Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

AW

September 23, 2012

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  • Shang Di - Tian
  • Myth
    • Unknown origin but proposing actual events at unspecified time
    • Told around extraordinary events - could not actually happen
  • Legend
    • Perceived by teller and listener as true
    • No happenings outside the realm of possibility
    • George Washington chopping down the cherry tree
  • History
    • Study of chronological events
  • Sima Qian - 25 A.D.
    • Huang Di (2400 B.C.)
    • Altar of heaven
    • Tai Shi Shandong province
    • Debate on dates - after flood (2450 B.C.), after tower of Babel
    • Site moved when capital moved
  • Altar of heaven
    • No images of Shang Di - Tian
    • Altat to make sacrifices on
    • After Solomon’s Temple built - II Chronicles 6:18
    • Confucius - “The ceremonies of the celestial and terrestrial sacrifices are those by which men serve Shang Di.”
  • Border sacrifice
    • Performed by the emporer of China
    • Called Border Sacrifice because it usually took place on the southern border of the imperial city
    • Ji Tian - Ceremony of Sacrifice to Heaven
    • Not all emperors faithful in the three yearly sacrfices that were expected
    • Vol. 25 - History of Han Dynasty
    • Corruption from 259 B.C. - A.D. 1368
    • False gods abolished
  • Border sacrifice - ceremony
    • Emperor - three times a year
    • Spring - harvest
    • Summer - rain
    • Winter solstice - to sacrifice to Heaven
  • Preparation for ceremonies
    • 3 months before - unblemished sacrifice selected
    • Emperor put a proclamation
    • 5 days before - prince inspection of sacrifice
    • 3 days before - fast: no wine, mean, women, or entertainment
    • 2 days before - inspect writings, incense
    • 10:00 a.m. day before sacrifice: procession to the altar
      • Emperor and as many as 5000 people
  • Inside the complex
    • Emperor - Imperial vault
    • Kneel, kowtow 9 times
    • Inspect sacrifice, then return and bathe
  • Day of sacrifice
    • 4:15 a.m.
    • Emperor put on robes of “bo” silk.
    • Wash face and hands in basin.
    • 9 stage ceremony ending in burnt offering
  • Conclusion
    • God has strict requirements.
    • God wants a pure heart.
    • God requires a perfect sacrifice.
    • Jesus’ sacrifice ended sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem or at any other Altar of Heaven.

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Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

September 23, 2012

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Sorry, no outline available for this lesson.

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Classes - Benchley church of Christ

DW

September 19, 2012

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  • Nehemiah 4:16-18
  • Timeline of Ezra 4-6:
    • Ezra 4:1-5, 24ff - discouraged, stopped temple work
      • King Cyrus (539-530 B.C.)
      • King Cambyses (530-522 B.C.)
      • King Darius I (522-486 B.C.)
    • Ezra 4:6- wrote an accusation
      • King Xerxes I (Ahaseurus) (485-464 B.C.)
    • Ezra 4:7-23- letter to King, work stopped again
      • King Artaxerxes I (464-423 B.C.)
  • Ezra 4:1-2- The enemies claim to seek God and try to join the effort.
    • II Kings 17:24-29
    • Ezra 4:3 - The leaders refuse to allow the enemies to join them.
    • Ezra 4:4 - The enemies then started discouraging the work.
  • Tactics used:
    • Persistence over time
      • Ezra 4:5-7 - The persecution lasted for decades. The Israelites could not simply wait out the persecution. We cannot delay obedience until persecution subsides!
      • Hebrews 12:1-3 - We must run with patience and endure.
      • Mark 3:1-6 - Jesus healed the man in the face of persecution.
    • Misinformation
      • Ezra 4:7-23 - The letter to Artaxerxes warned that Jerusalem had historically been a rebellious city.

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

September 16, 2012

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  • The local church is authorized to support the preaching of the gospel at home. (I Corinthians 9:1-14
  • The local church is authorized to support the preaching of the gospel away from home. (II Corinthians 11:8-9
  • Some people argue that Thessalonica and Berea sent wages to Paul via Philippi.
    • The truth of the matter:
      • Philippians 4:15-16 - Philippi sent wages to Paul
      • II Corinthians 11:8-9 - Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea sent wages to Paul.
  • Central organizations for evangelism are not authorized - period.
  • Is this scriptural?
    • Individuals contributing to a common fund to support a preacher.
    • Yes, the local church can fulfil that role.
  • Is this scriptural if it is not a local church?
    • No. God specified the arrangement through which this is to occur.

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DW

September 16, 2012

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  • Jesus lived under the Old Covenant
    • Matthew 5:17-18
    • Some say that Jesus lived under the Old Covenant and only taught Old Covenant teachings.
  • But Jesus introduced the New Covenant that would soon take effect
    • Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the Kingdom which was “at hand.”
      • Matthew 3:1
    • Jesus introduced new truths not found in the Old Covenant.
      • John 4:20 - worshiping in a different place
      • John 3:3-5 - talking to Nicodemus about baptism
    • The words of Jesus before the cross were still binding after the cross.
      • Matthew 28:19-20
      • I Corinthians 11:23-25
      • Colossians 1:13
    • So what?
      • Galatians 5:3
      • Matthew 19:3-9 - This changes the rules for marriage, divorce, and remarriage.
      • Hebrews 1:1-2

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