First Peter

From Peter to the Elect scattered abroad because of persecution –

Praise the Lord who has given us living hope by Christ’s resurrection.

We have an incorruptible inheritance that fadeth not away,

And the trial of our faith will be glorious in that day.

Although you have not seen Him, you believed what was told,

And received the end of your faith, the salvation of your soul.

While the Prophets have searched and the angels desired to see,

This glorious Good News was reserved for you and me.

We are born again of incorruptible seed by God’s living Word,

Who His son self bore our sins in His body as you heard.

And since He suffered for us in the flesh on the tree,

We should not think it strange when fiery trials we see.

I want to exhort the elders who are there among you,

For I have witnessed Christ’s sufferings and am an elder too,

That you feed the flock of God and take the oversight,

And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear He will make things right.

From The Bible in Verse: from Genesis to Revelation by B.C.Jennings, 1986.

The Christian Life

The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian’” (Acts 26:28). “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf” (I Peter 4:16).

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN

1. It means remission of past sins (Acts 2:38).
2. Membership in the church, the Body of Christ (Acts 2:47).
3. He can call God, Father (Romans 8:15).
4. He can worship and serve God acceptably (John 9:31).
5. He has the hope of eternal life in Christ (Revelation 2:10).

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?

1. He believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10).
2. He repents unto life (Acts 11:18).
3. He confesses unto salvation (Romans 10:10).
4. He is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Romans. 6:3). He is born again (John 3:5). See also I Peter 1:23.
5. A Christian must live like Christ; must follow Him.

WHY WEAR THE NAME CHRISTIAN?

1. It honors Christ who died for us (Hebrews 2:9).
2. We were baptized in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5).
3. Paul condemned human names (I Corinthians 1:10).
4. We are married to Christ (Romans 7:4). Therefore, we should wear His name.
5. There is salvation in no other name (Acts 4:12).
6. We are His children (Galatians 3:26). Hence, we are in His family, and should wear His name and no other.

BECOME AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!

WHAT MUST ONE DO TO KEEP SAVED?

A. This great question implies:

1. Man was once lost in sin.
2. That he has been saved.
3. There is a danger of falling.
4. Something must be done to remain saved.

B. There is a danger of falling.

1. Demas hath forsaken me . . .” (II Timothy 4:10).
2. Simon was commanded to repent and pray (Acts 8:22).
3. The last state was worse than the first (II Peter 2:20).

C. Christians have the power to stand.

1. Give all diligence and add the Christian graces (II Peter 1:5-10).
2. Make your calling and election sure (II Peter 1:10).
3. Then, “Ye shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10).

D. Four safe rules to follow:

1. Read the Bible daily. The Bereans were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). Newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word that they may grow thereby (I Peter 2:2). The engrafted word will save (James 1:21). We will be judged by it (John 12:48).
2. Pray to God every day. Pray Without ceasing – have a regular time for prayer (Ephesians 6:18).
3. Attend all the services of the church. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together (Hebrews 10:25). The disciples met upon the first day of the week.(Acts 20:7). Christians need this spiritual food.
4. Give liberally of time, talents and means. See I Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Cor. 9:7. “Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.”

MAKE IT AS SURE AS YOU CAN!

OUR RELATIONS ONE TO ANOTHER

A. Love one another.

1. “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
2. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
3. One cannot love God whom he hath not seen and hate his brother whom he hath seen (I John 4:20).

B. Bear one another’s burdens.

1. “Bear ye one another’s burdens [the crushing burden beyond one’s ability to carry, John Rose] and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
2. “For every man shall bear his own burden [any load one can carry, himself; John Rose]” (Galatians 6:5).
3. Each individual must bear his own responsibility to God.

One cannot obey God for another person. However, we can help one another bear the infirmities of the flesh.

C. Forgive one another.

1. "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
2. How often shall we forgive? Jesus said to Peter: “Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22).
3. “And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:4).

D. Pray for one another.

1. Paul said: “Brethren pray for us” (I Thessalonian 5:25).
2. “Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
3. Samuel said: “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you” (I Samuel 12:23).

LET US HELP ONE ANOTHER

(above adapted by John Rose from a tract)

With My Whole Heart…

“I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart…” (Psalm 9:1).

Is there any part of man that should be withheld from Him with Whom we have to do? How can we serve Him partially? What should we do to ensure that we are serving Him with our whole heart? These three questions, while they may appear blasé to some, may well determine the destiny of the person sitting nearest you as you read these lines…and they may well determine the destiny of the person sitting nearest them as well. Let us spend a few minutes considering each question in the light of the passage we have selected as our text.

I. Is There Any Part Of Man That Should Be Withheld From Him With Whom We Have To Do?

On the very face of it the answer to this question is pretty simple: no. We might even begin before this question and ask why anyone would wish to withhold anything from Him with Whom we have to do. Without Him we would not be. And not being we certainly would not know the beauty of a mountain sunrise or summer breeze or a quiet sunset. Not being we would never see the look of love on our children’s faces or hear them call our name anytime some little thing frightened them or perhaps when they have fallen and scraped a knee. Now, since He has given us life and all things in it what on earth would move us to want to withhold anything from Him for which He might ask? It flies in the face of logic! Having given us so much, even if He did ask of us that we give Him our very lives it would be no large price to pay. If we have drawn a breath it is His. So what if He wants it back? Is it not Him to want back? Should He turn from us this very minute and withhold from us all blessings henceforth we would cease to exist. We would simply not be. Anything, therefore, that He desires of us we ought to give Him. He is worthy! He alone is worthy! 

