A Few Thoughts About Fellowship

1. A Few Thoughts About Fellowship 

 

Depression 

B1 According to an article written in April 2020, we find 

C1 Defined: “Namely, depression, commonly referred to as “major depressive disorder,” is a medical illness that actively affects the way people feel, behave, and think. Depression is known for causing numerous feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a loss of interest, and more. In the long run, untreated depression can aggravate itself, leading to an increasing inability to function and work normally.” 

C2 “During the last couple of years, due to a wide variety of scientifically studied reasons, the mental health of people around the globe has steadily declined.” 

C3 “Alarming Depression Statistics in 2020: 

D1 “322 million people worldwide suffer from depression, according to the World Health Organization. 

D2 “Depression represents the main cause of disability throughout the world. 

D3 “The worst symptom of depression is suicide. 

D4 “Around 800,000 people die because of suicide worldwide, on a yearly basis. 

D5 “In most regions, women are twice as likely to be affected by depression, as opposed to men. 

D6 “Depression rates are increasing on a yearly basis — between 2005 and 2015, the number of people suffering from depression has increased by 18.4%. 

D7 “75% of people suffering from a mental disorder receive no treatment in developing countries. 

D8 “Over 34 million US residents aged 65 and above are currently suffering from depression. 

D9 “Depression is most common for individuals in older adulthood. 

D10 “8.1% of Americans aged at least 20 years old suffered from depression between 2013–2016 for at least two weeks. 

D11 “Depressed seniors often deal with healthcare costs that are 50% higher when compared to non-depressed elderly. 

D12 “20% of people suffer from at least one depressive episode before becoming adults. 

D13 “Adults suffering from a major depressive disorder are 64% more likely to be affected by coronary artery disease.” 

B2 Loneliness 

C1 “Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.” (Source) 

C2 “Loneliness acts as a fertilizer for other diseases,” Dr. Cole said. “The biology of loneliness can accelerate the buildup of plaque in arteries, help cancer cells grow and spread, and promote inflammation in the brain leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Loneliness promotes several different types of wear and tear on the body.” (Source) 

C3 “According to the Mayo Clinic, having a strong social support network is essential during tough times, whether from job stress or a year filled with loss or illness. A social support network is comprised of family, friends, and peers. Having intimate relationships with others helps you feel cared for and maintain optimism, and aids in stress management. All of these emotional benefits lead to stronger immunity to help you fight disease and stress.” (Source) 

C4 An article on The Dangers of Loneliness with a list of effects from loneliness.

B3 Remember! In the USA: 

Get Immediate Help 

If you are thinking about harming yourself, tell someone who can help immediately. 

• Do not isolate yourself.  

• Call your doctor.  

• Call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room to get immediate help, or ask a friend or family member to help you.  

Call the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889).

Christian fellowship is meant to alleviate this loneliness. There should be no loneliness among believers.

Fellowship  

B1 Defined 

C1 Intimate personal relations with other people sharing emotions, goals, and desires which involve listening, concern, love, and time. (My own definition). 

C2 The Greek word is κοινωνία koinōnía. It means participation, fellowship, intimacy, etc. 

D1 Fellowship of a Christian has some restrictions: 2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 

D2 Fellowship of a Christian with Jesus and fellow believers: 1 John 1:3, 6-7 NIV We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ... 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 

D3 Mounce defines it: “fellowship, the close association between persons, emphasizing what is common between them; by extension: participation, sharing, contribution, gift, the outcome of such close relationships.” 

B2 So far everything written has been preparatory to the importance of Christian fellowship. 

B3 Read 1 John 1. 

C1 The first 3 verses speak of the Lord Jesus who is described as: 

D1 From the beginning: Probably refers to before the birth of Jesus, though it could mean from eternity past. 

D2 Heard, seen, touched: referring to eyewitnesses of the life of Jesus. 

D3 Word of life: both the message and the person. 

E1 Jesus is The Life: John 14:6 NLT Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 

E2 John 6:63, 68 NLT The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ... 68 Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 

D4 Life manifested: The life here refers to Jesus being the source of life. This life walked among us, preaching, healing, ministering, and we were there. 

