The October issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:
The Great Conspiracy by Andy Sochor
The Body of Sin by Andy Sochor
Some Things That Christians Cannot Do by Andy Sochor
Divorce for Any Reason at All? by Andy Sochor
You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find the new material helpful to you.
Plain Bible Teaching
Monday, October 1, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Concepts or Carefulness?
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others" (Mt. 23:23).
Jesus mentions two ways in which one might serve God. One way is to take the larger principles (justice, mercy, faithfulness) and go through life trying to live by those principles. The other way is to pay close attention to the smallest detail (tithing of herbs), no matter how insignificant it may seem to others.
Some have tried to take this verse and say we must choose whether we will serve God through right principles or through following the strictest details. Actually, Jesus says we must do both - "these are the things you should have done [concepts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness] without neglecting the others [carefulness of strict adherence to the Law]."
The Pharisees were condemned by Jesus for many things. As a result, it is sometimes easy to associate everything about the Pharisees as being wrong. But the Pharisees were NOT condemned for trying to strictly adhere to the Law in this instance. Their strict adherence did not cause them to neglect the "weightier provisions" either. They were just negligent in these areas and needed to be corrected.
So what is the point of the verse? Not that we must choose to focus on principles and attitudes OR precepts and actions. But that we must strive to strictly follow all of the Lord's commands while allowing our hearts and minds to be guided by the greater concepts of the gospel of Christ.
Jesus mentions two ways in which one might serve God. One way is to take the larger principles (justice, mercy, faithfulness) and go through life trying to live by those principles. The other way is to pay close attention to the smallest detail (tithing of herbs), no matter how insignificant it may seem to others.
Some have tried to take this verse and say we must choose whether we will serve God through right principles or through following the strictest details. Actually, Jesus says we must do both - "these are the things you should have done [concepts of justice, mercy, and faithfulness] without neglecting the others [carefulness of strict adherence to the Law]."
The Pharisees were condemned by Jesus for many things. As a result, it is sometimes easy to associate everything about the Pharisees as being wrong. But the Pharisees were NOT condemned for trying to strictly adhere to the Law in this instance. Their strict adherence did not cause them to neglect the "weightier provisions" either. They were just negligent in these areas and needed to be corrected.
So what is the point of the verse? Not that we must choose to focus on principles and attitudes OR precepts and actions. But that we must strive to strictly follow all of the Lord's commands while allowing our hearts and minds to be guided by the greater concepts of the gospel of Christ.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Do Not Receive Him into Your House
When Paul came to Thessalonica in Acts 17, he began preaching in the synagogue with some success (v. 1-4). However, many of the Jews became upset and caused an uproar (v. 5). They searched for Paul and Silas, the ones who had "turned the world upside down" with their teaching (v. 6). When they could not find them, they brought Jason and some of the other brethren before the city authorities (v. 6-7). What charge did they bring against Jason? He "welcomed them" (v. 7).
This reminds me of a passage in 2 John. John wrote, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds" (2 Jn. 10-11). John is teaching that when one supports, welcomes, or receives one who does not bring the "teaching of Christ" (2 Jn. 9), he becomes a partner in evil. The Jews in Thessalonica saw Paul and Silas as evil men. In their minds, Jason, because he welcomed them, was just as deserving of punishment and they were. This is the principle of 2 John 10-11. But the punishment for receiving one that John talked about will not come from civil authorities, but from "Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 10:28).
It is interesting that some of the enemies of the cross of Christ were able to grasp this principle of fellowship while some of our own brethren cannot. Some Christians and local churches today welcome false teachers, support compromisers, and receive those who are unwilling to bring "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:28). When they do this, they become a partner in wickedness and stand just as condemned as the one they receive.
First and foremost, "our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 Jn. 1:3). Let us not forfeit our relationship with God for any man, no matter how popular, friendly, knowledgeable, zealous, etc., he is.
I just recently read an article, 2 John 9-11 and Fellowship by Tim Haile. If you are interested in reading more on the topic of fellowship, I would recommend that article.
This reminds me of a passage in 2 John. John wrote, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds" (2 Jn. 10-11). John is teaching that when one supports, welcomes, or receives one who does not bring the "teaching of Christ" (2 Jn. 9), he becomes a partner in evil. The Jews in Thessalonica saw Paul and Silas as evil men. In their minds, Jason, because he welcomed them, was just as deserving of punishment and they were. This is the principle of 2 John 10-11. But the punishment for receiving one that John talked about will not come from civil authorities, but from "Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 10:28).
It is interesting that some of the enemies of the cross of Christ were able to grasp this principle of fellowship while some of our own brethren cannot. Some Christians and local churches today welcome false teachers, support compromisers, and receive those who are unwilling to bring "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:28). When they do this, they become a partner in wickedness and stand just as condemned as the one they receive.
First and foremost, "our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1 Jn. 1:3). Let us not forfeit our relationship with God for any man, no matter how popular, friendly, knowledgeable, zealous, etc., he is.
