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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

The Kingdom the Prophets Saw

Keith Shackleford

October 19, 2012

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Matthew 16:18-19
New Testament Church and the Kingdom
- Jesus used the terms synonymously, Matthew 16:18-19
  - Kingdom existed in 1st Century, Colossians 1:13
  - Admission into kingdom by obedience, Matthew 7:21
  - Lord’s Supper is function of the kingdom / the church, Luke 22:16 ff
- Times of Christ were subject of interest to Moses and prophets, Acts 3:21-24 f
Lawgiver of Judah, Genesis 49
- The blessing of Jacob, Genesis 49:10
  - Lawgiver shown by scepter - to receive obedience
- Fulfillment of the right tribe
  - Regal genealogy, Matthew 1
  - Legal genealogy, Luke 3
- Fulfillment of a ruling lawgiver
  - Authority, headship, preeminence, Matthew 28:18
  - Authority previewed, Deuteronomy 18:18-19
  - Some aspects of authority, John 1:1 ff
Exerlasting kingdom, II Samuel 7
- Forver rule on David’s throne, II Samuel 7:12-16
  - Gabriel’s equivalent prophecy, Luke 1:32-33
  - Peter affirms, Acts 2:29-36
- Everlasting aspect, Hebrews 1:8
His reign, Psalms 110
- Jehovah gives Christ dominion, Psalms 110
  - Exercised from the right hand of God
  - People willingly serve
  - Dual role of Christ: priest, king
- Christ beings kingly work, John 18:36
- Christ is also our high priest, Hebrews 6:20
  - From that time forward all appeals are made in His name, by His authority, Acts 2:38
- Voluntary service in kingdom, Romans 12:1
His government, Isaiah 9
- Governing responsibilities are His. Isaiah 9:6-7
  - Mission was to bring peace betwixt God and man; remove the estrangement of sin; restore harmonious relations, Ephesians 2:14
- Nature of the ruler and His government
  - Child is … wonderful … mighty God … Prince … a description of His deity
  - Expansion of government endless or continuing in its increase of spiritual benefits
  - Basis of government and benefits is the justice and righteousness of God - the very character of God ensures the continuance of this kingdom.
Kingdom of the last days, Isaiah 2
- In the last days, Isaiah 2:2-4
  - Superior to all other kingdoms
  - Includes citizens of all peoples, Ephesians 3:6
  - Taught in and walk in God’s ways is means of entrance to it, Joel 2:32
  - Would begin when word issued out of Jerusalem
  - Peacable in nature, Ephesians 2:15
Kingdom of the last days, Daniel 2
- Daniel’s description similar, Daniel 2:44
  - Kingdom unlike all others Nebuchadnezzar knew of
  - Set up during 4th kingdom, Roman period
  - Indestructible and eternal kingdom (act over against Jerusalem and Babylon and all others who rise and fall)
  - Conquering kingdom
Priestly king, Zechariah 6
- The branch who builds the temple, Zechariah 6:12-13
  - This is the church, Ephesians 2:19-22 ff
- The branch bears glory (kingly)
- Work of king and priest is simultaneous
  - If He is priest, He must also be king, Hebrews 7
- Those “far off” have a portion here
The prophets saw the king and His kingdom
- Christ as lawgiver/prophet
- Christ as king/priest
  - Commanding the conditions of peace
  - Making the offering for that peace
- The church a spiritual government
  - Peoples of all nations comprising it
  - Instruction and obedience to enter
New Testament preachers preached
- Acts 8:12
Your entrance into the kingdom
- Hear the gospel - Romans 10:17
- Believe Jesus is the Son of God - Mark 16:16
- Repent from sin - Acts 17:30
- Confess faith in Christ - Romans 10:9-10
- Be baptized - I Peter 3:21
- Live faithfully unto God - Revelation 2:10

For further study, see also:

church/kingdom

Jesus Christ

Jesus our high priest

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

Despise Ye the Church of God?

