Articles from August 2016

15 Questions to Consider when Deciding
If Something Is Right or Wrong
(Part #2 of a 2 Part Series)

Opening Scripture Text:
Review Part # 1 (Questions 1 – 8)

1. What does the Bible say about this? (2 Timothy 3:16)

2. Can I do this knowing that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me? (1 Cor. 6:19, 20)

3. Can I do this for the glory of God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)

4. Would I like to be doing this when Jesus comes? (1 John 2:28)

5. Can I do this in Jesus name? (Colossians 3:17a)
“Name” – Representing Jesus with His approval

6. Can I thank God for this? (Colossians 3:17b)

7. Is this wise use of my time? (Ephesians 5:16)

8. Is this wise use of my money? (Matthew 6:20, 21)

Part # 2 (Questions 9 – 15)
15 Questions to Consider
When Deciding If Something Is Right or Wrong:

9. Could this cause someone else to stumble? (Romans 14:12, 13)
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his
brother’s way.

10. Could this lead me to lust? (Matthew 5:28)
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

11. Am I properly separating myself from the influence of unbelievers? (2 Corinthians 6:17)
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

12. Is this acceptable for me to think about? (Psalm 19:14)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

13. Could this desensitize me to sin? (Hebrews 3:13)
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14. Is this setting wickedness before my eyes (Psalm 101:3)
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

15. Is there still question in my mind about this? (Romans 14:23)
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Bonus Question –
Has your guard went up at all during this series?

15 Questions to Consider when Deciding
If Something Is Right or Wrong
(Part #1 of a 2 Part Series)

Opening Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Reminder of what it means to Glorify God:

To honor, magnify, exalt, elevate, to shed radiance or splendor on God To acknowledge His attributes and praise Him for whom He is

According to Dr. Charles Stanley (Living the Extraordinary Life):

“Disobedience is rebellion against God – irreverence toward Him.  It is a statement from your heart proclaiming that you have chosen your way over God’s way. When you are disobedient, you are essentially refusing to acknowledge God’s authority, right, and power in your life.”

Last week – How God Communicates
1. The Word of God (The Bible) – 2 Timothy 3:16
This is the primary way God speaks today
2. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit will never lead you where the Word of God forbids you to go . . . NO EXCEPTIONS
3. Other People
4. Circumstances

Part # 1
15 Questions to Consider
When Deciding If Something Is Right or Wrong:

1. What does the Bible say about this? (2 Timothy 3:16)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2. Can I do this knowing that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in me?
(1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which
is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit,
which are God’s.
3. Can I do this for the glory of God? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Glorify God: To honor, magnify, exalt, elevate, to shed radiance or splendor on God
4. Would I like to be doing this when Jesus comes? (1 John 2:28)
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
5. Can I do this in Jesus name? (Colossians 3:17a)
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.
“Name” – Representing Jesus with His approval
To act consistently with who Christ is and with what He wants
6. Can I thank God for this? (Colossians 3:17b)
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.
7. Is this wise use of my time? (Ephesians 5:16)
Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
8. Is this wise use of my money? (Matthew 6:20, 21)
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also

Introduction:
It is important, from the standpoint of understanding past history and being able to defend our faith that we understand the events that took place in Noah’s day.

• The majority of scientists claim there never was a global flood. They claim that Noah couldn’t have fit all the animals on board the ark.
• The “bathtub” image that many have of the Ark may contribute to the rejection of the Bible’s account of the flood?
• To the majority of modern intellectuals, Noah is merely a legendary character and the Ark and its animals nothing but a story for children.

Scripture: Genesis 6:5-14a

Conformation of the historical account of Noah

• The prophet Isaiah wrote of Noah- Isaiah 54:9
• The prophet Ezekiel mentioned Noah – Ezekiel 14:14, 20
  (More than 1,700 years after the flood)
• Jesus referred to Noah – Matthew 24:37-39
  (About 2,400 years after the flood)
  He also likened the days before the flood, to what life would be characterized by just before His return.
• Luke lists Noah on the genealogy of Christ- Luke 3:36
• The writer of Hebrews confirmed Noah’s existence – Hebrews 11:7
• The Apostle Peter wrote of both Noah and the flood – 2 Peter 2:5
• There are flood legends from all parts of the world (Most have similarities to the Genesis account)
• All over the earth there is evidence of Noah’s flood

The physical feature of the earth’s terrain clearly indicates a catastrophic past (canyons, fossils, etc.)

1.God is not oblivious to wickedness
God saw the wickedness of man – Genesis 6:5-6

• The wickedness of man was great in the earth (vs.5a)
• Evil thoughts continually (vs.5b)
• The earth was corrupt before God (vs.11a)
• The earth was filled with violence (vs.11b)

2.God is touched by the sin of man

God’s response – Genesis 6:6b, 7

• God saw and it grieved Him at His heart – vs. 5, 6, 12

According to Henry Morris – The first mention of the word “heart” occurs here, connecting the evil in man’s heart with the grief in God’s heart.

