back to basics - truth magazine to basics/volume... · 2 (130) back to basics - september 2007...

A Monthly Journal Dedicated To Teaching First Principles

Volume 5

Number 9SEPTEMBER 2007Back To Basics

And Jesus Looked Around

JesuswasconcernedaboutthethingswhichwentonaroundHim.Mark11:11states,“AndJesusenteredintoJerusalem,andintothetemple:andwhenhehadlookedaroundaboutuponallthings,andnowtheeventidewascome,hewentoutintoBethanywiththetwelve.”WetakealookatsomethingsJesussawwhenHelookedaround.

1)A Moved City.“AndwhenhewascomeintoJerusalem,all thecitywasmoved,saying,Whoisthis?”(Mt.21:10).BiblecitieswereoftenstirredwhenJesusvisitedorwhengospelpreachingwasdonelikeinActs8:5,8.

2) Money ChAngers. Jesus saw“moneychangers,andtheseatsofthemthatsold doves” in the temple (Mt. 21:12-13).TheyweremisusingthetempleandtheLord“overthrewthetablesandcastout,andsaid,Myhouseshallbecalledthehouseofprayer;but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mt.21:13).TheLord’shousetodaymustnotbemisused.

3)the Blind And the lAMe. “Andthe blind and the lame came to him in thetemple;andhehealedthem”(Mt.21:14).NowonderJesusiscalled“thegreatphysician”insong.AlsonoteMatthew9:12.Wehavea

Johnie Edwards

physicianwhocanhealallofoursindiseases,ifwewillobeyhim!

4) those Who should hAve Been BiBle reAders. Jesusasked,“Yeahaveyeneverread?”(Mt.21:16).TheLordexpectsustobereadersofHisword.“Blessedishethatreadeth...”(Rev.1:3).PaultaughtyoungTimothy,“TillIcome,giveattendancetoread-ing...”(1Tim.4:13).

5)A BArren Fig tree.“Andwhenhe saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and foundnothingthereon,butleaves,only,andsaiduntoit,Letnofruitgrowontheehence-forward for ever. And presently the fig tree witheredaway”(Mt.21:19).TheLordisnotpleasedunlesswearefruitproducers.“Thefruitoftherighteousisatreeoflife:andhethatwinnethsoulsiswise”(Prov.11:30).

6)sheep Without shepherds. “Butwhenhesawthemultitudes,hewasmovedwith compassion on them, because theyfainted,andwerescatteredabroad,assheephavingno shepherd” (Mt.9:36). It doesn’thavetobethatway!

WhatwouldJesusseetodayifHecametoourcityandlookedaround?

Back To Basics - September 20072 (130)

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Back To Basics

souL Winning in WichitA, kAnsAsJohn Isaac Edwards

Most churches are not growing verymuch thesedays. Perhaps the reason is there isnotmuch“soulwinning”goingon!Wehaveputtogether an eight-lesson study on SoulWinningwithaSoulWinningToolKitthatisdesignedtomotivateeverymembertobeasoulwinner.Thismaterial has been taught with much success inmanypartsofthecountryandinothercountriesaswell.

OurmostrecenttripwastoWichita,Kansas,where,duringthedaysofJuly13-15,granddadandItogetherpresentedthismaterialtotheWestsidechurchofChristinaspecialsoulwinningstudy.Fridayat7p.m.bothofusspokeonlessonsrelatedtopersonalevangelism.Saturdaymorningwemetfrom9a.m.tonoon,withanhourlunchbreak,and

thenfrom1to4p.m.studyinghowtobesoulwinnerswithasoulwinningtoolkitprovidedeachone.WebothspokeSaturdayat7p.m.andduringtheservicesonSunday.Themeetingwaswellattendedwithgreatinterestshowninsoulwinning.

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BAck to BAsics — onLine editionJohn Isaac Edwards

Back To Basics - September 2007

AndJesusLookedAroundJohnieEdwards......................................................1SoulWinningInWichita,KansasJohnIsaacEdwards................................................2BackToBasics—OnlineEditionJohnIsaacEdwards................................................3AndWomenRuleOverThemMelbaEdwards.......................................................4Example And InfluenceDavidMcPherson...................................................5SpiritualBlessingsInChristJeremySweets........................................................6TheOxAndTheDonkeyNormChastain.......................................................7TheTestOfAProphetSteveMonts...........................................................8ThePatriarchs:Abraham(Part5)John R. Gentry.....................................................9ThePatriarchs:Abraham(Part6)DavidEldridge.....................................................10ThePatriarchs:Abraham(Part7)ShaneWilliams......................................................11CanOneRightfullyDivorceForAnyCause?DavidEldridge.....................................................12PornographyStatistics.......................................13KidsActivityPageAleishaEdwards..................................................14MercyAndForgivenessJasonT.Leber........................................................15

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And Women ruLe over themMelba Edwards

“W

om

en

...T

ea

ch

ers

Of

Go

od

Th

ing

s”

(T

itu

s 2

:3)

Isaiah 3:12 reads, “As for mypeople,childrenaretheiroppressors,andwomenruleoverthem.”Fromthispassage,muchofJudahandIsrael’sdownfallwasinleadership.HeretheScripturesrevealthatwomenruledoverthem.Inapreviouswrit-ing,welearnedthatAthaliahreignedoverthelandafterherson,Ahaziah,died(2Ki.11:1-3). Let’sseewhattheBiblerevealsaboutwomenruling.