D5 Declare: refers to the Gospel message of the Lord Jesus, His words, and His life and ministry. It also refers to birth, ministry, death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return. 

D6 With the Father: Jesus had no beginning of existence. He has always been with the Father. 

D7 The Gospel message has been preached for any who believe to be in fellowship with God, other Christians, and eventually all believers and the holy angels. God wants fellowship. He does not need it, but He enjoys it. Just a few. 

E1 Adam and Eve: Genesis 3:8-9 NRSV They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" 

E2 Enoch:  

F1 Genesis 5:24 ESV Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. 

F2 Hebrews 11:5 ESV by faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 

C2 Verses 5-10 teach us that anyone claiming to have fellowship with God and believers but are walking in darkness, is a liar and not practicing truth. 

D1 Darkness is defined as the worldview, lifestyle, and character traits of those who do not love God. See Galatians 5: 19-21. 

D2 Practicing truth is literally doing truth. These people’s thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are not God’s ways.

God’s purpose for humans 

B1 We were created for fellowship with God and to serve Him forever. 

C1 Fellowship 

D1 John 14:23 EMTV Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and we will make Our home with him. 

D2 Revelation 21:3-4 EMTV And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them. 4 And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying out; neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away. 

D3 Zechariah 2:10-11 GNB The LORD said, "Sing for joy, people of Jerusalem! I am coming to live among you!" 11 At that time many nations will come to the LORD and become his people. He will live among you, and you will know that he has sent me to you. 

C2 Serve:  

D1 We are going to serve something or someone. 

E1 God or riches: Matthew 6:24 NRSV No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. 

E2 God or sin: Romans 6:16-22 BSB Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life. 

D2 John 12:26 NRSV Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also. Whoever serves me, the Father will honor. 

D3 God’s yoke is easy, not harsh: Matthew 11:30 NLT for my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. 

B2 Be with Him forever

What is the church cure for loneliness among believers? 

B1 James 1:27 WEL Pure and undefiled religion before God, even the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unblemished from the world. 

C1 The Greek word for visit is ἐπισκέπτομαι episképtomai. It means to visit, show concern, care for, come to help (Mounce). It would include issues as loneliness, financial needs, spiritual needs, physical needs, etc. 

C2 Acts 15:14 GW Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name. 

B2 Fellowship 

C1 In meeting together and meeting each other needs emotional, financial, physical, etc. Acts 2:44-46 and Romans 15:26 

C2 In worship with includes prayer, singing, sharing what God has taught us, the sermon, etc. 1 Corinthians 14:26 

C3 In suffering. 2 Corinthians 1:7 

C4 In spiritual blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23 

B3 Even if all desert us: 2 Timothy 4:16-17 LEB at my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion's mouth.

What a being to have fellowship with and the blessings that come with it:  

B1 Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6-7 WEB For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this. 

B2 Psalm 139:17-18 NLT How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! 18 I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me! 

A Few Thoughts About Being Compliant

[All emphasis below is mine]

Compliance

B1 Definitions

C1 Willing to comply; submissive; willing to do what someone wants. (Source)

C2 Psychological definition:

Compliance Definition: Compliance refers to an overt, public action performed in accordance with a request from an external source. The request can be from another person(s) or from an object, such as an election billboard or marketing advertisement. Thus, compliance can occur in response to an explicit request, as in the former example, or an implicit request, as in the latter example. Regardless of the source of the request, if a person acts in line with the request, he or she is said to be complying with the request. Compliance does not refer to an inner state of acceptance of the behavior performed nor does it refer to an attitude change; rather, it simply refers to acting in accordance with the request. If a person acts in accordance with a request that comes from an authority figure, however, the person is demonstrating obedience. (Source)

B2 Usually, there is no realistic reasons, or perhaps, there is social influence, fear, guilt, peer pressure, bullying, shaming, etc. (narcissistic methods). There is no resistance in compliance or easily overcome resistance. In fact, nonresistance is a similar word, and defiance is the opposite.

