OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (5)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   The very first question asked in the Bible was asked by Satan (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 was not asked for informational purposes.

2.    Satan’s question was designed to lead Eve to consider the tree which had been forbidden by God.

3.     Sadly, Satan accomplished his purpose and brought destruction to mankind.

 

B.   There are times when we do not ask questions in order to get information.

1.     We can ask questions to confuse.

2.    We can ask questions to lead a person to defeat (i.e, debates).

3.     We can ask questions to get a person off of his subject.

 

C.   In our Question and Answers lessons, we assume that all questions are asked for informational purposes.  We want that information to be rooted in the Word of God.

 

I.          QUESTION #1

 

A.   Stated:  Homosexuals:  your son, daughter, grandchild, niece, or nephew.  How do you approach your brother or sister whose child has become bi, lesbian, homosexual, etc.?  You love your brother and sister.  You also know that they love their children.

 

B.   Answer:

1.     There are many variables that are unknown in this question.

a.    Does your brother or sister know that their child has affirmed that they are bi-sexual, lesbian, or homosexual?

b.    If they know about their child’s sexual orientation, how are they handling it outwardly?

c.    Is your brother or sister a Christian?

d.    Is their child a Christian?

e.    Has any disciplinary action been taken by the church if the child is a Christian?

2.    I would try to talk to my brother or sister.

a.    If they are not Christians and accept their child’s behavior, you may only have one discussion on the topic (Matt. 7:6).

 

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

 

b.    If they are Christians, and are open to discussion, you can do several things as you talk with them.

1)     Let them know that you want to support and encourage them in a very difficult time.

2)    Remind them of the Biblical teachings concerning the sin in which their child is engaged.

a)    Abomination (Lev. 18:22)

b)    Involves vile affections (Rom. 1:26-27)

c)    Shall not inherit the kingdom of God (I Cor. 6:9-10)

d)    Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge (Heb. 13:4)

3)     Encourage them to do everything they can to bring their child to repentance.

a)    Teaching (Acts 18:25-26; II Tim. 3:16-17; Tit. 2:11-12)

b)    Counseling (I Thess. 5:14)

c)    Rebuke (Tit. 1:13)

d)    Discipline (I Cor. 5:11)

 

II.        QUESTION #2

 

A.   Stated:  Is it appropriate to use the word “just” in prayer (Ex., “I just want to thank you,” and “Just be with the sick”).

 

B.   Answer:

1.     When I read this question, two words came to mind:  growth and patience.

2.    Everyone who leads in public prayer needs to grow.

a.    There are at least four things that most have to conquer when it comes to public prayer.

1)     Nerves

2)    Lack of knowledge

3)     Pride

4)    Bad habits

b.    Most of the time the constant us of the word “just” in prayer is a bad habit.

1)     One man I know constantly uses the term “Father God.”  Some use the word “Lord” over and over.

2)    One of the definitions of “just” is “only or merely.”

a.    Father, just give us our daily bread.  Question:  Is that all we want?

b.    Father, just bless this assembly.  Question:  Is that all we want blessed?

3.     Those who listen to public prayers need to be patient.

a.    Teaching like this can help men grow in their prayers.

b.    It can still take weeks, months, and years to correct a problem.

4.    Two verses:

a.    I Corinthians 14:15a

 

What is it then?  I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also…

 

b.    I Thessalonians 5:14

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

 

III.      QUESTION #3

 

A.   Textual sermon:  I Peter 5:8

 

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

 

B.   Answer:

1.     We would begin by titling the verse.

a.    The Devil

b.    Man’s Adversary

c.    The Predator of Man

2.    This sermon would have three points:

 

i.          THE PRECAUTIONS

 

a.    Be Concerned:  sober

1.     When it comes to our adversary, there is no time to be flippant and unconcerned.

2.    We must be right thinking at all times.

 

b.    Be Circumspect:  vigilant

1.     The word means “to keep awake, to watch.”

2.    We are to be constantly watching for our enemy on all sides and on all fronts.

 

ii.         THE PREDATOR

 

a.    His Description:

1.     Adversary

a)    The word is defined as “opponent, adversary, and enemy.”

b)    It comes from two Greek words, one meaning “opposite,” and the other meaning “right or justice.”  Our enemy is one who is opposed to that which is right and just.

2.    The devil

a)    The Greek word is “diabolos.”

b)    It means slanderer or false accuser.

3.     Roaring lion:  a predator, a beast of prey, a man-eater

 

b.    His Deeds:

1.     He scares:  a roaring lion

2.    He stalks:  walketh about seeking

3.     He swallows:  whom he may devour

 

 

iii.        THE PLAN (I Pet. 5:9a)

 

Whom resist steadfast in the faith…

 

a.    Defiance:  resist

1.     Strong (436):  to stand against, that is, oppose  :- resist, withstand

2.    Thayer:  to set one’s self against

 

b.    Two components of this resistance

1.     Firm:  resist steadfastly which means “strong, solid, firm”

2.    The Faith

a)    The faith involves “the system of faith,” “the truth,”, “the gospel of Christ.”

b)    By firmly wielding the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, we can resist the devil.

 

C.   Additional comments:

1.     Every sermon needs a good introduction

2.    There are many aspects of the sermon that could be filled in with examples and verses from the Bible.

3.     Every sermon needs a good conclusion.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We have covered a lot of ground in this lesson.

1.     The difficult task of talking to a brother or sister about one of their children who is in sin.

2.    Prayer using the word “just.”

3.     A textual lesson on I Peter 5:8 involving “The Predator of Man.”

 

B.   When answering questions, a person can do several things:

1.     Skirt the answer

2.    Give a wrong answer

3.     Give too brief of an answer

4.    Give too long of an answer

 

C.   We do not want to skirt the answer, nor do we want to give a wrong answer.  We hope our answers are satisfactory and give you something to consider from God’s Word, especially if you are the one who asked the question.