1)the MAn is to rule over the WoMAn.“Untothewomanhesaid,Iwillgreatlymultiply thy sorrowand thycon-ception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forthchildren; and thy desire shall be to thyhusband,andheshallruleoverthee”(Gen.3:16).Thiswasthewoman’spunishmentforeatingtheforbiddenfruitinthegardenofEden.TheNewTestamentremindsus,“For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the womanbeingdeceived,wasinthetransgression.”Also, “But I would have you know, thattheheadof everyman isChrist; and thehead of the woman is the man; and theheadofChristisGod”(1Cor.11:3).God,fromtheverybeginning,didnotwantthewomantorulethehome.Someonehastobeincharge.Godputmaninthatposition.WemustrespectGod’slawofruleinthehome.ManyproblemsarisewhenwedonotfollowGod’slaw.Wedon’twantthistobethedownfallofourhome.

2)the MAn is to rule his Children. OneofthereasonsJudahandIsraelerredwasthefactthatwomenruledoverthem.

Athaliah was a prime example when shecounseled her son,Ahaziah, to do wick-edly(2Chr.22:3).2Chronicles24:7tellsus,“ForthesonsofAthaliah,thatwickedwoman,hadbrokenupthehouseofGod;andalsoallthededicatedthingsofthehouseoftheLorddidtheybestowuponBaalim.”Eldersanddeaconsaretoruletheirhouseswell(1Tim.3:5,12).“Fathers,provokenotyourchildrentowrath;butbringthemupinthenurtureandadmonitionoftheLord”(Eph.6:4).Let’sfollowGod’slawandletthemanrulehischildren.

3) in the ChurCh, the elders And deACons Are to Be Men. Wecanread about the qualifications of elders in 1Timothy3:1-7andTitus1:6-9anddea-consin1Timothy3:8-13.Inbothcases,theScripturesarecleartheymustbemen!Hebrews13:17reads,“Obeythemthathavetheruleoveryou,andsubmityourselves:fortheywatchforyoursouls...”SomearechangingGod’slawinthisarea.Wealsohearofwomenpreachers.NowhereintheBible can we find a woman preacher. In 1 Timothy2:12we learn,“But I suffernotawoman to teach,nor tousurpauthorityovertheman,buttobeinsilence.”WewillerrlikeIsraelandJudahofoldifweallowwomentoruletheLord’schurch.Thisjustcannotbeallowed!

WomenhavearoleinGod’splan,butitdoesnotincluderuling.WeneedtobecontentwithGod’slawofwhoistorulewhichHerevealssoclearlyandbeobedienttoit.

Back To Basics - September 2007 (133) 5

exAmpLe And infLuenceDavid McPherson

TheBiblehasmuch to say about theChristian’s example and influence. For us to be theLord’sdisciples indeed,wemustheedandapplythesetruths.Considerthefollowing:

1)1 tiMothy 4:12: “Letnoonedespiseyouryouth,butbeanexampletothebelieversinword, inconduct, in love, inspirit, infaith,inpurity.”Itisourresponsibility,justasitwasTimothy’s,tolivealifeconsistentwiththenamewewear.Thoseofuswhoarecalled“Christians”aretoactlikeourLordandSavior,JesusChrist.OthersshouldbeabletolooktousatalltimesandknowwhatachildofGodis.

2)MAttheW 18:6: “ButwhoevercausesoneoftheselittleoneswhobelieveinMetosin,itwouldbebetter for him if amillstonewerehungaroundhisneck,andheweredrownedinthedepthofthesea.”Jesushereisshowingtheseriousness of an evil influence upon those who areyounginthefaith. ShameonolderChris-tianswholeadothersastray. Canwenothatesinenoughtoleaveitbehind?Thinknotonlyofitsdamagetoyou,butofyourdamagetowardothers.

3)gAlAtiAns 2:20: “Ihavebeencruci-fied with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christlivesinme;andthelifewhichInowlivein the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who lovedmeandgaveHimselfforme.”Certainly,“toGodbetheglory,”butgoodforPaul.He,un-likemanybrethrentoday,understoodthatChristwastoliveinhim.ThenewlifeinChristisnolongeraboutme,butrathertheOnewhodiedforme.WhatwouldJesusdo?IfHewouldn’tdothethingsyoudo,thenHe’snotlivinginyou.A

lifewithoutChristisalifewithnohope.Itleadstohell,notheaven.

4)1 CorinthiAns 11:1: “Imitateme,justasIalsoimitateChrist.”Pauldidnotmakethispleatohisbrethrenoutofsomekindofsickar-rogance.Rather,itwasoutofadisciplinedlife,patterned after theLord’s, that he calleduponothers to“imitateme.” What ifyourbrethrenimitatedyou?Wouldtherebeanyneedforfourchurchservicesperweek?Howmanycombinedhours of prayer and Bible study would we allengageineachmonth?Wouldanyonebeedi-fied?

