Ready!
Set! Go!
"They shall mount up with wings like eagles"
(Isaiah 40:31)
Volume 6—Number 4 April 2004
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
READY: Morals & Ethics
SET: Decisions and Standards
GO: Search For Truth: Lesson 4,5
A Monthly Publication of the Church of Christ at Duluth, Georgia
to equip the saints in reaching
the lost through example and evangelism.
Editor
Skip Andrews
3239 Highway 120
Duluth, GA 30096
770 476-2159
email: Skip Andrews
Produced under the oversight
of the
elders at Duluth, GA
Rod Rutherford
Dennis Hatchett
Skip Andrews
This paper is sent free to all who request it.
Let’s Have Meetings!
Among the reasons for this situation lies this possibility:
We have begun to say less
and less to our neighbors
about the basic teachings
of the Bible.
Haven’t we, for example, nearly given
up on old-fashioned gospel meetings? Aren’t most meetings now centered
on members of the church? Aren’t they much shorter, sometimes with
only two evening sessions?
What would happen if we began to
have more extended meetings, with lessons that are needed by our neighbors,
with intense efforts to get them to come, with a willingness to spend dollars
and time advertising and encouraging, and with a manner of life on our
own part that would arouse the spiritual interests of our neighbors?
I am reading a new biography of
the famous statesman, Benjamin Franklin, who lived and wrote more than
two centuries ago. Franklin advocated many things that were immoral
and unscriptural in his day—he was popular—and he fit in very well in his
day.
But in those immoral times, the
church of Christ began to tell the gospel story. The result was the
great restoration movement of the 1800s. They did it with their lives,
their writings, and gospel meetings.
It is time to do it again.
Morals and Ethics :
The Existence of God
(Note: Page numbers given are from the book by Bert Thompson,
recommended at the end of the article).
The theme for this study is the third of the three major arguments
that prove the existence of God:
Let us learn that no answer to this question is adequate except the answer that says, “The God of the Bible exists and He has given us our sense of right and wrong!”
Here are two key terms and brief definitions that relate to the moral argument:
Morality: “the character of being in accord with the principles or standards of right conduct” (p. 160).
Ethics: “the system or code by which attitudes and actions are determined to be either right or wrong” (p. 160).
Now here are five of the false philosophies that have been devised by men to explain this subject:
Relativism: “there are no universal, objective criteria for determining morals and ethics.” Therefore all systems are equally valid (p. 164). See John 18:38.
Hedonism: “the aim of ‘moral’ conduct is the attainment of the greatest possible pleasure with the smallest amount of pain” (p. 164). See Romans 1:24-28.
Utilitarianism: “‘good’ is that which ultimately gives the greatest amount of pleasure to the greatest number of people” (p. 166). See Exodus 32:1-6.
Situationism: “something is ‘right’ because the individual determines it is right on a case-by-case basis” (p. 167). See Judges 21:25.
Determinism: the idea that ultimately man is not responsible for his actions (p. 169). See Isaiah 5:20,21.
Here are the real choices we have:
God: “True morality is based on the fact of the unchanging nature of Almighty God. He is eternal (Psalm 90:2;
1 Timothy 1:17), holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8), just and righteous (Psalm 89:14), and forever consistent (Malachi 3:6). In the ultimate sense, only He is good (Mark 10:18). Furthermore, since He is perfect (Matthew 5:48), the morality that issues from such a God is good, unchanging, just, and consistent—i.e., exactly the opposite of the relativistic, deterministic, or situational ethics of the world” (p. 177).
Atheism: “In the beginning, Nothing was. And Nothing caused man to evolve from nothingness. With the passage of time, from nothingness man developed morality, which suggests that we ‘ought’ to do right, and not to do evil. But the time is coming when again there will be nothing. Let us, therefore, fall down before the throne of Nothing, and be good.”
Conclusion:
- Morals and ethics exist among all human beings.
- The existence of the God of the Bible is the only rational explanation for the existence of morals and ethics.
- Therefore, God exists.
— Skip Andrews
(Note: The following book is highly recommended for your use in these
things: ROCK-SOLID FAITH, HOW TO BUILD IT, By Bert Thompson, Ph.
D., Apologetics Press, Inc., 230 Landmark Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117-2752).
Have you told anyone about this?
The Bible has all
the answers to all the questions that matter!
