Sunday PM Worship Services

Miracles

Part #1 of a 2 part series

Scripture: Mark 16

Does Miracles still happen today?

Wrong use of the term miracle:

• A purely unusual event
• A simple coincidence
• An everyday occurrence

Defining a Miracle

• A supernatural Intervention
  • Supernatural – God is the cause of true miracles
  • God, who is continuously active in the world, breaks His usual pattern and does something extraordinary.

• A miracle transcends natural laws (but doesn’t break natural laws).
  • A miracle overpowers the law of nature – It is an exception to a natural law
• A miracle has a special purpose
  • Purpose – Confirm someone or something was truly God. They authenticated the message and the messenger, and demonstrated God’s love by relieving suffering

A. God empowered Moses to perform miracles as evidence that God had sent him – Exodus 3:1-4:9

B. God used miracles to show that He had sent Jesus and to reveal His identity – John 10:25; John 14:11; Acts 2:22, John 20:30-31

C. Miracles verify that the Apostles and their message were from God

D. God used miracles to bring people to Jesus – Acts 9:40-42

E. Miracles were used to reveal God (His love by reviving suffering) and bring glory to Him – John 11:40

A closer look at Biblical miracles

With Biblical miracles there was always clear order and purpose to them

Miracles cluster around Four Periods of Biblical History:

• The Exodus
• The Prophets
• The Ministry of Christ
• The Apostles

The Importance of Miracles Actually Occurring:

If there is no such this as Miracles, then much of the Old and New Testaments are false and unreliable

Are Miracles Possible?

Consider Creation – In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth

• If God created and designed the universe, He can be involved in His creation anytime He chooses
• If God is the source of natural laws, He can supersede them at any time
• God who created time, space, stars, planets, moons, and all the variety of life on earth can intercede in more simple acts than these like healing or helping in time of need

Miracles do not as widely occur today as a basis of faith because we have extraordinary records of superior accuracy to show God’s truth

The question, claim, and the Answer:

Question – “If God performed miracles then, why does He not do them now?”

Claim – “If I saw a miracle I could believe!”

Answer – “They have the Word of God” Luke 16:31

It is interesting that those opposed to Jesus didn’t deny the fact of the miracles He performed.

They either attributed them to the power of Satan or tried to suppress the evidence

 

Next Week –

Authentic miracles are part of the means of establishing the true religion.

Are all miracle claims alike? Or are Biblical miracles different?

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service September 27, 2015:

XIV. The Warfare of the Church

A. Our enemy—the devil (Eph. 6).

1. His cohorts:

• Principalities. A possible reference to Satan’s “generals” who have the oversight of entire nations (see Dan. 10).
• Powers. May speak of his “privates” who possess human beings (see Mt. 17; Mk. 5).
• World rulers. Those demons in charge of Satan’s worldly business.
• Spiritual wickedness. Those demons in charge of worldly religion.

2. His tactics:

• “The wiles of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
  • Greek scholar K. Wuest writes: “Wiles is methodeia in the Greek, referring to ‘cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery.’ It means to follow up, or investigate by method and settled plan, to follow craftily, frame devices, deceive.” (Ephesians and Colossians, p. 141) (See also 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Tim. 3:7.)
• “The fiery darts of the wicked” (6:16).
  • This has reference to arrows tipped with tar, pitch, or such material, then set on fire before they were discharged (see also 1 Pet. 1:7; 4:12).

3. Our equipment—the armor of God (Eph. 6:11, 13-17).

Let us carefully note each piece of armor mentioned here. Paul very obviously takes those pieces of armor worn by the Roman soldier and makes spiritual application to each one.
Vs. 11 –“Put on the whole armor of God”
“Put on” – This is something every believer needs to be intentional about.

The whole armor of God consists of six units:

1.Loins girt about with truth – 14a (the belt of truth)

–A soldier’s tunic was tucked into a heavy leather belt that girded the soldier’s loins.
Truth (the content of that which is true) – The word of God and all its counsel
–Truth enables us to stand against the father of lies – John 8:44
Truth, as mentioned here, probably refers to truthfulness as found in a Christian. Thus a believer whose life is tainted with deceit and falsehood forfeits the very thing which holds other pieces of his armor together.