Brethren,theseareseriousconcernsthatmustnotbetakenlightly.Godhelpustogrow,do better, humbly submit, and sacrifice ourselves (Rom.12:1)forthecauseofChrist.Nomatterhow insignificant we may feel, we all have influ-ence.Eachofusissettinganexampleeveryday.Letusseektobethesaltoftheearthandtoshineaslightsinthisworldofdarkness(Mt.5:13-16;Phil.2:15).

MAyField, [email protected]

hoMe BiBle study on dvdAnaudio/videopresentationofthe4-lessonHomeBibleStudy,conductedinahomesettingbyJohnieEdwards.

$24.95 1-800-889-0338www.edwardspublishers.com


spirituAL BLessings in christJeremy Sweets

PaulwritesinthebookofEphesiansthateveryspiritualblessingisfoundinJesusChrist(Eph.1:3).AsChristians,wehaveblessingsim-measurableduetothegoodnessofourheavenlyFather. Notice the following blessings identified inEphesians1.

1)eleCtion (v. 4).WehavebeenchoseninChristbeforethefoundationoftheworld.Godhaschosentheavenueofoursalvation–JesusChrist(Acts4:12).Furthermore,Godhasestab-lishedthecharacterofthosewhowillbesavedinChrist.Theyshouldbeholyandblameless.

2)Adoption (v. 5).Godhasalsopredes-tinedustoadoptionassons.ClosefellowshiphasalwaysbeenGod’sdesireforus.OnceseparatedfromGod,becauseofourrebellionandsin,wecannowenjoythespecialrelationshipofchildren(1Jn.3:1).

3) grACe (vv. 6-7). InChrist,wecanenjoytherichesofHisgracewhichHehasgiveninabundance.God’sfavorandsalvationwereextendedtouseventhoughwewereundeserving(Rom.5:6-8).

4)redeMption (v. 7).JesusChristpaidthepriceforouriniquity.Hediedonthecrosssothatwecouldberansomedfromoursin(1Tim.2:5-6).BecauseofJesus,oursinisforgivenandnolongerchargedtoouraccount.

5)revelAtion (v. 9).AccordingtoHiskindness,GodhasmadeknowntousthemessageofsalvationinJesus.Thegospelisamessageofgladtidingsandgoodnews,anditshouldbeea-gerlyreceived.God’srevelationfurtherprovides

uswithinstructionforavoidingthedangersofsinandlivingagodlylife(1Pet.1:14-16;2Pet.1:3).

6) AdMinistrAtion (v. 10). God hasdesigned an administration or plan of deliver-ing salvation to mankind. This plan reacheditsculminationinJesus,asHebroughttogetherGod’s design from the beginning, fulfilling the Scripturesandprophecy(Eph.3:11).

7)inheritAnCe (v. 11). Jesus’ sacrifice allowsustoexperiencerenewedfellowshipaschildrenofGod.Aninheritancehasbeenpro-videdforthefaithfulchildrenofGod,consistingofafuturehomeinheaven(1Pet.1:3-4).

8)AssurAnCe (v. 13).AfterhearingandobeyingthegospelmessageofJesusChrist,theHoly Spirit was given to the first century Chris-tiansasadownpaymentorguaranteeof theirfuture inheritance. We enjoy the benefits of that provisiontodaythroughtherevealedword(Eph.3:3-5; 1 Cor. 2:10). God’s promise is certainandsure,asevidencedbythegivingoftheHolySpirit.

The benefits of being in Christ are tremen-dous.ArelationshipwithChristbeginswhenarepentantsinnerconfessesfaithinChrist,commitshislifetoGodandisbaptizedintoChrist(Jn.8:24;Acts17:30;Rom.10:9-10;Gal.3:26-27;1Pet.3:21).Haveyoudonewhatisnecessarytotakeadvantage of the benefits found in Christ? If not, thereisnobettertimethantoday(2Cor.6:2).

nAshville, [email protected]


the ox And the donkeyNorm Chastain

InIsaiahchapterone,wereadofIsa-iah’svisionconcerningJudahandJerusaleminthedaysofcertainkingsofJudah:

2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, Oearth!FortheLordhasspoken:“Ihavenour-ishedandbroughtupchildren,AndtheyhaverebelledagainstMe; 3Theoxknowsitsownerandthedon-keyitsmaster’scrib;ButIsraeldoesnotknow,Mypeopledonotconsider.”

1) the people oF isrAel Are pro-vided tWo reAl liFe illustrAtions. “Theoxknowsitsownerandthedonkeyitsmaster’scrib.” God then provides a contrast: “ButIsraeldoesnotknow,Mypeopledonotcon-sider.”EventhoughthepeopleofIsraelwouldrecognizethesetwoillustrations,theydidnotrecognizesomebasicfacts.One,theydidnotknowthattheLordGodwastheirmaster.Two,theydidnotconsiderthatGoddailyprovidedforthem.GodsaidthatIsraelwasinrebelliontoHim.

