For some reason my heart has really been burdened for true Biblical preaching. In fact, I often read again my books on preaching over and over. I believe when they lay my body in the grave, I still will not have learned to preach. We never arrive, though we strive. I want to be known as a preacher that was committed to text-driven preaching.
I especially like the following books: "Expository Preaching" by John MacArthur, "Biblical Preaching" by Haddon Robinson, "Preaching with Bold Assurance" by Hershael York, and "Power in the Pulpit" by Jerry Vines.
My hearts desire is to find the "big Idea" in the preaching unit and to convey the author's intent from the passage. I want to preach the text saying what the author said. There is much more I could say on building and amplifying the main points, but you get the point. Who are we to pull a verse out of context and come up with our own outline? Most preaching misses the point intented by the author and takes it out of context. Bro. Gordon Pittman taught me years ago that context is king. "Three rules of interpretation" he would say, "context, context, context." One thought struck me, "The passage can't mean now what it did not mean then."
So I continue to develop God's gift under the Spirit's enablement, and each day I pray that I will be a better expositor and not an entertainer.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Parable of the Soils
Luke 8:4-15
Why did Jesus tell this parable? Jesus uses this parable to encourage his disciples that not all will believe and there will be many false professors. We are not to be discouraged by the small harvest. The fault is not with the sower if he is sowing. The fault does not lie with the Seed. The problem is with the soil.
In our text we see 3 components of the parable of the soils- the Sower, the seed, and the soils. Jesus teaches the disciples and us that there are different responses to the gospel [v. 1].
1. The Sower [v. 5a].
The Sower is Jesus Christ, but also represents any of God’s people who share the Word of God.
John 4:35-38 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
To sow means “to scatter or broadcast.” Note that the Sower “went out” to sow. Note also that he purposed to sow. Note the phrase “some fell.” Evangelism is done outside the church building with “as you go’ witnessing” and no special targeting of a certain kind of people.
2. The Seed [v. 5b].
The seed is the Word of God that imparts spiritual life and produces spiritual fruit. The seed must be planted before it can give an increase. When a person hears and understands the Word, then the seed is planted in the heart. What happens then depends on the nature of the heart.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
3. The Soils [vv. 5c-8, 11-15].
The seed must have the soil and the soil must have the seed. The soil is the human heart. The fertile heart can hear the gospel, understand and believe the gospel, and produce a spiritual harvest.
Jesus described 4 different kinds of hearts or responses to the gospel. Three of the four hearts did not bear any fruit. The proof of salvation is fruit and not merely hearing or making a profession.
A. The Hard Heart [vv. 5, 12]. “wayside”
This soil represents the person who hears the Word but immediately the devil snatches the seed away.
How did the heart become hard? The “wayside” was the path that run thru a common field, separating the plots; and the foot traffic hardened the soil. The heart had been hardened by the things of the world- pride of life, lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes.
Hard heart with no conviction, self- satisfied and self sufficient.
Unconcern about spiritual matters. Calloused or stiff-necked heart.
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
B. The Shallow Heart [vv. 6, 13]. “rock or stony”
This soil represents the emotional hearer who responds initially with joy, but does not continue because there is no root. Shallow evangelism is a breeding ground to shallow heart. There is no conviction of sin, repentance, or dying to self, no commitment.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
“for a while believe” when testing and persecution come because of the word, it withers away. The shallowness of the false Christian is exposed.
Matthew 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
C. The Crowded Heart [vv. 7, 14].
This soil represents the person who does not repent and “weed out” the things that hinder the harvest. The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life choke it out from bearing fruit. Heart is infested with thorns, and cares and riches choke it out. Never able to take root. Preoccupied with problems, prestige, power, position and possessions.
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
D. The Good Heart [vv. 8, 15].
This soil represents the person who hears, understands, receives, and believes the word to bear fruit. This person is truly saved and bears fruit.
What makes good soil? Heart prepared by the Spirit of God. (John 16:8-11).
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Why did Jesus tell this parable? Jesus uses this parable to encourage his disciples that not all will believe and there will be many false professors. We are not to be discouraged by the small harvest. The fault is not with the sower if he is sowing. The fault does not lie with the Seed. The problem is with the soil.
In our text we see 3 components of the parable of the soils- the Sower, the seed, and the soils. Jesus teaches the disciples and us that there are different responses to the gospel [v. 1].
1. The Sower [v. 5a].
The Sower is Jesus Christ, but also represents any of God’s people who share the Word of God.
John 4:35-38 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.