• “It repented the Lord” – vs.6, 7
• “Repented” does not imply that God changed His mind, for He is changeless
• God was sorrowful
• Judgment – vs. 7,13, 14a – Judgment by the flood

3.God extends grace
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (vs.8)

The Character of the Man, Noah – Genesis 6:8, 9

• Just – 6:9
  • Noah was a just man – “Just” means to be genuine, sincere, right with God
• Obedient – 6:22; 7:5
• Belief / Faith – Hebrews 11:7
  • Divinely warned by God of things not seen
• Fear of God
  • Sense of awe, reverence toward God
• Relationship – walking, listening
  • Noah walked with God (vs.9b)
• Faithfulness
  • Steadfast, dedicated, dependable and worthy of trust (Henry Blackaby)
  • It could have taken up to 75 years for Noah to build the Ark
  • Faithfulness – a lifelong goal
• Servant of the Lord / Witness – 2 Peter 2:5
  • Noah was a preacher of righteousness

4.Just because God’s judgment is delayed does not mean it will not come

The Physical Cause of the Flood: Where did the water come from?

2 Sources- Genesis 7:11

• Below the earth – “All the fountains of the great deep broken up”
  • The earth’s crust was split open all around the globe and water burst forth from inside the earth
  • Great subterranean pools of water were broken up volcanic and earthquake activity
• Above the earth – “The windows of heaven opened”
  • Torrential global rainfall

Reasons to believe it was a Global Flood:

A. God said, He would destroy all flesh with the earth – Genesis 6:13
B. The Ark would not have been needed if it were only a local flood – Genesis 7:1-7

• Noah, his family and the animals could have just migrated away from the region to be flooded

C.The size of the Ark testifies to more than a local flood Genesis 6:15, 16
The Ark was far too large to accommodate only a local or regional evacuation
Ark Measurements:

• 450 Feet long
• 75 feet wide
• 45 Feet high
• 3 Stories
• Total deck of 97,700 square feet (Equivalent to 20 standard basketball courts)
• The volume of space in the Ark was 1.4 million cubic feet, equal to the capacity of 522 railroad stock cars, which could carry 125,000 sheep

A.Jesus testified that the flood killed every person not on the Ark – Matthew 24:37-39
B.The water rose above the mountains- Genesis 7:19, 20
C. Marine fossils found on mountains

• The Himalayas (reaching up to 30,000 feet above sea level)- Marine fossils buried in limestone beds

D. Universal flood traditions
E. God promised not to send such a flood again – Genesis 9:9-17
There has since been many local floods
God’s Covenant with Noah – vs.8 – 17
The first mention of the word “Covenant” in the Bible – 6:18

• Actually made and explained here in Genesis 9:9-17

Covenant: An agreement between two or more people that involves promises on the part of each to the other
God would not send a global catastrophe by flood again – vs. 11
The sign of the covenant – the rainbow – vs.12-16

Present Day Condition:

• Deviating from God’s design and plan – Homosexual, transgender lifestyle
• Sexual sin ramped
• Pornography
• Abortion
• Murder
• Greed/ materialism (lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God)
• Idolatry
• Misuse of God’s Holy Name
• Apostasy – Falling away from the truth (churches compromising)

The World Wide Destruction Future
2 Peter 3:10-14; Matthew 24:35; Revelation 21:1

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 – The Rapture
• Revelation 4–18 – The Tribulation (7 years)
• Revelation 16:14-16; 19:11-21 – The Battle of Armageddon
• Revelation 19:11 – The Coming of Christ
• Revelation 19:20 – Antichrist cast alive into the Lake of Fire
• Revelation 20:1-3 – Satan bound in the bottomless pit
• Revelation 20:4-6 – Christ reigns on earth 1000 years (Millennium Reign)
• Revelation 20: 7-9 – Satan’s final rebellion
• Revelation 20:10 – Devil cast into the Lake of Fire
• Revelation 20:11-15 – The Great White Throne Judgment
  • Verse 11 – “The earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them”
• Revelation 21:1 – A new heaven and new earth (the first earth was passed away)

See 2 Peter 3:10-14
A.The Day of the Lord will have a surprise arrival (as a thief in the night) – vs.10

• Sudden, unexpected
• Disastrous for the unprepared

B.The elements will melt with fervent heat – vs.10

• Possibly an atomic reaction that disintegrates matter
• The heavens refer to the physical universe
• The earth and the works that are therein shall be burnt up (the physical earth in its present form with its entire universe will be consumed)

C.Challenge to Christians to conform their lives to God’s standards in view of the reality of coming judgment and eternity – vs.11-14

• Holy conduct
• Godliness
• Without spot – Spotless character
• Blameless – Reputation

The Ark is a Picture of Salvation in Christ

Noah was saved by God’s grace – Genesis 6:8
We are saved by God’s grace – Ephesians 2:8, 9

God provided the plans for the Ark – Genesis 6:14-16
God provided the plan for salvation through Christ – 1 Peter 1:17-21

The judgment of the Flood was decreed by God – Genesis 6:7, 13
The final judgment of mankind is decreed by God – Acts 17:31

Noah preached righteousness and one way to be saved – 2 Peter 2:5
Jesus preached righteousness and one way to be saved – John 14:6

The Ark had only one door that led to safety – Genesis 6:9; 7:7
Jesus referred to Himself as the door that leads to salvation – John 10:9

All who were not in the Ark perished – Genesis 7:21-23
All who are not in Christ will perish – 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9