OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (6)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

A.               The first question ever posed in the Bible was asked by Satan himself (Gen. 3:1).

Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.  And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

1.               Satan’s question focused Eve’s mind upon the one tree which was forbidden.

2.               God had only said, “Thou shalt not eat,” with regard to one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

3.               Once the Eve’s mind was focused on this tree, Satan would deny the truthfulness of God’s words about the tree.

4.               Eve’s eyes, mind, and lusts would eventually lead her into transgression.

B.               Not all questions that are asked are intended for evil purposes.  Many come from honest inquirers wanting more knowledge.

C.              It is with the honest seeker in mind that we have developed our “Questions and Answers” series.

1.               The first Sunday evening of each month, we devote to answering your questions.

2.               Tonight, we will answer two questions.

I.          IS REPENTANCE A CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS?

A.               This question was posed in two different forms.

1.               In congregational prayer, the one leading the prayer often asks for forgiveness.  Seldom, however, is repentance ever referenced by the one praying.

2.               In our relationships with others, sin can take place between brothers and sisters in Christ.

a.         Are we to forgive regardless of what the offending party does?

b.         Must they ask for forgiveness?  Must they repent of their sins?

B.               This speaker believes that the Bible teaches that repentance is always a condition of forgiveness.

1.               God’s forgiveness is predicated upon repentance.

a.         The Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38).

Now when they heard this, They were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

                                    b.         Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-22, esp. v. 22).

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

2.               Repentance is that point in time when an individual makes a conscious decision to turn from his/her sins.  When one repents, he dies to the evil in his life.  This must happen before one can be cleansed from a sin (Acts 3:19).

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

C.              Application to our question.

1.               If a man leads the congregation in prayer, and he asks the Lord to forgive our sins, the Lord will forgive only those who repent of their transgressions.

a.         If it is a congregational sin, all must repent (e.g., Ninevah in Jonah’s day).

b.         If there are specific sins:  ignorance, attendance, personal evangelism, each person guilty must repent and turn in another direction in order to be forgiven.  It is here that some will be forgiven and others will not be.  Fortunately, we will be judged as individuals and not for what others have or have not done (Rom. 14:12).

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

2.               If a brother or sister sins against us, they, too, need to repent in order to be forgiven (Luke 17:3-4).

Take heed to yourselves:  If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgiven him.  And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

D.              One Objection:  What about the examples of Jesus and Paul who asked for their adversaries to be forgiven before they repented or asked for forgiveness?

1.               The two examples:

a.         Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34)

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

                                    b.         Paul in prison (II Tim. 4:16)

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:  I pray God that it might not be laid to their charge.

2.               Did the mere desire of these two men provide forgiveness to their offenders?  No!  On Pentecost Day, Peter still accused the Jews of having crucified Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22-23).

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know.  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain.

a.         If they had been forgiven at Calvary, Peter had no right to accuse them of that sin now.

b.         They did not receive forgiveness until Pentecost.  Then, forgiveness was predicated upon their repentance and baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38).

                        3.         The wishes of these two men show the quality of their hearts.

                                    a.         They did not want their enemies to be lost.  They desired their salvation.

b.         However, our desire does not convict the heart, change the heart and behavior, and bring about cleansing.  Specific steps must be completed by the sinner to obtain forgiveness.

E.               POINT:  If a person repents and received forgiveness from God, we are obligated to forgive.  If we do not, our souls will be in jeopardy (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 you Father forgive your trespasses.

F.               POINT:  The extension of forgiveness does not mean that everything will be exactly like it was before the transgression.

1.               A man who has committed adultery may not get his wife back (Matt. 19:9).

2.               A morally defunct leader will not immediately be restored to his leadership position.

3.               A father who has abused his child will not get to come right back into the home.

4.               A murderer will not be released from prison without serving him time.

5.               Adam and Eve could receive forgiveness, but they were not allowed back into the Garden of Eden.

6.               Sin has consequences.  Sometimes it has severe consequences (Hosea 8:7).

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind…

II.         WHAT IS LUKE 20:18 ABOUT?  It states that one is broken by the chief corner stone and the other is ground to powder.

A.               The text (Luke 20:17-18).

And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?  Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

B.               Definition of corner stone.

1.               When a building was constructed, it needed a strong foundation.

2.               The first stone to be laid for the foundation was a corner stone.

3.               It has to be a straight and perfect stone.  All other stones took their direction from this chief corner stone.

4.               In the NT, the church is the temple of God.  This temple has a foundation.  In that foundation is a chief corner stone.  It is a straight and perfect stone.

C.              This chief corner stone was prophesied by the OT prophets.

1.               Psalm 118:22

2.               Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste.

D.              The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus Christ.

1.               Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

2.               I Corinthians 3:11

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

E.               Sinners can only react in one of two ways toward this corner stone.

1.               They can accept Him, fall upon Him, and be broken.  This involves the conversion process.

2.               They can reject Him, and He will fall upon them, and grind them into power.  This involves the judgment of God against them.