To sow means “to scatter or broadcast.” Note that the Sower “went out” to sow. Note also that he purposed to sow. Note the phrase “some fell.” Evangelism is done outside the church building with “as you go’ witnessing” and no special targeting of a certain kind of people.
2. The Seed [v. 5b].
The seed is the Word of God that imparts spiritual life and produces spiritual fruit. The seed must be planted before it can give an increase. When a person hears and understands the Word, then the seed is planted in the heart. What happens then depends on the nature of the heart.
John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
3. The Soils [vv. 5c-8, 11-15].
The seed must have the soil and the soil must have the seed. The soil is the human heart. The fertile heart can hear the gospel, understand and believe the gospel, and produce a spiritual harvest.
Jesus described 4 different kinds of hearts or responses to the gospel. Three of the four hearts did not bear any fruit. The proof of salvation is fruit and not merely hearing or making a profession.
A. The Hard Heart [vv. 5, 12]. “wayside”
This soil represents the person who hears the Word but immediately the devil snatches the seed away.
How did the heart become hard? The “wayside” was the path that run thru a common field, separating the plots; and the foot traffic hardened the soil. The heart had been hardened by the things of the world- pride of life, lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes.
Hard heart with no conviction, self- satisfied and self sufficient.
Unconcern about spiritual matters. Calloused or stiff-necked heart.
Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
B. The Shallow Heart [vv. 6, 13]. “rock or stony”
This soil represents the emotional hearer who responds initially with joy, but does not continue because there is no root. Shallow evangelism is a breeding ground to shallow heart. There is no conviction of sin, repentance, or dying to self, no commitment.
John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
“for a while believe” when testing and persecution come because of the word, it withers away. The shallowness of the false Christian is exposed.
Matthew 13:20-21 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
C. The Crowded Heart [vv. 7, 14].
This soil represents the person who does not repent and “weed out” the things that hinder the harvest. The cares, riches, and pleasures of this life choke it out from bearing fruit. Heart is infested with thorns, and cares and riches choke it out. Never able to take root. Preoccupied with problems, prestige, power, position and possessions.
Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
D. The Good Heart [vv. 8, 15].
This soil represents the person who hears, understands, receives, and believes the word to bear fruit. This person is truly saved and bears fruit.
What makes good soil? Heart prepared by the Spirit of God. (John 16:8-11).
Matthew 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Born for God to Die for God
Micah 5:2, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
This important OT messianic prophecy is also a Christmas text. Micah foretold that Christ would be born in Bethlehem 710 years before He ever became flesh in a Manger.
This prophecy is amazing because the way the deity of Christ is expressed in the verse’s final phrase, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
The birth of Christ in Bethlehem was not the beginning of Christ as God’s Son and our sovereign Lord. He is eternal. He “came forth” from Bethlehem, but He did not come from there in the first place. His “goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.”
But I want you to notice that this prophecy is spoken directly by God the Father. God the Father says this: “out of thee he shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Or, to say it this way, “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.”
Don’t miss the importance of those two words, “for Me.” God the Father is sending the eternal Son to be born and to rule and to redeem His people, and to make righteous reign over all the earth. The Scriptures testify of this truth:
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 10:36, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”
Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”
1 John 4:9-10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
Yes, Christ came to die for our sins but he first came to satisfy the Father’s offended holiness that we might be brought into the Father’s presence.
Christ died for our sins but He also died for God. He came for God to die for God. This truth is expressed in the doctrine of propitiation.
Ro 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”
1Jo 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1Jo 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Propitiation is the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, through which he paid the penalty demanded by God for sin, thus setting the sinner free from sin and death thru faith of the sinner. The Son’s death appeased or satisfied, the Fathers offended holiness.
The gospel is imbedded in this prophecy. God the Son came to this earth sent by the Father, on a mission of mercy and redemption. He calls us to repent of our sins and believe in Him.
He does all the work of redemption Himself. It’s not up to us to atone for our own sin, we simply lay hold of His grace by faith. No man can come to God without God's grace; neither can he come without saving faith.
This important OT messianic prophecy is also a Christmas text. Micah foretold that Christ would be born in Bethlehem 710 years before He ever became flesh in a Manger.
This prophecy is amazing because the way the deity of Christ is expressed in the verse’s final phrase, “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
The birth of Christ in Bethlehem was not the beginning of Christ as God’s Son and our sovereign Lord. He is eternal. He “came forth” from Bethlehem, but He did not come from there in the first place. His “goings forth have been from old, from everlasting.”