Maintain Good Works:
Morals and Ethics
The basic text for our studies on this page of “Ready! Set! Go!” is Titus 3:8, which tells us to “maintain good works.” In the earlier verses of this chapter, Paul wrote of the dramatic changes that take place in people who are saved by the mercy of God. These changes are in the area of morals and ethics.
It isn’t that we did not have morals and ethics before salvation—but the morals and ethics of our former life led us to be “also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another” (Titus 3:3).
And in chapter 2, Paul had written that the grace of God which led to our salvation is “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:12-14).
Much of the New Testament was written to teach Christians how important it is for us to live according to the moral standards that are in harmony with the nature of God. When we realize how valuable our daily lives can be in helping lost people to see their need for God and the gospel of His grace, we will also see how important it is for us to live by good standards at home, at work, and at play.
Colossians 3:1-17 is another of the great texts that challenge us to see this truth. The last verse of the text is the great authority principle for the life of every child of God. It says, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).
There are at least five ways that this verse is involved in the life of the Christian:
- It involves our new relationship (after baptism). See Colossians 2:12; 3:1-4; Acts 2:38. Jesus is now Lord of my life (Romans 6:19; Philippians 2:9-11).
- It applies to the whole of this new life: “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed” (notice the context; Colossians 3:1-4:6).
- It involves authority for life. We wear His Name (Acts 11:26), so let us honor that Name in life!
- It provides a test for our actions. Paul expected the Colossians to test all of their words and deeds with the authority of Christ—found only in His word (see also 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22).
- It provides a test for our every relationship.
Let us realize how important it is to live by proper morals every
day. This involves learning the moral standards that are taught in
the word of God. It also involves putting to death the standards of the
world (Colossians 3:5-9). And it involves putting on the standards
of Christ as the spiritual clothing that we wear every day before the world
(Colossians 3:10-15).
Accepting the challenge
to let our light shine so
that our Father
might be glorified!
SEARCH FOR TRUTH:
LESSON 4
(Note: During 2004, we will promote and say a few words about the Bible study lessons that are a part of the “Fishers of Men” program. For more information, contact Timothy Wilkes at 800 338-1530).
Lesson 4 of the “Search for Truth” series covers the subjects
of falling from grace, commandment keeping, and man’s greatest problem.
Included is a chart illustrating the purposes of the Old and New Testaments.
The study begins with a brief review of material from
the other lessons and encourages the student to comment on or ask about
things that have come up since the last meeting.
The first section briefly covers the subject of falling
from grace, connecting it with the concept of keeping the ten commandments.
The second section covers the question, “What commandments
do we keep today?” Three groups of scriptures and questions guide
the student through this critical and basic subject.
The remainder of this lesson deals with the subject of
sin under three headings:
These three points take up more than two-thirds of the study, as the student gains a knowledge of the reality of sin, its meaning, and its ways of overcoming us.
The need for this lesson on sin is easily understood just by observing the people around us today. Take note of their lack of understanding and concern about sin and its consequences.
On the other hand, the success of the recent movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” shows that there still is great interest in things that relate to the price Jesus paid for us. So let us capitalize on the moment by giving our acquaintances an opportunity to study these lessons!
The lesson concludes with a review and summary, plus a note introducing the next lesson:
What can I do about my sin?
SEARCH FOR TRUTH:
LESSON 5
Lesson 5 of the “Search for Truth” series covers these subjects:
The review at the beginning reminds the student of some basic subjects from previous lessons, which helps to tie all of this together as one unfolding message about salvation. As with other lessons, the student is invited to bring up comments or questions that relate to the lessons that have been studied.
The first part of this study has eight points that begin to show the sinner how to be saved from sin. Seventeen Bible references are used to accomplish this. The questions that the student answers are both factual and personal, as he begins to face sin—his own sin—in light of the Bible’s instructions about having sin forgiven.
The second part of this study has four points that teach about the suffering of Jesus. Nine references are given to help portray the sacrifice of Jesus for sin. The questions that go with these points help the student to make personal application and to develop the sense of lostness and hope that sinners should feel when they gain an understanding of sin and the sufferings of Jesus.
The third part of this study has three points and seven references. These answer the question, “What is the gospel?” They help the person understand that there really is hope for sinners and that this hope is offered through the written word of God—the Bible.
The review and summary is very important, for the student will reveal how much he has learned about the necessity of understanding his condition. It also reveals whether or not he is moving toward salvation by faith, repentance, and confession.
Finally, he is introduced to the next study:
How can I obey the gospel and
be forgiven of my sin?
— Skip Andrews
Equipping ourselves
to go everywhere and tell everyone!