Showing posts with label Faithfulness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faithfulness. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Believing Prayer

In the very biblical mode of prayer where we approach our Holy God, here is a prayer that emulates just how Christ taught us to pray.  It is thankful, hopeful, content, joyful, doctrinal and edifying to all!

http://believingprayer.com/you-are-god/


Thursday, March 15, 2018

Our Contrasting Walks - Bible Lesson & Answer Grid for FREE & Public Use


Ephesians
Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success
 14 March 2018
Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough
Lesson # 12 – Ephesians 5.3 – 5.17


1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?
2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________
The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.
3.     What other two things must be avoided?
4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?
5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”
6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”
7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.
8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.
9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?
10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?
11. The so-called “Word of Faith” movement is I_______________ for it is based on C__________________.
12. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.
13. Why is all of this so vitally important?
14. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.
15. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?
16. How are we to walk?
17. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”
18. What are we to actively and continually to do?
19. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?
20. What is a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?
21. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?
22. What is shameful for a Christian?
23. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?
24. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.
25. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.
26. Why?
27. We escape foolishness when?

                                                      ANSWER GRID:

1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?

It contrasts the walk of the Godly and the un-godly
2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________
The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all-inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.
Fornication, Porneia, Pornography, All, Any, Homosexuality
3.     What other two things must be avoided?
Impurity, Covetousness
4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?
None
5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”
The absence of all the above
6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”
Filthiness, Foolish Talk, Crude Joking

7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.
Thanksgiving
8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.
See Romans 1.21 & Ecclesiastes 12.13 – 14.   A truly thankful person is a God-fearer
9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?
The Fornicator, The Impure, and The Covetous
10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?
The idol was seen as a kind of ATM machine to get what one wanted.  The idol seemed to offer man a kind of quid-pro-quo “let’s make a deal” religious program
11. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.
Empty, Congregational input – Hint: one example: “Missional”
12. Why is all of this so vitally important?
Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience
13. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.
Partaker, Co-Participant
14. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?
Contrast.  Darkness is contrasted with light
15. How are we to walk?
As children of light
16. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”
All that is Good, Right and True
17. What are we to actively and continually to do?
Proving what is acceptable to God / Discerning what is pleasing to God
18. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?
None
19. What does a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?
Take no part in it and instead expose it
20. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?
Congregational response
21. What is shameful for a Christian?
To speak of what evil doers do in secret

22. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?
Evil becomes visible for what it is.  Jesus Christ per John 8.12.  Jesus Christ is the Word per John 1.1
23. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.
Scriptures, Vessels
24. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.
Carefully, Walk, Un-wise, Wise
25. Why?
The days are evil
26. We escape foolishness when?
When we understand what the Will of the Lord is

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

The Imitation and Fragrance of Christ

Ephesians
Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success
 6 March 2018
Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough
Lesson # 11 – Ephesians 4.29 – 5.3

1.     How much corrupting talk may come out of the churches mouth?
2.     Per Thayer, “Corrupt” is defined as…”R_____________, P_______________, U___________ for use, W_______________.”
a.      Luke 6.43 ________________________________________
b.     Matthew 12.33 ____________________________________
3.     In this passage, what word does Paul use to contrast with corrupt?
4.     What two things take place when this opposite talk takes place?
5.     What deadly serious effect comes about when Christians use corrupt talk?
6.     “Grieve” means to cause: “…D______________, H______________ & S_________________.”  (per Thayer)
7.     How many other times is this word used in the NT?
8.     The Holy Spirit acts as a S_______ of our redemption.
9.     “Sealed” is us most in the book of R______________, appearing ____ times.
10.  What 6 things must all be eliminated from among us?
11. What is the significance of the number of these things?
12. What now comes into contrast with these things?
13. What is the significance of number of these things?
14. The elimination of corruptness and it’s replacement by good things is predicated upon what?
15. Ultimately, why must we forgive others?
16. In 5.1, why is the “therefore” there for?
17. What is the direct result of our adoption as children?
18. This direct result is also illustrated here?

19. When we eliminate C________________, embrace G_______________, P_____ A_________ six forms of death, F____________ as does God, I_____________ Him, and L__________ as did Christ, it is to God as a F____________ O_______________, a S____________ to God.