But I want you to notice that this prophecy is spoken directly by God the Father. God the Father says this: “out of thee he shall come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” Or, to say it this way, “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.”
Don’t miss the importance of those two words, “for Me.” God the Father is sending the eternal Son to be born and to rule and to redeem His people, and to make righteous reign over all the earth. The Scriptures testify of this truth:
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 10:36, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?”
Galatians 4:4, “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.”
1 John 4:9-10, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
1 John 4:14, “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
Yes, Christ came to die for our sins but he first came to satisfy the Father’s offended holiness that we might be brought into the Father’s presence.
Christ died for our sins but He also died for God. He came for God to die for God. This truth is expressed in the doctrine of propitiation.
Ro 3:25, “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”
1Jo 2:2, “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1Jo 4:10, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
Propitiation is the atoning death of Jesus on the cross, through which he paid the penalty demanded by God for sin, thus setting the sinner free from sin and death thru faith of the sinner. The Son’s death appeased or satisfied, the Fathers offended holiness.
The gospel is imbedded in this prophecy. God the Son came to this earth sent by the Father, on a mission of mercy and redemption. He calls us to repent of our sins and believe in Him.
He does all the work of redemption Himself. It’s not up to us to atone for our own sin, we simply lay hold of His grace by faith. No man can come to God without God's grace; neither can he come without saving faith.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Impeccability of Christ
1. Was Jesus Sinless?
Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
John 8:46 “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” He challenged His enemies to show that He was a sinner, which they could not.
John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
During his trials and crucifixion, He was declared as innocent 11 times [by Judas, by Pilate 6 times, by Herod, by Antipas, by Pilates wife, by the repentant thief, and by the Roman centurion].
Jesus never offered a sacrifice, He was the sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
1 Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”
1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Hebrews 7:26-27
Most agree Jesus was sinless, but the debate comes with the Question, “Could Jesus have sinned?”
2. Could Jesus Have Sinned?
A. Two words or views:
1. Peccability? Latin for the fact that Jesus could have sinned. Liberals believe He could have sinned and did sin.
Heb. 4:15- If temptation was real then Christ had to be able to sin; otherwise the temptation was not a genuine temptation. This view does not sufficiently consider Christ in His person as God as well as man. Temptation does not demand the ability to sin. Temptation is used of God the Father and the holy Spirit [Acts 15:10; 1 Cor. 10:9; Heb. 3:9]. It is unlikely they could have sinned.
2. Impeccability? Latin for the fact that Jesus was not able to sin. Christ’s temptation was real, but it was impossible for Christ to sin.
6 Observations from Matt. 4:1-11
Observation # 1- The purpose of the temptation was not to see if Christ could sin, but to show that He could not sin. To show the nation he was the impeccable Son of God.
Observation # 2- The Holy Spirit initiated the temptation and not Satan [4:1]. If Christ could have sinned, then the Holy Spirit enticed Jesus to sin. God does not entice to sin [James 1:13].
Observation # 3- His divine and human nature could not be separated from the person of Christ, and since His divine nature could not sin, it must be affirmed that Christ could not sin.
Observation # 4-Christ’s temptation in Matt. 4:1-11, was for demonstrating His holiness and sinlessness [Heb 4:15] without any possibility of enticement to evil [James 1:13].
Observation # 5- They were designed to test a God-man [Matt. 4:1-11]. No ordinary man could have been tempted to turn stones into bread, jump off a high place expecting to land unharmed. No ordinary human could take seriously Satan’s offer of the kingdoms of the world. These were peculiar to the God-man.
Observation # 6-. The testing of Christ fell into these 3 categories [Matt 4:1-11; 1 John 2:16; Hebrews 4:15].“All points” means all means or manner.
Christ was sinless and impeccable- He could not have sinned.
7 Evidences that Jesus could not sin
Evidence # 1- Christ is immutable [Heb. 13:8]. If He could have sinned on earth, what assurance is there that He will not sin now?
Evidence # 2- Christ is omnipotent [Matt. 28:18]. How could He be all-powerful and still be able to sin?
Evidence # 3- Christ is omniscience [John 2:25]. If Christ could have sinned then He really did not know what would happen if He would sin. Christ cannot be deceived because He knows all things.
Evidence # 4- Christ is deity. God cannot sin. Which nature was stronger?
Evidence # 5- The nature of temptation [James 1:14-15]. Christ was tempted from without not within. Jesus did not possess a sin nature to respond to the outward temptation.
Evidence # 6- If Christ could have sinned then His human will would be stronger than His divine will.
