God is the Only Circumstance (John 14:27-31)
We continue today looking at Jesus’ teachings on peace and comfort. Worldly peace This world offers us peace. This peace is primarily in a change of circumstances. Peace in the home is found by divorce, a child moving out, our spouse changing, etc. Financial peace is found in us winning the lottery, getting a new job, inheriting money, etc. The world’s view of peace is the absence of problems through a change of circumstances. Jesus offers something different Throughout His…
War – Fighting a Just War
If there is a just war, does the Bible give instructions for how this war should be carried out? And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.Exodus 21:23-25 First, war must be fought with proportional force. This is not to say that we have to handicap our soldiers, but that we do not nuke a country for…
The Only Source of Comfort (John 14:22-26)
Jesus has been teaching the disciples about the special relationship that they enjoy with Him through faith in Him. Judas (also called Thaddeus) asks Him why He will not reveal Himself to the rest of the world. The disciples are envisioning a Savior who will show the Roman Empire His power and overthrow them ushering in an era of Jewish rule. We view the problem as outside of us All people are discontented, discomforted, and struggling. We naturally view this…
War – Pursuing Peace
If there is a just and righteous reason to go to war, how should Christians approach war itself? Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalm 34:14 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.Matthew 5:9 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace,…
Receiving the Truth (John 14:16-21)
The disciples are troubled that Jesus is going to be leaving them. Jesus’ response has been to talk about heaven and how to get to the Father. He has shown them that He is the only Way and that there is a new life for those who believe in Him. This new life will be characterized by following in Jesus’ footsteps. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter In all of our troubles, trials, and suffering God sends His Holy Spirit.…
War – Its Place In the Life of a Christian
In light of what the Bible says about government and murder, how should Christians view war? And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. For I say unto you, that this that is…
A Changed Heart (John 14:15)
How does the Law of God relate to the Grace of God? Man believes that he loves God One constant among human beings is that we all believe we love God and are right with God. If you look around our culture here in the South virtually everyone “believes in God,” “loves God,” and is “going to heaven when they die.” However, when confronted with the Law of God, men usually turn to one of two things, legalism or license.…
Greater Works (John 14:11-14)
Jesus now speaks of those who believe in Him doing greater works than what He has done. True believers will live like Jesus The word “works” is not referring exclusively to miracles; the Greek word actually refers to “deeds” or “labors.” Although this would include miracles this is not the exclusive meaning. Jesus is saying that those who believe in Him will live and act the way He lived and acted. The word for “greater” does not mean “more miraculous”…
War – Murder
What does the Bible say about taking human life? And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.Genesis 9:5-6 Thou shalt not kill.Exodus 20:13 He that smiteth a man, so…
Changing Our Minds On Abortion (Matthew 18:3-6, 19:13-14)
This week marks the 44th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Unfortunately many Christians believe that being pro-life only affects the way you vote. We long for the repeal of Roe v. Wade, but we fail to realize that before that Supreme Court decision there were around a million abortions a year performed in the United States. Not only that, but the Southern Baptist Convention used to be in favor of abortion, and it was a Southern Baptist who successfully argued…
War – Introduction
Is it right for a Christian to fight and kill in war? Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is…