B3 It is commonly used in sales and other manipulation

C1 Some techniques:

D1 Compliance Strategies: Common Persuasion Techniques

D2 The Psychology of Compliance

C2 It becomes dangerous in personal and political abuses

D1 Media Manipulation (Source is Wikipedia (be cautious))

D2 Searching for “propaganda bernays” yields a lot of information from the master of propaganda—Edward Bernays. (Search link is from DuckDuckGo.

Biblical Issues

B1 One of God’s character traits is truth.

C1 He is both truthful and the source of truth

D1 He cannot lie, does not lie, the non-lying God. His promises will happen, His teachings never change, His standards are unalterable, and His decisions just and perfect. Hebrews 6:18 GNB There are these two things, then, that cannot change and about which God cannot lie. So we who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us.

D2 Note that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. These are 3 traits of God and no one else. John 14:6 ESV Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

C2 What God says, teaches, communicates, etc. is truth. His message is true. He can communicate perfectly. He does not need an interpreter. We can trust God, so we can trust Scriptures to be read and studied in its plain, normal sense. John 17:17 EMTV Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.

B2 Compliance, etc. has the character trait of lying in many forms from half-truths, deception, different definitions, etc., etc. distort, exaggerate,

C1 These wanting compliance lives that are wicked, lawless, and breaking God’s laws and in doing so suppress the truth. Romans 1:18 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

C2 Exchanging truth for lies: Romans 1:25 NIV They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

C3 God values truth in what we say and what we do. It is a delight to Him. Proverbs 12:22 MEV Lying lips are abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truly are His delight.

B3 A common statement of a compliant person was something like this...was familiar with the idea of being obedient to a governing authority that determined truth and taught authoritatively…

C1 Note this person’s statement, ...standard of truth except the governing authority. Christianity teaches that God is the final and highest authority.

C2 For many people riches (money, real estate, goods, stocks) are the final authority, because it gives power. These people crave power and money. To have power and money takes skill to get people to submit. They have to be the final authority, and to do so, they need compliance.

Hebrews 13:21 GW May this God of peace prepare you to do every good thing he wants. May he work in us through Jesus Christ to do what is pleasing to him. Glory belongs to Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

Leadership style

B1 Shepherd

C1 There is no submission in Christianity, for we want fellowship and love God and His ways. We want to do the will of God. We are not forced or manipulated to do His will. This is the standard but rarely followed.

D1 Ephesians 6:6-7 ESV not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,

D2 God’s people want to follow Him: John 10:3-4 NRSV The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

D3 Fellowship. God doesn’t need fellowship, He enjoys it. Believers also enjoy fellowship with God. 1 John 1:3 NIV We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

C3 Note the teaching and example of the Lord Jesus:

D1 Matthew 6:9-10 EMTV Therefore pray in this manner: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

D2 Luke 22:42 EMTV saying, "Father, if You will, remove this cup from Me—nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

D3 John 6:38 EMTV For I have come down from heaven, not that I might do My will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

B2 Controller

C1 Depends on force, lies, pain, distortions, threats, etc. Some followers may voluntarily do something for a reward of power, money, pleasure, etc., but it comes with a price—perhaps, blackmail, etc. Those in power demand something in return.

C2 No love involved; fake love—yes, but not genuine love.

C3 Bible examples of controlling people:

D1 Nimrod

E1 An article of Nimrod can be found here.

E2 Evidently, he was a rebel and tyrant. He enjoyed rebelling against God and God’s worldview, lifestyle, and laws. He was mighty in hunting, leadership, and attitude. He seems to be a person who likes to pick a fight and win at all costs. A person who loves power and control.

E3 In 1 Chronicles 1:10, it is written that he was the first to be a mighty man. The word mighty is גִּבּוֹר gibbôwr. It means powerful and is related to such words as king, lord, etc.

F1 He felt he was god and thus assumed that role (so he thought). He would have thought this was written about him. Instead, it was written about the Lord Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 NIV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

F2 Used of Yahweh: Deuteronomy 10:17 NLT For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

F3 Used of Boaz in regards to his wealth: Ruth 2:1 MKJV And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech. And his name was Boaz.

F4 Skilled, strong soldiers: 2 Samuel 23:8 NLT These are the names of David's mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the three mightiest warriors among David's men. He once used his spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.