Evidence # 7- The authority of Christ [John 10:18]. If Christ had authority over life and death then He had authority over sin.
Christ was sinless and impeccable- He could not have sinned.
Luke 1:35 “And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
John 8:46 “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?” He challenged His enemies to show that He was a sinner, which they could not.
John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”
During his trials and crucifixion, He was declared as innocent 11 times [by Judas, by Pilate 6 times, by Herod, by Antipas, by Pilates wife, by the repentant thief, and by the Roman centurion].
Jesus never offered a sacrifice, He was the sacrifice.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Peter 2:22 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.”
1 Peter 1:19 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot”
1 John 3:5 “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Hebrews 7:26-27
Most agree Jesus was sinless, but the debate comes with the Question, “Could Jesus have sinned?”
2. Could Jesus Have Sinned?
A. Two words or views:
1. Peccability? Latin for the fact that Jesus could have sinned. Liberals believe He could have sinned and did sin.
Heb. 4:15- If temptation was real then Christ had to be able to sin; otherwise the temptation was not a genuine temptation. This view does not sufficiently consider Christ in His person as God as well as man. Temptation does not demand the ability to sin. Temptation is used of God the Father and the holy Spirit [Acts 15:10; 1 Cor. 10:9; Heb. 3:9]. It is unlikely they could have sinned.
2. Impeccability? Latin for the fact that Jesus was not able to sin. Christ’s temptation was real, but it was impossible for Christ to sin.
6 Observations from Matt. 4:1-11
Observation # 1- The purpose of the temptation was not to see if Christ could sin, but to show that He could not sin. To show the nation he was the impeccable Son of God.
Observation # 2- The Holy Spirit initiated the temptation and not Satan [4:1]. If Christ could have sinned, then the Holy Spirit enticed Jesus to sin. God does not entice to sin [James 1:13].
Observation # 3- His divine and human nature could not be separated from the person of Christ, and since His divine nature could not sin, it must be affirmed that Christ could not sin.
Observation # 4-Christ’s temptation in Matt. 4:1-11, was for demonstrating His holiness and sinlessness [Heb 4:15] without any possibility of enticement to evil [James 1:13].
Observation # 5- They were designed to test a God-man [Matt. 4:1-11]. No ordinary man could have been tempted to turn stones into bread, jump off a high place expecting to land unharmed. No ordinary human could take seriously Satan’s offer of the kingdoms of the world. These were peculiar to the God-man.
Observation # 6-. The testing of Christ fell into these 3 categories [Matt 4:1-11; 1 John 2:16; Hebrews 4:15].“All points” means all means or manner.
Christ was sinless and impeccable- He could not have sinned.
7 Evidences that Jesus could not sin
Evidence # 1- Christ is immutable [Heb. 13:8]. If He could have sinned on earth, what assurance is there that He will not sin now?
Evidence # 2- Christ is omnipotent [Matt. 28:18]. How could He be all-powerful and still be able to sin?
Evidence # 3- Christ is omniscience [John 2:25]. If Christ could have sinned then He really did not know what would happen if He would sin. Christ cannot be deceived because He knows all things.
Evidence # 4- Christ is deity. God cannot sin. Which nature was stronger?
Evidence # 5- The nature of temptation [James 1:14-15]. Christ was tempted from without not within. Jesus did not possess a sin nature to respond to the outward temptation.
Evidence # 6- If Christ could have sinned then His human will would be stronger than His divine will.
Evidence # 7- The authority of Christ [John 10:18]. If Christ had authority over life and death then He had authority over sin.
Christ was sinless and impeccable- He could not have sinned.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Living the Christian Life
Hebrews 13: 20-21
These verses are a benediction of the writer to the Jewish Christian who were in danger of not going on to maturity in the faith.
The writer calls on God to make possible the outward working of the truth in the lives of His people.
1. We must have God’s power [vv. 20-21a]. “Make you perfect in
every good work.”
2. We must know His will [v. 21b]. “to do His will.”
3. We can’t please God in the flesh [v. 21c]. “Working in you that
which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.”
What does this mean?
1. We contribute willing yielded-ness to the Christian life. Let God’s
power work thru us.
2. Because Christ does the work, He alone deserves the credit and
praise.
2 Cor. 9:10; Phil. 2:12-13
These verses are a benediction of the writer to the Jewish Christian who were in danger of not going on to maturity in the faith.
The writer calls on God to make possible the outward working of the truth in the lives of His people.
1. We must have God’s power [vv. 20-21a]. “Make you perfect in
every good work.”