2.Having on the breastplate of righteousness – 14b

–A tough sleeveless piece of armor made of leather on to which were sewn slices of animal hooves or horns or pieces of metal. The breastplate covered the soldier’s full torso (heart, lungs, and other vital organs).
Righteousness –
A.God’s imputed righteousness to us -2 Corinthians 5:21 (clothed with the righteousness of Christ)
–Walk in dependence on Christ’s righteousness and not our own goodness.
B.Practical righteousness lived in obedience to God’s Word.
Moment by moment obedience to the Lord – holy living
–Imputed righteousness makes practical righteous possible, but only obedience to the Lord makes practical righteousness a reality.

3.Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace – Vs. 15

–A soldier’s shoes or boots were important to protect his feet. They also helped enable him to hold his ground and move quickly.
The preparation – Has the general meaning of readiness
The preparation of the gospel of peace –
A readiness to share the only message that leads to peace with God (Romans 5:1)
–Peace – the gospel brings assurance, peace and life
–Believers are at peace with God (Romans 5:1)
This may refer to the assurance and confidence which come from knowing the great doctrinal truths associated with the gospel. (See Eph. 4:14; 1 Pet. 3:15.)

4.Taking the shield of faith – vs.16

–A soldier’s shield was about two and a half feet wide and four feet high designed to protect the entire body.
The Roman shield was made of wood covered with leather and sometimes metal. Shields were designed to be drenched with water, which allowed them to withstand the fiery arrows of an enemy. A soldier needed only to kneel low and hold his shield over him. And he would be protected.
“Above all”
Faith – Basic trust in God

5.The helmet of salvation – vs.17a

–A soldier’s helmet was used to protect the head from injury; Helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal these helmets usually had cheek pieces to protect the face.
–The fact that the helmet is related to salvation indicates that Satan’s blows are directed at the believer’s security, assurance in Christ and thought life.
Salvation –
–The helmet is called “the hope of salvation” (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
Past acceptance
Present assurance – The work that is done the moment of acceptance of Christ is an eternal work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit immediately seals that decision and indwells the believer.
Eternal future salvation
The helmet protects the head – the brain, the mind
–The mind is the real spiritual battleground on which the enemy fights his strongest, dirtiest, bloodiest and most important battles.
–We need to monitor our thought life and avoid environments and things that would distort our thinking or tempt us to do evil.
May refer to the intake of Bible doctrine, lest one’s eyes be blinded, his ears deafened, and his mind confused with the attacks from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

6.The sword of the Spirit – vs.17b (See Hebrews 4:12, 13)

–The sword varied in length from six the eighteen inches. It was the principle weapon used in hand to hand combat. It was carried in a sheath attached to the soldier’s belt, it was always at hand ready to use.
–The only offensive weapon in the believer’s armor
The Word of God – the individual text or sayings of the Word of God
(A timely word of God applied to a particular situation by the Holy Spirit).
Knowledge and understanding of specific truths
–A sword does little good if we are unskilled in its use
–We put on the mind of Christ as we memorize and meditate upon God’s Word

God’s Word –

A.Gives direction – Psalm 119:105
B.Purifying agent – Psalm 119:11
C.Source of spiritual food (Nourishment) – Matthew 4:4; 1 Peter 2:
D.Discerner of truth and error – 1 John 4:6
E.Weapon to combat the adversary – Matthew 4:1-13

K. Wuest writes concerning the command in Ephesians 6:13; “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God”: “Take unto you is analambano, meaning, ‘to take up in order to use’

The Place of Prayer: Praying Always – vs.18

Persevering prayer
–Intercede as prayer warriors on behalf of others – vs.18b
A.Prayer is what we do as we put on the armor of God
–Laying hold of our position “in Christ” and God’s promises

Consciously, intentionally put on the whole Armor of God:
“Lord, please help the truth of your Word to dwell in me richly today.  I claim the righteousness that is mine only through Christ and ask that you help me live today in obedience to your Word and will.  Help me be sensitive to your Spirit this day and ready to share the gospel which has given me peace with you.  I choose as an act of my will to trust you and rely on you to accomplish much
this day. Please protect my heart and mind moment by moment as I know that you will complete the good work you have begun in me.  Use the Scriptures today in my life and in the life of others through me for your glory!”

B.Prayer is what we continue to do once we are clothed in the armor
–One of the main reasons believers are so we when the enemy attacks is they do not pray
–It is by prayer that the believer lays hold of strength from the Lord

C.Our exhortation—the trio of success.

1.We are to stand.

No less than four times does Paul exhort us to do this (vs. 11, 13, 14). The believer is never told to attack the devil, but to withstand and resist him (see 1 Pet. 5:8, 9). Thus, when tempted to do wrong, we should flee as did Joseph (Gen. 39:12), but when attacked by Satan for doing right, we should stand firm as did Daniel’s three friends (Dan. 3).

