Encouraging Others to Become Christians: New Testament Lessons

Every generation has to come to grips with a very real need/problem: there are people in the world who need to obey the gospel of Christ, and that responsibility fails on the Christian to provide the instruction (rightly divided) that is from God, found in the scriptures. One of the questions is: how do we do that? (Is there a guide or example of how to convert our sin-filled generation to Christ? Of course there is: in the New Testament itself. The New Testament gives us many examples of people being taught the good news of salvation, and we can utilize those for the benefit of those we study with today.    

Since there are so many examples in the Bible and I am selecting just a few, no doubt there are others that you might think of as well - and that could be just as useful - but here we are highlighting these because they are familiar and easily remembered. One might want to begin with Stephen in Acts (6,7), or the first recorded gospel sermon by Peter on the Pentecost after the Resurrection (Acts 2); however, we might also look at those instances where quite a bit was at stake for the messenger of the good news (that may not have been such good news to the hearer at the time).    

Paul showed great courage when he was preaching before various officials, as he could only have created a more dangerous environment for himself. Look at the conversation he had with Felix in Acts (Acts 24:24). Here was a man married to someone who could not lawfully be his wife, and Paul did not back down or hesitate to bring the necessary truth to him. The Bible says he spoke of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come. Imagine how such a message must have sounded to Felix - it caused him to tremble with fear. He was given an opportunity to change his life (repent) and to walk a path of righteousness, but he seemingly refused to do so. He told Paul the same thing that many have told us over the years - they need a more convenient season. He was not willing to change, but Paul spoke to him on that sore subject anyway.    

This is an example for us: to preach the word, whether those in the world want to hear it or not. It is no shame for us to preach the truth of God, even if no one wants to hear it. We might also remember the study we just concluded on Wednesday night from Matthew 14. Though the focus was on Jesus and the feeding of the multitudes, we glanced back toward the beginning of that chapter and noticed the courage of John. He had been imprisoned and then killed because of his stand for truth. He had spoke to the authorities on matter relating to morality. "For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her." (Matthew 14:3,4)    

Is that the type of courage we have in standing up for the gospel? It is that degree of selflessness that we should embody in our defense of the scriptures, which are our guides to eternal salvation. Would we really be willing to put our lives on the line for the Lord, or would we run and seek shelter from others (as Peter did when the arrested our Lord). Shall we deny him before men, or confess Him. Our salvation is dependent on that choice.    

Johnny Oxendine

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What Is Acceptable Worship?

Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). 

First, notice that according to Jesus our worship is to be directed toward God. We are to worship Him. Only Deity is worthy of worship. Men are unworthy of worship. Cornelius knew that Peter had been sent by God to tell him the Word of God through which (if obeyed) he and his household would be saved (Acts 11:14). When Cornelius first saw the apostle Peter he “fell down at his feet, and worshiped him”(Acts 10:25). Peter was a great man, an apostle of Christ; but Peter made it clear that men were unworthy of worship. “But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man” (Acts 10:26). Twice (Revelation 19:10; 22:9) it is stated that John, the apostle, when beholding the glories of heaven fell down to worship at the feet of an angel. He was forbidden to do so. He was told, “Worship God.” When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He stated, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10). 

Second, observe that man is the one whose responsibility it is to worship God. In the previous verse Jesus had stated, “...for the Father seeketh such to worship him” (John 4:23). Clearly God desires worship from man. The primary purpose of man is to glorify God. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou has created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created” (Revelation 4:11). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:5). 

Third, this worship must be “in spirit” for it to be accepted by God. God demands that our worship be offered from the heart sincerely. God rejects worship that is not sincere. Jesus described some who offered such worship to God. He stated, “This people draweth nigh to me with their mouth and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:8). Scripture speaks of those who are acceptable to God as “them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (II Timothy 2:22). Worship is to be sincere expressions of praise and adoration of God which come from the genuine thoughts and intents of the heart. 

But, sincerity is not all that is necessary to make worship acceptable to God. Fourth, acceptable worship must be “in truth.” Truth is God’s Word (John 17:17). Our worship must be according to God’s instructions. When man injects his own ideas into worship, his worship becomes worthless. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).  

There are certain acts of worship that God has approved. All other acts are thereby condemned by God for worship. Prayer is worship (Acts 2:42; James 4:8; 5:16)), singing “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” is worship (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), preaching God’s Word is worship (Acts 2:42; 20:7); giving financially of our means on the first day of the week is worship (I Corinthians 16:2), and partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week is worship (Acts 20:7). It should be clearly observed that acceptable (i.e. acceptable to God) is not everything that man might want to do and call it worship. Acceptable worship follows the parameters set forth by God in His Word. God determines what acceptable worship is. He has revealed to us in His Word what acceptable worship is. Everything else is NOT acceptable worship. 

