Author: Art Davison

PRAY FOR US–II THESSALONIANS 3:1-2

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PRAY FOR US

II THESSALONIANS 3:1-2
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul was very aware of his need of pray by the Lord’s people. We are all guilty of saying that we will pray for someone or something only to forget to do so later. The need to pray for others is very important to God’s work and to our own personal spiritual growth.

If we are not concerned about the souls of other people we will not be very concerned about our personal relationship with the Lord. The two work together to our mutual benefit.

I. WE ALL NEED PRAYER AND TO PRAY

A. The Thessalonians needed prayer in their temptations, but they also needed to pray for others, Romans 15:30, w I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”

1. The Lord was concerned about laborers, Matthew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
2. The Lord saw a great harvest, Luke 10:2, “Therefore  said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”

B. Paul requested prayer for two matters.

1. That the Lord would prepare the hearts of those who would hear the Gospel, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

2. The second request was for deliverance from enemies of the gospel, Acts 17:5-9,“But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6- And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7- Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8- And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9- And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing:”
CONCLUSION

PRAY ANYHOW–I SAMUEL 12:23

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PRAY ANYHOW

I SAMUEL 12:23
Introduction:
Samuel had served the children of Israel for many years as their judge and the Lord had blessed them and their land. Nevertheless, they wanted a king like their neighbors and pressed Samuel to get one for them.
Finally, Samuel anointed Saul under God’s direction, to be king over Israel. Samuel knew this was not God perfect will, however, the Lord allowed it.
Samuel’s concern for the Lord’s people continued and he determined that his responsibility to pray for them was enlarged by their great spiritual need.

I. SAMUEL’S GREAT HEART IS REVEALED

A. Samuel knew that God was not pleased with Israel’s desire to have a king, 1 Samuel 8:7, “And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.”
B. They had rejected their God as their King, 1 Samuel 10:19, “And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay , but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.”
C. Samuel knew that Israel would need His help more than ever, 1 Samuel 12:23,“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:”
1. The people had seen God’s great power, 1 Samuel 12:16-18, “Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 17- Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king. 18- So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.”
2. In their fear they asked Samuel to pray for them, 1 Samuel 12:19, “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.”
3. Samuel saw his responsibility to the Lord as the Apostle Paul did, Romans 1:9, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;”

II. INTERCESSARY PRAYER

A. Moses interceded for Israel, Deuteronomy 9:18, “And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 20- And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time,”
1. Intercessory prayer is not only in sickness, but also during a time of rebellion of someone against the Lord as in this case with Israel.
2. Men of God must pray for their brethren, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2- For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
B. Job interceded for his family, Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”
C. The Lord’s admonition regard intercessory prayer, Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

CONCLUSION

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH PART 2–BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER (Continued)

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH PART 2
BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER (Continued)
MEMORY VERSE: I COR. 11:26

