Introduction

• Jesse Jenkins requested a sermon on the division in the 1950s-1960s.
• Why is this important?
  • Old Testament apostasy from the beginning came from within.
  • New Testament division and fall always came from within.
    • Acts 20:28
    • I Timothy 4:1
    • Hebrews 3:12
    • II Timothy 4:2-4
    • This fall was already starting during Paul’s lifetime. Elders started leading more than one congregation, leading to Eastern Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, then the Protestant Reformation and more division.

History repeating

• In the 19th century, the organization of the church was again corrupted, and instrumental music was introduced.
• In the 20th century, there were only about twelve full-time conservative preachers, but they taught thousands, and the church grew enormously.
  • The sponsoring church arrangement came about, along with institutionalism (organizations set up to do benevolent work), recreation, and entertainment.
  • Churches came to be known as either liberal or conservative churches of Christ, depending on if they supported these institutions or not.
  • Churches split, even to the point of taking members to court as troublemakers.
  • II John 1:9
• The division in the late 19th century eventually produced three groups:
  • The conservative church were generally known as churches of Christ.
  • The more liberal group was usually known as the Christian Church.
  • In time an ultra-liberal group spawned, known as disciples of Christ.
• The division of the late 20th century had the same results:
  • The conservative churches hold to Biblical infallibility and insistent on having a “thus saith the Lord” for teaching and practice.
  • There are the “main-line” institutional churches that insist we do NOT have to have authority for all that we do.
  • There are the ultra-liberal folks who are determined to have the church take its place among the denominations.
• This emphasizes the need for each generation to be taught the basic principles over and over again.
  • II Peter 1:12-13
  • When Israel came to the promised land, there were certain instructions that were given along these very lines.
    • Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 6-8

What about the Benchley church of Christ?

• We are reputed to be a big strong congregation!
• How can we avoid this same cycle?
• By learning from the mistakes of the past.
• By following God’s instructions to Israel: Keep my commandments, walk in my ways, teach my children.
• And doing as the Holy Spirit directed: II Timothy 4:2-4

Addiction, continued:

• What is the difference between a habit and an addiction?
  • Habit vs. Addiction: What’s the Difference?
    • Habits can be positive or negative. Addictions are always negative.
  • Good habits are created in 18-66 days. Bad habits can be created in as little as three days.
• Being sober
  • I Thessalonians 5:4-11
  • II Timothy 4:5
  • I Peter 1:13-19
  • I Peter 4:7
  • I Corinthians 15:32-34
  • I Timothy 3:3
  • Titus 1:7
• What are the early signs of addiction?
  • What is an addiction?
  • Types of addiction
  • Identifying the initial signs
  • Look for changes in personality
  • Look for changes in health
  • The long-term life consequences
  • Next steps towards recovery
• How to talk to someone with an addiction
  • If necessary, stage an intervention
  • Try to stay involved
  • Strike a balance

Introduction

• John 1:1

Birth

• John 1:14
• Micah 5:2
• Luke 2:4-20 – Jesus started in a manger.
• Luke 2:24 – They could not afford a lamb for the offering.
• Mark 6:1
• Philippians 2:5-8 – Christ humbled Himself to live and serve on earth.
• Hebrews 4:15

Life

• He lived as a perfect example to us.
• I John 2:6
• Luke 7:19
• John 8:26-29 – Here is our example, to always do the things that please the Lord.
• John 4:31-32
• Luke 12:21

Death

• Mark 15:24-39
• Ephesians 1:7
• Revelation 1:4-7 – Jesus loves us and released us from our sins with His death.
• John 3:16
• Romans 5:8
• I am loved!
• I Peter 1:18
• Titus 2:13-14

Numbers 22-24

• Numbers 22:1-4 – Balak was scared of Israel’s army.
  • See Numbers 26:51 regarding the size of Israel’s army – over 600,000 men capable of going to war.
• Numbers 22:12 – THIS is the bottom line from God. They are blessed – do not curse them.
• Numbers 22:19 – Trouble starts. Balaam decides to see what else God will say. See II Peter 2:15-16; Jude 1:11.
• Numbers 22:20 – God allowed Balaam to use his free will and go anyway.
• Numbers 22:22-35 – The angel and donkey intervene to work against Balaam.
• Numbers 22:41-23:12 – Balaam’s first blessing.
• Numbers 23:13-26 – Balaam’s second blessing.
• Numbers 23:27-24:13 – Balaam’s third blessing.
  • Numbers 24:9 – See Genesis 12:1-3. God was working to protect them. See Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Joshua 24:9-10; Micah 6:1-3.

Numbers 25

• Numbers 25:1-9 – The Israelites start to turn toward Baal, but Phineas kills a man and woman caught in sin, stopping the plague. See I Corinthians 10:8.
• Numbers 25:10-18 – God promises a priestly lineage through Phineas because of his zeal. God orders violence against the Midianites.
  • Numbers 31:7-12; Revelation 2:14 – Balaam apparently advised Balak how to get Israel to sin.
• Lessons for us:
  • Beware of the danger that comes from inside.
  • We should line our morals up with our religion instead of “religion” up with our morals.

Introduction

• II Peter 3:17

Reading the Bible regularly

• Psalms 19:1-11
• Psalms 119:1-8
• John 6:66-68 – Jesus has the words of eternal life!
• A free daily Bible reading plan to read the entire Bible in a year, reading five days a week: https://www.fivedaybiblereading.com/
• Acts 17:11
• Recommendations:
  • Try a Bible reading plan
  • Try a different translation
  • Try a new Bible that is specifically for daily Bible reading

Praying all the time

• I Thessalonians 5:16-18
• Numbers 14:1-4 – Wasn’t this the perfect time to pray, rather than rebel?
• Numbers 20:2-5 – Another great time to pray!
• What about us? Isn’t it better to pray than complain?
• James 5:13
• Daniel 6:7-10
• We read of people praying in all situations and postures.
• Luke 3:21-22; 5:16; 6:12; 9:16, 28; 10:17, 21; 23:46 – Jesus prayed often!

Worshiping with renewed sincerity

• Jeremiah 17:20; 20:9 – Jeremiah wanted to prophesy. We should feel the same about worship.
• Luke 17 – The leper offered sincere worship after being healed.
• Romans 1:20
• Our worship should be an overflow of love for God.
• It’s important to worship in the right way, but we must worship in sincerity. The heart should be there.
• Matthew 14:32; 28:8-9 – How sincere was this worship?
• Luke 24:50
• John 9:35
• Good worship is an overflow of the heart.
• Hebrews 9:11; 10:12