F5 The lion: Proverbs 30:30 NIV a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing;

D2 Diotrephes

E1 3 John 1:9-11 NRSV I have written something to the church; but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. 10 So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing in spreading false charges against us. And not content with those charges, he refuses to welcome the friends, and even prevents those who want to do so and expels them from the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.

E2 The Greek word for put himself first/preeminence, etc. is φιλοπρωτεύω philoprōteúō. It means love of being first (in any sense, here it is probably in recognition, authority, and admiration. The word is related to the Greek word in Colossians 1:18 PickNT Also, He is the Head of the body, the Church. He is Beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that He may be preeminent in everything,

E3 The Scriptures record that this man:

F1 Loved to be preeminent in the church.

F2 Refused to recognize the authority of the Apostle John. He refused because he thought he was first, that is, greater in authority than the Apostle.

F3 Used bullying and condescending language against the Apostle and his messenger/letter carrier.

F4 Refused to welcome brothers and sisters. These brothers and sisters would be most likely those sent by the Apostle.

F5 Stopped those who wanted to welcome them.

F6 Threw those who wanted to welcome them out of the church (excommunicates them).

F7 The Apostle wrote that this man does not know God, that is, Diotrephes is not a Christian.

B3 Now compare these two people and many others to those who manipulate others into compliance. It was not a short journey to get them to comply. It was a journey of many small steps fueled by lies. The little lies were believed and followed until freedom was gone, and they were slaves to a controlling abusive person, church, government, etc.

Abuse

B1 Submission—force is needed to bring compliance

C1 to give over or yield to the power or authority of another (Source)

C2 to surrender (Compare the word visually here)

C3 Lies, distortions, exaggerations, half-truths, redefining of words, pain, shame, force, threats, etc. are needed for compliance.

B2 God’s method is not submission but voluntary service and obedience because of love. Jesus is THE King of all kings.

C1 Our attitude must be: John 7:17 EMTV If anyone desires to do His will, he will know about the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I am speaking on My own authority.

C2 It needs to be an attitude from our heart. It is not to be superficial: Ephesians 6:6 WEB not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

Suggestions

B1 Leave

C1 We might have to flee the area.

C2 If it is in a church, it would mean to stop attending and being a member.

D1 For the safest method to leave, see

E1 How to Minimize Damage When Resigning From a Mark Driscoll-like Church.

E2 How to Resign From a Church Whether or Not You Are Under Church Discipline

D2 For a list of resources see Spiritual Sounding Board Resource Page.

D3 Be very, very, very careful if you are required to sign a church covenant. See Church Membership Covenants – Legal Contracts that are NOT Biblical!

B2 Quit. See the resources above

B3 Avoid

C1 You don’t have to follow the first steps of compliance. Demand a reason and investigate those reasons from multiple sources if it is true and reasonable. If it involves giving up freedom, then it is probably not true. If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, then resist, wait, investigate, etc. before giving in.

C2 See the Spiritual Sounding Board Resources for a number of articles regarding choosing a church.

B4 Know the truth. This involves reading and studying the Bible in its plain, normal sense. Those pushing for compliance often misinterpret and redefine the Bible and its words. See Scripture Twisting Methods of the Cults

B5 Be a little skeptical

C1 Proverbs 14:15 ESV The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.

C2 Proverbs 4:26 NIV Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

C3 Proverbs 22:3 NLT A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

C4 Acts 17:11 NIV Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

C5 Ephesians 4:14 NLT Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

C6 1 John 4:1 NLT Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.

Jude 1:24-25 NLT Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Devotional Notes Romans 10

B1 What does this mean?

C1 Righteousness by the Law and by Faith Contrasted

D1 Paul mentions it is his heart’s desire for all Israel to be saved, which is the highest possible desire. It is also God’s heart desire.

D2 Knowledge in verse 2 refers to a complete knowledge. They could have had a complete knowledge if they had studied and read the Scriptures according to the plain, normal sense. Luke 24:44 NET Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.

D3 Verse 3, they didn’t understand that God’s righteousness is what is necessary, not theirs.

D4 Verse 4, the end of the law, means it is completed, so it is no longer needed to attain salvation. No one could keep God’s law anyway.

