Introduction

1) Part of the Christian life is selflessness. But, being selfless doesn’t forbid us from any care of self.

2) In Philippians 2, Paul says, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Php. 2:4). But, he also says, “work out your own salvation” (Php. 2:12).

3) The psalmist was tempted by the world around him (Ps. 73:2). Rather than giving in to the world, he had to stop to think about what was best for him. It was best to choose to enter the sanctuary to serve God (Ps. 73:17). In the end he says, “[T]hey that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. But it is good for me to draw near to God…” (Ps. 73:24-25).

4) Sanctuary refers in the Bible to the Tabernacle (Ex. 25:8), the Holy of Holies within the Tabernacle (Le. 4), Heaven (Ps. 102:19), the Temple (1 Ch. 22:19), the Promised Land (Ex. 15:17), and as a place of divine service (Ps. 73:17).

5) Today’s sanctuary is the church (He. 8:2). We must put it first (Mt. 6:33), and we must view everything as if from the church’s perspective.

6) God is good (Ps. 73:1), “but as for [us]” (Ps. 73:2), we tend to forget the proper perspective and look at things differently than God does. And Asaph, like us, was in such dismay that he was nearly tempted to sin.

Discussion

I. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, the world’s apparent blessings don’t seem the same.

A. Worldliness tempts us to think that the accumulation of wealth and possessions makes one happy (Ps. 73:7,12; cf. Ps. 62:10).

B. It causes us to envy worldly people and to think that godliness is less prosperous or even burdensome (Ps. 73:5).

II. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I understand the world’s fate (Ps. 73:17).

A. Destruction (Ps. 73:18; 2 Pe. 3:10-12; I Jn. 2:17)

-Asaph’s previous perception was that the wicked die without great pain and having peace of mind, or strength (Ps. 73:4).

B. Desolation (Ps. 73:19a; Lk. 16:19-24)

C. Terror (Ps. 73:19b; Ja. 5:1-5)

- Understanding the end of its wickedness erases all envy and wonder at the state of the world.

III. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I realize my foolishness and ignorance at other times (Ps. 73:22; Ac. 23:1).

A. Satan deceives us when we are at our weakest (2 Co. 11:3).

B. After acknowledging the truth, we always look back to say, “I knew better than to do/believe that” (Ec. 3:17-18; Ps. 32:8,9).

IV. When I’m in the sanctuary state of mind, I see the value of devoting my life to serving God (Ps. 73:13,23-28).

A. I know I have proper guidance (Ps. 73:23-24; 23:4).

B. I know I there are no other options (Ps. 73:25; 42:1-2; Mt. 10:37).

C. I know that when God navigates my heart, I am strong (Ps. 73:26; Is. 40:29-31; 2 Pe. 1:14; 2 Ti. 4:6-8).

D. I know that then I can truly declare God’s works (Ps. 73:28; Ja. 4:8).

Conclusion

1) It takes dedication to God’s word to admit the world is lost.

2) Perspective is a major part of why many people struggle to convert to Christianity. It is a step that requires a change of views about the ways of the world.

3) If only we’d see from the sanctuary. Are you in the sanctuary state of mind?

Those who know me know that I love to write articles and essays on various Bible texts and subjects. But, there are lots of bulletin editors and bi-vocational preachers like me out there whose time restraints limit us in our abilities to author sound material weekly for our bulletins.

Most people do not have the required software to carefully cut and paste PDF formatted material into a publishing program like Microsoft Publisher [I know when I try it appears choppy and takes nearly as long as retyping the entire article].

Churches–preachers–Christian writers–please hear me out. I want to publish your sound Bible material. Make it easy to spot on a webpage. Categorize it by topics and texts. Maybe even add a search feature, too. I scour to find something fitting for a subject I’m looking for only to learn that it is saved as a PDF file that I cannot easily use. Articles posted in the html  are simple to cut and paste. If you put the time into studying the Word of God in order to teach others through the written word, you should do all that you can to ensure people will be able to pass it on.

