QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (88)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   Recently, I read some interesting questions about food.

1.    Is cereal soup?  Why? Or, why not?

2.    Do you eat soup? Or, do you drink soup?

3.    Is a hotdog a sandwich?

4.    Is tuna in a can cooked? Or, is it raw?

5.    Is a tomato a fruit?  Or, is it a vegetable?

 

B.   Questions like this cause us to think.

Questions like this cause us to investigate.

Questions like this cause us to laugh.

Questions like this cause us to learn.

Questions like this cause controversy.

Questions like this cause us to learn things about others.

 

C.   Today is our Q&A Sunday.  These questions are supposed to be designed to help us learn about the Bible and spiritual things better.

 

D.   In this lesson, we are going to answer three of your questions.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  Hating Evil Doers

 

A.   Stated:  How are we supposed to “love our enemies” (Matt. 5:44), but hate evil doers (Ps. 139:21-22).

 

B.   Answer:

1.    This question has been asked often because love and hate are said to opposites.  In essence, a person cannot love and hate at the same time.

2.    There have been two explanations given.

a.    The first explanation is found in a simple statement:  We hate the sin, but we love the sinner.

1)    This can be done.

2)    Example:  God (Rom. 5:8)

 

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

a)    God certainly does not love sin.  It is the transgression of His divine will (1 John 3:4).

b)    However, He could still love the sinner and did.  That love was manifested in the offering of His Son.

b.    The second explanation, however, seems to better explain what Bible verses actually say.

1)    Two verses:

a)    Psalm 13:21-22

 

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee?...I hate them with a perfect hatred…

 

b)    Psalm 5:5

 

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight:  thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

2)    NOTE:  The hate in these verses is directed not just toward the sin, but the one who is engaging in the sin.

3)    The explanation is that there is more than one definition of hatred.

a)    There is a hatred that is sinful.

-      1 John 3:15

 

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:  and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

-      This hatred involves dislike, detesting another, and having aversion from and hostility toward another.

b)    There is another hatred that is not sinful.

-      This hatred can be defined as righteous indignation.  It is a strong displeasure at something that is unjust, offensive, or insulting.

-      We can be strongly displeased and opposed to everyone who sets himself up as an enemy of the Almighty God.  God is displeased with them.  We can follow in His steps.

-      NOTE:  We could tell person:  “I do not hate you, but I hate you.”  I do not despise you and wish hostility upon you, but I am extremely disappointed and displeased by your words or actions.

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Anti-Bible Classes

 

A.   Question:  There are some churches that believe that holding age-appropriate Bible classes is not Scriptural.  Can you provide some insight into belief?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    A principle found in the Bible tells us that we must have authority for all we do in religion.

a.    Colossians 3:17

 

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

 

b.    1 I Peter 4:11

 

If any many speak, let him speak as the oracles of God…

 

c.    The question that is asked by those who oppose Bible classes is this:  “Where do we find authorization for Bible classes in the Bible?”  In other words, they want to see a church found in the Bible conducting a class just like we conduct a class on Sunday morning or Wednesday night.

2.    There are two arguments that can be made for Bible classes from Scripture.

a.    First, there is a difference between specific authority and general authority.

1)    Specific authority tells us exactly what is supposed to be done.

a)    When we praise God in song, we are to sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).  The word “sing” is a specific term.  It does not include humming or instruments of music.

b)    As a preacher, I am supposed to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2).  I am not supposed to teach my opinions or the doctrines of men.

2)    Second, general authority is involved in commands that are broad and not specific in nature.

a)    Noah was commanded to “make” an ark (Gen. 6:14).  The word “make” is general in nature.  It allowed for the use of tools, animals, carts, and the aid of his family in building the ark.

b)    The word “teach” is also general. 

-      The church is to be taught (Acts 18:11).

 

And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

 

-      Teaching can be done in small groups separating men from women.  Teaching can be done in age-appropriate groups.  Teaching can be done in large groups as well.

-      QUESTION:  How did the women prophets teach? (1 Cor. 11:5).  She could not prophesy in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:34-35).  She had to have taught women at separate times from the assembly.  Wouldn’t that be a Bible class?

b.    Second, the elders are exhorted to feed the flock.

1)    Two verses:

a)    Acts 20:28

 

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

 

b)    1 Peter 5:2

 

Feed the flock of God which is among you.

 

2)    “To feed” is a general command.

a)    They feed us by providing sound teaching during the worship service.

b)    But, they can also feed us in other ways, such as providing age-appropriate Bible classes for the church.

3)    An argument:  Yes, we have the command “to feed,” but the only example we have of how it was done was during the assembly of the saints.  Thus, this is the only way this should be done

4)    Answer:  The Bible commands us to “go” into all the world.  We have examples of “how” people went:  walking and by ship.  Is this, therefore, the only way we can carry the gospel to the world?  Can we no longer go on bikes?  Or, in cars?  Or, in airplanes?

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  Response to Sin and Evil

 

A.   Stated:  Even if we are not participating in sin, if we stand idly by and watch it happen aren’t we guilty too?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    The person who is asking this question is really wondering how actively engaged we are supposed to be in the fight against sin.

a.    If we are not participating in the sin, that is a good thing (1 John 2:1a).

 

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

 

b.    If we are not involved in the sin, do we need to be doing more than that?  Or, is not being involved enough?

2.    The Bible certainly teaches us that we are to be on the offense when it comes to fighting the good fight of faith.

a.    “Fight the good fight of faith…” (1 Tim. 6:12).

b.    “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).

c.    “…and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered you” (Jude 3).

3.    We often justify our lack of offense by saying:  “There is nothing I can do.”  Yet, this is not always the case.

a.    I can decide that I will speak up rather than constantly remaining quiet due to fear of being ridiculed or ostracized.

b.    I don’t have to support a business.

c.    I can write letters to those in positions of authority.

d.    I can make telephone calls to those in public office.

e.    I can use the power of my vote to aid righteousness in our nation.

f.     I can be part of organizations that fight the evil of this world.

g.    I can run for public office so I can be in a position of influence in my community, city, state, or nation.

h.    I can actively engage in soul-winning which changes the world for good one soul at a time.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   This lesson overall has highlighted the fact that there is a lot of evil in our world.

 

B.   The Christian has been called out of the darkness of this world (Col. 1:13).

1.    He now walks in the paths of righteousness wherein the Lord leads him (Ps. 23:2-3).

2.    He also wars a good warfare against evil (1 Tim. 1:18) that he might please Him who called him to be a soldier (2 Tim. 2:4).

 

C.   Have you given up your old life of sin to embrace the new life that is in Christ?

 

D.   Dear Christian does your life evidence the fact that you are on the Lord’s side, fighting for His cause with all your might?

 

E.   Let’s close this lesson with the chorus from the hymn:  “What Will You Do with Jesus?”

 

What will you do with Jesus, my friend?

Neutral you cannot be:

Some day your heart will be asking, O friend,

“What will He do with me.”