All success generates the seeds of failure. We see these seeds grow and bear fruit all the time. Many can handle failure and struggling much better than success. Sometimes it takes a while, but self-destruction seems the rule rather than the exception.
This applies equally well in the spiritual realm. This is the reason that the Apostle Paul warned the Christians (1 Cor. 10:12): "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Self-destruction is most often the result of the indestructible feeling that success brings. The way of a fool, even a successful one, is right in his own eyes and he will listen to no council (Prov. 12:15). Such feelings of self-dependence and adulation are predictable; hence the warning (Prov. 16:18): "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Those with whom Jesus dealt most strongly while on this earth were the religious leaders who apparently felt that they had nothing further to learn. Recall the story of the Pharisee and the sinful tax collector (publican) in Matthew 18: 9-14. The Pharisee could think of nothing other than to thank God that he was not a sinner like the publican. On the other hand: "the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
These bible study questions provide assistance to you in studying and teaching God's word. The answers are quite clear, and they prove that we can have the same understanding as the apostles had by reading the New Testament (Ephesians 3:4). We challenge you to open your bible and establish the truth.
On The Lord's Supper, GivingMatthew 26:26-29. Does Jesus indicate that the Lord's Supper would be in His kingdom (i.e., His church)? Were the disciples to partake of both "the bread" and "the fruit of the vine?"
1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Will His church proclaim the Lord's death by observing this supper "till he comes" again? If you are in His church, is it God's will that you regularly partake of the Lord's supper?Acts 20:7. Did the early Christians observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week (our Sunday)? Should Christians today fail to observe this supper or change it to another day?
1 Corinthians 16: 1-2. Did the church at Corinth meet and give into the treasury on the same day, the first day of the week? Was this a regular day of assembling for the church?
1 Cor. 11:1; 14:37. Can we go wrong following biblical examples?
OUR PURPOSE
Think on These Things also produces a monthly hard-copy paper with the purpose of stimulating bible study. Like its WWW counterpart, it is directed primarily to those who may be just starting their study of God's word. If you know of someone who can benefit from receiving TTT, please e-mail us and we will add them to our mailing list. Be assured, we will neither solicit nor accept contributions to support this work.
It is so much easier to see evil in others than it is to see it within ourselves. We can be our own worst enemies, as our cover story showed. Those who are honestly trying to serve God have a special problem in this regard. The more godly we become, the greater the tendency to look down on others. Indeed, we might even get proud of our own humility.
Read Matthew 23 for Jesus' message to the religious elite of his day. These words are warnings to everyone who is attempting to teach the truth to others. In a sense we cannot preach the whole truth of God without being hypocrites; for, we all sin (Rom. 10:17); thus, there are going to be times when our actions do not measure up to our words.
There are two perspectives that we must address. First, from the point of view of the Christian: should we fail to speak out just because we do not measure up? If so, who could preach? Recall the words of Paul when the Athenians wanted to worship him and Barnabas (Acts 14:15): "We also are men of like passions with you ..." Indeed, the fact that preachers and teachers have the same passions of their students enables them to better understand exactly what they need to emphasize.But this should never be an excuse for sin. When any Christian sins, we bring reproach upon Christ, and crucify him afresh (Heb.6:6). This should motivate us to flee from hypocrisy. At the same time, we cannot allow our own shortcomings to keep us from teaching "all things" whatsoever Christ has commanded us (Mt. 28:20).
From the perspective of the hearer: should we refuse to listen just because we uncover a flaw in the preacher? No; as far as our own obedience is concerned, we must judge the message, not the messenger. Do not think for a second that God will not hold you accountable because of the weakness of professing Christians. What a lame excuse for sin!
Even with regard to the hypocritical Pharisees, Jesus said (Mt. 23:3): "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, [that] observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." When a teacher helps us understand the truth of God's word, we are under the command of God (not man) to obey that truth regardless of the personal shortcomings of the teacher.
Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths ... (Mt. 5:33)
But Jesus' teaching on this subject is quite clear (Mt. 5:34-37):
But I say unto you, Swear not at all ... But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
There is no easier way for people to demonstrate their rebellion against God than by their speech. Today our movies, TV shows and common speech are so filled with profanity that we are hardly shocked by common swearing. We should recognize that "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment" (Mt. 12:36). Woe unto those who use the name of the Lord our God for little other than humor.
But this admonition has more to do with truth and reputation than with idle words. Jesus is saying that we should have no need for swearing at all if we have been truthful in all of our dealings with our fellow man. Truth is a scarce commodity in our society, and those who will restrict their speech to only truth are hard to find. How many people do you know that you can say: I know that when s/he says something it is the truth? More importantly: how many people would say this about you?