Keith Shackleford

October 18, 2012

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The precept of I Corinthians 11:22
- Despise
  - A matter of examination
    - After regarding the goodness of God do you dismiss it? Romans 2:4
    - Such are those who reject the stone. I Peter 2:4
    - Such are those who turn from God. Hebrews 6:4-6
  - Look down on with contempt
- Correcting attitudes towards the church via the example of the Lord’s Supper
  - Assemble for the better, I Corinthians 11:17
    - Suggests purposes of assembly: worship, mutual edification
    - They disregarded the sacrifice of the Lord. I Corinthians 11:24-27
    - They hold in low esteem their own spiritual well-being. I Corinthians 11:28-30
  - Assemble in unity, I Corinthians 11:18
    - But they were dismissive of one another, I Corinthians 11:21-22
    - By this they showed their lack of regard for the church.
- They showed disdain for the church by changing the holy into the common.
- They showed disregard for brethren by flaunting “riches” over “poverty”.
Some ways the church is despised
- By altering God’s local arrangement
  - Saints, bishops, deacons, Philippians 1:1
  - Elders in every church, Acts 14:23
    - Despised by unqualified elders and deacons, elders over many churches
  - Autonomy of the church among you - with its own elders, deacons, saints (I Peter 5:3
    - Despised by: sisterhood of churches under central oversight.
- By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: evangelism
  - To sound out the word. I Thessalonians 1:7-8
  - To train up and send out preachers. Acts 13:2-3
  - Despised by: creating and supporting some other organization to do this work - i.e. missionary organizations, institutional organizations, publication organizations, etc.
  - Or also by sponsoring another church to do the work God assigned
- By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: edification
  - Spiritual growth and encouragement through instruction and understanding
  - Despised by: some other means of building up the saints unto some other purpose - i.e. choirs, concerts, gyms, food, movies, etc.
- By altering the divine arrangement of the church in: benevolence
  - Caring for needy saints, Romans 15:25-27
  - Assuring church is not charged with those for whom it is not responsible, I Timothy 5:16
  - Despised by: church funds assisting non-saints, sponsoring organizations, or other churches to do it
- By corrupting the worship
  - Singing - Ephesians 5:19
  - Prayer - I Corinthians 14:15-17
  - Preaching - Acts 20:20
  - Lord’s Supper - I Corinthians 11
  - Giving - I Corinthians 16:2
- By non-attendance
  - Out to be glad to be present, Psalms 122:1
  - Should be so regular that an absence is noticed by all.
- By failure to prepare for service
  - God is to be worshipped in spirit/truth. John 4:24
  - Preacher must prepare: sermons not accidental, must study, think, pray, meditate. Ezra 7:10
  - Congregation must prepare: worship not accidental, must prepare hearts for it. II Chronicles 20:33
  - Assembly should bear reverence. Psalm 89:7
- By lax convication
  - Pulpit not for compromisers, Acts 4:19-20
  - Pew is not for religious fence-stradler, I Kings 18:21
  - Known what and why you believe, I Peter 3:15
- By worldly living
  - It disregards our high calling, Ephesians 4:1
  - Don’t preach one way and live another, Romans 2:21-24
  - Live offenselessly unto the church, I Corinthians 10:31-32
  - Be effective for mutual benefit, Matthew 5:13-16

For further study, see also:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

7 Reasons for Bible Study

Keith Shackleford

October 17, 2012

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Approaching Bible study: Isarah 34:16
- Search
  - Purposeful examination for truth, John 8:32
    - Know this will separate you from those who do not seek it. John 17:17
    - Understand some can have truth, but misappropriate it. Romans 1:18
  - Make no attempt to prop up preconceptions or merely “ammunition” for an argument.
  - Make use of various translations, dictionaries, concordances, maps, etc.
- Read
  - Regularity - attend to it, strive for consistency - I Timothy 4:13
  - Purposefully - with the idea of learning and application - Acts 17:11
  - Reverentially - respecting God’s Word for what it is - His Word! - I Thessalonians 2:13
Approaching Bible study: Psalms 103:18
- Remember
  - God-fearing exhorted to remember the law, Malachi 4:2-4
  - Apply this precept on rememberance, Acts 20:35
- Obey it
  - Knowledge does not substitute obedience, Romans 2:18
Reason for Bible study #1: Comprehension
- Eunuch was reading to learn. Acts 8:28
- “How readest thou?” - is there discernment? Luke 10:26
Reason for Bible study #2: Wisdom
- Hearing Christ today is our wisdom. Matthew 7:24
- Epistles contain wisdom given to the apostles. II Peter 3:15
- We can understand it. Ephesians 3:4
Reason for Bible study #3: Memory
- Experience, through reading and application, develops good memory. James 1:23-25
Reason for Bible study #4: Conviction
- Search to believe Moses about Christ. John 5:39
- Hear gospel and believe, Acts 15:7
Reason for Bible study #5: Knowledge
- So the profit of reading may be had by all. I Timothy 4:13
- Grow in knowledge, II Peter 3:18
- Teach others, successive training. II Timothy 2:2
- Instructed to share the word, must become common knowledge. Colossians 4:16
- 10 times in gospels Jesus upbraids them for no knowledge, failure to read, Matthew 12:3; etc.
Reason for Bible study #6: Root out error/set forth truth
- Letters written to be read and deal with heresy, Acts 15:23
- Galatians written to deal with issues, Galatians 1:6
- Learn what is lacking and fix it, Titus 1:5
Reason for Bible study #7: Godly living
- To enjoy the highest form of spiritual and moral prosperity, Revelation 1:3
- In reading, hearing, keeping (II Peter 1:3
Conclusion
- Christians are less than we could/should be when we do not study as we ought.
- Preachers and elders preach/allow false teaching when they get away from solid study.
- The world does not know God when it will not read - this is the big problem, we do not search and read!
- Therefore God’s plan for saving men is oft discredited because men simply do not know it is there.
God’s plan for saving man:
- Hear the gospel - Romans 10:17
- Believe Jesus is the Son of God - Mark 16:16
- Repent from sin - Acts 17:30
- Confess faith in Christ - Romans 10:9-10
- Be baptized - I Peter 3:21
- Live faithfully unto God - Revelation 2:10

