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SEEKING THINGS ABOVE

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,

where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. “(Col. 3:1)

Volume I Number 4
July 2020

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Table of Contents

 What  a Privilege to Pray ——————— Donnie V. Rader

What Is Truth —————————————– Mike Johnson

What Is Our Standard of Authority? —— Carrol R. Sutton

The Lost Boy ————————————- Author Unknown

The Church at Philippi (Audio) ———————- Ken Green

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What a Privilege to Pray

Donnie V. Rader

When we realize what a privilege prayer is, we like the disciples of old will plead, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). I am afraid that many of us take prayer for granted. We are not as prayerful as we ought to be simply because we have forgotten what a grand liberty it is.

What is Prayer?

 

Prayer is not merely wishing for something. Nor is it simply thinking about something or reciting some lines. Prayer is our means of speaking to God (Lk. 18:10-14). It is the act of communicating the thoughts of man to the infinite mind of God. From Romans 10:1, we learn that it is the heart’s desire expressed to God. It is making our request and thanksgiving known unto God.

Consider the following quotes that I have gathered from various sources that help us better understand and appreciate prayer. “Prayer is the avenue through which one approaches the Almighty.” It is “making personal contact with power that transcends time, space and matter,” and the “reach of man after the Absolute Reality.” “Prayer is the voice of faith” (Thomas Home). “Prayer is a correspondence fixed in heaven” (Robert Burns). And then my favorite, “Prayer is so simple; It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God.”

May I say what a privilege that is? What a privilege to have access to our God (cf. 1 John 3:1). Can you imagine what it would be like to be invited into the oval office for a private discussion with the president? If I could tell you that I could go in and talk with the president at any time, you would think that was a special favor unlike any other. You might even ask how I got such a privilege. Yet, we are invited to open up our hearts to the Creator and Ruler of the universe! Oh, what a privilege that is.

The Need For Praying

We can better appreciate the privilege of prayer when we consider its necessity. Yes, we need to pray. It is not just a liberty. Several reasons can be given for this need.

  1. It is a command (1 Thess. 5:17; 1 Tim. 2:8; Luke18:1; Matt. 6:9-13).
  2. Children want to talk with their Father, a natural desire. Can you imagine never talking to your father? Can you imagine your children never or very seldom talking to you?
  3. God is concerned with our wants and needs (Matt. 7:9-11; Luke 12:7).
  4. We need to find grace to help (Heb. 4:16). Because we as humans are weak and frail, we are dependent upon the assistance of Divine power. I realize more and more every day, my need for the help of God. I continually stand in need of God’s care and protection. We simply cannot make it without God’s help (John 15:5; Phil. 4:13).
  5. God is the Almighty (Matt. 19:26; Eph. 3:20-21; Rev. 4:8). He has the power to grant and do something about matters. He is in control. The reason I pray for world problems, peace, and rulers is that God is able to do something about those things. The reason I pray for those with cancer, heart problems, and other diseases is that God is in control.
  6. God is willing to grant us good things (Matt. 7:7-8). God gives us what is best for us, even when his answer is “no.”
  7. We need to express our love and adoration (Matt. 6:9; 1 Tim. 2:1). Prayer is an opportunity to express our appreciation to God. It is an act of worship, a time to praise God.
  8. We need forgiveness (Acts 8:22:24). What a privilege to be able to turn to God and start your life over. What if you couldn’t do that?
  9. We must pray to follow the example of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21).
  10. Prayer does good (Jas. 5:16). It is effective. We pray because we need to pray, not because that is our routine, or it satisfies our conscience.

Who Should Pray?

Not everyone has that grand privilege to approach the Almighty, for God does not hear the prayer of sinners. When the man whom Jesus had healed of his blindness was questioned, he replied, “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth” (John 9:31). Though this man was not inspired, he stated a truth. Note that he did not say “I think” or “we think” or even “I know,” rather, he said, “we know.” It wasn’t denied. His statement was based upon some Old Testament passages (cf. Isa. 59:1-2; Psa. 34:15-16; 66:18; Prov. 28:9).

