*QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (54)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Tonight is our Q&A Night.

 

B.      Your questions will end with a question mark.  Did you ever wonder where the question mark came from?

1.      Lexico.com:  “One of the most appealing stories links the curve of the question mark to the shape of an inquisitive cat’s tail. This feline connection is either attributed to the ancient Egyptians (who were, of course, famed for their worship of cats), or to a monk who took inspiration from his curious pet cat, and included the symbol in his manuscript.”

2.      Another theory links the question mark to the Latin word “quaestio” (question).  This word was put at the end of any sentences that were questions.  It was later shortened to “qo.”  Eventually, the “q” was put over the “o.”  It finally morphed into the question mark.

3.      Another theory is that the question mark was developed by Alcuin of York, and English scholar and poet who served on the court of Charlemagne beginning in 781.  He developed the question mark.  However, it was a dot with a lightning flash rising over it to indicate the rising tone of the voice when asking a question.

4.      In the 17^th century, it gained the form and rules by which it is known today.  However, it was not called a question mark until the 19^th century.

 

C.     Enough on question marks.  Let’s get to your questions.

 

I.                   QUESTION #1:  Luke 17:3

 

A.    Stated:  Please explain Luke 17:3.

 

B.      Answer:

1.      Let’s read the verse (Luke 17:3).

 

Take heed to yourselves:  If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

 

2.      Jesus speaks of four actions in this verse that involve brothers and sisters in Christ.

a.      Trespass

1)      It is possible for one of our brethren to trespass against us.

2)      Definition

a)      Strong (264):  to miss the mark, err, (morally) to sin

b)      Thayer:  to miss the mark, to err, to do wrong

3)      Brethren can trespass in several ways:

a)      With their tongues or with their behavior

b)      Intentionally or unintentionally

c)      Aggressively or passively

d)     In big ways or small ways

b.      Rebuke

1)      If a brother commits wrong against us, we have an obligation toward the brother.

2)      We are to rebuke him.

a)      Strong (2008):  to censure or admonish

b)      Thayer:  to tax with fault, rate, chide, rebuke, reprove, censure severely, to admonish or charge sharply

3)      This action does three things:

a)      It obeys God.

b)      It reveals the fault of our brother to him/her.

c)      It enables us to release our emotions instead of having them bottled up and growing inside of us.

c.       Repent

1)      If the brother has sinned and has a good heart, he will repent.

2)      The word “repent” means to have a change of heart that leads to a change of action.

3)      There are several facets of true repentance.

a)      Genuine remorse or regret or godly sorrow

b)      True change:  a willingness to make things right

c)      Restitution if such can be made

d.      Forgiveness

1)      If the brother or sister is willing to repent, we are to forgive him/her.

2)      Definition:

a)      Strong (863):  to send forth

b)      Thayer:  to let to, give up a debt, forgive, remit, to give up, keep no longer

3)      True repentance let’s go of the debt.

a)      The relationship is restored.

b)      There are no longer any negative emotions held against the person.

c)      The transgressions are never held against the person again.

3.      NOTE: 

a.      The first action is the easiest to commit, transgressing against another.

b.      The other three actions are not easy.

1)      We do not want to rebuke, so we never speak to the person about the issue.

2)      Some do not want to repent.  They make excuses for their actions.

3)      Some say they forgive, but they remember the actions forever and ever.

4.      LESSONS: 

a.      We cannot forgive another until that person repents of his transgression.  We can have a desire to forgive.  We can be ready to forgive.  But, we cannot forgive until the person repents.

b.      Many will not repent until they are rebuked.  They do not know they have transgressed.  They know, but their hearts are hardened so they do not feel the shame of their actions.  A strong rebuke, however, can change their minds and bring repentance.

c.       If a person repents, forgive him.  Remember, if you do not, you will not be forgiven (Matt. 6:14-15).

 

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:  but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

II.                QUESTION #2:  Evidence and Witnesses

 

A.    Stated:  If a person cannot produce evidence or witnesses that sin was committed against him, does that mean the person is not telling the truth?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      The basic answer is:  “No.”

a.      There are times when we cannot produce evidence and there are no witnesses, but another person has transgressed against us.

b.      There are many intimate relationships wherein sin can be committed, but the evidence of sin cannot be produced.

1)      Husbands and wives

2)      Parents and children

3)      Two friends

4)      Business associates

2.      If, however, we are going to expose the sin to the public, then, we must have evidence or witnesses.

a.      Evidence:  Judah and Tamar

1)      In Genesis 38, we read the story of Judah’s fornication with Tamar.

2)      Judah promised to give Tamar a kid from the goats if she would sleep with him (Gen. 38:16-17).

3)      NOTE:  He did not have the kid with him at the time.

4)      What if Tamar had not asked for a pledge and had become pregnant?  She would have had no evidence that Judah was involved in her indiscretion.

5)      Fortunately, she did ask for it (Gen. 38:18).  Later, it was used as evidence against Judah (Gen. 38:25).

 

When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child:  and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and the bracelets, and staff.

 

b.      Witnesses (Deut. 19:15).

 

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth:  at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

 

c.       Sometimes, we must hold on to the promises of God.  He will judge all men.  And, He promises to correct the wrongs committed in this world (Rom. 12:19).

 

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

 

III.             QUESTION #3:  Giving

 

A.    Stated:  If a person only gets paid once or twice a month, is he required to give every first day of the week?

 

B.      Answer:

1.      This question arises from two statements made in I Corinthians 16:1-2.

 

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

a.      We are to give on the first day of the week.

b.      But, we lay by in store “as God hath prospered us.”

 

2.      The problem:  A person gets paid once a month.  Thus, he has only prospered once a month.  Can he give only on that week?

a.      From the teaching of the Scripture, the answer would be:  “Yes.”  Why?  Because he has not prospered the other weeks of the month.  That one time would be a large amount of money since he has been paid for a month of work.

b.      A simple solution:  Divide what you would have given one time into four equal checks.  Then, you can give every week as you have been prospered. 

c.       In the end, the amount given is exactly the same.  The church will reap the same amount of money, whether given once a month, or, on a weekly basis.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Again, the variety in our questions is interesting.

1.      Being trespassed against and when to forgive

2.      Being trespassed against and having no evidence or no witnesses to verify our story

3.      Giving to God on the first day of the week and as we have prospered

 

B.      Here is an interesting thought:  “Has God ever forgiven any human being before that individual repented?”  No.

1.      In initial salvation, one must first repent of his sins (Luke 13:3).

2.      After becoming a Christian, before one can be forgiven, he must repent (Acts 8:22).

 

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.