2.We are to pray. (See Mt. 17:21; 1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jude 20.)

3.We are to watch.

Watch: To keep awake, watch, be vigilant, wake, watchful
–Greek word gregoreo (Strongs # 1127)
–Term is used some 22 times in the NT

A. Alert against Satan
“Vigilant” (same Greek word as used for “watch”)
1 Peter 5:8, 9 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Evil spirits – demons

B. For temptation
Mark 14:38 – Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak
–When our spiritual eyes are shut or sleepy, we can fall more easily into sin

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday evening service September 13, 2015:

XIII. The Discipline of the Church.

A. The definition of discipline.

To discipline is to penalize an individual for breaking the laws of a unit of society to which he belongs with the view of restoring him back to those laws.

B. The basis of discipline.

The basis of discipline of a local church is the holine of God.
“Thy testimonies are very sure; holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, forever”
(Ps. 93:5).
“Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16).
To take this holiness lightly is to invite discipline (Heb. 10:30; 1 Pet. 4:17).

C. The authority of discipline.

The ultimate authority resides in Christ, who authorizes his church to exercise it when needed (Mt. 16:19; 18:17-20; 1 Cor. 5:4).

D. The recipients of discipline.

Who demands church discipline?
1. Troublemakers and those who sow discord (Prov. 6:16, 19; Rom. 16:17).
2. The unruly, disorderly, and undisciplined (1 Thess. 5:14;
2 Thess. 3:6, 11).
3. Those who disobey the great doctrines of the faith (2 Thess. 3:14).
4. Those who deny the great doctrines of the faith (1 Tim. 6:3, 5; 2 Tim. 2:16-18; Titus 3:10; 2 Jn. 1:10, 11; Rev. 2:14).
5. The immoral (1 Cor. 5:1-5).

E. The procedures in discipline.

Church discipline is to be handled prayerfully, carefully, and justly.

1. First step: Note and mark those who are in need of discipline (Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14).
2. Second step: Arrange a private meeting with the offender (Mt. 18:15).
3. Third step: If this fails, set up a second meeting, this time with several others present (Mt. 18:16). During these preliminary private and semiprivate meetings the individual should be repeatedly admonished (Titus 3:10), rebuked (2 Tim. 4:2), and warned (1 Thess. 5:14).
4. Fourth step: As a final resort, the unrepentant one is to be brought before the entire church (Mt. 18:17; 1 Tim. 5:20).
5. Fifth step: Upon refusal to submit to church discipline the guilty party is to be spiritually excommunicated.

This constitutes two fearful things, a denial and a deliverance.
a. He is to be denied Christian fellowship.
(1) “Avoid them” (Rom. 16:17).
(2) “Withdraw yourselves from” (2 Thess. 3:6).
(3) “From such withdraw thyself” (1 Tim. 6:3, 5).
(4) “Reject” (Titus 3:10).
(5) “Have no company with him” (2 Thess. 3:14).
b. He is to be delivered over to Satan.
“To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5).
“Of whom is Hymeneus and Alexander: whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1 Tim. 1:20).
When a local Bible-believing church removes a person like this, it literally fulfills the divine command of Job 2:6, “And the Lord said unto Satan, behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.”

F. The heart attitude in discipline.

1. We are to avoid both vengeance and arrogance.
   “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Gal. 6:1).
2. We are to view the individual as an erring brother and not a bitter enemy.
   “Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thess. 3:15).
3. We are to approach him with sorrow and not sarcasm (see 1 Cor. 5:2; 2 Cor. 2:4).
4. We are to be ready to forgive him when repentance occurs (2 Cor. 2:7; 7:10, 11).
   This last attitude is of supreme importance for two reasons.
   a. Lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow
   (2 Cor. 2:7).
   b. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Cor. 2:11).
   G. The purpose of discipline.
   1. It is to maintain the standards of the church to a watching world (Mt. 5:13-16; Acts 5:1-16; Rom. 2:24).
   2. It is to keep sin from spreading throughout the church (Josh. 7:3;
   1 Cor. 5:6, 7).
   3. It is to help the guilty person find his way back to God. (2 Cor. 2:6-8).
   4. It is to escape God’s twofold judgment upon habitually sinning saints.
   a. Sickness (1 Cor. 11:30).
   b. Physical death (1 Cor. 11:30). “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Cor. 11:31).
   H. The scope of discipline.
   The church is called upon to discipline (if needed) all believers, but only believers. It has no authority to judge individual worldly unbelievers for their smoking, swearing, sexual activities, etc. Its only duty to an unsaved person is to lead him or her to Jesus Christ.