I just recently read an article, 2 John 9-11 and Fellowship by Tim Haile. If you are interested in reading more on the topic of fellowship, I would recommend that article.
Monday, September 3, 2007
BOTC - September 2007
The new issue of Banner of the Cross is now online and contains the following article:
Words of Wisdom About the Use of Alcohol by Andy Sochor
Banner of the Cross
Words of Wisdom About the Use of Alcohol by Andy Sochor
Banner of the Cross
Saturday, September 1, 2007
PBT - September 2007
The September issue of Plain Bible Teaching is now online with the following articles:
The Source of Authority by Andy Sochor
Only the Red Letters? by Tim Haile
The "Creed in the Deed" by Larry R. DeVore
Immodesty in Dress: Who Is To Blame? by Andy Sochor
You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find these helpful to you.
Plain Bible Teaching
The Source of Authority by Andy Sochor
Only the Red Letters? by Tim Haile
The "Creed in the Deed" by Larry R. DeVore
Immodesty in Dress: Who Is To Blame? by Andy Sochor
You can read the new articles by clicking on the link below. I hope you may find these helpful to you.
Plain Bible Teaching
Monday, August 27, 2007
The Uncertainty of Life
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.' But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil" (James 4:13-16).
We often like to plan for the future. It gives us a sense of security knowing what is coming next and working toward a certain goal. But we do not know what is coming next. Our best plans could be in vain. Many things could happen that are beyond our power to control that can completely change our life.
Our life is uncertain. James reminds us that our time on this earth is as "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Events in our life are uncertain. Instead of saying, "we will go to such and such a city," we should say, "if the Lord wills." After all, He is the one in control.
Failure to recognize how little control we have over the events that impact our life constitutes arrogance. We are nothing. We should not think that our plans are set in stone. This is not to say we shouldn't make plans. James isn't teaching that at all. Make plans. But condition them with the phrase, "if the Lord wills."
While we might feel secure "knowing" what our future holds, realizing that we cannot know what will come tomorrow can cause anxiety and fear. But though I am not in control, it is not as if no one is in control. God is in control. So we should not be anxious about the future. Jesus said, "do not worry about tomorrow" (Mt. 6:34). Regarding the necessities of life, Jesus said, "your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Mt. 6:32-33).
If you ever feel overwhelmed or tempted to worry about what life may bring, remember you can cast "all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7). Remember the words of the apostle Paul: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
We often like to plan for the future. It gives us a sense of security knowing what is coming next and working toward a certain goal. But we do not know what is coming next. Our best plans could be in vain. Many things could happen that are beyond our power to control that can completely change our life.
Our life is uncertain. James reminds us that our time on this earth is as "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Events in our life are uncertain. Instead of saying, "we will go to such and such a city," we should say, "if the Lord wills." After all, He is the one in control.
Failure to recognize how little control we have over the events that impact our life constitutes arrogance. We are nothing. We should not think that our plans are set in stone. This is not to say we shouldn't make plans. James isn't teaching that at all. Make plans. But condition them with the phrase, "if the Lord wills."
While we might feel secure "knowing" what our future holds, realizing that we cannot know what will come tomorrow can cause anxiety and fear. But though I am not in control, it is not as if no one is in control. God is in control. So we should not be anxious about the future. Jesus said, "do not worry about tomorrow" (Mt. 6:34). Regarding the necessities of life, Jesus said, "your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Mt. 6:32-33).
If you ever feel overwhelmed or tempted to worry about what life may bring, remember you can cast "all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (1 Pet. 5:7). Remember the words of the apostle Paul: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The All Sufficiency of the Church
I came across Daniel Sommer's commentary on the New Testament. I thought a couple of his comments regarding the church in particular were quite good.
1 Timothy 3:15
"...I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."
Sommer comments:
"We may also learn by considering the verse now before us that the Church is declared to be "the pillar and ground of the truth," and thus is the support of the truth. In other words, the Church of God, wherever it exists, is intended, by its Founder, to be the institution to uphold the truth, and he never ordained any other institution for that purpose."
Ephesians 3:21
"to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
Sommer comments:
"It indicates that God's purpose is to be glorified in the Church in all ages, and does not intimate that he desires to be glorified, nor can be glorified, in any human institution. This verse is God's eternal veto of all human societies that man may pretend to establish for his glory."
1 Timothy 3:15
"...I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth."
Sommer comments:
"We may also learn by considering the verse now before us that the Church is declared to be "the pillar and ground of the truth," and thus is the support of the truth. In other words, the Church of God, wherever it exists, is intended, by its Founder, to be the institution to uphold the truth, and he never ordained any other institution for that purpose."
Ephesians 3:21
"to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
Sommer comments:
"It indicates that God's purpose is to be glorified in the Church in all ages, and does not intimate that he desires to be glorified, nor can be glorified, in any human institution. This verse is God's eternal veto of all human societies that man may pretend to establish for his glory."
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