVE YOU REPENTED?
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
Repentence 1
A question that needs to be asked is ‘what is repentence?' Many don't know. Some think it means being sorry.
What Does The Bible Say?
Matthew 21:28-32 says... "What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' ‘I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered. Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
From these words of Jesus, we learn:
•1. This man gave his sons the same commandment...Go work.
•2. One son said he would not go.
•3. Then he repented (or changed his mind).
•4. We assume he was sorry about his first statement.
•5. We know he changed. This change is called repentance.
•6. If you are disobeying God and you change direction and obey Him, you are repenting.
HAVE YOU REPENTED?
If you have a Bible question, send it in.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
My Own Business
Maybe you have heard someone say, "What I do with my body is no one's business but mine." And even though we could argue about the damage we might do to others (mate, children, parents) by our selfishness, it would be good for us to ask "What Does The Bible Say?"
What Does The Bible Say?
I Corinthians 6:18-20 says... Shun immorality. Every other sin, which a man commits, is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So Glorify God in your body.
In this passage we learn...
1. That immorality is a sin against our body.
2. A Christian's body is a temple of God. (Where God lives on Earth.)
3. God already owns your body.
4. He bought us.
5. Our duty is to glorify God in our bodies.
So it makes a big difference what we do with our bodies.
DOESN'T IT?
Christ's Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is such an important event that it has always been surrounded with controversy. Some reject the resurrection story completely and insist that it is possible to be a Christian in every way without the resurrection.
What Does The Bible Say?
I Corinthians 15:3-8 says... ‘For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.'
I Corinthians 15:12-20 says... ‘Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.'
In this passage the Bible teaches us:
1. If Christ was not raised then no one is raised from the dead. Verse 13
2. If Christ has not been raised then the apostles' preaching is empty. Verse 14
3. If Christ has not been raised then our faith is vain. Verse 14
4. If Christ has not been raised then the apostles are liars. Verse 15
5. If Christ has not been raised then our faith is futile. Verse 17
6. If Christ has not been raised then Christians who have died have perished. Verse 18
7. If Christ has not been raised then we are a pitiful bunch. Verse 19
But read verse 20 of I Corinthians 15... ‘But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.'
This means in Christ we face resurrection from the dead...the promises of the apostles are true...our faith is sure...and those in Christ are the Blessed of the Universe.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED
Who should be baptized? Some say infants; some say saved people, others say believers who have repented but are not yet saved.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Mark 16:15-16 says... And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."
Those who are believers are baptized. Salvation is the result of God's grace and man's faith (believe and be baptized).
Acts 2:38 says... "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Here, when these people discovered the truth that Jesus is God's son and that they had rejected him, they were convicted (cut to the heart). They cried out, "Men and Brothers, what shall we do?" They were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Salvation came after these believers repented and were baptized. Many years later, Peter would say, "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities and powers subject to Him." (I Peter 3:21) So since infants cannot repent or believe, they are not candidates for baptism. And since salvation immediately follows Christian baptism, it is not possible to be saved prior to baptism. The proper candidate for baptism is a sinner who knows the word of God, believes in Jesus and has repented of his sins.