I. The reaction to discipline.

How is the guilty person to react when disciplined by either God himself or by a local church?

1. He can despise it, that is, treat it too lightly (as did Esau concerning his birthright; Heb. 12:5).
2. He can faint under it, that is, treat it too seriously (Heb. 12:5).
3. He can be exercised by it (Heb. 12:10, 11).

The real question is not so much what I have done wrong (though this, of course, is important), but what is my attitude about it?

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service August 30, 2015:

XI. The Worship of the Church

Scripture: Psalm 29:2, John 4:21-24

A. The definition of worship

There are 3 Greek verbs translated by the one English word “worship”
The words are:
1. Proskuneo: “to bow or prostrate oneself in submissive lowliness and deep reverence”
2. Sebomai: “to look upon with awe”
3. Lalzeuo: “to render service for”

Worship:
– to ascribe worth to God
– An overflowing of the Spirit
– An outpouring of a person’s heart expressing joy and praise
– An occupation with the person of God

First Mention of worship in the Bible Genesis 22:5.  Abraham sacrificing Isaac to God

B. The importance of worship

The difference between Adam and all other creatures in the Garden was not in his size or strength, but in His ability to worship the Creator

C. The reasons for worship

1. We are to worship God for His work in creation. Psalm 95:6, Revelation 4: 10-11
2. We are to worship God for His work in Redemption. Revelation 5:9
“Contemplating God is the trigger that sets off worship”
3. God is completely worthy of our worship

D. The elements in Worship

1. Through the ministering of God’s word.
a. It should be studied. (Acts 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:15)
b. It should be read. (Colossians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; 1 Timothy 4:13; Revelation 1:3)
c. It should be taught. (Acts 2:42; Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 18:28; Acts 19:20)
d. It should be preached. (2 Timothy 4:2)
2. Through the keeping of the ordinances
3. Through the singing of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
4. Through the lifting up of prayers, intercessions, supplications, and thanksgiving
5. Through the offering up of sacrifices
a. The sacrifice of our Bodies (Romans 12:1)
b. The sacrifice of our Praise (Hebrews 13:15)
c. The sacrifice of our Good Works (Hebrews 13:16)
d. The sacrifice of our Substance (Philemon 4:18)

XII. The Stewardship of the Church

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:10

In the New Testament world a steward was a manager of a household or estate.  He was appointed by the owner and trusted to keep the estate running smoothly.

The estate responsibilities entrusted to us are threefold:

A. How we use our time.  Ephesians 5:16

B. How we use our talents

C. How we use our treasure (finances).  How we feel about our money?

1. I must recognize that money comes from God
2. I must recognize that money in itself cannot satisfy. Isaiah 55:1, 2
3. I must refuse to substitute silver for the Savior
4. I must believe that God will supply all of my needs that I cannot honestly provide myself. Matthew 6:31, Philemon 4:19
5. The pattern of Giving
6. The plan of giving.  Our giving should be systematic.  1 Corinthians 16:2
7. The paradox of giving
8. The Purpose of giving
a. That God’s work might be supported. 1 Timothy 5:17-18
b. That our lives might be blessed. Proverbs 3:9-10; Proverbs 28:20; Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38
c. That other Christians might be challenged. 2 Corinthians 9:2
d. That the Father might be glorified. 2 Corinthians 9:12
e. That needy saints may be provided for. Acts 11:29; 1 John 3:17
9. The privilege of giving.
*Whether we realize it or not, God does not need our money.  (See Psalm 50:12-15) But He has graciously allowed us to give back to Him – and actually get credit for it – that which is already His!
10. The pleasure for giving.

