Monthly Archives: August 2024

Be Gracious But Careful

Posted on August 30, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

The fruit of the Christian life should be graciousness. We have received undeserved grace from the Lord Jesus Christ. We – in turn – should be gracious to others. When Jesus sent out His Apostles to minister, He told them:

Matthew 10:8 … (NIV) Freely you have received; freely give ..

The Apostle Paul gathered the Church at Ephesus and, speaking to those he so loved, encouraged the Church to live by GRACE. He said:

Acts 20:32-35 (NKJV) So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

God gave grace freely to His Children, and we, in turn, are to give graciously. The mark of the true Christian is the one who shows the fruit of hospitality. The Scripture says “show HOSPITALITY to one another WITHOUT GRUMBLING” (1 Peter 4:9). We are commanded to “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13). But our generosity is not just to be IN the Church, but OUTSIDE of the Church. We are told: Continue reading →

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We Live By The Gospel

Posted on August 27, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

Romans 1:8-17 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

I was reading an article the other day about the first vending machine ever made. In the article the author stated:

“the first-ever vending machine was utilized all the way back in the 1st century A.D. — by the Christian church. No, it didn’t dispense indulgences, though that would have been awesome, and probably have inspired rampant sinning in a 10-foot radius of the machine. What it did dispense, as if it was Fruitopia or Surge, was holy water. … Continue reading →

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Community Relations

Posted on August 23, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

God calls the Christian to be an encourager, with our words to sow the seed of the Gospel so that others might be saved. There are times when our words should rebuke or call out sin. But we need to always remember that Jesus, though He rebuked sin, more often called people to salvation through faith in Him. To the lost person, we are to remember that they abide in darkness and need the light that only God can bring. The Bible says:

Colossians 4:5-6 (NKJV) Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

As we have learned before, “Wisdom” is the very Word of God. Wisdom comes from God Himself, not from us. We have read:

James 1:5 (NKJV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

We should ask ourselves before talking to someone stumbling, “Are my words GRACIOUS? Is what I am saying POINTING THIS PERSON TO CHRIST? Is what I am saying truthful, according to the Scripture?” If not, perhaps I should hold my words. We are told “through knowledge shall the just be delivered”. It is the Word of God that directs the believer. Not opinion, not feelings or desires, but what God has said. … Continue reading →

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What Is The Gospel?

Posted on August 21, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

A Pastor preached on the Grace of God one Sunday. As he stood at the door following the service, an elderly man came up to him and shook his hand. He said “Pastor, your sermon really struck home! It perfectly illustrated the grace and love of God.” The Pastor was thrilled, and said, “Wonderful brother. How did my sermon show you the grace and love of God?” The man said, “Your sermon passed all understanding, and it seemed like it endured forever!”

Hopefully this sermon won’t “pass all understanding” or seem to “endure forever”. Last week we learned how Saul the Church Persecutor became Paul the Church builder. How did Saul become Paul? He met the Lord Jesus Christ on Damascus Road and, calling upon His Name, the Name of Jesus, Saul became Paul. He was changed, gloriously changed. Before Saul met Christ, he was a giver of death. After meeting Jesus, Paul was a giver of life.

Saul became Paul when he was “separated {made a Saint} unto the Gospel of God”

What is the “Gospel”? The word “GOSPEL” is the Greek euangelion (pronounced yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on), which literally means “The GOOD NEWS”. Everyone knows what “good news” is, though we rarely hear it today. The Bible gives us bad news in that “God is Perfect, and yet we are far from perfect. We are all broken, and are born into this world sinners.” But the GOOD NEWS – the GOSPEL – is that God has provided a way to fix… Continue reading →

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Salvation Brings Change

Posted on August 16, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

Proverbs 11:5-8 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. 7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Let’s Start With A Gospel Review

Last Sunday as we started studying the Book of Romans, we talked about the nature of salvation. Salvation is not a “work your way to Heaven” thing. Salvation is a supernatural act of God. Prior to salvation, a person is dead in their trespasses and sins, spiritually dead. We are born into this world as sinners. The Bible says:

Isaiah 64:6 (NKJV) But we are ALL like an unclean thing, And ALL our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We ALL fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

Babies are born into this world innocent and unknowing until they reach the age of accountability. The Jews usually considered this to be around 12-13 years old, when the child goes through a Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony. Dr John MacArthur … Continue reading →

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What Does It Mean To Be Saved?

Posted on August 13, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

Romans 1:1-6 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ…

What does it mean to be “saved”?

That’s a very important question that you need to answer for yourself. “What do I think “being saved” is?” Some people tie salvation to an action, or a series of actions they consider sacred (sacraments). For instance, you might think you’re saved because you were baptized by a preacher, or you may think you’re saved because you are a member of a church. Some think they are saved because they were born into a Church family. … Continue reading →

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Be Careful What Carries You

Posted on August 4, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

I love to watch horror movies. Not the bloody type – that’s disgusting. But the scary type. I watched a movie the other day about a serial killer who drove an Uber. Uber is a company that hires private citizens to pick people up in their cars, kind of like a taxi. The problem is, Uber drivers aren’t checked out like a commercial taxi driver is. You don’t whose car you are getting into. And yes, you could get into the back seat of a serial killer’s car. Or worse! Be careful what you choose to carry you through life, or it may carry you to death. Continue reading →

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Saved vs Lost People

Posted on August 3, 2024 by bibleteacherorg

I have heard it said that …

The Righteous person, saved by faith in Christ, fears God so he doesn’t fear the future. However the Wicked person who rejects salvation in Christ has no fear of God, but fears the future.

The Christian need not fear what tomorrow may bring, because we live our lives for the God Who holds tomorrow in the palm of His hand. It’s like that old hymn I rarely hear sung in Church anymore:

I don’t know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don’t seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.

The Bible says:

Psalm 145:19 (ESV) He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

God loves His Children, and do not want them living in fear over the things of this world. “Greater is He Who is in you, than He that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This comes upon us… Continue reading →

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