Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

SD

April 17, 2017

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  • Introduction
    • Many people today speak things to Christians that are purposely offensive in the name of free speech, art, or literature.
    • People have been legally punished in the United States for using the name of Jesus.
  • Why is the name of Jesus so offensive to unbelievers?
    • Let us consider Acts 3-5 to find the answers.
  • A story about Jesus’ name
    • Acts 3:6 – “in the name of Jesus”
    • Acts 3:16 – “on the basis of faith in His name …”
    • Acts 4:7 – “in what name have you done this?”
    • Acts 4:8-12 – “by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene … this man stands before you in good health.”
    • Acts 4:17-18 – “speak no longer to any man in this name”
    • Acts 4:29-30 – “through the name of Your holy servant Jesus”
    • Acts 5:28 – “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in His name …”
    • Acts 5:40-41 – “they flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus”
  • What does this episode teach us concerning those who are opposed to Jesus and offended at His name?
    • The power that is associated with the name of Jesus is evident to them.
    • They cannot deny the power of Jesus’ name, so they seek to oppress it by intimidation and manipulation.
    • They are offended because the name of Jesus calls on them to be accountable for their own deeds.
      • Acts 17:31
    • Their attempts to silence Christians fail, so they often turn to punitive measures to enforce their will against Christians.
  • Final thoughts
    • Acts 5:11
    • Acts 4:12

For further study, see also:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

SD

April 16, 2017

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  • God is perfectly fair and just, but this world is not.
    • Deuteronomy 32:4
    • The world is often unfair and unjust. God did not make it so (Genesis 1:31).
    • Do not attribute man’s injustice to God.
  • God will settle justice at the Judgment.
    • Romans 2:5-11
    • Every injustice will be settled when God judges the world with perfect impartiality.
    • Sinners who are justified by faith in Christ will be spared from God’s wrath. Romans 5:1, 9-10
  • We must be willing to wait on God’s justice.
    • Often what we perceive as unfairness in God is actually our own impatience.
    • Revelation 6:10
    • While we are impatient, God’s patience is working to bring about the salvation of the world.
    • II Peter 3:14-15
    • Isaiah 30:18
    • James 5:7-8
  • Fair or unfair?
    • Do not confuse fairness and justice with equality in the world.
    • If it is right, then it is fair.
    • Was it fair for Jesus to suffer for sins He did not commit?
      • No, it was not fair because it was not right.
      • However, it was merciful and gracious.
    • Is it fair for Christians to suffer for their faith in Jesus?
      • II Thessalonians 1:5-10
      • In the parable of the laborers (Matthew 20:1-6), was it fair for the landowner to pay all of the workers the same amount even though they did not all work as many hours?
        • Yes, it was fair because the landowner had the right to do so.
      • In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), was it fair for the master to give different talents to different slaves?
      • Was it fair for God to choose Jacob rather than Esau?
        • Romans 9:13-14
        • Yes, it was fair because God had the right to do so.
      • It is fair for God to save those who meet the conditions of His gospel and not others?
        • Romans 9:15
        • Yes, it is fair because God has the right to do so.
      • Many times, the cry of “unfair” arises from discontent rather than from injustice.
        • I Timothy 6:6-8
        • Philippians 4:11-12
        • Don’t compare yourself to others as a measure of fairness or justice.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

SD

April 16, 2017

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  • Romans 1:4
  • False theory: the stolen body
    • Roman soldiers were posted at Christ’s tomb to prevent the possibility. (Matthew 27:62-66; 28:2-4, 11-15)
    • The disciples of Jesus were incapable of stealing His body from the tomb.
      • They would not have believed it themselves.
    • If the disciples had stolen the body, then they would have known Christ’s resurrection was a fraud and they would not have been willing to suffer as they did.
  • False theory: Jesus merely “swooned”
    • It is impossible that Jesus could have revived by any natural means.
      • His injuries were terminal (John 20:25)
      • He was pierced with a spear (John 19:31-34)
      • His body was prepared, wrapped, and laid in the tomb by Joseph and Nicodemus.
      • Even if He survived, He could not have escaped the tomb alone.
    • The disciples would not have been emboldened by the appearance of a weak and injured Jesus.
  • False theory: a mass hallucination
    • The empty tomb dismisses this theory.
    • The theory cannot explain why the appearances of Jesus ceased after 40 days (Acts 1:3).
    • Such mass hallucinations are simply impossible and unbelievable.
      • I Corinthians 15:3-8
    • Final thoughts
      • As these theories concerning Christ’s resurrection fail, the word of God succeeds.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

Classes - Benchley church of Christ

SD

April 16, 2017

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  • Psalm 103
  • Bless the Lord with all my being (Psalm 103:1)
    • No half-hearted effort will suffice.
    • How can I bless the Lord?
    • Hebrews 13:15
  • Do not forget His blessings (Psalms 103:2-5)
    • My soul “must forget none of His benefits.”
    • My soul should pause to count my blessings from God.
  • Observe the Lord’s compassion, lovingkindness, and grace in His forgiveness of our sins (Psalms 103:6-14)
    • God is righteous, and His righteousness is a matter of record.
    • His anger is slow and limited (Psalms 103:6-9).
    • I have not received what I deserved concerning my sins (Psalms 103:10)
      • Mercy: when I don’t get the punishment I deserve.
      • Grace: when I do get blessings I don’t deserve.
    • The Lord’s lovingkindness and compassion are unlimited to those who fear Him (Psalms 103:11-14).
  • The Lord’s lovingkindness is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalms 103:15-18).
    • Man’s days on earth are fleeting (Psalms 103:15-16).
      • Isaiah 40:6-7; James 4:14
    • However, God’s lovingkindness has no end for those who obey Him (Psalms 103:17-18).
  • Everyone under His rule shall bless the Lord (Psalms 103:19-22)
    • No one is exempt from the rule of God (Psalms 103:19).
    • Therefore, everyone should bless the Lord (Psalms 103:20-22).
      • The angels
      • The heavenly hosts
      • The work of God’s hands (Psalms 148:5-6)
      • My soul

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

April 12, 2017

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  • II Corinthians 8:15-9:15
  • II Corinthians 8:16-22 – It was important that someone very trustworthy went along to handle the money to prevent suspicion of wrongdoing.
  • II Corinthians 8:19 – The money was specifically earmarked for helping needy saints, but the real purpose of giving was to glorify God.
  • II Corinthians 8:24 – Paul had already boasted about their love and generosity, so now they had to follow through.
  • II Corinthians 9:6-7 – Giving is equated to sowing seed. If you sow much, you will reap much. Therefore, give much and do so cheerfully. We are not to give out of compulsion. Some churches use this passage to compel their members to give more, but that is not an approach supported by scripture.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

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