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday evening service August 23, 2015:

X.  The Ordinances of the Church

Ordinance:  A decree or command given by Christ Himself

The two ordinances given by Christ are the Lord’s Supper and Baptism:

A.  The Lord’s Supper

1. The Scriptures describing the Lord’s Supper:  Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-34
2. The names for the Lord’s Supper
   1. The eucharist – (Greek word for the “giving of thanks”).  I Corinthians 11:24
   2. The eulogia – (Greek word for “blessing”).  I Corinthians 10:16 “the cup of blessing”
   3. The prosphora – (Greek word for “offering”).
   4. Communion – This name derives from I Corinthians 10:16, “the communion of the blood of Christ.”
   5. The breaking of bread – This expression is found in Acts 2:42 and is thought by some to refer to the Lord’s Supper.
3. The views concerning the Lord’s Supper
   1. Transubstantiation – The Roman Catholic doctrine which teaches that the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Christ when consecrated by the priest during mass, even though they still look and taste the same.  Thus the one partaking literally eats Christ’s flesh and drinks his blood.  Needless to say, this is without scriptural support.  In fact, it is totally refuted by the book of Hebrews (7:24-27; 9:12, 24, 25, 28; 10:11-12).
   2. Consubstantiation – The Lutheran doctrine which teaches that, while the bread and wine remain the same, the presence of the body of Christ is nevertheless “in, with, and under” both elements.  While this error is not as severe as the above, it too is totally unscriptural.
   3. Memorialization – The doctrine which teaches that the bread and wine are mere symbols to remind and aid the believer in observing both the first and second comings of our Lord.  This practice is both scriptural and sensible (I Corinthians 11:24-26)
4. The Old Testament type of the Lord’s Supper
5. The purpose of the Lord’s Supper – The Lord’s table involves a threefold look
   1. We are to look back.  “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death”  -I Corinthians 11:26
   2. We are to look inward.  “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of that cup.”  -I Corinthians 11:28
   3. We are to look forward.  “Till He come”  -I Corinthians 11:26
6. The partakers of the Lord’s Supper
   1. Only for believers
   2. For all believers
7. The prerequisites of the Lord’s Supper
   1. The unsaved and unclean (unresolved sin) are forbidden
8. The penalty of the Lord’s Supper
9. The frequency of the Lord’s Supper
   1. It should not be done in such a way as to become a habit

B.  Baptism

The term baptize is from the Greek word baptizo which means to dunk, to dip, to submerge, or to immerse.

Baptism:  “An act of obedience whereby the believer publicly identifies through immersion with Jesus death, burial, and resurrection.”

1.  Misconceptions about Baptism:

• Baptism is believed to be a part of salvation
• Baptism prior to salvation
• Baptism of infants

2.  The Purpose of Baptism:

• Identification with Jesus Christ – Declaring your faith
• Outward showing of what the Lord has done in your life
• Baptism is a sign of a commitment or allegiance to a new master and a new way of life
• Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord – Matthew 28:18-20
• Baptism needs to be considered as the next step after salvation
• Baptism signifies the believers’ inclusion in God’s family – Acts 2:41

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening Service August 16, 2015:

VIII.  A Brief Survey of Church History – Part #3

D. The Reformation 1517 – 1700

Events to be aware of:

The Invention of the Printing Press:

• Johan Gutenburg (1453)
• Gutenburg’s first publication was the Bible

The Reformation:

• The Reformation tried at first to reform the Roman Church
• As this proved impossible, the Reformation produced a new wave of Protestant churches

The Sale of Indulgences

• A new form of penance called indulgences were created in order to raise huge sums of money
• The Roman Catholic Church told people that indulgences completely erased one’s temporary punishment in purgatory

Protestant Churches

• With the beginning of the Reformation, churches “protested” the wrong theology of the Roman Catholic Church and its abusive structure

Names to be familiar with from this period:

William Tyndale (1490-1536) – Father of the English Bible

Martin Luther (1483-1546)

• Luther’s 95 Thesis (1517)
• The “Diet of Worms” (1521)

John Calvin (1509-1564)

• Credited with bringing the church back to systematic theology
• 5 Doctrines of Grace:

1. Total Depravity
2. Unconditional Election
3. Particular Redemption (Limited Atonement)
4. Irresistable Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints

John Knox (1513-1572)

John Bunyan (1628-1688)

• Wrote the Pilgrim’s Progress

E.  Modern Church History (1700-1800)

Terms to be familiar with from this period:

The Great Awakening (1720-1750s)

Names to be familiar with from this period:

John Wesley (1703-1791)

George Whitefield (1714-1770)

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

F.  The Modern Missionary Movement (1800-2000)

Names to be familiar with from this period:

William Carey (1761-1843) – The Father of Modern Missions

Adoniram and Ann Judson (1788-1850)

David Livingstone (1813-1873)

Hudson Taylor (1832-1905)

Lottie Moon (1840-1912)

Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)

Billy Graham (1918 – Present)

Others to Know:

George Muller (1805-1898)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)

C.I. Scofield (1843-1921)

Billy Sunday (1862-1935)

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963)

