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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (27)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The definition of the word “question” is interesting.  Here are the first four definitions for “question” at www.dictionary.com.

1.      A sentence in an interrogative form, addressed to someone in order to get information

2.      A problem for discussion or under discussion, a matter for investigation

3.      A matter of some uncertainty or difficulty, problem

4.      A subject of dispute or controversy

 

B.      The questions that are asked on our Q&A Night fall into these categories.  We seek to

1.      Give information

2.      Investigate and solve problems

3.      Clear up uncertainties

4.      Resolve disputes

 

C.     In this lesson, we are going to examine three questions.

 

I.                   QUESTION #1:  RESIDENCE AFTER DEATH

 

A.    Stated:  Why do we say:  “They’re in heaven now,” when someone dies?  Jesus used “Paradise” when He died.  Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom.

 

B.      Answer:

1.      Technically, to say a person is in heaven at the times of death is not correct.  Luke 16: 22-23 reveals the immediate placement of one after death.

 

And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom:  the rich man also died, and was buried, and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

 

a.      The word “hell” in this text is “hades.”  It refers to the unseen realm of the dead.

b.      The rich man was in torments.  Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom.  According to v. 26, “a great gulf” separated them.

c.       When Jesus told the thief on the cross:  “To day thou shalt be with me in Paradise,” (Luke 23:43), He had reference to Abraham’s bosom.

2.      Practically, some refer to our going to heaven at death because this will be our ultimate dwelling place.

a.      It is our hope (Col. 1:5).

 

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.

 

b.      Paul indicated that he would go there upon death (Phil. 1:23).

 

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

 

NOTE:  Paul understood that he would not get his crown of righteousness until “that day”, that is, the day of judgment (II Tim. 4:6-8).

c.       We also tie heaven and death together because of the promises found in Scripture regarding heaven.

1)      Matthew 5:12

 

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad:  for great is your reward in heaven.

 

2)      Matthew 19:21

 

Jesus saith unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt find treasure in heaven:  and come and follow me.

 

3)      John 14:1-3

 

Let not your heart be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may be also.

 

4)      II Corinthians 5:2

 

For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.

 

5)      Philippians 3:20

 

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

6)      I Peter 1:4

 

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

 

7)      Revelation 22:14

 

Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they might have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

II.                QUESTION #2:  SONG;  WE SHALL SEE THE KING SOME DAY

 

A.    Stated:

1.      Since we are commanded to sing, shouldn’t the words of the songs we sing be scripturally correct?

2.      If so, are the words from the song, “We Shall See the King Some Day,” scriptural?  They say:  “On that blessed morning, clouds shall disappear…”  Since the Bible teaches that no man knows the day, nor the hour, when Christ will return, save the Father (Matt. 24:36; Mark 13:32), singing that Christ will return in the “morning” seems not to be according to the Scripture.

 

B.      Answer:

1.      First, when we sing songs in worship, we are teaching one another.

a)      Colossians 3:16

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

b)      Since we are teaching, it is essential for us to teach the truth when we sing.

1)      I Peter 4:11

 

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…

 

2)      I Timothy 6:3-4a

 

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing…

 

2.      Second, are the words:  “On that blessed morning, clouds will disappear, we shall see the king someday” scriptural to be sung?

1)      When Jesus comes, it will involve the totality of the earth and the earth’s population (Rev. 1:7).

 

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindred of the earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen.

 

2)      Somewhere on the earth, it will be morning.  In fact, it will be morning in twelve time zones. 

3.      Third, if your conscience will not allow you to sing a song or a portion of a song, refrain from singing the song, or, a certain portion of the song.

 

III.             QUESTION #3:  OFFENDING OTHERS

 

A.    Stated:  Why do some people offend others and act like it has never happened?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      There could be several reasons one who offends another acts as though it never happened.

a.      He does not know he has offended the person.  I have preached the gospel and offended someone, but did not know it for days or weeks afterward.

b.      He does not care.

1)      Some people do not care because they have a cold, hard heart.

2)      Some do not care because they understand that offending a person is not a sin, and what was said needed to be said (Ex., Jesus, Matt. 15:12-14).

 

Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying?  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.  Let them alone:  they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

 

2.      There are two ways someone can be offended.

a.      One involves tripping a person up so that he becomes annoyed or displeased by what is said.

1)      Sometimes we might use the words “to hurt another person’s feelings.”

2)      This does not necessarily constitute a sin against another person.  This is what Jesus did to the Pharisees.

b.      The second way of tripping a person up is by causing them to sin (Matt. 18:6).

 

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which shall believe in me, it were better for him that a milestone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1)      This is always wrong.

2)      Those who lead others into sin, and have not repented, will be condemned in the last day.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    We have gone from what happens at death to our song service to God to the meaning of the word “offend.”

 

B.      To conclude:

1.      Let’s never offend another by leading them into sin.

2.      Let’s always speak as the oracles of God, even in our song service.

3.      Let’s all long for heaven after we depart from this earth.