I had a very enjoyable week at Polishing the Pulpit. There were so many good speakers, that it would be hard to single anyone out. However, I believe my favorite this year was Wayne Jackson. He did a tremendous job on ÒThe Greatest Thoughts That Have challenged My Mind.Ó He spoke on this subject Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening. Bro. Jackson has preached for the same congregation in California for forty-eight years. He does a lot of writing and the publication he puts out each month, Christian Courier, has been a favorite of mine for twenty-five years.
One of his lessons dealt with ÒWhy Am I Here?Ó There are two basic levels of knowledge. One is instinctive. A small baby sucks his thumb without having to be taught. Some of you may have seen pictures of babies still in the womb sucking their thumb. We begin to gather data and do it basically on autopilot. Shaving in the morning or starting the automobile would be examples of such. We simply do it by rote information.
There is a deeper level of information that we choose to know. Some things we should meditate on. ÒBlessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and nightÓ (Psalms 1:1, 2). Later the psalmist would say, ÒWhen I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?Ó (Psalms 8:3,4). Why did God create us? Why am I, as an individual, on this earth? When you consider the vastness of this universe, the creation of God and realize that we are not capable of knowing or understanding all that God has created, then we begin to think, why am I here? It is certainly a challenge for us to begin to think about all that God has done, is doing and will do. Our finite minds just cannot comprehend all of GodÕs work. We will talk about why next week.
Book, Chapter, Verse
In recent years, an increasingly popular sentiment has arisen which maintains that the explicit citation of Bible book, chapter, and verse in pulpit proclamation is somehow unsophisticated, ineffective, or inappropriate. With this emerging mentality has come a dramatic reduction in both the amount of scripture incorporated into the sermon and the extent to which the sermonÕs subject matter is derived directly from biblical texts. Many preachers now pad their sermons with appeals to modern "experts" in theology, psychology, and sociology. They pride themselves on staying abreast of the "latest thought" available from the academic community and draw freely from this body of information as source material. We have "set ourselves up" for an extremely dangerous and spiritually destructive circumstance, which historically has heralded the decline of GodÕs spiritual nation (e.g., Deut. 6:6Ñ9; Jos. 1:18; Psa. 1:2; Hos. 4:6).
Please consider why Gospel preachers ought to provide their listeners with direct Scriptural citations:
1. Such a practice helps hearers learn the Bible. Countless are the times that oneÕs grasp of the content and structure of the Bible is facilitated by knowing precisely where a particular doctrine, principle, or truth is taught in Scripture. One learns and memorizes passages by reading and meditating for oneself (Acts 17:11; Luke 16:29; 1 Tim 4:13). If the preacher does not use and identify Scripture in his sermon, he is at the very least failing to contribute to his hearersÕ acquisition of Bible knowledge. Perhaps he is even hampering this extremely vital process.
2. Quoting Scripture and requiring direct citation minimizes the tendency to make vague allusion to Scripture and, in so doing, to fail to take context into consideration. Error is often undetectable when disguised in the garb of a few familiar-sounding words or phrases severed from their original context. Even when inspired writers refrained from giving a specific Old Testament source, they were careful to quote the passage verbatim (cf. Heb. 2:6ff; 4:4-7; 5:6). Doctrinal deceptions are constantly being foisted upon the simple and innocent (Rom. 16:18) by the denominations and false brethren as they evade decisive and definitive contextual support for their erroneous religious views. Many disagreements and misconceptions would be settled and clarified if individuals did not justify their religious views by saying, "Somewhere in the Bible it saysÉ"
3. Direct Scripture citation impresses upon the hearer that the preacher is not speaking "of himself" (cf., John 7:16; 8:28; 14:10), or asserting his own ideas (1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Pet. 1:20-21), but rather permitting God to speak for Himself. Explicitly telling the audience where the words are found in Scripture emphasizes to them that they are accountable to God Ð not the preacher. It is His words (not the preacherÕs) that are "powerful" (Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12) and able to save them (Jam. 1:21). Additionally, even academia holds that it is only fair and ethical to give full documentation when alluding to the work of someone else.
4. Finally, giving hearers sufficient information for them to locate a passage is appropriate because Jesus and others did essentially the same thing. Of course, chapter and verse divisions were unavailable in apostolic times; but faithful speakers gave sufficient indication by which their claims could be verified. Though occasionally a speaker would preface his Biblical quotation with a simple formula such as "It is written" (Matt. 4:4,7), he usually included more details, which enabled the listener to "zero in" on the specific text. Study carefully the following passages and notice how the inspired speaker provided clues to the specific source by identifying the Old Testament book, author, or canonical division (e.g., law, Psalms, or prophets-Matt. 3:3; 12:39; 13:14; 15:7; 24:15; Mark 7:6; Luke 20:42; 24:44; John 1:23; Acts 1:20; 2:16,25; 2:22; 13:33,35,40; 15:15; 28:25).
Christians living today are not addressing Jews who were so familiar with the Old Testament that they needed to be reminded of a passage. We are addressing the denominations and the irreligious Ð both of whom are woefully ignorant of Scripture Ð all the more reason to specify our Scriptural source.
Why do some seem so reluctant to give book, chapter, and verse in their preaching? Perhaps some are threatened by the practice because their own knowledge of Scripture is inferior to that of those who are able to do so. Perhaps some have embrace false doctrines which cannot survive the straightforward scrutiny of scripture. Avoiding explicit scriptural citation facilitates religious seduction. Maybe to them, constantly quoting Scripture does not fit well with the modern, "sophisticated," "Educated," "smooth" approach. Such "education" is akin to what Paul called "false knowledge" (1 Tim. 6:20). Such "smoothness" sounds like the "smooth things" which Isaiah denounced (Isa. 30:10).