E1 Robertson wrote on this passage: The end of the law (τελος νομου). Christ put a stop to the law as a means of salvation (Romans 6:14; Romans 9:31; Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14) as in Luke 16:16. Christ is the goal or aim of the law (Gal 3:24). Christ is the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17; Romans 13:10; 1 Timothy 1:5). But here (Denney) Paul's main idea is that Christ ended the law as a method of salvation for "every one that believeth" whether Jew or Gentile. Christ wrote finis on law as a means of grace.

E2 Also see Adam Clarke’s comment on verse 4.

D5 Verses 5-10

E1 Salvation, as understood by most Jews, is achieved by keeping Mosaic Law. This is necessary for salvation.

E2 Faith is different. Perfection is God’s standard. Keeping God’s law would require perfection in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

F1 The righteousness that comes from faith has nothing to do with our ability.

F2 We cannot ask, “Who will go to heaven, to find out the message and bring it to us.” See Deuteronomy 30:12 NIV It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?

F3 We also cannot ask, “Who will go down into the abyss:”

G1 Deuteronomy 30:13 NIV Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?

G2 Abyss

H1 Place of tormenting judgment: Luke 8:31 NIV And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. Compare Revelation 9:1.

H2 A very deep place as the bottom of the sea: Psalm 107:26 NIV They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.

H3 Hades/Sheol in Abraham’s Bosom/Paradise where Jesus’s soul went after crucifixion. Acts 2:27, 31 NIV because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. ... 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.

H4 The bottom line is that the message of salvation is here, today, to anyone and all. The message of Jesus Christ, which is, Romans 10:9 NET because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

H5 Note the heart again. It is the deepest, most committed, and truthful desire and action.

H6 Just as Moses made God’s requirements accessible to the people of Israel, so Christ, who has come down from heaven and been raised from the dead, is accessible to all people by faith. (Source is the NIV Biblical TheologyStudy Bible).

H7 Article: Was the Unseen World Divided into Two Compartments? By Don Stewart

E3 The reason for verse 9 is found in Romans 10:10 NET For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation.

D6 Verses 10-13

E1 Verse 10 is the reason salvation is by faith not privilege, heritage, or works.

E2 Verse 11 from the Logos Bible (Septuagint): Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord, even the Lord, “Behold, I lay for the foundations of Zion a costly stone, a choice cornerstone and precious, for its foundations; and he that believes on Him shall by no means be ashamed.

E3 Any can be saved by faith whether Jew or Gentile.

D7 Verses 14-16

E1 God could do all the work Himself, but He is a delegator. We, who believe, are delegated to preach (tell) the Gospel to others. 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 GNB After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant grow. 7 The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow.

E2 Not all believe (Isaiah 53:1). John 8:46 NIV Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?

D8 Verses 17-18

E1 The correct Scripture here reads “Word of God.” It is not the “Word of Christ,” as most versions have. Pickering notes: Perhaps 2% of the Greek manuscripts read ‘Christ’ rather than “God”, to be followed by NIV, NASB, TEV, LB, etc.—an inferior proceeding. It is the Word of God that gives authority to our message.

E2 The Scriptures reveal the basis of the Gospel.

F1 Faith comes about from the preaching of the Gospel message.

F2 Hearing comes from the initiative of God in opening the mind, heart, conscious, etc.

E3 All know that God, the creator, exists. See Romans 1:17-21.

F1 For me I believe that the Christian God, Yahweh, exists because after researching I found

G1 That a man named Jesus existed 2,000 years ago is most reasonable. Both Jewish enemies and government enemies wrote about him.

G2 That what he did as recorded by the 4 Gospels is most reasonable.

G3 If he existed and what he did is most reasonable, then what he taught would be most reasonable.

G4 This is a rather simplistic explanation that I have written about before.

F2 1 Corinthians 8:6 NLT But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.

D9 Verse 19 shows that the Gentiles would be included in salvation blessings. The jealousy is from Jewish understanding that they are the best and greatest with God and that God does not care about the Gentiles.