The children of God have that privilege. Notice again John 9:31. God hears one that is “a worshipper of God, and doeth his will.” This is descriptive of a Christian. Prayer must be offered in faith (Jas. 1:16) and addressed to “our Father” (Matt. 6:9-13) by a righteous man (Jas. 5:16). We are assured that God hears our prayers when we “keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight” (1 John 3:22). Peter said, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil” (1 Pet. 3:12, emphasis mine DVR). Consider other passages such as Proverbs 15:29; Romans 8:14-15 and 1 Timothy 2:8.

 What About Cornelius and Saul and Other Alien Sinners?

Did not God hear and answer the prayers of Cornelius and Saul (Acts 10:31; 9:11)? The argument is sometimes made from John 9:31 that this text is not dealing with alien sinners. It is true that it deals with rebellious covenant people (as it is based upon Old Testament passages). However, why would this principle not also apply to the alien? Would you say that God will not hear a covenant sinner, but will hear an alien sinner?

God may “hear” the prayer. That we wouldn’t argue. I’m sure that God is aware of what the alien says. God may even respond somehow as he did in the case of Cornelius and Saul. But that is not answering the prayer. His ears are not open unto their prayers (1 Pet. 3:12). If a sinner (alien or otherwise) has the privilege to pray, it seems that all of the passages mentioned earlier are meaningless.

Certainly, the alien could not pray for salvation and obtain it by prayer (e.g., at the mourner’s bench). In the case of Saul, he was told to quit praying and arise and be baptized (Acts 9:11; 22:16). Cornelius was to hear words that instructed him in things he must do to be saved (Acts 10:6; 11:14).

There is not a passage telling the alien sinner to pray. For what could he pray? Whoever heard of a convicted sinner praying for anything but pardon anyway?

Indeed, as we sing, “what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”

Searching the Scriptures, Oct. 1986

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WHAT IS TRUTH?

Mike Johnson

What is truth?  This question is critical.  Pilate asked it at Jesus’ trial in connection with the accusation made that Jesus was a king in a civil sense and thus a rival.  It seems he asked it with scorn rather than with a quest for knowledge.  Regardless, this question is critical.

Consider what the Bible has to say about truth.  In John 17, just before His death, Jesus prayed to God and for His disciples and all others who would believe that they would have unity. In the course of this prayer (17), he said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” In Psalm 110:151, the Psalmist says, “You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.” In Psalm 25:10, the writer says, “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.”

Truth is in God’s Word, which is the Bible. Before Jesus’ death, He told His disciples that when He left, the Holy Spirit would guide them unto “all truth” (Jn. 16:13-14).  They, inspired by God, took this “truth” and wrote it down so we can read and understand it (Eph. 3:3-4).  Today, we have a complete revelation, the Scriptures, which guides us unto all truth (2 Tim. 3:16-17). The ISBE defines truth in this way. “In the Bible, the known will of God is final for man as a standard of truth….”

What is truth?  The teaching in the Scriptures is the absolute truth.  We can depend on God’s Word to reveal truth, and this is important as it is only truth that can “set us free” (Jn. 8:32).  Jesus points out He is “…the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Jn. 14:6).

Related Article

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What Is Our Standard of Authority?

Carrol R. Sutton

In every phase of human activity, we constantly see the need for recognizing a standard of authority. In time, weights, and measures, we accept certain standards. Otherwise, there would be confusion. Our honesty and sincerity is not sufficient when it comes to determining the time of day or how much we should pay or receive for an undetermined amount of merchandise. We do not insist on our watches being the standard, but instead, we set our watches by that which is recognized as the standard. When our watches show a variation in time, we do not argue that “one watch is as good as another.” Neither do we insist that our watches are right because we are sincere. The difference in the time shown by our watches can easily be solved by each one of us accepting a common authoritative standard. This same principle, when applied, will certainly solve our differences in the realm of religious activity. If we are ever united religiously, it will be because we have accepted and obeyed the same rule or standard as being authoritative.

What About the Law of Moses?

God gave a law to Israel by Moses. (Jno. 1:17; Deut. 5:1-15). It was provisional and temporary. (See Jer. 31:31; Heb. 8:6-13; Gal. 3:19). It was to serve as a schoolmaster to bring the Israelites to Christ (Gal. 3:24), but it was not intended to be the criterion for people in this last dispensation. Jesus came to fulfill the law. (Matt. 5:17, 18). The law was nailed to the cross, and the Israelites thus became dead to the law by the body of Christ. (See, Col. 2:14-17; Rom. 7:4-7). God gave the sabbath command because Israel was a servant in the land of Egypt and was delivered by God’s hand. (Deut. 5:15). We are not Israelites who were in Egyptian bondage. Therefore God never gave the law of Moses to us. I believe every word found in the Old Testament, but I do not accept it as being our standard to govern us today. We are to use it for learning and admonition, but not as law. (See Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10: 11).