2) iF you Are not A ChristiAn, do you reCognize soMe BAsiC FACts?Afterall,theoxknowsitsownerandthedonkeyitsmas-ter’scrib.DoyouknowthatthereisaGodinheavenwhocreatedtheworldandyou?DoyouknowthatHedailyprovidesforyouandthatHesentHisSontodieforyoursins?ThewriterinHebrews11:6saysthat“withoutfaithitisimpossibletoplease”God.InActs17:24-26,PaultellsthepeopleofAthensthatGod“madetheworld,”thatHehadmade“everynationofmentodwellonallthefaceoftheearth.”John3:16tellsus,“ForGodsolovedtheworldthat

HegaveHisonlybegottenSon,thatwhoeverbelieves in Him should not perish but haveeverlastinglife.”InActs2:37-38,whenPeterpreachedJesus,theSonofGod,totheJews,theyasked,“Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?”Peterreplied,“Repent,andleteveryoneofyoubebaptizedinthenameofJesusChristfortheremissionofsins.”Therefore,ifyouarenotaChristian,believeinGod.BelievethatHecreatedtheworldandyou.BelievethatHesentHisSontodieforyoursins.ActuponyourfaithinGodandJesusChristbyrepentingofyoursinsandbeingbaptizedfortheremissionofthosesins.

3)iF you Are A ChristiAn, do you reCognize soMe BAsiC FACts?Afterall,theoxknowsitsownerandthedonkeyitsmaster’scrib.DoyourememberthatthereisaGodinheavenwhocreatedtheworldandyou?DoyourememberthatHedailyprovidesforyouandthatHesentHisSontodieforyoursins?In2Corinthians5:9-10,Paulsaysthatyoumustmakeityouraim“tobewellpleasing”toGod,because“wemustallappearbeforethejudg-mentseatofChrist.”Therefore,asaChristian,makeityourdailyaimtopleaseGodandtoliveforChrist.

Concerningallofus,mayGodnotsay,“Theoxknowsitsownerandthedonkeyitsmaster’scrib;Butthesepeopledonotknow,thesepeopledonotconsider.”Otherwise,likeIsraelofold,wewillbeinrebelliontotheGodofheaven.

Athens, [email protected]


the test of A prophetSteve Monts

In theBible,we see aprophet is themouthofGod(Ex.4:16;7:1,AaronwascalledMoses’prophetforhewashismouth).Aproph-etdidnotclaimhismessagewashisownandoftenprefacedhismessagewith,“ThussaiththeLord.” Prophetswerean integralpartofrevealingGod’swill.Yet,Godknewthatsomewouldriseupclaimingtobeprophetswheninfacttheywerenot.Thus,Goddevisedawaytoknowwhowasaprophetandwhowasnot.

1)test oF A prophet.Deuteronomy18:20-22sayswhenonesupposestospeakfortheLord,ifthethingdoesnothappenorcometopassthentheLordhasnotspoken.Galatians1:6-9addsthatwhenanyone(includinganangelorapostle)speaksadifferentgospelthatacurserestsuponhim.Thesetwopassagessaywecantestthepredictionsmadebysupposedprophetsand theirwords if in anyway theycontradictwhatisalreadyrevealed(theBible).

2)Joseph sMith FAils the test oF A prophet BeCAuse… ■ His predictions failed. In Doctrine and Covenants,section84,JosephSmithproph-esiedthatNewJerusalemandaMormontemplewastobebuiltinZion,Missouribyhisgenera-tionandthathewoulddedicateitwithhisownhand.Yet,MormonswererunoutofMissouriand a temple was never built during Smith’slife, norbyhis contemporarygeneration. InDoctrine and Covenants, section111,JosephSmith prophesied that Salem, MassachusettswouldbegiventotheMormonsandinittheywould find great treasure to pay all their debts. TheMormonsneverreceivedSalem,noranytreasure.

■ His book is full of errors.Hewritesofhorses,oxen,andcowsasnativetoNorthAmerica(1Nephi18:25).Yet,theywereallintroducedbyEuropean settlers afterColumbus. Hehas Jesussaying,“Iamthealphaandomega”inthebookofMormon.ThoseareGreekterms,butthebookofMormonsupposedlycametotheNativeAmericanIndianswhowouldnothaveknownGreek.Oops.It looks like JosephSmithdid a little borrowingfromtheBibleandalittlelyingabouttheIndians.

■ His book is full of changes. Ihave inmypossessionabookentitled“The3,913changesmadetotheBookofMormon.”IfJosephSmithtrulywasaprophet fromGod,whywould thereneed to be any changes? God’s word does notchange.TherehavebeennochangestotheBible.Mormons claim their book is the most accuratetranslation,yet,astimegoeson,theykeep“updat-ing”theirbook.

■ The gift of prophecy ended long before Joseph Smith.JosephSmithlivedinthe1800’s;yet theBibletellsusthatwhenGod’swordwascomplete,prophesywouldend(1Cor.13:8).Theword of God came to completion at the end ofthe 1st century. Jude wrote of “the faith whichwasonceforalldeliveredtothesaints”(Jude3).And,whenJohnlaiddownhispen,heclosedtheScriptureswithawarningnottoaddtoitnortakefromit(Rev.22:18-19).Yetwearetoldtobelievethatnearly1,700yearslateramancamealongandaddedmoretoit!SorrySir,justalittlebittoolate!JosephSmithfailsthetestofaprophetandpassesthetestofafalseprophet(Matt.7:15-20).

FrAnKlin, Ky

[email protected]


the pAtriArchs: ABrAhAm (pArt 5)John R. Gentry

After the destruction of Sodom andGomorrah,AbrahamjourneyedfromtheoaksofMamre (Gen.18:1) toward the territoryofthe Negev (i.e., the desert, or the south) andsojourned in Gerar (Gen. 20:1). While hereAbrahamencounteredAbimilech,kingofGerar,andthesonofpromise,Isaac,wasborn.

