Monday Morning Week-Starter 4-3-2023

Good Monday Morning!

In the morning worship hour yesterday, we studied a lesson entitled The Simple Truth. We noted the tendency toward elaborate terminology and wise-seeming words, somewhat like those of Paul’s day in Corinth.  We began at 1 Cor.2:1-5, where Paul encouraged his readers to rest their faith not on worldly wisdom but on the power of God.  We noted these 4 points in our simple study:

  • Life is Short.  1 Chronicles 29:15, Job 14:1-2 Psalm 102:11, Ecclesiastes 6:12 and James 4:14
  • Death is Sure.  2 Samuel 14:14, Psalm 49:10, Ecclesiastes 8:8, and Hebrews 9:27
  • Sin is the Cause.  Genesis 3:19, Ezekiel 18:20, Romans 5:12, and Romans 6:23
  • Christ, the Cure.  Isaiah 53:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 2:9, and 1 Peter 3:18

Continue reading→

Politics, Culture, Patriotism and Morality

Good Monday Morning (3/27/2023) –

At Redland Road yesterday morning we studied a lesson entitled If the Foundations Be Destroyed based on texts from Psalm 2 and Psalm 11.  We started out by observing how discouraging and frustrating current conditions are in our nation, in the realms of politics, culture, patriotism and morality.  From the first three verses of Psalm 11, we noted 4 terms that set the stage for our further discussion:  Refuge (the Lord), the wicked (those who are against God), shoot in the dark (ambush), and foundations (righteousness and justice, Ps.97:2).  Then we turned our attention to Psalm 2, observing 4 voices that are indicated there.

Continue reading→

Baptism – Up from the Water

By Jim Mettenbrink

We continue from last week, that we can know from the New Testament that baptism is immersion, even though the word to baptize is transliterated from baptizo rather than translating it as immersion. Can a person know that baptism is immersion without being familiar with the ancient Greek language?

Continue reading→

What is the meaning of the word Baptism? (2)

By Jim Mettenbrink

In the past two articles, we have been considering why the English dictionary defines Christian baptism via three different modes – sprinkling, pouring, and dipping. However, of eternal significance is how these words are used in the New Testament (NT)? And what are the corresponding Greek words from which they are translated?

To pour (cheo): In the New Testament usage of “to pour out” or “to pour upon” has the sense of taking a container of something and letting the liquid flow out, like milk flowing out of a carton. For example “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” (Revelation 16:1).

Continue reading→

What is the meaning of the word Baptism?

By Jim Mettenbrink

Last week, we considered the meaning of the Greek word (baptizo) transliterated into baptism. But when it’s translated, baptizo’s only meaning is to immerse, thus in biblical baptism, the symbolism of the burial of a person dead to sins immersed in a grave of water. And rising alive as a new creation in Christ and entrance into Jesus’ kingdom (Romans 6:1-11; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 1:13-14). That is radical!

Continue reading→

Useful to the Master

By David Phillips

“Therefore, if a man cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” ~ 2 Timothy 2:21

What could possibly be a higher ambition than to be useful to the Master? The illustration Paul uses here places God in the position of being the Master of the house, and you and I as vessels or utensils of various kinds for performing household functions, in His service. What could be more worthless than a utensil that is not useful? Maybe you, like me, have a drawer full of them in the kitchen. How useful are we to the Master?

Continue reading→

What is Baptism?

By Jim Mettenbrink

Before we consider the Christian life, let’s clarify what constitutes baptism according to the original biblical text. Merriam-Webster’s 11th ed. Collegiate Dictionary, defines baptism as a Christian sacrament, initiation, or ritual using water; to cleanse spiritually. Regarding the origin of the English word baptize, the dictionary states it is “Greek – baptizein – to dip, baptize, baptein – to dip or dye.” And modern-day English dictionaries’ definitions of baptism are sprinkling, immersion, or pouring. Do all of these methods come from “bapto” or from different Greek words? Regarding becoming a Christian, it is vital to know the real meaning.

Continue reading→

Obedience to the Gospel Explained

By Jim Mettenbrink

Last week, we considered that trusting (true faith) in Jesus as the Divine Savior is the first repentance (change) necessary to receive His promise of pardon and eternal life with Him in heaven (Eph 1:12-13). That trust is based upon the gospel (good news) – defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus proved there is life after death, that He is God and the guarantor of eternal life (1 John 2:25; 5:20) via His own resurrection.

Further, the apostle Paul wrote there is just one faith, i.e., only one way of salvation (Eph 4:5). To the Roman church he wrote, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17). The context is that the word of God is the gospel of peace and that it is to be obeyed (Rm 10:15-16). So Jesus wants us to obey the gospel. How does one die, be buried, and be resurrected in this realm? Jesus did, but how do we?

Continue reading→

The Radical Entrance to Jesus’ Kingdom (36)

By Jim Mettenbrink

We continue considering the radical entrance into Jesus’ kingdom that He established after He left the earth. That in itself is radical – a nonvisible king in a visible kingdom. Actually, His kingdom is virtually invisible too, at least on earth – No palace or throne, no army or courts, no royal guard, and no administration. But the apostle Paul refers to Jesus’ kingdom as having subjects, i.e., earthbound citizens – God the Father “has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:12-13). And he calls those subjects citizens (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20). That this kingdom is invisible is revealed that the citizenship is in heaven (Php 3:20) – no earthly royal records. And Jesus’ throne is in heaven (Acts 2:30-34; Revelation 4:1-5:14).

Continue reading→

The Radical Entrance to Jesus’ Kingdom (35)

By Jim Mettenbrink

We are considering the radical entrance into Jesus’ kingdom that He established after He left the earth. That in itself is radical – a non visible king in a visible kingdom. Regarding accepting Jesus as king, He said, “ …if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). Implicitly if you do not believe He is the Savior-King, you would not be a citizen in his kingdom. Last week, we concluded proposing to determine what constitutes belief that God considers to be true belief, i.e., the saving faith. There is a huge difference in belief and faith. So what is genuine faith?

Continue reading→