II. THE ORDINANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER.

A. The PLACE Of The Lord’s Supper In The Church. It is not a method of fellowship between Christians, but it is an ordinance to be practiced in the local Church, by the members of that local Church.
1. Jesus instituted it in the church. Matt. 26:20,26. Remember that the apostles were placed in the church first. I Cor. 12:28. Not everyone who loved Jesus were invited. Neither Mary, Martha or Lazarus were invited to the Supper. Even the mother of Jesus was not invited.
2. The order of events in the great commission, reveal that it is to be in the church. Matt. 28:19,20
a. Teaching all nations the gospel.
b. Baptizing the ones who believe and are saved. This puts them in the local church.
c. Teaching them to observe all things and this would include the Lord’s Supper. We cannot reverse this order and be Scriptural.
3. The order practiced by the Jerusalem Church places the Lord’s Supper in the church. Acts 2:41,42,47
a. They received the word they were saved.
b. They were baptized this placed them in the Church. c. It was observed by those who were sound in doctrine. Acts 2:42
4. Paul taught that the Lord’s Supper was in the Church. I Cor. 1:2; 11:2; 11:18,20
5. The church forbidden to eat with those living in sin. I Cor. 5:7-11. The church has a right to judge those in her membership. I Cor. 5:12. If the church invites all Christians to partake of the Lord’s Supper, then how can they obey the above Scriptures?
6. Paul rebuked the Corinthian Church for trying to observe the Lord’s Supper when there were divisions and heresies among them. I Cor. 11:17-22
7. We should not fellowship with those who are not sound doctrinally or who do not live Godly. II Thess. 3:6, I Tim. 6:1-5
B. The PURPOSE Of The Lord’s Supper.
Two false theories are taught concerning the Lord’s Supper. (1) The Roman Catholic theory of “Transubstantiation”, meaning that when the priest prays over the bread and wine, they are changed into the literal body and blood of our Lord. (2) The Lutheran theory of “Consubstantiation”, meaning, that when a prayer is prayed over the emblems, the body and blood of our Lord are united with the emblem.
THE TRUTH is the Lord’s Supper commemorates and symbolizes certain great Bible truths.
1. The unleavened bread symbolizes His pure sinless body that was broken for us. Matt. 26:26, I Cor. 11:24
2. The cup the fruit of the vine symbolizes His shed blood. Matt. 26:26-29; I Cor. 11:25. See Lev. 17:11; I Pet. 1:18,19; I John 1:7.
3. Both of these show the Lord’s death. I Cor. 11:26
4. Both are to be kept until He comes. I Cor. 11:26
5. How often? “As often”. I Cor. 11:26. This seems to exclude a rigid regular set time.
C. The PREPARATION For The Lord’s Supper.
1. It is sinful and dangerous to abuse the observance of the Lord’s Supper. I Cor. 11:27-32
2. Each person to examine self. I Cor. 11:28 This calls for: Reflection— Inspection–Correction.
3. Three questions each person should consider.
a. Am I right with God?
b. Am I right with the Church?
c. Am I right with my fellow Christians? See: I John 1:5-10; Matt. 5:21-24.

THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER–JOHN 3:23

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THE DOCTRINE OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
MEMORY VERSE: JOHN 3:23

Two grievous errors about baptism can be found in the religious world today. (1) The idea that one is regenerated or saved through baptism, is a terrible error. (2) Some believe in a Spirit baptism at the time of salvation, that puts one into a universal church, which they call the body of Christ. Some who hold the second doctrine have eliminated water baptism altogether. The others then hold to there being two baptisms, yet the Bible says there is only one baptism. Eph. 4:5 The ordinances are not sacraments as many non-Baptists teach. There is no saving power in the ordinances, nor do they bestow grace or merit. Yet, we are commanded to keep them, as they have been delivered. I Cor. 11:2
I. THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM

A. It Requires A Scriptural Subject. (Candidate)

1. Baptism is for the believer the saved. Acts 8:12; (a)-1 Acts 8:36-39; 10:43-47
2. Only those who had received the word (of salvation) were baptized. (d)-1 Acts 2:41-42
B. It Requires A Scriptural Mode. (Method)
1. Baptism comes from the Greek “baptize”, which means to immerse, dip, plunge, bury, etc. It never is used to indicate sprinkling or pouring.
2. All the Scriptural examples indicate immersion. (a)-1 Acts 8:36-39; (a)-2 Matt. 3:6; (a)-3 John 3:23; (a)-4 Rom. 6:4-5; (a)-5 Matt. 3:16
C. It Requires A Scriptural Authority.
1. Baptism is to be performed in the name of the Trinity. (b)-1 Matt. 28:19
2. God sent the first baptizer. John 1:6
3. Jesus and all twelve of His disciples were baptized by John the Baptist. Acts 1:21-22.
4. Jesus gave His disciples authority to baptize. John 4:1-2
5. Those disciples (apostles) were placed in the Church first. 1 Cor. 12:28
6. Jesus gave the commission to His Church. Matt. 28.16-20 That kind of church is the only church that has the authority to baptize.
7. This authority is exercised through the pastor or pastors and missionaries of that
 church. A minister apart from the local church has no authority to baptize.
D. It Requires A Scriptural Purpose. I Pet. 3:21; Rom. 5:14. Baptism is symbolic and pictures certain Bible truths.
1. It pictures the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. (c)-2 Col. 2:12
2. It pictures the death of our old life; to sin; the burial therein; and the resurrection to walk in newness of life. (c)-1 Rom. 6:3-5
3. It pictures our putting on of Christ. Gal. 3:26-27
4. It declares our belief in the Triune God. (b)-1 Matt. 28:19
5. It is the door way into, or the prerequisite for Church membership. Acts 2:41
Continued in Lesson #17

THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH–MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 2:41

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THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH
MEMORY VERSE: ACTS 2:41
I. THE CHURCH ESTABLISHED BY CHRIST.
A. The Nature Of The Church.
1. The word church, “ecclesia” is found 115 times in the N.T. It means “assembly”. It could never refer to something that was universal, invisible and scattered over the world.
2. A church is referred to as a body, building, etc., which fits the idea of a local visible assembly.
3. The N.T. names of churches enforce the idea of a local visible church. (Church at Jerusalem, Church at Antioch, etc.).
4. While we speak of the church, the home, etc., we do not mean a universal church or universal home.
B. It Was Founded Before Pentecost.
1. The first members were those who had been baptized by John the Baptist. Acts 1:21,22; I Cor. 12:28
2. The 12 apostles chosen and placed in the Church. Mark 3:13-21
3. Discipline of the Church given before Pentecost. Matt. 18: 15-17
4. Its ordinances instituted before Pentecost. Matt. 26:26-29
5. Its commission given before Pentecost. Matt. 28:18-20
6. A business meeting held before Pentecost. Acts 1:15-25
7. Those saved and baptized on the day of Pentecost added to it. Acts 2:41
II. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCH.
A. Christ Is The Head Of The Church. c)-1 Eph. 1:22-23
1. His Word, the Bible, is our rule and guide book.
2. The Holy Spirit is the Administrator. Acts 13:2; 20:28
B. It’s Officers Of Ordination.
1. Bishops, Elders and Pastor are all the same office. (e)-1 Acts 14:23
a. As pastor he is shepherd of the flock to feed and tend them.
b. As elder he is in a place of respect and authority.

c. As bishop he is the overseer.

3. Qualifications for pastors. I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9
4. Qualifications for deacons. I Tim. 3:8-13
a. Deacon means “servant”.
b. Deacons have no authority over the church or pastor, but are servants to the church. If they were ordained, there is perhaps one example of it in the N.T. and that is in Acts 6:6. These 7 men are not called deacons, nor is it said that they were ordained, yet any church would be blessed to have deacons with their qualifications.
C. The Church Is Independent And Self Governing.
1. Nothing is to be done that is contrary to God’s Word.
2. No organization has any authority over a church of the Lord. This makes it impossible for a Convention, Association or Fellowship to dictate or exercise authority over a church.
3. No Scripture indicates that a church can join anything.
III. THE TRUE MISSION OF THE CHURCH.
A. The Great Commission It’s Only Mission. Matt. 28:16-20
1. This includes preaching and teaching the gospel to all.
2. Baptize and add to the church all who are saved.
3. Teach them the “all things” of God. (The church is not a political or social organization, and has no authority to enter this kind of work).
B. Churches May Cooperate With One Another In Contending For The Faith & also Carrying Out The Great Commission.
1. Churches may consult one with another. Acts 15:2-4, 22-27
2. Churches may give toward a common cause, as in missions. 1 Cor. 16:1; 11 Cor. 8:23-24
3. Each church is the sole and only judge of the means, method and extent of cooperation.
C. The Will Of The Church Is Final.
1. This is in regard to discipline, membership and polity.
2. Of course no church has the right to disobey the Scriptures, but if they do, there is no organization on earth to correct them.