E1 See Deuteronomy 32:21 NLT They have roused my jealousy by worshiping things that are not God; they have provoked my anger with their useless idols. Now I will rouse their jealousy through people who are not even a people; I will provoke their anger through the foolish Gentiles.

E2 Compare: Matthew 27:18 NLT (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.)

D10 Verse 20.

E1 God is even more clear and plain spoken in Isaiah 65:1 NIV I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, 'Here am I, here am I.'

E2 Ray Stedman, in a sermon, states: You see, God understands this principle in fallen human nature. He even uses it at times to make people wake up. This is why God pours out blessings upon an individual or a family, with one member of the family receiving spiritual insight. He does it in order to make the others jealous so they will listen to him. This is why God will pour out blessings upon one nation in order to make other nations jealous. "What is the secret of your blessing?" they will ask. Thus they might hear the witness about God.

D11 Israel has been stubborn and resists even to this day.

E1 Genesis 6:3 NIV Then the LORD said, "My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal; their days will be a hundred and twenty years.

E2 2 Chronicles 36:13 GNB Zedekiah rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had forced him to swear in God's name that he would be loyal. He stubbornly refused to repent and return to the LORD, the God of Israel.

E3 Acts 7:51 ESV You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you.

C2 Questions:

D1 Is God’s law still in effect?

D2 Are we responsible to keep it? Explain.

D3 Can any keep God’s law?

D4 How then can anyone be saved and have the blessings of salvation?

A Few Thoughts About How Enemies Destroy Christians

Basics

B1 There are things in Scripture that we must not do or we must do.

B2 There are principles in Scripture that we show us what is not God’s best or what is God’s best.

B3 There are examples in Scriptures that show us actions not blessed by God or actions blessed by God.

The principles and examples we study today deal with how people destroy Christians. This, of course, is used by non-Christians on other non-Christians, non-Christians on Christians, and sadly Christians on non-Christians or on Christians.

Please read Acts 6:8-15 and Acts 7.

Setting

B1 Stephen’s character: Acts 6:8 NLT Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

B2 A disagreement:

C1 Acts 6:9-10 NLT But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. 10 None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

C2 We are to know our reasonable faith and to defend our faith. We need to study. The pastors are to teach it. 1 Peter 3:15 WEL Instead, sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to answer with gentleness and respectfulness anyone who asks you about the reason for the hope that is in you.

B3 Steps:

C1 Have evil desire: Proverbs 21:10 NRSV The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.

C2 Make an evil plan: Proverbs 15:26 NRSV Evil plans are an abomination to the LORD, but gracious words are pure.

C3 Recruit evil people: Acts 6:11 NIV Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, "We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."

C4 With lots of emotional appeal, stir up people to anger. If they are angry, people don’t think very rationally. Acts 6:12 NIV So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.

C5 Bring your liars (false witnesses) to the authority: Acts 6:13 NIV They produced false witnesses, who testified, "This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

C6 The best lies are religious lies: Acts 6:14-15 NIV For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us." 15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

C7 Force them to face those you know agree with your lies: Acts 7:1 NIV Then the high priest asked Stephen, "Are these charges true?"

C8 Maybe show how nice you are and let them present a logical defense based on reality: Acts 7:2-53

C9 Encourage the leaders to have fierce, out-of-control anger. Most likely they will do what you want to solve your problem—kill’em.

C10 Make sure your supporters are so angry and are filled with so much hate that they will solve your problem: Acts 7:57-58 NIV At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

A Christian’s response

B1 We have a principle in this too.

B2 Continue to show the truth. There is a time to walk away, but when under someone’s control physically, we must continue.

C1 Provide an answer:

D1 Proverbs 26:5 LEB Answer a fool according to his folly, or else he will be wise in his own eyes.

D2 Stephen: Acts 7:2ff NIV To this he replied: "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.

C2 Do not provide an answer:

D1 Proverbs 26:4 LEB Do not answer a fool according to his folly lest you become like him—even you.

D2 Matthew 27:14 NRSV But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

B3 There is a time to flee the area and a time to not flee.

C1 A time to flee: Acts 8:1, 4 NLT Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. ... 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

C2 A time to not flee:

D1 Daniel: Daniel 6:9-10 NRSV Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict. 10 Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously.