3.               Peter makes this contrast in I Peter 2:6-8.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:  and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore he is precious:  but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being dis-obedient:  whereunto also they were appointed.

CONCLUSION

A.               Which person are you?

1.               Have you fallen upon the Christ and had your stubborn will broken?  In that condition, you yielded you will to Him.

2.               Or, are you the one who is disobedient?  One day the chief corner stone will fall upon you and grind you to pieces.

B.               Don’t allow that judgment to come upon you.  Obey the terms of the gospel tonight.  Be forgiven of your sins and become a living stone in the temple of God (I Peter 2:5, 9).


 

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (6)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

D.               The first question ever posed in the Bible was asked by Satan himself (Gen. 3:1).

1.                Satan’s question focused Eve’s mind upon the one tree which was forbidden.

2.                God had only said, “Thou shalt not eat,” with regard to one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

3.                Once the Eve’s mind was focused on this tree, Satan would deny the truthfulness of God’s words about the tree.

4.                Eve’s eyes, mind, and lusts would eventually lead her into transgression.

E.                Not all questions that are asked are intended for evil purposes.  Many come from honest inquirers wanting more knowledge.

F.                It is with the honest seeker in mind that we have developed our “Questions and Answers” series.

I.             IS REPENTANCE A CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS?

G.               This question was posed in two different forms.

1.                In congregational prayer, the one leading the prayer often asks for forgiveness.  Seldom, however, is repentance ever referenced by the one praying.

2.                In our relationships with others, sin can take place between brothers and sisters in Christ.

a.            Are we to forgive regardless of what the offending party does?

b.            Must they ask for forgiveness?  Must they repent of their sins?

H.                This speaker believes that the Bible teaches that repentance is always a condition of forgiveness.

1.                God’s forgiveness is predicated upon repentance:  Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38) and Simon the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-22, esp. v. 22).

2.                Repentance is that point in time when an individual makes a conscious decision to turn from his/her sins.  When one repents, he dies to the evil in his life.  This must happen before one can be cleansed from a sin (Acts 3:19).

I.                  Application to our question.

1.                If a man leads the congregation in prayer, and he asks the Lord to forgive our sins, the Lord will forgive only those who repent of their transgressions.

a.            If it is a congregational sin, all must repent (e.g., Ninevah in Jonah’s day).

b.            If there are specific sins:  ignorance, attendance, personal evangelism, each person guilty must repent and turn in another direction in order to be forgiven.  It is here that some will be forgiven and others will not be.  Fortunately, we will be judged as individuals and not for what others have or have not done (Rom. 14:12).

2.                If a brother or sister sins against us, they, too, need to repent in order to be forgiven (Luke 17:3-4).

J.                 One Objection:  What about the examples of Jesus and Paul who asked for their adversaries to be forgiven before they repented or asked for forgiveness?

1.                The two examples:  Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34) and Paul in prison (II Tim. 4:16).

2.                Did the mere desire of these two men provide forgiveness to their offenders?  No!  On Pentecost Day, Peter still accused the Jews of having crucified Jesus (Acts 2:22-23).

a.            If they had been forgiven at Calvary, Peter had no right to accuse them now.

b.            They did not receive forgiveness until Pentecost.  Then, forgiveness was predicated upon their repentance and baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38).

                              3.            The wishes of these two men show the quality of their hearts.

K.                POINT:  If a person repents and received forgiveness from God, we are obligated to forgive.  If we do not, our souls will be in jeopardy (Matt. 6:14-15).

L.                POINT:  The extension of forgiveness does not mean that everything will be exactly like it was before the transgression. 

1.                Adultery, moral sin of a leader, child abuse, murder, etc.

2.                Adam and Eve could receive forgiveness, but they were not allowed back into Eden.

3.                Sin has consequences.  Sometimes it has severe consequences (Hosea 8:7).

II.            WHAT IS LUKE 20:18 ABOUT?  It states that one is broken by the chief corner stone and the other is ground to powder.

F.                The text (Luke 20:17-18).

G.               Definition of corner stone.

1.                When a building was constructed, it needed a strong foundation.

2.                The first stone to be laid for the foundation was a corner stone.

3.                It has to be a straight and perfect stone.  All other stones took their direction from this stone.

4.                In the NT, the church is the temple of God.  This temple has a foundation.  In that foundation is a chief corner stone.  It is a straight and perfect stone.

H.                This chief corner stone was prophesied by the OT prophets (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16).

I.                  The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:20; I Cor. 3:11).

J.                 Sinners can only react in one of two ways toward this corner stone, fall upon the stone and be broken or reject him and be ground into powder (See I Peter 2:6-8).