1)ABrAhAM’s treAChery. Uponarriv-inginGerar,AbrahamtoldAbimelechthatSarahwashissister;therefore,thekingsentandtookhertobehiswife(Gen.20:2).Abraham,againfearingforhislife(v.11;12:10-20),deliberatelydeceivedtheking.WhileitwastruethatSarahandAbrahamhadthesamefather(v.12),andwere thereforebrotherandsister, theycausedAbimelechtobelievethatwhichwasfalse,thattheywerenothusbandandwife.Godabhorsdeceit (Ps. 5:6). Jesus said it is evil and defiles a person(Mk.7:20-23).Wemustneverbeguiltyoftellingonlypartofthetruthinordertoleadsomeone to believe something that is false!BecauseAbimelechtookSarahasawife,Godclosedthewombsofhishouseandwasgoingtotakehislife(vv.18,3,7).GodtoldhimtoaskAbrahamtopraythathemightliveandhisfamilybehealed(v.7).Abrahamprayedandtheywerehealed(v.17).GodanswersprayersandbyHispowerpeoplearehealed(Jas.5:16-18).

2)the Birth oF isAAC. GodkepthispromiseandvisitedSarah;sheconceivedandgavebirthtoIsaac(Gen.21:1-3;Heb.11:11).ThoughAbrahamandSarahwerepassedchild-bearingage,“theLordisnotslackconcerninghispromise”(2Pet.3:9).Ithadbeenatleast25yearssinceGodhadmadethepromisestoAbra-

ham(Gen.12:1,4;18:5).Thesonofpromisewasbornandanotherchapterintheschemeofredemptionbegantounfold.

3) hAgAr And ishMAel. Aftera fewyears, Isaac was weaned and Ishmael begantomockandmakefunofIsaac(Gen.21:8-9).Seeingthis,SarahsaidtoAbraham,“Castoutthisslavewomanwithherson...”(v.10).Paulused this passage to describe the differencesbetweenbeingaslavetotheoldlawandbeingfreeunderChrist,aswellasthepersecutionofChristiansbythoseJewswhoremainedslavesto the old law (Gal. 4:21-31). Abraham wasverydispleasedwithsendinghissonaway,buttheLordassuredhimthathewouldtakecareofhimbecausehewashisson(vv.11-13).SoAbrahamsentthemaway(v.14).TheirwaterranoutandHagarassumedtheyweregoingtodie(vv.15-16).However,asGodpromised,Heprovidedfor them(vv.17-19). Ishmaelgrewandproducedagreatnation(Gen.21:18,20-21;25:12-18).

4) treAty With ABiMeleCh. Abim-elechdesiredthatAbrahamsweartodealkindlywithhim(vv.22-24).First,Abrahamdesiredtosettleadisputeoverawell.Withsevenewelambs serving as a witness, they settled thematterandsworeanoath.AbrahamnamedtheplaceBeersheba(vv.25-32).ThereheplantedatamarisktreeandcalledonthenameoftheLORD, the Everlasting God (v. 33). “AndAbrahamsojournedmanydays in the landofthePhilistines”(v.34).

greenville, [email protected]


the pAtriArchs: ABrAhAm (pArt 6)David Eldridge

ThefaithofthepatriarchAbrahamisseeninanumberofeventsrecordedabouthislife.Perhapsthegreatestexampleofhisfaithisseen in the sacrifice of Isaac.

1) ABrAhAM CoMMAnded to oFFer isAAC. The Lord instructedAbraham, “Takenowthyson,thineonlysonIsaac,whomthoulovest,andgettheeintothelandofMoriah;andofferhimthereforaburntofferingupononeofthemountainswhichIwill tell theeof”(Gen.22:2). RememberAbraham was told, “Sarahthywifeshallbeartheeasonindeed;andthoushaltcallhisnameIsaac:andIwillestablishmycovenantwithhimforaneverlastingcovenant,andwithhisseedafterhim”(Gen.17:19).GodtestedAbrahambyaskinghimtoofferthesonofhisoldage,thesonofpromise.

2)ABrAhAM’s trusting FAith. AsanobedientservantoftheLord,Abrahamroseupearlyinthemorning.Takingtwoofhisservants,he went to sacrifice his son Isaac. Once they gottotheplaceofwhichGodhadtoldhim,weseeAbraham’strustintheLorddemonstrated.ThoughhewastoldthatIsaacwastobeofferedasaburntoffering,Abrahamtoldhisservants,“...Iandtheladwillgoyonderandworship,andcome again to you” (Gen. 22:5).Also, whenIsaacaskedwherethelambwasfortheoffering,Abrahamtoldhim,“Myson,Godwillprovidehimselfalambforburntoffering”(Gen.22:8).OfAbraham’strustingfaith,theHebrewwritersaidthatbyhisfaithAbrahamwas“AccountingthatGodwasabletoraisehimup,evenfromthedead; from whence also he received him in afigure” (Heb. 11:19). Abraham trusted that God would fulfill His promises.