D2 Congregation at Smyrna: Revelation 2:10 NRSV Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

B4 Love enemies:

C1 Luke 6:35 BSB But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

C2 Acts 7:60 GW Then he knelt down and shouted, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them." After he had said this, he died.

B5 Be aware:

C1 God does not forsake: Matthew 28:20 KJ2000 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

C2 Nothing can separate us from God’s love: Romans 8:35-39 GW What will separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or violent death separate us from his love? 36 As Scripture says: "We are being killed all day long because of you. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 The one who loves us gives us an overwhelming victory in all these difficulties. 38 I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love which Christ Jesus our Lord shows us. We can't be separated by death or life, by angels or rulers, by anything in the present or anything in the future, by forces 39 or powers in the world above or in the world below, or by anything else in creation.

B6 Be faithful:

C1 Luke 9:62 NRSV Jesus said to him, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."

C2 Hebrews 10:35-36 LEB Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, in order that after you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

We learn:

B1 Many people hate Jesus and His followers.

B2 They cannot kill Jesus again, so they persecute His followers.

B3 Satan is an enemy.

B4 God can protect.

B5 If we die, God protects our soul.

B6 If we live, we can witness again for our Lord Jesus.

B7 God will help us be faithful to the end of our lives.

B8 We need to pray for all our brothers and sisters suffering persecution. We pray they will be delivered and be faithful.

B9 Evil will be destroyed someday by the return of the Lord Jesus.

B10 We need to be prepared at all times. Luke 12:42-48 NRSV  And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and prudent manager whom his master will put in charge of his slaves, to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?  43  Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives.  44  Truly I tell you, he will put that one in charge of all his possessions.  45  But if that slave says to himself, 'My master is delayed in coming,' and if he begins to beat the other slaves, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk,  46  the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and put him with the unfaithful.  47  That slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not prepare himself or do what was wanted, will receive a severe beating.  48  But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating will receive a light beating. From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

1 Timothy 5:24-25

C1 Sinful actions

D1 God knows the heart, the motive, the attitude, as well as the action/deed.

D2 People do not always know all these things. Some are obvious; some are hidden.

E1 Obvious

F1 A public crime.

F2 Known, recorded, and given as evidence at the Great White Throne Judgment. The Great White Throne Judgment is the judgment of all unbelievers. Revelation 20:12-13 NLT I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God's throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. (Also see Daniel 7:8-10).

E2 Hidden

F1 This can be a sin that no one knows about, known but covered up, known by a group with secrecy, etc.

G1 Jeremiah 16:17 NIV My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.

G2 People think no one knows, but: Ezekiel 8:12-13 NIV He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.' " 13 Again, he said, "You will see them doing things that are even more detestable."

F2 People hate exposure of their sins, but healing begins with truth, “Yes, Lord, I sinned.” See Psalm 51, etc. John 3:19 NLT And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

D3 Some sins are so obvious that God judges immediately. Genesis 38:8-10 NIV Then Judah said to Onan, "Sleep with your brother's wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother." 9 But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother's wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. 10 What he did was wicked in the LORD's sight; so the LORD put him to death also.

C2 Good actions

D1 The above can be applied to the good. Some good deeds are obvious and some are hidden.

D2 We don’t HAVE to do good things, but it is a character trait of God that He wants us to do. The idea of sacrifice in this verse is we could have kept what was ours, but we did not. Hebrews 13:16 GW Don't forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God.

D3 A warning not to do good things to receive praise from others. Matthew 6:1 GW Be careful not to do your good works in public in order to attract attention. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you.

C3 Isaiah 58:6-7 GNB The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. 7 Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.

C4 Applications

D1 These are God’s wishes and instructions for elders and the congregation. We must do them. We are God’s servants.

D2 Those members of the congregation who need help, need to receive it first before we give to outsiders.

D3 God knows who is sinning and what they are doing.

D4 Thank God for His mercy and instruction.

C5 Questions:

D1 How do people hide sins?

D2 Why do people think that God does not know about their sins?

D3 Why should we not announce our good deeds?

D4 How can we help those who hide their sins?