OceanSide church of Christ
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TWO-SIDED COINS
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
Coins have played a part in
man’s financial history for thousands of years.
1
They used to be made of
precious material such as silver and gold.
2
Coins have always had two
sides.
a.
The markings on each side were different.
b.
We refer to the two sides as “heads” and “tails.”
B.
This two-sided concept has
been taken and applied to many things having two different angles. The phrase, “There are two sides to
every coin,” is used often by many.
C.
We want to take this phrase
and look at several different areas.
We’ve entitled our lesson, “Two-sided Coins.”
I. WORDS
CAN BE A TWO-SIDED COIN.
A.
The words that we speak can
be two-sided in many ways.
1.
Words can carry two meanings
(Ex., “bad”).
2.
Words can be hypocritical,
saying one thing, but meaning something else.
3.
Words can give life, or,
words can bring death.
B.
Two verses that refer to our
ability to use words for both good and bad.
1.
Proverbs
18:21a.
Death and life
are in the power of the tongue…
2.
James
3:9-10.
Therewith bless
we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the
similitude of God. Out of the same
mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
C.
Peter is a wonderful example
of one who used his words in two different ways.
1.
It was he who made the good
confession (Matt. 16:18).
2.
It was he who cursed and
swore that he knew not the Lord (Matt. 26:74).
D.
We must be very careful with
our words. Remember, we will give
an account of what we say (Matt. 12:36-37).
But I say unto
you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof
in the day of judgment. For by thy
words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be
condemned.
II. WEALTH CAN BE A
TWO-SIDED COIN.
A.
Money, wealth, and riches
are not evil in and of themselves.
B.
Wealth is a two-sided
coin.
1.
It can be used to improve
one’s life and to aid in the betterment of society.
2.
It can generate pride in the
heart of man that can cause one to elevate himself above others, and even
God.
C.
The problem is that many
people gravitate toward the negatives of wealth once they begin to have it. Thus, the Bible has many warnings for
the wealthy.
1.
I
Timothy 6:8-10.
And having food
and raiment let us be therewith content.
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into
many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. For the love of money is
the root of all evil: which while
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows.
2.
I
Timothy 6:17-19.
Charge them that
are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that
they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to
communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
D.
In Proverbs 23:4, Solomon
writes: Labour not to be rich.
We should labor for higher, nobler things than the mere
accumulation of money.
III. PREACHING CAN BE A
TWO-SIDED COIN.
A.
Preaching is a two-sided
coin for two reasons:
1.
Preaching involves both the
positive and the negative (Rom. 11:22).
Behold therefore
the goodness and severity of God.
2.
Preaching involves the
acceptance of the message by some and the rejection of the message by others (II
Cor. 2:16).
To the one we
are a savor of death unto death:
and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these
things?
B.
Some try to turn preaching
into a one-sided coin.
1.
There are some who are
geared toward the negative.
2.
There are some who are
geared toward the positive.
C.
They key is having the
ability to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts
20:26-27).
Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto
you all the counsel of God
IV. CONFLICTS CAN BE
TWO-SIDED COINS.
A.
Conflicts are two-sided for
several reasons.
1.
There are at least two sides
in every conflict.
2.
There are at least two
perspectives in every conflict.
3.
There are at least two needs
that are trying to be met in every conflict.
B.
Solomon’s words about this
two-sided coin is found in Proverbs 18:13.
He that
answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is a folly and a shame unto
him.
C.
These two-sided coins are
difficult for those who are caught in the middle of the two
groups.
1.
Both sides have their
needs.
2.
Both sides believe that they
possess the truth.
3.
Both sides have developed
feelings about the opposing group.
4.
There are ramifications of
making a decision for one side versus the other side.
D.
Things that are needed to
overcome the two sides of conflict.
1.
Focus squarely on the
problem.
2.
Seek and believe only the
truth.
3.
Keep the right
attitudes.
4.
Seek for solutions that meet
needs.
CONCLUSION
A.
When two-sided coins are
presented to us, we must
1.
Be
cautious.
2.
Be
discerning.
B.
We can handle these coins
properly with knowledge and wisdom and truth (Prov.
23:23).
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
