SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES WITH BOB
Newsletter 256 V August 14, 2011
A STUMBLING BLOCK WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT
1 Corinthians 8
Like a BALLOON, pride may be without substance and end in LOSS.
The dictionary meaning of the word “sophomore,” is “brash and overconfident but immature.“ It refers to the second year of either high school or college as an excellent preacher used it recently. An old saying goes, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” A little knowledge of Scripture can, and often is, a dangerous thing. A little knowledge of the words of a text, taken out of their context, has often been the cause of many of the religious cults and denominations of the world. There are literally thousands of little groups which call themselves “Christian” churches. They remind us of the very old illustration of three blind men who by feel described an elephant. The first felt the trunk and concluded that an elephant is like a fire hose. The second felt of its broad side and concluded that an elephant is like a wall, wide, high and solid, then the third felt of the tail and concluded that an elephant is like a rope. In reality, an elephant is like none of those things. Each gave only a part of the story.
Scripture illustrates the church in many ways, but a parable illustrates only a part of the whole. The church is a “body” and Christ is the head. The head controls the body. When man substitutes another head, he is brushing aside the Scripture that says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” and “No one comes to the Father but by me.” As well as, “I will build my church.” That church is all of these things and more, but any group which denies any of them, is not His church. It may be religious, but it is not Christian, and it is not His church. A little knowledge of Scripture is a dangerous thing. Note that God through Paul is speaking of knowledge not wisdom. We need wisdom in how to use our knowledge. Not like a balloon, filed with hot air. That will grow cold, and let you down!
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. (Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 6L7, 1 Corinthians 8:10, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 10:15, 1 Corinthians 4:6, Romans 14:19)
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 3:18, 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, 1 Timothy 6:4)
INSTEAD OF PRIDE IN SELF, LET US LOVE ALL
It is not knowledge or even wisdom that sets one aside as His own. It is love; the kind of love that puts God first, others second, and self last. This is the kind of love God has for mankind, and this is the kind of love that draws people to Him, and also to one another. This kind of love attracts the attention of a world that never saw it before.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.(Psalm 1:6, Jeremiah 1:5, Amos 3:2, Romans 8:29, Romans 11:2, Galatians 4:9)
Paul speaks of those things, that while they are not evil in themselves give a false impression and are best avoided. He spoke of meat that a part of which had been offered to idols and what remained was either eaten or sold in the market.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. (Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:1, I Corinthians 8:7, 1 Corinthians 8:10, Acts 14:15, I Corinthians 10:19, Galatians 4:8, Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 6:4, I Corinthians 8:6)
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, (2 Thessalonians 2:4)
While we are not particularly concerned with meat that has been offered to idols
There are many things of the world that others do not expect to see Christians doing.
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6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. (Deuteronomy 4:35, Deuteronomy 4:39, Deuteronomy 6:4, Isaiah 46:9, Jeremiah 10:6-7, 1 Corinthians 8:4, Malachi 2:10, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 11:36, John 13:13, 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 4:5, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 1:3, Colossians 1:16)
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. (1 Corinthians 8:4, Romans 14:14, Romans 14:22+)
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. (Romans 14:17)
A STUMBLING BLOCK IS JUST IN THE WAY
Our freedoms, can in all innocence, become stumbling blocks to others of weaker, or no faith. I recall a pillar of the church who was shocked to see two ministers sitting in the window seats of a hotel bar. He didn’t notice what they were drinking, but only where they were. One was a guest of the hotel, but could have just as easily been served in a hotel lounge. In an African hotel, one might have to register in at a small hotel’s bar, but he would take his refreshments, tea or otherwise anywhere. People will make note of our choice of entertainment. Do they say in their mind, “He does the same things I do, and goes to the same places.” “He likes the same films I do.” It isn’t easy and not without paying a price. An example from myself. I was a sailor in the Navy for two years of my life, but while I was a year in San Diego, I never visited Tijuana or a bar with any of my fellow sailors. The price was that I had few ship-mate friends. I attended church, saw TV shows being taped in Hollywood, visited the beaches, went to skating rinks, stayed at the YMCA week=ends off, and dropped in at the USO occasionally. In Norfolk, I was close enough to spend many-ends with my brother and his family in North Carolina. The point is, “Be Selective.” Others are watching. A few weeks later, after I was in Bible College, one of the men I had known on my ship, became a member of my home church. Did he remember? I don’t know. Sixty four years later I remember him as that fellow who smoked a pipe filled with honey/tobacco..