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945)

Jerry Falwell (1933-2007)

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the evening service August 9, 2015:

VII. A Brief Survey of Church History – Part #2

The Seven of Asia Minor Churches and Their Correspondence with Church History:

Scripture: Revelation Chapter 2 and 3

1. Ephesus 2:1-7 (7 verses)
Period of Church history – Apostolic Church (Early Church) – in a Rut
2. Smyrna 2:8-11 (4 verses)
Period of Church history – Suffering Church
3. Pergamos 2:12-17 (6 verses)
Period of Church history – State Church (Compromising Church)
4. Thyatira 2:18-29 (12 verses)
Period of Church history – Papal Church (Tolerant)
5. Sardis 3:1-6 (6 verses)
Period of Church history – Reformed Church (dead)
6. Philadelphia 3:7-13 (7 verses)
Period of Church history – Missionary Church (Faithful)
7. Laodicea 3:14-22 (9 verses)
Period of Church history – Apostate Church (Lukewarm)

C. Medieval Church History (AD 590-1517)

Events that occurred during this period:

The development of the Roman Catholic Papacy

At the heart of the Roman Catholic Church is their claim to apostolic succession. There is the chain men who go back to Peter who handed down authority in matters of doctrine, faith, and practice
Apostle is a man who saw the Resurrected Christ

The Supremacy of the Papacy (AD 1054-1305)

The Medieval church was “a corporate hierarchical sacramental monopoly of salvation”

The Moral Corruption of Priests. 1 Timothy 3:2

Names to be familiar with from this Period:

Gregory the Great (AD 540-604) Roman Bishop AD 590

Mohammed

• Lived in Mecca
• AD 510, Mohammed claimed that the angel Gabriel had entrusted him with a message from Allah, the one true God
• In AD 638 Jerusalem fell to the Muslims. Galatians 1:8-9

Terms to be familiar with from this period:

The Crusades

• Many People from this period believed that could prove their desire to turn from sin by going on a “pilgrimage.” Pilgrims would typically travel local shrines. But many would make the supreme trip to Jerusalem.
• To impede their trip, from the medieval church’s standpoint, was to imperil that person’s salvation.
• Since AD 638, Muslims controlled Jerusalem and the roads that led there.
• Muslim converts (known as the Turks) began to force Christian pilgrims to pay large taxes to travel their roads.
• 1095 AD, Pope Urban II reacted to this practice preached a message which encouraged the destruction of the “vile race from their land!”
• This led to a campaign as they saw it, both pilgrimage to Jerusalem and a was against “the infidels.”
• The Pilgrims agreed to gather in Constantinople
• In 1095 and 1291 there were a series of crusades which were vicious against heretical Christians, Muslims. And Slavs
• This was initiated by the church to defeat their enemies in the east.

During this period there was an absence of truth – The Word of God was rare. Scripture had taken a lesser importance to the Traditions of men.

Early Reformers

John Wycliffe (AD 1320-1384) II Chronicles 1:9

Educated at Oxford University and received a doctor of the theology degree in 1372
According to the Roman Catholic Church only the true church could correctly understand the Scriptures
Wycliffe agreed but got his definition of church from the New Testament instead of Church tradition
Wycliffe’s position was that the church was not built on popes, priests, or sacraments
He maintained that no pope or council was infallible, and that if their views contradict the bible, those views were wrong.

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the evening service August 2, 2015

A Brief Survey of Church History

Why Study Church History?

1. Our God is a God of history
2. We can understand and know God better by seeing how He has worked in the past
3. Church history covers doctrines and issues central to the faith
4. To honor those who have faithfully gone before us

A.  God’s Historical Record of the Early Church – Book of Acts (33AD – 64AD)

Luke was an early church historian
Acts 1:8 serves as an outline for the book of Acts

Events that occurred during this period:

• The Coming of the Holy Spirit and birth of the Church – Acts 2:1-5
• Persecution from the Jews (AD33-AD64)
• First Christian martyr – Stephen – Acts 6:1 thru 8:2 (AD35)
• Gospel taken to the Gentiles – Acts 10
• Apostle Paul’s First Missionary Journey – Acts 13 (Between AD46 and AD50)
• The Jerusalem Council – Acts 15 (AD49 or AD50)

B.  From Acts to the 6th Century (AD64 – AD605)

Events that occurred during this period:

• Persecution from Rome (AD64-AD300)
• The fire in Rome (AD64) – Nero blamed Christians
• Destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem (AD70)
• Gnosticism (AD90-AD150)
  • Gnosticism:  The belief that the physical world is evil and that only secret, spiritual knowledge can free persons from the physical world.
• The Development of the New Testament Canon (Prior to AD190)
  • Canon:  measuring stick
  • The word refers to the books that God inspired to form the church’s faith
  • The Old Testament Canon was finalized around 300BC
• Persecution and Martyrdom
• The Council of Nicaea (AD325)
  • The creed of Nicaea confessed the church’s belief in the Trinity and in the full deity of Jesus
  • Rule of Faith – Creeds: a series of statements that tested a new believer’s understanding of essential Christian doctrines
• Emperor Constantine
  • After conquering Rome, Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan in 313 and Christianity became fully legal and equal with all religions
  • The night before the battle with Rome, Constantine received a vision of a flaming cross, combined with the message “in this sign conquer”
• Freedom and Peace Results in Compromise
  • Between AD400 and AD400, Christians gained earthly peace and power
  • Churches grew rapidly (not all growth is good)
  • Many joined the church to gain the good will of one more deity, other joined for social status
  • Church members began to identify themselves with earthly institutions and the institutional aspects of the church became overly important
  • The Gospel became diluted
  • Some resisted the church’s new status and spent their lives in exile or fled to communities in the desert

Names to be familiar with from this period:

• Nero – AD37-AD68
  • Roman emperor, persecuted Christians after the fire in Rome, had the Apostle Paul beheaded
• Ignatius – AD35-AD107
  • Disciple of the Apostle John
  • Apostolic church father
  • Apostolic Fathers:  Important First-Century Christians
  • Thrown to the lions and eaten alive
• Polycarp – AD69-AD155
  • Disciple of the Apostle John
  • Apostolic church father
  • Burned to death at the stake
  • The last survivor of those who had talked with the eyewitnesses of Jesus
• Justin Martyr – AD100-AD165
  • Christian philosopher and apologist
• Tertullian – AD160-AD220
  • North African church planter
• Jerome – AD345-AD420
  • Monk and scholar who translated the Bible into the Latin language of the day

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Announcements:

-Please continue to lift up the youth of our church as well as their parents and families.  Praise God for what He did during this week’s Corner Stone Camp week, and please pray that the commitments made will carry over into the upcoming Word of Life year starting in just a few short weeks.

Here are the completed notes from the evening service July 26, 2015

The Destiny of the Church

The Glorious Destiny of the Church is as follows:

1. To be caught up by the Bridegroom at the rapture (I Corinthians 15:51-53, I Thessalonians 4:15-17, Revelation 4:1)
2. To be examined and rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12, I Corinthians 3:13, II Corinthians 5:10)
3. To be united with Christ at the marriage service of the Lamb (II Corinthians, Ephesians 5:22-32, Revelation 19:7-8)
4. To be seated with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9)
5. To reign with Christ during the millennium (Revelation 1:6, 3:21, 20:6)
6. To share in the New Jerusalem with Christ throughout all eternity (Revelation 21:1, 2, 9-27)
7. To illustrate the glory of Christ throughout all eternity (Ephesians 1:6, 1:12, 2:1-7, 3:10)

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church

Here are the completed notes from the Sunday Evening service July 19, 2015

The Organization of the Church

1.  That there must have been a simple organization even in the Church in Jerusalem is evident from a number of things:

• The believers adhered to a definite doctrinal standard (Acts 2:42; cf. Ephesians 2)
• They met for spiritual fellowship
• They united in prayer (Acts 2:42, Matthew 18:19, 20)
• They practiced baptism (Acts 2:41)
• They observed the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42, 46)
• They kept account of the membership (Acts 2:14, 41; 4:4)
• They met for public worship (Acts 2:46)
• They provided material help for the needy of their number (Acts 2:44, 45)
• The Apostles were the ministers in this Church
• They soon added the seven men of Acts 6:1-7 to take care of the ministration to the poor
• On the day of Pentecost they were assembled in ‘the upper room’ (Acts 1:13, 2:1), where that may have been; but more usually they seem to have met in some home of a Christian (Acts 2:46), though for some services apparently they still visited the temple (Acts 2:46, 3:1), as we have just seen

2.  Additional Study of Church Organization:

• They had church officers
• The had stated times of meeting
• The regulated church decorum and exercised church discipline
• They raised money for the Lord’s work

The Officers of the Church

The kinds of officers:

1.  Bishops (I Timothy 3:1-7; see also Titus 1:5-9)
Bishops, Elders, Pastors

The qualifications:

