QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (12)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   As long as the earth continues to revolve around the sun, man will ask questions.

 

B.   Children begin with a very simple question:  “Why?”

1.    It is a good question because it delves into the reason behind something.

2.    It is an annoying question when it is asked over and over and over.

 

C.   This is the first Sunday night of the month, our Questions & Answers night.

1.    Fortunately, you do not ask too many “why” questions.

2.    But, you have asked a lot of questions.

3.    Tonight, we will be answering four questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Genesis 49:10

 

A.   Stated:  Would you please dissect and explain this verse (Gen. 49:10).

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Read the verse:

 

The scepter shall not depart out of Judah, nor law giver from between his feet, until Shiloh come:  and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

 

2.    The context:

a.    Jacob is about to die.

b.    All of his sons have gathered around him to receive their blessing.

c.    NOTE:  The blessing often involves a prophetic statement.

d.    This is verse contains part of Judah’s blessing.  It is a prophetic statement about the coming Messiah.

3.    What we learn about the Messiah.

a.     He would come through the lineage of Judah.

1)    The seed promise began with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).

2)    It was continued through Isaac (Gen. 26:4) and Jacob (Gen. 28:14).

3)    Jacob had twelve sons.  The Messianic lineage would continue through Judah (See Matt. 1:1-3).

 

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.  Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; and Judas begat Phares…

 

b.    The scepter indicates that the Messiah would be a king.

1)    The Jews thought that the king would be an earthly king who would restore their kingdom on earth.

2)    The Messiah was supposed to be the king of a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36).

3)    Paul notes that Jesus is the King of kings (I Tim. 6:15).

 

Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

 

c.    He was going to be a lawgiver.

1)    The Messiah would bring the new covenant to earth.

2)    It is the New Testament of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:28), also known as the law of Christ (I Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).

d.    His name is Shiloh.

1)    This is a form of the Hebrew word “shalom” which means “peace.”

2)    The Messiah is “the Prince of peace” (Isa. 9:6). 

3)    Paul said:  “For he is our peace…” (Eph. 2:14-17).

e.    It is in Him that all men would be gathered in order to obtain salvation.

1)    Salvation is found only in Jesus (Acts 4:11).

2)    The gospel was to go into all the world and men would obey it and be saved (Mark 16:15).

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Deuteronomy 28:57, Cross-references

 

A.   States:  Deuteronomy 28:57 is a cross-reference for Genesis 49:10.  Can you explain why?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Read Deuteronomy 28:57a

 

And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear…

 

2.    Cross-references are not part of the Biblical text.  They have been supplied by man.

a.    Sometimes they aptly apply to the verse being studied.

b.    Sometimes they do not apply at all.

3.    Here the only relationship between the two verses is in the phrase:  “From between his/her feet.”  Both of these verses refer to a child that is to be born.

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  The Best Gifts (I Cor. 12:31).

 

A.   Stated:  What are “the best gifts” Paul is referring to in I Corinthians 12:31?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    Read I Corinthians 12:31

 

But covet earnestly the best gifts:  and yet I show unto you a more excellent way.

 

2.    The context

a.    Paul is discussing spiritual gifts (I Cor. 12:1).  These were miraculous gifts given by the laying on of the hand of the apostles.

b.    These gifts were the subject of debate and division in the church at Corinth.

c.    In chapter 12, Paul presents two pertinent points that should have stopped the discussions and healed the divisions over these gifts.

1)    All the gifts came from the same source, God.

2)    All the gifts were to work in harmony one with another for the building up of the body of Christ.

3.    In this last verse, however, Paul acknowledges that some gifts are “better” than others.  He exhorts the Christians in Corinth to desire the better gifts.

a.    In chapter 14, we are given a contrast between the usefulness of two gifts:  speaking in tongues and prophesy.

b.    If one were to desire one of these gifts, it would be the gift of prophesy.

1)    Reasons

a)    Prophesy was understandable to all, believers and non-believers.

b)    Prophesy was not dependent upon another gift as was the gift of tongues.  In order for it to be used, the one who possessed the gift of the interpretation of tongues had to be present.

2)    Three verses:

a)    I Corinthians 14:1

 

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

 

b)    I Corinthians 14:5

 

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather than ye prophesied:  for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

 

c)    I Corinthians 14:39

 

Wherefore brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

 

4.    We are not given a detailed description of all the gifts and how they operated.  Some, however, seem to have been more beneficial, or, were more easily exercised than others.  These were to be coveted.

5.    NOTE:  We do not have to worry about spiritual gifts today since the age of miracles has ceased.

6.    There are some talents that are to be coveted more than others (i.e., a mission trip).

a.    Medical team

b.    Building team

c.    Evangelism team (this team should be the one that a person covets being on since it deals with the souls of the lost)

7.    All gifts are necessary (I Cor. 12:22).

 

Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble are necessary.

 

IV.         QUESTION #4:  CONDITIONAL FORGIVENESS

 

A.   Stated:

1.    Does God forgive a Christian of sins if he/she does not ask God for forgiveness?

2.    Must we forgive a fellow Christians if he/she does not ask for forgiveness?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    There are no passages of Scripture that indicate that God ever forgives a man unconditionally.

a.    Christians are to repent of their sin, confess their sins, and ask God to forgive them.

b.    Acts 8:22; I John 1:9

 

Repent, therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

2.    In like manner, the Christian can only forgive those who ask for forgiveness.

a.    Luke 17:3-4

 

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

 

b.    Question:  Can a human being be more forgiving than God?

c.    We must have a forgiving spirit or disposition.

1)    Three men prayed that the sins of their persecutors would be forgiven:  Jesus (Luke 23:34); Stephen (Acts 7:60); and Paul (II Tim. 4:16).

2)    We may desire for a person’s sins to be forgiven, but they will not be forgiven until they meet the requirements God has set forth for forgiveness.

a)    Those on the day of Pentecost were still guilty of having killed Jesus (Acts 2:23).

b)    They received the forgiveness of their sins, when they obeyed Peter’s instructions (Acts 2:37-38, 41).

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   As long as we study the Bible, we will have questions.

 

B.   As long as false doctrine exists, there will be questions.

 

C.   As long as man has limited knowledge, there will be questions.