Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

December 26, 2012

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  • 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:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

December 23, 2012

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  • 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:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JS

December 23, 2012

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  • 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:

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Classes - Benchley church of Christ

CT

December 23, 2012

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  • General revelation
    • Psalm 19:1-6 - Evidence of God is seen throughout the world.
  • Specific revelation
    • Proverbs 16:23 - Lots cast to select Matthias as the apostle to replace Judas.
    • I Samuel 28:6 - Urim and Thummim
    • Genesis 20:3 - Dreams were used to communicate God’s will.
    • Ephesians 3:5 - Prophets used to reveal God’s word.
    • Hebrews 1:1.
    • II Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy is not of private interpretation.
  • I Corinthians 2:12-13 - The original words were inspired - not just the thought.
  • Languages of antiquity
    • Ancient Hebrews, Aramiac - Once the Israelites came out of exile, the Proto-Hebrews written language was replaced by Aramaic block script, which is now the adopted alphabet of modern day Hebrew.
  • Pentateuch: first five books of the Old Testament (the Torah)
  • Tanakh: the entire Old Testament
  • The Samaritan people and their Pentateuch
  • The Septuagint and apocryphal books

For further study, see also:

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Classes - Benchley church of Christ

DW

December 19, 2012

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  • Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5:1-2 are good examples of godly leaders.
  • Nehemiah 2:17 - Sometimes a leader is just the person who takes the initiative.
    • Ezra 7:10 - This is how we can learn to take the initiative. We “set our heart” to do something.
  • Nehemiah 5:14-19 - Nehemiah led by example. His humility caused others to want to follow him and motivated them to work.
    • John 13:14 - Jesus showed this same kind of humility and leadership.
  • A good leader will have vision (Proverbs 4:25.

For further study, see also:

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

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