• He must be a male
• He must be blameless
• He must be the husband of one wife
• He must be vigilant (temperate)
• He must be sober
• He must be of good behavior
• He must be given to hospitality (a lover of strangers)
• He must be “apt to teach” (having the ability and love for teaching)
• He must not be given to wine
• He must not be a striker
• He must not be greedy for money
• He must be patient (reasonable, gentle)
• He must not be a brawler (not contentious)
• He must not covet (desire something belonging to someone else)
• He must rule his own house well
• He must not be a novice (new convert)
• He must maintain a good report from without (a good public testimony in his immediate community)

The responsibilities of the office:
In general it may be said that the pastor’s responsibilities are as follows:

• He is to administer the ordinances (Matthew 28:19, 20)
• He is to be a man of prayer (I Timothy 2:1)
• He is to warn his flock (I Timothy 4:1, 6)
• He is to study the Word (II Timothy 2:15)
• He is to preach the Word (II Timothy 4:2, Acts 6:2-4)
• He is to exhort and rebuke (I Thessalonians 5:12, Titus 2:15)
• He is to watch over souls
  • His own (Acts 20:28, Colossians 4:17, I Timothy 4:16, 6:11)
  • Those of others (Acts 20:28-31, Hebrews 13:17)
• He is to feed and lead his flock (Acts 20:28, I Peter 5:2)
• He is to be an example to all (I Corinthians 11:1, 4:16, Philippians 3:17, II Thessalonians 3:9, I Timothy 4:12, Hebrews 13:7, I Peter 5:3)

Pastor John MacArthur, Jr. writes concerning Paul’s fourfold perspective of pastoral priorities in Acts 20:19-22 (page 15 in Leadership, God’s Priority for the Church):

• A right perspective toward God
• A right perspective toward the church
• A right perspective toward the lost
• A right perspective toward himself

To this list MacArthur then adds five more priorities as found in Acts 20:28-35

1. To keep right with God
2. To feed and lead the flock of God
3. To warn and watch…to protect the flock
4. To pray and study
5. To be free from self interest

2.  Deacons (I Timothy 3:8-12)

The qualifications:

• He must be grave
• He must not be double-tongued
• He must not be given over to wine
• He must not be greedy
• He must hold forth the mystery of the faith
• He must be tested and proven
• Blameless
• He must be the husband of one wife
• Ruling his own children and home well – verse 12
• He must maintain a pure conscience
• Acts 6:3 – Honest report, full of the Holy Spirit, full of wisdom

Verse 11 – Deacons’ Wives

• Grave
• Not slanders
• Sober (temperate/well balanced)
• Faithful in all things

The Responsibilities of Women in a Local Church:
The Scripture does have much to say regarding the woman’s role in the church.

• Immediately after Christ’s ascension, women gathered with the apostles and disciples in the upper room in Jerusalem.  In the early church beginnings, women were a vital part (Acts 5:14)
• One of the early converts, Mary, the mother of John Mark, donated her house as a meeting place for the believers in Jerusalem.
• Lydia did the same in Philippi (Acts 16:14, 15)
• In the last chapter of Romans, eight women are named out of the twenty-six whom Paul singles out for significant service to Christ.
• The daughters of Philip were used of God to prophesy (Acts 21:8,9)
• Aquila and Priscilla were used to instruct Apollos (Acts 18:24-26)

In addition to the historical precedent, the Scriptures give clear instruction for women’s ministry:  Women have a vital place in evangelism.  “The Lord giveth the Word; the women that publish the tidings are a great host.”  -Psalm 68:11.  Paul perhaps paid the highest compliment to women when he said, “The woman is man’s glory” -I Corinthians 11:7

In addition to these positive areas of ministry for women, the Scripture indicates some areas where women are NOT to serve:  I Timothy 2:11, 12 is the most important statement in the area of leadership roles in the church.  Alone with I Corinthians 14:33-35 it indicates a universal spiritual principle, that the divine order for women is subordination (not inferiority) to men.

• This principle is based on the facts that woman was created last (I Timothy 2:13) and was first to sin (I Timothy 2:14).
• Since the emphasis in both passages seems most easily applicable to public worship, women are not to be in positions of authority over men.
• Nowhere in the New Testament is a woman ever commended to serve as an elder
• In fact, it’s obvious that I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, which list qualifications for elders, can only refer to a man

 

*Some contents adapted from Dr. Harold Willmington’s notes on the church