What About Human Wisdom and Reasoning?

Many people idolize human wisdom and reason. They accept nothing in spiritual matters unless to them, it is rational. Thus in many instances, they set aside divine revelation. Each person becomes a standard within himself. Hence, no common standard or ground of agreement is possible. Isaiah 55:8,9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The thoughts of these verses should make us afraid to enthrone human reason and wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-21, the apostle Paul said, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” We cannot accept human wisdom and divine revelation at the same time. Paul said, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.” (Rom. 1:22). Solomon stated, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Prov. 14:12). Human wisdom cannot be accepted as a standard of authority if we truly desire eternal salvation.

What About the Majority?

What the majority of people say in some matters should be accepted, but such is not the case in spiritual matters. Even under the law of Moses, God said, “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” (Exo. 23:2). In Matthew 7:13,14 Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” The idea that “since everybody is doing it, therefore it is right” is certainly foreign to the teaching of the New Testament. The majority is not the standard in spiritual matters.

What About Conscience?

 The conscience does not constitute an authoritative standard because a person may have a good conscience while engaging in sin. Paul said in Acts 23:1, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” He further states in Acts 26:9 that he “verily thought” within himself that he “ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” We learn from other passages that during the time that he had a good conscience, he was guilty of being exceedingly mad against Christians, and of being a blasphemer, and a persecutor and injurious. (See Acts 26:10,11; 1 Tim. 1:13). Let us not think that the conscience is the standard!

What Is Our Standard?

 We learn from Hebrews. 1:1,2 that in these last days, God hath spoken unto us by His Son. The words of Jesus Christ are spirit and life (Jno. 6:63). His gospel is God’s power to save us. (Rom. 1:16). He took away the first testament that He might establish the second. (Heb. 10:9,10). Since Jesus Christ is the head of the church and has all authority but in heaven and earth, (Matt. 28;18), obviously, His Word must be accepted as the rule or standard. His teaching constitutes a “perfect law of liberty” (Jas. 1:25).

Are you willing to accept it? Do you believe what it says about how to be saved? (Consider Mk. 16:15,16; Acts 2;38; Gal. 3:26,27). Have you obeyed the Lord’s Will? Do you believe what Christ’s Testament says about the church? (Consider Acts 20: 18; 2:47; Eph. 5:23-27). Do you believe what it says about what name we are to wear? (See Acts 4:12; 11:26; 1 Pet. 4:16). Do you believe what it says about how to worship? (Jno. 4:24; Acts 2:42; 20:7; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 16:2). Do you believe what it says about how to live? (Titus 2:11,12; Rom. 12:1,2). There can be unity if we all accept the same thing as our standard and follow it! Otherwise, there will be confusion and division!

Whether we accept Christ’s Word as authoritative or not, it will judge us in the last day! (Jno. 12:48).

                                                                                          The Instructor, Vol. 1, No. 2, Feb. 1964.

 

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The Lost Boy

Once a little boy was lost in the woods.  The alarm was sounded, a church meeting was broken up, the whole neighborhood aroused. Fishermen abandoned their nets, and merchants closed their shops. Plows were left in the fields and washings in the tubs.  Everyone turned out to look for the little fellow.  He might have been snake-bitten or fallen into a well.  But after hours of search, he was found, and oh, the joy experienced because of the rescue.

Today, that boy has grown up.  He is lost again!  Lost in his sins. Doomed to a fate worse than his first one could possibly have been. But his mother and father are not in the least concerned.  Business goes on as usual in his home town.  Even the church seems to hold little concern for his lost condition.  The attitude seems to be that of little Bo Peep….” Leave them alone, and they’ll come home.” That wasn’t Jesus’ attitude.  He left the ninety-nine to go seek the one astray. Let us diligently seek the lost and those who have strayed back into the world!  Let us not sleep till they all be found.

via, Lanett Bulletin

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Sermon

The Church at Philippi (Audio Sermon)

Ken Green

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Editor: Mike Johnson