ANSWER GRID:


1.     How much corrupting talk may come out of the churches mouth?
None
2.     Per Thayer, “Corrupt” is defined as…”R_____________, P_______________, U___________ for use, W_______________.”
a.      Luke 6.43 ________________________________________
b.     Matthew 12.33 ____________________________________
Revolting, Putrefied, Unsuitable, Worthless, Both passages refer to that which is dead, totally unusable, and ready for destruction
3.     In this passage, what word does Paul use to contrast with corrupt?
Good
4.     What two things take place when this opposite talk takes place?
The building up (edification) and Grace to those who hear
5.     What deadly serious effect comes about when Christians use corrupt talk?
6.     “Grieve” means to cause: “…D______________, H______________ & S_________________.”  (per Thayer)
Distress, Heaviness, Sorrow
7.     How many other times is this word used in the NT?
None
8.     The Holy Spirit acts as a S_______ of our redemption.
Seal
9.     “Sealed” is us most in the book of R______________, appearing ____ times.
Revelation, 16
10.  What 6 things must all be eliminated from among us?
ALL bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, malice
11. What is the significance of the number of these things?
Six in biblical numerology always refers to man and his incompleteness before God
12. What now comes into contrast with these things?
Kindness, tenderheartedness, forgiveness
13. What is the significance of number of these things?
Three in biblical numerology refers to our triune God and His completeness
14. The elimination of corruptness and its replacement by good things is predicated upon what?
Imitators of God as beloved children
15. Ultimately, why must we forgive others?
Because Christ first forgave us of everything
16. In 5.1, why is the “therefore” there for?
To describe our walk
17. What is the direct result of our adoption as children?
Our walk in love
18. This direct result is also illustrated here?
To love each other and give each other to each other as did Christ before us
19. When we eliminate C________________, embrace G_______________, P_____ A_________ six forms of death, F____________ as does God, I_____________ Him, and L__________ as did Christ, it is to God as a F____________ O_______________, a S____________ to God.
Corruption, Grace, Put Away, Forgive, Imitate, Love, Fragrant Offering, Sacrifice

Monday, January 29, 2018

The Character of Mary



LISTEN! to "The Character of Mary" on SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sunday-morning-012818-luke-1-acoc-the-character-of-mary-russ-mcculloughj

“The Character of Mary”
“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *



Text
Luke 1.26 - 28



Thesis: Mary, though a sinner, has many Godly character qualities we would do well to emulate AND her character was not sufficient for her own salvation.
Introduction:
1.      My Mother once told me to “have character, don’t be one.”
2.    The Oxford Dictionary defines character as those “mental and moral qualities that define an individual.”
3.     Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines character as; “a mark by cutting or engraving, as on stone, metal, or other hard material...”   “A mark or figure made by stamping or impression, as on coins...”   “The peculiar qualities that distinguish (one person) from others.”
4.    Share quotes 1 through 5
5.     Did Mary’s good character make her favorable?
6.    Does my good character make me favorable?



Lawful
              Moral
                           Troubled
                                                Discerning
                                                                     Fearful
(“endued with Grace”) Ephesians 2.5, 8, 14 -18         FAVORABLE
                                                                     Great
                                                Son of God
                           Reign on David’s Throne
              Reign over Jacob forever
Eternal Kingdom

CONCLUSION:  

·       We find the Grace of God the same way Mary did – Concession, surrender, submission, obedience, contrition, and brokenness.

·       All the good character of all the good people of all time is not sufficient to warrant out salvation.

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: Favor, Grace, and Obedience CANNOT be separated!

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today – “The question is not; “Do I know Jesus?”  The question is; “Does JESUS know me?”  

The question right now

The question when you pull out of the parking lot

The question at 5:30 this evening

The question tonight at bedtime

The question when you get up in the morning

The question when you clock in to work in the morning

The question when you clock out tomorrow evening

The question every day and in every circumstance

Write it on your mirror in your bathroom; “Does Jesus know me?”

Finding grace is not the same as surrendering to grace.  The Rich Young Ruler found grace and he walked away from grace.


“The Gospel Call”

Find favor,
be endued with Grace,
obey the Gospel! 

Whatever you do today, DON’T walk away from God’s Favor.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston
Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.


Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210
www.archdale.org 
Date:  28 January 2018


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