Regardless of what man may call it, the playing of mechanical instruments of music is not worship because God has not authorized it. Even if man suggests that burning incense is worship, it is not worship because God has not authorized it. Man might suggest that everything that man wants to do is worship if his heart is sincere. God’s Word tells us that this is not so. Some might suggest that all that man does is worship to God, but according to God’s Word this is NOT the case. Doing righteous acts are service to God, but “good works” are not worship. Dedicating one’s life to God is right, good and proper; but Christian living is never spoken of in the New Testament as worship. If all of life is worship, then worship is possible without the person realizing that he is worshiping (The person’s heart, according to this view, at the time may not even recognize that worship is taking place. How can such worship be “in spirit”?) Such is absurd! God has authorized only five acts of worship. Those are the acts that are engaged in when worship takes place; worship only occurs when one or more of these acts are done. 

Fifth, only two of those five acts are restricted in time. God has specified when we are to take the Lord’s Supper–the first day of the week. God has specified when we are to give financially to support the work of the church (local congregation)–the first day of the week. With God’s approval we can engage in these acts of worship only on the first day of the week (i.e. the first day of every week). We can worship God through singing (psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs), praying and the preaching of His Word at any time. If God has regulated these acts in some way, then we must follow those regulations when we engage in that action. For example, God has given us guidelines for prayer (i.e. addressed to the Father, in the name of Jesus, etc.). Prayer must be offered according to those instructions of God wherever and whenever we pray. 

Worship is an activity on the part of man to praise God and to reverence Him and His Word. Worship is according to God’s pattern if it is acceptable to Him. Almost from the beginning of man’s presence on this earth, man has tried to ignore God’s Word, do his “own thing” and call it worship expecting God to be pleased. A study of the New Testament and a review of the cases of Cain and Nadab and Abihu ought to cause us to know that what we offer to God in worship is not always acceptable to Him just because we think what He has not authorized is okay, or better. 

Lester Kamp

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My Mother...

My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.

​George Washington

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Mother's Day

Today is the day we mortals have agreed upon to honor the most wonderful human being in our lives—our sweet, precious mother. There can be no reasonable doubt but what God wants us to love, honor, and cherish our mothers (Ephesians 6:1-3). While every day should be Mother’s Day, we certainly are not opposed to setting aside one particular day just for her. As a matter of fact, we think it is a splendid idea. Let us make sure our mothers know how special they are and how much we love and appreciate them. Let us do something really special for them on their day. 

No one has had a greater influence in molding our lives than our mothers. Someone has determined that from the time we are born until we are twenty-one we are awake 105,000 hours. We spend approximately 10,000 hours in the school room and 2,100 hours in Bible classes, which leaves 93,000 hours under the direct supervision of our parents. Since the father is generally the bread winner and a survey some time ago revealed that the average American father spends only seven minutes per week alone with his teenage children, most of those 93,000 hours are spent under the supervision of our mothers. Indeed the hand which rocks the cradle rules the world. Abraham Lincoln said, “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother. I remember her prayers, and they have followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” 

One of the great characters of the Bible is the evangelist Timothy. One of the prime ingredients which made him a dependable servant of God was the influence of his godly mother and grandmother. For as far back as he could remember, he was taught God’s Word by these two very special women (II Timothy 3:14-15; 1:5). When young mothers decide they want to do something about the preacher and elder shortage in the Lord’s church, they can and will. They have control of a child’s life during the first six years, which are the most formative years of his life. 

One of the tragedies of modern America is that so many mothers make up the working force. We certainly do not want to be critical of working mothers because some of them must work. However, if there is any possible way they could be with their children during those formative years, even if they had to do without some of the things they want, we would encourage them to do it. It is far better for mothers to be with their children during those years than it is for them to left in the care of a baby sitter or a nursery nursery attendant who only considers it a job.  

Author Unknown

WHEN IS ONE BACKSLIDING?

When the sermon is too long or too strong.

When you murmur if called upon to give a little more.

When everyone is wrong but you.

When things have to go your way or you won’t cooperate.

When you won’t admit wrong---when you are.

When the headache you take to work keeps you from attending worship.

When visitors keep you from attending worship.

When you grow weary of sound doctrine.

​Author Unknown

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What Happens When I Read My Bible?

  1. The word works effectually in me (I Thessalonians 2:18)
  2. The word teaches, reproves, corrects me (II Timothy 3:16)
  3. The word cleanses me (Ephesians 5:26)
  4. The word strengthens me (I John 2:14; Acts 20:32)
  5. The word gives me faith (Romans 10:17)
  6. The word gives me joy (Jeremiah 15:16)
  7. The word gives me heavenly life (John 6:63)

Author Unknown

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