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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (92)
Victor M. Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A. When Jesus was about to begin His earthly ministry, the first question asked of him was from the mouth of John the Baptist.
1. “Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him” (Matt. 3:13).
2. John was the forerunner of the Christ. He knew who Jesus was, that is, the Messiah. In Matthew 3:14, John’s reaction to Jesus’ coming to him is recorded.
But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
a. John understood at least two things:
1) His sinfulness as he stood before the Lamb of God.
2) His position before the Messiah.
b. Thus, John questions Jesus, saying: “Why are you coming to me?”
3. Jesus answered John’s question (Matt. 3:15).
And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness…
a. Jesus acknowledged that his request was unique.
1) This is why He used the words: “Suffer it to be so now.”
2) A person “suffers” the exception to the rule.
b. Jesus was there to fulfil all righteousness.
1) Psalm 119:172 tells us that all the commandments of God are righteousness.
2) Jesus was being baptized because He was obeying the Father’s command to do so.
4. With this, John “suffered him” (Matt. 3:15).
B. Oftentimes questions can spring forth from our lips spontaneously. At other times, we have thought upon a question deeply before we have asked it to anyone.
C. Today is our Q&A Lesson. We are going to examine three (3) questions in this study.
I. QUESTION #1: The Difficulty of Spiritual Things
A. Stated: Why are spiritual things difficult to do at times: Bible study, prayer, ordering our priorities, overcoming sin, etc.?
B. There are several answers that we could give to this question.
1. One reason some spiritual things are difficult to do is because they are difficult to do.
(Ex., Bible study and prayer take focus, discipline, and persistence in order to be successful).
a. The word “study” in 2 Timothy 2:15 can be translated “diligence.”
Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. (ASV).
b. In Colossians 4:12, Paul mentions a man named Epaphras to his Colossian readers. He was a member of the Colossian church. Paul said that he was “always labouring fervently for you in prayers…”
2. Another reason some spiritual things are difficult is because we are battling a very powerful enemy.
a. Peter tells us that Satan is like unto a “roaring lion” (1 Pet. 5:8).
b. He is a very subtle being. Over the course of time, he learns our weaknesses, and he knows how to exploit them (2 Cor. 11:3).
But I fear lest by any means as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
3. A third reason spiritual things are difficult is because we have to fight the lusts of the flesh.
a. The flesh has longings and desires that yearn to be fulfilled (Gal. 5:17).
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
1) How we will spend our time.
2) How we will satisfy our cravings.
3) Whether we will belong and be accepted by others.
b. When they are fulfilled, we have a tendency to love the things that satisfy our desires, even if those things are sinful. It is for this reason that John warns against all that is in the world (1 John 2:15).
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
c. It is for this reason that we are warned to abstain from fleshly lusts (1 Pet. 2:11).
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.
II. QUESTION #2: Jewish Animal Sacrifices Today
A. Question: If the Jewish people are still practicing the Jewish faith, shouldn’t they still be practicing animal sacrifices?
B. Answer:
1. The Law of Moses clearly teaches that animal sacrifices were part of that covenant.
a. There were numerous sacrifices, offerings, and special days that required the offering of animals: burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, trespass offerings, Passover, Pentecost, the Day of Atonement, the daily offerings, the sacrifices at the new moon, etc.
b. A variety of animals were sacrificed: lambs, goats, cattle, doves, pigeons, etc.
c. Leviticus is one of the main books that discusses all of these sacrifices and the requirements given to the Jewish community (Lev. 1:1-2).
And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
2. It was predicted that God would choose a place to put His name in Israel.
a. Deuteronomy 12:5, 11, 21; 16:2; 26:2
b. It was in this place that the sacrifices were to be carried out (Deut. 12:5-6).
But unto the place which the Lord you God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: and thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your tithes, and heave offerings out of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks.
c. The chosen tribe was Judah. The chosen city was Jerusalem. And, the chosen place was the temple of the Lord. (See Ps. 132:13; 1 Kings 8:16, 20, 29).
For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.
3. In A.D. 70, the Roman armies marched against the city of Jerusalem, destroyed it and the temple.
a. NOTE: The temple has never been rebuilt in Jerusalem.
b. This is the main reason the sacrifices of the Old Law are not being offered.
c. Right now, the Dome of the Rock occupies the Temple Mound in Old Jerusalem.
4. The premillennialist believes that prior to the Second Coming of Jesus, the Temple will be reconstructed and the sacrifices of the Old Covenant will be resumed in Jerusalem.
“This study suggests that animal sacrifices during the millennium will serve primarily to remove ceremonial uncleanness and prevent defilement from polluting the temple envisioned by Ezekiel. This will be necessary because the glorious presence of Yahweh will once again be dwelling on earth in the midst of a sinful and unclean people. Because of God's promise to dwell on earth during the millennium (as stated in the New Covenant), it is necessary that He protect His presence through sacrifice . . . It should further be added that this sacrificial system will be a temporary one in that the millennium (with its partial population of unglorified humanity) will last only one thousand years.” (Jerry Hullinger as quoted in “Why Sacrifices in the Millennium, Thomas D. Ice, Why Sacrifices in The Millennium (liberty.edu) ).
III. QUESTION #3: Georgia School of Theology
A. Question: We supported Jett Smith while he attended the Georgia School of Theology. We are going to be sending all contributions above our budget to the school during the month of November. Can you remind us about some of the elements of this school?
B. Answer:
1. The school is called the Georgia School of Theology.
a. The first class began in 8.2.21. The second year class started in 8.1.22.
b. The first graduating class was in 7.22.23. Jett was in this class.
2. It is under the oversight of the Warner Robins church of Christ.
a. The church has four elders.
b. The church has ten deacons.
c. Daniel Stearsman is the minister of the congregation. Daniel is the son of the late Jackie Stearsman who was the director of the Florida School of Preaching in Lakeland, FL.
3. The mission of the school is set forth on their website.
- Thoroughly prepare sound preachers, teachers, and leaders to meet the needs and challenges of the local church in Georgia and the Southeastern United States. GST teaches the skills needed to biblically-lead from the pulpit, in the classroom, and the home. Students will receive comprehensive instruction in the books of the Bible; its history; languages; public speaking; writing; teaching; counseling; and pastoral skills.
- Defend the Bible as God’s verbal, plenary inspired word against false teaching. Our instructors steadfastly affirm and teach the authority and inspiration of God’s word.
- Provide leadership training and support for the churches of Christ in GA and the Southeastern United States to meet the biblically mandated leadership expectations.
- Assist sound congregations with church planting to grow Christ’s Kingdom in GA and the Southeastern United States
4. Director: Dave Domingue
5. The following men are instructors in the school:
Terry Burress
David Decker
Mike Elledge
Eddie Fisher
Elliot Glasgow
Jeremy Green
John Gross
Gary Hampton
Neal Pollard
Dave Rogers
Phil Sanders
Norman Spain
Daniel Stearsman
Allen Webster
Dan Winkler
CONCLUSION
A. Questions:
1. What question did John the Baptist ask Jesus when He came to be baptized?
2. What is one reason doing spiritual things is difficult?
3. Do you understand why the Jews no longer practice sacrifice?
4. What preacher training school are we supporting during November?
B. Are you a Christian? Are you a faithful Christian?