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. (Romans 14:13, Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 10:28, Galatians 5:13, Romans 14:1, 1 Corinthians 8:10)
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; (1 Corinthians 8:4, Acts 15:20, 1 Corinthians 8:1, I Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 8:7)
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? (Romans 14:15, Romans 14:20)
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. (Matthew 18:6, Romans 14:20, Matthew 25:45)
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 10:32, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 2 Corinthians 11:29)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
AUGUST
14th. Sunday – 1 Chronicles 27, 28, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, Psalm 96
15th. Monday – 1 Chronicles 29, 2 Chr. 1, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Psalm 97
16th. Tuesday – 2 Chronicles 2, 3, 4, 1 Corinthians 12:1-13, Proverbs 20:1-10
17th. Wednesday - 2 Chronicles 5, 6, 1 Corinthians 12:14-31, Psalm 98
18th. Thursday - 2 Chronicles 7, 8, 1 Corinthians 13, Psalm 99
19th. Friday – 2 Chronicles 9, 10, 11, 1 Corinthians 14:1-19, Psalm 100
20th. Saturday - 2 Chronicles 12, 13, 14, 1 Corinthians 14:20-40, Proverbs 20:11-20
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.”
1 Corinthians 13:9-10
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True Psychology
A youngster was raising havoc in the toy department of the local department store. He was jostling the other kids about and pushing them this way and that. All the while, his mother was saying,
"Honey, please don't do this," "Honey, please don't do that."
When he got on a tricycle and began riding up and down the aisles, the manager of the toy department approached the mother and said, "It appears you're having some difficulty controlling your boy. We have a child psychologist here. Would you like me to call and ask for help?"
In desperation, the young Mother said, "Please, do." The psychologist arrived, inquired of the problem and the young mother said, "Oh my, there is nothing I can do to get my child to obey. If you have any suggestions, I'll be happy to take them."
The psychologist said, "Wait here", and going to the little boy, took him aside, bent over and whispered something in his ear. The youngster looked up with a start, turned, went back to his mother and said, "C'mon, Mom, let's get outta here!"
Well, the change in behavior was so startling, the young mother said, "Son, wait here for a moment, I want to talk to that person." She beckoned to the child psychologist and said, "Please, tell me, what on earth did you do? I've been trying to get my boy to obey me. He wouldn't do it. You come over, say one simple sentence and he responded immediately. What on earth did you say to him?"
The child psychologist said, "Why, ma'am, it's very simple. I just leaned over and said, 'Listen here, you little brat. If you don't get out of here, I'm going to set your britches on fire!'"
A youngster was raising havoc in the toy department of the local department store. He was jostling the other kids about and pushing them this way and that. All the while, his mother was saying,
"Honey, please don't do this," "Honey, please don't do that."
When he got on a tricycle and began riding up and down the aisles, the manager of the toy department approached the mother and said, "It appears you're having some difficulty controlling your boy. We have a child psychologist here. Would you like me to call and ask for help?"
In desperation, the young Mother said, "Please, do." The psychologist arrived, inquired of the problem and the young mother said, "Oh my, there is nothing I can do to get my child to obey. If you have any suggestions, I'll be happy to take them."
The psychologist said, "Wait here", and going to the little boy, took him aside, bent over and whispered something in his ear. The youngster looked up with a start, turned, went back to his mother and said, "C'mon, Mom, let's get outta here!"
Well, the change in behavior was so startling, the young mother said, "Son, wait here for a moment, I want to talk to that person." She beckoned to the child psychologist and said, "Please, tell me, what on earth did you do? I've been trying to get my boy to obey me. He wouldn't do it. You come over, say one simple sentence and he responded immediately. What on earth did you say to him?"
The child psychologist said, "Why, ma'am, it's very simple. I just leaned over and said, 'Listen here, you little brat. If you don't get out of here, I'm going to set your britches on fire!'"
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