I still like PDF. It prints cleanly if I want to make copies for others to read, but it is usually not editable. I especially prefer PDF for Bible class materials (questions, lessons, etc.). If you’ve got time include both options [at least, according to my humble opinion].

I am in the process of working on a website for the South Mobile County church of Christ. One thing I intend to do is issue articles in html format and not merely PDF. It’s about getting the message out, and it’s nice to know that others might find it useful in helping to spread the Gospel.

Text: Mark 9:23,24

I. The Reliance (v24)

A. The man’s faith was the basis of God’s promise.

B. The man’s faith was the basis of the son’s restoration.

II. The Request (v24, “Lord, I believe. Help me with my unbelief”)

A. Seems complex. Faith may exist with occasional doubts that can be overcome.

B. Faith is not kept without work. It will either increase or diminish.

1. 2 Th. 1:3

2. He. 10:23

3. Ja. 1:6

C. We must have the same attitude: “Help thou my (or, against my) unbelief.”

1. 2 Co. 5:7

2. 2 Co. 10:3-5

3. Ep. 6:11-17

III. The Rebuke (Mk. 9:29, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” cf. v19; cf. Mt. 17:20-21)

A. Christ’s apostles were not immune to failure and unbelief (cf. 1 Co. 10:12). They were rebuked here and exhorted to “prayer and fasting.”

B. Couched in a faith-enstilling passage are these words: “…now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Pe. 1:6).

C. Don’t doubt the power of God. Don’t assume His power something you alone can accomplish.

IV. The Rewards of Faith (Mk. 9:23, “All things are possible to him that believeth”)

A. Being a child of God (Jn. 1:12-13)

B. Salvation (Ro. 1:16)

C. Answered prayer (Mk. 11:24)

D. Light (Jn. 12:46)

We are now meeting every Sunday at 10:00 AM on Hwy. 188 in Heron Bay, just about 3 minutes east from the end of Bellingrath Road.

We are a zealous group of Christians with a lot of love for one another and the community whom we serve. Stop by to study God’s word with us soon.

God is behind the resourcefulness of man.

Any good man does God enables. But regarding man’s ability, God also teaches him that he should not allow it to cause him to feel superior or proud (cf. 1 Co. 10:12; Ga. 6:3)—that he cannot add one cubit to his stature or change the color of a hair on his head just by thinking about it (Mt. 6:27; 5:36). When something bad happens, most people think, “What can we do about it?” To some degree this is a good question, but if one thinks that man can do it alone, he is mistaken. Instead, it is best to remember that what man can do is only by God’s influence and providence.

One doctor is not solely responsible for a patient surviving cancer. What about the people who discovered the medical treatments the patient received? What about the surgeon who helped removed suspicious cells? And what about God who gave the earth components for treating the cancer and man the intellect to research and develop a cure? One doctor didn’t cure the cancer. Others were involved. Most importantly, God was the real problem solver.

In America’s literary past was a period termed the Enlightenment. It was a time when numerous scientific discoveries were being made and when studies in philosophy and psychology had a big impact here and throughout the world. Although there were some great achievements in that period, the time was also a beginning-point of people discounting God as Creator and Sovereign. Today, the intellectuals among us tend to do the same, believing there is no God. “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God” (Ps. 14:1). The smart ones aren’t always as smart as they seem.

There was a dreadful event that succeeded the Bible account of the flood. People worked together to build a mighty city and tower. They didn’t seek to build it in God’s name or while recognizing His power and providence. They pridefully and selfishly built it, declaring “Let us make a name” (Ge. 11:4). The people glorified themselves instead of God. They did not care to see that their abilities and substance were only gifts on loan from God.

God is behind the works of nature.