Brethren, there will never come a time when culture or historical circumstances will warrant an abandonment of straightforward, Scripture-quoting proclamation of GodÕs word. Let us not be ashamed (Rom. 1:16) of the Bible. Let us present it faithfully to lost humanity and do all we can to encourage them to "check it out" (Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21), as did the noble Bereans!
--Dave
MillerÉtheBible.net --This item
originally appeared in Power - April 1992
WHY DO YOU GO TO CHURCH?
Charles Hodge states, "Why don't members return Sunday night?" This is the wrong question...the real question is...why did they come Sunday morning? Those who come for the right reasons Sunday morning will return Sunday night! So we keep treating symptoms and not the heart.
Do you come out of duty (fear)? Do you come to get "credit"? How many thousand times must one come? Do "Brownie points" accrue in heaven? Silly -- isn't it?
Do you come for self, personal encouragement? Many are disappointed, "I didn't get anything out of worship", "I didn't receive any encouragement." Silly -- isn't it?
Why? Because these reasons are wrong reasons. We have promoted wrong things. We attend to encourage, to uplift, to edify, to strengthen others! Until we know this, we will have attendance problems. What is the church? It is MUTUAL edification, not SELF edification! We go to serve, to help, to bolster, to praise.
Joe Connell states, it is not uncommon to hear, "I didn't get much out of the worship", or "I don't get anything from the Bible classes." More than likely, the one who feels this way intends to convey the impression that something is wrong with the singing, praying, preaching, teaching in Bible classes, or the Lord's supper. But I see it another way. The reflection is cast upon one who does not get anything from worship or study of the Word of God. In recent years, it appears that we have come to expect that something is to be done for us or to us. Our religion is becoming more and more subjective. This inner feeling that we expect to have, is to be generated by the actions of those who appear before us as the teacher, preacher, song leader, etc.
It really boils down to this: "If you don't make me feel good, I am not coming back to worship God." It has never seemed to me that it was someone else's responsibility to create within me the right relationship with God. This may well be why many are blaming their indifference on the fact they have not been made to feel good, for it relieves them of being responsible for themselves.
To achieve the job of Christian living, worship is done toward God--not what we feel within ourselves. Quit thinking the church ought to do something for you and start doing something toward God. If you are sick or hungry, we will care for you. If you are naked, we will clothe you. If you are in prison, we will visit you. But, we cannot make you get anything out of worship and studying God's Word.
-Jim McCutchen
--Taken from Elgin Bulletin
MONTROSE FAMILY NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Sept 13, 2009
WORSHIP----SUNDAY---9:00
AM
Co-Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Billy Halliburton
Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Glen Reece
Scriptures Reading.. .. Matthew 19:4-6. . . Zack Grubbs
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Smith
Opening Prayer. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Jacky Carver Jr.
LordÕs Supper-Preside: Roger
Draper
Serve: Ricky Kirby, Steve Anderson.
Cody Anderson, Brian Harville
Closing Prayer................................ Brian
Smith
Greeter- Steve & Maria
Anderson
Greeter- Ricky & Janie Kirby
Count Offering. . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
Kaleb Bush
AM Sermon- . The Christian
Family
PM Sermon- - Confidence we
have in him (I John 5)
Announcements . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glen Reece
Song Leader. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . Harold Smith
Scripture Reading.. . . I
John 5:13-17. . . . Zack Grubbs
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Mitchell Brooks
LordÕs Supper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver, Sr.
Serve . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . Addison
Halliburton
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jimmy
Smith
BIBLE STUDY WEDNESDAY---7:00 PM
Song Leader . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .Harold Smith
First Prayer. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .Roger Draper
Opening Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Jacky Carver Sr.
Closing Prayer . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . Larry Kemp
Prepare Communion for Sept.
Melanie Smith
NURSING HOME: Lucille Smith,
Those on the sick list:
Donald Chaffin (Zion) Lou
GehrigÕs disease
Kathy
Harville
Vaughn
Allen Ðcancer has returned
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
56
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 37
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
60
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,794.00
Wednesday. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Worship Sunday AM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Bible Study Sunday AM .. . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Daily Bible Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. 40
Worship Sunday PM . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Offering . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,749.00
EVENTS COMING UP:
Oct. 10th. Hayride at the Russells
Oct 18-21st. Fall Lectureship with Ben Flatt
We are asking each family to
bring items for the pantry to be used for needs in the community as they arise:
Items for week: Soup/ Chili/ Beef Stew.
.
|
01
Lam. 1-3 02
Lam. 4-5; 03
Ezek. 4-6 04
Ezek. 7-9 05
Ezek. 10-12 06
Ezek. 13-15 07
Ezek. 16-18 08
Ezek. 19-21 09
Ezek. 22-26 10 Ezek. 27-29 |
11
Ezek. 30-32 12 Ezek. 33-35 13
Ezek. 36-38 14
Ezek. 39-41 15
Ezek. 42-44 16
Ezek. 45-48 17 Dan. 1-3 18
Dan. 4-6 19
Dan. 7-9 20
Dan. 10-12 |
21
Hos. 1-4 22
Hos. 5-7 23
Hos. 8-12 24
Hos. 13-14 25
Joel 1-3; 26
Amos 1-4 27
Amos 5-7 28
Amos 8-9 29
Jonah 1-4 30 Micah 1-4 |