2. We must know His will [v. 21b]. “to do His will.”
3. We can’t please God in the flesh [v. 21c]. “Working in you that
which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ.”
What does this mean?
1. We contribute willing yielded-ness to the Christian life. Let God’s
power work thru us.
2. Because Christ does the work, He alone deserves the credit and
praise.
2 Cor. 9:10; Phil. 2:12-13
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Witnessing to the Major Cults
1. What to say to a Mormon?
Refuting Mormons belief [Doctrines and Covenants Sect. 130:22] that God is material, a man with a body like us who progressed to Godhood.
God is a Spirit [John 4:24]. No man has seen God in his full manifestation and lived.
God is a spirit that does not have flesh and bones [Luke 24:39].
God is not a man [Hosea 11:9; Numbers 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29].
God is invisible [Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27].
2. What to say to a Jehovah Witness?
Refuting Jehovah Witness as to the Deity of Jesus and the Trinity-
Jesus is God- Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Gen. 1:1; John 1:1; 10:30; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:10-13; 2 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Tim 1:1; 1 John 1:2; 4:2-3; 5:1; Rev. 1:8; 21:6 Jesus was not just a perfect man but he is the God-man.
The Trinity in the O.T.- Gen 1:1-2, 26; 3:22; 11:7; 19:24; Isaiah 6:8; 9:6; 48:16; 63:10; Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1
The Trinity in the N.T. - Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21
Refuting JW’s that Jesus is first created being-
John 1:1 [was God, not a god. Jesus was co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal with the Father] John 1:14; 5:17-18; 8:56-59; 10:30-33; Col. 1:15-20; 2:9
3. What to say to a Seventh- Day Adventist?
They are not the remnant church as they believe and the only ones who have truth. The church consists of believers from Pentecost to the rapture- Matt. 16:15-19; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12-14; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:21; 4:4-13
The church is to worship collectively on the Lord’s Day not the Sabbath. Sunday worship is not the mark of the beast. The Sabbath was for Israel as clearly stated in Exodus to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and God’s seal. Christ is our Sabbath. The church celebrates the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week. The Sabbath commandment is the only one of the 10 commandments not repeated for the church in the N.T.- Rom. 13:8-10; 14:4-13; 1 Cor. 16:2; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:13-17.
They believe the believer is kept by works which refuted by- John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:1-2, 35-39; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:8-10; 2 Tim. 1:12
Refuting Mormons belief [Doctrines and Covenants Sect. 130:22] that God is material, a man with a body like us who progressed to Godhood.
God is a Spirit [John 4:24]. No man has seen God in his full manifestation and lived.
God is a spirit that does not have flesh and bones [Luke 24:39].
God is not a man [Hosea 11:9; Numbers 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29].
God is invisible [Col. 1:15; 1 Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27].
2. What to say to a Jehovah Witness?
Refuting Jehovah Witness as to the Deity of Jesus and the Trinity-
Jesus is God- Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:2; Gen. 1:1; John 1:1; 10:30; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Titus 2:10-13; 2 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Tim 1:1; 1 John 1:2; 4:2-3; 5:1; Rev. 1:8; 21:6 Jesus was not just a perfect man but he is the God-man.
The Trinity in the O.T.- Gen 1:1-2, 26; 3:22; 11:7; 19:24; Isaiah 6:8; 9:6; 48:16; 63:10; Psalm 45:6-7; 110:1
The Trinity in the N.T. - Matt. 3:16-17; 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Jude 20-21
Refuting JW’s that Jesus is first created being-
John 1:1 [was God, not a god. Jesus was co-equal, co-existent, and co-eternal with the Father] John 1:14; 5:17-18; 8:56-59; 10:30-33; Col. 1:15-20; 2:9
3. What to say to a Seventh- Day Adventist?
They are not the remnant church as they believe and the only ones who have truth. The church consists of believers from Pentecost to the rapture- Matt. 16:15-19; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12-14; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:21; 4:4-13
The church is to worship collectively on the Lord’s Day not the Sabbath. Sunday worship is not the mark of the beast. The Sabbath was for Israel as clearly stated in Exodus to commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and God’s seal. Christ is our Sabbath. The church celebrates the resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week. The Sabbath commandment is the only one of the 10 commandments not repeated for the church in the N.T.- Rom. 13:8-10; 14:4-13; 1 Cor. 16:2; Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:13-17.
They believe the believer is kept by works which refuted by- John 10:28-29; Rom. 8:1-2, 35-39; Eph. 1:13-14; 2:8-10; 2 Tim. 1:12
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