OceanSide church of Christ

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (26)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     The first question posed to our Lord in the gospel of Matthew was asked by demons who were possessing a man’s body in the country of the Gergesenes (Matt. 8:29b).

 

And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God?

 

1.       They acknowledge that a man Jesus existed.

2.       They confessed Him to be the “Son of God.”

3.       They were deeply concerned by His presence.

 

B.      This question came out of shock and dismay at the Lord’s presence.

 

C.     The questions that we ask come out of curiosity and a desire to know more about the Word of God.

 

D.     Tonight, we will be looking at three questions that you have asked.

 

I.                    QUESTION #1:  PRIDE

 

A.     Stated;  Please give your interpretation of what it means to have a “proud look” and a “high look” as mentioned in Psalm 101:5, Proverbs 6:17, and Proverbs 21:4.

 

B.      Answer:

1.       Proverbs 6:16-17a

 

These six things doth the Lord hate:  yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  a proud look…

 

2.       Pride is a sin that begins in the heart of man and can manifest itself in one’s appearance and behavior.

a.       The heart has an inflated view of self.

b.      The head is held high.

c.       The chest is poked out.

d.      There is a strut in one’s walk.

e.       There is a boundary that surrounds the person that communicates to others:  “Do not touch me!”

f.        The words of the proud demean and humiliate others.

3.       Three can be involved in pride.

a.       Self:  believes he is far too important

b.      Others:  despised and mistreated

c.       God:  opposed

4.       The Bible constantly condemns pride in the heart of man.

a.       Proverbs 6:16 reveals that God hates pride.

b.      That same verse tells us that it is an abomination to God, that is, it disgusts Him.

c.       James 4:6b

 

…Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

 

 

II.                 QUESTION #2:  BAPTISM

 

A.     Stated:

1.       How do you baptism someone?

2.       Does it matter what type of body of water in which the baptism takes place?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       The second question first: 

a.       No, it does not matter what type of water in which a person is baptized:  a river, an ocean, a swimming pool, a horse trough, a baptistery, a ditch, etc.

b.      Acts 8:36

 

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

 

1)      Question:  What type of water was this?  Not one person can answer this question.

2)      The type of water is incidental.

3)      The important thing is that there is enough water to baptize, that is, immerse the individual (See John 3:23).

 

And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there:  and they came, and were baptized.

 

2.       The first question:

a.       Some take the confession of the individual at the front of the building.  Some wait until they are standing in the baptistery.  The confession must be done before the baptism (Acts 8:36-38).

b.      A few instructions to the one being baptized:

1)      How to hold my hand

2)      Step back with one foot so he can help me stand up

3)      I tell them I will hold them under long enough to make certain they are completely covered up.

 

III.              QUESTION #3:  GOING TO EVIL PLACES

 

A.     Stated:  Is going to a bad place and doing nothing wrong while there a sin?

 

B.      Answer:

1.       There are many times this question might come up.

a.       Prom for young people.

b.      Going to a wedding reception where alcohol will be served

c.       Going to a restaurant where alcohol will be served

d.      Going to the beach where people are immodestly dressed

2.       Several responses that can be given:

a.       Paul notes an important principle in I Corinthians 5:9-10.

 

I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:  yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs to out of the world.

 

1)      Christians live in a world that is filled with sin.

2)      It is impossible to separate ourselves from everything that is vile and sinful.

b.      Some people are very rigged about some of these things, but it is difficult to be consistent.

1)      They will not go to restaurant that serves alcohol, but they will fill their gas tank and get a soda at a convenience store that does.

2)      They will not go to the beach, but they will go to a waterslide park.

3)      They will not go a wedding reception where alcohol is served, but they will go to a company party where it is served.

c.       One’s purpose for being at a place is very important to consider (Ex., my brother and I went to look for our sister at a pool hall that was also a bar).

d.      Other Biblical points:

1)      There are some places that a Christian should NEVER go (Ex., a man should not got to a strip club)  See Proverbs 4:14-15

 

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.  Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 

2)      We must understand that some places that we go can put us under great temptation, temptation that we cannot overcome.

a)      A prom

b)      James tells us that enticement coupled with our desires leads to sin and sin when it is finished brings forth death (James 1:13-15).

c)       Many a man has fallen because he thought that he could withstand Satan’s s temptations (I Cor. 10:12).

 

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

 

3)      We must always be concerned about our Christian example.

a)      God wants us to be salt and light in this world (Matt. 5:13-16).

b)      We can mar our example by being in the wrong place or with the wrong people.

c)       NOTE:  To say:  “I don’t care what others think,” is not always the right disposition to have.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     We have talked about three subjects.

1.       How one should live his Christian life

2.       Baptism:  the final act that is completed in the initial salvation process

3.       Pride:  A sin that often keeps some from obeying the gospel

 

B.      The proud needs to give up his pride, put on Christ in baptism, and faithfully live the Christian life.