3) ABrAhAM oFFers isAAC. “AndtheycametotheplacewhichGodhadtoldhimof;andAbrahambuiltanaltar there,and laid thewoodinorder,andboundIsaachisson,andlaidhimonthealtaruponthewood.AndAbrahamstretchedforthhishand,andtooktheknifetoslayhisson”(Gen.22:9-10).ThoughthehandofAbrahamwasstayedandthelifeofIsaacwasspared,intheeyesofGoditwasasifAbrahamhadofferedhisonlybegottenson.ItisrecordedintheNewTestament,“ByfaithAbraham,whenhewastried,offeredupIsaac:andhethathadreceivedthepromisesoffereduphisonlybegot-tenson”(Heb.11:17).NowonderAbrahamiscalled“thefriendofGod”ashewaswillingtodothatwhichGodwoulddosome2,000yearslateratCalvary.

4) the lord Will provide. AbrahamwastoldbytheangeloftheLord,“Laynotthinehanduponthelad...AndAbrahamlifteduphiseyes,andlooked,andbeholdbehindhimaramcaughtinathicketbyhishorns:andAbrahamwentandtooktheram,andofferedhimupforaburntofferinginthesteadofhisson”(Gen.22:12-13).“AndAbrahamcalledthenameofthatplaceJehovah-jireh...”(Gen.22:14).Jeho-vah-jirehmeansthatJehovahwillprovide.EvenastheLordhadprovidedtheraminthethickettobeofferedinthesteadofIsaac,forusHehasprovidedHisonlybegottenSontobeofferedinourstead.Thus,JohnthebaptistsaysofJesus,“BeholdtheLambofGod,whichtakethawaythesinoftheworld”(Jn.1:29).GodisstillJehovah-jireh,providingfortheneedsofHispeople.

CArMel, [email protected]


the pAtriArchs: ABrAhAm (pArt 7)Shane Williams

InGenesis24,Abraham’sdesire is tofind a suitable bride for his son Isaac. An appro-priatewifeforIsaacwasnotaboutconvenience,but was worth great sacrifice.

1)ABrAhAM And his servAnt.Abra-hamentrustedhisoldestandmostloyalservantwiththetaskofbringingbackawifeforIsaac.HemadetheservantswearbytheLordthathewouldbringthiswifefromAbraham’scountryandnotfromthedaughtersof theCanaanites.Isaacwouldsoonunderstandjusthowimportantthis was, asEsau’s Hittite wivesbrought himmuchgrief(Gen.26:34-35).

2) the servAnt’s ConCerns. Abra-ham’sservanthadsomeconcernsabouthowhewouldaccomplishthisgreattask.Whatifthewomanwouldn’tcomebackwithhim?ShouldhetakeIsaacthere?AbrahamtoldhisservantnottotakeIsaactothisland,butthattheLordwouldsendHisangelbeforetheservantintotheland.However,ifthewomanwasnotwillingtofollowtheservantback,hewouldthenbefreefromtheoathhehadsworn.

3) reBeKAh is Chosen. Whileat thewelloutsidethecityofNahor,theservantprayedtoGod.HeprayedtoknowwhotheLordhadchosenforIsaacbaseduponherresponsetohisquestion(Gen.24:12-14).Rebekahwasmakingherwayto thewell,evenbeforehewasdonespeaking.Theresponsetheservantwaspray-ingtoGodaboutwaspreciselywhatRebekahsaidinanswertohisquestion.WhentheservantwassurethatRebekahwasthechoice,heboweddownlowandworshippedtheLord(Gen.24:26-27).

4)reBeKAh’s QuAlities.TheScripturesdescribeRebekahas“verybeautiful”andhadhadnorelationswithaman(Gen.24:16).Itisclearthatshewaskindandconsiderate,asshe“quickly”loweredherjartogivetheservantadrink(Gen.24:18).Shethen“ranbacktothewell”togetwaterforalltheservant’scamels.

5)“this is FroM the lord.”Theser-vantofAbrahamwasunwillingtoeatuntilhehadtoldthehouseholdofhisbusiness.HerelayedeverythingthathadhappenedfromAbraham’swealthtothechoosingofRebekahatthewell(Gen. 24:34-49). He wanted to know if thehouseholdwoulddealkindlyandtrulywithhismasterAbraham.LabanandBethuelrespondedbysaying,“ThisisfromtheLord.”TheythentoldhimthatRebekahwouldgowithhimandwouldbethewifeofhismaster’sson,astheLordhasspoken(Gen.24:51).

6)isAAC And reBeKAh’s Meeting.Isaacsaw the camels coming, as he was in the field. Rebekah inquired of the servant to find out who was walking to meet them. The servant toldIsaacallthathehaddone.Isaacbroughtherintohismother’stent,whowasdeceased.Thetexttellsusthatshebecamehiswifeandhelovedher. RebekahwasacomforttoIsaacwithhismother’spassing.