God is the Creator of all things (Ep. 3:6; Col. 1:16). Since the time He finished creation, the earth has continued its natural course (with a single exception in Joshua 10:13). Every part of the earth has a natural cycle: the oceans, weather, plants, animals, etc. There was a time when God interacted supernaturally with the earth and man (cf. 1 Co. 13:8); however, there has never been a time when He dissected Himself from nature. He is the Builder and Sustainer of it, though He does allow it to do its work without apparent divine intervention.

God “giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields” (Job 5:10). He is behind vapor ascending and lightning crashing (Ps. 135:7). Fire and hail, snow and vapor are his (Ps. 148:8). He causes the clouds and grows the grass (Ps. 147:8). If God does all these things, is it not true that He is capable of naturally caring for our beloved Gulf? —And He certainly has. The elements of the Gulf have already assisted in breaking down the clods of oil. What was thought to be so bad has actually turned out better than feared.

I’m not saying everything is perfect. We aren’t done cleaning up and we certainly cannot be done praying to God for His guidance and aid. Whatever progress is made—whatever good that ensues—it isn’t by man’s efforts alone, but by our Father in heaven.

To arrive at the best conclusion about the propriety of non-Muslims or, more applicably, Christians conducting public Koran burnings, let’s ask the following questions based on Bible scenarios.

(1) Who burned the calf? While Moses was receiving the law on Mt. Sinai the Israelites foolishly forsook God and, with Aaron’s guidance, made a golden calf to worship (Ex. 32:1-8). God told Moses to get down from the mount and address the stiff-hearted Israelites. When Moses heard them rejoicing and saw the calf, he was upset and burned the calf which they had made. So, Moses burned the calf. The significance of this is great. Had a non-Israelite entered their camp and burned it, the impression would not have been the same. Moses was their leader, and he was one of them.

(2) Who removed the idols? Asa, the son of Abijah, was one of Judah’s good kings. Like many of the kings, Asa was dealt the choice of either condoning the people’s preference for idolatry or doing what he could to remove it. Although Asa was not entirely successful (1 Ki. 15:14), he “removed all the idols that his father had made” (1 Ki. 15:12). So, Asa removed the idols. Although the people might have been surprised by his bold decision, they never questioned Asa’s right to do so. He was their king. They lived in a nation which had a theocratic form of government. God had given them the Law of Moses; the kings were expected to be extensions of God’s authority in society. Asa the Jewish king removed the idols of his Jewish people. Had an outsider been the one to remove their idols the impact upon them might not have been so great.

(3) Who burned the books? In Ephesus, Paul’s works and preaching prompted a positive stir (Ac. 19). There were a number of people who witnessed Paul cast out an evil spirit. There were some enchanters among them–people who with their incantations and charms would attempt magical feats. After seeing what Paul had done, and being compelled to obey Paul’s God, they took all their books of incantations and “burned them before all men” (Ac. 19:19). Inspiration tells us the books were valued at 50,000 pieces of silver, which is the equivalent to thousands or tens of thousands of dollars today. Who burned the Ephesians’ books? Did Paul do it? Was it one of Paul’s companions? The books were not burned by Paul or one of them. Christians did not burn the Ephesians’ books. The Ephesians themselves burned them. Had Paul burned them before they were convinced of the truth, they probably would have been incensed instead of interested. He allowed God’s Word and God’s works to influence the Ephesians, giving them time to realize the vanity of their books and the value of God’s holy Word.

Should a Christian burn a Koran? What good would it do? It would hurt, not help. Christians should teach the truth and allow Muslims to make their own decisions as to whether or not they should dispose or keep their book. If anyone thinks the Bible teaches people to go and offensively burn, ravage, and scathingly mock others’ religions, he or she should read the above Bible scenarios. Who burned the calf? Who removed the idols? Who burned the books? Christians will not compromise the truth. There is one God and one way (Jn. 14:6). If we adopt the practical and tactful didactic methods of our Master Teacher, Jesus Christ, we will have an endless influence, but if our tactics and rhetoric become inconsiderate, unsympathetic, prideful, and derogatory, our propensity to influence for good will become less and less.

