The Future of the Church…is Bright

One can worry about what is happening the church locally or world-wide and become depressed and anxious, but when we consider the church we need to remember it’s future is bright!

The Future of the Church…

One can worry about what is happening the church locally or world-wide and become depressed and anxious, but when we consider the church, remember that it has:

1. A Divine Source Planned It—It was made in the mind of God, not man (Eph. 1:4; Eph. 3:10-11; Gal. 1:11-12).
2. A Divine Sacrifice Purchased It—Christ shed His blood for it to purchase our redemption; would not have done so for a worthless thing (Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:7, 5:25; Heb. 12:28; Matt. 16:18).
3. A Divine Spirit Prepared It—Not left up to man to “figure it out,” it was divinely set forth (John 14:26; 1 Tim. 3;14-15; 2 Pet. 1:3)
4. A Divine Sword Protects It—Prepared for whatever at-tacks come her way (Eph. 6:11-16; Heb. 4:12).
5. A Divine Seed Perpetuates It—God’s word is a seed that brings forth Christians when planted in the hearts of men and allowed to flourish. It is always possible to turn back to His plan (Luke 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:23-25).
6. A Divine Salvation Promised It—A promise from One who cannot lie (Titus 1:2)! Regardless of what happens on this earth, we have a glorious home in heaven (1 Pet. 1:3-5; Jn 14:1-3; Eph. 5:27; Matt. 7:21, 25:46; Rev. 21:3, 22-27). 

Regardless of how things may appear in this life, when we remember these things let us remember the future of the church: …is Bright

The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13)

This chapter contains a wealth of information concerning the kingdom of heaven, the church, as Jesus teaches in parables.

The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13)

This chapter contains a wealth of information concerning the kingdom of heaven, the church, as Jesus teaches in parables:

1. Open For Reception (v3-23) - The word of God would come to many people, but not all would receive it and hold fast to it. Some would reject it immediately, others turn from it later, still others allow it to be crowded out, yet others would allow it to flourish. The difference is in the individual but there is joy for those that receive it.
2. Exists In The World (v24-30, 36-43) - They should not think that the church would exist by itself in the world but rather surrounded by the wicked until separated in the end. A reminder we are in the world (1 Cor. 5:10) and that God knows His own (2 Thess. 1:6-10).
3. Growth & Influence (v31-33) - The church, while it would start seemingly small and insignificant, would grow quietly yet surely, influencing the lives of others (Acts 4:13, 5:35-42, 17:6; Phil. 2:14-16; 1 Thess. 1:9; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
4. Valuable/Worthwhile (v44-46)—How valuable should the knowledge of the kingdom be to us, so much that one would give everything that he has for it (Matt. 16:25-26)!
5. Approaching Eternity (v47-50) - Another reminder of the coming judgment which will be a time of separation — to one everlasting fire, the other life eternal (Matt. 25:31-46).

The disciples were then charged with taking what they knew and using it and sharing it with others (v51-52).

• Article(s):
• Giving A Sense of the Law by Mike Bonner
• The Mystery of Influence by Neal Pollard
• The Final Home by JC Choate
• Sermons:
• The Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 13)
• The Future of the Church

The Beauty of Grey Hair (Prov. 20:29)

Rather than looking down on older people we need to recognize they have much to offer.

The Beauty of Grey Hair

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.” (Proverbs 20:29)

1. There is honor/respect to be had (Lev. 19:32; 1 Tim. 5:1-2; 1 Pet. 5:5; Ps. 92:12-15; Prov. 16:31; 3:16).
2. There iswork to do (Phil. 3:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:13).
3. There is anexample to set (Titus 2:2-3; Phil. 3:17).
4. There is wisdom/counsel to be offered (1 Kings 12:6-12; Prov. 4:1-4, 10-11, 20-22; Eccl. 1:13, 12:13; Titus 2:4-6).
5. There is a reward to anticiapte (2 Cor. 4:16, 5:1; 2 Tim. 4:6-8; Rev. 14:13).

Will These Condemn You?

Jesus rebuke those of His day who did not utilize the great opportunities that were before them to know and follow God; will we be condemned in the same way?

Will These Condemn You?

1. The Residents of Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom (Matt. 11:20-24)
   • These were wicked cities which had been destroyed, yet Jesus says they would have been more receptive to the works shown.
   • How many continue to reject the gospel and every opportunity of salvation? Will those of less opportunity speak against us?
2. The Residents of Nineveh (Matt. 12:41)
   • They repented at the preaching of Jonah (Jonah 3:5-10) and yet a greater preacher was here and these people refused to repent.
   • Contrast Jesus and Jonah: Jonah was one preacher with one message yet Jesus had taught them often as well as had the prophets and apostles; Jesus presented greater evidence (miracles He worked); Jesus proclaimed a greater message (one of mercy/love/compassion); and Jesus offered an invitation to change (repent/come unto me).
   • Many people of Jesus’ day refused to change; what have we done with the information that has come unto us?
3. The Queen of the South (Mat. 12:42)
   • The queen of Sheba put forth much effort to investigate the wisdom of Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chron. 9:1-9), yet many rejected the one that was greater than Solomon who had come to them!
   • Again contrast their actions (and ours) with hers: She personally investigated, she sacrificed (time, money, great distance), she came uninvited (yet Jesus came to us and invited us to Him), she had an open mind (Matt. 13:15), she tested him (desire to know the truth – Acts 17:11), and she gave precious gifts (showed humility and acceptance (but many reject Jesus).
   • Will we put forth the same or greater effort to learn of One greater than Solomon, if not she will rightfully condemn us too.