For further study, see also:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

Identifying Marks of a Christian

Keith Shackleford

October 16, 2012

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I Peter 4:16
To be identified as a Christian, you must first become one.
God’s plan for saving man:
- Hear the gospel - Romans 10:17
- Believe Jesus is the Son of God - Mark 16:16
- Repent from sin - Acts 17:30
- Confess faith in Christ - Romans 10:9-10
- Be baptized - I Peter 3:21
- Live faithfully unto God - Revelation 2:10
Mark: More than a moral and kind person
- Men may be full of goodness and not be saved. I Corinthians 13:1-3
  - Cornelius was prior to hearing the gospel. Acts 10:1
- A Christian acts because of Christ and with Him in mind. Colossians 3:17
- A Christian quits immorality and vice, he may suffer for this. I Peter 4:3-4
Mark: Ceases loving the world
- Of the world no longer. John 15:18-19
  - Leans not to love it. I John 2:15-17
  - Knows friendship with it makes one God’s enemy. James 4:4
  - Be holy, abstain from lusts, be separate. I Peter 1:15-16
Mark: Puts the kingdom first
- Seeks it ahead of all things, Matthew 6:33
  - Seen by choices made
    - Regular attendance
    - Kinds of movies watched
    - Types of places frequented
- Adds qualities that guarantee access into the eternal kingdom. II Peter 1:5-12
- Realizes it’s not about social gatherings but spiritual edification. Romans 14:17-19
Mark: Practice in handling the word of God
- Is a word consumer, I Peter 2:1-2
  - The Word is pure, good, wholesome
  - Many things consumed are poison
    - Doctrines of men
    - Worldly or secular ideologies
- Is a practitioner, James 1:22-27
- Through respect and use, learns to handle the word properly
Mark: Cannot be neutral
- If not with Him, is against Him, Matthew 12:30
  - Lord despises lukewarmness, Revelation 3:15-16
- Song: Stand Up For Jesus
Mark: Unashamed to wear “Christian”
- A new name promised and given, Isaiah 62:2
  - Indicates a relationship with Christ the Savior
  - None other Savior exists, Acts 4:12
  - Agrippa almost wore that name, Acts 26:28
  - Many have suffered for being what Agrippa nearly was, I Peter 4:16
- Will you honor the King, the Savior in taking His name and wearing it tonight?

For further study, see also:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

What the Bible Teaches About Believers

Keith Shackleford

October 15, 2012

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John 3:16
The Bible teaches that believers will be saved.
- Be saved - Romans 1:16
- Is justified - Romans 5:1
- Has access to God’s grace - Romans 5:2
- Has a purified heart - Acts 15:9
- Shall receive remission of sins
- Is born of God - I John 5:1
- These are all the same kind of believers - the kind mentioned in John 3:16
  - Should not perish - John 3:16
  - But (should) have eternal life - John 3:16
The Bible teaches that believers will be lost.
- No believers _should_perish, but these will … why?
  - The devils believe but are lost - James 2:19
  - Some believing rulers are lost - John 12:42-43
  - Erring believers are lost - II Timothy 2:15-19
  - Those who shipwreck the faith - I Timothy 1:19-20
  - Those who depart from the faith (become unbelievers) - I Timothy 4:1-2
- These are all believers - but not the kind of John 3:16
What sort of believer is the John 3:16kind?
- One who comes to God by faith - Hebrews 11:6
- One who has a pure heart - Matthew 5:8
- One who is justified - Romans 5:1-2
- One who works by love - Galatians 5:6
- One who has his sins remitted - Acts 10:43
- One who is baptized - Mark 16:15-16
To be a believer who only believes … who perverts scripture … who shipwrecks the faith … is to be a believer who will not be saved.
God’s plan for saving man:
- Hear the gospel - Romans 10:17
- Believe Jesus is the Son of God - Mark 16:16
- Repent from sin - Acts 17:30
- Confess faith in Christ - Romans 10:9-10
- Be baptized - I Peter 3:21
- Live faithfully unto God - Revelation 2:10

For further study, see also:

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

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