Yet, so many people take the bait. They get poorer while the ministry they support pads the pockets of the preachers who proudly publish its propaganda. If a ministry is sincere, would it request such an exorbitant amount? Would it need to ask for help from random viewers at all?

You won’t see churches of Christ soliciting outside funds to support her works. You won’t see us promising God’s blessings to people who give us a set sum. It is high time some of our neighbors see these beggar-ministries for what they are—fake, scandalous, and hopeless. God blesses those who obey Him, and then He appreciates those people giving all they can—no matter what amount (1 Co. 16:2; 2 Co. 9:7; cf. Lk. 21:2-4).

There may be no I in team, but there are several words in which there is definitely I.

Responsibility. Responsibility is personal. A child cannot blame a sibling for the garbage not being taken out, when the chore was his responsibility. An employee cannot blame someone else for not doing something for which she is solely responsible. In the church, every Christian has personal responsibilities. One of them is teaching the gospel (Mk. 16:15). Another is holiness, or distinctiveness in lifestyle (1 Pe. 1:15; Tit. 2:11-14). In 1 Corinthians 5:10, Paul noted that “all [will] appear before the judgment seat of Christ,” but said that judgment itself will respectively be dealt according to what each individual (“according to what he hath done”), “whether it be good or bad.”

Deceived. No one but oneself is to blame for being deceived. Others do the act of deceiving, while Satan himself orchestrates it (Jn. 8:44; cf. Ge. 3:4). But, when it comes to being deceived, giving in to it is all on you and me. Everyone has the power to resist deception, hence all the warnings to not be deceived–Lk. 21:8; 1 Co. 6:9; 15:33; Ga. 6:7. You may not be able to stop the scam artist from calling or knocking, but you have the power to hang up the phone or close the door. You may not be able to stop the way others talk, dress, or act around you, but you have the power to ignore them, confront them, or walk away. You have the power to “Let no man”–anybody other than you–”deceive you” (Ep. 5:6; 2 Th. 2:3).

Sin. Like with deception, the devil doesn’t make you sin. The prophet Ezekiel declared, “Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Other people are not guilty for my sins. I did not inherit them from my father. I won’t pass them down to my children. Unlike some unwanted furniture or clothes, I can’t pass my sins off as a burden for others to accept at some yard sale or thrift store. The fact that “all have sinned” (Ro. 3:23) at least assures me that I am not alone in needing to confront personal transgressions. Each of us has sin in his or her life for which he or she must seek God’s forgiveness.

Three words–not one of them has team in them. Instead, each has I. Are you yourself responsible? Do you realize that you yourself are guilty for your being deceived? What are you going to do about the sins of which you yourself are guilty of committing?

Title: No, Not One

I. Jesus, A Friend

Verse 1 – There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our souls’ diseases:
No, not one! no, not one!

•He does what a friend does (Jn. 11:35; Pr. 18:24).

•He offers sweet counsel (Pr. 27:9)

•He heals our soul’s diseases (Is. 53:5; 1 Pe. 2:21-24; cf. Jn. 5:11; 9:25).

II. Jesus, Worthy of Praise

Verse 2 – No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! no, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! no, not one!

•Before coming to Earth, He was equal with His Father (Php. 2:6-9).

•Holy, sinless (He. 4:15; 7:26; 2 Co. 5:21; 1 Pe. 2:22).

•A King who serves humbly (Jn. 13:12)

III. Jesus, Near and Dear

Verse 3 – There’s not an hour that He is not near us,
No, not one! no, not one!
No night so dark, but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! no, not one!

•Those whom He never met, He knew (cf. Jn. 4:18,19; 6:64; Lk. 22:10-12).

•At all times, day or night, He’s there to comfort and cheer (Jn. 14:1-6,18,27; 16:33)

IV. Jesus, Compassionate

Verse 4 – Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! no, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! no, not one!

•He never forsakes us (He. 13:5; Ge. 28:15).