 II. How Can We Serve Him Partially? Is it possible to serve Him partially?

I suppose, after a sort, it is. Inasmuch as we can perform some of the tasks commanded by Him and leave others undone we can serve Him partially. That is not, of course, to say that He will acknowledge such, not by any means. But how can we do such a thing? We have noted already that He has given us all, is there any right or just way that we can give back to Him less than He has given to us? Of course, if we give Him our all we still have not given Him as much as He has given us. But in His grace He will accept our all if we give it. I often think of those who “do” many right things only to fall short in so many other areas. Think of the denominations with their charitable endeavors, or the Catholics with their active interest in health care or the many individuals who are so nice and profess so great a love for the Lord. They do many right things, but not enough. “If we keep the whole law and offend in one point…” How sad! But then, whose duty is it to know whether a man is serving fully? Is it not the duty of each man to determine as much from the Word? That being true, it is sad, not because of the consequences to the partially obedient, but sad that they would set an example of partial service — partial obedience -- which is, in essence, but full disobedience!

 III. What should we do to ensure that we are serving Him with our whole heart?

In essence, this question deals with ensuring that we are not guilty of full disobedience by rendering only partial service. Every man will stand and answer before the judgment seat of the Lord for himself. Therefore every man has the duty of preparing for that accounting. How can I make such preparations as to be ready to give account? I would suggest to you first of all that we must study the Bible for ourselves. Never be content to believe “what we have always believed” on any subject. Learn the meaning of words you do not understand. Know that you know that you know what that passage really means. Meditate on the things you study. Mull them over. Consider them from every perspective. Be sure. Having done that, implement into your life what God requires of you. Leave nothing undone. If it means losing sleep, lose sleep. If it means making major changes in every aspect of your life, make major changes in every aspect of your life. Do whatever you must do to comply in every particular with the Word. Then, having studied and obeyed, never quit. You will never reach the age of retirement from Christianity. Retirement from your secular employment may come, but there is no retirement age from being a Christian! When you die nothing more will be required of you. Remain steadfast in all matters at all times and continue to study and to obey and never grow complacent The Lord will reward you accordingly.

Do you see how the answer to these three questions may well determine the destiny awaiting you? Rather, can you see a way wherein the answer to these three questions will not determine your destiny? May God bless you as you study and obey His word.

Tim Smith

FOR WHAT WILL THIS CONGREGATION BE KNOWN?

1. Will we be known for our love for lost souls? “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
2. Will we be known for having strong elders who watch for souls? “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).
3. Will we be known for having deacons who serve? “For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus” (I Timothy 3:13).
4. Will we be known for our generous giving? “God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7).
5. Will we be known for our brotherly love? “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
6. Will we be known for our friendliness and hospitality? “I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts” (Psalm 119:63).
7. Will we be known for speaking the truth boldly but lovingly? “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John,...they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).
8. Will we be known for defending the truth when it is under attack? “I am set for the defence of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17).
9. Will we be known for Christian living on the part of every member? “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27).
10. Will we be known for helping the needy? “Let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

While our primary desire is to glorify God, others will see us and be brought nearer to Him through our efforts (Matthew 5:13-16). If we fail to exhibit the qualities just mentioned, the very real possibility exists that God will not “know” us on the day of judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).

 Author Unknown

End-time Backlash

We know that “of that day and hour” we are ignorant—and so forever shall remain right up until “that day and hour.” We are given no signs concerning its arrival, no warnings, no pre-indicators, nothing. He will come “as a thief in the night.” That being true, could it be that many, out of sheer exhaustion from fighting against the error of the prevaricating prognosticators, have grown careless in their watching? The fact that we have no signs or indications whatsoever in no wise means that He will not come today!

We do not know when He will come, but we do know that He is coming. It may be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. It could be twenty thousand years in the future. We do not know. Our part is to live rightly. So living, it will not matter when He comes.

Equally important with the date of His return, and equally unknown to us, is the date of our death. We do not know when our natural life will end. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be next week. It most certainly will not wait twenty thou and years! Still, we do not know when it will be. Now, if people ignorant of their own approaching death will not live rightly, is it any surprise that something that may yet linger twenty thousand years distant has failed to move them?

In the final analysis, it does not matter when He comes or when we die if we are living rightly. To be prepared for the one is to be prepared for the other. To live rightly is to die rightly, and that is to be with Him in Heaven forever. Are you living rightly? May God bless us all as we study and obey His Word.

Tim Smith

Seven Walks of Ephesians

Walk denotes activity; more than that, it denotes continuous activity. In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, the figurative use of walking for living or carrying on our life, is employed seven times. How very important and impressive is the lesson.

Walking in disobedience: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (2:1-2).

Walking worthily: “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:1-3).

Walking in vanity: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” (4:17).

Walking in love: “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (5:2).

Walking as children of light: “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (5:8).

Walking in wisdom: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (5:15-16). 

Author Unknown