AfterAbraham died, God blessed hissonIsaac(Gen.25:11).Hewastheonethroughwhom God’s covenant withAbraham wouldcontinue(Gen.17:21).KeWAnee, [email protected]

God’sdivineinstitutionofthehomeisconstantly under attack by the media, movies,denominations,aswellassomebrethren.Theevi-denceofthisbarrageisseeninthehighnumberofdivorcesrecordedinthiscountryeveryyear.Thecommonthinkingintheworldtodayisthatonecandivorcetheirspouseforjustanyreason.Justabout anything is cited by many as being justifiable groundsfordivorce,suchasifsheburntthetoast,ifhedoesn’tputhisdirtyclothesinthelaundrybasket,ifonepersoninthemarriagedoesn’thandlemoneywell,orifwefusstoomuch.Thereareevensomeinthechurchwhoareattemptingtoteachthatonecandivorceforanyreason,thoughtheymaystillstatethetruthonwhomayremarry. IsthisthinkingnotattheveryheartofthequestionaskedofJesusinMatthew19:3?Theretherecordstates,“ThePhariseesalsocametoHim,testingHim,andsayingtoHim,‘Isitlawfulforamantodivorcehiswifeforjustanyreason?’”Insteadofconsideringpurelyemotionalargumentsorlisteningtothe“wisdomofmen,”letuslooktotheansweroftheOnewhoalonehas“thewordsofeternallife”(Jn.6:68).IntheversesthatfollowthisquestionofthePharisees(Mt.19:3-9),Jesusgivestheanswerthreetimes.Manysimplylookattheseversestoseewhomayremarryoncetheyaredivorced,butthereisalsoaneedtolookatthesubject that isdirectlybeingaddressed—whatcanonedivorceforandberightwithGod?LetuslistencarefullytotheclearanswersofJesustothisquestion,“Isitlawfulforamantodivorcehiswifeforjustanyreason?”

1)no! Jesusansweredthem,“Haveyenotread,thathewhichmadethematthebegin-ningmadethemmaleandfemale,andsaid,Forthiscauseshallamanleavefatherandmother,and

shallcleavetohiswife:andtheytwainshallbeone flesh?” (Mt. 19:4-5). The fact that they are no longer two, but bound together by God as one flesh showsthatitisnotlawfultodivorceyourspouseforanycause. It isalso interesting tonote thatJesusasksthem,“Haveyenotread?”Thereasonthereissomuchmisunderstandingonthissubjectisthatpeopleeitherhavenotread,orhavechosentosimplydisregard,whattheLordhascommandedonthissubject.Bystatingthefactthathusbandand wife are one flesh, Jesus answers the question may one divorce for any reason. The Lord’s first answertothisquestion—NO!

2)no! We find Jesus’ second answer in thestatement,“Whereforetheyarenomoretwain,but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mt. 19:6).Thestatement,“WhatthereforeGodhathjoinedtogether,letnotmanputasunder”leavesnoop-tion—itisacommand.BystatingthatamanandwomanareGod-joinedinmarriage,andthatmanisnottoseparatethatbond,Jesusagainanswersthequestionmayonedivorceforanyreason.OurSavior’sanswer—NO!

3) no! InresponsetotheseanswersofJesus,thePhariseesasked,“WhydidMosesthencommandtogiveawritingofdivorcement,andtoputheraway”(Mt.19:7).AgaintheLordrevealsthemindofGodonthismatterasHeproclaims,“Moses because of the hardness of your heartssufferedyoutoputawayyourwives:butfromthebeginningitwasnotso”(Mt.19:8).ThePhariseesattemptedtoappealtothelawofMoses.However,JesusgoestothatwhichwasinthemindofGodfromtheveryinstitutionofthemarriagerelation-ship. Insaying,“butfromthebeginningitwas


cAn one rightfuLLy divorce for Any cAuse?David Eldridge


notso,”JesusisstatingGod’sstandfromtheverybeginningonthisissue—marriageistobeonemanandonewomanforlife.WhenGodjoinedAdamandEveashusbandandwifeinthegardenofEden,Godneverintendedforthem,northeirdescendants,todivorceandseparatethisrelation-ship.WhatisJesus’thirdanswertothequestion,“Isitlawfulforamantodivorcehiswifeforjustanyreason?”Onceagain,Hisanswerisaresound-ing“NO!” Theonlyhonorableend toamarriage isdeath(Rom.7:1-3).Canonedivorceforjustany

cause?No,No,No!Onecanonlydivorcewithoutcoming under the condemnation of God if theyare the innocentparty,havingaspouse thathasbeenunfaithful(Mt.19:9).Ifonehasdivorcedforanycauseotherthanfornication,howcantheybeforgivenofthissin?Aswithanyothersin,theymustrepent.Repentancewoulddictatethattheyattemptreconciliationtotheonewhomtheyhadnorighttodivorce,and,ifthisisimpossible,thattheyremainunmarried.

CArMel, [email protected]

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Fill in the blanks. All answers begin with the letter “c.”

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).

The Letter “C”Aleisha Edwards

Kids Activity Page

1. _______________ rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him (Gen. 4:1).

2. Jesuswascrucifiedattheplacecalled____________________(Lk.23:33).

3. “I_______doallthingsthroughChristwhichstrengthenethme”(Phil.4:13).

4. Jesus is the ___________________________ of our salvation (Heb. 2:10).

5. Ifourbodyisnotinsubjection,wewillbea_______________(1Cor.9:27).

6. AnothernameforSimonPeteris_________________________(Jn.1:42).

7. Goliathwasa________________________ofthePhilistines(1Sam.17:4).

8. Thereappeareda______offirewhenElijahwentupintoheaven(2Ki.2:11).

9. Without______________________________wearenothing(1Cor.13:2).

10. “IbelievethatJesus__________________istheSonofGod”(Acts8:37).