•Jesus loves and cherishes the saints—He cares, and cares, and cares (Ps. 37:25,28).

•Sinners come! (1 Ti. 1:15)

V. Jesus, None Other

Verse 5 – Was e’er a gift like the Savior given?
No, not one! no, not one!
Will He refuse us the bliss of heaven?
No, not one! no, not one!

•There is no other name under heave by which man may be saved (Ac. 4:12).

•Is. 7:14; Mt. 1:23; Jn. 1:1,2,14

VI. Jesus, Guide

Chorus – Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ’til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

•He guides by His Word (Ps. 119:105).

•He sanctifies by the Truth (Jn. 17:17).

Text: 1 Timothy 2:9

I. Understanding the Term

(1) Is “modest” becoming an archaic word?

(2) It is found only once in the Bible (1 Ti. 2:9, KJV).

(3) Gk. kosmios—well arranged, seemly

(4) The ESV translates aidos (shamefacedness, KJV) as modesty and kosmios, respectable.

(5) Aidos—a sense of shame or honour, modesty, bashfulness, reverence, regard for others, respect (Thayer)

(6) Modesty is internalized. What we generally think of (i.e. clothing) is just evidence of one’s modesty, or lack thereof.

II. One’s View of Self

(1) How Do You Perceive Yourself? (which of the following is the modest perception?)

•“I’m God’s gift to this world. I’m better, smarter, braver, abler, stronger, better looking, etc. than anyone else I know.”

•“I don’t measure myself to others. I am very blessed to have what I have and be able to do what I do. Some have things I do not; though, I have things others do not. We are able to help one another.”

•“I hate myself. I’m no good. I have no blessings and have nothing to offer the world.”

•“It doesn’t matter how I look at myself. It cannot change what happens in my life.”

(2) Compare Saul and the Sadducees (Saul=modest; Sadducees=immodest)

•Saul (1 Sa. 9:21)—reverent response

•The Sadducees (Mt. 16:1-6)—arrogantly tempted Jesus, wanting to see Him fail in working a miracle.

(3) A Modest View of Oneself

•Demonstrates humility

•Does not think one is the source of all gossip or “news”.

•Is not seen in one’s presumption of power (self-appointment; e.g. Korah, Nu. 16:5).

•Considers oneself more than a showpiece to flaunt (1 Ti. 2:9)

(4) Modest Apparel

•Extravagance: gold, jewels, gaudy accessories, flashy name-brand displays, etc.

•Coverage: revealing shirts, shorts, skirts, etc.

•Bible standards: Adam and Eve (Ge. 3:7,21), priests (Ex. 28:42)

•Comp. Vashti and Herodias’ daughter

•Men and women are keenly aware of what attracts one another—what time, what approach, what attire (Pr. 7:9ff).

•We must avoid any situation that would lead to causing one to lust (Mt. 5:28).

•Apparel is the most obvious display of what one thinks of self.

III. One’s View of Others

(1) How Do You Perceive Others? (which one of the following is the modest perception?)

•“Other people are wonderful. I learn from their successes and failures. Their talents keep me humble; their friendships make me honored.”

•“I often forget other people exist. They are in the world around me, but I don’t think about their feelings or perceptions.”

•“People are useful to furthering my cause.”

•“Other people are good when they praise me and recognize my tremendous worth.”

•“It doesn’t matter how I perceive others. They live their lives; I live mine.”

(2) Compare Solomon and Sanballat

•Solomon (1 Ki. 3:8,9)—“so great a people”

•Sanballat (Ne. 2:9)—laughed the Jews to scorn

(3) A Modest View of Others

•Does not see them as objects for the taking or manipulating (cf. 2 Sa. 11:2-4)—What did Herodias think of (a) her daughter, (b) Herod, (c) John, (d) God (Mt. 14:3-8)?

•Considers relational matters in speech/action (e.g. age, Job 32:4-7; 1 Ti. 5:1; 1 Pe. 5:5)