Default album cover

Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

December 26, 2012

-- / --
  • We have no command or authorization to celebrate the birthday of Jesus.
  • We have no evidence that Christians in the First Century celebrated the birthday of Jesus.
  • December 25 as a legal holiday
    • Family and friends eat, get together, give gifts, and put up decorations.
    • Some practice these things with religious significance.
    • Can a Christian practice these things without any religious significance?
  • I Corinthians 8:4-11
    • A Christian could eat meat that had been sacrificed to an idol if:
      • He knew the idol was nothing.
      • In eating he did not cause a weak brother to stumble.
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He knows it is nothing; thus does not observe it as a service to God.
      • He does not cause a weak brother to stumble.
  • I Corinthians 10:25-32
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He does not observe it as a service to God.
      • He is invited to a Christmas party and it is not said to be in service to God.
  • Romans 14:1-5
    • A Christian can observe December 25 if:
      • He does it as a lawful custom without any religious significance.
      • He does not cause a weak brother to stumble.
  • Acts 21:17-26
    • Many Jews circumcised their male children and kept the custom as a service to God.
      • Paul taught against this, but he never taught the Jews to forsake the customs as customs.
      • Paul observed the customs.
    • Many celebrate Christmas as a service to God.
      • I teach against this, but I do not teach that a Christian must give up the customs as customs.
      • A Christian can observe the customs.

For further study, see also:

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

Default album cover

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

December 23, 2012

-- / --
  • Matthew 7:12 - This is called the Golden Rule, but it is more than that. It is a divine truth.
  • Matthew 25:31-46 - Those who do well to others will receive rest at the judgment. Those who do not will be condemned.
  • The Golden Rule
    • “Whatsoever”
      • This makes the application very broad.
        • If this rule was universally applied as it should be, the jails would be empty and so would the divorce courts.
        • If this were applied within a congregation, peace, happiness, and joy would be guaranteed.
    • “Ye would”
      • This rule does not depend on what the other person does. It is about what we do!
      • Galatians 5:23
    • “Do ye even so”
      • Whether others apply this rule or not, we must apply it.
    • “The law and the prophets”
    • Easy to understand? Yes!
    • Difficult to apply? Yes!
    • Possible to apply? Yes!
    • The question: will I apply?

For further study, see also:

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

Default album cover

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JS

December 23, 2012

-- / --
  • Matthew 10:34-39
  • Isaiah 9:6 - Prophecy of Jesus’ birth
  • Matthew 5:30 - Hell is worse than losing a family member or a body part!
  • Matthew 18:8
  • Luke 14:26 - Serving God is more important than family.
  • We can’t just focus on the baby in the manger and forget about Jesus on the cross!
  • Matthew 10:38 - Many people suffer greatly in order to serve Christ, but it is worth it in the end!
  • Matthew 10:39 - Many people focus on wealth as a source of happiness.
    • Serving God and having a purpose in life is what really makes us happy.
  • Hebrews 11:25-26 - We must have the attitude of Moses.

For further study, see also:

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

1
525
526
527
639

Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListon on Stitcher

© 2026, Mark Watson

Powered by Gatsby