• Article(s):
• Lessons From A Lost Soul by Marvin L. Weir
• The Truth About Tolerance by Robert Hatfield
• Sermons:
• Will These Condemn You?
• The Beauty of Grey Hair

Godly People In A Godless World

Daniel records for us the lives and challenges four Hebrew youths would face in Babylon. Their challenges are similar to ones we may face today so what can we learn from them.

Godly People In A Godless World

Daniel records for us the lives and challenges four Hebrew youths would face in Babylon. Their challenges are similar to ones we may face today so what can we learn from them:

1. Challenges They Faced
   • Taken into Babylonian captivity as youths they found themselves in a strange environment (1:3-4) that where their identities were attempted to be removed (1:6-7) and they faced spiritual challenges (1:8).
   • This is not unlike our world that we face outside of our homes and gatherings with other Christians, a world that does not support our faith but actually tries to destroy it (John 17:14-16; Matt. 10:25, 28).
2. Determination They Displayed
   • They showed themselves to be men of conviction in these challenges, they displayed purpose/determination of heart (1:8), humility (1:8-12), and integrity/honesty (1:12-16). This was not an isolated event; consider the fiery furnace (chap 3) as we as Daniel’s prayer and character (chap. 6).
   • Will we have the same determination (1 Pet 5:8-9; Lk 9:23)?
3. Influence They Had
   • These men showed themselves to be an encouragement to each other and those around them, they displayed a godly influence that affected others (2:47, 3:29-30, 6:25-28, etc.), and the result was a glorious ending (1:15, 19-21).
   • We may not see it on the scale that these men did, but we can have the same influence on others around us today if we live with the same determination (Phil. 2:15-16; 2 Cor. 3:2).

Lessons About Evangelism (Matthew 10)

Matthew 10 focuses in on Jesus’ charge to His apostles from which we can learn some lessons as we spread the gospel.

Lessons About Evangelism (Matthew 10)

Matthew 10 focuses in on Jesus’ charge to His apostles from which we can learn some lessons as we spread the gospel:

1. Go With Wisdom, Love, and Truth (v16-20)
   • Use wisdom and love, yet some would still be set against them; also they were to speak as God would have them to.
   • Today our charge is still to go forth with the gospel wisely (Eph. 5:15-17), in love (Eph. 4:15), speaking the Word of God (Matt. 28:19; Gal. 1:6-12).
2. Fear God, Not Man (v21-31)
   • They would face danger and persecution in doing Jesus’ work, but that should not cause them to cease; they must be more interested in pleasing God rather than man.
   • We still are to spread the gospel to the world even in midst of persecution? (2 Tim. 4:2; Matt. 28:19-20; Gal. 1:10)
3. Put The Lord First (v32-39)
   • They were to confess Christ by the lives they lived, regardless of the consequences faced in this life. This meant giving Him priority even over family and life.
   • God and spiritual interests must always come first and such should show in the way that we live (Matt. 6:33; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 1:6-10; Matt. 16:26).
4. Support The Work (v40-42)
   • Jesus praised those who would receive His disciples and as they would be supporting Him, and God who sent Him; even small acts of kindness would not go unnoticed.
   • Even today we need to do our part but also encourage and support those who are doing the work of the Lord (v10).

• Article(s):
• Prepare For Emergency Landing by Daniel Gaines
• Why Is Patience So Important? by David Harris
• Sermons:
  • Lessons About Evangelism (Matt. 10)
  • Godly People In A Godless World (Daniel)

Preaching Christ (Acts 8 )

When one looks at this record of the activities of the early church, we find them busy in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ; specifically consider the different ways this is spoken of.

Preaching Christ (Acts 8 )

When one looks at this record of the activities of the early church, we find them busy in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ; specifically this is spoken of as:

1. Preaching the Word (v4) – this they did as they went about in their lives. Consider some qualities of the word they proclaimed (John 17:17; Luke 8:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 4:12; James 1:21; 1 Pet. 2:2; Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Pet. 2:25).
2. Preaching Christ (v5) – this centers on the work of Philip who was one of those preaching the word (v4), thus he was not just telling them of the man Jesus, but proclaiming the whole of the gospel. He spoke, confirming with miracles (v6-7, 13; Heb. 2:3-4); he preached things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus (v12; Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28l; Eph. 1:22-23; Matt. 28:18-20; Col. 3:17); he taught them concerning salvation and baptism (v12); he preached the word of God (v14).
3. Testifying and Preaching the Word of God and Preaching the Gospel (v25). They came speaking the word of the Lord (that which comes from God and testifies of Him) and preached the gospel of Christ (the good news of Christ and salvation). Peter and John proclaimed the same message Philip had.
4. Preaching Jesus (v35) – Philip now preaches to the eunuch and obvious he teaches not just of who Jesus was but of the response that such knowledge should bring as the eunuch is baptized.
5. Preaching (v40) – simply notes Philip preaches (evangelize; proclaims good news), which is no doubt what he has been doing in the rest of this chapter.

Let us be active in doing the same today.