11. Thediscipleswerecalled_________________firstatAntioch(Acts11:26).

12. TheLordaddedtothe___________________________daily(Acts2:47).

13. Amanistoleavehisfatherandmotherand_______tohiswife(Gen.2:24).

14. Jesus invites us to __________________________ unto Him (Mt. 11:28).

15. Blessedaretheythatdohis__________________________(Rev.22:14).


IsitpossiblethatsomeoftheundesirableattributesinRomans1couldbeoverlookedbecausetheyareconsideredtobecharacteristicsofarepro-bate?AreprobatemindisarejectedmindbyGod;thuscouldbeconsideredbysometobeonlythosenotinthe“bodyofChrist.”However,weshouldbe concerned with judging the “house of God” first (2Pet.4:17;1Cor.5:12).Withthisinmind,letusexaminetheundesirableattributes:unmercifulandunforgiving(Rom.1:31).Couldthisbeyou?Doyoueverhavethisattitude?Sadtosay,manyChris-tianscannotgetalong.AndIamnottalkingaboutmattersoftruth.SomeChristianscanbecomelikethePhariseesbyputtingaheavyburdenonsomeonetheyhavenorightto(Mt.23:4).Andtwooftheseburdensarebeingunmercifulandunforgiving.Thecliché,canwealljustgetalong,isnotthepleaofthisarticle;however,itisforthereaderandwritertointrospectivelylookatselfinthe“mirrorofGod’sword” (Jas. 1:23-24) concerning these two sinfulattitudes.EveryoneknowsthatGodexpectsustobelikeHimwhenitcomestoforgiveness(Mt.6:14).Fur-thermore,wearetoforgiveabrotherwhenherepents(Lk.17:3-4).ThisbeingthecasebecausewearetobeperfectlikeGod(Mt.5:48).Yet,withthesedi-vineobligationsbeingestablishedbyGod’sword,Ibelieveweunderstandthem;however,itisthedoingnotthehearingwehaveaproblemwith!JesustoldthePhariseestheywereleavingtheweightiermattersundonewhichwerejustice,mercy,andfaith. Doyoueverleavetheseundone?NoticethePhariseeswerenotwronginteaching“paytitheofmintandaniseandcummin,”buttheywereleavingsomethingundone(Mt.23:23)!Letusneverleavemercyandforgivenessundone.TheyaregivenfreelybyGodtothosewhoconfessandrepent(1Jn.1:8-10).Weshoulddothesame.

Itseemsasthoughunforgivenessandgossiparecloselyrelated.Perhapstheyarecousins.Idonotpenthiswithasmile;however,Iwriteindis-gust.Ifyoudonotapproachyourbrotherwhohassinnedagainstyoubutrun-aroundtellingeveryoneelseaboutityouaregossiping.Furthermore,iftheyrepentyouneednotdiscussitanymore.ReadLuke17:3-4again.Theobligationistwo-fold.Whenonesinsagainstyouthenrebukehim. Ifhedoesnotlisten,movetothenextstepinMatthew18:15-17andcontinueuntilthematterisresolved.Ifonesinsagainstyouseventimesinadayandrepentsseventimesindayyoumustforgive(Lk.17:4). Longsuffering,mercy,andforgivenessarecousinsaswell.TheseshouldbringjoytotheheartofeverymanknowingthatGodwasmercifultosendHisSontodieforoursins(Jn.3:16;1Jn.2:2).Seventimesinadaymayseemliketoomuchtoforgive;butwhataboutseventytimesseven?Godwillcontinuetoforgiveusaslongaswedonotwillfullysin(Heb.10:26).Furthermore,wemustgrowinHisgraceandknowledge(2Pet.3:18). Thinkabouthowmanytimesyouhavesinnedwhensomeonecomesaskingyouforforgiveness(Mt.18:22-35).Ifyoudonotforgive,Godwillnotforgiveyou!Also,thinkabouttheattitudeJesushadwhenHewasonthecross.Hesaid,“Fatherforgivethemtheyknownotwhattheydo”(Lk.23:34).Ofcourse,Hewasnotaskingforunconditionalforgivenessyetgivethemthetimetorepent.Letusbemerciful,notself-righteouslikethePharisees(Lk.18:9-14).LetusbelongsufferinglikeourFatherinheavenwiththedesirethat“allshouldcometorepentance”(2Pet.3:9).Amerci-fulattitudewillhelponetobelongsufferingandtoforgive.LetusstrivetobelikeChrist!

hopKinsville, [email protected]

mercy And forgivenessJason T. Leber

TheFamilyandtheHomeMaterial For Truth Seekers And Growing Christians

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Back To Basics

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TheHomeintheBeginningGod’sPurposesinMarriage

PreparingforMarriageSelectingaLife-LongCompanion

WhyMarriagesFailTheRoleoftheManintheFamily

TheRoleoftheWomanintheFamilyTheRoleofChildrenintheFamily

DisciplineintheHomeMarriage,Divorce,andRemarriageProblemsFacingToday’sFamilies

BibleParentswithTroublingChildrenWhyWeLoseOurYoungPeople

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