CONCLUSION

C.               Which person are you?  Have you fallen upon the Christ?  Or, are you the disobedient?

D.               Don’t allow that judgment to come upon you.  Obey the terms of the gospel tonight.  Be forgiven of your sins and become a living stone in the temple of God (I Peter 2:5, 9).

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (6)

Victor M. Eskew

INTRODUCTION

G.               The first question ever posed in the Bible was asked by ______________ himself (Gen. 3:1).

1.                Satan’s question focused Eve’s mind upon the one tree which was _________________.

2.                God had only said, “Thou shalt not eat,” with regard to _________ tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

3.                Once the Eve’s mind was focused on this tree, Satan would deny the ________________ of God’s words about the tree.

4.                Eve’s eyes, mind, and lusts would eventually lead her into _____________________.

H.                Not all questions that are asked are intended for evil purposes.  Many come from honest inquirers wanting more knowledge.

I.                  It is with the honest seeker in mind that we have developed our “Questions and Answers” series.

I.             IS REPENTANCE A CONDITION OF FORGIVENESS?

M.               This question was posed in two different forms.

1.                In congregational prayer, the one leading the prayer often asks for forgiveness.  Seldom, however, is repentance ever referenced by the one praying.

2.                In our relationships with others, sin can take place between brothers and sisters in Christ.

a.            Are we to forgive regardless of what the offending party does?

b.            Must they ask for forgiveness?  Must they repent of their sins?

N.                This speaker believes that the Bible teaches that repentance is ___________ a condition of forgiveness.

1.                God’s forgiveness is predicated upon repentance:  ____________ on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-38) and _____________ the sorcerer (Acts 8:18-22, esp. v. 22).

2.                Repentance is that point in time when an individual makes a conscious decision to __________ from his/her sins.  When one repents, he dies to the evil in his life.  This must happen __________ one can be cleansed from a sin (Acts 3:19).

O.               Application to our question.

1.                If a man leads the congregation in prayer, and he asks the Lord to forgive our sins, the Lord will forgive only those who repent of their transgressions.

a.            If it is a congregational sin, _________ must repent (e.g., Ninevah in Jonah’s day).

b.            If there are specific sins:  ignorance, attendance, personal evangelism, each person guilty must repent and turn in another direction in order to be forgiven.  It is here that some will be forgiven and others will not be.  Fortunately, we will be judged as _______________ and not for what others have or have not done (Rom. 14:12).

2.                If a brother or sister sins against us, they, too, need to repent in order to be forgiven (Luke 17:3-4).

P.                One Objection:  What about the examples of _________ and ____________ who asked for their adversaries to be forgiven before they repented or asked for forgiveness?

1.                The two examples:  Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:34) and Paul in prison (II Tim. 4:16).

2.                Did the mere desire of these two men provide forgiveness to their offenders?  No!  On Pentecost Day, Peter still accused the Jews of having crucified Jesus (Acts 2:22-23).

a.            If they had been forgiven at Calvary, Peter had ______  __________ to accuse them now.

b.            They did not receive forgiveness until _____________.  Then, forgiveness was predicated upon their repentance and ________________ into Christ (Acts 2:38).

                              3.            The wishes of these two men show the quality of their ______________.

Q.               POINT:  If a person repents and received forgiveness from God, we are ____________ to forgive.  If we do not, our souls will be in _______________ (Matt. 6:14-15).

R.               POINT:  The extension of forgiveness does not mean that everything will be exactly like it was before the transgression. 

1.                Adultery, moral sin of a leader, child abuse, murder, etc.

2.                Adam and Eve could receive forgiveness, but they were not allowed back into __________.

3.                Sin has consequences.  Sometimes it has ____________ consequences (Hosea 8:7).

II.            WHAT IS LUKE 20:18 ABOUT?  It states that one is broken by the chief corner stone and the other is ground to powder.

K.                The text (Luke 20:17-18).

L.                Definition of corner stone.

1.                When a building was constructed, it needed a strong foundation.

2.                The __________ stone to be laid for the foundation was a corner stone.

3.                It has to be a straight and perfect stone.  All other stones took their ___________ from this stone.

4.                In the NT, the church is the __________ of God.  This temple has a foundation.  In that foundation is a chief corner stone.  It is a straight and perfect stone.

M.               This chief corner stone was prophesied by the OT ______________ (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16).

N.                The fulfillment of this prophecy is found in ___________  ___________ (Eph. 2:20; I Cor. 3:11).

O.               Sinners can only react in one of two ways toward this corner stone, fall upon the stone and be _________ or _____________ him and be ground into powder (See I Peter 2:6-8).

CONCLUSION

E.                Which person are you?  Have you fallen upon the Christ?  Or, are you the disobedient?

F.                Don’t allow that judgment to come upon you.  Obey the terms of the gospel tonight.  Be forgiven of your sins and become a _____________ stone in the temple of God (I Peter 2:5, 9).